Racemose Inflorescences Research Articles

Erythrococca kaokoensis (Euphorbiaceae), a new species from Namibia and Angola

Erythrococca kaokoensis, here described as a new species, is only known from the mountains along the Kunene River in the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, southwestern Angola and northwestern Namibia. These shrubs or small trees grow among rocks of anorthosite, gneiss or limestone. Diagnostic characters for E. kaokoensis include the leaves that are subcordate or lanceolate to ovate, rarely elliptic, drying dark green, yellow-green, blue-green or violet to black, and the interruptedly racemose or subpaniculate inflorescences with flowers in clusters along the axis. A comparison of some of the more prominent morphological features to differentiate between E. kaokoensis and its possible nearest relative, E. trichogyne, is provided.

Phylogenetic Relationships and Morphological Evolution in the Carnivorous Genus Philcoxia (Plantaginaceae, Gratioleae)

Philcoxia (Plantaginaceae, Gratioleae) is a genus with seven species of small herbs endemic to Brazil. It is characterized by underground stems and petioles, peltate leaves, and zigzag racemose inflorescences, in addition to a remarkable carnivorous syndrome. The phylogenetic placement of Philcoxia within tribe Gratioleae has been uncertain since its discovery due to its unique morphology and limited data from phylogenetic studies. We tested the phylogenetic placement of Philcoxia within Gratioleae, increasing the number of species sampled within both the genus and the rest of the tribe, and sequencing four regions from cpDNA (rpl16, rps16, and trnL introns and the trnL-trnF intergenic spacer) and one from nrDNA (ITS1 spacer); we used both parsimony and Bayesian inference to reconstruct the phylogeny. Moreover, we assessed both the monophyly of the genus and interspecific relationships. Finally, we performed ancestral character state reconstructions of 10 morphological characters to infer synapomorphies for the genus and specific clades within it. Philcoxia was recovered as monophyletic, with maximum support values, as sister to Stemodia stellata. Five morphological character states were reconstructed as potential synapomorphies for the Philcoxia clade (rosetted herb habit, underground stems and petioles, floral resupination, number of stamens reduced to two, and number of fertile thecae per anther reduced to one), whereas fourwere reconstructed as potential synapomorphies for specific clades within the genus (peltate leaves, irregular rosettes, vegetative propagation by rhizomes, and presence of tubers). Further anatomical studies, in association with ecological data, would provide insight into the structure of the underground systems and its adaptive significance, and would further elucidate the evolution of carnivory in Philcoxia. Our study highlights the need to reassess the concepts and circumscriptions of some currently accepted genera of the Gratioleae such as Bacopa, Conobea, and Stemodia, and for the tribe Angelonieae.

Aphyllorchis maliauensis (Orchidaceae), a new species from the Maliau Basin, Sabah, Borneo

Aphyllorchis Blume (1825: 16) comprises approximately 30 species distributed from Sri Lanka, the western Himalayas, and China through Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan and the Philippines eastward to New Guinea and Australia (Hsieh et al. 2013, Tian et al. 2013). Aphyllorchis species are leafless and mycoheterotrophic, with erect, unbranched stems, racemose inflorescences, multiple resupinate flowers, petals similar to sepals but shorter and narrower and lips divided into hypochile and epichile (Tian et al. 2013). As in most other mycoheterotrophs (Suetsugu 2017, Suetsugu & Nishioka 2017, Suetsugu et al. 2017), the diversity of Aphyllorchis species could be underestimated since the short flowering season and inconspicuous habit make them easily overlooked in the wild (Hsieh et al. 2013).

Manfreda santana-michelii (Asparagaceae subfamily Agavoideae), a Striking New Species from Sierra Madre del Sur in Western Mexico

Manfreda santana-michelii is described from ecotone areas between open pine-oak forest and savannoid vegetation in the northern range of the Sierra Madre del Sur, in western Mexico. Morphologically, the new species resembles M. involuta and M. singuliflora, but differs from both of these by the development of denticulate margins on the leaves, racemose inflorescences, two pedicellate, tubulate, ascending flowers per node, a straight perigone tube, and 0.3–0.5 cm long filaments that are inserted just at the base of the perigone lobes. Illustrations, photographs for the new species and similar taxa, and a key to identify Manfreda in western Mexico accompany the description.

