Scarlet Flowers Research Articles

A New Combination in Ampelocissus (Vitaceae), a Victim of Historic Deforestation in Nicaragua

A neotype is selected for Vitisjavalensis Seemann, and V javalensis is transferred to Ampelocissus. Ampelocissus costaricensis Lundell is reduced to synonymy under Ampelocissus javalensis (Seemann) W. D. Stevens & A. Pool, comb. nov. Changes in vegetation of the Javalf gold and silver mines region (Santo Domingo/La Libertad) of Chontales, Nicaragua, the original published locality of V javalensis, are discussed. In 1869, Berthold Seemann described Vitis javalensis Seemann based on material observed in the Department of Chontales, Nicaragua in the vicinity of the Javali gold and silver mines. Living material was gathered and delivered to horticulturist William Bull of King's Road, Chelsea, England (Seemann, 1869). J. E. Planchon transferred Vitis javalensis to Cissus as Cissus javalensis (Seemann) Planchon, where it was included in his monograph of Ampelideae under Cissus.-Species pleraque dubiae as a nomen tantum (Planchon, 1887). Bull's retail list of new Plants, ann. 1870, p. 5, was cited in reference. In J. A. Lombardi's manuscript F1. Neotrop. Monogr. for Vitaceae-Generos Ampelocissus, Ampelopsis e Cissus (in press), Lombardi treats Cissus javalensis (Seemann) Planchon under Nomes duvidosos e taxa excluidos. A holotype, Seemann s.n., assumed to be at BM, was not located. In our efforts to prepare a written flora for Nicaragua, we are attempting to account for all names based on Nicaraguan material. Herbarium material of Vitis javalensis collected by Seemann was sought at the British Museum, where the primary set of Seemann's Nicaraguan material is housed, without success. Illustrations of Vitis or Cissus javalensis published by Seemann or Bull were also sought, again without success. Seemann described Vitis javalensis as a species with simple leaves with acute apices, cordate bases, mucronately-dentate margins, beautifully velutinous adaxial surfaces and purplish abaxial surfaces, and bright scarlet flowers. This description does not correspond to any Central American species of Cissus or Vitis. However Seemann's description is consistent with Lundell's description (Lundell, 1937) and specimens of Ampelocissus costaricensis Lundell, with the exception that the hairs of the leaves of the latter are better described as arach-

Delphinidin 3-xylosylrutinoside in petals of Linum grandiflorum

A new anthocyanidin triglycoside was isolated from the scarlet flowers of Linum grandiflorum cv Scarlet Flax as a major anthocyanin. The structure of this pigment was determined to be delphinidin 3-O[2-O(β- d-(xylopyranosyl)-6-O-α- l-rhamnopyranosyl)-β- d-glucopyranoside].

Five Songs of the Scarlet Flower

Journal Article Five Songs of the Scarlet Flower Get access Tytti Soila Tytti Soila Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Screen, Volume 35, Issue 3, Autumn 1994, Pages 265–274, https://doi.org/10.1093/screen/35.3.265 Published: 01 October 1994

Correlations between anthocyanin type, pollinator and flower colour in the labiatae

Forty-nine species or cultivars of the Labiatae were surveyed for their floral anthocyanins. There was a good correlation between flower colour, anthocyanidin type and pollination vector. All six species with long tubular scarlet flowers contained pelargonidin; four also contained some cyanidin. All 17 red-purple and purple flowered species had cyanidin, and five had additionally peonidin. Twenty-one of 26 species with purple-violet, violet or blue flowers had delphinidin, and eight had malvidin; 13 of these species also had some cyanidin. Aromatic acylation with p-coumaryl substitution was more common (in 80%) than such acylation with caffeyl substitution (in 12% of species). Anthocyanins with aromatic acylation commonly occurred as mixtures of cis and trans isomers. Monomalonylated pigments were present in all but one of the plants, while dimalonylated pigments were identified in about half the samples. The four most common pigments in the family are thus cyanidin and delphinidin 3-(6″-p-coumarylglucoside)-5-(6‴-malonylglucoside), present as the cis and trans isomers. Four new pigments were characterized: two monomalonyl esters of peonidin 3,5-diglucoside, and the dimalonyl esters of delphinidin and malvidin 3-(6″-p-coumarylglucoside)-5-glucoside.

Comparative Study of Anthocyanins in Tree Peony Flowers.

