Botanical Exploration Research Articles

Fabaceae Lindl. in the Chapada do Araripe, Northeast Brazil

The Brazilian plateau known as Chapada do Araripe is home to several types of vegetation and a diversity of native species. This plateau is located among the Brazilian states of Ceará, Pernambuco, and Piauí, in the Northeast region. This study consisted of a floristic inventory of Fabaceae species prevailing in different environments of the mentioned plateau. Monthly botanical expeditions were performed from October 2021 to November 2022; these occurred at previously selected sites. The plant collection, herborization, and identification of the species were carried out according to the specialized literature, and the specimens were deposited in the Herbário Caririense Dárdano de Andrade-Lima (HCDAL). A total of 194 species, 11 infraspecific taxa, and 81 genera belonging to five subfamilies were listed. These numbers represented approximately 32% of the diversity of Fabaceae recorded in Brazil, and an increase of approximately 115% in the number of species previously recorded in the Chapada do Araripe. The most diverse subfamilies were Caesalpinioideae and Papilionoideae, with 90 and 89 species, respectively. The most representative genera were Senna (19 spp.), Chamaecrista (15 spp.), and Mimosa (14 spp.). Thirteen species and three varieties were new records in Ceará state. The predominant growth habit was tree type, recorded in 44% of the species (86), and the main habitats were Steppe Savannah, Savannah, and Wooded Steppe Savannah. Thirteen species are endemic to the Caatinga phytogeographic domain: Copaifera arenicola, Copaifera cearensis, Hymenaea cangaceira, Cenostigma microphyllum, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, Mimosa misera, Parapiptadenia zehntneri, Pithecellobium diversifolium, Senna cearensis, Senna gardneri, Senna lechriosperma, Crotalaria holosericea e Luetzelburgia bahiensis. Regarding the status of species protection and conservation, most are in Least Concern status (48.8%), four are Near Threatened (Hymenaea cangaceira, Pterogyne nitens, Dalbergia cearensis, Parapiptadenia zehntneri), two species are in Vulnerable status (Melanoxylon brauna and Senegalia cearensis), one species did not have enough data for assessment (Copaifera cearensis), and one is Endangered (Amburana cearensis). The findings of the present study can support conservation strategies, and ecological and phytosociological studies, among others. Also, it can be used for planning and promoting environmental education. Such information is valuable for the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources of the Chapada do Araripe.

Occurrence-based diversity estimation reveals macroecological and conservation knowledge gaps for global woody plants.

Incomplete sampling of species' geographic distributions has challenged biogeographers for many years to precisely quantify global-scale biodiversity patterns. After correcting for the spatial inequality of sample completeness, we generated a global species diversity map for woody angiosperms (82,974 species, 13,959,780 occurrence records). The standardized diversity estimated more pronounced latitudinal and longitudinal diversity gradients than the raw data and improved the spatial prediction of diversity based on environmental factors. We identified areas with potentially high species richness and rarity that are poorly explored, unprotected, and threatened by increasing human pressure: They are distributed mostly at low latitudes across central South America, Central Africa, subtropical China, and Indomalayan islands. These priority areas for botanical exploration can help to efficiently fill spatial knowledge gaps for better describing the status of biodiversity and improve the effectiveness of the protected area network for global woody plant conservation.

Botanical Collection Patterns and Conservation Categories of the Most Traded Timber Species from the Ecuadorian Amazon: The Role of Protected Areas.

