Flowering Patterns Research Articles

The Problem of Hua Zhongyan's Annotation and a Plausible Interpretation of "Flower Patterns" in Zhang Mi's Liu Zhi

Hua Zhongyan's Annotation of Songs Among the Flowers greatly influences Huajian Ji's study. For the annotation of Zhang Mi's Liu Zhi, Hua Zhongyan interprets that the phrase "flower patterns" implies the flowerlike textures sewed on the pillow. I found Hua Zhongyan's interpretation feasible but less correlative to this specific verse because he seems to ignore the criterion of judging a song lyric and how a huajian ci is supposed to achieve in order to make itself unique from palace poetry. We are responsible for seeking a more plausible interpretation of the "flower patterns" to understand better why Chinese literati value the image of "fallen petals" and associate it with the comprehension of the universe and what interest the Huajian Ji refers to palace poetry but has its own improvements. I firstly criticized Hua Zhongyan's inappropriate annotation and provided some pieces of evidence. Then, I stated that Zhang Mi's "flower patterns" represent the "fallen petals" instead of the textures on the pillow.

Genome-wide association analysis reveals the optimal genomic regions for pod size in bean.

The snap bean is the most commonly grown vegetable legume worldwide, and its pod size is both an important yield and appearance quality trait. However, the improvement of pod size in snap beans grown in China has been largely hindered by a lack of information on the specific genes that determine pod size. In this study, we identified 88 snap bean accessions and evaluated their pod size traits. Through a genome-wide association study (GWAS), 57 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with pod size were detected. Candidate gene analysis showed that cytochrome P450 family genes, WRKY, and MYB transcription factors were the predominant candidate genes for pod development, and eight of these 26 candidate genes showed relatively higher expression patterns in flowers and young pods. A significant pod length (PL) SNP and a single pod weight (SPW) SNP were successfully converted into kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) markers and validated in the panel. These results enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of pod size, and also provide genetic resources for the molecular breeding of pod size in snap beans.

Abiotic conditions affect nectar properties and flower visitation in four herbaceous plant species

Both plant nectar production and insect activity are highly dependent on abiotic environmental conditions. Furthermore, the foraging behaviour of insect pollinators can be affected by nectar properties. In the context of climate change, it is important to understand how plant-pollinator interactions respond to temperature and other abiotic factors. We investigated the effect of natural variation in temperature and solar radiation on nectar quantity (nectar volume) and quality (sucrose concentration and sucrose mass) and on flower visitation rates in four herbaceous plant species (Dictamnus albus, Lamium album, Salvia officinalis, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria) in the Botanical Garden Halle (Germany). Temperature affected nectar properties in all four species. Solar radiation affected nectar quantity and quality in two species, most likely by affecting flower temperature. The number of flower visits was unimodally related to temperature for two species and positively related to solar radiation in another. The variable responses across plant species in the effects of abiotic factors on nectar properties and flower visitation patterns may be due to differences in flower shape and colour, to differences in the composition of flower visitors, or due to other unmeasured extrinsic factors that vary across patches where these species occur. Our study highlights the importance of considering direct and indirect effects of climate factors on pollinator visitation in multiple plant species.

Chinese Aesthetic Features of Traditional Costumes in Gan Opera

As one of the traditional local operas in China, Gan opera has a unique cultural connotation and aesthetic style, and its costumes are even more distinctive. The costumes of Gan opera are beautifully styled and colourful, reflecting the traditional aesthetics of ancient China. In the costumes, attention is paid to the expression of different characters' identities and personalities, for example, the costumes of characters such as emperors, officials and people are all different. At the same time, Gan opera costumes also pay attention to colour matching, focusing on shades and clearness, and emphasising the use of colour to express the characteristics and characters of different characters. The ornamentation of Gan opera costumes is also very rich, often embellished with patterns of flowers and birds, dragons and phoenixes, and clouds, which are deeply symbolic and meaningful. Gan opera costumes are also very elaborate in terms of detailing, such as embroidery, trimming and cutting, all of which have unique techniques and characteristics. In short, Gan opera costumes are an important part of traditional Chinese culture, embodying the essence of traditional Chinese aesthetics and having high artistic value and cultural significance. The aim of this article is to explore the Chinese aesthetic characteristics of traditional costumes of Gan opera, with a view to providing reference value for relevant researchers.