Eugenia coetzalensis (Myrtaceae), a new species from central Veracruz, Mexico

This article describes and illustrates the new species Eugenia coetzalensis, considered as endemic to central Veracruz and northern Oaxaca. E. coetzalensis is part of the tree stratum of the subdeciduous tropical forest, growing on Ortic Luvisol with Lithosol soils, at altitudes ranging from 282 to 507 m elev. This taxon shows similarities with Eugenia praeterita, Eugenia naraveana and Eugenia chahalana; however, there are clear morphological differences that separate them; such as bark color, in leaflet and acumen size, number of secondary veins, racemose inflorescences, and flowers per axilla, as well as the shape and size of its fruits.

Studies on the genus Capparis L. (Capparaceae) in Lao PDR. II: A new species from the Khammouan karst

A new species of Capparis, Capparis lanceolatifolia, is described and illustrated from central Lao PDR, where it is known from a single limestone doline in the Hinboun District, Khammouan Province. The new species is characterized by narrowly lanceolate leaves, racemose inflorescence bearing trifid bracts and small size of flower. Its affinities with related taxa and conservation status are discussed.

A New Species of Delphinium (Ranunculaceae) from Hubei, China

A new species of Delphinium L., D. callichromum Q. L. Gan & X. W. Li, from Hubei, China, is described and illustrated. It belongs to Delphinium sect. Anthriscifolium W. T. Wang, which now includes two species: D. callichromum and D. anthriscifolium Hance. Both species are similar in having pinnately divided leaves, petals broadest above the midpoint, and racemose inflorescences. Delphinium callichromum differs from D. anthriscifolium in its densely long-pilose stems, racemes with more flowers, red-brown immature anthers, oblong staminode limb with a prominent midvein, and sepals with a long claw.

Impatiens baishaensis (Balsaminaceae): a new species from Sichuan, China

Impatiens baishaensis B. Ding & H. P. Deng is a new species from Wawu Shan and Dafengding, Sichuan Province, China. The new species is superficially similar to I. oxyanthera in having 2-flowered racemose inflorescences and pink flowers with reddish veins, but differs from the latter by having smaller flowers, abaxial midveins of lateral sepals and dorsal petals puberulent, dorsal petal spotted with purple-red, and lower sepals navicular. Seed micromorphology and palynological features observed with scanning electron microscopy are also presented.

Floral biology of Sesbania virgata: an invasive species in the Agreste of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil

Abstract Although reproduction seems to play an important role in the successful invasive strategy of Sesbania virgata, its floral biology is poorly known. We aimed at filling this gap by studying the floral biology of a population of S. virgata in the Agreste of Brazil. Sesbania virgata is a shrub that bears racemose inflorescences. Its flowers are zygomorphic, pedunculate, hermaphrodite, and have a pale yellow corolla, diadelphous androecium, anthers with longitudinal dehiscence, and inconspicuous stigma. S. virgata flowers display three different types of petals: banner (11.92 mm), wing (8.27 mm), and keel (9.3 mm). The flowering peak occurred from November to January. The average number of pollen grains per flower was 22,918, with a pollen viability of 99.93%. Its anthesis is diurnal and asynchronous. Although S. virgata is autogamous, its pollen/ovule ratio suggests that this plant has a mixed reproductive system (xenogamy + autogamy). Continuous flowering, flower morphology, and specialized breeding system are essential to assure the reproductive success of this species in the studied habitat. Sesbania virgata is a food source for flower visitors, due to its continuous flowering and large population. Therefore, it has an effective reproductive strategy that assures its invasion success.

A new narrow-leaved species of Capparis (Capparaceae) from central Palawan, Philippines

A new species of Capparis, C. tagbanuorum, is described and illustrated from Palawan Island in the Philippines. It is known from a single locality in Mount Victoria, in forest habitats at medium elevation. The new species is characterized by a peculiar leaf morphology, with blade up to 9 times as long as wide, by the racemose inflorescence and by the size of the petals and the number and length of the stamens. The diagnostic characters are discussed and a key is given for the species of Capparis known from the Philippines.

