Longer Peduncles Research Articles

Pothosdeleonii (Araceae, Potheae, Pothoideae), a new species from Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines.

A new species of Pothos is described and illustrated. This species is very similar to Pothosphilippinensis (sheathing and leaf morphology) but differs by the inflorescence and flowers. It is closely related also to P.kingii by the deep purple inflorescence, but differs in having longer peduncle, broadly ovate-concave to cucullate spathe (which is deep wine-red when fresh to purplish-black when senescing), and the spadix that is 7/10th the entire length of the spathe.

Reinstatement of Acalypha fallax Mull. Arg. and description of A. brittoi sp. nov. based on micromorphological and molecular characters

In 1865, Müller Argoviensis proposed Acalypha fallax based on specimens from Peninsula Indiae orientalis, which is now considered synonymous with A. lanceolata Willd. A recent study conducted in Tamil Nadu, India, from 2019 to 2022 thoroughly examined Acalypha species using multiple criteria: leaf epidermal characteristics, seed morphology, pollen features observed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and sequencing of the ITS, rbcL and matK spacer regions. This work identified distinctions between A. fallax and A. lanceolata, such as longer peduncles, obovate bracts in male flowers, and stems with two types of trichomes: strigose and hirsute. Moreover, the study proposed a new species, A. brittoi, which is described here as distinguishable from A. fallax by its larger leaf blades with 13–14‐toothed margins (compared to smaller blades with 8–9‐toothed margins in A. fallax), and by the ovate perianth of its male flowers (versus orbicular perianth in A. fallax). Unique patterns of leaf epidermal crystals and granules on seed surfaces further aided in distinguishing A. fallax from A. brittoi. Molecular analysis additionally confirmed genetic differences among these three species.

Genome-editing of a circadian clock gene TaPRR95 facilitates wheat peduncle growth and heading date

Plant height and heading date are important agronomic traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that affect final grain yield. In wheat, knowledge of pseudo-response regulator (PRR) genes on agronomic traits is limited. Here, we identify a wheat TaPRR95 gene by genome-wide association study to be associated with plant height. Triple allele mutant plants produced by CRISPR/Cas9 show increased plant height, particularly the peduncle, with an earlier heading date. The longer peduncle is mainly caused by the increased cell elongation at its upper section, whilst the early heading date is accompanied by elevated expression of flowering genes, such as TaFT and TaCO1. A peduncle-specific transcriptome analysis reveals up-regulated photosynthesis genes and down-regulated IAA/Aux genes for auxin signaling in prr95aabbdd plants that may act as a regulatory mechanism to promote robust plant growth. A haplotype analysis identifies a TaPRR95-B haplotype (Hap2) to be closely associated with reduced plant height and increased thousand-grain weight. Moreover, the Hap2 frequency is higher in cultivars than that in landraces, suggesting the artificial selection on the allele during wheat breeding. These findings suggest that TaPRR95 is a regulator for plant height and heading date, thereby providing an important target for wheat yield improvement.

Characterization of terminal flowering cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) mutants obtained by induced mutagenesis digs out the loss-of-function of phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is one of the major food legume crops grown extensively in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. The determinate habit of cowpea has many advantages over the indeterminate and is well adapted to modern farming systems. Mutation breeding is an active research area to develop the determinate habit of cowpea. The present study aimed to develop new determinate habit mutants with terminal flowering (TFL) in locally well-adapted genetic backgrounds. Consequently, the seeds of popular cowpea cv P152 were irradiated with doses of gamma rays (200, 250, and, 300 Gy), and the M1 populations were grown. The M2 populations were produced from the M1 progenies and selected determinate mutants (TFLCM-1 and TFLCM-2) from the M2 generation (200 Gy) were forwarded up to the M5 generation to characterize the mutants and simultaneously they were crossed with P152 to develop a MutMap population. In the M5 generation, determinate mutants (80–81 days) were characterized by evaluating the TFL growth habit, longer peduncles (30.75–31.45 cm), erect pods (160°- 200°), number of pods per cluster (4–5 nos.), and early maturity. Further, sequencing analysis of the VuTFL1 gene in the determinate mutants and MutMap population revealed a single nucleotide transversion (A-T at 1196 bp) in the fourth exon and asparagine (N) to tyrosine (Y) amino acid change at the 143rd position of phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP). Notably, the loss of function PEPB with a higher confidence level modification of anti-parallel beta-sheets and destabilization of the protein secondary structure was observed in the mutant lines. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that the VuTFL1 gene was downregulated at the flowering stage in TFL mutants. Collectively, the insights garnered from this study affirm the effectiveness of induced mutation in modifying the plant’s ideotype. The TFL mutants developed during this investigation have the potential to serve as a valuable resource for fostering determinate traits in future cowpea breeding programs and pave the way for mechanical harvesting.

