Primula Research Articles

In Vitro Antioxidant, Antibacterial Activity and Phytochemical Studies of Primula Denticulata An Important Medicinal Plant of Kashmir Himalaya

The present study was designed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antimicrobial and radical-scavenging activities of ethanolic extract of Primula denticulata- an important medicinal herb of Kashmir Himalaya. Phytochemical study was performed by using various standard phytochemical methods. Free radical scavenging activities of the extract was assessed by employing different in vitro assays such as DPPH free radical scavenging assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and lipid per oxidation assay. Calf thymus DNA was also monitored by TBARS formation. The results were compared with standard antioxidant (?-tocopherol). Antibacterial activity of the extract was determined by agar well diffusion method. DPPH free radical scavenging assay and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity revealed plant extract to be an active radical scavenger. P.denticulata extract also dose dependently inhibited the MDA formation or lipid per oxidation and as such might intercept the free radical chain of oxidation. The leaf extract also prevents calf thymus DNA from oxidative damage induced by hydroxyl radical generated by FeSO4 and H2O2 in Fenton reaction. The hydroxyl radical quenching ability of polyphenolic compounds of Primula denticulata could be responsible for the protection against oxidative damage to DNA. The ethanolic extract showed anti-microbial activity which was visible as the zones of inhibition formed in the different cultures of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria as well as in case of fungal cultures. Among all the maximum activity was seen for Escherichia coli with inhibition zone diameter of 23.53 3.71mm followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae with inhibition zone diameter of 20.74 3.33mm. These findings provide evidence that the considered plant possesses antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and may act as possible antioxidant for biological systems susceptible to free radical-mediated reactions.

INTERSPECIFIC POLLEN TRANSFER AMONG CO-OCCURRING HETEROMORPHIC AND HOMOMORPHIC SPECIES

ABSTRACT Pollen transfer, and hence sharing of pollinators, among Primula veris, Narcissus assoanus, and Potentilla tabernaemontani in Northern Spain is demonstrated in the study of pollen loads on their stigmas. The length of style in both P. veris and N. assoanus is dimorphic (the former being a typical distylous species); they resemble each other in flower morphology (narrow-tubed), color, and nectar characteristics. Therefore, interspecific pollen transfer between these two species shows a pattern related to these similarities. It is inferred that the pattern of interspecific pollen transfer is mediated mainly by long-tongued pollinators seeking nectar, and that of intraspecific pollen transfer by long- and short-tongued pollinators feeding on nectar and pollen, respectively. The floral features of P. tabernaemontani are markedly different, especially in flower architecture (open) and reward (pollen). Accordingly, pollen transfer to other species is reduced, the long-styled flowers of N. assoanus bein...

Isoenzyme Pattern in Selected Taxa of the Primulaceae

Primula leucophylla Pax is endemic to the Romanian Carpathians and has a very controversial taxonomical status, with no molecular research on its populations genetic structure and taxon identification. Based on morphological traits, many authors considered this entity as a new taxon as well as a subspecies of Primula elatior (L.) Hill. In the present study the isoenzyme pattern of four enzymes: esterase Est, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase 6-PGDH, shikimate dehydrogenase SKDH and superoxide dismutase SOD was investigated to show whether these isozymes can be useful as discriminatory taxonomic markers between P. leucophylla and the closely related species P. elatior. No genetic intra- and inter-specific variability was detected, in spite of all the morphological variations distinguished between these two taxa. The failure in the present study to detect polymorphic loci which could be applied in a possible identification and delimitation of P. leucophylla from P. elatior, does not rule out the possibility of an existing polymorphism in other isoenzymes.

Identification of effective pollinators of Primula merrilliana and effects of flower density and population size on pollination efficiency

Identification of effective pollinators of Primula merrilliana and effects of flower density and population size on pollination efficiency

