Physocarpus Opulifolius Research Articles

Вплив екстрактів з Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim. і Stachys palustris L. на Candida parapsilosis

The opportunistic fungi Candida parapsillosis are increasingly causing various diseases. They can be commensals, but, having unique properties of invasiveness, virulence and antifungal sensitivity, which is characteristic of fungi of this genus in general, in newborns and people with weakened immunity or those who use catheters, they become destroyers of body tissues. These fungi are capable of forming strong biofilms on catheters and other implanted medical devices, threatening the lives of patients undergoing invasive medical procedures. In the era of the spread of antibiotic resistance, the search for auxiliary and alternative means to avoid dissemination or treatment of the disease after the detection of the causative agent is urgent. These can be substances of plant origin, in particular, little-studied, from the point of view of antifungal properties, Stachys palustris and Physocarpus opulifolius. Aqueous-ethanol (AE) extracts from these species have been found to have potential anti-candidal properties against Candida parapsilosis, which were determined by agar diffusion and media addition methods. AE extracts of these species inhibited the growth of Candida parapsilosis more than aqueous extracts. Stachys palustris extracts made with 70 % and 95 % AE and Physocarpus opulifolius extracts made with 60 % and 95 % AE caused diameter of inhibition zone (IZ) greater than 13 mm, but their effect was half that of fluconazole and slightly more, compared to tinctures of sage and eucalyptus. An extract of Stachys palustris made with 95 % aqueous ethanol was most effective, causing IZ, of up to 20 mm. The extract of S. palustris prepared with 95 % ethanol suppresses the growth of the culture when present in the medium in ratios of 1:2, 1:4 and 1:6, and the similarly prepared extract of Physocarpus opulifolius – 1:2 and 1:4. The rapid microplate method for determining the effect of plant extracts on microorganisms with resazurin can be used only after additional confirmation, since the extracts themselves are able to regenerate the indicator.

First Report of Phytophthora palmivora Causing Aerial Blight on Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Summer Wine’ at a Wholesale Nursery in Virginia

On 8 August 2023, at a wholesale nursery in Nelson County, Virginia, approximately 500 Physocarpus opulifolius ‘summer wine’ plants in 11.4-liter containers were observed with leaf necrosis, shepherd's crook, and stem cankers. The isolates recovered from diseased tissue were identified as Phytophthora palmivora based on morphological and molecular analysis. A 778-bp segment of the internal transcribed spacer locus and 827-bp segment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 locus from isolate AE03 were deposited into the GenBank database under accessions OR754361 and OR760058, respectively. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by spraying a zoospore suspension on three healthy plants and incubating them in a chamber with over 90% humidity at 22 ± 2°C. After 72 h, all three inoculated plants displayed necrotic leaf and stem lesions, and approximately 25% of the leaves senesced. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first documentation of Phytophthora palmivora causing aerial blight on plants in the genus Physocarpus.

Изучение особенностей почвенного покрова и биорекультивации угольных отвалов

Industrial dumps serve as natural habitats for numerous biocenoses due to the specific features and directionality of early soil formation processes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of soil cover and bioremediation on coal dumps. It is demonstrated that the lithological heterogeneity of disturbed territories in Kuzbass is influenced by mining technologies, which directly affect the methods of coal extraction. The study establishes that eluviated material on technogenically disturbed lands shows significant variations in physical and chemical properties depending on the conditions of formation. These differences determine the varying quality of the resulting soils and underscore the need for reclamation efforts. Phytocenoses at later metastable stages of development exhibit impoverished composition and structural deficiencies upon reaching this stage. It is proven that the impact of vegetation on young soils, supplemented by fertilization, can lead to the accumulation of biophilic elements in the upper soil profile. The presence of rare earth and radioactive elements in anthracite slows the development of biota on dump surfaces due to their potentially toxic effects on microorganisms and vegetation. Bioremediation is shown to focus on restoring soil formation processes, enhancing soil self-purification capabilities, and re-establishing phytocenoses. The selection of plant species for reclamation is based on their ability to thrive in technogenically disturbed landscapes. These species should belong to a group of resilient plants with high phytoremediation potential, such as Pinus sylvestris, Picea pungens, Larix decidua, Physocarpus opulifolius, Betula pubescens, Populus nigra, Caragana arborescens, Rosa rugosa, and Elaeagnus commutata. These species are characterized by high resistance to adverse factors and are considered promising for biological reclamation of technogenically disturbed landscapes.