Phenological Flowering Patterns of Woody Plants in the Function of Landscape Design: Case Study Belgrade

The study focuses on describing key events in the flowering phenophases of woody taxa that promote practical landscape sustainability and design planning. Apart from the beginning of flowering, the full development and the duration of phenophases are important for landscape architecture, consumers, and pollination. The phenological patterns of 13 woody taxa were monitored for 16 years through 90,860 phenological observations from the BBCH scale for the period 2007–2022. Growing degree days were determined by combining phenological and climatic data and a linear trend was used to assess phenophase tendencies. Mann–Kendall and Sen’s slope tests and Spearman’s correlation coefficient were used to assess statistical significance. Shifts in flowering indicated warming trends, reflecting various changes in phenology. Early flowering taxa were affected the most, but plants shifted phenophases in both directions (earlier and later in the year). Repeated flowering (and occasionally fruiting) and even third flowering, as seen in 2022, can significantly affect biodiversity and lead to plant–pollinator asynchrony and changes in ecosystem functioning, ecological interaction, and landscape design. A list of native and introduced taxa and their adaptation mechanisms to climate change are provided and can be used for sustainable landscape design and nature-based solutions in landscape architecture.

Effect of different roll-forming flower patterns on coiled tubing ovality and pressure performance

The pressure applied by the drilling fluid circulation pumps into Coiled Tubing (CT) compensates for the effects of fluid friction and force applied to the downhole motors. The higher the pressure, the greater the power of the well operation. The critical point of the cross-section of CT is on the earth's surface, where the highest internal and lowest external pressure are applied to it. In this paper, the compressive tolerance value of CT is investigated in relation to its ovality. This ovality can be inherent and created during the construction of the tube. 4 different flower patterns can be used for making CT. This paper aims to roll forming CT without a sizing step so that it preserves its mechanical performance against incoming forces. The geometry-based form definition method calculations have been used to determine the forming path of the strip, and this is the basis for the design of the forming rollers in each stage, finally, according to the similarities in the forming stages, 45 rollers have been designed for simulation. Therefore, assuming that the sizing step is not used in tube roll forming, the effect of roll forming flower patterns on the ovality of the final product of 1 ½ inch CT-70 and its effect on the internal and external pressure tolerance of the tube is investigated and Results of dimensional analysis, a tensile test of a new QT-70, 1 ½ inch tube as a sample and the geometry-based form definition method results are considered as input for the simulation of all four methods and the finite element method was used to simulate tube construction with different flower pattern methods, and its results were used in the geometry of the final product, in CT pressure tolerance analysis. The results show that the behavior of the tube made by the reverse bending flower pattern method shows better tolerance against internal and external pressure so this behavior is related to the ratio of internal to external pressure tolerance in the tube. With the flower pattern method, the reverse bending is approximately 1.08–1.85 times compared to the double-radii pattern and 1.13 to 2.27 times, and 1.18 to 3.21 times compared to the edge flower pattern and circular flower patterns, respectively.

Flowering phenology influences butterfly nectar foraging on non-native plants in an oak savanna.

