Muscari Comosum Research Articles

The first report of an Algerian Leopoldia comosa essential oil content and antioxidant assessment

In the current study, we examined the chemical makeup and anti­oxidant potential of an Algerian Leopoldia comosa. The results showed that there were moderate levels of phenols and flavonoids in the crude extract (15.11 ± 0.78 μg GAE/mg and 31.27 ± 2.71 μg QE/mg, respectively). Additionally, the findings showed that both crude extract and EO had moderate antioxidant capabilities (8.74 ± 1.13 mg/ml; 13.18 ± 0.18% and 12.94 ± 0.89%, respectively). Twelve (12) volatile compounds were found in the EO according to GC–MS and GC–FID analyses, with tetrapentacontane (48.25%), 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol (16.59%), hexatriacontane (9.17%), and 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-one (8.80%) accounting for the majority of the components. To our knowledge, no earlier studies have looked at the chemical composition of L. comosa oil. These findings might contribute to our understanding of this species’ makeup and make it a useful source of food and medicine in the future.

The Bioactivity and Phytochemicals of Muscari comosum (Leopoldia comosa), a Plant of Multiple Pharmacological Activities.

Leopoldia comosa (LC), popularly known as Muscari comosum, spontaneously grows in the Mediterranean region and its bulbs are used as a vegetable. Traditionally, they are also used to treat various diseases and conditions, which has inspired the study of the pharmacological activities of different parts of LC. These studies revealed the numerous biological properties of LC including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetes, anti-obesity, anti-cancer, anti-Alzheimer's disease, antibacterial, and immune stimulant. High antioxidant activity compared to other non-cultivated plants, and the potential role of antioxidant activity in other reported activities make LC an excellent candidate to be developed as an antioxidant plant against important associated diseases. The presence of a diverse class of phytochemicals (n = 85), especially flavonoids and homoisoflavones, in LC, also imparts significance to the nutraceutical candidature of the plant. However, limited animal studies and the lack of a directional approach have limited the further design of effective clinical studies for the development of LC. The current study is the first attempt to comprehensively compile information regarding the phytochemicals and pharmacological activities of LC, emphasize the targets/markers targeted by LC, important in other activities, and also highlight the current gaps and propose possible bridges for the development of LC as a therapeutic and/or supplement against important diseases.

Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolic Content and Morphological Traits in 1 to 4-Year-Old Muscari comosum Bulbs Cultivated in Three Growing Environments

Muscari comosum, commonly called “Lampascione”, is an edible wild plant that grows predominantly in the Mediterranean area. In this study, qualitative characteristics (size and antioxidant properties) were investigated in “Lampascione” bulbs of different ages cultivated in three different growing environments (greenhouse, shaded greenhouse and open field). The 4-year-old bulbs grown in a greenhouse showed the best shape index. The highest total phenolic content was observed in seed bulbs for all the growing environments. The antioxidant activity expressed in terms of EC50 average value had a fluctuating trend. However, the best antioxidant activity was found in bulbs cultivated in open fields and in the 4-year-olds grown in the greenhouse. Therefore, all these bulbs have a high antioxidant activity and can be considered as a very good nutraceutical source useful to consumers, as well as in the pharmaceutical sector, who are more and more interested in having products for a healthy and natural diet.

Effects of Pre-Germinative Treatments and Temperatures on Tassel Hyacinth [Muscari comosum (L.) Mill.] Seeds