Flowers of the tree peony, Paeonia suffruticosa, and its interspecific hybrids with P. lutea, and P. delavayi, which originated in China and which were introduced by American and French breeders, were assayed for anthocyanins to trace their development.Petal hues of all Japanese cultivars (Paeonia suffruticosa) were distributed within the blue-red scope on Commision Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) (L*, a*, b*) color coordinate. Red-dish purple cultivars had high values of both blue and red, whereas pink or white cultivars had low values. Dark red or deep red-purple cultivars contained a large amount of anthocyanins in the petals, whereas pink or white cultivars contained a slight amount. Therefore, there was a high negative correlation between petal lightness (Hunter's L value) and petal anthocyanin contents.All dark red or deep red-purple Japanese cultivars contained 6 anthocyanins, peonidin 3, 5-diglucoside (Pn3G5G), peonidin 3-glucoside (Pn3G), cyanidin 3, 5-diglucoside (Cy3G5G), cyanidin 3-glucoside (Cy3G), pelargonidin 3, 5-diglucoside (Pg3G5G) and pelargonidin 3-glucoside (Pg3G). Vivid red cultivars lacked Cy3G/Cy3G5G but contained large amounts of Pg3G/Pg3G5G. Some pink cultivars lacked Pn3G and Pg3G as well as Cy3G/Cy3G5G.Of the 6 anthocyanins present in the Japanese cultivars, the Chinese cvs. of P. suffruticosa and P. suffruticosa var. spontanea generally lack Pg3G, which may account for the absence of the vivid red color.American and French interspecific hybrids between P. suffruticosa and P. lutea and P. delavayi lack Pg3G and Pg3G5G. The lack of pelargonidins gave rise to hybrids with crimson or scarlet flowers; but in the presence of a yellow chalcone, peonidin and cyanidin in some cultivars gave rise to orange or maroon flowers. The yellow pigment is inherited from the P. lutea and P. delavayi.

Resistance of Canna spp. to the Skipper Butterfly, Calpodes ethlius (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) 12

Thirty-nine cultivars of cannas, Canna spp., were evaluated for resistance to the canna leaf roller, Calpodes ethlius Stoll, which causes extensive leaf damage to cannas throughout southern North America, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. The cullivar ‘Wyoming,’ followed in order, by ‘Ambassador,’ ‘Black Velvet,’ ‘Gladside,’ ‘Eureka White,’ ‘Firebird,’ ‘ Freckles,’ and ‘Red King Humbert,’ was the most preferred host for oviposition, whereas ‘La Boheme’ was the least preferred. ‘Wyoming’ sustained the most larval damage, and ‘Crimson Glory,’ ‘Chinese Coral,’ ‘Yellow King Humbert,’ ‘Crimson Beauty,’ ‘Salmon Pink,’ ‘Cherry Red,’ ‘Lucifer,’ and ‘Freckles’ exhibited the least larval damage. Plants with red leaf color were preferred to those with green leaves. Cultivars with yellow, rose red, yellow-red, or pink flowers were least preferred, whereas plants with red, orange, or scarlet flowers were the most preferred oviposition hosts and sustained the highest larval damage even though flower stalks were removed during the oviposition studies.

Lumnitzera rosea (Combretaceae) -- Its Status and Floral Morphology

Three forms of Lumnitzera (Combretaceae) are known to us in Queensland. Two are clearly the common and widespread mangrove species L. littorea, with scarlet flowers, and L. racemosa, with white flowers. The third form is intermediate (e.g., it has pink flowers) and is very local in distribution. The identity of this third form is the substance of this paper and is set against the background of a description of floral morphology and pollination biology in the genus.

A non-specific mutagenic gene in cyclamen.

A vegetative mutation from light pink to scarlet flower colour appeared to be determined by the same gene as the more commonly observed mutation from white to violet. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

Natural Hybridization of Phaseolus vulgaris L. × Phaseolus coccineus L.1

Abstract Frequency of natural hybridization of P. vulgaris and P. coccineus was observed over two seasons. Natural hybridization ranged from zero to 6.79%, and was dependent upon parental combination. Bumblebees appeared to be the principal insect pollinators. The best P. coccineus pollen parent, P.I. 223803, had scarlet flowers and was relatively early in maturity. The P. vulgaris cultivar which hybridized most frequently, ‘Tender-green’, had a high frequency of atypical flowers. In many of the atypical flowers the standard and keel petals were not fully developed, thereby leaving the reproductive parts exposed to insect pollinators. It is suggested that natural hybridization might be useful in transferring P. coccineus genes for disease resistance into P. vulgaris lines.