The negative impacts of non-native species have been well documented, but some non-natives can play a positive role in native ecosystems. One way that non-native plants can positively interact with native butterflies is by provisioning nectar. Relatively little is known about the role of phenology in determining native butterfly visitation to non-native plants for nectar, yet flowering time directly controls nectar availability. Here we investigate the phenological patterns of flowering by native and non-native plants and nectar foraging by native butterflies in an oak savanna on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. We also test whether native butterflies select nectar sources in proportion to their availability. We found that non-native plants were well integrated into butterfly nectar diets (83% of foraging observations) and that visitation to non-natives increased later in the season when native plants were no longer flowering. We also found that butterflies selected non-native flowers more often than expected based on their availability, suggesting that these plants represent a potentially valuable resource. Our study shows that non-native species have the potential to drive key species interactions in seasonal ecosystems. Management regimes focused on eradicating non-native species may need to reconsider their aims and evaluate resources that non-natives provide.

Phosphor-in-glass with time-evolving multicolor luminescence for dynamic anticounterfeiting

The conventional luminescent materials used in the anticounterfeiting field generally exhibit unicolor output and a single-wavelength excitation mode, resulting in a poor anticounterfeiting effect. Herein, we successfully achieved a new transparent SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+/CaAlSiN3:Eu2+ phosphor-in-glass (PiG) with dynamic luminescence color variation from red to yellow in hundreds of seconds during the ultraviolet lamp irradiation and green persistent luminescence (PersL) after ceasing excitation. Additionally, the prepared PiG owns excitation wavelength- or doping weight ratio-dependent color-tunable luminescence. As a proof-of-concept experiment, the specially designed SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+/CaAlSiN3:Eu2+ PiG based flower patterns exhibit dynamic luminescence color variation under a simple ultraviolet lamp, and can be observed for quick discrimination. This work exploits a new perspective for the design of dynamic multicolor anticounterfeiting materials.

Excitation-wavelength-dependent photochromic Bi3+/Ln3+(Eu3+, Er3+)-codoped phosphors for anticounterfeiting applications

Fluorescent powders exhibiting excitation dependence and luminescent discoloration are profoundly relevant for concealing information and enhancing optical antiforgery protection. In this study, Bi3+/Ln3+ (Eu3+, Er3+)-doped phosphors exhibiting multicolor luminescence and excitation wavelength dependence were synthesized. The Bi3+/Eu3+-codoped phosphors emitted blue, pink, lavender, and red lights under excitation from conventional ultraviolet (UV) sources. In addition to emitting blue light, the Bi3+/Er3+-codoped phosphors also transmitted upconversion-emission light from green to yellow under 980-nm laser excitation. Additionally, the luminous color of the Ca3Y2Ge3O12:0.01Bi3+, 0.2Er3+ phosphor changed from yellow to orange as the temperature increased. Combining the above luminous-color-change phenomena, the word-hiding experiment exhibited excellent realistic information hiding, with complex color transformation in the stamen and petal parts of the flower pattern. Furthermore, rapid multimodal and complex discoloration was achieved using easy-to-obtain light sources, confirming the potential of Bi3+/Ln3+ phosphors for anticounterfeiting applications.

Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis provide insight into anthocyanin biosynthesis for sepal color formation in Heptacodium miconioides.

Heptacodium miconioides Rehd., commonly known as "seven-son flower," is an ornamental species with a beautiful flower pattern and persistent sepals. Its sepals are of horticultural value, turning bright red and elongating in the autumn; however, the molecular mechanisms that cause sepal color change remain unclear. We analyzed the dynamic changes in anthocyanin composition in the sepal of H. miconioides at four developmental stages (S1-S4). A total of 41 anthocyanins were detected and classified into 7 major anthocyanin aglycones. High levels of the pigments cyanidin-3,5-O-diglucoside, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, and pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside were responsible for sepal reddening. Transcriptome analysis revealed 15 differentially expressed genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis that were detected between 2 developmental stages. Of these, the high expression of HmANS was considered critical structural gene related to anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway in the sepal through co-expression analysis with anthocyanin content. In addition, a transcription factor (TF)-metabolite correlation analysis revealed that three HmMYB, two HmbHLH, two HmWRKY, and two HmNAC TFs exhibited a strong positive role in the regulation of the anthocyanin structural genes (Pearson's correlation coefficient > 0.90). Luciferase activity assay showed that HmMYB114, HmbHLH130, HmWRKY6, and HmNAC1 could activate the promoters of HmCHS4 and HmDFR1 genes in vitro. These findings increase our understanding of anthocyanin metabolism in the sepal of H. miconioides and provide a guide for studies involving sepal color conversion and regulation.

