Osmunda Cinnamomea Research Articles

DNA Hybridization and Evolutionary Relationships in Three Osmunda Species

Molecular hybridization techniques have been used to estimate the degree of DNA base sequence homology between some members of the fern genus Osmunda. Under conditions permitting extensive reassociation, measurements of the extent of inter-specific reaction and the thermal stability of the hybrid molecules indicated that O. claytoniana L. (interrupted fern) shares more DNA homology with O. cinnamomea L. (cinnamon fern) than it does with O. regalis L. (royal fern). These findings are in conflict with predictions from a recent analysis of living and fossil specimens by numerical techniques. However, they are consistent with the earlier, more traditional, taxonomic assignments.

The Effect of an Increase in Light Intensity on the Utilization of Leaf Primordia in Osmunda cinnamomea L.

Bud histories, that is, alternating sequences of bud scales and leaf bases remaining on the stem of the fern, Osmunda cinnamomea L., were determined in order to investigate the effects of an abrupt increase in light intensity on leaf primordial utilization. Studies of these increases in light intensity were made on plants growing under natural conditions. Increase in light intensity occurred in 1965 at the site of a newly developed road and also in 1968 at the site of a selective logging operation. Following an increase in light intensity, there is an increase in leaf primordial utilization. This increase occurs in both the bud scale and leaf fractions of the set. That these increases come from a large reservoir of leaf primordia that were initiated several years prior to their utilization indicates that they should be considered strictly as utilization events and not initiation events. Leaf initiation, however, increases as well.

In vitro studies on the induction of sporogenous tissue on leaves of cinnamon fern. III. The role of reduced nitrogen

Excised set III leaf primordia of cinnamon fern cultured on either Knop's or Knudson's medium containing ammonium sulfate produced fertile leaves provided that the media included the appropriate concentration of sugar and the cultures were exposed to the optimal environmental factors. The highest percentage of fertility (about 80%) was obtained on leaves cultured on media containing 6% sucrose and the usual concentration (250 mg/liter) of ammonium sulfate, and placed in continuous darkness at 26 °C. However, leaf primordia cultured under the same conditions without ammonium sulfate or this substance included at concentrations 3 × or higher than the usual amount produced sterile leaves only.From other experimental evidence, a possible mechanism by which sugar supply and ammonium ions influence development is postulated and discussed for the induction of sporangia on cultured cinnamon fern leaves. However, further research is necessary to uncover the biochemical role of reduced nitrogen and carbohydrate in leaf fertility.

Humus composition of peat land plant remains

Abstract Plant remains of peat collected in Hokkaido were examined with regard to humus compositions by means similar to those used by Kumada et al. The examined samples of plant remains covered 34 species, 24 genera, and 19 families. The results were as follows: (1) HT, HE, and PQ varied considerably with the samples over a fairly large range, implying their relationships with the ash content or degree of humification of the samples to some extent. (2) On the basis of RF-Δlogk correlations and the humic acids spectra types, the plant remains may be grouped as follows: Group I: Remains of the organs, with the possible exception of the roots, of most grassy plants, several species such as Osmunda cinnamomea excepted ; remains of woody plant xylem and some woody plant leaves. Group I characterized by lignins. Group II: Remains of shrubby and woody plant organs with the exception of woody plant xylem and some exceptional woody plant leaves. Group II characterized by tannins. Group III: Remains of mosses. (3)...

