Sterile Bracts Research Articles

Andrographis saxatilis (Acanthaceae), a new woody species from the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India

Andrographis saxatilis (Acanthaceae), a new species, is described and illustrated from the rocky plateau of the Owk dam area, Andhra Pradesh. It is a perennial, woody‐root‐stocked undershrub. Unique characteristics of this species include hispid hairs, obovate, elliptic‐oblong and oblanceolate leaves, lanceolate glandular hairy sepals, and sterile bract and calyx towards base of rachis. Andrographis saxatilis is closely allied to A. glandulosa Nees by its perennial habit, woody rootstock in rocky crevices, glaucous green leaves, hairy stem, and glandular and attenuate hairy calyx and corolla. However, it is distinguished from the later by its hispid texture (versus densely pubescent in A. glandulosa), obovate, elliptic‐oblong, and oblanceolate leaves (versus ovate‐oblong), obtusely 4‐angled stem (versus acutely 4‐angled), hispid and glandular hairy sepals (versus villous), boat‐shaped upper lip of corolla (versus ligulate), and pubescent fruit (versus glabrous at base and glandular hairy towards the tip in A. glandulosa). The IUCN threat status of A. saxatilis is assessed as ‘Critically Endangered' (CR).

<i>Rungia longistachya</i> (Acanthaceae), a new species from the southern Western Ghats, India

Rungia longistachya Basil & Murugan (Acanthaceae), a new species from southern Western Ghats, India, is described and illustrated here. The species is closely allied to R. apiculata Bedd. but it can be distinguished from the latter by having eglandular-puberulous narrow lax spikes, long slender peduncle, sterile bracts without prominent lateral veins, and ellipsoid capsule with acute apex. Detailed description, illustration, photographic plates, comparison table and an identification key to all Rungia species that occur in the southern Western Ghats are provided for easy identification.

Morphology, Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Activity of Etlingera fimbriobracteata (K.Schum.) R.M.Sm. and E. philippinensis (Ridl.) R.M.Sm. (Zingiberaceae)

Two of the most studied Etlingera species of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) in the Philippines were Etlingera fimbriobracteata (K.Schum.) R.M.Sm. and E. philippinensis (Ridl.) R.M.Sm. However, little is known about the biochemical analyses of these species to support their potential as ethnomedicinal plants in the country. Thus, this study was carried out to describe the morphology and determine the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extracts of the two Etlingera species. Data revealed that the two species are correctly identified and their full description, updated distribution, phenology, and habitat and ecology are provided in this paper. The two species are recognizable in both vegetative and reproductive parts. E. fimbriobracteata has reddish color towards the base of the pseudo stem, bright yellow flowers incurved upon maturity, and green sterile bracts that form reddish upon maturity, whereas E. philippinensis has mandarin to deep red inflorescence and has a long outward labellum. The total phenolic content (TPC) expressed as milligram gallic acid equivalent per gram dried sample (mg GAE/g dried sample) revealed the highest phenolics in the leaves (13.20 ± 0.35 in E. fimbriobracteata and 7.21 ± 0.33 in E. philippinensis) than rhizomes (1.44 ± 0.04 in E. fimbriobracteata and 0.46 ± 0.30 in E. philippinensis). Further, total antioxidant activity (TAA) expressed as milligram ascorbic acid equivalent per gram dried sample (mg AAE/g dried sample) was also observed highest in leaves (12.69 ± 0.36 in E. fimbriobracteata and 7.22 ± 0.26 in E. philippinensis) compared to the rhizomes (1.82 ± 0.01 in E. fimbriobracteata and 1.38 ± 0.07 in E. philippinensis). The reducing power (RP) expressed as milligram gallic RP equivalent per gram dried sample (mg GPRE/g dried sample) also revealed higher for the leaves (10.16 ± 2.18 in E. fimbriobracteata and 7.53 ± 0.80 in E. philippinensis) than rhizomes (0.97 ± 0.18 in E. fimbriobracteata and 0.09 ± 0.09 in E. philippinensis). The high contents of phenolic compounds contribute to the antioxidant activity of extracts from the two species. Based on the correlationanalysis, a perfect positive linear relationship was observed among the TPC, TAA, and RP (r= 1, p < 0.001). These imply that E. fimbriobracteata and E. philippinensis could potentially beused as new sources of natural antioxidants.

Bioactive Activities of the Phenolic Extract from Sterile Bracts of Araucaria angustifolia.

