Spiraea Salicifolia Research Articles

Seed dormancy types and germination response of 15 plant species in temperate montane peatlands.

Despite their crucial role in determining the fate of seeds, the type and breaking mode of seed dormancy in peatland plants in temperate Asia with a continental monsoon climate are rarely known. Fifteen common peatland plant species were used to test their seed germination response to various dormancy-breaking treatments, including dry storage (D), gibberellin acid soaking (GA), cold stratification (CS), warm followed cold stratification (WCS), GA soaking + cold stratification (GA + CS) and GA soaking + warm followed cold stratification (GA + WCS). Germination experiment, viability and imbibition test, and morphological observation of embryos were conducted. Of the 15 species, nine showed physiological dormancy (PD), with non-deep PD being the dominant type. Four species, Angelica pubescens, Cicuta virosa, Iris laevigata, and Iris setosa exhibited morphophysiological dormancy. Two species, Lycopus uniflorus and Spiraea salicifolia, demonstrated nondormancy. Overall, the effect hierarchy of dormancy-breaking is: CS > GA > WCS > GA + CS > D > GA + WCS. Principal component analysis demonstrated that seed traits, including embryo length: seed length ratio, seed size, and monocot/eudicot divergence, are more likely to influence seed dormancy than environmental factors. Our study suggests that nearly 90% of the tested peatland plant species in the Changbai Mountains demonstrated seed dormancy, and seed traits (e.g. embryo-to-seed ratio and seed size) and abiotic environmental factors (e.g. pH and temperature seasonality) are related to germination behavior, suggesting seed dormancy being a common adaptation strategy for the peatland plants in the temperate montane environment.

Changes in diversity of marsh plant communities under shrub encroachment in Sanjiang Plain and their soil control factors

In this study, we explored the changes in plant community diversity and their relationship with soil factors under shrub encroachment pressure by selecting four marsh areas in Sanjiang Plain with different degrees of shrub cover (a, 0≤a≤100%), including marsh with no shrub encroachment (a=0), light shrub encroachment (0<a≤30%), medium shrub encroachment (30%<a≤70%), and heavy shrub encroachment (70%<a≤100%). The results showed that shrub encroachment was the main reason for the heterogeneity of plant community composition in marsh. With shrub encroachment, the dominant species Deyeuxia angustifolia was replaced by Spiraea salicifolia, whereas Carex schmidtii disappeared. However, the importance values of Sanguisorba tenuifolia and Stellaria radians in the community significantly increased by 0.8- and 9.0-fold, respectively. Shrub encroachment resulted in changes of plant community diversity in marsh. The highest α and β diversity in plant community were observed under light shrub encroachment area, whereas there were no significant differences in Shannon and Simpson indices between heavy and no shrub encroachment areas, despite their similarity in plant community composition was the lowest. All the studied soil factors were significantly affected by shrub encroachment, except total phosphorus. There were significant reductions in soil moisture, organic carbon, and total nitrogen in heavy marsh shrub encroachment area by 32.6%, 69.3%, and 66.1%, respectively compared with that in no marsh shrub encroachment area, whereas soil total potassium and total magnesium significantly increased by 33.8% and 40.6%, respectively. Results of redundancy analysis showed that soil organic carbon, moisture content, total nitrogen, and N:P were the main factors controlling the diversity changes of marsh plant community under shrub encroachment pressure.

Адаптивный потенциал видов рода Spiraea L. в условиях Дендрологического сада им. И.М. Стратоновича

