Purple Corolla Research Articles

Metagentianajiangyouensis, a new species of Metagentiana (Gentianaceae) from Sichuan, China.

Metagentianajiangyouensis, a new species of Gentianaceae from Sichuan, China, is described and illustrated. This new species is similar to Metagentianavillifera, but differs by the fact that the plant is glabrous and has 1-4 flowering stems, well-developed basal vegetative rosettes, a pale purple corolla with dark purple spots on the tube and erose or denticulate, non-fringed plicae margins. It also somewhat resembles M.rhodantha, but can be easily distinguished by having shorter stems, entire leaf margins, smooth, shorter sepal lobes, spotted corolla tubes, non-fringed plicae and narrowly winged seeds.

Salviapenghuana (Lamiaceae), a new species from Guizhou, China.

Salviapenghuana, a new species from Guizhou Province of southwestern China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, Salviapenghuana is similar to S.filicifolia, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by ovate-lanceolate bracts, purple corolla, and foot-shaped fused lower arms of connective. In addition, S.penhuana is morphologically similar to S.cavaleriei, but differs by having 3-4-pinnate leave, ovate-lanceolate bracts, puberulent calyx, and longer upper arms of connective. Based on the fibril root, small calyx and corolla, and completely reduced posterior thecae, S.penghuana should be placed in section Sobiso of subg. Glutinaria.

De novo transcriptome analysis identifies RpMYB1 as an activator of anthocyanin biosynthesis in Rehmannia piasezkii

Rehmannia piasezkii is a kind of medicinal plants, of the Orobanchaceae family, and well known for its large pink or purple corolla. However, no research on the molecular mechanism of flower color formation in R. piasezkii has been conducted so far. In this study, we investigated the transcriptome of root, stem, leaf and corollas of R. piasezkii using transcriptome sequencing technology and assembled 144,582 unigenes. A total of 58 anthocyanin biosynthetic genes were identified in the R. piasezkii transcriptome, fourteen of which were highly correlated with anthocyanin content, especially RpF3H2, RpDFR2, RpANS1, RpANS2 and RpUFGT. Totally, 35 MYB genes with FPKM values greater than 5 were identified in the R. piasezkii transcriptome, including an R2R3 MYB transcriptional factor RpMYB1, which belongs to subgroup 6 of the R2R3 MYB family. Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression of Nicotiana benthamiana revealed that overexpression of RpMYB1 could activate the expression of structural genes in anthocyanin synthesis pathway and promote the accumulation of anthocyanins in N. benthamiana leaves, indicating that RpMYB1 is a positive regulator of anthocyanin synthesis. Furthermore, combined transient overexpression of RpMYB1 with RpANS1, RpMYB1+RpANS1 with other structural genes all could further enhance the accumulation of anthocyanins in N. benthamiana leaves. Permanent overexpression of RpMYB1 in R. glutinosa promoted anthocyanin accumulation and expression levels of RgCHS, RgF3H, RgDFR and RgANS. Further evidence from dual-luciferase assay suggested that RpMYB1 could bind to the promoter of RpDFR2 and hence activating its expression. These findings provide insight into the molecular regulation in anthocyanin biosynthesis in R. piasezkii and provide valuable genetic resources for the genetic improvement of flower color.

Porophyllum iruyense (Asteraceae: Tageteae), a new endemic species from the north of Salta Province, Argentina

A new species of the genus Porophyllum (Asteraceae: Tageteae), P. iruyense, is described and illustrated. Photographs of the plant in its habitat and morphological details are given. This new species is endemic to the extreme north of Salta Province, where it grows in the rocky soil of the Sierra Santa Victoria. Porophyllum iruyense is characterized by being a decumbent odoriferous gynodioecious herb, with petiolate and lanceolate to narrowly ovate leaves with marginal pellucid cavities, and dark purple corollas. This species is known by locals for its medicinal properties. A table is given to differentiate it from other species inhabiting in South America, which are also gynodioecious and have the same dark purple colour in their corollas.

Morpho-Anatomical, Ex-situ Conservation and Haemolytic Activity of Pentaphragma grandiflorum Kurz.