Fern Foods of Japan and the Problem of Toxicity

As much as any other people the Japanese appreciate and continue to utilize a variety of their native wild plants as specialty foods. The suitability of a number of species of their rich island flora for emergency food must have been learned in earliest times. This knowledge culminated in the production of so-called famine herbals, which were illustrated books describing wild plants that could serve as food in periods of scarcity. Such herbals appeared in Japan principally in the 17th and 18th centuries (Bartlett & Shohara, 1961). The fact that the Japanese have been essentially the exclusive occupants of their archipelago for centuries also helps to explain the widespread knowledge of native plants and their uses which persists even today in that very modern and highly industrialized nation. In contrast, in the United States where urbanization has been the rule, the familiarity and use of edible wild plants that formerly existed is rapidly being reduced to book knowledge. A recent residence in Japan (19661970) demonstrated to me that a surprising number of native edible plants are still known and harvested for food in rural Japan. These are not only used locally, but are made available, often in modem packaging, to urban residents either in specialty food shops in the major cities or more frequently at small tourist centers or spas that exist throughout the islands. Among the best known and most popular of wild vegetable foods are the tender croziers of certain ferns. Most common are those of the cosmopolitan and weedy Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum), called in Japanese. Croziers of the native Royal Fern (Osmunda japonica) known as Zenmai are also appreciated. Although several other species of Osmunda having esculent croziers are native to Japan, including 0. asiatica (the Asiatic equivalent of O. cinnamomea) and 0. claytoniana, no reference is known to me of their use in that country. This seems curious, for the young shoots of both the Cinnamon Fern and the Interrupted Fern of North America have been recorded as edible (Stone, 1903). In one or another of its varieties the ubiquitous Bracken has been used as an occasional wild food source in many parts of the world and especially in Japan. Sturtevant has summarized these uses (see Hedrick, 1919). In Japan the fiddleheads or croziers of Bracken have probably been long used as a green vegetable in spring and were noted as edules by Thunberg (1784). Additionally, the rhizomes of this species are sometimes dug for the production of starch for food or for making paste (Takashima, 1964). Most Japanese are familiar with Warabi croziers as a specialty food, although perhaps they are unaware of the possible toxicity of these shoots as reported below. According to Takashima (1964), selections of wild Bracken having superior food quality were made during the last decade of the past century and these

In vitro studies on the induction of sporogenous tissue on leaves of cinnamon fern. II. Some aspects of carbohydrate metabolism

Since previous studies indicated a requirement for high levels of exogenous sucrose for induction of sporogenous tissue on excised set III leaves of cinnamon fern, the initial part of this study was performed to determine which hexose moiety of sucrose would serve as the more active substrate for sporangial induction. Glucose was found to be preferentially used for sporophyll induction and resulted in more extensive development than was seen in those leaves grown on fructose. Endogenous carbohydrate levels were measured by gas–liquid chromatography. In decreasing order of quantity, freshly excised primordia contained xylans, sucrose, fructose, β-D-glucose, xylose, and α-D-glucose. In leaves cultured on medium with sucrose levels of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10%, the highest levels of all endogenous carbohydrates studied were found in leaves grown on medium with 2% sucrose. The xylans accumulated in leaves grown on medium with all sucrose levels and the amounts present were generally above those of uncultured primordia. The xylans represented the highest quantities of the carbohydrates measured and appeared to be a major storage carbohydrate in both cultured and uncultured leaves. The concentrations of sucrose, on the other hand, generally declined and were, in all cases, below the amounts in uncultured primordia. Increasing levels of exogenous sucrose above 2% generally resulted in a decline in levels of the other internal carbohydrates after [Formula: see text] weeks of culture, but the respective quantities were generally above those of freshly excised primordia. Enzymatic analysis failed to reveal any starch in the leaves. It is suggested that although increasing sucrose levels resulted in an increase in the growth rate, it would appear that sucrose is important in sporangial induction because of some mechanism in addition to its effect on an increasing growth rate.

In vitro studies on the induction of sporogenous tissue on leaves of cinnamon fern. I. Environmental factors

Intact, set III, cinnamon fern cataphyll and frond primordia, which were shown to have no predisposition to fertility in situ, produced sporangia when excised and cultured under sterile conditions in Knudson's medium supplemented with various levels of sucrose and maintained on 11 different regimens of light, darkness, and temperature for 10 weeks. Increasing levels of sucrose resulted in increased fertility under all environmental conditions, but the highest percentage of fertility was obtained under conditions of continuous dark at 26 °C. As the length of the light phase of the photoperiods decreased, a progressive increase in induction of fertile leaves was observed, suggesting that periods of long light exposure are inhibitory to the initiation of sporangia. Conversely, as the light intensity was increased, an inhibition of sporophyll differentiation occurred. Sporangia excised from dark-induced sporophylls and cultured in the light produced viable spores which germinated yielding haploid gametophytes that ultimately produced sporophytes.