This article presents the results of a comprehensive study of decorative flowering shrubs of the genus Spiraea (Spiraea L.). 7 species of Spiraea L. from the collection of the Dendrological Garden of Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov have been selected for analysis: Spiraea × Bumalda Burv, Spiraea ulmifolia Scop (L.) Maxim, Spiraea chamaedryfolia L., Spiraea salicifolia L., Spiraea nipponica var. tosaensis, Spiraea betulifolia Pall and Spiraea sericea Turcz. It has been established that the shrub height varies from 0.8 m (for Spiraea Bumalda Burv, Spiraea betulifolia and Spiraea nipponica var. tosaensis ) to 2.1 m (for Spiraea ulmifolia Scop (L.) Maxim and Spiraea sericea Turcz.). Spiraea ulmifolia Scop (L.) Maxim has the largest crown span (2.4 × 2.7 m) with a maximum number of 42 stems for a shrub. The compact shape of the shrub has been noted in Spiraea betulifolia Pall and Spiraea Bumalda Burv (1.0 × 1.3 and 1.0 × 1.1 m, respectively). While conducting phenological observations, it has been recorded that the first leaves of Spiraea sericea Turcz, Spiraea salicifolia L., Spiraea ulmifolia Scop (L.) Maxim and Spiraea nipponica var. tosaensis Maxim begin to appear in mid-May. The leaf blades of the remaining introduced species under study unfold with a difference of two weeks from the previously listed ones. It has been established that all the species of Spirea L. under study successfully tolerate the harsh northern climate (winter hardiness score I–II) and have become naturalized, which has been confirmed by the abundance of fruiting and the sowing quality of the seeds. According to archival data, the seeds of all the species of Spiraea L. under study ripen annually. The largest proportion of germinable seeds has been observed in Spiraea betulifolia Pall (92 %). High seed germination energy has been noted in Spiraea sericea Turcz and Spiraea betulifolia Pall. The period of seed germination for all Spiraea has been 15 days, except for Spiraea Bumalda Burv., which has been left on the bed for up to 20 days, however, the germination rate has been only 57 %, and a fifth of the tested seeds have been empty. The high quality of self-reproducing seeds leads to the conclusion that Spiraea sericea Turcz., Spiraea nipponica var. tosaensis, Spiraea betulifolia, Spiraea ulmifolia Scop (L.) Maxim and Spiraea salicifolia L. can be grown from seed stock. All the species under study are characterized by the full extent of adaptability. The decisive factor influencing the degree of adaptability of Spiraea is high winter hardiness of these plants. The adaptive capacity of introduced species determines the boundaries of the secondary distribution area. All the species under study can be recommended for northern city landscaping.

The use of boreal relict shrub habitats of willow-leaf meadow sweet (Spiraea salicifolia) and shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) in Western Rhodope Mts. by mammal species

Plant communities of two peat-shrub species – Spiraea salicifolia and Potentilla fruticosa were studied in the Rhodope Mts., with emphasis on their use as a resource for the mammals associated with them. These shrubs are boreal relicts among the dominant coniferous forests. The field surveys were conducted in the spring-autumn period of 2021–2022. In both study areas, the species composition of the mammals was studied by camera traps for medium and large mammals, and by Sherman live traps for small mammals. The species registered were roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), wild boar (Sus scrofa), pine marten (Martes martes), European hare (Lepus europaeus), red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), bank vole (Myodes glareolus) and yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis). Having in mind that small mammals are vital prey base for avian and mammalian predators, it is not surprising that M. glareolus and A. flavicollis individuals were captured in the habitats that they probably use as shelters. The pine marten inhabits the forests by which the community of P. fruticosa is surrounded, but probably feeds on the rodents in the shrub. In this way, it probably provides it with an alternative to the forest food base and hunting ground. From the presented results, it seems that the L. europaeus uses P. fruticosa shrubs as food. Therefore, the plant communities of the two relict peat-shrub species studied probably provide shelter and food for the mammals. Their importance is established for at least one species of mammal with conservation significance at national and European level – M. martes. Therefore, it is necessary to continue and expand the future monitoring on mammal diversity of these relict communities.