Begonia noraaunorae (section Petermannia, Begoniaceae) a new species endemic to Surigao del Sur, Mindanao Island, Philippines

Begonia noraaunorae is described as a new species endemic to the Philippines from the limestone forest of Surigao del Sur. It grows on limestone rocks in semi-shaded broadleaf forest along a national highway. B. noraaunorae resembles B. negrosensis in having erect stems and obovately oblong leaves with sparse hairs and an acuminate apex, but differs in having shorter stems, larger leaves with light green patches, and capsules longer than wide (vs. wider than long), without large bracteoles directly beneath (vs. with), on longer peduncles. The new species is named after Nora Aunor, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts. Based on IUCN criteria, B. noraaunorae is considered Vulnerable.

A new species of Anthurium sect. Cordato-punctatum (Araceae) from Veracruz, Mexico

Anthurium knopflmacherianum, a new species of Anthurium sect. Cordato-punctatum, is registered for the region of Los Tuxtlas,Veracruz, Mexico. This new species is morphologically similar to A. verapazense, but that species differs in having shorter geniculum, longer anterior lobe, inflorescence with a longer peduncle and longer spadix, violet-purple at anthesis.

Two new species of <i>Bulbophyllum</i> from Bhutan

Two new species of Bulbophyllum, namely, B. gurungianum (sect. Biseta) and B. punakhaense (sect. Brachyrantha) are described and illustrated. Bulbophyllum gurungianum is similar to B. brevispicatum and B. sonii but differs strikingly by having pseudobulbs placed distantly on the rhizome, a shorter peduncle, and oblong petals with a ciliated margin. Bulbophyllum punakhaense is morphologically similar to B. farreri, B. thaiorum, and B. mamillatum, but can be easily distinguished by its larger leaves, pseudobulbs distantly placed on the rhizome, longer peduncle, and oblong-lanceolate petals with shortly papillate margin towards the apex. We provide a detailed description of each species, and information on their distribution, ecology, and conservation status.

New Piper species from the eastern slopes of the Andes in northern South America.

We describe four new species of Piper from the Amazonian slopes of the northern Andes. Piperhoyoscardozii is distinguished from similar climbing species, P.dryadum and P.flagellicuspe, by its longer peduncles. The Amazonian species Piperindiwasii is distinguished from P.scutilimbum from Panama and northern Colombia by the narrowly spatulate leaf base extension. Pipernokaidoyitau is characterised by the presence of larger leaves and longer spikes than similar species, P.anonifolium and P.hostmannianum. Finally, P.velae is characterised by cordulate leaf bases in all nodes, petioles 0.8-1.5 cm long and pubescent fruits, which easily distinguish it from the related species, P.holdridgeanum.

Smilax weniae, a New Species of Smilacaceae from Limestone Areas Bordering Guizhou and Guangxi, China.