Muscari comosum (L.) Mill. is a spontaneous plant that grows in the whole Mediterranean area, including the Basilicata and Puglia regions (southern Italy), where it has received inclusion in the Italian National List for Traditional Agri-Food Product (TAP). The food and medicinal uses of bulb are ancient due to its antioxidant properties and high variety of nutrients, such as starch, sugars, and minerals. Muscari seed is characterized by morpho-physiological dormancy, and in order to achieve uniform germination, some pre-germinative treatments are needed. In this research, the effects of hydro-priming and osmo-priming, i.e., PEG 8000 and KNO3, as well as three germination temperatures (4, 10, and 20 °C), have been evaluated. In general, the average results pointed out that the pre-treatments increased the germination index (GI) by 5% and the germination percentage (GP) by 3% compared to the no-primed control. The germination temperature of 10 °C significantly reduced the median germination time (T50) by 5.4 days and the mean germination time (MGT) by 5 days compared to temperature at 4 °C. In particular, the best results were obtained by “hydro-priming treatment × 10 °C” interaction, in terms of T50 (34.9 days) and MGT (36.3 days). This combination decreased the T50 by 10.5 days and the MGT by 9.6 days compared to the “control × 4 °C” interaction. Pearson’s correlation matrix results highlighted a significant positive link between T50 and MGT (r = 0.993). In conclusion, these techniques enhanced the germination potential so that the use of pre-treated seeds could be included in a cultivation protocol to improve the germination phase and satisfy the growing demand for Italian bulbs.

Introduction and variety study of muscari on the Black Sea coast of Russia (Sochi)

Muscari are unpretentious, undemanding, at the same time highly ornamental plants that are widely spred and used in landscape design. Research onMuscaricollection was conducted at the experimental base of Subtropical Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 2018-2021. The objects of research were:Muscari armeniacumLeichtlin ex Baker and its varieties: ‘Early Giant’, ‘Fantasy Creation’, ‘Blue Spike’, ‘Touch of Snow’, ‘Dark Eyes’, ‘Peppermint’,Muscari neglectumGuss. ex Ten.,Muscari comosum(L.) Mill (syn.Leopoldia comosa(L.) Parl.) ‘Plumosum’,Muscari racemosumMill. andMuscari botryoides(L.) Mill. The research was carried out according to the developed methodology for studying low-growing flower crops. The characteristics of meteorological conditions were described based on the materials obtained from the weather archive of the Weather and Climate website. During the research, meteorological parameters differed both in the observation years and from the average long-term ones. Higher air temperatures with less precipitation were noted in almost all the research years during the rooting of bulbs (October-November). In the spring months, there was a significant reduction in the amount of precipitation in April and May, often at higher temperatures, which led to a reduction in the duration of the growing season. Phenological observations have shown that Muscari intensively vegetated, bloomed and bore fruit. Vegetation, depending on the variety and the condition of the year, began in late December — early January in early and medium varieties, while in early–mid February — in late varieties. Blooming of early varieties was noted in early–mid March; middle varieties bloomed in mid–late March, late varieties – in the early-mid April. As a result of the conducted research, the ornamental value of 11 Muscari species and varieties has been evaluated. The following varieties with high parameters of ornamental qualities were identified: M.neglectum(58), ‘Fantasy Creation’ (58), ‘Miss Vain’ (58), M.racemosum(58), M.botryoides(58), ‘Blue Spike’ (59). The study of the Muscari collection of Subtropical Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences has shown that all varieties have high ornamental qualities and long blooming and can be used in landscaping.

The pollen record from Grotta Romanelli (Apulia, Italy): New insight for the Late Pleistocene Mediterranean vegetation and plant use

Pollen analyses have been carried out on the infilling deposits of Grotta Romanelli (Apulia, Italy), a reference site for the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic of Italy. The analysis focused on Terre rosse, a fine unit till now ascribed to an interstadial phase following the Würm acme, and on the uppermost unit (Terre brune), recently dated to the latest Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene. Despite the diffuse barrenness and low pollen concentration of many levels, pollen data from Grotta Romanelli gives insights into the palaeoenvironmental setting of the deposits and their chronological attribution. The presence of Olea in all levels of Terre rosse strongly suggests their attribution to the Last Interglacial (Eemian), during which this plant was diffused in the Mediterranean area. The Terre brune deposition occurred when the environment was open, with rare trees and shrubs and prevailing steppe elements. This association reflects the climatic conditions of the Lateglacial, with evidence of both the warm interstadial Bølling/Allerød and the cold stadial Younger Dryas. Mediterranean, mesophilous and riparian arboreal elements are present, especially in the Early Holocene levels. Comparison with modern pollen material allowed some fossil grains, found in high amounts and in clusters, to be tentatively ascribed to the species Crithmum maritimum (Apiaceae), Muscari comosum and to Asparagus maritimus/Ornithogalum (Asparagaceae). The significant occurrence of such entomophilous plants reveals differential transportation inside the cave and, since most of them are edible and/or have medicinal properties, suggests an intentional introduction and possible use during time, by both Neanderthals and modern humans.