Starch-Based Superabsorbent Enhances the Growth and Physiological Traits of Ornamental Shrubs

Periods of heat and water deficit often occur together and are especially dangerous for plants grown in pots, where the substrate volume for roots is limited. The purpose of the present research was to understand the response of shrubs planted in containers to the addition of a starch-based superabsorbent to their growing medium. The growth parameters, physiological conditions, and oxidative stress of Cornus alba ’Aurea’, Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’, and Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Red Baron’ were assessed by adding a hydrogel (1, 2, or 3 g·dm−3) to their growing medium. The use of the superabsorbent improved the stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate, resulting in better growth parameters. The application of 1 g·dm−3 hydrogel increased the chlorophyll content in hydrangea and ninebark leaves (8%) and increased the content of total soluble sugars in these plants (12% and 15%, respectively). The highest increase in reducing sugars was caused by a dosage of 3 g·dm−3. The lowest dose of hydrogel resulted in a decrease in hydrogen peroxide content in the leaves of all the taxa. The relationship between the contents of biologically active components and oxidative stress proved ambiguous for all the taxa. Oxidative stress was reduced, as evidenced by lower hydrogen peroxide and an increase in pigment content. In summary, a hydrogel dosage of 2 g·dm−3 in the medium could be optimal in pot nursery production using 3 dm3 pots.

Dendroflora in spatial planning compositions of children’s squares in Vyshhorod town

Various groups of urban residents, including children, need to ensure a high-quality environment. One of the important features of urban plantings is their biodiversity, which is often low in the territories of children’s facilities. The purpose of the study is to identify spatial planning solutions and assess the species composition of tree plantations on the territory of six newly created children’s parks of the small historical city of Vyshhorod, Kyiv Oblast, which is located near the capital and is marked by positive demographic dynamics. The initial data were obtained as a result of the authors’ inventory survey of vegetation in these parks. The spatial planning composition of the dendroflora of these parks is also analysed using a visual method. Based on the obtained data, the level of biodiversity of tree stands in parks under study was estimated: the available number of taxa, Menhinick’s richness and diversity index, and the Berger-Parker abundance index were compared. On the territory of these parks, a total of 70 taxa of woody and shrubby plants were identified, among which introduced species predominate. More than half of the identified taxa are found only in one of the parks. The most common types represented on the territory of most children’s parks are the following: Spiraea vanhouttei, Juglans regia, Physocarpus opulifolius. Cluster analysis revealed groups of parks with a similar assortment of woody plants, and, accordingly, similar biodiversity indicators. The relationship between the assortment of plants and the general spatial solution of parks is traced. It was concluded that the selection of the species composition of woody plants for children’s parks should be more thorough, and it is also advisable not to exceed the recommended 10% share of one species in the composition of plantings. The use of “thorny” species that are not recommended for children’s territories is quite balanced and rational. The use of the findings in urban planning would help create a multifunctional eco-balanced children’s space and increase the sustainability of urban ecosystems

Anthropogenic load in artificial ecosystems and its impact on ornamental shrubs

The article reviews the main aspects of assessing the vitality of ornamental shrubs. The authors have ranked the plants according to the resistance to air pollution of urban ecosystems based on the assessment of the vitality of ornamental shrubs, their vital activity and resistance to anthropogenic impact. The study has identified the promising species of ornamental shrubs recommended for planting in urban environment: Berberis thunbergii DC., Philadelphus coronarius L., Potentilla fruticosa L., Syringa vulgaris L., Crataegus sanguinea Pall., Lonicera caprifolium L., Philadelphus coronarius L., Physocarpus opulifolius L.

