Species Of Bignoniaceae Research Articles

The complete chloroplast genome of Tabebuia rosea (Bignoniaceae)

Tabebuia rosea is a world-renowned woody plant with colorful flowers in full bloom. In addition to its high ornamental value, it also has ecological and medicinal value. In this study, the complete circular chloroplast genome of T. rosea was reconstructed and annotated using Illumina sequencing. The chloroplast genome was 158,919 bp in size with GC content of 38.21%, including a large single-copy region of 85,823 bp, a small single-copy region of 12,816 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats of 30,140 bp. It encoded 132 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Based on current available chloroplast genome sequences, the phylogenetic analysis indicated that T. rosea was clustered with T. nodosa and H. chrysanthus. This study provided insights into the evolutionary relationships among different species of Bignoniaceae.

Putting small and big pieces together: a genome assembly approach reveals the largest Lamiid plastome in a woody vine.

The plastid genome of flowering plants generally shows conserved structural organization, gene arrangement, and gene content. While structural reorganizations are uncommon, examples have been documented in the literature during the past years. Here we assembled the entire plastome of Bignonia magnifica and compared its structure and gene content with nine other Lamiid plastomes. The plastome of B. magnifica is composed of 183,052 bp and follows the canonical quadripartite structure, synteny, and gene composition of other angiosperms. Exceptionally large inverted repeat (IR) regions are responsible for the uncommon length of the genome. At least four events of IR expansion were observed among the seven Bignoniaceae species compared, suggesting multiple expansions of the IRs over the SC regions in the family. A comparison with 6,231 other complete plastomes of flowering plants available on GenBank revealed that the plastome of B. magnifica is the longest Lamiid plastome described to date. The newly generated plastid genome was used as a source of selected genes. These genes were combined with orthologous regions sampled from other species of Bignoniaceae and all gene alignments concatenated to infer a phylogeny of the family. The tree recovered is consistent with known relationships within the Bignoniaceae.

To what extent is clearcutting vegetation detrimental to the interactions between ants and Bignoniaceae in a Brazilian savanna?

Anthropogenic disturbances decrease the resources available to ants and simplify the ant fauna. This could affect ant–plant interactions, especially if key-species disappear. In terms of conservation, disturbances can select for ants resilient to disturbances, and such species can be considered indicators of succession processes. Here, we investigated the extent to which a vegetation clearcutting event (by bulldozer) affected the communities of both plants (seven species of Bignoniaceae) and associated ants. We hypothesized that only generalist ants would remain after clearcutting. Clearcutting reduced plant abundance, with only 40% of individuals resprouting after disturbance. Plant species richness was not affected by clearcutting, but ant species richness was lower in disturbed than in undisturbed conditions (four instead of seven species). Camponotus ants were dominant and were found regularly on all plant species before and after clearcutting. These ants had high centrality values and were regarded as influential species in the structure of the ant–plant network. Camponotus are generalists and nest in the soil; thus, clearcutting did not affect them to the same degree as the ants that nest in plants. The ant–plant network showed no changes in the specialization index (H2′), indicating that even with losses of some ant species, the network properties were maintained: plants were still being visited by ants. Therefore, we show that clearcutting had a weak effect on ant–plant interactions, especially because Camponotus buffered the losses of other ants.

Post pollination events in a self-sterile hexaploid monoembryonic lineage of Handroanthus serratifolius (Vahl) S. Grose (Bignoniaceae)

ABSTRACT In diploid late-acting self-incompatible (LSI) species of Bignoniaceae, self-pollinated pistils show a marked delay in ovule penetration by pollen tubes, followed by delayed, but otherwise normal, initial stages of endosperm development and subsequent pistil abscission. Most polyploid species of Bignoniaceae are apomictic and set selfed fruits with viable polyembryonic seeds carrying adventitious embryos. Handroanthus serratifolius is a polyploid species with sporophytic apomictic individuals that produce polyembryonic seeds after either self- or cross-pollination, and other LSI individuals that produce exclusively monoembryionic seeds. Our aim was to determine whether self-sterility events in the latter are similar to those observed in other diploid LSI species of Bignoniaceae. No conspicuous differences in the progress of ovule penetration, fertilization and early stages of endosperm development were observed between selfed and crossed pistils, which contrasts with the marked delay observed in these events after self-pollination in diploid LSI species of the family. Adventitious embryo precursor cells (AEPs) were observed in some ovules, but they apparently do not develop into embryos. We believe that the AEPs in these plants represent a ‘potential’ for sporophytic apomixis, which would explain the similar behaviour of post-pollination events in selfed vs. crossed pistils despite their inability to set fruits after selfing.