The Ecuadorian Amazon is home to a rich biodiversity of woody plant species. Nonetheless, their conservation remains difficult, as some areas remain poorly explored and lack georeferenced records. Therefore, the current study aims predominantly to analyze the collection patterns of timber species in the Amazon lowlands of Ecuador and to evaluate the conservation coverage of these species in protected areas. Furthermore, we try to determine the conservation category of the species according to the criteria of the IUCN Red List. We identified that one third of the timber species in the study area was concentrated in three provinces due to historical botanical expeditions. However, a worrying 22.0% of the species had less than five records of presence, and 29.9% had less than ten records, indicating a possible underestimation of their presence. In addition, almost half of the species evaluated were unprotected, exposing them to deforestation risks and threats. To improve knowledge and conservation of forest biodiversity in the Ecuadorian Amazon, it is recommended to perform new botanical samplings in little-explored areas and digitize data in national herbaria. It is critical to implement automated assessments of the conservation status of species with insufficient data. In addition, it is suggested to use species distribution models to identify optimal areas for forest restoration initiatives. Effective communication of results and collaboration between scientists, governments, and local communities are key to the protection and sustainable management of forest biodiversity in the Amazon region.

Lusaka: New Capital and the Imperial Garden City Movement

The colonial Garden City Movement represents the culmination of a whole sequence of relationships between botany and imperialism that had developed from the seventeenth century onwards, but particularly in the Victorian era. Botany was central to the transnationality of imperialism and botanical exploration while plant collecting fed into many Victorian phenomena in Britain which also had their colonial counterparts. These were intended to alleviate the social, environmental and medical evils of industrialism, providing a closer interaction between the rural and the urban. They included the creation of green belts, the founding of model villages, the emergence of municipal public parks and botanical gardens, and finally the garden city movement. By these means it was intended that industrial (and sometimes rural) workers should experience a healthier lifestyle, as well as a social uplift which would mitigate class conflict while also providing rational recreation. In the export of garden city ideas to the British Empire, there were additionally significant colonial precedents in street tree planting and in the beautification movement of the Victorian era and early twentieth century. This article specifically focuses upon the translation of aspects of this garden city movement and of these other influences into the creation of the new capital of Lusaka in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) in the twentieth century and the manner in which a great diversity of both indigenous and exotic plants were used to express the idealistic characteristics of this urban development while also reflecting the social and racial norms inherent in the colonial relationship.

Assessing digital accessible botanical knowledge and priorities for exploration and discovery of plant diversity across Mesoamerica.

Digital accessible biodiversity knowledge has the potential to greatly advance botanical research and guide conservation efforts. Evaluating its shortfalls is key to understanding its limits and prioritising regions in need of renewed survey efforts. We used the Royal Botanical Gardens Kew's World Checklist of Vascular Plants to parse publicly available occurrence data downloaded from the Global Biodiversity Information Facilityand quantify the spatial distribution of spatial, phylogenetic, and temporal data shortfalls across Mesoamerica. After processing 3578 777 occurrence records for 32 522 species of vascular plants across Mesoamerica, we found evidence of poor data coverage: incomplete characterisation of species diversity, old occurrence records, and low phylogenetic representation. One-third of the region showed large gaps for at least one of these dimensions (hotspots) and < 15% had adequate data coverage across dimensions. Overall, the shortfalls we identified compromise the quality of digitally available occurrence data and hamper research on spatial phylogenetics and species dynamics under anthropogenic disturbances. Our analyses identified areas of opportunity for increased efforts in data digitisation, botanical exploration, sequencing, and biodiversity monitoring. These efforts would serve to increase and rejuvenate knowledge on the geographic distribution of vascular plants in Mesoamerica.

TO THE 105&lt;sup&gt;TH&lt;/sup&gt; ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOTANICAL CABINET OF THE YUZHNO-USSURIYSK BRANCH OF THE RUSSIAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY (NIKOLSK-USSURIYSKY)

In 2023, it will be 105 years since the formation of the first botanical scientific institution in the Russian Far East – the Botanical Cabinet of the South Ussuri Branch of the Amur Department of the Russian Geographical Society. The main direction of its research was the floristic study of the south of the Soviet Far East. Over 11 years of its existence, the staff of the Cabinet under the leadership of Ye.N. Alisova-Klobukova carried out numerous field route studies, including three large botanical expeditions in the south of Primorye Territory. The main result of the work was the publication of the Short Guide to Plants of the Far Eastern Territory (1925).