Screening of the Antimicrobial Potential of Aqueous Extracts of Some Plants Collected from the City of Narafominsk, Moscow, Russia

Background: The antimicrobial properties of medicinal plants, including those from Russian flora, can be a considerable asset in the fight against antibiotic resistance and the search for new antimicrobials. The present work aimed at assessing the antimicrobial properties of plants collected from the Narafominsk's flora, a city located on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia.
 Methods: The plants were collected from June to August 2021, the extraction was carried out with water as a solvent and the antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested on 3 referenced microorganisms from the American Type Culture Collection (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231). We determined the inhibition diameters by the well diffusion method, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) & minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) by the microbroth dilution method.
 Results: A total of 59 samples from 33 plants were extracted and included 44.1% of leaves (n=26), 32.2% of flowers (n=19), 8.5% of barks (n=5), 5.1% of whole plant (n =3) and 1 stem and 1 root (1.7%). Inhibition diameters ranged from 0 to 28 mm, MICs and MBCs from 0.5< to >128 mg/ml. 69.49% (n=41) of the plants showed an inhibition diameter greater than zero (>0 mm) against S. aureus, 42.37% (n=25) against E. coli and only 23.72% (n=14) against C. albicans. The plant parts ranked in decrease order of antimicrobial activity were as follows: flower < bark < leaf < whole plant < root < stem < fruit. The plants having shown a noteworthy antimicrobial (MIC ≤0.5 mg/ml) activity against at least 1/3 microorganisms tested and which deserve to be investigated in depth were: flowers of Epilobium angustifolium, Spirea japonica, Heracleum mantegazzianum and Saponaria officinalis, bark of Picea abies and the whole plant extract of Rumex obtusifolius. The second group (1≤ MIC ≤ 4 mg/ml) of plants with no less worthy antimicrobial abilities were flowers of Angelica sylvestris, Arctium minus, Centaurea jacea, Convallaria majalis, Melampyrum nemorosum and Physocarpus opulifolius, leaf of Achillea millefolium and Heracleum mantegazzianum, and bark of Quesrcus robur.
 Conclusion: Flower extracts of Epilobium angustifolium, Spirea japonica, Heracleum mantegazzianum, Saponaria officinalis against are highly recommended for further studies since they presented the best MIC and inhibitions diameters.

Сахароза в тканях однолетних побегов древесных растений-интродуцентов

Expanding the species diversity of urban plantations in the North requires taking into account the physiological characteristics of introduced species. The paper analyzes the winter hardiness and dynamics of sucrose content in tissues of annual shoots of plants growing in towns of the Vologda region, considering their natural habitats. The authors show that the sucrose content in the studied species undergoes seasonal fluctuations and also varies significantly depending on the geographical origin of the species. Most of the studied trees are characterized by a fairly high level of winter hardiness, which occurs against the background of moderate fluctuations in sucrose content throughout the year. Shrubs, compared to trees, are characterized by higher content of sucrose and its significant fluctuations during the growing season. The minimum content of sucrose is observed from April till June in most of the studied plants; during the autumn months its content increases; and then from November to spring there is a decrease. Species that showed a high level of winter hardiness: European spindle (Euonymus europaeus L.), white dogwood (Cornus alba L.), hedge cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lucidus Schltdl.), and Amur maple (Acer ginnala Maxim.). They accumulate sucrose by October and then smoothly consume it during the autumn-winterspring period. Introduced shrubs with low winter hardiness are the following: Atlantic ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim.), Spiraea salicifolia (Spiraea salicifolia L.), and common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake). They accumulate maximum sucrose by October–November and then rapidly consume it during the winter months. English dogwood (Philadelphus coronarius L.) is known for freezing the shoots to the level of snow, which may be due to the almost complete consumption of sucrose by January. The article provides options for strategies of sugars accumulation and consumption by plants belonging to different floristic areas. For citation: Andronova M.M., Platonov A.V. Sucrose in the Tissues of Annual Shoots of Introduced Woody Plants. Lesnoy Zhurnal [Russian Forestry Journal], 2022, no. 1, pp. 62–76. DOI: 10.37482/0536-1036-2022-1-62-76

Propagation of Herbaceous and Woody Perennials in Submist and Overhead Mist Systems