A Study on Flower Patterns of Temple Cut-and-Paste Decorations based on L-system

A Study on Flower Patterns of Temple Cut-and-Paste Decorations based on L-system

Muerte por reproducción sexual: El caso (sin resolver) de la floración de los bambúes

Bamboos belong to the grass family (or Poaceae). There are 1698 bamboo species distributed around the world in tropical, subtropical and temperate jungles and forests. In our country, there are five native genera that comprise 23 species. The least known characteristic of the woody bamboos is their flowering phenology. Four main types of flowering patterns have been described. However, the most interesting are those bamboo species that show a massive and cyclical flowering pattern, after a long period of vegetative growth. Such mass flowering events occur at roughly regular intervals and are followed by the death of the flowering individuals. The goal of this review is to provide an informative sample of the current knowledge of bamboo flowering, with an emphasis on the species native to Argentina. Currently, the approximate duration of the life cycle of most woody bamboo species in our country is known, based on a review of the collections of the most important national and international herbaria and an extensive bibliographic search. In most species, the average life cycles are multiples of 15-16years, with a 30-year cycle being the most common. The main hypotheses about the evolutionary forces that led bamboos to flower, seed and die synchronously are described. Likewise, environmental, genetic factors and the combination of both proposed as possible ‘causes’ of this atypical flowering pattern of bamboos are discussed. Finally, environmental and social consequences of this phenomenon are listed.

Monkeying around with monkeyflowers: Modeling pigmentation patterning mechanisms in Mimulus.

Mimulus (Monkeyflowers) is a diverse genus of angiosperms that produce many beautiful and unique pigmentation patterns. The basic mechanisms of pattern production have been tentatively described in certain species of Mimulus, and it is based on the reaction-diffusion system of a slow activator NEGAN (called a pre-pattern) and a fast inhibitor RTO. Such activator-inhibitor pair forms a Turing pattern, and we have shown that it generates various patterns in Monkeyflower petals. Using the modeling and simulation software VCell, the reaction-diffusion system can be spatially simulated with a series of differential equations. By changing the parameters of the math model or the shape of the pre-pattern, many different patterns emerge, corresponding to phenotypes observed in species of Mimulus. We aim to classify flower patterns, so they can be easily distinguished, and to identify key parameters and parameter regions that correspond to changes in patterns related to a mix of mutants in a plant, and trajectories in parameter space describing the lineage of patterns. (Supported by NIGMS grant R01 GM140092.)

Flower patterns improve foraging efficiency in bumblebees by guiding approach flight and landing

Abstract Colourful patterns on flowers are thought to benefit both pollinators and the plants they visit, by increasing the plants' pollination success via an increased foraging efficiency of the pollinators. This increased efficiency is assumed to result from a guidance effect of the flower patterns, correspondingly termed ‘nectar guides’, which indicate the position of the nectary to visiting pollinators, thus reducing their flower handling time. Although it is well established that flower patterns play an important role in flower choice, the mechanisms by which they improve the foraging efficiency of flower‐visiting insects remain poorly understood. In this study, we quantified the contributions of patterns to all phases of flower interaction in the buff‐tailed bumblebee Bombus terrestris. We analysed the bees' flight paths, as well as landing positions and walking tracks on artificial flowers with different pattern types. We reveal that flower patterns reduced the overall flower handling time of the bees by up to 30%, by guiding their approach flight, landing positions and departure decisions. Surprisingly, we observed no improvement in nectary discovery time after the bees landed on the flower. Since we tested experienced foragers, which represent the majority of insect pollinators active in nature, the newly described nectary‐independent guidance effects of flower patterns are of high ecological relevance. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