Palynological characterisation of sedra honeys (Ziziphus lotus) produced in Algeria

A melissopalynological study was carried out on 46 samples of Ziziphus lotus honey from Laghouat and Djelfa region (central Algeria). The number of pollen types identified per honey sample ranges between nine and 39 with a mean of 24. These correspond to 52 botanical families with 79 different pollen types in the whole samples. Asteraceae and Fabaceae families were present in all the samples where as Apiaceae, Brassicaceae and Nitrariaceae (Peganum harmala) were identified in more than 90%. Other plant families as Boraginaceae, Cistaceae, Myrtaceae, Oleaceae, Salicaceae or Urticaceae were identified in more than 50% of the samples but frequently as minor pollen. Ziziphus lotus pollen had a mean content of 68.9% (with a range of 45.3% to 93.4%). The secondary pollen types were Ononis natrix, Peganum harmala, Brassica napus, Echium and Olea europaea. Regarding the important pollen it is highlighted the presence Lotus t., Eucalyptus, Pimpinella anisum t., Trifolium t., Eryngium campestre t., Centaurea t., Galega officinalis t., Citrus or Scrophularia t. The sedra honeys of the studied region are characterised by their high content in pollen grains with a mean content of 188 403 grains/10 g. The presence of some pollen types in the pollen spectra of honeys such as Peganum harmala, Thapsia garganica, Launaea, Muscari comosum, Carthamus or Limonium bonduellei together several Asteraceae as Centaurea, Taraxacum, Carduus, Artemisia and Matricaria was proposed as geographical markers of this honey type.

Total Synthesis of Naturally Occurring 5,7,8-Trioxygenated Homoisoflavonoids.

Homoisoflavonoids are in the subclass of the larger family of flavonoids but have one more alkyl carbon than flavonoids. Among them, 5,7,8-trioxygenated homoisoflavonoids have not been extensively studied for synthesis and biological evaluation. Our current objective is to synthesize 2 5,7,8-trioxygenated chroman-4-ones and 12 5,7,8-trioxygenated homoisoflavonoids that have been isolated from the plants Bellevalia eigii, Drimiopsis maculata, Ledebouria graminifolia, Eucomis autumnalis, Eucomis punctata, Eucomis pallidiflora, Chionodoxa luciliae, Muscari comosum, and Dracaena cochinchinensis. For this purpose, 1,3,4,5-tetramethoxybenzene and 4′-benzyloxy-2′,3′-dimethoxy-6′-hydroxyacetophenone were used as starting materials. Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation using Noyori’s Ru catalyst provided 5,7,8-trioxygenated-3-benzylchroman-4-ones with R-configuration in high yield and enantiomeric excess. By selective deprotection of homoisoflavonoids using BCl3, the total synthesis of natural products including 10 first syntheses and three asymmetric syntheses has been completed, and three isomers of the reported dracaeconolide B could be provided. Our research on 5,7,8-trioxygenated homoisoflavonoids would be useful for the synthesis of related natural products and pharmacological applications.