Life History of the Scaly-Breasted Hummingbird

The Scaly-breasted Hummingbird (Phaeochroa cuvierii) is a rather large and very plainly colored species about four and a half inches in length. The sexes are alike, and in both the upper plumage is metallic bronze-green. The tail is more bluish green, with the two or three outer feathers on each side tipped with dull white, the outermost most broadly. There is a small, whitish spot behind each eye. The feathers of the throat and breast are dull green with grayish buff margins, producing the effect of scales when the hummingbird is viewed at close range. In the field, however, the scales are hardly noticeable, and the anterior under parts appear gray tinged with green. The abdomen is pale brownish buff. The fairly long, straight bill is black on the upper mandible, while the lower mandible is reddish tipped with black. This description applies to the race Phaeochroa cuvierii maculicauda of southern Central America, the subject of the present paper. Northern representatives of the species have a more extensively dark lower mandible. The Scaly-breasted Hummingbird ranges from Guatemala to northern Colombia. It is fairly common in the Pacific lowlands of Costa Rica, including the Tirraba Valley, up which it extends to the basin of El General at the head of the valley, an elevation of 3000 feet above sea level. Here in El General, where alone I have studied it, this hummingbird avoids woodland with a closed canopy, both primary and secondary, and seeks areas with moderately tall but scattered trees, such as coffee plantations with light shade, shady pastures, roadsides, dooryards, and open second-growth woods. Like other hummingbirds without highly specialized bills, it sucks nectar from a variety of flowers, large and small, and it likewise catches minute insects in the air. I have noticed no remarkable peculiarities in its feeding habits. In our dooryard at Quizarri are two por6 trees (Erythrina Berteroana) which toward the end of the wet season drop their trifoliolate leaves and display masses of scarlet flowers on their nearly naked branches. Each tree is usually claimed by a Longbilled Starthroat (Heliomnaster longirostris), whose bill is excellently fitted for extracting the nectar from the base of the long, tightly folded, sword-shaped standard, the only part of the corolla that is well developed and exposed to view. These big hummingbirds drive away smaller species, which can only surreptitiously visit the scarlet flowers. MIost of them have bills too short to reach the nectar in the usual way, and they can obtain it only by piercing the thick, tubular calyx that forms a collar around the base of the standard. This is done by the Purple-crowned Fairy (Heliothrix barroti), whose short bill is very sharp, and likewise by the Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, whose far longer bill seems less adequate for this kind of work. The Scaly-breast pierces the calyx either while hovering or while clinging to the end of the standard. In late November of 1962, the por6 tree nearest the house was not defended by a Star-throat, and two Scaly-breasts contended for its possession. Sometimes they clutched each other and fell together to the ground, where after a few seconds they separated and rose into the tree again. Here they might perch only a few inches apart, resting, with tails partly spread, for as long as ten minutes. Then one hummingbird would dash at its adversary; and the two would dart around, uttering low squeaks, and clashing together at intervals. They pulled feathers from each other, and one had a tuft of down clinging to its bill for many minutes. This bird had dishevelled plumage, but the one that had lost the feather was even more bedraggled. The hummingbird whose plumage was less tattered was evidently a male, for while he perched with his bill pointed toward

Inheritance of flower colour inSalvia coccinea Juss ex Murr.

It is shown that the pink-flowered type has arisen by a recessive mutation of the scarlet type. The inheritance of scarlet and pink flower colours inS. coccinea Juss ex Murr. follows a monogenic inheritance.

Alteration in the Colours of Flowers by Cyanide Fumes

IT is well known that the yellows of some insects are turned to red by the fumes from potassium cyanide; but I have not, after some inquiry, been able to obtain any literature describing the effects of such fumes upon the colours of flowers. The reactions I have observed are very curious, and while it seems improbable that they are hitherto wholly unknown, it may not be amiss to direct attention to them. A few lumps of the cyanide are placed in a corked tube, covered with a little cotton, and the flowers are placed on the cotton. It is probably necessary that the day should be hot, or the tube slightly warmed. The pink flowers of Cleome integrifolia and Monarda fistulosa turn to a brilliant green-blue, and finally become pale yellow. A purple-red Verbena becomes bright blue, then pale yellow. The purple flowers of Solanum slaeagnifolium go green-blue and then yellow. The white petals of Argemone platyceras turn yellow—the natural colour of A. mexicana. The pale yellowish flowers of Mentzelia nuda turn a deeper yellow. Flowers of Lupinus argenteus, var., turn pale yellow. White elder (Sambucus) flowers turn yellow. The scarlet flowers of Sphaeralcea angustifolia turn pale dull pink, resembling somewhat a natural variety of the same. Any of your readers will doubtless obtain similar results with the flowers growing in their vicinity.

