List Of Plants Research Articles

New relevant chorological and conservation data on Carex (Cyperaceae) and Hypericum (Hypericaceae) from Ecuador.

Knowledge of Carex L. (true sedges) and Hypericum L. (St. John's wort) in the Neotropics is fragmentary. As a result of a fieldwork campaign in Ecuador and revision of herbarium collections (K, QCA and QCNE), we present here relevant records of twelve Carex (Cyperaceae) and four Hypericum (Hypericaceae) species. Regarding Carex, we present the novel report for South America of C.aztecica, as well as the first Ecuadorian records for C.brehmeri, C.collumanthus, C.fecunda, C.melanocystis and C.punicola. The three later records have additional biogeographical significance, as they represent the new northern limit of these species. We also include observations for another five species included in the Ecuadorian Red List of Endemic Plants. As a result, the list of native Carex reported for Ecuador would now include 52 taxa. With regard to Hypericum, we include the new report of H.sprucei for the province of Bolívar, and the confirmation of the presence of three rare species (H.acostanum, H.matangense, H.prietoi) in their type localities, although with extremely low population sizes. We discuss their conservation status and implications.

Medicinal Plants Used for the Management of Hepatitis Over the Past 15 Years in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review.

Treatment of human and animal ailments using botanical sources has obtained significant attention in Ethiopia. The compounds available in plants comprise a plentiful source of bioactive ingredients able to treat many complications. The review aimed to present an updated list of plants used for managing hepatitis over the past 15 years in Ethiopia. Systematic, comprehensive search was undertaken from electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Scopus) between September 01 and October 15, 2022, using standard search terms. Original researches carried out in Ethiopia, written and published in English between January 01/2007 and December 31/2021, and reported hepatitis as a disease treated by medicinal plants were included in the review. Plants beyond the list of Ethiopian and Eritrean floral were excluded. Data were extracted from texts and tables of original papers on a Microsoft Excel. Quality was assessed by applying the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. A total of 317 papers were obtained from the database search. After removing duplicates and screening, 15 articles fit the inclusion criteria and selected for final review. Of the 24 plants identified, 35.7% were herbs. Leaf and root (35.7% each) were the predominant plant parts used for remedy preparation. Combined use of leaf and root comprised 10.7%. The families Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, and Fabaceae comprise the highest number of plant species. About 89.3% of remedies were administered orally. The majority of plants belong to herbs and the frequently used plant parts are leaf and roots. Evidence generated from the present review indicated that lots of plants have been used to manage hepatitis. Moreover, the findings could serve as preliminary information to formulate new drugs acting against hepatitis. Therefore, it is desirable for scholars to recognize, document, and keep plants and the associated knowledge appropriately.

CFNC excursion plant list: 11 February 2023

CFNC excursion plant list: 11 February 2023

Conservation-relevant plant species indicate arthropod richness across trophic levels: Habitat quality is more important than habitat amount

The massive declines in terrestrial arthropods reported across Europe call for effective methods to monitor and promote biodiversity in human-dominated landscapes. Previous studies vary in their support for the suitability of plants as indicators of arthropod diversity, while the potential of subsets of conservation-relevant plant species to estimate arthropod richness remains to be tested. Moreover, the relative importance of plant species richness compared to other factors driving arthropod richness, such as land-use intensity, habitat amount and landscape configuration, is poorly understood. We conducted a multi-scale field study in Southern Germany, sampling vascular plants and terrestrial arthropods in four local land-use types (forest, grassland, arable field, settlement) across large-scale gradients of climate and land-use intensity. We obtained an extensive arthropod dataset using Malaise traps as sampling method and DNA metabarcoding for species identification. We compared the correlation of three sets of plant species richness (total, red-listed and biotope-indicator plants) with arthropod richness, including different trophic and taxonomic groups. Using mixed-effect models, we assessed the partial effects of plant species richness, habitat amount and landscape configuration on local arthropod richness while controlling for climate and land-use effects, and explored the environmental drivers of plant species richness. Arthropod species numbers of all trophic groups strongly responded to species numbers of plants that indicate protected habitats, while red-listed plant species richness was a key determinant for the richness of red-listed arthropods and butterflies. In most cases, plant species richness and temperature were stronger drivers of arthropod richness than the amount of surrounding semi-natural habitat and landscape configuration. While total plant species richness was highest in settlements, the richness of biotope-indicator plants was highest in forests and positively influenced by the amount of semi-natural habitat and edge density. The number of red-listed plant species increased with edge density at the landscape scale but was independent of habitat amount. We conclude that the richness of conservation-relevant plant species provides a powerful indicator of arthropod diversity, and underpins the potential of such plant lists for monitoring habitat quality. Our study highlights the importance of openings in forests for conservation of plants and arthropods as well as of preserving and restoring fragments of high-quality biotopes in agricultural and urban areas where the amount of semi-natural habitat is limited.