Research on Promoting Carbon Sequestration of Urban Green Space Distribution Characteristics and Planting Design Models in Xi’an

Urban green space is considered to reduce the concentration of forcing factors of climate change such as the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Promoting carbon sequestration efficiency within a limited urban green space has become a practical challenge that must be faced in urban sustainability. This study proposed three design models and a list of high carbon sequestration plants. Based on the research on the distribution and change in carbon sequestration in urban green spaces, combined with field surveys and remote sensing images, this study analyzed the main factors affecting carbon sequestration. The results showed that the carbon sequestration capacity in urban green space tends to decrease gradually along with the change in forest structure in a time series of the years 2000, 2007, 2014, and 2019, and this trend was mainly related to the characteristic factors of plant communities in urban green spaces: the carbon sequestration of plants was significantly positively correlated with DBH (diameter at breast height) and community density; positively correlated with hierarchical structure. In addition, we put forward a list of plants with high carbon sequestration, including Styphnolobium japonicum, Salix babylonica, Pittosporum tobira, Spiraea salicifolia, and Iris pseudacorus, proposed three planting design models for different green spaces and habitats to improve the efficiency of carbon sequestration in urban green spaces, and established the community structure models of high carbon-fixing plants which can be directly applied to practical projects. It also explored the sustainable design approach of ecological processes in low-carbon cities.

Seasonal rhythms of development of some species of Spiraea L. and varieties of Spiraea japonica L. f. under conditions of collections the Educational Centre “Botanical Garden” of Saratov State University

The article presents the results of the study of phenorhythms and introduction evaluation of five species of Spiraea (Spiraea salicifolia L., Spiraea densiflora Nutt. ex Rydb., Spiraea decumbens W. D. J. Koch., Spiraea chamaedryfolia L., Spiraea japonica L.) and 7 varieties of Spiraea japonica (‘Little Princess’, ‘Anthony Waterer, ‘Golden Princess, ‘Gold-flame, ‘Macrophylla, ‘Crispa, ‘Genpei (Shirobana)’. During phenological observations in the period from 2019 to 2021 at the EC “Botanical Garden” of Saratov State University established the calendar dates of the main phases of development, determined the average timing and duration of flowering in the studied samples. Spiraea japonica varieties have been successfully growing for a number of observed years, retaining their varietal characteristics. Evaluation of the success of the introduction showed that the studied species and varieties of Spiraea japonica turned out to be promising for introduction into culture and can be recommended for landscaping in the conditions of Saratov.

Understory plant diversity and soil physicochemical properties of Pinus tabuliformis artificial water conservation forests in the upper reaches of Miyun Reservoir, China

We examined the characteristics of understory plant diversity and physicochemical properties and analyzed the correlation between understory plant diversity and soil factors across four Pinus tabuliformis artificial water conservation forests (P. tabuliformis × Larix gmelinii plantation, P. tabuliformis × Quercus mongolica plantation, P. tabuliformis × Armeniaca sibirica plantation, and P. tabuliformis plantation) in Fengning County, upstream of Miyun reservoir. The results showed that the composition and structure of understory community of the four forests were significantly different. The understory community in the P. tabuliformis × A. sibirica plantation was the richest in species composition, with Spiraea salicifolia, Ostryopsis davidiana, and Carex lanceolata as the main dominant species. In terms of species richness, Simpson index, Shannon diversity index, and Pielou index, plant diversity in the P. tabuliformis × A. sibirica plantation was the highest. Species diversity in the shrub layer and the herb layer was the highest in the P. tabuliformis × Q. mongolica plantation and the P. tabuliformis × Q. mongolica plantation, respectively. All physical and chemical indicators except total phosphorus differed significantly among the four forests. Soil physical and chemical properties of the P. tabuliformis × A. sibirica plantation were the best overall, and that in the P. tabuliformis × Q. mongolica plantation was the worst. Soil capillary porosity, pH, and organic matter were the main factors affecting species diversity in the shrub layer, while soil pH and capillary moisture capacity were the main factors affecting plant species diversity in the herb layer. The construction of P. tabuliformis × A. sibirica plantation was more conducive to increasing the diversity of understory plants and promoting soil improvement. Soil pH, organic matter, capillary porosity, and capillary moisture capacity were the dominant soil factors affecting the diversity of understory plants in the study area.