A new species of Xylophragma (Bignoniaceae) from Brazilian dry-areas

A new species of Bignoniaceae from Brazilian cerrado and caatinga is described and illustrated: Xylophragma tenue. The species is characterized by its slightly bullate leaves, lateral leaflets with asymmetrical base, loosely branched inflorescence, flowers with tubular calyx with a shortly 5-cuspidate and frequently bilabiate rim, infundibuliform corolla, and capsules flat, woody, smooth, and with raised margins. Comments on distribution, phylogenetic affinities, and comparisons with morphologically similar species are also presented.

An inventory of the Bignoniaceae from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte highlights the importance of small herbaria to biodiversity studies

This work presents an updated checklist of the Bignoniaceae from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), and information on the patterns of geographic distribution of individual species within two RN biomes. Forty-three native species distributed in 18 Bignoniaceae genera were recorded for RN. The species richness found for RN in this study was 43% higher than previously documented, indicating the great need of additional biodiversity studies in Rio Grande do Norte. Of the 43 species listed, 27 were recorded in the checklist of Brazilian plants, while 16 species represent new occurrences. Three additional species were included in the checklist of Brazilian plants (which listed 30 species of Bignoniaceae for the RN); however, specimens of these taxa were not located for RN during this study and are not included in the final checklist presented here. The collection effort carried out for this work led to an improved knowledge of species distributions in the two biomes found in RN: the Caatinga dry woodland and the Atlantic Forest. The number of species found to be restricted to each biome and the absolute number of species occurring in the Caatinga dry woodland expanded considerably. All new species records were found in small herbaria from the RN state, emphasizing the importance of regional herbaria for an improved understanding of biodiversity patterns. This study highlights the importance of intensive identification efforts in small regional collections, combined with well-planned fieldwork for an accurate estimation of species richness in poorly studied areas of Brazil.

Sporophytic apomixis in polyembryonic Handroanthus serratifolius (Vahl) S.O. Grose (Bignoniaceae) characterizes the species as an agamic polyploid complex

Neopolyploidy has been associated with gametophytic apomixis and breakdown of gametophytic self-incompatibility. Nevertheless, Bignoniaceae presents agamic polyploid complexes with neopolyploidy associated to sporophytic apomixis. Apomictic populations are commonly polyploid, polyembryonic and self-fertile, while diploids are mostly late-acting self-incompatible (LSI) and monoembryonic. Contrastingly, Handroanthus serratifolius shows hexaploid monoembryonic and polyembryonic populations, although breeding system has been studied only for monoembryonic individuals, which are LSI. Our aim here was to investigate breeding system and early embryology in polyembryonic individuals of H. serratifolius to define if they form an agamic polyploid complex. Experimental pollinations and histological analyzes of ovules and young seeds were carried out. Megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis occurred as in other sexual species of Bignoniaceae. The polyembryonic individuals were self-fertile and double fertilization was observed both after self and cross-pollinated pistils. Adventitious embryos originated from the hypostasis and integument of the ovule, indicating sporophytic apomixis. Adventitious embryo precursor cells occurred in all pistils, including unpollinated ones. But unpollinated pistils aborted possibly due to absence of endosperm, and pollination was required for fruit-set (pseudogamy). It is possible that the self-fertility in polyembryonic individuals ensues as the initial endosperm of self-fertilized ovules supply early adventitious embryos development, and these embryos would later prevent the abortion of selfed pistils. The sporophytic apomixis in polyembryonic populations and the occurrence of sexual monoembryonic populations of H. serratifolius allows us to consider the species part of an agamic polyploid complex. But in contrast with other Handroanthus agamic complexes, both apomictic and sexual LSI plants were hexaploid.

