Short Inflorescence Research Articles

Bulbophyllum bokodense (section Polymeres, Orchidaceae), a new species from Benguet Province, Luzon Island, Philippines

A new species of orchid, Bulbophyllum bokodense, is herein described and illustrated from Benguet Province, Luzon Island, Philippines. It closely resembles Bulbophyllum rinkei endemic to New Guinea, but is distinct by having a broader leaf, a shorter inflorescence, an acute petal apex, glabrous auricles, a slightly canaliculate labellum, mid lobe and apex of labellum devoid of concavity, and a longer stelidia. A detailed description, photographs, and illustration are also provided. Preliminary conservation assessment of the new species following IUCN guidelines suggest a conservation status of data deficient (DD).

Polygalaqii, a new species of Polygalaceae from limestone landform in Southern Hunan, China.

Polygalaqii, a new species, is described and illustrated from limestone landform in southern Hunan, China. The new species resembles P.fallax and P.arillata in flower structure of the plants, but readily differs from the latter two in having erect and shorter inflorescences (0.2-1cm VS 10-15cm VS 7-10cm), and fewer flowers (1-5 flowers VS 10-30 flowers VS 10-20 flowers), and the latter two have a later flowering period (late March to mid-April VS May to August VS May to October). And it is an extremely unique new species that will hibernate in the hot summer of July and August. Following the IUCN Red List Criteria, P.qii is assessed as 'Data Deficient (DD)'.

Integrated Multi-Omics Analysis to Reveal the Molecular Mechanisms of Inflorescence Elongation in Medicago sativa.

The morphological architecture of inflorescence influences seed production. The regulatory mechanisms underlying alfalfa (Medicago sativa) inflorescence elongation remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of the transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome of two extreme materials at three developmental stages to explore the mechanisms underlying inflorescence elongation in alfalfa. We observed the developmental processes of long and short inflorescences and found that the elongation capacity of alfalfa with long inflorescence was stronger than that of alfalfa with short inflorescences. Furthermore, integrative analysis of the transcriptome and proteome indicated that the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway was closely correlated with the structural formation of the inflorescence. Additionally, we identified key genes and proteins associated with lignin biosynthesis based on the differential expressed genes and proteins (DEGs and DEPs) involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Moreover, targeted hormone metabolome analysis revealed that IAA, GA, and CK play an important role in the peduncle elongation of alfalfa inflorescences. Based on omics analysis, we detected key genes and proteins related to plant hormone biosynthesis and signal transduction. From the WGCNA and WPCNA results, we furthermore screened 28 candidate genes and six key proteins that were correlated with lignin biosynthesis, plant hormone biosynthesis, and signaling pathways. In addition, 19 crucial transcription factors were discovered using correlation analysis that might play a role in regulating candidate genes. This study provides insight into the molecular mechanism of inflorescence elongation in alfalfa and establishes a theoretical foundation for improving alfalfa seed production.

Three new species of Vaccinium L. (Ericaceae) from Mindanao Island, Philippines

Three new species of Vaccinium endemic to the island of Mindanao, Philippines are here described and illustrated. Vaccinium fallax most closely resembles V. myrtoides, but differs by having smaller leaves, caducous bracts, shorter pedicels, a broadly obconical hypanthium, broadly triangular calyx lobes, and a deep pink and broadly urceolate corolla. It grows on exposed areas and among sulfur vents at and near the summit of Mt. Apo. Vaccinium gamay most closely resembles V. gitingense, but differs in having shorter inflorescences, early caducous inflorescence bracts, shorter pedicels, presence of clavate glands on the hypanthium, and an absence of anther spurs. It grows on exposed areas in the ultramafic forest of Mt. Hamiguitan. It is one of only two Philippine Vaccinium species possessing distinctly callose-thickened calyx lobes, the other being V. gitingense. Vaccinium vomicum most closely resembles V. carmesinum, but differs by having smaller leaves, presence of glands on the extreme end of the leaf blade base, presence of clavate glands on the hypanthium, shorter stamens, and presence of stalked glands on the dentate apex of the tubules. It grows in the mossy rainforest of Mt. Kitanglad, and it is the only Philippine species of Vaccinium with glands on the extreme end of its leaf blade base. Following IUCN guidelines, we propose a conservation status of Critically Endangered for V. fallax, Endangered for V. gamay, and Data Deficient for V. vomicum. With these discoveries, the number of Vaccinium species in Mindanao Islands increases to 22 and in the Philippines to 44. Furthermore, the Mindanao Islands can now be considered the center of Vaccinium diversity in the Philippines.