PROPOZYCJA MONITORINGU GATUNKU NEPTIS RIVULARIS (SCOPOLI, 1763) W POLSCE

Hungarian Glider (Neptis rivularis), a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae, which in Poland is under partial species protection and is included in the Red list of threatened animals in Poland with the EN category. The occurrence and abundance of Neptis rivularis are strictly dependent on the presence of Spiraea salicifolia L., which is the host plant of the species. Limiting the range of the occurrence of the Neptis rivularis in Poland also results from the decline in the number of suitable habitats. This article presents a proposed methodology for monitoring based on the evaluation of indicators of population condition in the form of: number of adults, abundance index, number of caterpillars and population isolation, and indicators of habitat condition – presence of the Spiraea salicifolia and exposure to the sun of microhabitats. The concept of the population condition assessment methodology was based on non-invasive observation of adults and counting caterpillars. The concept of habitat condition assessment methodology is based on a strong relationship between the Neptis rivularis and the Spiraea salicifolia. It is proposed to annually monitor the Neptis rivularis population in at least a dozen research areas within the country. This proposed monitoring methodology requires pilot studies to be carried out within Neptis rivularis occurrence sites in order to assess the effectiveness of the presented assumptions of the monitoring methodology for this species.

Сахароза в тканях однолетних побегов древесных растений-интродуцентов

Expanding the species diversity of urban plantations in the North requires taking into account the physiological characteristics of introduced species. The paper analyzes the winter hardiness and dynamics of sucrose content in tissues of annual shoots of plants growing in towns of the Vologda region, considering their natural habitats. The authors show that the sucrose content in the studied species undergoes seasonal fluctuations and also varies significantly depending on the geographical origin of the species. Most of the studied trees are characterized by a fairly high level of winter hardiness, which occurs against the background of moderate fluctuations in sucrose content throughout the year. Shrubs, compared to trees, are characterized by higher content of sucrose and its significant fluctuations during the growing season. The minimum content of sucrose is observed from April till June in most of the studied plants; during the autumn months its content increases; and then from November to spring there is a decrease. Species that showed a high level of winter hardiness: European spindle (Euonymus europaeus L.), white dogwood (Cornus alba L.), hedge cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lucidus Schltdl.), and Amur maple (Acer ginnala Maxim.). They accumulate sucrose by October and then smoothly consume it during the autumn-winterspring period. Introduced shrubs with low winter hardiness are the following: Atlantic ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim.), Spiraea salicifolia (Spiraea salicifolia L.), and common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake). They accumulate maximum sucrose by October–November and then rapidly consume it during the winter months. English dogwood (Philadelphus coronarius L.) is known for freezing the shoots to the level of snow, which may be due to the almost complete consumption of sucrose by January. The article provides options for strategies of sugars accumulation and consumption by plants belonging to different floristic areas. For citation: Andronova M.M., Platonov A.V. Sucrose in the Tissues of Annual Shoots of Introduced Woody Plants. Lesnoy Zhurnal [Russian Forestry Journal], 2022, no. 1, pp. 62–76. DOI: 10.37482/0536-1036-2022-1-62-76

Topsoil carbon‐selective transport in an eroding soil landscape with vegetation restoration

AbstractWater erosion affects soil carbon (C) loss and C enrichment in deposited sediment. To better understand the dynamics of water erosion and topsoil C loss with sediments after vegetation restoration, we studied the sediment yield from each rainfall event over two growing seasons (June through October) in four runoff plots with different vegetation covers (Robinia pseudoacacia, Spiraea salicifolia, Stipa bungeana, and bare soil) in an eroding soil landscape on the Chinese Loess Plateau in 2016 and 2017. The results showed that the C loss in the deposited sediments was reduced by 99.0 ± 0.5% when the soil was vegetated compared to bare soil. Decreased organic C enrichment ratios were shown under the vegetation cover (2.14 ± 0.68 for tree cover, 1.34 ± 0.20 for shrub cover, and 1.63 ± 0.26 for grass cover) compared to bare soil (2.65 ± 0.99). The decreasing organic C enrichment ratios were affected by the fractional vegetation coverage and soil organic C concentration. During organic C enrichment in the bare soil, the additional particulate organic C or mineral‐associated organic C were based on the C enrichment ratio. The results can improve our understanding of C enrichment processes under different vegetation covers and help predict the C enrichment ratio in a vegetation restoration area.