Sterile bracts can represent 80% of Araucaria angustifolia pinecone and are a rich source of phenolic compounds. This study aimed to optimize the extraction of the phenolic compounds from Araucaria angustifolia bracts using response surface methodology; the bioactivity properties were also investigated. The effects of the ethanol concentration, solute/solvent ratio, and temperature in relation to the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity were evaluated. The quantification and identification of the individual phenolic compounds (using high-performance liquid chromatography) and their bioactivity were evaluated. The optimized extraction conditions, which detected gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, and kaempferol, were obtained using 60% ethanol at a ratio of 1:38 (w/v) and a temperature of 80 °C. The extract showed high levels of phenolic classes and antioxidant activity. The extract also showed an inhibitory activity for pathogenic (approximately 80%, 10,000 µg/mL) and lactic acid (27.9%, 15,000 µg/mL) bacteria strains. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was approximately ten times greater than acarbose, demonstrating its high antiglycemic potential. No antioxidant and anti-inflammatory cellular activity were determined; however, a high cytotoxicity for non-tumor cells and the antiproliferative activity against the tumor cells were observed. Overall, the phenolic extract showed promising action in relation to the fight against the diseases related to oxidative stress and, hopefully, the application of the safe concentrations of the extract, based on bioavailability assays, can be verified.

Chlorophytum sikkimense (Agavoideae; Asparagaceae): a new species from Sikkim Himalaya

A new species of Chlorophytum is described from Sikkim. The new species is distinct from other closely related species (C. assamicum and C. breviscapum) by its scape with sterile bracts, pedicel articulation above middle, longitudinal anther dehiscence and white ovary. It grows in similar habitat as aforementioned species i.e., floor of tropical mixed deciduous forest at an elevation of 600–700 m and currently known only from Sirisay forest of Sikkim Himalaya. Detailed description and color plates of the new species are provided.

Lepidagathis mahakassapae sp. nov. (Acanthaceae: Barlerieae) from the high elevated Lateritic Plateau of northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India

Lepidagathis mahakassapae sp. nov., a monocarpic and endemic species of Acanthaceae, is described from Western Maharashtra, India. The new species is allied to L. sabui from Konkan, Maharashtra, but differs by having oblanceolate acuminate leaves, pubescent terminal elongated spikes, large floral but small sterile bracts and lanceolate broader segment of the bracteole. The stems of L. mahakassapae grows up to 250 cm in length while a few other prostrate species grows up to this length. Illustrations and colour photographs are provided for ease of identification.

Rohdea medogensis (Asparagaceae), a new species from southeast Tibet, China

Rohdea medogensis, a new species from Tibet, China, is described and illustrated. This species is similar to R. verruculosa in sharing characters of the perianth with ringed, fleshy appendage in throat and lobes abaxially with verruculose, but differs mainly by bracts 3 per flower, with several sterile bracts apically; outer bract ca. 4.5 cm long, ca. 3 mm broad; perianth globular; lobes shorter ca. 2.0 mm long, margin lacerated, apical subacut; the top of annular appendage margin lacerated, 2 mm above the top of perianth tube; stigma bend, without lobed; style conspicuous; ovary globose or subglobose, askew; berry and seed ellipsoid, askew.

Using molecular data to test the generic placement of a new and unusual ginger species from the Philippines

A collection of a ginger from Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines, superficially resembles Hornstedtia but is very different from all other known Philippine species especially by the elongate rachis and absence of sterile bracts. Furthermore, it does not match any other species elsewhere. In order to ascertain its generic placement, phylogenetic analyses using ITS and trnK/matK regions were conducted revealing a close relationship with H. tomentosa from Borneo, Java and Sumatra. The mystery species, H. tomentosa and the type of Hornstedtia are placed within a highly supported clade. Morphologically, it is similar to H. tomentosa having an elongate rachis with red bracts and yellow flowers but differs by the swollen and white mucro to the fertile bract, presence of a bracteole and the petaloid labellum. As a result, Hornstedtia albomucronata, is described as a new species here, and illustrations and information on its distribution, habitat, phenology and provisional IUCN conservation status are provided. An updated key to the nine Hornstedtia species in the Philippines is included.

Rohdea wangiana (Asparagaceae), a new species from southwestern Sichuan, China

Rohdea wangiana is described as a new species from SW Sichuan, China. It is somewhat similar to R. pachynema in based on spikes without a marked terminal tuft of sterile bracts and deltoid filaments, but differs based on a combination of the following characters: leaf blades marginally serrulate; peduncle ebracteate; one bract per flower; perianth externally angulate, perianth segments distally denticulate or three-lobed, small lobe present between adjacent filaments, filaments inserted to base of perianth segments; stigma obviously lower than stamens; lack of slender stolons.