The Short Inflorescence Mutation in Diploid Strawberry Fragaria vesca Affects Inflorescence Architecture and Runner Elongation

Mutants are useful for determining the genes that underlie a given trait. This information is highly useful for developing molecular markers for breeding and is the foundational knowledge required for future genomic crop improvements. The dessert strawberry, Fragaria ×ananassa, is a valuable crop with high potential for increased use in controlled environment agriculture. The genome of the woodland strawberry Fragaria vesca is the dominant genome of the four diploid strawberry subgenomes that contribute to the octoploid F. ×ananassa genome. F. vesca is therefore a useful reference system for determining gene function and should be a useful source of gene diversity for breeding of F. ×ananassa. Chemical mutagenesis of the inbred F. vesca line H4 F7-3 resulted in one M2 line with a smaller stature overall and which produces flowers on very short peduncles close to the crown. This line was named short inflorescence (sin). The sin phenotype results from a single gene recessive mutation that is pleiotropic in that the mutation also affects internode lengths of runners as well as petiole elongation of sin plants. Microscopic characterization revealed that sin peduncles are most likely short because of a failure of cells to elongate. Inflorescences, runners, and petioles of sin plants were found to elongate in response to exogenous gibberellin, indicating that sin could be a gibberellin biosynthesis or transport mutant. A brief characterization of sin plants is presented to facilitate collaborative studies of the line.

Sideritis royoi (Lamiaceae): A New Orophilous Species from Northeastern Spain

Sideritis royoi is found in the rocky limestone habitats of the Port Massif (southern Catalonia, Spain). The species was first collected by the local botanist Lluís de Torres in the late part of the 20th century, but the specimens have remained unidentified positively in herbaria for over 40 years. Sideritis royoi likely belongs to section Sideritis subsection Hyssopifoliae and shows some morphological affinities with the relatively widespread South European species S. hyssopifolia L., but it differs from this species because it has subspinescent upper leaves, the main surfaces of its leaves are glabrous or glabrescent, the main abaxial surface of its bracts is without eglandular hairs, and due to the fact that it has shorter inflorescences. Weaker similarities have also been observed with some species belonging to S. subsection Fruticulosae Obón & D.Rivera. In this paper, a description for the new orophilous species is provided, along with a detailed illustration, field photographs, and a comparison with closely related species. We include an assessment of its conservation status and a dichotomous key for the identification of all the species of Sideritis subsection Hyssopifoliae.

Stachytarpheta liviae (Verbenaceae): a noteworthy new species from the Espinhaço Range, Brazil

A comprehensive analysis of Stachytarpheta herbarium specimens has led to the discovery of a new species from the Espinhaço Range within the Caatinga domain. Stachytarpheta liviae is a shrub with coriaceous leaves, short inflorescences, and blue corollas. Its single collection comes from the campos rupestres of the Morro do Chapéu in the Jacaraci municipality, state of Bahia. For its recognition, a detailed description, photographs, comparison with morphologically related species, and a geographical distribution map are provided. Following the IUCN criteria this species may be considered as Data Deficient (DD).

Vacciniumusneoides (Ericaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China.