Expansion of the distribution range of Aspleniumtrilobum Cav (Polypodiopsida, Aspleniaceae) in the Mediterranean forest of the Chilean coast.

The biodiversity hotspot of central Chile is home to a high proportion of endemic species, but some of these species are inconspicuous and not easily observed. During a botanical exploration in the Los Queules National Reserve (Chile), a population of Aspleniumtrilobum Cav. was identified. The plants were found growing on the bark of a Myrceugeniaparvifolia (DC.) Kausel tree in a small swamp next to specimens of Drimyswinteri J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (35°59'11.84"S; 72°41'11.53"W). Several previously unrecorded species were found, including Carexcf.excelsa Poepp. ex Kunth, Chusquea cf. quila Kunth, Ercillacf.spicata (Bertero) Moq., and Boquilatrifoliolata (DC.) Decne., highlighting the importance of exploring and documenting this biodiversity hotspot. The discovery in this wilderness area extends the distribution 86 km north on the continent, which was previously limited to the east of the municipality of Penco in the Biobío region (36°44'9.26"S; 72°57'42.5"W). This paper presents an observed specimen, its locality, and associated species.

ROLE OF WILD EDIBLE FRUITS USED BY THE TRIBALS FROM SHAHPUR TALUKA OF THANE DISTRICT

Objectives: The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) The present study deals with the identification, ethno botanical exploration, and documentation of plant species that deal with wild edible fruits with respect to food and medicinal value. (2) Documentation of the medicinal value of wild edible fruits was done through discussion with local medicine men and Vaidus. Methods: The ethno botanical survey was carried out in Shahpur Taluka of Thane District from June 2021 to January 2023. The data were collected through discussions and interviews with experienced people and traditional healers. The data on wild edible fruits were collected using preparation of questionnaire in the local language and group discussions. Voucher specimens were collected during the walk with informants. The collected plants were identified using standard floras. Results: From Shahpur Taluka of Thane district, a total of 40 wild edible fruit plants belonging to 25 families have been documented. Wild edible plants play an important role in the lives of rural populations in every aspect, such as supplemented food, nutritionally balanced diets, medicine, fruits, and fodder, along with their daily income potential. Among different parts of plant species, fruits are more consumed by the tribals. Thane district is rich in indigenous plants that have been explored for their nutritional and medicinal values, and that’s why it is necessary to conserve the biodiversity, which could help to maintain and improve the source of food supply for the inhabitants. Conclusion: The present work documented 40 wild edible fruit plants. Out of these, most of the plants have medicinal value. Further investigation of their phytochemical and nutraceutical studies may provide better nutritional and medicinal sources in the future.

Rediscovery of Polygonatum tessellatum F. T. Wang &amp; Tang in Manipur, north-eastern India

Polygonatum tessellatum F. T. Wang &amp; Tang (Asparagaceae) was rediscovered in Manipur after a gap of 97 years. Description, image, and current population size are provided on the basis of recent botanical explorations.

Four new records for the vascular flora of Bangladesh

This study records two species of Pteridophytes, viz., Hemionitis cordata Roxb. ex Hook. &amp; Grev. and Ophioglossum nudicaule L.f. of Pteridaceae and Ophioglossaceae, and two species of Angiosperms, viz., Bacopa australis V.C. Souza and Salvia misella Kunth of Plantaginaceae and Lamiaceae, respectively, for the first time in Bangladesh, based on the plant specimens collected during our recent botanical explorations conducted in selected areas of Bagerhat, Barguna, and Cumilla districts. A detailed taxonomic description with key characters, notes on ecology, uses, distribution, distinctness from other similar taxa, representative specimens examined, and photographs of each of these four species have been provided. Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 30(1): 21-30, 2023 (June)