BIOSORPTION OF RHODAMINE B FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING Araucaria angustifolia STERILE BRACTS

This study evaluated the removal of Rhodamine B dye by biosorption using Araucaria angustifolia sterile bracts. It also aimed to evaluate the treatment of a synthetic wastewater holding that dye. The biosorbent was characterized by infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Equilibrium biosorption studies were made with the exposure of biosorbent to aqueous solutions of rhodamine B at different pH and initial concentrations. Removal tests for wastewater containing dye were performed with the bracts, and efficacy was assessed by the percentage of uptake of dye and bioassays. The infrared characterization showed peaks that are features to groups on carbohydrates and lignin, the major components in bract composition. The biosorption equilibrium studies presented acid media as the best condition for dye removal. The rate-controlling step of the biosorption was found to be governed by chemical processes (second order kinetics) and shown to be a heterogeneous biosorption based on the fit to the Freundlich equation model. The treatment for synthetic wastewater (125 mg/L) reduced the mass of rhodamine B by 96 % and caused a decrease of toxic effects. The results show that sterile bracts can be considered as a low-cost alternative biosorbent to be applied on the removal of water pollutants and treatment of potentially toxic effluents.

Zingiber chengii (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Taiwan.

In this article, we describe a new species, Zingiber chengii Y.H. Tseng, C.M. Wang & Y.C. Lin, discovered on a rock cliff of Youluo riverside in northern Taiwan. This species is easily distinguished from other known congeners by its grass-like leaves, spikes composed of a few sterile bracts, and seeds one-third enveloped by the aril. Color illustrations, line drawings, and a key to species of Zingiber in Taiwan are provided as well as comparative morphology in relation to its allied species, geographical distribution, and conservation status.

Cloning and Bioinformatics Analysis of Chlorophyll Degrading Gene <i>PPH</i> from <i>Curcuma alismatifolia</i>

To obtain key enzyme gene PPH in chlorophyll degradation process of Curcuma alismatifolia , on the basis of obtaining a large amount of transcriptome information by sequencing the full-length transcriptome, we had screened and analyzed these transcriptome information and obtained 2 PPH genes which named PPH1 and PPH2 . The PPH1 gene (GenBank: MT077178) has a full-length cDNA sequence of 1 795 bp in length, an open reading frame of 1437 bp (from 138 to 1 574 bp), and encode a sequence with 478AA amino acid. The PPH2 gene (GenBank: MT077179) has a full-length cDNA sequence of 1393bp, an open reading frame of 1227bp (from 70 to 1296bp), and encode a sequence with 408AA amino acid. Using Blast, Translate tool (ExPASy), Clustal Omega, Find Conserved Domains (NCBI), ProtParam, TMHMM Server, SOPMA, SWISS-MODEL, ClustalX (1.81), MEGA4.1 and so on. Their amino acid composition, physical and chemical properties, conserved domains, secondary structures, tertiary crystal structures, and molecular phylogeny were predicted and analyzed. The nucleotide and protein amino acid sequences of PPH1 and PPH2 have high homology with these PPH genes of other species, and both of them contain a conserved region PLN02578 with hydrolase characteristic. Molecular phylogenetic analysis showed that a small cluster of PPH1 and PPH2 were closest to Musa acuminate PPH (XP_018677219.1), but far away from dicotyledons. This study provided a molecular basis for improving color of Curcuma alismatifolia sterile bracts by genetic transformation in the future.

Adsorption Kinetic, Isotherm and Thermodynamic of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Herbicide in Novel Alternative Natural Adsorbents

The aim of this work was to study the adsorption kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide in raw and boiling-treated sterile bracts of Araucaria angustifolia as novel alternative natural adsorbents. The sterile bracts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption and removal of 2,4-D from aqueous solutions were conducted at different contact times, bract granulometries, solution pH, bract masses, initial 2,4-D concentrations, and temperatures. The adsorption kinetic, mechanism, and thermodynamic were evaluated using pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, non-linear Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson and Sips isotherm models, and Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy. The maximum removal efficiency of 2,4-D was found with 720 min of contact, 5.0 g of bract containing 31 micron particle sizes, pH = 2.0, and room temperature. The best kinetic and isotherm fits were found with the non-linear pseudo-second-order kinetic model and non-linear Freundlich isotherm model, respectively. Therefore, the adsorption mechanism in the bract structure takes place with multi-layer formation and multi-site interactions due to chemisorption reactions. The adsorption process is thermodynamically favorable, spontaneous, and exothermic. Overall, sterile bract of Araucaria angustifolia could be useful as alternative natural adsorbent for the treatment of water and wastewater contaminated with 2,4-D, mitigating the environmental pollution caused by agricultural crops.