Cenopopulation dynamics of Cisbaikalia medicinal plants

The article provides information on the study of the dynamic processes occurring in cenopopulations of 16 species of medicinal plants used both in scientific and folk medicine (Achillea asiatica Serg., Artemisia frigida Willd., Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Holub, Comarum palustre L., Geranium pratense L., Dasiphora fruticosa (L.) Rydb., Fragaria orientalis Losinsk., Mentha arvensis L., Pulmonaria mollis Wulfen ex Hornem., Potentilla anserina L., Potentilla bifurca L., Ribes spicatum E. Robson, Rosa majalis Herrm., Rubus matsumuranus Levl. Et Vaniot, Spiraea salicifolia L., Vaccinium uliginosum L.): age coefficient, recovery index, development rate. Identification of the population confinement of species to existing ecological and coenotic conditions, determination of demographic parameters, study of the development dynamics, methods of self-maintenance and survival strategies serve as the basis for the rational use of plant resources. The stable and dynamically developing medicinal plant cenopopulations, with a high recovery index, with a tendency to develop towards rejuvenation, include the cenopopulations of Geranium pratense of the Ziminsky region, Pulmonaria mollis of the Alar and Irkutsk regions, Rubus matsumuranus of the Irkutsk region. The results of the analysis of the cenopopulation dynamics of the studied species made it possible to identify stable, dynamically developing cenopopulations and recommend them for use.

Plants species for ecological landscaping in urban territory in Central Siberia

Green spaces such as parks and street trees represent a key component of urban ecosystems. Planting trees and shrubs in cities provides a number of environmental, economic, social and health benefits and also preserves biodiversity in highly urbanized areas. The key problem of the ecological landscaping in Central Siberia is to select plants species resistant both to high level of pollutants and to large variations in temperature. Basing on the comparative study of growth characteristics and physiological state of plants in natural and urban ecosystems we recommend 31 plants species of 16 families for ecological landscaping. Recommended species for ecological landscaping in Central Siberia are Abies sibirica, Acer platanoide, Amorpha fruticosa, Berberis thunbergii, Berberis vulgaris, Cornus alba, Cotoneaster lucidus, Crataegus sanguine, Dasiphora spp., Forsythia spp., Juglans mandshurica, Juniperus Sabina, Larix sibirica, Philadelphus spp., Physocarpus opulifolius, Picea obovata, Picea pungens, Pinus sibirica, Pinus sylvestris, Ribes aureum, Rosa rugosa, Salix alba, Salix ledebouriana, Salix purpurea, Sorbaria sorbifolia, Sorbus aucuparia, Spiraea salicifolia, Syringa josikaea, Tamarix ramosissima, Tilia cordata, Viburnum opulus. Coniferous plants are presented with 7 species of 5 genera. Deciduous plants are presented with 24 species of 21 genera. The list of recommended plants species includes both trees and shrubs.

Association Carici juncellae-Salicetum rosmarinifoliae (Alnetea glutinosae) on the south taiga section of the Ob River floodplain