Abstract Submist aeroponic propagation systems apply mist to the bases of cuttings, rather than from overhead. These systems improve rooting in some plant species and reduce water usage compared to overhead mist systems. Submist systems, which were supplemented with infrequent overhead mist, were used to propagate stem cuttings collected from six plant species: bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana Walter), purple smoke false indigo (Baptisia australis x B. alba ‘Purple Smoke'), threadleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata L.), panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata Siebold), sweetgale (Myrica gale L.), and ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim ‘Diablo'). The submist systems were compared to traditional overhead mist with a solid propagation medium. Rooting was better in overhead mist for cuttings of threadleaf coreopsis and purple smoke false indigo. Rooting was comparable between systems for all other species (bluestar, panicle hydrangea, sweetgale, and ninebark). In the submist systems, water usage was reduced by 67% compared to overhead. This is probably due to reduced evaporative water loss and more targeted application of water directly to cuttings, resulting in less water lost on the ground or benchtops. Species used in this study: Amsonia tabernaemontana Walter, Baptisia australis x B. alba ‘Purple Smoke', Coreopsis verticillata L., Hydrangea paniculata Siebold, Myrica gale L., Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim ‘Diablo'. Chemicals used in this study: KIBA (potassium salt of indole-3-butyric acid).

Древесные растения скверов города Уссурийска (Приморский край)

The species and quantitative composition of woody-shrub plants in public gardens in Ussuriysk (Primorye Territory) have been studied. A total of 63 taxa from 41 genera and 21 families have been recorded. Among them, by the number of species the rose family is the leader (28,6% of the total number of species), 10 families are represented by only one genus and species. The largest genus is the genus Acer L., 6 species of which are used in landscaping in the studied public gardens. The composition of woody plants is dominated by aboriginal species (69,8% of their total number), among introduced species there are plants of East Asia (9 species), North America (4 species), as well as plants of Eurasian (3 species) and European (3 species) origin. Life forms (biomorphs) are dominated by summer-green trees over 10 m in height (23 species), summer-green shrubs over 2 m in height (13 species) and summer-green shrubs 1-2 m in height (12 species). Most often in the landscaping of public gardens in the Ussuriysk city there are Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila L.), Asian white birch (Betula platyphylla Sukacz.), common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolia (L.) Maxim.), ash-leaved maple (Acer negundo L.) and Manchu ash (Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.). Keywords: PUBLIC GARDEN, LANDSCAPING, ARBORIFLORA, LIFE FORM (BIOMORPH), USSURIYSK, PRIMORYE TERRITORY, RECREATION ZONE

Morpho-anatomical and biochemical changes associated with rooting of micropropagated ninebark cuttings

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is an attractive ornamental shrub with poor rooting characteristics in some cultivars, which is a limiting factor in commercial production This study was designed to optimize rooting conditions of ninebark cuttings and to observe the effect of exogenous auxin IBA on some morpho-anatomical and biochemical changes associated with rhizogenesis in the in vitro conditions. Both auxins under study: the indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) gave comparable effects but the combination of ½ MS + 1 mg·L−1 IBA was the most cost effective for all rooting parameters. Anatomical changes at the cuttings’ bases during root formation were typical for woody plants and they were accelerated by auxin in the culture medium. High levels of the endogenous indole acid and hydrogen peroxide were temporarily associated with intensive cell divisions in cuttings, and the polyphenolic acid contents kept increasing during rooting above the initial levels and those in controls.

Characteristics of some biochemical parameters in assimilating organs of herbaceous and woody plants in conditions of introduction

The paper presents study results of 8 herbaceous and woody plants species assimilating organs biochemical parameters in conditions of introduction. It has been identified that in 4 herbaceous introduced species increased chlorophyll content and ratio of chlorophyll to flavonoids in August is associated with massive flowering and fruiting phases. On the contrary, in Crataegus ellwangeriana the maximum values of the above parameters are the reaction to unfavorable growing conditions (lack of nutrition and moisture) during the active growth period. The increased anthocyanins synthesis in Physocarpus opulifolius and Sorbaria sorbifolia by 1,21,4 times and increased nitrogen balance in Aronia melanocarpa up to 23 mg/cm in September compared to summer period testifies to protective function formation in plant organism in pre-winter period. Slight fluctuations in flavonoids content throughout the entire vegetation season confirm that all the studied plants are in optimal nitrogen status. The following statistical methods were used to interpret the present study results: Shapiro-Wilk W-test (for small samples n 30), parametric analysis method Students t-test, t-test for dependent samples.