Pentaphragma grandiflorum Kurz. is one of the five (5) species of Pentaphragma that is found in the Philippines. It is an edible flowering plant consumed as a vegetables and utilized for its medicinal value by the locals. It is categorized as one of the Other Threatened Species with a high economic value. Despite the many uses of P. grandiflorum, there is still inadequate information on its morpho-anatomical characteristics conservation and lack of scientific evidence to support the claim of its safe utilization by the locals. The collected wildlings of the P. grandiflorum were nurtured and monitored in the canopy greenhouse of Central Mindanao University, Philippines. The safe utilization of the leaf extract of P. grandiflorum was assessed through a haemolytic assay. The following are the morpho-anatomical features described in this study: fleshy erect shrub with primary and aerial roots; stem puberulous at a young stage and glabrous upon maturity with dictyostele type of stele; petiole fleshy, puberulous, dissected vascular bundle with dictyostele arrangement; leaf finely puberulous adaxial and glabrous abaxial, dictyostele arrangement, midrib amphibrical arrangement, with tri- to tetracytic stomates; inflorescence arises singly in axil, bisexual, elongated, with yellow and/or purple corolla. Fifty-three out of 130 wildlings survived and abundantly produced bisexual flowers in the succeeding months. The 1 mg/mL concentration of ethanolic and methanolic leaf extracts of P. grandiflorum were found to have an average haemolysis percentage of 0.32 ± 6.78 and 0.45 ± 0.65, respectively. The result of the haemolysis assay revealed that the ethanolic and methanolic leaf extract of P. grandiflorum is safe to utilize and do not pose any toxic effects to humans.

A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF FLORAL DEVELOPMENT AND BREEDING SYSTEM OF Orthosiphon aristatus (BLUME) MIQ

Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq. belongs to the family Lamiaceae. There are two varieties, white corolla (OAV-1) and purple corolla (OAV-2) varieties. An observation on inflorescence and flower development of O. aristatus was conducted alongside with the study on its breeding system. Inflorescence of OAV-1 and OAV-2 varieties started to develop approximately two and a half months after transplanting the rooted cuttings. The initiation of inflorescence until the senescence took about 75 days. Flower buds started to appear on the inflorescence approximately after 17 days of the commencement of inflorescence development. The development from flower bud until flower senescence took around 50 days. The artificial pollination tests, however, suggested that O. aristatus is predominantly a self-pollinated species.

Two new species of Sinningia (Gesneriaceae) endemic to Bahia, Brazil

Chautems, A., D.B.O.S. Cardoso & M. Perret (2022). Two new species of Sinningia (Gesneriaceae) endemic to Bahia, Brazil. Candollea 77: 137–144. In English, English abstract. Two new species of Sinningia Nees (Gesneriaceae) occurring in the state of Bahia in northeastern Brazil are described and illustrated, i.e., S. ganevii Chautems & Mat. Perret and S. sulphurea Chautems & D.B.O.S. Cardoso. Sinningia ganevii is unique within the genus by its tubular-campanulate and light purple corollas borne in the upper axils of erect stems 20–60 cm long. Sinningia sulphurea is characterized by pale yellow corollas borne on short axillary pedicels arising from an erect stem. Both species are illustrated, featured with photographs and distribution map, and their IUCN conservation status assessed. Morphological features and pollination syndromes are discussed based on recent phylogenetic studies on the subtribe Ligeriinae. Received on February 2, 2022. Accepted on July 17, 2022. First published online on September 14, 2022.