The Carici juncellae–Salicetum rosmarinifoliae Korolyuk et Taran in Taran 1993 association (Salicion cinereae, Salicetalia auritae, Alnetea glutinosae) includes the communities of the shrub (Salix rosmarinifolia, S. cinerea)-birch (Betula pubescens) tussock (Carex juncella, C. cespitosa) mires spread on the big West Siberian river floodplains within the taiga zone. On the Ob River, the association is represented by the C.j.–S.r. spiraeetosum salicifoliae Taran 1993 subassociation. Its range covers the Ob floodplain 830-kilometer distance crossing the subtaiga, south taiga and middle taiga subzones of Western Siberia. In the south taiga subzone (surroundings of the former village Kaibasovo, Krivosheinskiy district of Tomsk Region, 57º14'44"N, 84º11'05"E), the C.j.–S.r. spiraeetosum salicifoliae subassociation is studied for the first time. Near the Kaibasovo, the subassociation is represented by two facies: shrubby (Spiraea salicifolia, Salix rosmarinifolia, Salix cinerea) and birch (betulosum pubescentis). The communities of these facies found some floristic differences, which made it possible to attribute them to different variants: var. Cicuta virosa and var. Kadenia dubia. Carex juncella, C. cespitosa and Comarum palustre dominate in the field layer of the tussock mires. In the C.j.–S.r. spiraeetosum salicifoliae subassociation communities near the Kaibasovo, the average total projective cover (TPC) of the tree layer is 7%, shrubs – 34%, grasses – 48%, tussocks – 20%, ground mosses – 14%. Average tussock height is 59 cm. Average species saturation of the communities is 27 species of vascular plants and 18 species of mosses per 100 m2, the volume of the local coenoflora is 39 species of vascular plants and 28 species of mosses. Six moss species (Brachytheciastrum velutinum, Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum, Bryum moravicum, Fissidens bryoides, Plagiomnium cuspidatum, Pylaisia selwynii) were found in the Ob communities of the C.j.–S.r. spiraeetosum salicifoliae for the first time. Due to this, the total volume of the moss flora of the subassociation Ob stands increased to 74 species. The analysis of the variability of the main coenotic and floristic parameters of the C.j.–S.r. spiraeetosum salicifoliae subassociation in the geographical space of the Ob floodplain (from the subtaiga subzone to the middle taiga one) is carried out. The main regularities of these shifts are revealed. The volume of the subassociation local vascular coenoflora (52-53 species) and average species saturation of the communities by vascular plants (20-21 species per 100 m2) are stable on the most of the Ob floodplain sections. At the same time, changes are observed downstream of the Ob River, which can be interpreted as an intracoenotic response of the subassociation communities to smooth changes in the ecological regime of the floodplain when moving in geographical space from south to north. Thus, from the south to the north, many average parameters increase in the subassociation communities, namely: the height of trees, TPCs of tree layer, tussocks and ground mosses, the species saturation with mosses (from 4 to 18 species per 100 m2). The species richness of local moss floras also increases from 11 to 54 species. On the contrary, the average TPCs of shrub and field layers from south to north decrease. A number of deviations from general trends were found in the Kaibasovo birch-shrub tussock mires, namely: high species saturation with vascular plants (27 species per 100 m2), low reach of vascular coenoflora (39 species). The first can be explained by the proximity of the studied mires to the Ob riverbed, the second – by the crowding of the relevés in a relatively small area of the floodplain.

Responses of non-structural carbohydrates content in leaves of different plant species in Pinus tabuliformis plantation to nitrogen addition