Multiple Events of Allopolyploidy in the Evolution of the Racemose Lineages in Prunus (Rosaceae) Based on Integrated Evidence from Nuclear and Plastid Data.

Prunus is an economically important genus well-known for cherries, plums, almonds, and peaches. The genus can be divided into three major groups based on inflorescence structure and ploidy levels: (1) the diploid solitary-flower group (subg. Prunus, Amygdalus and Emplectocladus); (2) the diploid corymbose group (subg. Cerasus); and (3) the polyploid racemose group (subg. Padus, subg. Laurocerasus, and the Maddenia group). The plastid phylogeny suggests three major clades within Prunus: Prunus-Amygdalus-Emplectocladus, Cerasus, and Laurocerasus-Padus-Maddenia, while nuclear ITS trees resolve Laurocerasus-Padus-Maddenia as a paraphyletic group. In this study, we employed sequences of the nuclear loci At103, ITS and s6pdh to explore the origins and evolution of the racemose group. Two copies of the At103 gene were identified in Prunus. One copy is found in Prunus species with solitary and corymbose inflorescences as well as those with racemose inflorescences, while the second copy (II) is present only in taxa with racemose inflorescences. The copy I sequences suggest that all racemose species form a paraphyletic group composed of four clades, each of which is definable by morphology and geography. The tree from the combined At103 and ITS sequences and the tree based on the single gene s6pdh had similar general topologies to the tree based on the copy I sequences of At103, with the combined At103-ITS tree showing stronger support in most clades. The nuclear At103, ITS and s6pdh data in conjunction with the plastid data are consistent with the hypothesis that multiple independent allopolyploidy events contributed to the origins of the racemose group. A widespread species or lineage may have served as the maternal parent for multiple hybridizations involving several paternal lineages. This hypothesis of the complex evolutionary history of the racemose group in Prunus reflects a major step forward in our understanding of diversification of the genus and has important implications for the interpretation of its phylogeny, evolution, and classification.

Impatiens guiqingensis (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Gansu, China

Impatiens guiqingensis S. X. Yu (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Gansu Province, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is superficially similar to I. dicentra in having 1–2 flowered racemose inflorescences, lateral sepals with dentate margin, top of lower and upper petals of lateral united petals with bristle appendages, but differs from the latter by yellow flower, lower sepal without spur and dorsal petal with unapparent crest. Moreover, the occurrence of the new species is also different from the related one.

Oberonia mucronata (D. Don) Ormerod & Seidenf. (Orchidaceae), new addition to the flora of Gujarat, India

<p><em>Oberonia mucronata </em>(D.Don) Ormerod & Seidenf. is characterized by its dense flowered racemose inflorescence, petals with erose-toothed margin, and tri-lobed lip with dentate margin. A brief description and images are provided here for easy identification of the species along with a report of its new distribution record in Gujarat State.</p><div> </div>

Impatiens pandurata (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China.

BackgroundThe species-rich genus Impatiens is mainly distributed throughout much of tropical Africa, India, southwest Asia, southern China and Japan. There are more than 270 species recorded in China, most of which are restricted to the southwest. An unknown species of Impatiens was collected from Yunnan, southwest China.Results Impatiens pandurata Y. H. Tan & S. X. Yu, a new species of Balsaminaceae from Jinping County and Malipo County, Yunnan, China is similar to I. apalophylla and I. clavigera in having racemose inflorescences, 4 lateral sepals, hammer-shaped capsules and ellipsoid seeds, but differs in having leaves with oblanceolate blades aggregated at the top of the stem, 3–5-flowered racemes, a yellow lower sepal without reddish patches, yellowish flowers, and a dorsal petal with stalks at the base. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of sequences from both nuclear ribosomal and plastid genes confirm that this new species is distinct from morphologically similar species previously recorded.ConclusionWith the support of careful morphological studies and phylogenetic analysis, I. pandurata is a species new to science.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40529-015-0108-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Asymbiotic germination and seedling growth of Calanthe striata f. sieboldii Decne. ex Regel