Morphogenetic Studies on Excised Leaves of Osmunda cinnamomea: Morphological and Histological Effects of Sucrose in Sterile Nutrient Culture

A study was made of morphological and histological effects of various concentrations of sucrose on excised set III prospective frond primordia of Osmunda cinnamomea L. in sterile nutrient culture. Primordia under the temporary influence of 4% and 6% sucrose showed significant and progressive increases in final height of the leaves, and those on media containing sucrose concentrations up to 10% showed progressive amplification in the number of pairs of pinnae. These increases were the result of increased amount and duration of meristematic activity in certain tissues of the crozier during its formation. Parallel experiments using mannitol to replace sucrose proportionately and achieve equivalent concentrations have shown that the effect of the sucrose is not due to increased osmotic pressure in the medium. It is suggested that carbohydrate produced by photosynthesis in mature fronds above ground during the growing season may be one of the many factors that initiate and maintain meristematic activity in the young developing leaf primordia within the intact plant.

Morphogenetic Studies on Excised Leaves of Osmunda cinnamomea: Developmental Capabilities of Excised Leaf Primordial Apices in Sterile Culture

An investigation of the developmental capabilities of excised leaf primordial apices of set III frond primordia and set II cataphyll primordia of Osmunda cinnamomea L. in sterile culture is reported. Apices of set III-F under the influence of 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% sucrose exhibited progressive increases in final leaf height, and those exposed to sucrose concentrations up to 10% showed progressive enhancement of pinna pair number. Apices of set II-C under the influence of 2% and 4% sucrose followed the same trend of set III-F apices exposed to 2% and 4% sucrose, but those exposed to the higher sucrose concentrations exhibited progressive inhibition of crozier development and reduced number of pinna pairs All apices failed to regenerate a sizable portion of the petiole None of the isolated apices developed into shoots, and none of the leaves produced sporangia These findings are discussed in relation to the known events of leaf development in cinnamon fern, and their application to problems of fern leaf carbohydrate nutrition, regeneration, and determination.

Changes in soluble proteins of cinnamon fern leaves during development

The complement of soluble proteins contained in the five annual leaf sets and the apical region of the shoot of cinnamon fern, Osmunda cinnamomea L., has been determined using disc electrophoresis. The apical region and the very young leaf primordia contained high and comparable numbers of soluble proteins. Older primordia and mature leaves contained progressively fewer soluble proteins, except that the number of proteins increased in the oldest sets of leaves. These findings are discussed in relation to the results reported for the leaves of some flowering plants.

ワラビ(<i>Pteridium aquilinum</i> var. <i>latiusculum</i> Und.) およびヤマドリゼンマイ (<i>Osmundastrum cinnamomeum</i> var. <i>fokiense Tagawa</i>) の遊離糖類について

As taste substances in Warabi (Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum Und.) and Yamadori-zenmai (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum var. fokiense Tagawa), free sugars were examined. The sugars were extracted by conventional means, tentatively identified by thin-layer chromatography, and were converted to O-trifluoroacetyl-sugars, which were then quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography on Silicone DC QF-1. The linear temperature-programmed procedure was used to separate an authentic mixture of rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, fructose, galactose, mannose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, lactose and inositol into each component. Linearity of area ratio (sugar/inositol) versus molar ratio (sugar/inositol) was confirmed with arabinose, fructose, glucose and sucrose, respectively. Glucose and fructose were detected, and glucose was the major component (70_??_80%) of free sugars of Warabi and Yamadori-zenmai.

Developmental potentialities of leaf primordia of Osmunda cinnamomea. VI. The expression of P1

Data from culture experiments presented strongly suggest that the development of leaf primordia at the shoot apex may be divided into three phases in Osmunda cinnamomea. Phase I lasts from inception (Im) to some point in time during P1. Phase II probably begins somewhere between Im and I1, and may be retained as long as P9. Phase III is evident as early as P1 and continues through the entire primordial sequence to include Pn. In nature, or under experimental conditions where physiological continuity between the primordium and shoot apical meristem complex is maintained, O. cinnamomea primordial expression is phase III expression (leaf only). However, if the primordia produced at the shoot apex are removed from certain external biological influences (specifically the shoot apical meristem and certain older primordia) terminal expression of the primordia may be either phase I, phase II, or phase III depending upon the developmental phase of the primordia at the time of their isolation.