Anatomical and morphological characteristics of the authenticity of <i>Astragalus zingeri</i> Korsh. herb

Aim to analyse the morphological and anatomical structure of the herb Astragalus zingeri, identifying the diagnostic signs of plant raw material.
 Material and methods. The object of the study was plant raw materials the herb Astragalus zingeri Korsh., harvested in July, 2020, in the Saratov region, Tatishchevsky district, nearby the Kurdyum station, during the mass flowering period. The State Pharmacopoeia XIV standard was used for macro and microscopic analysis.
 Results. The macroscopic features of the raw material are: pronounced ribbing of the stem, a small number of pairs of leaflets (46) of an unpaired pinnate leaf, as well as the size of the leaf plate, more pronounced trichomes on the bottom-side of the leaf, shortened, capitate, dense racemes with a pale purple corolla and a long flag. The characteristic microdiagnostic distinguishing features include: sinuous walls of leaf epidermal cells with numerous anomocytic stomata; slightly sinuous walls of the cells of the calyx epidermis; trichomes of the outer side of the calyx with T-shaped hairs with characteristic outgrowths of the cuticle.
 Conclusion. The revealed macro- and microscopic diagnostic features of the herb Astragalus zingeri make it possible to identify the plant raw material and distinguish it from similar species.

Hybridization and introgression are prevalent in Southern European Erysimum (Brassicaceae) species.

Hybridization is a common and important force in plant evolution. One of its outcomes is introgression - the transfer of small genomic regions from one taxon to another by hybridization and repeated backcrossing. This process is believed to be common in glacial refugia, where range expansions and contractions can lead to cycles of sympatry and isolation, creating conditions for extensive hybridization and introgression. Polyploidization is another genome-wide process with a major influence on plant evolution. Both hybridization and polyploidization can have complex effects on plant evolution. However, these effects are often difficult to understand in recently evolved species complexes. We combined flow cytometry, analyses of transcriptomic sequences and pollen tube growth assays to investigate the consequences of polyploidization, hybridization and introgression on the recent evolution of several Erysimum (Brassicaceae) species from the South of the Iberian Peninsula, a well-known glacial refugium. This species complex differentiated in the last 2 million years, and its evolution has been hypothesized to be determined mainly by polyploidization, interspecific hybridization and introgression. Our results support a scenario of widespread hybridization involving both extant and 'ghost' taxa. Several taxa studied here, most notably those with purple corollas, are polyploids, probably of allopolyploid origin. Moreover, hybridization in this group might be an ongoing phenomenon, as pre-zygotic barriers appeared weak in many cases. The evolution of Erysimum spp. has been determined by hybridization to a large extent. Species with purple (polyploids) and yellow flowers (mostly diploid) exhibit a strong signature of introgression in their genomes, indicating that hybridization occurred regardless of colour and across ploidy levels. Although the adaptive value of such genomic exchanges remains unclear, our results demonstrate the significance of hybridization for plant diversification, which should be taken into account when studying plant evolution.

Two New Species of PurpleCalibrachoa(Solanaceae) from Southern Brazil Grasslands Revealed by Molecular and Morphological Data

Abstract—We describe two new species ofCalibrachoa(Solanaceae) from southern Brazil grasslands. The new species were first detected by molecular data, and later corroborated by morphological traits and field observations. Both species are erect shrubs with showy purple corollas. The main distinctive morphological traits are the marked dark purple ring contrasting with the yellow corolla throat and the lobed stigma inC. atropurpurea,and the long androecium reaching the distal part of the corolla tube and the connivent anthers inC. synanthera. A key for the species with purple flowers from the Rio Grande do Sul Brazilian State, where the species were found, is given.Keywords—Calibrachoasubg.Stimomphis, Rio Grande do Sul, subtropical grasslands, taxonomy

Didymocarpus cordifolius (Gesneriaceae), a new species from southern Yunnan, China

Didymocarpus cordifolius, a new species of Gesneriaceae from southern Yunnan Province, China is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to D. silvarum and D. margaritae, but can be readily distinguished by its short petioles with both glandular and eglandular hairs, pale purple corolla, hairy anthers, and ovary and style of subequal length.

Oreocharis xieyongii, an unusual new species of Gesneriaceae from western Hunan, China

A new species, Oreocharis xieyongii T. Deng, D.G. Zhang & H. Sun, from Hunan Province, central China, is described. The combination of purple zygomorphic corolla with longer adaxial lobes and exserted stamens defines the species and discriminates it from all other current Oreocharis species. Morphological traits of the new species were compared to those of two similar species, Oreocharis xiangguiensis and O. rubrostriata. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the new species is nested within the Oreocharis. Although only half of Oreocharis species were included in our study, evolutionary character analysis indicates that the ancestral states of the genus are likely the purple corolla, longer abaxial lip and inserted stamens. The longer adaxial lip is perhaps an apomorphy and only present in O. xieyongii and O. rubrostriata. Both morphological and molecular evidence suggest that O. xieyongii is a taxon new to science.