3D 프린팅을 활용한 조선시대 꽃문양의 패턴디자인 개발 연구 : 나전칠기 문양 중심으로

This study intends to develop modernized patterns into pattern designs using the new 3D printing technology of multi-product small-volume production method, which is emerging in the modern society, and re-examine traditional flower patterns with the artistic spirit of the Korean. As a result of analyzing the traditional flower patterns expressed in the NaJeonchilgi, focusing on 82 existing relics of the Joseon Dynasty, the following results were found. The flower patterns expressed in the Joseon Dynasty

보물 백담사(百潭寺) 복장 저고리 직물 문양 고찰

This study examines the patterns on textiles used for the Jeogori originally placed and later discovered inside the wooden seated Amitabha housed at Baekdamsa temple. These patterns have been schematized more precisely on the basis of hyperspectral images, and the historical characteristics of each pattern have been analyzed on the basis of related records and artifact materials. A total of three types of textiles were used for the Jeogori. A satin textile is used for the Gil (front and back panels) of the Jeogori with a pattern incorporates chrysanthemums and orchids into a continuous Wan (swastika)-inspired background pattern. The combination of chrysanthemums and orchids signifies “spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums” and is also frequently found on other excavated artifacts from the 17th century onward. Used for the Kkeutdong (cuffs) of the Jeogori is a satin fabric with a pattern where a small flower pattern is added to a continuous Gong-charactered pattern in the background. This is a rare type not found on other textile artifacts from the same era. Used for the Git (collar) and the Gyeonmagi (underarm outer patches) of the Jeogori is a satin fabric depicting a dragon and phoenix pattern. The dragon and phoenix pattern harmoniously combines elements of the dragon pattern and the phoenix pattern that were fashionable during this period, and the characteristics of the dragon and the phoenix, respectively, conform to the age as well. The textiles used for the Jeogori are characterized by a very clear demonstration of epochality yet also use types of patterns that are not found often on artifacts from the same era. Given the period from which this Jeogori originates is certain, the garment will serve as a good material for such characteristics to become epochal indices of patterns that will be newly excavated in the future.

Diversity of Ultraviolet Reflection Pattern in Arachis Flowers

Over a third of global agriculture is dependent on insect pollination, especially by bees. Yields of insect-pollinated crops are often managed by the addition of honeybees (Apis mellifera) to increase pollination, yet wild bee species (Bombus spp.) also increase pollination and fruit set for many globally important crops. Plant biodiversity within and surrounding crop fields can attract wild bee species and increase pollination in those fields. Peanut is an important global food crop known to attract honeybee and wild bee pollinators despite being self-pollinating and not reliant on bee pollination for seed set. Some wild Arachis species derived breeding materials have been documented to have early flowering, high flowering throughout the growing season, and large flowers as compared to cultivated peanut, which can increase attractiveness to bees. However, the presence and diversity of UV floral guides, color and UV absorbance and reflectance flower patterns that aid in flower detection and orientation towards nectar and/or pollen, have not been studied in Arachis. This study documents the presence and diversity of UV floral guides in two A. hypogaea genotypes, two peanut breeding lines, eight wild Arachis species, 19 unique allotetraploids, and four BC1F3 lines. All Arachis genotypes studied had UV floral guides and genotype was a significant indicator of flower size and UV floral guide size. Further studies evaluating the nutritional quality and abundance of pollen in Arachis species are needed to better understand the impact of ornamental Arachis species and peanut cultivars on wild bee abundance and diversity in urban landscapes and in agricultural fields, respectively.