Structure and distribution of glandular trichomes in three species of Bignoniaceae

Glandular trichomes play a major role in the morphological characterization of the Bignoniaceae. Due to their great diversity of forms and functions, this study aimed to inventory the glandular trichomes present in the aerial vegetative axis of Amphilophium magnoliifolium, Martinella obovata and Stizophyllum riparium, analyze their structure and register the participation of ants in these plants. Fresh samples from the nodal region, petiole and from medium to apical regions of the leaflet blade were fixed and processed according to usual methods in light and scanning electron microscopies. The glandular trichomes found were: peltate, capitate, stipitate, and patelliform/cupular. Peltate trichomes are the most abundant ones and present the most uniform distribution. Patelliform/cupular trichomes occur at specific regions, such as prophylls, leaflet blade and nodal regions. Martinella obovata is the only species that presents capitate and stipitate trichomes, which are widely distributed along the entire aerial vegetative axis. Ants were found in all species, mainly at nodal regions. The occurrence of the capitate-type trichome is reported for the first time to the genus.

A New Species of Stereospermum (Bignoniaceae) from Southern Viet Nam

A new species of Bignoniaceae, Stereospermum binhchauensis, recently discovered in the Binh Chau - Phuoc Buu Nature Reserve of soutehrn Viet Nam, is described and illustrated. Stereospermum binhchauen

Morphological phylogenetics of Bignoniaceae Juss.

The most recent classification of Bignoniaceae recognized seven tribes, Phylogenetic and monographic studies focusing on clades within Bignoniaceae had revised tribal and generic boundaries and species numbers for several groups, the portions of the family that remain most poorly known are the African and Asian groups. The goal of the present study is to identify the primary lineages of Bignoniaceae in Egypt based on macromorphological traits. A total of 25 species of Bignoniaceae in Egypt was included in this study (Table 1), along with Barleria cristata as outgroup. Parsimony analyses were conducted using the program NONA 1.6, preparation of data set matrices and phylogenetic tree editing were achieved in WinClada Software. The obtained cladogram showed that within the studied taxa of Bignoniaceae there was support for eight lineages. The present study revealed that the two studied species of Tabebuia showed a strong support for monophyly as well as Tecoma and Kigelia. It was revealed that Bignonia, Markhamia and Parmentiera are not monophyletic genera.

Wood anatomy of major Bignoniaceae clades

The circumscription of Bignoniaceae genera and tribes has undergone major changes following an increased understanding of phylogenetic relationships within the family. While DNA sequence data have repeatedly reconstructed major clades within the family, some of the clades recovered still lack diagnostic morpho-anatomical features, complicating their recognition. In this study we investigated the wood anatomy of all major lineages of Bignoniaceae (except Tourrettieae) in search for anatomical synapomorphies for clades. We sampled 158 species of Bignoniaceae, representing 67 out of the 82 genera currently recognized. Detailed descriptions of quantitative and qualitative wood anatomical features are presented for each clade and interpreted in the light of a molecular phylogeny for the family. Jacarandae are characterized by a paratracheal winged-aliform parenchyma, with the traditional subdivision of Jacaranda into sections Monolobos and Dilobos supported by the uniseriate and homocellular rays of Monolobos versus the wide and heterocellular rays of Dilobos. Tecomeae s.s. are characterized by scanty paratracheal parenchyma, septate fibers, and heterocellular rays, traits also found in Delostoma, a genus previously included in Tecomeae s.l., but recently shown to represent a separate lineage. Crescentiina includes two sub-clades, the Tabebuia alliance and the Paleotropical clade, which share abundant aliform parenchyma, short and mainly homocellular rays, less commonly with heterocellular rays with body procumbent and one row of marginal square cells. Members of the Tabebuia alliance and the Paleotropical clade can be distinguished from each other by the narrow vessels with a widespread storied structure found in members of the Tabebuia alliance, versus the vessels with medium to wide width and a non-storied structure found in members of the Paleotropical clade. Oroxyleae are characterized by a combination of simple and foraminate perforation plates and homocellular rays, while Catalpeae are characterized by scanty paratracheal parenchyma, abundant tyloses and vessel-ray pits simple to semi-bordered. Bignonieae differ from all other clades by a variant secondary growth and a typically lianoid wood anatomy. Overall, wood anatomical characters are not very labile within the family, being distributed across clades in a very predictive manner. Several anatomical characters represent good anatomical synapomorphies and provide further support to clades identified in molecular phylogenetic studies.

Mating in the pseudogamic apomicticAnemopaegma acutifoliumDC: another case of pseudo‐self‐compatibility inBignoniaceae?