Management of Powdery Mildew on Ninebark Using Sanitizers, Biorational Products, and Fungicides

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is a popular ornamental shrub and considered a hardy and tough plant that can thrive in different environmental conditions and resist diseases. However, powdery mildew, caused by Podosphaera physocarpi, can severelyaffect ninebark, deteriorating the ornamental value and making them unmarketable. Only a few studies have been done in managing powdery mildew of ninebark. The current study focuses on evaluating and identifying effective products (sanitizers, biorational products, and fungicides) for the management of powdery mildew disease of ninebark. A total of 12 treatments, including nontreated control, were studied. The experiment was arranged in randomized complete block design with four-single ‘Mindia Coppertina®’ ninebark plant per treatment and repeated twice. Powdery mildew disease severity, growth parameters, and phytotoxicity were assessed in the study. All treatments significantly reduced the powdery mildew disease severity and disease progress [area under disease progress curve (AUDPC)] compared with the nontreated control. The treatments, such as azoxystrobin + benzovindiflupyr at 0.17 and 0.23 g·L–1 total active ingredients (a.i.) applied, chlorothalonil + propiconazole at 1.12 mL·L–1 total a.i. applied, azoxystrobin + tebuconazole at 0.11 and 0.16 g·L–1 total a.i. applied, and giant knotweed extract [Reynoutria sachalinensis (0.5 mL·L–1 total a.i. applied)] were the most effective treatments in reducing disease severity and disease progress in both trials. The treatments had no significant effects on the plant growth parameters such as height and width. In Expt. 2, azoxystrobin + benzovindiflupyr and hydrogen peroxide + peroxyacetic acid treated plants showed the low level of phytotoxic symptoms. The phytotoxicity of these two treatments in Expt. 2 could be related to higher environmental temperature during the experimental period.

Biological diversity of insects on woody plants of the Rosacea family in the northern forest-steppe of the Ob region

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of plant species and year conditions on the biological diversity and number of insects – inhabitants of the crown layer of woody plants of the Rosaceae family in the conditions of the northern forest-steppe of the Ob region. The research was carried out in 2017–2018. During the flowering period of woody entomophilous plants, insects were collected by mowing with an entomological net in the crowns and undercrown space (25 strokes in four repetitions). In the crown of woody introduced plants Pyrus ussuriensis (Ussuri pear), Prunus maackii (Maak plum), Amelanchier alnifolia (alder irga), Spiraea betulifolia (spiraea birch leaf), Physocarpus opulifolius growing on the territory of arboretum of RAS in the northern forest-steppe of the Ob region, a total of 2597 insect specimens from 7 orders and more than 30 families were found. The largest number of insects belonged to the order Diptera (49.4 %). Representatives of the orders Thysanoptera (23.7%) and Hymenoptera (11.4%) made a significant contribution to the formation of the entomofauna. The entomofauna of different species of woody plants from the Rosaceae family differed in the taxonomic groups of insects and their numbers. A high degree of enomofauna similarity (Jaccard coefficient is 0.75) was found between Amelanchier alnifolia and Pyrus ussuriensis with similar flowering periods. A low degree of similarity was found between Amelanchier alnifolia and Spiraea betulifolia (0.32) and between Pyrus ussuriensis and Physocarpus opulifolius (0.33). The species of the plant (38.1 and 26.1%, respectively) had the greatest influence on the biological diversity and the number of entomocomplexes, which indicates the adaptation of insects to a woody plant of the Rosaceae family. The conditions of the year significantly (by 9.8%) influenced the biological diversity of insects during the flowering period.

Acclimation to Ex Vitro Conditions in Ninebark

Acclimation is the final phase of micropropagation and often decisive for its economic output. The aim of the experiments was to evaluate the effect of abscisic acid (ABA) and supplementary light on acclimation and leaf anatomy of the in vitro-rooted plants of ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius L.). The initial material came from 8–10-week-old in vitro cultures on ½MS supplemented with 1 mg·L−1 IBA. After potting, plantlets were sprayed with ABA solutions or distilled water and were grown either under natural daylight or under supplemental sodium light at 230 μmol·m−2·s−1 between 2 and 9 p.m. All measurements and anatomical observations were done after eight weeks in the greenhouse. Supplementary lighting significantly increased the percentage of acclimatized plants, plant height and the internode number. Plant growth was also positively affected by 1 mg·L−1 ABA. During acclimation, the photosynthesis rate increased while the transpiration and stomatal conductance dropped. The assimilation pigment contents increased under supplemental lighting while ABA had no detectable effect. However, relative to water controls, ABA increased photosynthesis, reduced transpiration, and stomatal conductance in plants growing under both light conditions. Leaves from the in vitro plants were about two times thinner than those from plants growing in soil, with only a single layer of the palisade parenchyma, hence with lower proportion in relation to the spongy parenchyma. Supplementary light during acclimation increased leaf thickness but only in the water control while it decreased it in the ABA-treated plants. ABA increased the mesophyll thickness but only in plants growing under natural light. In conclusion, supplementary light and treatment with ABA enhance acclimation of micropropagated ninebark plants.