North American Osmunda Species: A Serologic and Disc Electrophoretic Analysis of Spore Proteins

The serologic and disc electrophoretic characterization and comparison of the spore proteins of Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda claytoniana, Osmunda regalis, Matteuccia struthiopteris, and Onoclea sensibilis yielded the following relationships: (1) the three Osmundaceae taxa are distinct from the two Aspidiaceae, but protein affinities between groupings exist; (2) Osmunda cinnamomea and Osmunda claytoniana have greater protein affinities for each other than either has for Osmunda regalis; (3) Osmunda regalis has, in general, greater protein affinities for Osmunda claytoniana than it has for Osmunda cinnamomea; and (4) the spore proteins of Matteuccia struthiopteris and Onoclea sensibilis are very similar. Fern spores appear to be suitable material for serologic and disc electrophoretic analyses as applied to systematic investigation.

The Effect of Colored Light on Pigment Synthesis in Cultured Fern Leaf Primordia

AbstractThe effect of white, blue, yellow, red and far‐red light on the quantitative synthesis of the primary and auxilliary photosynthetic pigments in cultured leaf primordia of Osmunda cinnamomea L. is reported. The P660 form of the now classical photoreceptor pigment system, phytochrome, has been demonstrated to be active in chlorophyll synthesis in cultured cinnamon fern leaf primordia as shown by red/far‐red reversibility of chlorophyll synthesis. Also, it is apparent from the data presented that a blue absorbing pigment (P420) is responsible for the extensive accumulation of chlorophylls and carotenoids in these cultured leaves.

Morphogenetic studies on excised leaves of Osmunda cinnamomea: histological studies of leaf development in sterile nutrient culture

Leaf primordia of Osmunda cinnamomea L. explanted to a culture medium of simple composition at the end of three of their five seasons of development, complete their normal morphogenetic sequence but produce mature leaves of greatly reduced size. A histological study of the ground tissues of the rachis of cultured leaves reveals that, at least in these tissues, the size reduction results from a diminished cell number rather than from reduced cell elongation. It is apparent that, at every stage of development, cell division is greatly curtailed and that cell elongation begins precociously. Nevertheless, the pattern of development, including the distribution of mitotic activity at critical stages in the morphogenesis of the leaf, is normal. It is concluded that the effects of isolation upon leaves at this stage of development are quantitative ones upon the extent and duration of cell division and cell elongation.

Photomorphogenesis of Osmunda cinnamomea cultured leaf primordia

In the present study, the techniques of sterile organ culture have been applied to a problem in photomorphogenesis. The organs of culture were determined leaf primordia of the cinnamon fern, Osmunda cinnamomea L. The cultured primordia were subjected to various monochromatic radiations in an attempt to determine the pigment system(s) active in the morphogenesis of these organs.The presence of a blue absorbing pigment system (P420) in these organs is shown by the suppressive effect of blue irradiation on primordial elongation. Elongation of primordia is promoted most by white light followed closely by far-red irradiation. The elongation data have led to the identification of a second pigment which controls a photomorphogenic event in this plant system; this pigment absorbs maximally in the far-red region of the spectrum (P730). Analysis of the histological and fresh weight gain data suggest the interpretation that in cultured cinnamon fern leaf primordia control of these morphogenic events is governed by a third photoreceptor pigment which absorbs maximally in the yellow region of the visible spectrum (P580). The effect of monochromatic radiations on crozier development also has been examined.

In vitro morphogenesis in Osmunda cinnamomea. The role of the shoot apex in early leaf development

In sterile nutrient culture, shoot apices of the rhizome of Osmunda cinnamomea L., devoid of all visible foliar primordia, quickly give rise to dorsiventral leaf primordia at a presumptive leaf site (I1). It was established that these primordia were irreversibly determined as leaves. To examine the morphogenetic role of the shoot apex in governing early leaf development, this site was permanently isolated from the shoot apex by a single tangential cut. Usually, radially symmetrical shoots of indeterminate growth arose at I1 as a result of this surgery. By contrast, when organic continuity between I1 and the shoot apex was only temporarily interrupted by a cut which was subsequently allowed to heal, normally oriented dorsiventral leaf primordia formed most frequently at I1. These, too, were determined as leaves. It was concluded that the shoot apex serves as a source of determinative influences for the nascent primordium, imposing dorsiventrality and a pattern of determinate growth on the leaf site.