Ethnobotanical Study on the utilized of medicinal plants by the Phouthai Ethnic Group in Khammouan Province, Lao PDR

Background: Plants have been a part of rural areas’ people's life from birth to die since prehistoric times and their utilization is an important traditional culture in the worldwide. However, this is a lack of ethnobotanical study in Laos. The aim of the study is to record the plants' species and explore their medical utilization in Nakeu village, Hinboon district, Khammouan province, middle part Laos. Methods: Ethnobotanical survey was conducted from August 2018 to July 2019. One hundred and fifty key information (81 males and 69 females). Ethnomedicinal data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key informants. Results: The total 79 plant species belong to 46 families were recorded as wild medicinal important. Life form importance value (LIV) was highest in tree 52%, followed by shrub 29%, liana 14%, grass 4%. The medicinal plants are used for stomach problems, heart disease, kidney problems, fever, and others, respectively. Used value (UV) was highest in Ocimum americanum (0.93). This knowledge will support primary health care providers and policymakers in decision-making on the utilization of medicinal plants. Conclusion: In Hinboon district, Khammouane province, Lao PDR, are some of the richest in species of medicinal plants in developing countries, and indeed in Asia. It is worth pointing out the exceptional long list of medicinal plants which are used for traditional medicine and documented as used in the treatment of different common sicknesses. Health policies have to promote the utilization of medicinal plants as part of a strategy to improve the basic health and livelihoods of rural communities throughout the country. Further exploration is needed on the bioactive compound and chemical factor contents of medicinal plants.

The Italian endemic forest plants: an annotated inventory and synthesis of knowledge

Background and aims – Forests are among the most threatened ecosystems worldwide, and endemic plants are often a vulnerable component of the flora of a given territory. So far, however, understory forest endemics of southern Europe have received little attention and are poorly known for several aspects. Material and methods – We developed the first list of native vascular plants that are restricted to Italian forests. Available information on taxonomy, regional distribution, ecology, biology, functional traits, and conservation status was collected for each taxon, allowing to identify major knowledge gaps and calculate baseline statistics. Key results – The list includes 134 taxa, most of which are linked to closed-canopy forest habitats, while the others are also found in margins and gaps. The forest and non-forest Italian endemic flora differed in terms of taxonomic and life-form distribution. The rate and density of forest endemism increased with decreasing latitude and were highest in Sicily, Calabria, and Basilicata, where paleoendemic mono- or oligotypic genera also occur. Endemic phanerophytes were especially numerous on islands. Beech and deciduous oak forests were the most important habitats, but hygrophilous woodlands also host numerous endemics. Overall, the ecology, biology, and functional traits of the forest endemic taxa are still poorly known. The ratio diploids/polyploids was highest in the south and on the islands. Almost 24% of the taxa were assessed as “Critically Endangered”, “Endangered”, or “Vulnerable”, and 24% were categorized as “Data Deficient”, based on the IUCN system. Increasing frequency and intensity of fires was the most frequent threat. Conclusions – This work can contribute to implement the European forest plant species list and serve as a basis for further research on a unique biological heritage of the continent. However, more knowledge about these globally rare taxa is needed, to support their conservation in changing forest landscapes.