Comprehensive assessment of the degree of landscape compositions’ ornamentality

Plantings’ ornamentality is an important aspect of the aesthetic appearance formation of urbanized landscapes. In urban ecosystems, trees and shrubs are often exposed to high stress levels that shortens their lifespan and reduces ornamentality. Plant introduction is one of the methods of enriching the assortment with resistant species. The aim of the research was to comprehensively assess the ornamentality degree of North American introduction tree groups from the genetic collection of the All-Russian scientific research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK) arboretum and to give recommendations on improving their composition. Research was carried out in 2013-2019, taking into account the dynamics of changes in decorative qualities during the year. Throughout the year, landscape compositions showed peaks of ornamentality in the same seasons of the year (May, September). To give dynamism to groups in the summer period, it is recommended to plant Spiraea douglasii in the 1st group; in composition 2 — Hydrangea arborescens and two varieties of Physocarpus opulifolius: ‘Darts Gold’ and ‘Summer Wine’. Graphics of ornamentality degree changes of landscape groups are recommended to be used when drawing up landscape groups for various purposes to ensure their ornamentality during either an entire year or a certain period.

Елементи топіарного мистецтва у заповідних штучно створених парках другої половини XX століття Українського Полісся

Elements of topiary art were studied in eleven park-monuments of landscape art (PMLA) and five complex monuments of nature (CMN), created in the second half of the twentieth century. To the elements of topiary art belong: shaped plants, plant-borders, hedges, living walls, pylons, berso, bosquets, and parterres. In PMsLA “Bondaretsky” and “Vysokivsky” were found no elements of topiary art. In nine PMsLA and five CMsN of Ukrainian Polissya were present five elements of topiary art (plant-borders, hedges (low, medium, high), living walls, pylons and shaped plants (ball, pyramid, cone, cube, complex geometric figures). The most common are plant-borders formed from Buxus sempervirens L., trimmed hedges from Picea abies Karst. and Thuja occidentalis L., untrimmed hedges from Juniperus sabina L., Physocarpus opulifolius Maxim., and Sorbaria sorbifolia (L.) A.Br., pylons and shaped plants in the form of a sphere, cube, complex geometric shapes - from Thuja occidentalis L. 12 families, 24 genera, 24 species, and 3 cultivars represent the systematic structure of woody plants in the elements of topiary art. Deciduous species of woody plants, namely the family Rosaceae Juss, prevail. In the elements of topiary art of PMLA and CMN there are species that are protected by the IUCN Red List (58 %), belonging to two categories of rarity NT (4 %), LC (54 %). In terms of the height of woody plants in the elements of topiary art, trees and shrubs are represented in equal numbers. By height, among tree plants prevail trees of the first magnitude 26 % and medium bushes 29 %, whereas there are slightly fewer trees of the fourth magnitude (15%) and high bushes (22 %). The condition of woody plants of 24 species and three cultivars is good, except for woody plants where timely and proper care was not carried out (formation of longitudinal and transverse profiles and annual pruning). Some plants should be replaced because of loss of aesthetics due to age.

THE COMPOSITION AND CONTENT OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS IN THE LEAVES OF A POTENTIALLY INVA-SIVE SPECIES PHYSOCARPUS OPULIFOLIUS (L.) MAXIM. AND ITS ORNAMENTAL CULTIVARS