The in vitro antioxidant properties ofMuscari comosumbulbs and their inhibitory activity on enzymes involved in inflammation, post-prandial hyperglycemia, and cognitive/neuromuscular functions

Extracts of Muscari comosum bulbs, a traditional Mediterranean food, were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography for polyphenol content and tested for their activity on free-radicals and enzymes that might be involved in human health. The extracts revealed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidant activity was determined by evaluating the radical scavenging activity toward 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydraziyl (DPPH˙), nitric oxide (˙NO), and superoxide (O2˙−), whereas the anti-inflammatory activity was determined by zymography by evaluating the in-gel inhibition of MMP-9 and MMP-2, two pro-inflammatory gelatinases. Anti-glycemic activity was determined by measuring the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, two enzymes involved in post-prandial hyperglycemia. Finally, M. comosum extracts were found to inhibit the enzyme acetylcholine esterase. The resulting increase of acetylcholine availability might improve cognitive functions and neuromuscular transmission. Our laboratory findings substantiate and extend previous results, but the clinical value of M. comosum properties needs to be further evaluated. Practical applications Muscari comosum bulbs are mostly used in a few Mediterranean countries and in particular in Southern Italy, where they are commonly known as “lampascioni” or “cipollacci.” The most popular recipe in traditional gastronomy. consists in boiling the cleaned bulbs and keep them in olive oil. The present study shows that M. comosum bulbs have a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro, and inhibit specific enzymes involved in hyperglycemia or cholinergic neurotransmission. The above properties might be useful in diabetic individuals to reduce post-prandial hyperglycemia and might improve acetylcholine transmission and therefore cognitive and neuromuscular functions.

Immunostimulant Effects of Geophyte Plant Extract on Non-specific Defence Mechanisms of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The aim of this study was to determine the immunostimulant effects of geophyte plant extract on non-specific defence mechanisms of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). For this purpose, Muscari comosum was collected in Muğla region and extracted in ethanol. Then, The plant extract applied into fish by intraperitonal injection in two different concentrations (0.5mg/ fish and 2.0 mg/fish). The average fish weight was 140 g. Following the injection on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th days the blood and serum samples were collected from fish in each group and examined for various parameters including percentage of hematocrit, the counts of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) positive neutrophils, total leukocyte counts, percentage of white blood cells and serum lysozyme activity. The results indicated that the counts of NBT (+) neutrophils, percentage of monocyte and neutophil and total leukocyte counts increased in the group with injected 0.5mg plant extract /fish compared to control group (P<0.05). It has been revealed that this dose of M. comosum can be suggested to use to enhance non-specific immune system for rainbow trout aquaculture. However, immunostimulant effects of oral administration of this plant extract in rainbow trout are needed to be determine in future studies.

Identification by Molecular Docking of Homoisoflavones from Leopoldia comosa as Ligands of Estrogen Receptors

The physiological responses to estrogen hormones are mediated within specific tissues by at least two distinct receptors, ERα and ERβ. Several natural and synthetic molecules show activity by interacting with these proteins. In particular, a number of vegetal compounds known as phytoestrogens shows estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity. The majority of these compounds belongs to the isoflavones family and the most representative one, genistein, shows anti-proliferative effects on various hormone-sensitive cancer cells, including breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. In this work we describe the identification of structurally related homoisoflavones isolated from Leopoldia comosa (L.) Parl. (L. comosa), a perennial bulbous plant, potentially useful as hormonal substitutes or complements in cancer treatments. Two of these compounds have been selected as potential ligands of estrogen receptors (ERs) and the interaction with both isoforms of estrogen receptors have been investigated through molecular docking on their crystallographic structures. The results provide evidence of the binding of these compounds to the target receptors and their interactions with key residues of the active sites of the two proteins, and thus they could represent suitable leads for the development of novel tools for the dissection of ER signaling and the development of new pharmacological treatments in hormone-sensitive cancers.