Molecular phylogeny and morphology reveal a new epiphytic species of Habenaria (Orchidaceae; Orchideae; Orchidinae) from Nepal.

Habenaria is almost cosmopolitan in distribution having predominantly terrestrial orchids, however; a remarkable epiphytic species with some unique morphological characters was collected from Nepal. We conducted a molecular phylogeny of this unusual Habenaria species using nuclear (ITS) and chloroplast (matK, rbcl) DNA sequence regions to infer its systematic position. Our molecular analyses and morphological treatment recognized this newly collected plant as an undescribed species. This species is described here which is closely related to Habenaria plurifoliata but can be distinguished by having its multiple growing callus-shaped tuber, smaller stature with short stem, longer and wider oblanceolate leaves, peduncle with a foliaceous bract and only one sterile bract, lateral sepals oblong, obtuse, petal apex obtuse, lateral lobes of lip spreading upwards, spur not exceeding the ovary and pedicel.

APETALA 2‐like genes AP2L2 and Q specify lemma identity and axillary floral meristem development in wheat

SummaryThe spikelet is the basic unit of the grass inflorescence. In tetraploid (Triticum turgidum) and hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum), the spikelet is a short indeterminate branch with two proximal sterile bracts (glumes) followed by a variable number of florets, each including a bract (lemma) with an axillary flower. Varying levels of miR172 and/or its target gene Q (AP2L5) result in gradual transitions of glumes to lemmas, and vice versa. Here, we show that AP2L5 and its related paralog AP2L2 play critical and redundant roles in the specification of axillary floral meristems and lemma identity. AP2L2, also targeted by miR172, displayed similar expression profiles to AP2L5 during spikelet development. Loss‐of‐function mutants in both homeologs of AP2L2 (henceforth ap2l2) developed normal spikelets, but ap2l2 ap2l5 double mutants generated spikelets with multiple empty bracts before transitioning to florets. The coordinated nature of these changes suggest an early role of these genes in floret development. Moreover, the flowers of ap2l2 ap2l5 mutants showed organ defects in paleas and lodicules, including the homeotic conversion of lodicules into carpels. Mutations in the miR172 target site of AP2L2 were associated with reduced plant height, more compact spikes, promotion of lemma‐like characters in glumes and smaller lodicules. Taken together, our results show that the balance in the expression of miR172 and AP2‐like genes is crucial for the correct development of spikelets and florets, and that this balance has been altered during the process of wheat and barley (Hordeum vulgare) domestication. The manipulation of this regulatory module provides an opportunity to modify spikelet architecture and improve grain yield.

Adsorption and Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution Using Sterile Bract of Araucaria angustifolia as Novel Natural Adsorbent

The aim of this work was to study the adsorption and removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution using sterile bract of Araucaria angustifolia as novel natural adsorbent. Raw and boiling-treated sterile bract samples were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and point of zero charge. The contents of humidity, ash, total extractive content, lignin and cellulose were 13.20, 3.30, 7.12, 44.45 and 30.92%, respectively. The methylene blue adsorption mechanism in the sterile bract was evaluated using non-linear Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson and Sips isotherm models, whereas the adsorption kinetic was evaluated using pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The methylene blue removal efficiencies of the raw and boiling-treated bracts were 98.59 ± 0.01 and 99.90 ± 0.01%, respectively, after 480 min. The best adsorption efficiency was found within 480 min of contact, 5.0 g of adsorbent with 500 mesh granulometry, pH = 6, initial adsorbate concentration of 150 mg L−1 and temperature of 292 K. The maximum methylene blue adsorption capacities of the raw and boiling-treated bracts according to the non-linear Langmuir isotherm model were 125.34 and 138.65 mg dye per gram bract, respectively. The kinetic fit depends on the solution pH, determination coefficient and Chi square test statistic. From thermodynamic results, it was concluded that the adsorption process is favorable, spontaneous (ΔG 0). Overall, the sterile bract of Araucaria angustifolia could be applied as low-cost alternative adsorbent for the treatment of textile industry wastewater.

Two new species of Cylindrolobus (Orchidaceae) from the eastern Himalayas.

Two new species, Cylindrolobus motuoensis and C. glabriflorus (Orchidaceae), from Southwestern China and north of Myanmar are described and illustrated with detailed photos. Cylindrolobus motuoensis is morphologically similar to C. gloensis and C. foetidus, but can be distinguished from them by having amplexicaul sterile bracts, dark red floral bracts, white flowers, falcate-lanceolate lateral sepals and central keel of lip running from base to the tip of mid-lobe. Cylindrolobus glabriflorus is similar to C. hegdei and C. tenuicaulis but differs from them by having longer and wider leaves, obovate bracts, and the reddish brown central papillate keel of lip.