Through its impact on plant physiological processes, global nitrogen deposition could alter the structure and composition of forest ecosystems. However, we are not clear about the effects of N deposition on leaves' non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) content of different plants. In this study, we compared the responses of NSC contents in seven different plant species to four nitrogen addition levels (0, 3, 6, and 9 g N·m-2·a-1, referred to as N0, N3, N6, N9, respectively), including Pinus tabuliformis, Quercus liaotungensis, Lonicera japonica, Spiraea salicifolia, Rosa xanthina, Rubia cordifolia, and Carex lanceolata in an artificial Pinus tabuliformis forest located in the hilly area of the Loess Plateau. The contents of soluble sugar and starch varied greatly in plant species, with the highest variability in R. xanthina and the lowest in S. salicifolia and C. lanceolata. There were significant differences in the responses of soluble sugar and starch contents to nitrogen addition among different species. Under N6 treatment, the variability of soluble sugar and starch in R. cordifolia came the first while S. salicifolia exceeded all other species under N3 and N9 treatments on that rating. The specific species with the lowest variability of soluble sugar and starch contents differed with nitrogen addition levels. With the increases of nitrogen addition rate, the soluble sugar content of P. tabuliformis and C. lanceolata exhibited a continuous rising trend, an opposite trend of S. salicifolia, while that of Q. liaotungensis, L. japonica, and R. xanthina decreased first and then increased, reaching its minimum at N6 treatment. The response of R. cordifolia to nitrogen addition was complex. With respect to starch content, P. tabuliformis, L. japonica and C. lanceolata showed a continuous increase trend with nitrogen addition whereas S. salicifolia decreased first and then increased, troughing at N3 treatment. R. xanthina and R. cordifolia responded complicatedly yet Q. liaotungensis appeared less responsive. Under N addition treatments, there was no explicit correlation between NSC content and soil physical and chemical properties including pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen and phosphorus. There was a significant influence of those soil properties on the soluble sugar/starch ratio under N0 or N3 treatment. Our results indicate that different species have obviously different responses of NSC to nitrogen addition. Future research concerning the impacts of global nitrogen deposition on forest ecosystems should take into account the target species, especially to pay attention to the responses of vegetation with different life forms.

Neolignan glycosides from Spiraea salicifolia and their inhibitory activity on pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells

Phytochemical investigation of the ethanol extract from the roots of Spiraea salicifolia L. (Rosaceae) led to the isolation of one new neolignan glycoside, (7S,8R)-3,5-dimethoxy-4′,7-epoxy-8,5′-neolignan-3′,4,9,9′-tetraol 9-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (1), along with two known neolignan glycosides, (7S,8R)-3-methoxy-4′,7-epoxy-8,5′-neolignan-3′,4,9,9′-tetraol 9-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (2) and (7R,8S)-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 9′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3). The structural characterisations of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic data and comparison with the literatures reported on the chemical constituents from Juniperus communis var. depressa. All compounds were isolated for the first time from the Spiraea genus. Furthermore, the isolated compounds were subjected to assay inhibitory activity on pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and all the compounds showed anti-inflammatory effects.

Multigene phylogeny and morphology reveal Cytospora spiraeae sp. nov. (Diaporthales, Ascomycota) in China

Members of Cytospora encompass important plant-associated pathogens, endophytes and saprobes, commonly isolated from a wide range of hosts with a worldwide distribution. Two specimens were collected associated with symptomatic canker and dieback disease of Spiraea salicifolia in Gansu, China. These isolates are characterized by its hyaline, biseriate, aseptate, elongate-allantoid ascospores and allantoid conidia. Cytospora spiraeae sp. nov. is introduced based on its holomorphic morphology plus support from phylogenetic analysis (ITS, LSU, ACT and RPB2), and differs from similar species in its host association.

Spireasalicin, a New Acylated Quercetin Glycoside from Spiraea salicifolia

A new acylated quercetin glycoside and 36 known compounds were isolated from flowering runners of Spiraea salicifolia L. (Rosaceae). The structures of the new glycoside quercetin-3-O-[6″-(4‴-hydroxy-2‴-methylenebutyroyl)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (spireasalicin, 1) and the 36 known compounds were elucidated using UV, IR, and NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The biological screening of the isolated compounds showed that 1 inhibited α-glucosidase. The contents of several phenolic compounds in S. salicifolia organs were studied and found to be unevenly distributed in the separate plant parts.