Calanthe striata f. sieboldii Decne. ex Regel is a terrestrial orchid with beautiful flowers arranged in racemose inflorescences. This species is threatened due to over-collection and loss of suitable habitats. Asymbiotic germination is useful in the conservation efforts to re-establish plants in the wild, and for commercial propagation. In this study, we investigate the effects of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), three types of culture media (Phytomax Orchid Maintenance - POM, Seed Germination Maintenance - SGM, and Murashige and Skoog 1962 - MS), and plant growth regulators on embryo swelling, protocorm formation, and embryo diameter of C. striata f. sieboldii. Treatment with 1% NaOCl for 30 min greatly enhanced embryo swelling (28.3%), embryo diameter (), and embryo protocorm formation (54.8%) compared to seeds without NaOCl treatment (embryo swelling 8.5%, embryo diameter , and protocorm formation 13.4%) on POM medium. Protocorm formation on POM medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L N6-benzyladenine (BA) (95.6%) was better than the control (54.5%). Additionally, the effects of activated charcoal (AC) and sucrose on seedling growth in in vitro culture were examined. The protocorm converted into healthy plants with well-developed shoot primordia on the POM medium with AC and sucrose. The most suitable conditions for seedling growth after 10 weeks of culture were the POM medium with AC or sucrose. These results show effective asymbiotic seed germination and in vitro seedling growth of C. striata f. sieboldii.

Impatiens tianlinensis (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China

Impatiens tianlinensis S. X. Yu & L. J. Zhang, a new species of the Balsaminaceae from Cenwang Laoshan Mountain, Tianlin County, Guangxi Region, is described and illustrated. This species closely resembles I. apalophylla and I. clavigera var. auriculata in having racemose inflorescences, 4 lateral sepals, hammer-shaped capsules and ellipsoid seeds, but differs in having sessile glanduliferous petioles, few-flowered inflorescences, incurved spur, yellow lower sepal without reddish patches, yellowish petals and lower sepal, and acuminate dorsal petal apex. The molecular data, from nuclear ribosomal and plastid genes, as well as pollen characters also support that the species is new to science.

Especie nueva de Turnera (Turneraceae) del “cerrado” de Tocantins (Brasil)

Turnera confertiflora, una nueva especie de Brasil, aparentemente homostila, es descripta e ilustrada. Pertenece a la serie Leiocarpae, por tener frutos lisos, hojas floríferas con nectarios y semillas inmaduras con cera epicuticular bastoniforme. Sus inflorescencias son racemosas y sus hojas lineares o angustielípticas, como las de T. melochioides var. arenaria, de las que se distingue por el indumento tomentoso(vs. glabro o piloso, nunca tomentoso). El tamaño y la morfología floral son similares a los de T. angelicae, con pétalos y filamentos estaminales pilosos, pero con estilos glabros (vs. pilosos). Turnera confertiflora es conocida solamente por el ejemplar tipo, colectado en “cerrado” pedregoso, en Tocantins, municipio Natividade

Vanilla rivasii (orchidaceae), a new species from the colombian pacific region

We describe a new species of fragrant Vanilla from the Chocó biogeographic region of Western Colombia, named Vanilla rivasii sp. nov. in honor of the local farmer who drew it to our attention. This species is related to the Vanilla hostmannii group, also containing V. dressleri, V. ruiziana and V. cribbiana, with which it shares flower traits such as the showy, yellowish flower with thickened longitudinal venation in the lip apex. Vanilla rivasii is characterised by possessing: a long racemose inflorescence up to 60 cm in length, carrying up to 150 yellow flowers, with two to four open simultaneously; a trilobed labellum with a conspicuously bi-lobulated central lobe; and basally fused lateral sepals. Vanilla rivasii can be distinguished from the most morphologically-similar species, V. cribbiana and V. hostmannii, by the number of veins in the cushion-like structure of the lip and the larger size and higher number of flowers per inflorescence. This discovery highlights northern South America as a centre of diversity for this economically-important genus, and underlines the need for further botanical exploration in the highly biodiverse region of the Chocó.