Advances in Molecular Regulation of Prostate Cancer Cells by Top Natural Products of Malaysia

Prostate cancer (PCa) remains both a global health burden and a scientific challenge. We present a review of the molecular targets driving current drug discovery to fight this disease. Moreover, the preventable nature of most PCa cases represents an opportunity for phytochemicals as chemopreventive when adequately integrated into nutritional interventions. With a renovated interest in natural remedies as a commodity and their essential role in cancer drug discovery, Malaysia is looking towards capitalizing on its mega biodiversity, which includes the oldest rainforest in the world and an estimated 1200 medicinal plants. We here explore whether the list of top Malay plants prioritized by the Malaysian government may fulfill the potential of becoming newer, sustainable sources of prostate cancer chemotherapy. These include Andrographis paniculate, Centella asiatica, Clinacanthus nutans, Eurycoma longifolia, Ficus deltoidea, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Marantodes pumilum (syn. Labisia pumila), Morinda citrifolia, Orthosiphon aristatus, and Phyllanthus niruri. Our review highlights the importance of resistance factors such as Smac/DIABLO in cancer progression, the role of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in cancer metastasis, and the regulation of PCa cells by some promising terpenes (andrographolide, Asiatic acid, rosmarinic acid), flavonoids (isovitexin, gossypin, sinensetin), and alkylresorcinols (labisiaquinones) among others.

An Overview of Cardiotonic Medicinal Plants from the Perspective of Iranian Traditional Medicine

Context: Cardiovascular disorders are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, especially in people with diabetes. Due to synthetic drugs’ adverse effects, new medicines are needed. Evidence Acquisition: Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) is one of the oldest medical systems. In this article, we first introduce a list of cardiotonic medicinal plants based on ITM. Then we review the cardio-related effects of these plants based on electronic databases. Results: Among the introduced medicinal plants from ITM, Phyllanthus emblica L., Rosa canina L., Ocimum basilicum L., and Melissa officinalis L. have cardiotonic effects. Also, P. emblica, O. basilicum, M. officinalis, Citrus medica L., Malus domestica Borkh., Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton, and R. canina have cardioprotective effects and possess several biological activities that reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors. Conclusions: The cardiotonic medicinal plants based on ITM have excellent value; several pharmacological studies have proved some of their cardioprotective and cardiotonic effects. The other plants’ potential for improving the heart’s contractile power as a cardiotonic drug must be evaluated in further pharmacological and clinical studies.

Ethnomedicinal plants used by the local communities of the Great Himalayan National Park, North-Western Himalaya, India

The Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNPCA) is home to several endangered species of plants. The present ethno-medicinal study was carried out in 13 villages of the eco-zone of the GHNPCA and information was gathered through a semi-structured questionnaire survey and interviews of medicinal plant knowledge holders/traditional Vaidyas. A total of 152 medicinal plant species belonging to 62 families and 125 genera were recorded to be used by local inhabitants. List of plants along with uses and other details is provided in the table. The maximum number of plant species (63 spp.) are used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, followed by dermatological problems (59 spp.) and cold and cough (23 spp.). Public awareness/sensitization, education, in-situ & ex-situ conservation efforts and bioprospecting of medicinal plants for new drug development are urgently required for the conservation and sustainable management of medicinal plants resources of GHNPCA.

Herbal species authentication by melting fingerprint coupled with high resolution melting analysis (MF-HRM).

