Syringa Species Research Articles

Growth and development of species Syringa L. section Villosae C.K. Schneid. in the updated collection of the Botanical Garden of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences

The article is devoted to the study of the growth and development of Syringa species in the collection of the Botanical Garden of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Heights of Syringa L. of the Villosae section in various geographical areas are given. Growth indicators of seven-year-old plants of hairy lilac in 7 species were studied. The heights, volume and area of the crown projection were measured, the number of formation shoots (skeletal branches), the number of generative shoots and branching shoots of the 1st order were calculated, and the length and diameter of branching shoots were measured. Differences between the studied species are already significant at an early age. The best indicators were found in S. sweginzowii Koehne et Lingelsh. (h-1.51 m, number of branching shoots 218, generative shoots - 28); S. Henry Schneid. – 1.43; 193; nine; S. villosa Vahl. – 1.36; 140; 17; S. tomentella Bur. et Franch. – 1.33; 159; 13; S. komarovii Schneid. - 1.07; 133; 10; S. velutina Komar. – 1.25; 119; eleven; S. wolfii Schneid. – 1.15; 23; 8. The beginning of flowering was noted at the age of 5 in S. sweginzowii, other species from

Do the same genus plants have consistent adaptation strategies in cold-wet environments? A case study of leaf suitability of 19 Syringa species

Carbon cost-benefit theory indicates that leaf photosynthesis benefit and structure cost have scaling relationship. However, this relationship has not been tested in the perennial cold-wet regions. Shorter growing seasons in cold-wet climates severely limit plant growth, making it important to explore the light interception and economic strategies for the survival of plants in this region. We measured leaf area (LA), leaf fresh mass (LFM) and leaf dry mass (LDM) of 19 Syringa species around Xi’ning city to explore leaf scaling relationship and adaptation strategies. Our results showed that LA, LFM and LDM varied among species, with the coefficients of variation (CV) among species being 64.61%, 76.43% and 65.94%, respectively. For all species, LDM with LFM and LA showed isometric growth, and only LA and LFM followed allometric growth with a scaling exponent greater than 1 (p < 0.05). Linear correlation indicated that, with the increase of LA, the scaling constant tended diminishingly. Ultimately, according to the CSR (Competitor - Stress tolerator - Ruderal) strategy division, nineteen plants were divided into strategy CS (competitor & stress tolerator) and strategy S/CS (stress tolerator/competitor & stress tolerator). What’s more, LA, LFM and LDM of CS strategy plant were all significantly greater than S/CS strategy. In conclusion, plants in cold-wet habitats tend to have a more conservative economic strategies; and combined with the CSR theory, these plants are more competitive and stress tolerators. More attention should be paid to the effects of harsh environments on plant life history strategies.

A chromosome-level genome of Syringa oblata provides new insights into chromosome formation in Oleaceae and evolutionary history of lilacs.

Lilacs (Syringa L.), a group of well-known ornamental and aromatic woody plants, have long been used for gardening, essential oils and medicine purposes in East Asia and Europe. The lack of knowledge about the complete genome of Syringa not only hampers effort to better understand its evolutionary history, but also prevents genome-based functional gene mining that can help in the variety improvement and medicine development. Here, a chromosome-level genome of Syringa oblata is presented, which has a size of 1.12 Gb including 53 944 protein coding genes. Synteny analysis revealed that a recent duplication event and parallel evolution of two subgenomes formed the current karyotype. Evolutionary analysis, transcriptomics and metabolic profiling showed that segment and tandem duplications contributed to scent formation in the woody aromatic species. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis indicated that S. oblata shared a common ancestor with Osmanthus fragrans and Olea europaea approximately 27.61 million years ago (Mya). Biogeographic reconstruction based on a resequenced data set of 26 species suggested that Syringa originated in the northern part of East Asia during the Miocene (approximately 14.73 Mya) and that the five Syringa groups initially formed before the Late Miocene (approximately 9.97 Mya). Furthermore, multidirectional dispersals accompanied by gene introgression among Syringa species from Northern China during the Miocene were detected by biogeographic reconstruction. Taken together, the results showed that complex gene introgression, which occurred during speciation history, greatly contributed to Syringa diversity.

Root Development Characteristics of Three Syringa Species as Affected by IBA and NAA Treatments

Root Development Characteristics of Three Syringa Species as Affected by IBA and NAA Treatments

The implication of leaf anatomical structure for the selective breeding of lilacs.