A new species, Smilax weniae (Smilacaceae), from Southwest China, is described and illustrated. The new species bears peltate leaves, which was previously a unique feature of S. luei. However, it differs from the latter by having a broad ovate leaf blade, longer peduncle, and sexual dimorphic flowers. Further phylogenetic analyses revealed that the new species were placed in a unique position in a subclade of Old World Smilax based on ptDNA and nrITS sequences. Combining detailed morphological comparisons and molecular evidence, we validated that S. weniae is an undescribed new species. Moreover, the plastome characteristics of S. weniae are reported.

Lycoris chunxiaoensis (Amaryllidaceae), a New Species from Zhejiang, China

Lycoris chunxiaoensis Q.Z. Li, Z.G. Li & Y.M. Cai (Amaryllidaceae), a new species from the town of Chunxiao in Zhejiang Province, China, is described and illustrated. It closely resembles L. radiata by having dark green leaves that appear in autumn and have a pale mid-vein on the upper surface, and stamens longer than perianth, but differs from it e.g. by having a larger bulb, longer and wider leaves, a longer peduncle, and larger tepals. Lycoris haywardii is also somewhat similar to L. chunxiaoensis, but the former has longer leaves and a shorter peduncle.

Staurogyne arunachalensis (Acanthaceae), a New Species from Arunachal Pradesh, India

Staurogyne arunachalensis R.Kr. Singh, D. Borah & Yama (Acanthaceae), a new species from the Eastern Himalayan state Arunachal Pradesh, India, is described and illustrated. It resembles S. argentea in having a very short stem, basally clustered leaves and in lacking a staminode, but differs from it by its longer peduncle and rachis; smaller, linear-subulate, 1-nerved, non-aristate bracts; smaller, acute, non-aristate bracteoles; smaller, 1-nerved, acute, non-aristate calyx; and longer, pubescent, pinkish-red corolla.

Henckelia longipedicellata (Gesneriaceae): New addition for the flora of India from Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh

Herein, we present the first record of Henckelia longipedicellata (B.L.Burtt) D.J.Middleton & Mich.Möller (Gesneriaceae) for the flora of India based on specimens from Mayodia, Mishmi Hills, Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh, India and its rediscovery after type collection. This species is easily recognized due to its solitary flowers with longer peduncles, deeply divided calyx lobes and ventrally pouched campanulate corolla. H. longipedicellata is so far known from Myanmar. A brief description along with additional notes and photographs are provided.

Tillandsia oliveirae (Bromeliaceae): a new species from an inselberg in Bahia, Brazil

The authors describe, discuss, and illustrate Tillandsia oliveirae, a new species from the inselbergs of the Caatinga biome in the municipality of Itatim, Bahia, Brazil. The new species is similar to T. hofackeri, differing by morphological characters such as larger size of the plant, longer peduncle, more laxly arranged leaves, which are more numerous, and whitish petals. It is an endemic species with a restricted area of distribution, being considered critically endangered (CR) due to illegal extractivism, specifically for regional and international trade.

(2813) Proposal to conserve the name Hedyotis diffusa (Oldenlandia diffusa, Scleromitrion diffusum) (Rubiaceae) with a conserved type

(2813) Proposal to conserve the name <i>Hedyotis diffusa</i> (<i>Oldenlandia diffusa</i>, <i>Scleromitrion diffusum</i>) (<i>Rubiaceae</i>) with a conserved type

Two new species of Myrcia sect. Reticulosae (Myrtaceae) from the campo rupestre of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Two new species of Myrcia sect. Reticulosae, M. carassana and M. revoluta are here described and illustrated. Myrcia carassana was firstly recognized in 1908 by A. F. M. Glaziou but never validly published. This species is similar to M. venosissima but differs by reddish trichomes, inflorescences botryoid or reduced to simple dichasia with longer peduncles, obconic floral buds and calyx lobes internally densely pilose. Myrcia revoluta resembles M. reticulosa but differs by leaves strongly revolute, densely pilose abaxially when mature, and subterminal inflorescences subtended by reduced leaves.