A new microendemic species of Hunzikeria (Petunieae, Solanaceae) from the gypsum outcrops of southern Jalisco, Mexico

Hunzikeria is a petunioid genus of Solanaceae that includes three species. The genus presents a disjunct distribution between South and North America. Hunzikeria coulteri and H. texana occur in North America, while H. steyermarkiana is reported from Venezuela. During botanical explorations in western Mexico, we found a population of Hunzikeria that differed from the three known species. Believing that we had found an undescribed species, we collected samples and prepared herbarium vouchers. We compared our material with morphological descriptions and herbarium specimens of the other species in the genus. Our results indicate that we discovered a new species, named here as Hunzikeria gypsophila. This new species is a microendemic gypsophyte that inhabits two gypsum ravines in southern Jalisco, Mexico. Hunzikeria gypsophila differs from the other three species in being a subshrub of taller stature and having petiolate leaves, wider leaf blades, longer corolla tubes, and broader corolla limbs. The most morphologically similar species is H. steyermarkiana, which differs in having anthers of equal size, while all the North American species have didynamous anthers. Hunzikeria shows a clear affinity for sedimentary soils and H. gypsophila is the first species recorded on gypsum. The gypsum outcrops of western Mexico have a unique flora, which likely became isolated due to volcanic activity. With this new find, Hunzikeria comprises four species. We provide a key for their identification and a distribution map for Mexico.

New distributional records and conservation implications for the threatened Sumatra endemic Nepenthes lavicola Wistuba & Rischer (Nepenthaceae)

Nepenthes lavicola Wistuba & Rischer (Nepenthaceae) is a pitcher plant endemic to the northern tip of Sumatra Island, Indonesia. Due to its narrow geographic distribution and threats from a volcanic eruption and illegal harvesting by pitcher plant hunters, N. lavicola was assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria B1 + 2c of the IUCN Red List in 2000. Here, we report two new additional locations of N. lavicola in Aceh Tengah Regency, along with the population data and habitat characteristics of the species in each location. Based on our findings, we propose Endangered (EN) B1ab(iii) + 2ab(iii),C2a(i) as the new conservation status of N. lavicola. The new proposed status has a lower category of threat than the current status of the species. Nevertheless, under the new category, N. lavicola is still considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Comprehensive and immediate conservation actions are required to halt the species from extinction.

Hechtia kruseana and Hechtia rosamariae (Bromeliaceae; Hechtioideae), two new species from Guerrero, Mexico

Recent botanical explorations carried out in the Guerrero state for the project Bromeliaceae of Mexico led to the discovery of two new species, both endemic to Guerrero: Hechtia kruseana and H. rosamariae. The new taxa are compared with the morphologically similar: H. anarosae, H. caulescens, H. jaliscana and H. stenopetala. Hechtia kruseana differs from these by the diameter of the rosettes (50–60 cm) and by the length of the staminate and pistillate inflorescences (190–275 cm). Hechtia rosamariae differs from morphologically related species by the size of floral bracts (1.5–2.0 × 0.7–1.0 mm) and the length of the petals (3.0–3.2 mm) of staminate flowers; by the length (2.3–2.6 mm) and shape (ovate) of the sepals, and width of the petals (1.7–2.0 mm) of pistillate flowers. Morphological descriptions, images, and a map showing the distribution of the described taxa are included, as well as an identification key for all the species of Hechtia present in Guerrero.

New and noteworthy species of the genus Epidendrum (Orchidaceae, Laeliinae) from the Área de Conservación Privada La Pampa del Burro, Amazonas, Peru.