Solanum elaeagnifolium Invasiveness under Semi-Arid Environmental Conditions in Tunisia

Solanum elaeagnifolium, one of the world’s most widespread invasive weeds, thrives in the regions of Tunisia with a semi-arid climate. An enhanced understanding of its biological traits could be useful for its management. For this purpose, S. elaeagnifolium vegetative propagation, flowering, fruiting, and spread patterns were assessed under semi-arid environmental conditions at Chott Mariem (Tunisia) over three years (2013–2015). Our results revealed that S. elaeagnifolium showed an active vegetative growth phase during the spring (March–May). Thereafter, the plant stopped its vegetative growth in June–August in favor of flowering and fruiting. The vegetative growth resumed during September–October and declined in November, announcing its dormant period. Thanks to its vigorous rhizomatous system, S. elaeagnifolium was able to emit offshoots within a radius of 1.5 m from parent shoots by 30 months after its establishment. These findings could inform and improve dedicated management control options for S. elaeagnifolium. Silverleaf nightshade should be controlled before the full-flowering stage in spring and following the first autumnal rainfall to prevent vegetative propagation and fruiting.

Phenocam observed flowering anomaly of Rhododendron arboreum Sm. in Himalaya: a climate change impact perspective.

Flowering exhibits a significant relationship with environmental stimuli and changes. Effect of photoperiodism and vernalization have been well studied in flowering phenology; however, the effect of soil temperature on flowering is less explored which is one of the major factors of vegetation growth in alpine ecosystem. This study thus focuses on the effects of soil and air temperature on flowering response of Rhododendron arboreum Sm., a Himalayan tree species, which is also an indicator of spring initiation in high altitude regions. To monitor the flowering pattern, we employed automated phenocam, which was set up at 3356 masl in Tungnath (Indian Alpine region of Uttarakhand) for time-lapse photography of timberline ecotone. Soil and air temperature were recorded continuously at the timberline ecotone. Three years (2017 to 2020) of datasets were used for the present study. The phenocam observations displayed an interesting event in the year 2019-2020 with complete absence of flowering in R. arboreum population at Tungnath timberline ecotone. From the soil temperature data, an increase in winter (Dec-Jan, during which floral buds form) soil temperature, by > 1°C, and no accumulation of freezing degree-days were found for the year 2019-2020. Air temperature however did not display any relationship with the failure of flowering, ruling out aerial chilling or frost injury of floral buds. From the results, a possible relationship between soil temperature and flowering can be suggested pointing towards necessary root apex vernalization stimulus in shallow rooted Rhododendrons. However, the dependency of flowering in Rhododendrons on winter soil temperature further requires continuous monitoring and more observations to make concrete inferences.

Conserved pigment pathways underpin the dark insectiform floral structures of sexually deceptive Chiloglottis (Orchidaceae).

Sexually deceptive plants achieve pollination by enticing specific male insects as pollinators using a combination of olfactory, visual, and morphological mimicry. The sexually deceptive orchid genus Chiloglottis is comprised of some 30 species with predominantly dull green-red flowers except for the dark insectiform calli/callus structure from the labellum lamina. This unique structure mimics the female of the pollinator and potentially enhances the visibility of the mimic. However, the chemical and genetic basis for the color of these structures remains poorly understood across the genus. The goal of this study was to investigate the flower color biochemistry and patterns of gene expression across the anthocyanin and flavonol glycoside biosynthetic pathway within the calli structures across the three distinct clades of Chiloglottis (Formicifera, Reflexa, and Valida) using chemical and transcriptome analysis. Our phylogenomic analysis confirmed the close sister relationship between the Reflexa/Formicifera clades and reaffirms the basal position of the Valida clade. Additionally, the biochemical basis of the dark calli/callus structures is conserved across the genus. Nonetheless, the proportion of methoxylated anthocyanin and flavonol glycoside derivatives and the mean gene expression levels appear to differentiate the Reflexa and Formicifera clades from the Valida clade. In future studies, it will be of interest to tease apart the role of phylogeny, environment, pollinators, and other factors as potential drivers of the observed biochemistry and gene expression differences. It will also be important to characterize the function of candidate genes such as DFR, LDOX, and FLS in this fascinating case of flower color mimicry.