Stemona fimbritepala (Stemonaceae), a new species from northern Laos

Stemona fimbritepala (Stemonaceae), a new species from northern Laos, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to S. hirtella and S. kerrii but clearly differs in longer peduncle, longer tepals, longer petaloid outgrowth of the connective and fimbriate margin of inner tepals. A detailed description, distribution, ecology, etymology, preliminary conservation status and photographs of this species are provided. A key to discriminate between the three hairy species is presented.

Eriocaulon karaavalense (Eriocaulaceae), a New Species from India Based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence

Eriocaulon karaavalense Darsh., R.K. Choudhary, Datar & G.R. Rao (Eriocaulaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from the Western Ghats, India. It is closely similar to E. kanarense but differs from it by the number of peduncles, linear-lanceolate leaves, glandular female petals, non-beaked seeds, and ribbon-shaped seed appendages. Eriocaulon karaavalense is also similar to E. palghatense and E. odoratum but differs from the former by hemispherical white heads, unequal male petals, and remarkably longer peduncles; and from the latter by linear-lanceolate leaves, white heads and seed appendages in the form of split ribbon-like bands. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and trnL-F loci confirmed the status of E. karaavalense as a distinct species.

Ledebouria weberi (Asparagaceae, Massoniinae), a new species from the Western Cape, South Africa

A new species of Ledebouria is described and illustrated from near Greyton in the Western Cape of South Africa. It consists of dense clusters of plants, bearing semi-succulent linear-elliptic to linear-ovate leaves that are appressed to the ground, and with 12 distinct pale whitish green ridges with glandular hairs. Ledebouria weberi is morphologically similar to Ledebouria corrugata in having lines of papillae on the adaxial lamina surface, and soil particles adhering to the leaf surfaces. However, L. weberi is distinguished from L. corrugata in having only 12 rows of ridges with three-lobed tongue-shaped trichomes vs 30–40 broken rows with obtuse papillae, a flaccid inflorescence vs an erect inflorescence, longer peduncle and pedicel, smaller tepals, longer stamens and smaller ovary. Ledebouria weberi is known from several gatherings made by Wolfgang Weber since 2000. Plants grow in full sun on lateritic gravel flats.

Resurrection of Carex ignota (Cyperaceae, section Laxiflorae), a long overlooked sedge of the southern U.S.A.

Since its publication in 1849, Carex ignota has been overwhelmingly ignored or treated as a synonym of C. striatula. Here, I present results of statistical analyses that support C. ignota as morphologically distinct from C. striatula and designate a lectotype for C. ignota. I also present the geography of C. ignota and C. striatula from over 750 examined and georeferenced specimens and results of maximum likelihood phylogenetic reconstruction of ddRAD loci. Carex ignota is distinguished from C. striatula by its narrower leaves on vegetative shoots, more loosely-flowered pistillate spikes, staminate spike with longer peduncles, and narrower perigynia. Based on strong morphologic and molecular evidence, C. ignota should be resurrected and treated as a distinct species. Carex ignota occurs on the Coastal Plain in the southeastern United States, as well as northern Alabama, the Ouachita in Arkansas, and the Piedmont in Georgia, where it grows in sandy to loamy soils in ravines and on slopes in mesic deciduous or mixed hardwood-conifer forests.

Hemiboeaalbiflora, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Guizhou, China.

Hemiboeaalbiflora X.G.Xiang, Z.Y.Guo & Z.W.Wu, sp. nov., a new species of Gesneriaceae from Guizhou, China, is described and illustrated. This species was previously listed informally as a variety of H.gamosepala, but it differs significantly from H.gamosepala by its 5-parted calyx from the base, longer peduncle, white corolla and longer pistil. Based on recent extensive observations, this new species is similar to H.cavalerieivar.paucinervis and H.subcapitata but differs from them by its longer petiole, larger involucre, white corolla and longer staminal filaments. The conservation status of this species is considered to be “Vulnerable” (VU) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.