Herbal medicines have recently attracted increasing attention for use as food supplements with health benefits; however, species authentication can be difficult due to incomplete morphological characters. Here, a molecular tool was developed for the identification of species in the National List of Essential Medicinal Plants in Thailand. The identification process used DNA fingerprints including start codon targeted (SCoT) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) polymorphisms, coupled with high resolution melting (HRM), to produce melting fingerprint (MF)-HRM. Results indicated that MF-HRM, SCoT-HRM and ISSR-HRM could be used for DNA fingerprints as S34, S36, S9 and S8 of SCoT and UBC873, S25 and UBC841 of ISSR. The melting fingerprints obtained from S34 of SCoT exhibited the best primers for identification of herbal species with 87.5% accuracy and relatively high repeatability. The presence of intraspecific variation in a few species affected the shift of melting fingerprints within species. MF-HRM using S34 showed improved species prediction compared to DNA fingerprints. The concentration of DNA with 10ng/µl was recommended to perform MF-HRM. MF-HRM enabled species authentication of herbal commercialized products at only 20% resulting from the low quality of DNA isolated, while admixture of multiple product species interfered with the MF process. Findings suggested that MF-HRM showed promise as a molecular tool for the authentication of species in commercial herbal products with high specificity, moderate repeatability and rapidity without prior sequence information. This information will greatly improve quality control and traceability during the manufacturing process.

ANALISIS OF PHITODIVERSITY ACCORDING TO THE STATE OF VEGETATION PF THE PETROPAVLOVSK ESTUARY LANSCAPE RESERVE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

The Petropavlovsk estuary landscape reserve and its surroundings are subject to significant anthropogenic influence as a result of human activity. That is why the analysis of phytodiversity is important in order to get an idea of the level of transformation of the territory of the reserve. In the course of the work, an ecomorphological analysis of flora was carried out and anthropogenic influence on phytocenoses was revealed. A list of plants with bio-ecological certification, which were discovered during research, was compiled. Three points were chosen for research. During the work, 16 descriptions were made at these points, with different projective cover by vegetation twice during the growing season. The flora is characterized by a small variety of species – 94 higher vascular plants belonging to 33 families. Astracaea, Poacaea, and Rosacaea are among the main families with the greatest abundance of species. Hemicryptophytes predominate among climate morphs, and species that are partially light-demanding among ecomorphs. Biomorphs are characterized by the dominance of polycarps (perennial plants). Hygromesophyte and xerophyte species predominate in the hygrospectrum of the flora. . Species with medium moisture conditions make up 16%. The share of xerophytes in conditions of moderate moisture is 7%. Species that show wide tolerance to moisture conditions make up 2%. Among trophomorphs, mesotrophic species completely dominate. The coenomorphic structure is mainly represented by typical types of bows. In all descriptions there is a ruderal fraction, as well as species that partially or facultatively belong to this group. Due to the obvious anthropogenic influence (fouling which is a consequence of recreational and economic activities plowing, livestock grazing, there are signs of technogenic load), plant associations are poorly developed. The total fraction of adventitious species is 29%, of which 14% of species form a stable fraction in the investigated phytocenoses. There are two species, that are considered to be quarantined. Tree and shrub vegetation is very poorly developed and makes up less than 5% of the entire flora and is in a state of degression. The research area needs further observations of the state of transformational changes in vegetation that are occurring at this stage.