Metabolite profiling and biological properties of aerial parts from Leopoldia comosa (L.) Parl.: Antioxidant and anti-obesity potential

Different anti-obesity drugs have proved unsuccessful due to their adverse effects. As a consequence, there is a growing interest in herbal remedies, with the aim to find new well-tolerated effective drugs. Leopoldia comosa (L.) Parl. grows in Central and Southern Europe, Northern Africa and Central and South-Western Asia, and the bulbs have been commonly used for food throughout history. In this study the effectiveness of L. comosa (L.) Parl. leaves and inflorescences hydroalcoholic extracts and fractions was verified through the evaluation of pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity. The metabolite profiling and the antioxidant activity were also investigated. Chemical composition of L. comosa leaves and inflorescences was assessed by means of GC–MS and HPTLC analyses. The ethyl acetate fraction of leaves sample showed the best antioxidant activity, tested through DPPH and β-carotene bleaching test. The effects on pancreatic lipase activity were assessed through the in vitro evaluation of the capacity to prevent p-nitrophenyl caprylate hydrolysis. Interestingly, leaves and inflorescences extracts and all their fractions were effective in inhibiting pancreatic lipase. The best anti-obesity potential was demonstrated by the n-hexane and the ethyl acetate fractions of leaves sample, with IC50 values of 0.369±0.020 and 0.336±0.007mg/mL. The same fractions of the inflorescences hydroalcoholic extract were also effective, with IC50 values equal to 0.736±0.045 and 0.780±0.009mg/mL. These results suggest that investigated samples could be a source of interesting compounds able to suppress dietary fat absorption.

Leopoldia comosa prevents metabolic disorders in rats with high-fat diet-induced obesity.

Obesity is the main feature of a complex illness known as metabolic syndrome. Anti-obesogenic therapies are often associated with side effects and represent a high cost in conventional pharmacological approaches. New strategies based on natural remedies are under continuous investigation. Leopoldia comosa (L.) Parl. (L. comosa) is a spontaneous plant with diuretic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Recently, a hypoglycemic activity mediated by inhibition of carbohydrate digestion has been identified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a diet supplemented with L. comosa extracts on a rat model of diet-induced obesity. Leopoldia comosa bulb extracts were obtained using a dynamic extractor. Phytochemical properties and in vitro determination of the antioxidant activity and of the inhibitory effects on lipase and pancreatic amylase were performed.Rats were fed (12weeks) a standard diet, or a high-fat diet (HFD), or an HFD plus L. comosa (20 or 60mg/die) extracts. The metabolic and anthropometric parameters were recorded. Results indicated that L. comosa inhibited lipase and pancreatic amylase activities. In vivo data showed that the supplementation with both doses of L. comosa extracts counteracted the HFD-dependent effects. It reduced body weight, abdominal obesity and dyslipidemia, and improved glucose tolerance with a reduction of lipidic tissue hypertrophy and liver steatosis, as compared to HFD-fed rat. In liver, L. comosa reduced protein expression levels of PEPCK and G6Pase. We suggest that L. comosa extracts prevent obesity-dependent metabolic disorders. This paves the way for their therapeutic application as a natural anti-obesity drug.

Diversity of agrocoenoses in the Lublin region, Poland

The Lublin region, one of the main agricultural regions in Poland, has very favorable conditions for agricultural production but the development of the agricultural sector has been very slow there. This is due, among other factors, to the extensive farming used on large areas and the fragmentation of fields with numerous fragments of natural ecosystems. In Lublin Province, cereals comprise the highest proportion of the crop structure, especially wheat, but farmers also often cultivate maize, oilseed rape, sugar beet, and legumes for consumption. The biological diversity of agricultural areas is enhanced by growing traditional plant species and varieties. Crop species are accompanied by segetal weeds, sometimes very expansive, sometimes rare and endangered by extinction. In recent years, the following have been the dominant weed species in the region’s crop fields: <em>Galium aparine</em>, <em>Convolvulus arvensis</em>, <em>Papaver rhoeas</em>, <em>Viola arvensis</em>, and <em>Veronica persica</em>. However, there are several locations of occurrence of <em>Muscari comosum</em> (a strictly protected species) and the following unique species: <em>Adonis aestivalis</em>, <em>Anthemis tinctoria</em>, <em>Caucalis platycarpos</em>, <em>Galium tricornutum</em>, and <em>Thymelaea passerina</em>. In Lublin Province, there are many organic farms which contribute to the significant diversity of agricultural plant communities. In this review, we also indicate the biocoenotic role of weeds and their importance in the proper maintenance of agroecosystems and ecosystem services.