Vacciniumusneoides (Ericaceae), a new species from Fugong County of Yunnan Province, China is described and illustrated. This new species belongs to Vacciniumsect.Calcicolus and is most similar to V.brachyandrum, but differs in its branches hanging down, much smaller leaf blades, shorter inflorescences and pedicels, non-glandular tomentellate or densely pubescent inflorescence rachis and pedicels, densely white-pubescent hypanthium and pilose filaments.

A new species of Pinalia (Orchidaceae) with bell-shaped flowers from the mossy forest of southern Mindanao, Philippines

We present the first orchid species described from the Mount Busa Key Biodiversity Area (KBA 196) in southern Mindanao, Philippines. The new species was discovered growing on moss-covered tree trunks in the upper montane forest. It is primarily distinguished among the genus Pinalia by its very short inflorescence that bears few, closely spaced and relatively large campanulate flowers with trilobed, weakly keeled labellum and a dentate callus on disc. The discovery of this species brings the total number of Pinalia in the Philippines to 39. More importantly, it highlights the need for more field-based research on the flora of southern Mindanao to alleviate knowledge shortfalls that continue to limit our understanding of the region’s biodiversity.

Trimelopter cordifolium (Hyacinthaceae subfam. Ornithogaloideae), a new species from South Africa

The study of wild and cultivated material of Trimelopter from the Northern Cape province of South Africa revealed an undescribed species that shows a unique syndrome of morphological characters. We here describe Trimelopter cordifolium based on plants approaching T. psammophorum but differing in its small, cordate, psammophorous leaf, shorter inflorescence and pedicels, smaller flowers and bracts, and more prominently sculptured ovary. We provide a complete morphological description as well as data on ecology and distribution. We also report new data and illustrations of T. psammophorum, which complement its scarce description in the protologue.

Hedyotislongiramulis (Rubiaceae), a new species from south China.

Hedyotislongiramulissp. nov. (Rubiaceae) is described from Guangdong Province, China. It is similar to H.caudatifolia but differs in having puberulent, more or less tetragonal and decussately sulcate juvenile stems, waxy leaf surface, short inflorescence peduncles, high length ratio of corolla lobe to tube, and subglobose capsules. The phylogenetic analysis reveals that H.longiramulis is sister to H.pubirachis. Dimorphism concerning pollen size was observed in the heterostylous flowers. The complete chloroplast genome of the new species comprises a typical quadripartite structure of 153,616 bp in length, with two inverted repeats of 25,457 bp, a large single-copy of 85,050 bp and a small single-copy of 17,652 bp. It contains 112 unique genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes, the GC content of the chloroplast genome is 32.4%. The new species is provisionally evaluated as "Least Concern" because it is common and well-protected in two Provincial Nature Reserves.

Variability of the main breeding traits of sorgo CMS lines depending on the weather conditions of the Saratov region

Determining the nature of the interaction between the genotype and the environment is one of the critical stages of breeding practice for selecting effective parental forms of hybrids of the first generation of sorghum and their stable seed reproduction in the arid conditions of the Saratov region. The contribution of regulated and unregulated factors to the overall variability of a trait can be determined using a two-factor analysis of variance used in this work. The research objects were 11 sterile lines of grain sorghum grown on the experimental field of the Federal State Budgetary Research Institution RosRISM (Russian Research Institute of Sorghum and Maize) “Rossorgo” during 2009–2018. The meteorological conditions of plant cultivation varied significantly: in 2013 and 2017, they were characterised as sufficiently humid (Hydrothermal coefficient - HTC = 0.98–1.01), 2011 – acutely dry (HTC = 0.26), other years – dry (HTC = 0.45–0.68). As a result of the tests, it was found that the CMS lines differed in economically valuable traits. The sterile line A1 Efremovskoe 2 should be classified as tall (131.2 cm) and more productive (4.41 t/ha of seeds) with a well-developed leaf apparatus (the area of the giant leaf is 238.0 cm2). Low-growing CMS lines M35 and 9E Pishchevoe 614 (94.9–98.5 cm) were distinguished by the protrusion of the inflorescence stem - 21.6 cm, and A3, A4 and 9E Zheltozernoe 10 (109.8–110.2 cm) - with a long leaf (50.7–51.5 cm). Medium-sized lines A2 Vostorga and A4 KP 70 had a long inflorescence (23.0–24.5 cm), while A3 Feterita 14 had a short inflorescence (13.7 cm). It was found that the genotype (41.4–61.6%) had a more substantial effect on the overall variability of plant height, length and protrusion of the stem of the inflorescence, and leaf length, while the environmental factor had a more substantial effect on seed yield (55.3%).