REGULAR GARDEN OF THE 18TH CENTURY AT MEDZHYBIZH CASTLE IN DOCUMENTS AND CARTOGRAPHY

There is a widespread opinion in local history and some scientific publications that in the 18th century, especially in the ownership of the Czartoryski princes, Medzhybizh castle was transformed into a luxury romantic residence. The decorative garden was allegedly created as a result of Izabella Czartoryskas interest in English parks, as a continuation of the architectural program of the main residence in Pulawy. There is even a statement that the garden was arranged in the inner territory of Medzhybizh castle. Nonetheless, the inventories of the Medzhybizh estate indicate that during the 18th century, Medzhybizh castle was utilized not for residential purposes, but also for economic and occasionally military purposes. The notion of a grandiose ornamental garden at the Medzhybizh castle is merely an adaptation of the romantic descriptions of the real romantic park at the Czartoryski main residence called Pulawy (in Poland). Only the Polish researcher Rafal Nestorow has provided real information about the existence of the Medzhybizh garden, which was called the Italian garden. TThis garden was established by Jan Baptista Dessieur in the year 1713. Nestorows research is based on archival documents obtained from the library of Princes Czartoryski in Kraków (Poland). Nonetheless, in his perspective, the precise location of this “Italian garden” remains ambiguous. This article extends and clarifies the research initiated by R. Nestorow. The archival inventories from the 1750s provide a thorough description of the "Italian garden" near the Medzhybizh castle, which was not located in the town of Medzhybizh, but in a nearby suburb called Stawnica. The article explains the location, description of buildings, and list of plants in the so-called “Italian garden”, which belonged to the owners of the Medzhybizh in the 18th century. The differences between this garden and the classic Italian landscape are also explained. The location of the Italian garden surrounding the castle and the streets of the modern Stawnica is revealed by archival maps of Medzhybizh from the 18th and 19th centuries. The article explains where the Italian garden is, what houses it has, and what plants it has. The garden was owned by the Medzhybizh family in the 18th century. The elucidation of the distinctions between this garden and the traditional Italian landscape is also provided.

Exploration of Ethno- medicinal plants of Kota, Rajasthan and their practices

The present study focus on importance of ethno medicinal plants from Kota, Rajasthan. A field survey of the study area was carried out to document the medicinal utility of plants occurring in this area. The study revealed the new ethno- botanical uses of 64 plant species belonging to 30 families. A list of plants along with their local names, plant part used and route of administration for effective control in different diseases are recorded in this paper. Documentation of such traditional knowledge of these plants is essential for conservation efforts and for new medicine development.

List of the wild woody plants in Henan Province

List of the wild woody plants in Henan Province

Освоение и состояние лесов Дальнего Востока

At the present stage, the most important environmental issues include the problem of preserving biological diversity, which is especially relevant for natural landscapes located in urbanized conditions. In the forest areas under the conditions of anthropogenic impacts, the transformation of the regional flora takes place, thereby it adapts to the action of environmental factors. The aim of the study was to analyze the taxonomic structure of the vascular plant flora of the Forest Experimental Station of the Timiryazev Agricultural Academy (Moscow). Materials on the formation of the floristic list of the Forest Experimental Station were obtained during inventories of permanent trial ones for the period from 2000 to 2022, as well as route surveys of the territory in 2019-2022. In addition, a vascular plant download from the GBIF since 2000 was used. The study showed that the current floristic list of vascular plants of the Forest Experimental Station of the Timiryazev Agricultural Academy includes 352 species belonging to 202 genera and 68 families included in five classes. The largest taxa are the families Rosaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae, Lamiaceae, Cyperaceae, which account for 52.3% of the species. In the Forest Experimental Station, 11 species of vascular plants listed in the Red Book of Moscow were identifi ed. The fraction of adventitious vascular plants in the flora of the Forest Experimental Station includes 99 species (28.1% of the total number of identified species), belonging to 66 genera and 34 families. Among the families of the adventitious fraction, the most multispecies are Rosaceae (22 species), Aceraceae (10 species), Asteraceae (7 species), Pinaceae (7 species). The proportion of adventitious species does not exceed 30%, so the fl ora should be considered natural, slightly disturbed. Despite the high level of recreation, pollution from road transport, the plant communities of the Forest Experimental Station continue to retain signs of a natural object that correspond to the natural conditions of the Moscow region.

Floristic composition of Sukh District of Fergana Region

The article reviews the research conducted in the Sukh district, which is currently a tourism region of Uzbekistan, the floristic composition of the Sukh district and the types of ephemeral and ephemeroid plants in Sukh district, the list of medicinal plants among them, and the distribution percentage in the district in the section of families are highlighted.At the same time, based on the information provided in the existing herbarium funds and literature, brief information about the composition of the species and its distribution areasand some discussions on carrying out targeted research on ephemeris and ephemeroids distributed in the flora of Sukh district are presented.