Pollen production pattern in the capitulum of the cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

The intra-plant pollen production in cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was quali- and quantitatively studied. Two modern self-pollinated, high oleic sunflower hybrids were grown during two consecutive seasons: 2009 in three planting dates, and 2010 in two planting dates. Two cross-pollinated varieties of sunflower, Hopi and Havasupai, were also studied to determine if an anomalous intracapitulum pollen gradient observed in preliminary studies could be a remnant character inherited from primitive genotypes. Pollen grains per flower (PGF), anther volume (AV), pollen grain volume (PGV) and pollen viability (PV) were measured in three capitulum sectors, external (ES), middle (MS) and internal (IS). At harvest, fully developed fruits (FDF) and incompletely developed fruits (IDF) per capitulum sector were counted. Based on seasonal averages of hybrids and planting dates, the capitulum IS showed the highest PGF number (40864 ± 6519) followed by the MS (35243 ± 5242) and the ES (28273 ± 3102). Anther length (AL) and width (AW) were higher in the IS (5.3 and 0.8 mm, respectively) compared with the ES (6.4 and 0.6 mm, respectively); ES and the MS had intermediate values (5.2 and 0.7 mm, and 4.9 and 0.6 mm, respectively). No significant differences (p=0.18) were observed in PGF per sector in capitula of Havasupai (average= 42679 ± 4107). On the other hand, Hopi flowers of the MS and IS produced a larger number of pollen grains (average = 53412 ± 3553) than those of the ES (37050 ± 5947). PGV showed no significant differences in both hybrids, capitulum sectors and growing seasons (average = 22168 ± 1042 μm3). A positive relationship between AL and AW and the total number of pollen grains was also observed. Pollen viability in both growing seasons was greater than 97% in all cases. At harvest, in all cases, the higher number of FDF was observed in the ES and MS (598 and 456 respectively) and the number of IDF was higher in the IS (132). Given that intra-plant pollen production of both, pollen quantity and viability were not limiting, the origin of IDF in different regions of the capitulum could not be explained by the lack of pollen.The finding of an a typical positive centripetal gradient of pollen grains in the capitulum as compared with other racemose inflorescences is interpreted as an adaptive response to the time sequence of anthesis in this species to ensure a homogeneous pollination in the capitulum.

Molecular systematics and biogeography ofWisteriainferred from nucleotide sequences of nuclear and plastid genes

AbstractPrevious molecular phylogenetic studies of Fabaceae indicated that species ofWisteria, an intercontinental disjunct genus between eastern Asia and eastern North America, formed a clade derived from withinCallerya. However, interspecific relationships were not well resolved or supported. In this study, we used sequences of the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region and the chloroplast genematKto examine interspecific relationships and explore implications of the phylogeny for the systematics and biogeography ofWisteria. Our results showed thatWisteriawith deciduous leaves and racemose inflorescences formed a strongly supported clade derived from within the paraphyleticCallerya.Afgekiawas also found to be included withinCallerya. Therefore, our data support the merger ofAfgekia,Callerya, andWisteria. The phylogenetic pattern suggested that the deciduousness inWisteriamay be a derived trait likely in response to temperate climate, and the racemose inflorescences in theAfgekia–Callerya–Wisteriaclade may have evolved from panicles. Our study also provided strong support for the sister relationship of the North American and eastern Asian species ofWisteria. In the Asian clade,Wisteria brachybotrysSiebold & Zucc. of Japan was sister to the clade containingW.floribunda(Willd.) DC of Japan and Korea, andW.sinensis(Sims) Sweet of China. However, our data offered weak support for the sister relationship ofW. floribundaandW. sinensis. Our divergence time and biogeographic analyses suggested that the eastern Asian–North American disjunction inWisteriamay have occurred through a dispersal event in the middle Miocene (13.4 Mya) from the Old World to the New World across the Bering land bridge followed by vicariance in the late Miocene (6.8 Mya). This study added another example to the “out of Asia” migration for the eastern Asian–eastern North American disjunction.