FLOWER SPECIES USED IN AQUATIC LANDSCAPE DESIGN

The modern landscape designs are un-conceived without aquatic landscape design. The aquatic plants are essential for assuring a success ful and attractive landscape, conferring life and color even to the smallest landscape designs. The a ttractively part and mystery of water made landscape designs is not always due to the water mi rrors. It’s also due to aquatic species that reveal the beauty of the aquatic landscape design. We can compare this kind of aquatic specie like a „floating island of green”. Constantly the aquati c landscape design is related to the natural aspect of the water designs in the nature. This how we can find the most suitable plants for the aquatic landscape design. The aquatic landscape designs can be made by using some flower species that are adapted to this kind of environmental conditions. The plants c an be chosen not only by their ornamental value but for their need of water and environmental condi tions; witches are more important factors (the type of water landscape designs ‐ lakes, ponds, etc ). After plant habit and biological characteristics the aquatic plants are classified as: natant specie s, submerse species, plasters species, oxygen made species, water lily species. After their origin and placement area, the aquatic species can be classified as: species for humid and swamp areas, s pecies for areas with water depth between (1040 cm depth), water lily area for plant floating (d epth of 50 cm even more). For each place in the aquatic design there is neede d specie, each plant has its own space. In the water lily area ( Nymphaea sp.) can be planted Ranunculus aquatilis , Aponogeton distachyos , floating species ( Pistia stratioides , Eichhornia crassipes , Hydrocharis morsus-ranae , Stratioides aloides ) submerse species ( Myriophyllum spicatum , Ceratophyllum demersum �.a.), before their decorative effect this kind of plants improve the w ater content in oxygene reducing the development of alga in the water. In areas with small depth water it’s recommended species like: Sparganium erectum , Orontium aquaticum , Polygonum amphibium , Butomus umbelatus , Pontederia cordata . In the swamp area are recommended species like: Acorus calamus , Lythrum salicifolium , Iris pseudacorus , Darmera peltata , Lychnis floscuculi . In the humid area : Iris laevigata , Myosotis palustris , Lysichiton americanus , Primula pulverulenta . On the river borders: Carex elata , Polemonium coeruleum , Trollius europaeus , Tradescantia sp., Hosta sp. and ferns. Due to different types of aquatic landscape designs more and more public gardens are choosing this kind of landscapes.

Typification and synonymization in Primula sect. Auricula (Primulaceae)

AbstractSupplementing a recent systematic study of Primula sect. Auricula, we here lectotypify or neotypify 27 names applicable to taxa in this section and the name of one related genus. These are P. auricula var. widmerae Pax, P. balbisii Lehm., P. ciliata Moretti, P. cottia Widmer, P. crenata Lam., P. oenensis Thomas ex Gremli, P. glaucescens Moretti, P. glutinosa Wulfen, P. integrifolia L., P. latifolia var. cynoglossifolia Widmer, P. laevigata Duby ex Rchb., P. longobarda Parta, P. lutea Vill., P. marginata Curtis, P. microcalyx Lehm., P. minima L., P. parlatorii Porta ex Caruel, P. villosa Wulfen, P. villosa var. daonensis Leyb., P. viscosa Vill., P. [unranked] Brevibracteae Widmer, P. [unranked] Rufiglandulae Widmer, P. [unranked] Longibracteatae Widmer, P. [unranked] Cartilagineo‐marginatae Widmer, P. [unranked] Luteae Widmer, P. [unranked] Nothobritanica Schott and P. [unranked] Saniculina Schott. We also publish two new combinations: P. lutea subsp. widmerae (Pax) L. B. Zhang and P. lutea subsp. tatriaca (L. B. Zhang) L. B. Zhang. We further synonymize 233 names referable to P. sect. Auricula, including P. glaucescens subsp. longobarda (Porta) Widmer, P. grignensis D. M. Moser and P. pedemontana subsp. iberica Losa et P. Monts. Through extensive herbarium and literature surveys, we further located the types of an additional 32 names in the section, many of which had been thought to be lost or unclear to science.

Genetic Diversity of Primula ovalifolia from Central and Southwest China Based on ISSR Markers

Primula ovalifolia Franchet (Primulaceae) is mainly distributed in a band through central China to southwest China and grows in moist shady places with the altitude between 1200 - 2500 m. Eighty-five individuals from five natural populations in Hubei (central) and Sichuan (southwest) China were sampled. The inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) produced 207 polymorphic band loci and identified 85 ISSR genotypes. The results obtained from calculation of Shannon’s index and Nei’s gene diversity shows that there is no difference of genetic diversity between the three populations in southwest China and two populations in central China. The UPGMA clustering analysis also shows that there is no distinct genetic differentiation between the natural populations in central and southwest China.

The genetic behaviour of the hybrid Primula Kewensis, and its allies

The genetic behaviour of the hybrid Primula Kewensis, and its allies

A New Japanese Primula

A New Japanese Primula