Self-compatibility in apomictic pseudogamic species is considered fundamental to assure reproduction by seeds in extreme situations, making apomictic species more advantageous than sexual ones in these scenarios. Anemopaegma acutifolium is a polyploidy, apomictic sporophytic species with no endosperm development in ovules of unpollinated pistils, which indicates obligate pseudogamy. Thus, the aim of the present work is to study the breeding system and post-pollination events to test if there is similar pseudogamous development irrespective of pollination treatment. We analysed fruit and seed set obtained in controlled experimental pollinations, as well as embryo number per seed, and the progress of ovule penetration, fertilisation and early endosperm development between self- and cross-pollinated pistils. We found that the species is self-fertile and that spontaneous selfing fruit set is also possible, although emasculated flowers never form fruits. Selfed pistils were as efficient as crossed ones for all parameters analysed, except for a delay in endosperm development observed in the former that may be an effect of the late-acting self-incompatibility. Therefore, the avoidance of selfed pistil abortion seems to be promoted by the presence of adventitious embryos and a normal endosperm. We conclude that A.acutifolium shows apomixis-related pseudo-self-compatibility, as in other self-fertile apomictic species of Bignoniaceae, which confer reproductive assurance and increases fruit-set and persistence ability in fast-changing tropical habitats.

Bignoniaceae Juss. 1789 family in flora of Southern Vietnam

A study on the family Bignoniaceae was conducted in Southern Vietnam, which extends from South of Truong Son range to the end of the Ca Mau peninsula; the total area is 63.487,85 square kilometres. In this study, we focused on systematics, ecology, distribution and value of the species belonging to the Bignoniaceae. Eight species and one variety of the family Bignoniaceae were found, of those, three species, Millingtonia hortensis, Fernandoa adenophylla and Dolichandrone spathacea, are listed in the red list of IUCN (2010) and Vietnamese red data book (2007) and two species, namely, Radermachera hainanensis and Stereospermum neuranthum were newly recorded, while two species, Stereospemum neuranthum and Fernandoa adenophylla are restricted range species in study area. All species of the Bignoniaceae were found in different habitats, such as, evergreen forest, semi-deciduous forest, bamboo forest, etc. Most of these are widespread species, distributed in elevation up to 900 metres and in different terrain, such as, littoral, lowland and high mountain. In addition, eleven new localities of species were also recorded, and all species of the family Bignoniaceae are recorded as medicinal plants, wood plants, ornamental plants, edible plants, etc.

<p align="left"><strong><em>Handroanthus grandiflorus</em> (Bignoniaceae), a new species from the semiarid region of Brazil</strong></p>

Handroanthis grandiflorus , a new species of Bignoniaceae from the Caatinga biome, is described and illustrated. The species is Critically Endangered, and can be distinguished from its congeners by having a corolla with larger lobes, reaching to 6.1 × 4.3 cm. The diagnostic characters of the new species are discussed.

Antimicrobial activity of some plants of Bignoniaceae family

The leaf and stem bark extracts from some species of Bignoniaceae (Adenochalyma alliaceum, Crescentia cujute, Millingtonia hortensis, Pyrostegia venusta and Tabebuia argentia), were found to show antibacterial activities towards the Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphyloccus aureus), Gram negative (Escherichia coli) and yeast (Candida albicans). The extract of Tabebuia argentia was found to be the most active against the Grampositive bacteria.

Notes on the Flora of Madagascar, 14–21

Abstract Callmander, M. W., P. B. Phillipson & L. Gautier (ed.) (2011). Notes on the flora of Madagascar, 14–21. Candollea 66: 397–423. In English, English and French abstracts. Ongoing research on Madagascar's flora is revealing numerous taxonomic novelties and nomenclatural inconsistencies, and providing new data on species distribution. This is the third set of notes in a series that aims to provide the botanical community working on the flora of Madagascar an opportunity to publish short communications on these topics, and comprises eight notes. — Note 14. Lectotypification of two species of Bignoniaceae from Madagascar, by Martin W. Callmander & Peter B. Phillipson. Lectotypes are designated for two species of Bignoniaceae from Madagascar, Rhodocolea boivinii (Baill.) H. Perrier and Stereospermum variabile H. Perrier. Additional observations and conservation threat analyses are also provided for the two species. — Note 15. Two new combinations in Memecylon L. (Melastomataceae) of Madagascar, by R. Do...