The expansion of alien plant species in natural communities is now taking a global scale. Since most invasive plants have economically valuable properties, many researchers agree that these plants must be used as new sources of biological resources. The composition and content of biologically active compounds were studied in the leaves of potentially invasive species of Novosibirsk – Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim. and its ornamental cultivars Ph. opulifolius ‘Diabolo’, Ph. opulifolius ‘Luteus’ by the method of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. For the first time an analysis of phenolic profiles of introduced, self-sown and cultivated Ph. opulifolius plants has been performed. Presence of 22 phenolic compounds represented by several groups of substances with predominating flavanols (hyperoside, rutin, astragalin and quercetin) has been established. Avicularin has been only revealed in the leaves of cultivars. The sum of identified flavonols greatly varies in different samples, the highest content is in the cultivar Ph. opulifolius ‘Diabolo’ (14.68 mg/g) and self-sown plants of Ph. opulifolius (14.22 mg/g). The content of the sum of identified flavons (vitexin, isovitexin, baicalin) and phenolic acid (сhlorogenic and caffeic acids) is almost the same in all Ph. opulifolius samples under study. The data obtained will allow to widen the idea of the resource potential of the aggressive invasive species and its ornamental cultivars in the secondary areal.

Оценка декоративности насаждений

The issue of biodiversity and sustainability of tree and shrub plantations in large cities is relevant both in Russia and abroad. Their ornamentality is an indicator of adaptation and ability to fully perform their functions. It is relevant to create plantations, decorative throughout the calendar year. The research purpose is to develop a scale for assessing the ornamentality of plantations in urban conditions. This procedure is based on scoring the following characteristics of green spaces: sanitary state; decorative qualities of trunk and crown; characteristics of flowering (according to duration, abundance, color and size of flowers); characteristics of leafing (variety of summer and autumn colors, total duration of leafing). There are 5 most common types of plantations: single-breed arboreal; single-breed shrub; mixed wood; mixed shrub; and woodshrub groups, in which the research was carried out. A mixed group of blue spruce (Picea pungens Eng.), bird cherry (Padus racemosa Lam.) and Hungarian lilac (Syringe josikae Jacg.) has the highest degree of ornamentality in northern conditions (24.8 points). A single-breed plantation of common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius L.) has the least ornamentality score (13.1 points), which is due to its sanitary state. The total score depends not only on the species assortment, but also on the plantation sanitary state. The ornamentality score increases with distance from the road, which is due to the improvement in the sanitary state of trees and shrubs (22.8 points at a distance versus 21.4 points near the road). Among all the studied types of plantations in the cities of the Arkhangelsk agglomeration, 50 % have a high degree of ornamentality, 45 % – medium and 5 % – low. Single-breed plantations are generally less decorative than mixed (20.5 points versus 23.4 points). Urban plantations are more or less decorative throughout the entire calendar year. The proposed scheme of the procedure assumes an assessment of decorative effect during all seasons of the year. So, the following should be recorded: the beginning of the period of leafing and flowering in spring; the sanitary state, flowering (duration, abundance, color and size of flowers) in summer; the color scheme of the leaves, the total duration of leafing in autumn; the decorative qualities of trunk and crown (architectonics of crown, coloring of branches) in winter.

The geography of follicle pubescence in the Physocarpus opulifolius (Rosaceae) complex1,2

Taxonomic circumscription is a critical prerequisite for ecological, taxonomic, and systematics research but can be complicated by undetected patterns in morphological variation. Cryptic variation has long confounded the taxonomy of Physocarpus (Cambess.) Raf., with conflicting circumscriptions especially prevalent in the Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim. complex, which comprises P. opulifolius sensu stricto and Physocarpus intermedius (Rydb.) C.K.Schneid. Here, we assess variation for carpel and follicle pubescence, a key diagnostic character for the P. opulifolius s.l. complex. Data were collected from 748 herbarium accessions obtained from across the range of this complex in North America. We then assessed the statistical and geographic distribution of this variation. As suggested by Rydberg and others, follicle pubescence is bimodally distributed and exhibits a strong geographic signal. An eastern, glabrous (or nearly so) form occurs in temperate forests from the St. Lawrence River valley of Quebec west to the Upper Great Lakes region and south to the southern Appalachians (i.e., P. opulifolius s.s.), while a more western, densely pubescent form occurs from the Interior Highlands north to the Driftless Area, with disjunct populations in the Southeastern Plains of Alabama, Sand Hills of Nebraska, Black Hills of South Dakota, Front Range of Colorado, and Sierra Madre Oriental of northeastern Mexico (i.e., P. intermedius). We conclude that taxonomic recognition is warranted based on variation in follicle pubescence, which also has implications for downstream research (e.g., floristics, phylogenetics, and ecological niche modeling).