Seed-propagated Muscari comosum (L.) Mill.: Effects of sowing date and growing conditions

Muscari comosum is a widespread Mediterranean species with a long use as food. The edible part is the bitter bulb that has to be cooked. The increasing value of bulbs, also due to a renewed cultural interest toward traditional foods and their benefits for health, claims to enhance the agricultural production. Surprisingly, no agronomic studies about the best practice of propagation exist. We tested whether and how germination rate and weight and size of bulbs, after one growing season, were affected by sowing date (autumn–spring), growing condition (greenhouse, shaded greenhouse and open field), and container’s volume. Results showed that the best-sowing period ranges between September and January; following this period there is a huge decrease in germination rate. The time of seedling emergence was higher in open field than in protected environment. The longer interval of growing was observed with the sowing of October that produced heavier and larger bulbs. The best combination to obtain larger bulbs is sowing in October under greenhouse. However, under shaded conditions it was possible to obtain satisfactory results even with medium-late sowing (December and January). Containers with higher volume generally performed better. We conclude that mass propagation of M. comosum could be efficiently performed for agronomic purposes using nurseries. In fact, due to the high rate of germination and to the ease of obtaining the seeds from wild populations or from cultivations, there is the possibility to produce large quantities of bulbs to develop new crops of this traditional food.

Direct and Indirect Influence of Non-Native Neighbours on Pollination and Fruit Production of a Native Plant.

BackgroundEntomophilous non-native plants can directly affect the pollination and reproductive success of native plant species and also indirectly, by altering the composition and abundance of floral resources in the invaded community. Separating direct from indirect effects is critical for understanding the mechanisms underlying the impacts of non-native species on recipient communities.ObjectivesOur aims are: (a) to explore both the direct effect of the non-native Hedysarum coronarium and its indirect effect, mediated by the alteration of floral diversity, on the pollinator visitation rate and fructification of the native Leopoldia comosa and (b) to distinguish whether the effects of the non-native species were due to its floral display or to its vegetative interactions.MethodsWe conducted field observations within a flower removal experimental setup (i.e. non-native species present, absent and with its inflorescences removed) at the neighbourhood scale.ResultsOur study illustrates the complexity of mechanisms involved in the impacts of non-native species on native species. Overall, Hedysarum increased pollinator visitation rates to Leopoldia target plants as a result of direct and indirect effects acting in the same direction. Due to its floral display, Hedysarum exerted a direct magnet effect attracting visits to native target plants, especially those made by the honeybee. Indirectly, Hedysarum also increased the visitation rate of native target plants. Due to the competition for resources mediated by its vegetative parts, it decreased floral diversity in the neighbourhoods, which was negatively related to the visitation rate to native target plants. Hedysarum overall also increased the fructification of Leopoldia target plants, even though such an increase was the result of other indirect effects compensating for the observed negative indirect effect mediated by the decrease of floral diversity.