РОЛЬ ДЕНДРОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО ПАРКА В СОХРАНЕНИИ ПРИРОДНОГО НАСЛЕДИЯ ГОРОДА БИРОБИДЖАНА

The article describes the Arboretum park as a specially protected natural territory in the Jewish Autonomous region providing information about its natural conditions, the arboretum history, stages of its development and scientific research of flora and vegetation. Particular attention is paid to the introduction of woody plants and their preservation in the area natural and climatic conditions. It is presented the list of woody plants from the Russian Federation and the Jewish Autonomous region Red Books. The authors show the Bastak state nature reserve importance in improving the activities for a specially protected natural area. The emphasis is placed on the target function of the arboretum associated with ecological and educational work with the Birobidzhan and Jewish Autonomous region population.

A qualitative study to explore the ethnomedicine practices towards hepatitis among the Irula traditional healers in Tamil Nadu, India.

Irulas are known for their traditional medicine and healing practices. Ethnomedicine primarily describes the traditional medical approaches that take consideration of the cultural perspectives on health, illness, disease while addressing the delivery of healthcare and therapeutic modalities. The current study explores the ethnomedical practices towards hepatitis among the Irula traditional healers in Tamil Nadu. A Community-based in-depth interview (IDI) study was conducted among eight traditional healers (5 males and 3 females) from Irula settlements in Dharmapuri, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts. Apart from traditional healers, 11 Irula adults were interviewed to understand their cultural perspectives on health and illness. The major themes that emerged from the codes were the perception towards traditional healing and the process of treatment on hepatitis, the list of important conditions treated by the traditional healers, and the list of medicinal plants used for treating people. This qualitative study highlights the voices of the Irula tribal community and offers a rich source of information about ethnomedicine practices towards hepatitis among the Irula traditional healers in Tamil Nadu, India.

Таксономический анализ флоры сосудистых растений лесной опытной дачи Тимирязевской академии

At the present stage, the most important environmental issues include the problem of preserving biological diversity, which is especially relevant for natural landscapes located in urbanized conditions. In the forest areas under the conditions of anthropogenic impacts, the transformation of the regional flora takes place, thereby it adapts to the action of environmental factors. The aim of the study was to analyze the taxonomic structure of the vascular plant flora of the Forest Experimental Station of the Timiryazev Agricultural Academy (Moscow). Materials on the formation of the floristic list of the Forest Experimental Station were obtained during inventories of permanent trial ones for the period from 2000 to 2022, as well as route surveys of the territory in 2019-2022. In addition, a vascular plant download from the GBIF since 2000 was used. The study showed that the current floristic list of vascular plants of the Forest Experimental Station of the Timiryazev Agricultural Academy includes 352 species belonging to 202 genera and 68 families included in five classes. The largest taxa are the families Rosaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae, Lamiaceae, Cyperaceae, which account for 52.3% of the species. In the Forest Experimental Station, 11 species of vascular plants listed in the Red Book of Moscow were identifi ed. The fraction of adventitious vascular plants in the flora of the Forest Experimental Station includes 99 species (28.1% of the total number of identified species), belonging to 66 genera and 34 families. Among the families of the adventitious fraction, the most multispecies are Rosaceae (22 species), Aceraceae (10 species), Asteraceae (7 species), Pinaceae (7 species). The proportion of adventitious species does not exceed 30%, so the fl ora should be considered natural, slightly disturbed. Despite the high level of recreation, pollution from road transport, the plant communities of the Forest Experimental Station continue to retain signs of a natural object that correspond to the natural conditions of the Moscow region.

Interesujące rośliny naczyniowe Wielkopolski i terenów przyległych

The paper presents results of floristic research conducted in 2005–2023 in the Wielkopolska region and adjacent areas. For each species, the plant life-form and habitat are given as well as locality on a grid of basic ATPOL squares (1 km). The presented list of vascular plants consists of 170 taxa. The fate of one of them is described: Pyrus ×myloslavensis, which was new to science. The list includes 8 species new to Poland, 37 new to Wielkopolska, and 6 species of increasingly widespread kenophytes.