Wetland restoration by natural succession in abandoned pastures with a degraded soil seed bank

AbstractNatural restoration of historical wetland plant communities in fallow fields with a degraded seed bank has been assumed to be possible only if source populations of the target species are present adjacent to the abandoned fields and a high density of suitable microsites is available. However, few studies have monitored both factors simultaneously and verified this assumption. We hypothesized that plant communities that are similar to historical wetlands, including back marshes, back swamps, and bogs, will reestablish in abandoned pasturelands in cases when (1) gaps for new recruitment emerge, followed by the decline of pastures; and (2) seeds with longevity are supplied from the surrounding remnant plant communities of wetlands. We conducted a survey of vegetation and microsites in pastures, abandoned pastures, and reference wetlands followed by structural equation modeling to verify our hypothesis for the natural restoration of Phragmites australis–Phalaris arundinacea and Alnus japonica–Spiraea salicifolia communities. These communities represent historical back marshes and back swamps along a river. However, our hypothesis was not verified for the natural restoration of Vaccinium oxycoccos–Sphagnum spp. communities, which represent plant communities in historical bogs grown on acidic peat that are maintained by rainfall and fog. Our findings partly support our hypothesis that decline in pastures creates gaps and that cumulative seed dispersal from nearby remnant wetlands allows the original wetland plant communities to regenerate. Further case studies are needed to determine how the natural restoration of bog plant communities occurs.

Флористические находки адвентивных и аборигенных видов в Новосибирской области

New locations of some adventive and rare native plant species in Novosibirskaya oblast are reported. The adventive species Tanacetum balsamita L. was found in Siberia for the first time. The new plant species for Novo­sibirskaya oblast are adventive ones: Alcea rosea L., Antirrhinum majus L., Miscanthus sinensis Anderss., Galinsoga ciliata (Rafin.) Blake and aboriginal ones: Plantago uliginosa F. W. Schmidt. The new locations of rare adventive species – Aster novi-belgii L., Eragrostis minor Host, Papaver dubium L. – and rare native species – Betula fruticosa Pall., Hypericum ascyron L., Inula helenium L., Myosotis krylovii Serg., Spiraea salicifolia L. were found.

Retention of Atmospheric Particles by Local Plant Leaves in the Mount Wutai Scenic Area, China

To evaluate the characteristics of atmospheric particle retention by plant leaves during the tourism season in Buddhism-based scenic areas, plants distributed in the core area of the Mount Wutai scenic area were selected for study: Populus davidiana (Po. davidiana), Rosa hugonis Hemsl. (R. hugonis), Betula platyphylla Suk. (B. platyphylla), Rosa xanthina Lindl. (R. xanthina), Periploca sepium Bunge (Pe. sepium), Spiraea salicifolia L. (S. salicifolia), Vitex negundo var. Heterophylla (V. negundo var. heterophylla) and Pinus tabuliformis Carrière (Pi. tabuliformis). Before rain, the atmospheric suspended particle-retaining weight of the plant leaves varied in the range of 6.95 ± 1.55 (Pi. tabuliformis) to 38.60 ± 18.32 mg/cm2 (Po. davidiana); the light shaded areas caused by particles on leaves were in the range of 7.25 ± 0.04 (Pi. tabuliformis) to 126.50 ± 6.66 cm2/leaf (Po. davidiana); and the atmospheric particle-retaining horizontal density of leaves varied in the range of 110 ± 2 (Pi. tabuliformis) to 255 ± 11 per cm2 (Po. davidiana). After rain, the atmospheric suspended particle-retaining quality of plant leaves varied in the range of 0.65 ± 0.23 (Pi. tabuliformis) to 3.50 ± 1.83 mg/cm2 (Po. davidiana); the light shaded areas by particles on leaves were in the range of 4.26 ± 0.02 (Pi. tabuliformis) to 45.96 ± 2.42 cm2/leaf (Po. davidiana); and the atmospheric particle-retaining horizontal density of leaves was in the range of 97 ± 2 (Pi. tabuliformis) to 147 ± 7 per cm2 (Po. davidiana). The broad-leaved plants, particularly Po. davidiana, R. hugonis and B. platyphylla, were appropriate species for purification of atmospheric particles. Plants with lower dust-retention abilities than the above three species (e.g., R. xanthina, Pe. sepium, S. salicifolia and V. negundo var. heterophylla) could be alternative plants for purification. However, the needle-leaved plant Pi. tabuliformis was not recommended as a tree species for purification of atmospheric particles in the core area of the Mount Wutai scenic area.