Development and genetic analysis of conspicuous purple coloured corolla lip flower with multicapsules genotype in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

The present investigation was framed to understand the genetics and development of conspicuous purple coloured corolla tip flower and multicapsules at axil in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) from the cross between genotypes IC-205776 (♀) 9 EC-118591 (♂). The conspicuous corolla lip colour is recessive in expression and under digenic control, differing from the earlier reports. The ratio at F2 generation was best fit for 13:3 indicating inhibitory gene action for purple corolla lip colour. Among two genes, one acts as an inhibitory gene at recessive condition to produce conspicuous purple corolla lip colour. Multicapsules/axil is dominant in expression, controlled by more than one gene. The ratio of multiple capsules/axil and single capsules/axil at F2 generation was the best fit for the ratio 11:5 indicating dominance modification of duplicate genes for a number of capsules per axil. Single capsule/axil results due to dominance modification of duplicate genes where the homozygous condition of one gene reverses the dominance relation of another gene in heterozygous condition. Joint segregation analysis indicated independent segregation of corolla lip colour and capsule number per axil.

Primulina cataractarum sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from limestone landform in Southern Hunan, China

A new species, Primulina cataractarum (Gesneriaceae) from limestone areas in southern Hunan, China, is described and illustrated with photographs based on morphological and molecular data. This new species is slightly similar to P. porphyrea and P. rubribracteata in morphology, but it can be easily distinguished by its smaller rounder leaves, large repand green bracts and purple corolla tube. Phylogenetic analysis proved that these three species are different, and their relationships are relatively distant. It also reveals that P. cataractarum is genetically similar to P. jiangyongensis, which is geographically next to the type locality of the new species, but they differ greatly in morphology. Following the IUCN Red List Criteria, P. cataractarum is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR B2a; C2b) because of its limited populations and vulnerable habitat.

<div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><strong><em>Vincetoxicum emeiense</em> (Asclepiadeae, Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae), a new species from Sichuan, China</strong></p></div></div></div>

Vincetoxicum emeiense (Apocynaceae), a new species from Emeishan City, Sichuan Province, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to V. hui and V. koi but can be distinguished by the glabrous stem, marginally finely ciliate with adaxially puberulent leaves and orange to purple corolla. Color photographs, conservation assessment and other relevant notes are also provided.

Whole-transcriptome analysis of differentially expressed genes in the mutant and normal capitula of Chrysanthemum morifolium

BackgroundChrysanthemum morifolium is one of the most economically important and popular floricultural crops in the family Asteraceae. Chrysanthemum flowers vary considerably in terms of colors and shapes. However, the molecular mechanism controlling the development of chrysanthemum floral colors and shapes remains an enigma. We analyzed a cut-flower chrysanthemum variety that produces normal capitula composed of ray florets with normally developed pistils and purple corollas and mutant capitula comprising ray florets with green corollas and vegetative buds instead of pistils.ResultsWe conducted a whole-transcriptome analysis of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the mutant and normal capitula using third-generation and second-generation sequencing techniques. We identified the DEGs between the mutant and normal capitula to reveal important regulators underlying the differential development. Many transcription factors and genes related to the photoperiod and GA pathways, floral organ identity, and the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway were differentially expressed between the normal and mutant capitula. A qualitative analysis of the pigments in the florets of normal and mutant capitula indicated anthocyanins were synthesized and accumulated in the florets of normal capitula, but not in the florets of mutant capitula. These results provide clues regarding the molecular basis of the replacement of Chrysanthemum morifolium ray florets with normally developed pistils and purple corollas with mutant ray florets with green corollas and vegetative buds. Additionally, the study findings will help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying floral organ development and contribute to the development of techniques for studying the regulation of flower shape and color, which may enhance chrysanthemum breeding.ConclusionsThe whole-transcriptome analysis of DEGs in mutant and normal C. morifolium capitula described herein indicates the anthocyanin deficiency of the mutant capitula may be related to the mutation that replaces ray floret pistils with vegetative buds. Moreover, pistils may be required for the anthocyanin biosynthesis in the corollas of chrysanthemum ray florets.