Fourteen species of the genus Epidendrum, recently collected in the Área de Conservación Privada La Pampa del Burro (ACPPB), five of them new to science (Epidendrumechinatiantherumsp. nov., E.imazaensesp. nov., E.parvireflexilobumsp. nov., E.rosulatumsp. nov., and E.ochrostachyumsp. nov.), are described and illustrated. The other species include a new record for Peru (E.acrobatesii) and four for the department of Amazonas (E.brachyblastum, E.forcipatum, E.mavrodactylon, and E.tridens). Epidendrumenantilobum is here considered a synonym of Epidendrumbrachyblastum. The type locality of Epidendrumcryptorhachis, originally stated as Ecuador, Guayabamba, is corrected to indicate that it refers to the valley of Guayabamba, Rodríguez de Mendoza, Amazonas, Peru. Our results show the need to continue conducting botanical exploration in the ACPPB as a baseline for subsequent studies, including a full inventory of the orchid diversity.

High vascular plant species richness in the Usumacinta River Basin: a comprehensive floristic checklist for a natural region in the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot

Background: Mesoamerica is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots on the planet. Despite significant efforts made over two centuries to contribute to the floristic knowledge of this region, our understanding of its flora is still scattered and uneven.&#x0D; Questions: What is the magnitude of the vascular plant species richness in the Usumacinta River Basin?&#x0D; Study site and dates: Usumacinta River Basin (Guatemala and Mexico), 1838-2018.&#x0D; Methods: We compiled the checklist by systematizing the floristic information acquired from various sources derived from numerous floristic and ecological studies.&#x0D; Results: We recorded 6,977 species, 1,892 genera and 274 families. The largest numbers of species (5,746) and records (58,859) correspond to the Mexican portion of the Usumacinta River Basin, compared to its Guatemalan counterpart (4,445 species and 19,952 records). The most species-rich families were Orchidaceae (598 species), Fabaceae (512), and Asteraceae (476). The prevalence of these and all other families with significant contributions to the flora varied among three elevation-defined sectors into which the Usumacinta River Basin was subdivided (lower, middle, and upper basin).&#x0D; Conclusions: The Usumacinta River Basin is a strategic region for plant biodiversity conservation as it hosts almost one third of all vascular plant species known for Mesoamerica and ca. 6 % of the entire flora in the Americas. Further botanical exploration should focus on those areas of the basin for which little or no information is available in order to gain a better appreciation of its flora.

Salvia cajamarcana (Lamiaceae), a new species from Cajamarca Department, Peru, and lectotypification of S. revoluta

Recent botanical exploration in the Andes in northwestern Peru has led to the discovery of an undescribed species of Salvia. With 78 species of Salvia, Peru ranks second in Salvia richness among American countries behind only Mexico. The most recent comprehensive revision of Peruvian species dates from 1960, so it is highly probable that an updated revision of the genus in the country would entail the description of several new taxa. Accordingly, we present a diagnosis and description of a new species under the name Salvia cajamarcana. This new species is morphologically most similar to S. revoluta, for which a full revised description is presented to facilitate comparison, as well as the designation of a lectotype. Figures and a distribution map are provided to illustrate the morphology and distribution of the species.

Spatio-temporal patterns in the history of colonial botanical exploration in India

A study of Indian botany during the colonial period provides us with an interdisciplinary sphere covering science, politics, sociology, economics, and other associated domains. The presentation of this rich legacy to general readers often restricts itself to the descriptive accounts of explorers with little analysis of the intermingling of socio-political dynamics, landscape, and geography. We attempt to revisit the colonial plant exploration history through spatio-temporal analyses to understand how explorers with divergent interests traversed the country in different periods and directions. Our findings show that the Himalayas drove most of the explorations followed by the Deccan peninsula, the Western Ghats, and the Gangetic plain. In general, company/crown administered areas were better surveyed and documented than native states. Furthermore, through a prioritization exercise, we identify the centers of prominence, highlighting their political, economic, and social importance in contemporary India. In sum, this article shows the potential of applying Historical Geographic Information System (HGIS) mapping for spearheading future research and creating space for possible dialogs among historians, political scientists, and ecologists.