Lectotypification of Two Species of Bignoniaceae from Madagascar

Lectotypification of Two Species of Bignoniaceae from Madagascar

The reproductive biology of Cybistax antisyphilitica (Bignoniaceae), a characteristic tree of the South American savannah-like “Cerrado” vegetation

Bignoniaceous woody species are very important ecological components of neotropical forests, but the reproductive biology of many species, such as Cybistax antisyphilitica, remains virtually unknown. Most species of Bignoniaceae are characteristically self-sterile, despite typically exhibiting normal pollen tube growth throughout the style, combined with slow rates of ovule penetration, fertilisation and endosperm initiation in selfed pistils. Uniform abortion occurs within a few days of anthesis, indicating the occurrence of late-acting self-incompatibility (LSI). However, breeding system studies have been performed in fewer than 7% of species, and other types of breeding systems (e.g., self-compatibility and apomixis) have been reported in this family. In the present study, the reproductive biology of C. antisyphilitica was investigated by field observation of flower visitors and floral events. Moreover, reproductive biology of this species was examined through experimental pollinations, analyses of pollen tube growth and ovule penetration using fluorescence microscopy, verification of pistil longevity, and a histological analysis of unpollinated vs. self-pollinated pistils. Finally, morphological aspects, quantities and germination were investigated in seeds that resulted from different pollination treatments. Natural pollination was effected by large- and medium-sized bees, and their visiting behaviour favours a high proportion of geitonogamy and no pollen limitation. Self-pollinated flowers produced no fruits, and all of the characteristic post-pollination events cited above were verified, witnessing the occurrence of LSI with post-zygotic rejection of selfed pistils in C. antisyphilitica. Although some indications of extended pistil longevity were found in selfed pistils, this feature seemed to be affected by unidentified environmental factors. The seeds were always monoembryonic and with high viability. A larger variation in the number of viable seeds was found in fruits derived from natural pollination. A low fruit set was observed after both natural and cross-pollination, and most crossed fruits underwent abortion at several points during the juvenile phase, even when protected against herbivory. The formation of surplus flowers/juvenile fruits and the apparently wasteful selfing mechanism control implied in LSI are discussed in the context of the perennial life style of tropical woody plant species.

Noteworthy Secondary Metabolites Naphthoquinones – their Occurrence, Pharmacological Properties and Analysis

Chemical investigation of many bacterial and fungal, as well as plant species has revealed the presence of interesting compounds derived from naphthalene – 1,4-naphthoquinones and rarely also 1,2-naphthoquinones. They were detected in many species of families Bignoniaceae, Droseraceae, Plumbaginace, Boraginaceae, Juglandaceae as well as in species of small families, such as Dioncophyllaceae or Acanthaceae. Naphthoquinones have very interesting spectrum of biological actions, including antibiotic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects. Because of these properties the plants containing them are used in folk medicines, mainly by natives in Asia, where especially Chinese medicine uses aerial as well as subterranean parts of these plants for hundreds years, and South America. The utilizing of naphthoquinones for medicinal purposes and their occurrence in nature is reviewed and discussed. Moreover, we review analytical techniques using for their analysis.

Permanent stigma closure in Bignoniaceae: Mechanism and implications for fruit set in self-incompatible species

The Bignoniaceae possess sensitive bilobate stigmas that close after stimulation. We determined factors involved in stigma closure and reopening in four species of Bignoniaceae from the National Parks of Catimbau, Northeastern Brazil ( Anemopaegma laeve, Arrabidaea limae, Jacaranda rugosa and Tabebuia impetiginosa). The study showed that any mechanical touch promoted the stigmatic closure. Only the deposition of viable con-specific pollen (self- and cross-pollen), however, maintained stigmas permanently closed. In Arrabidaea limae part of the stigmas reopened after self- and cross-pollination. After mechanical stimulation, deposition of pollen from other plant species, of dead con-specific pollen or of sand, the stigma lobes opened again after 38 to 68 min. The definitive closure may have a negative effect on the reproductive success of the involved plants, because the stigmas are permanently unavailable for pollen deposition. In self-incompatible species with mass-flowering blooming pattern, where pollinators promote high levels of geitonogamy, definitive stigma closure causes low fruit set.