Restrepia santanderensis (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae), a new species from the western slope of the eastern Andes in Colombia

A new species of the orchid genus Restrepia from the department of Santander, in the western slope of the eastern Andes of Colombia, is described and illustrated. Restrepia santanderensis is compared with the morphologically similar R. flosculata and R. mendozae, which share having short inflorescences and small to medium yellow flowers. The new species can be recognized by its ramicauls prominently covered by brown-dotted sheaths, with the uppermost sheath elongate as long as the peduncle, the sepals partially spreading, the synsepal with glandular trichomes along the veins of the adaxial surface, the straight petals and the rectangular lip with truncate apex. Comparisons with similar species and comments on its ecology are provided.

Two new endemic species of blueberry (Vaccinium L., Ericaceae) from Luzon and Mindanao islands, Philippines

Two new species of Vaccinium from the Philippines are described and illustrated from historical herbarium collections. Vaccinium burburan from Luzon Island, Northern Philippines is morphologically similar to V. tenuipes, but is distinguished by having shorter petioles, pedicels and corolla, adaxially pubescent leaf blades with cordate base, apically pubescent corollas, and pubescent filaments throughout. It is only one of two species of Vaccinium in the Philippines known to have a cordate leaf blade base. Vaccinium burburan is considered critically endangered. Vaccinium jubatum from Mindanao Island, Southern Philippines, is morphologically similar to V. sylvaticum, but is distinguished by having a dentate leaf blade margin, shorter inflorescences and pedicels, a glabrous calyx, and shorter filaments. The dentate leaf blade margin of V. jubatum uniquely distinguishes it from other Philippine Vaccinium species. The conservation status of V. jubatum is considered data deficient. These discoveries further increase the current number of known Vaccinium species in the Philippines to 40.

Passiflora mistratensis, a new species of Passiflora (Passifloraceae) from Colombia, commonly known from European cultivation

Passiflora mistratensis, a new species of Passiflora sect. Granadillastrum is described and illustrated. This species has been known for several years from its popular cultivation in European collections and horticulture, however, an official name never was assigned to this new taxon. It is endemic to the Colombian Cauca River valley where it grows in premontane tropical wet cloud forest of the states Valle de Cauca, Risaralda and Antioquia. It is most closely related to Passiflora danielii and Passiflora trisulca, from which it can be readily distinguished by the combination of its unlobed leaves and the notably shorter inflorescence and corni. Its taxonomy, ecology and conservation are discussed in this paper.

Typha lepechinii Mavrodiev et Kapit. sp. nov. (Typhaceae Juss.)—A New Endangered Endemic Cattail in the Outmost East of European Russia

Typha lepechinii, a new species from European Russia, is described. In terms of the external morphology, it is similar to T. shuttleworthii but differs from the latter by the shape of female inflorescence, wider leaf blades and geographical distribution. Like T. shuttleworthii, T. lepechinii is clearly distinct from all other cattails of T. sect. Ebracteolatae due to its short male inflorescence that is 2–4 times shorter than the contiguous female inflorescence. The spatial disjunction of this new species from the main distribution range of predominantly European T. shuttleworthii is significant: T. lepechinii is an endemic of the outmost East of the Russian Plain, in particular, the regions of Middle and Southern Cis-Ural region (basin of the Middle and Lower Kama). In terms of the political administrative borders, this new cattail was found in the Udmurt Republic, the Republics of Tatarstan and Bashkortostan, the parts of the Russian Federation. From the elementary comparative molecular standpoint, T. lepechinii is different from its sister T. shuttleworthii due to four single nucleotide positions and two indels of the rpl32 gene and rpl32-trnL intergenic spacer (cpDNA). The new cattail is named after I. I. Lepechin (1737–1802)—a Russian scientist-encyclopedist whose primary botanical interest focused on the regions of Ural and Siberia.