<strong><em>Kalanchoe ×edwardii</em> (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae), a nothospecies derived from <em>K. beharensis</em> and <em>K. tomentosa</em></strong>

The recently described Kalanchoe ×gildenhuysii Smith & Figueiredo (2020: 43) and K. ×hummeliae Smith (2020a: 91) both have K. millotii Hamet & Perrier de la Bâthie (1912: 374) as one parent, with the other parent being K. tomentosa Baker (1882: 110) and K. beharensis Drake del Castillo (1903: 41), respectively. These three species are shrubby or arborescent; virtually throughout densely tomentose, although to a much lesser extent on the adaxial surfaces of the petal lobes; have prominent calyces that in some cases obscure much of the corolla tube; and rather dull coloured flowers, except in K. tomentosa that can have strongly purple-infused to purple corollas. These species of Kalanchoe Adanson (1763: 248) all originate from Madagascar, a present-day and likely historic centre of high species diversity for the genus (Gehrig et al. 2001, Descoings 2003, Smith & Figueiredo 2018).

<p><strong>Three new species of <em>Lycianthes</em> (Solanaceae) from Panama</strong></p>

Three Panamanian cloud forest species in the genus Lycianthes are newly described: L. coloradensis, from the Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca; L. fortunensis from Chiriquí Province, Veraguas Province, and the Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca; and L. talamancensis from Bocas del Toro and Chiriquí provinces. All three species are woody vines with tan, yellow, or orange-brown multangulate-stellate trichomes and entire to nearly entire white to purple corollas. In terms of vegetative morphology and trichome characteristics, L. coloradensis most closely resembles L. purpusii of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, L. fortunensis resembles the widespread L. multiflora, and L. talamancensis resembles L. hortulana of Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. This article provides species descriptions, maps of geographic distributions, specimen images of each species, and comparison tables of morphological characters used to separate L. coloradensis, L. fortunensis and L. talamancensis from similar species.

<p><strong>Two new species of <em>Wedelia </em>Jacq. (Asteraceae, Heliantheae) from Minas Gerais, Brazil</strong></p>

Two new species of Wedelia Jacq. are described and illustrated, and their morphological affinities with other species are discussed. Wedelia pauciflora is characterized by its solitary heads and a small number of flowers per head. Wedelia homogama is recognized by its shrubby habit, homogamous discoid heads, and purple corolla. These species were collected in Serra da Canastra National Park, São Roque de Minas, and in Rio Paranaíba; both areas are at Minas Gerais State, Brazil, occurring in “Cerrado” biome.

Variability and Phylogeny of the Pepper Phytoene Synthase Paralogs PSY1 and PSY2 in Species of Various Capsicum Complexes.

Genes homologous to PSY1 and PSY2 that encode phytoene synthase isoforms in Capsicum species C. baccatum, C. chinense, C. frutescens, C. tovarii, C. eximium, and C. chacoense were identified. High conservatism of functionally significant sites of phytoene synthases of the analyzed accessions was revealed. It was found that only PSY1-based clustering of pepper species corresponds to the traditional Capsicum phylogeny; C. eximium was a part of the Purple corolla complex, and C. chacoense was equidistant from Annuum and Baccatum clades. The absence of significant differences between PSY1 and PSY2 of yellow-fruited C. chinense and red-fruited pepper accessions was shown. The yellow color of C. chinense fruit may be the result of both decreased PSY1 expression and increased PSY2 transcription. Thus, it was demonstrated that the acquired fruit pigmentation retains strict phylogenetic limitations, which, however, can be overcome using artificial selection for the activity of phytoene synthase PSY1.