Transcription factors MhyFIL1 and MhyFIL3 <i>(Monotropa hypopitys)</i> determine the asymmetric development of above-ground lateral organs in plants

It is believed that the complete mycoheterotroph pinesap Monotropa hypopitys adaptively evolved from a photosynthetic mycorrhizal ancestor, which had lost its photosynthetic apparatus and vegetative organs (stem and leaves). The aerial part of the plant is a reproductive axis with sterile bracts and inflorescence with a flower type canonical for higher plants. The origin of leaves and leaf-like lateral organs is associated, among other factors, with the evolution of the YABBY genes, which are divided into“vegetative” and evolutionarily recent“reproductive” genes, with regard to their expression profiles. The study of the vegetative YABBY genes in pinesap will determine whether their functions (identification of cell identity on the abaxial surface of the lateral organs) are preserved in the leafless plant. In this study, the structural and phylogenetic analysis of the pinesap vegetative genes MhyFIL1 and MhyFIL3 is performed, the main conserved domains and motifs of the encoded proteins are characterized, and it is confirmed that the genes belong to the vegetative clade YABBY3/FIL. The effect of heterologous ectopic expression of the MhyFIL1 and MhyFIL3 genes on the phenotype of transgenic tobacco Nicotiana tabacum is evaluated. The leaves formed by both types of plants, 35S::MhyFIL1 and 35S::MhyFIL3, were narrower than in control plants and were twisted due to the changed identity of adaxial surface cells. Also, changes in the architecture of the aerial part and the root system of transgenic plants, including aberrant phyllotaxis and arrest of the shoot and root apical meristem development, were noted. Some of the 35S::MhyFIL1 and 35S::MhyFIL3 plants died as early as the stage of the formation of the first leaves, others did not bloom, and still others had a greatly prolonged vegetation period and formed fewer flowers than normal ones. The flowers had no visible differences from the control except for fragile pedicles. Thus, the absence of structural changes from the M. hypopitys flower in comparison to autotrophic species and the effect of MhyFIL1/3 heterologous expression on the development of tobacco plants indicate the preservation of the functions of the vegetative YABBY genes by the MhyFIL1/3 genes in pinesap. Moreover, the activity of YABBY transcription factors of the FIL clade in M. hypopitys is not directly related to the loss of the ability of pinesap to form leaves during the evolutionary transition from autotrophic nutrition to heterotrophy.

Rungia sinothailandica sp. nov. (Acanthaceae) from China and Thailand

Rungia sinothailandica (Acanthaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China and Chiang Rai, Thailand is described and illustrated. A colour plate, line drawing and distribution map of R. sinothailandica are provided. Rungia sinothailandica is similar to R. pinpienensis H. S. Lo, but differs in the broadly ovate sterile bracts and obovate‐elliptic fertile bracts, the crispate and tawny bracts margin, the 2‐lobed upper lip of the corolla and puberulent capsule. It is also similar to R. burmanica (C. B. Clarke) B. Hansen, but is easily distinguished by pubescent stems and leaves, the cymbiform‐oblong bracteoles and the 2‐lobed upper lip of corolla.

Fossil record of Ephedra in the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian), Argentina.

Fossil plants from the Lower Cretaceous (upper Aptian) of the La Cantera Formation, Argentina, are described. The fossils studied represent a leafy shooting system with several orders of articulated and striated axes and attached leaves with unequivocal ephedroid affinity. We also found associated remains of ovulate cones with four whorls of sterile bracts, which contain two female reproductive units (FRU). Ovulate cone characters fit well within the genus Ephedra. Special characters in the ovulate cones including an outer seed envelope with two types of trichomes, allowed us to consider our remains as a new Ephedra species. Abundant dispersed ephedroid pollen obtained from the macrofossil-bearing strata also confirms the abundance of Ephedraceae in the basin. The co-occurrence of abundant fossil of Ephedra (adapted to dry habitats) associated with thermophilic cheirolepideacean conifer pollen (Classopollis) in the unit would suggest marked seasonality at the locality during the Early Cretaceous. Furthermore, the floristic association is linked to dry sensitive rocks in the entire section. The macro- and microflora from San Luis Basin are similar in composition to several Early Cretaceous floras from the Northern Gondwana floristic province, but it may represent one of the southernmost records of an arid biome in South America.