Developmental potentialities of leaf primordia of Osmunda cinnamomea. V. Toward greater understanding of the final morphogenetic expression of isolated set I cinnamon fern leaf primordia

Arguments supported by the data given favor the interpretation that (1) adaxial buds are produced by Osmunda cinnamomea leaf primordia; (2) they are produced in addition to the leaf which bears them; (3) they are to be considered adventitious rather than axial; (4) they are of a strictly foliar rather than cauline nature; and (5) they are produced only when a primordium has been isolated from the rest of the shoot system.In O. cinnamomea, the bud, which is formed in addition to the leaf primordium, is evident at the end of the fifth to sixth week on singly cultured P3 and P4 leaf primordia. With younger leaf primordia, e.g. P2’s, often the only evidence of bud formation at the termination of an 8-week culturing period is the presence of the new apical meristem (the SAM′). In the case of older primordia, however, such as P4’s, whether cultured singly or isolated from the shoot apical meristem (SAM) on a plug of tissue, the bud is observed to consist of the SAM′, and from one to seven new leaf primordia. At this stage, the meristematic outgrowth can be considered to be in the true bud state. If the culturing period is extended beyond 8 weeks, the SAM′ develops from the bud state into the plantlet state bearing miniature juvenile leaves, and roots.

Developmental potentialities of leaf primordia of Osmunda cinnamomea. III. Studies of the effects of homogenized, determined leaf primordia on expression-potential of undetermined leaf primordia

Further evidence is presented in support of the hypothesis that a morphogenetic factor, or factors, is present in older primordia which is transmitted to younger primordia to influence the latter to develop as leaves rather than shoots. P3 primordia, undetermined at the time of excision, are expressed as leaves at a level of 60.0% when explanted to a simple, defined medium containing, in addition, homogenate of determined P12 primordia and at a level of 70.0% when grown on medium containing homogenate of P13 primordia. By contrast, undetermined whole P3's are expressed as shoots approximately 70.0% of the time when excised and explanted to: (1) a homogenate-free medium, or (2) medium containing homogenate of undetermined P3's. Of greater significance is the observation that undetermined P3's are expressed as shoots at approximately the same level when excised and explanted to medium containing homogenate of determined P14 primordia. The relevance of these phenomena to a physiological aging process is briefly discussed.

Developmental potentialities of leaf primordia of Osmunda cinnamomea. II. Further studies on the influence of determined leaf primordia on undetermined leaf primordia

In the fern Osmunda cinnamomea, leaf primordia may be excised and grown in sterile culture before or after their irreversible determination as leaves. It has been demonstrated that P3 primordia (third most recently formed primordia) are not irreversibly determined as leaves at the time of excision for they exhibit a tendency to develop as whole shoots (approximately 67.0% of the time) whether grown singly, or as pairs grown in physiological contact. Results from the present investigation support the hypothesis that a morphogenetic factor(s) is found in older primorida which is transmitted to younger primordia to influence the latter to develop as leaves rather than shoots, for P3's grown in physiological contact (as pairs) with P10, P12, or P13 primordia are expressed as leaves at a level approximately twofold or greater than P3's grown singly (controls). Results from the present investigation do not support the hypothesis that increased bulk of tissue, and therefore increased capacity for nutrient productivity by older and larger primordia, is responsible for imposition of leafness on undetermined P3 primordia, for P14 primordia grown in physiological contact with P3 primordia (as pairs) are observed to increase the percentage of P3's expressing leafness at a level only slightly greater than P3's grown singly, and slightly less than when P3's are grown in physiological contact with other P3's as pairs. The slight enhancement in leafness exhibited by undetermined P3's grown as pairs with other P3's, or with P14's has been shown to be non-significant at the 5% level (P < 0.05) by the standard t test and Kramer's (1956) modification of Duncan's (1955) new multiple range test.