Societies and Academies

LONDONLinnean Society, March 18.—Prof. Allman, F.R.S., president, in the chair.—The President said that before entering on the ordinary business of the meeting it became his melancholy duty to announce the death of Prof. Thos. Bell at the age of eighty-seven. Prof. Bell was the oldest Fellow of the Society, having been elected into it in the year 1815. He had held the presidential chair for many years, and under his judicious and able guidance the Society had marvellously advanced in prosperity. He was a distinguished zoologist, and by his researches had largely advanced our knowledge of the fauna of the British Isles. His labours have left their mark on the zoology of Britain, and it is hard to say who can take his place in the department of natural history, in which he had shown himself so loving and conscientious an observer. He was known personally to many here present, and by reputation to all of us, and the meeting will receive with sorrow the sad announcement that he has his place no longer among the Fellows.—Mr. Thos. Christy exhibited a collection of dried flowers from Western Australia, made by Mrs. Bunbury. She observes that the once common native flowers are becoming rapidly scarce in the pasture land of the colony, and that it is even difficult to propagate them by culture.—There was also shown for Mr. J. T. Carrington a male and female example of the Northern Stone Crab (Lithodes arctica), which had lived in the Westminster Aquarium. The peculiar asymmetry of the abdominal segments in the female was adverted to, and from this and other reasons an affinity with the Hermit Crabs pointed out.mdash;The Secretary read a communication from Mr. H. M. Brewer, of Wanganui Acclimatisation Society, on the indigenous timber and on plants introduced into New Zealand. Among the former, “Manaka”(Leptospermum ericoides) is useful for spokes, tool-handles, &c.; “Korohai” (Sophora tetraptera) forms admirable material for carving, &c.; “Totara”(Podocarpa totara) is most durable for piles, railway sleepers, &c.; red birch (Fagus fusca), on account of its strength, is well adapted for beams and framework; and the “Matai”(P. spicata) is so durable that a prostrate tree found in damp bush and supposed to have lain there for a couple of centuries still retained its soundness when cut up. Of plants introduced quite a host thrive out of doors. Aicong others the coral tree (Erythrina caffra), with its brilliant scarlet flowers. Fourcroyia gigantea, which produces a fine fibre and grows well without any cultivation on the waste clay hills; also F. flavoviridis, another fibre-yielding plant. Chamærops excelsa, C. humilis, Musa textilis, and M. sapientum, equally thrive, the banana ripening good fruit. Broussonetia papyrifera, from which paper is made in Japan. The pomegranate (Punica granatum) and the olive (Olea europæa) hereafter are likely to become important as commercial products. The Natal plum (Arduina grandiflord), the fig (Ficus carica), custard-apple (Anona muricata), Eriobotrya japonica, ginger (Zingiber officinalis), the tallow tree (Slillingia sebifera), cinnamon, camphor, orange, lemon, and citrons, besides many other sub-tropical plants, afford sufficient proof of the mildness of the climate and capabilities of the country ultimately to depend on its own resources. Of araucarias and pines a great number of introduced species have thriven well, some only requiring a little shelter at first. Oaks, eltrs, poplars, &c., all take naturally to the New Zealand soil, but sufficient has been said to indicate the great variety of flora indigenous and introduced into this flourishing though distant colony.—A paper by Prof. J. O. Westwood, on a supposed polymorphic butterfly from India, was also read by the Secretary for the author. The Conclusions arrived at are: (1) of Papilio Castor being males of a species whose females have not yet been discovered; (2) that the typical P. Pollux are females of which the male with rounded hind wings having a diffused row of markings has yet to be discovered; and (3) that the coloured figures given by the author represent the two sexes of a dimorphic form of the species.

Selective Discrimination of Insects

THE remarks of Sir John Lubbock in a late lecture on the relation of insects and flowers leads to the inference that in his opinion the brilliancy of colour rather than the odour is the attraction. My observations lead me to suppose that it is not the colour, but the particular odour of each variety or species of flower which induces the visit. With great interest, not unmixed with curiosity, I have observed (my attention was at first casually excited) that bees particularly, and also butterflies, visit a distinct variety and for the time confine their attention to it, settling on and sucking the honey of that variety only; e.g., a bee settling on a scarlet geranium will not go from it to another species or variety, but gives its attention to the particular variety only, irrespective of colour, whether scarlet, pink, or white, never going from a scarlet geranium to another scarlet flower, even if in contact. Whatever the species of flower, it is the same—pelargoniums, petunias, heliotropes, lilies, &c. The visit is from pelargonium to pelargonium, not from pelargonium to geranium (both cranes bills), and from lily to lily, irrespective of colour. I never remarked a bee go from a lily to an amaryllis, or the reverse. The object of this distinctive selection appears to be fertilisation. The indiscriminate admixture of the pollens of distinct varieties would probably frustrate the ends of nature and lead to monstrosities or barrenness. What would be the effect of the admixture on its own stores is a distinct question. So far as the insect is concerned, doubtless the fact has relation to its own economy. Whatever be the reason, there appears to be the harmonious adjustment of two facts under the relations of one law. If the colour, and not the odour, was the attraction, the visits would be indiscriminately made to all flowers of a brilliant hue. The observation of the lecturer as to flies being attracted by stinking plants or carrion seems to prove the fact suggested. Flies settle indiscriminately on all putrefactions, and will go immediately from a flower to offal or from offal to a flower. With bees and butterflies there is certainly a discriminative selection guided by odour; I have also remarked that some flowers are rarely, if ever, visited by bees.