A new Paypayrola (Violaceae) from Panama, with notes about the species complexes for the genus

A new species of Paypayrola is described from multiple exsiccatae from west-central and east-central Panama. Paypayrola panamensis sp. nov. is represented by dozens of herbarium specimens from 26 putatively distinct populations located at lower elevations on the northern slope, in wet evergreen tropical forest on slopes and ridgetops, as well as along streams and rivers. By in its moderately short-petiolate leaves and yellow corollas, the new species resembles northern South American P. guianensis and P. hulkiana. It differs from P. guianensis in its proportionally longer leaf blades, subsessile to short-pedunculate, short inflorescences, and puberulent sepals longer than broad. It differs from P. hulkiana in its proportionally broader leaf blades, and proportionally broader elliptical to suborbicular sepals, commonly with two (rarely four) distinct lateral nerves besides the medial nerve, and a broadly rounded to frequently truncate or retuse apex. The new species also differs from both in its larger leaf blades with more lateral nerves, tapering to a narrowly rounded or weakly subattenuate apex, and a more densely flowered inflorescence. A key differentiating it from other species of Paypayrola is provided. In discussing the genus, three species complexes are well separated based on corolla color and inflorescence features.

Prunus yunkaishanensis (Rosaceae), a new species from Guangdong, South China

Prunus yunkaishanensis, a new species of Prunus subg. Laurocerasus (Rosaceae), is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to P. phaeosticta and P. fordiana in their leaves with punctate abaxial surface, but it can be distinguished from the latter two species by having larger leaves with more pairs of lateral veins, shorter inflorescences with stout rachises, bracts persistent during anthesis, and ovoid fruits.

Begonia ngocbonii (sect. Petermannia, Begoniaceae), a new species from North Vietnam

Begonia ngocbonii, a new species from North Vietnam is here described and illustrated. It resembles B. pellionioides Y.M.Shui & W.H.Chen, but is distinguishable by its hairy (vs. glabrous) stem, shorter inflorescence up to 1 cm (vs. ca. 5 cm or longer), 2-tepaled staminate and pistillate flowers (vs. 4-tepaled staminate flowers and 5-tepaled pistillate flowers), glabrous tepals (vs. spiny pilose on abaxial surface of outer tepals) and unilamellate placenta (vs. bilamellate).

Current state of critically endangered Neotinea ustulata (Orchidaceae) in Lithuania and report on a new record of the species

Neotinea ustulata (Orchidaceae) is a rapidly declining species throughout much of its range and is classified as critically endangered in Lithuania. Most of the historical occurrences of the species were concentrated in northwestern Lithuania, while the largest extant population was in the southern part of the country. In July 2022, a new population of Neotinea ustulata was discovered in an urbanised habitat in Šiauliai in northern Lithuania. A total of 84 individuals of this species were recorded in the population. In the southern part of Lithuania (Varėna distr.), the studied population comprised 86 individuals in 2002 and had decreased to 64 individuals by 2022. The total currently known population of the species in the country consists of about 150 individuals and remains critically endangered. The individuals of Neotinea ustulata studied in Šiauliai were significantly lower and had shorter inflorescences than the plants studied in Varėna district in 2002 and 2022. Since the population of Neotinea ustulata in Šiauliai is in an urbanised area, its conservation poses a significant challenge, making it difficult to make long-term predictions on the development of the population. Therefore, it is essential to continue searching for populations of Neotinea ustulata in the country, perform detailed studies on the plants’ reproductive potential, and properly organise the management and protection of extant populations and their habitats.