Effects of Aqueous Smoke and Nitrate Treatments on Germination of 12 Eastern Mediterranean Basin Plants

Determining the relative role of various cues on seed germination in Mediterranean plants is important to understanding their response to variable conditions. We studied germination responses of 12 eastern Mediterranean Basin species (Alyssum caricum, A. minus, Carthamus dentatus, Daucus broteri, D. carota, Hypericum aviculariifolium, Muscari comosum, Onopordum caricum, Rumex crispus, Sarcopoterium spinosum, Silene vulgaris, Smyrnium rotundifolium) to different smoke and nitrate concentrations in laboratory. Smoke treatments resulted in significant increase in germination of D. carota, O. caricum, and S. spinosum, but had a negative effect on germination of Hypericum aviculariifolium. Of the 12 studied species, five showed significant improvement in germination after at least one of the nitrate treatments compared with the control. In total, smoke and nitrate treatments significantly increased the germination percentage in six of the 12 studied species. All the species that have smoke- and/or nitrate-stim...

Radioautographic visualization of incorporation of lipid precursors into anthers of Muscari comosum (L.) Mili.

Incorporation of the following lipid precursors: DL-mevalonic acid-2 <sup>3</sup>H, <sup>3</sup>H palmitic acid and acetic acid-<sup>3</sup>H sodium salt, into the anther cells of <i>Muscari comosum</i> (L.) Mili. has been investigated. These lipid precursors have been demonstrated to incorporate into pollen mother cells, pollen grains and the tapetum at the consecutive developmental stages. Ali used isotopes are incorporated into the cytoplasm of these cells and in the case of pollen grain the radioactivity of pollen grain wall (mainly composed of sporopellenin) is noticed. The highest radioactivity of pollen grain wall is observed after acetic acid, the lower one after palmitic acid, whereas the lowest uptake of lipid precursor occurs after mevalonic acid. In comparison with tetrad stage the distinct inrease of the cytoplasmic radioactivity of tapetum, which appears to1 accompany the labelling of pollen grain wall, seems to indicate the participation of tapetum in the formation of exine. A possible role of Ubisch bodies in the formation of pollen grain wall is discussed.

First record of insect pollinators visiting Muscari comosum (L.) Miller (Liliaceae-Hyacinthaceae), an ancient Mediterranean food plant

Insects foraging on Muscari comosum flowers belong to 3 families, 10 genera and 13 species. The most abundant species was the hairy-footed flower bee, Anthophora plumipes. All species, except two cleptoparasites, presented pollen on their bodies. Muscari comosum flowering in early spring can be a key food source for pollinators.

Sterile flowers increase pollinator attraction and promote female success in the Mediterranean herb Leopoldia comosa

Large floral displays have opposing consequences for animal-pollinated angiosperms: they attract more pollinators but also enable elevated among-flower self-pollination (geitonogamy). The presence of sterile flowers as pollinator signals may enhance attraction while allowing displays of fewer open fertile flowers, limiting geitonogamy. The simultaneous contributions of fertile and non-fertile display components to pollinator attraction and reproductive output remain undetermined. The simultaneous effects of the presence of sterile flowers and fertile-flower display size in two populations of Leopoldia comosa were experimentally assessed. Pollinator behaviour, pollen removal and deposition, and fruit and seed production were compared between intact plants and plants with sterile flowers removed. The presence of sterile flowers almost tripled pollinator attraction, supplementing the positive effect of the number of fertile flowers on the number of bees approaching inflorescences. Although attracted bees visited more flowers on larger inflorescences, the number visited did not additionally depend on the presence of sterile flowers. The presence of sterile flowers improved all aspects of plant performance, the magnitude of plant benefit being context dependent. During weather favourable to pollinators, the presence of sterile flowers increased pollen deposition on stigmas of young flowers, but this difference was not evident in older flowers, probably because of autonomous self-pollination in poorly visited flowers. Total pollen receipt per stigma decreased with increasing fertile display size. In the population with more pollinators, the presence of sterile flowers increased fruit number but not seed set or mass, whereas in the other population sterile flowers enhanced seeds per fruit, but not fruit production. These contrasts are consistent with dissimilar cross-pollination and autonomous self-pollination, coupled with the strong predispersal inbreeding depression exhibited by L. comosa populations. Sterile flowers enrich pollination quality by promoting pollen export and import, while limiting the mating costs of geitonogamy associated with large fertile displays.