Ex-situ Conservation Efforts to the Seedlings Collected from Botanical Exploration in Mount Gede Pangrango National Park, Indonesia

A botanical exploration and collection were already conducted in March 2019 in Pasir Banteng and Pasir Pogor, Mount Gede Pangrango National Park, Indonesia, by a staff team from Cibodas Botanic Gardens (CBG). The following steps are to ensure these plants will be vigorous and survive in the nursery, which will later be ready to be planted and displayed as a garden collection. This study aimed to describe a series of treatments and management of these collections, analyze the survivorship level in the nursery, and record which seedlings were successfully planted in the garden. We explained the plant mainte­nance used a qualitatively-descriptively method; the survivorship level was measured based on the proportional numbers of the survived individuals; the planted seedlings in the garden were recorded from the field observation. The findings showed that in the first three months of maintenance, seedlings occurred a large amount of mortality. Next, from June 2019 to August 2020, the seedlings performed good development with no mortali­ty reported. In September 2020, as many as 13 specimens experienced mortality. At the end of December 2020, the total crude mortality was 41 specimens, and the survivorship level was 75.15%. All the orchid specimens have been planted as the garden collec­tions

Digitization of the Greenland Vascular Plant Herbarium as a Unique Research Infrastructure to Study Arctic Climate Change and Inform Nature Management

The Greenland Vascular Plant Herbarium at the Natural History Museum of Denmark represents the largest collection of botanical specimens from Greenland and includes some of the oldest known specimens collected in the Arctic, as well as voucher specimens collected over time from important botanical expeditions. High-resolution digital images for all specimens in this collection have recently been obtained and accompanying specimen label data have been transcribed. Digitizing this invaluable botanical collection from Greenland allows us to make nearly 170,000 Arctic plant specimens available online to researchers, amateur botanists, nature managers and advisers, as well as the general public. Improved access to this museum collection will facilitate global change research and nature management in Greenland’s rapidly changing Arctic environment and will help promote the value of digitizing Arctic specimens maintained in natural history collections worldwide. Current and potential applications of Arctic herbarium material in climate change studies, and the biases and limitations of such herbarium material for these studies are discussed.

Adaptability of Wild-Growing Tulips of Greece: Uncovering Relationships between Soil Properties, Rhizosphere Fungal Morphotypes and Nutrient Content Profiles.

Wild-growing Greek tulips are protected plants but almost nothing is known about their natural nutrient status and rhizosphere fungal morphotypes in the wild, thus no insight is currently available into their growth and adaptation to their natural environment or artificial settings. To this end, several botanical expeditions were conducted with a special collection permit, and 34 tulip and soil samples were collected, representing 13 species from two phytogeographical regions of Greece (North Aegean Islands, Crete Island) and seven regions of mainland Greece. The tulips' content in essential macro- and micro-nutrients, respective physicochemical soil properties, and rhizosphere fungal morphotypes were assessed across samples, and all parameters were subjected to appropriate statistical analysis to determine their interrelationships. The results showed that soil variables played a significant role in shaping tulips' nutrient content, explaining up to 67% of the detected variability as in the case of phosphorus (P) in the above-ground plant tissue. In addition, significant correlations were observed (with an r value of up to 0.65, p < 0.001) between essential nutrients in the tulips, such as calcium (Ca) and boron (B). The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that between the three spatial units examined, the total variability of tulips' nutrient content produced a clear distinction among sampled species, while the first two PCA axes managed to explain 44.3% of it. This was further confirmed by the analysis of variance (ANOVA) results which showed corresponding significant differences (at p < 0.05) in both the tulips' nutrient content and the studied soil properties as well (mean values of N, P, and K in the North Aegean Islands tulips' nutrient content, up to 53%, 119%, and 54% higher compared to those of the Crete Island, respectively). Our study sheds light on Greek tulips' adaptability and resilience in their original habitats, facilitating at the same time the undertaken efforts regarding their conservation and potential domestication in artificial settings.