The cultivars of the common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) grown in the south of the Russian Far East are not always winter-hardy and are often damaged by fungal diseases due to a very humid climate. A promising trend in the selective breeding of lilacs in Russia is the creation of new breeding material based on the gene pool of the broadleaf lilac (S. oblata) and its hybrids in order to introduce valuable adaptive traits into cultivars. The present work aimed to identify the traits of leaf anatomy in species and cultivars of Syringa resistant and susceptible to Pseudocercospora lilacis, the causative agent of brown leaf spot disease. The study was carried out on the living collection of the Botanical Garden-Institute, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (Vladivostok). The leaf anatomical structure of two Syringa species showing different degrees of resistance to P. lilacis in the monsoon climate of the Far East (resistant S. oblata and weakly resistant S. vulgaris, and also their hybrid cultivars) has been analyzed. The differences between species, subspecies, and cultivars are quantitative: they differ in the number of spongy mesophyll layers, the cell height in the f irst layer of palisade mesophyll, the cell height in the upper and lower epidermises, and the thickness of both mesophylls. The interspecif ic hybrids resistant or weakly resistant to P. lilacis (brown leaf spot disease) mainly retain the leaf anatomy structure of the maternal plant. One of the traits determining the resistance of hybrid lilac cultivars is an increased number of spongy mesophyll layers in the leaf blade. The study of leaf anatomy has shown that the four-layered spongy mesophyll leaf parenchyma correlates with the resistance of lilacs from the subsection Euvulgaris to P. lilacis. In S. oblata, this trait is inherited down the maternal line. To establish lilac cultivars resistant to fungal diseases, it is advisable to cross the two species (S. oblata and S. vulgaris) or their cultivars using one of S. oblata subspecies as a maternal plant.

The future urban forest – A survey of tree planting programs in the Northeastern United States

Cities around the world are pursuing tree planting as a way to increase tree cover. Despite the growing interest in planting trees as a way to offset climate change, counter the negative impacts of urbanization, and provide benefits to city dwellers, there has not been a recent effort to quantify the number of trees being planted nor the species composition of these plantings. Because ecosystem services and ecosystem threats can transcend municipal boundaries, understanding trends in tree planting at multiple spatial scales is critical. To overcome this knowledge gap, we used a survey to collate recent tree planting data from 52 cities with populations greater than 50,000 people in the Northeastern USA. The four largest cities in our study (New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C.) planted over 87% of all the trees that were planted in the region. Smaller cities, which are numerous in region, planted proportionally fewer trees and, in over 40% of the small cities surveyed, planting palettes included invasive tree species, highlighting both a resource and a knowledge gap in smaller cities as compared with larger ones. Regardless of city size, records also illuminated an overreliance on certain genera for specific ecosystem services; nearly 20% of all shade trees were Quercus species and over 50% of ornamental trees were either Syringa or Prunus species. As cities continue to rely on tree-planting as a form of green infrastructure, our results demonstrate that more consideration to establishing diverse planting palettes will be an important way to ensure that ecological resilience is maintained. Achieving this will depend on increased opportunities to collaborate across municipal boundaries and promoting cross-learning from the experiences of more innovative urbanized regions to urban regions with less infrastructure and expertise.

Response of leaf photosynthetic characteristics of Syringa oblata and Syringa reticulata var. mandshurica to chilling stress

Syringa species not only have good ornamental properties but also play an important role in the landscaping and environmental purification of cities. To investigate the chilling stress resistance of Syringa oblata Lindl. and Syringa reticulata var. mandshurica and provide theoretical grounds for the practical cultivation of Syringa species, in vitro leaves were used to study photosynthetic gas exchange parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. After nine hours of chilling, decreasing rates of net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration in S. reticulata var. mandshurica leaves were significantly greater than that of the S. oblata, while intercellular CO2 concentrations in S. oblata leaves were higher than those in S. reticulata var. mandshurica. The quantum yield of PSII reaction center (ФPSII) declined in S. reticulata and light capture efficiency (Fv′/Fm′) was stable. However, reduction percentages of Fv′/Fm′, ФPSII, and Fv/Fm in S. oblata were significant higher than those of S. reticulata var. mandshurica. After nine hours of chilling, the relative variable fluorescence of VJ and VI of S. oblata increased and the increasing rate of VJ was greater than VI. In contrast, the change of VJ and VI in S. reticulata var. mandshurica leaves was relatively small. This suggests that chilling primarily damaged the electron transport process of QA to QB at the receptor site of the PSII reaction center. Photosynthetic capacity of S.oblata was more sensitive to chilling stress compared to S. reticulate var. mandshurica, which the limitations were mainly due to non-stomatal factors such as the decrease in electron transport efficiency, activity in the PSII reaction center, and the destruction of the photodamage defense system.

Gene cloning and expression analysis of limonene synthase in Syringa oblata and S. oblata var. alba

Syringa species are important ornamentals with strong floral scent, of which monoterpenes are the main component. In this study, a new monoterpene synthase gene, named SoLIM, was collected from the flowers of Syringa oblata and S.oblata var. alba using a homologous cloning method. The full-length cDNA of SoLIM was 1746 bp and encoded 581 amino acids. Sequence analysis showed that SoLIM contained the DDxxD and RRx8W motifs, which are two typical conserved monoterpene synthase motifs, and was thus classified as belonging to the Tpsb subfamily. Using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR, SoLIM was significantly expressed in the petals and pistils of S. oblata and S. oblata var. alba, respectively. SoLIM expression peaked earlier than the D-limonene emissions in the diurnal experiments, but occurred later when D-limonene had peaked during the flowering phase, indicating that differences in SoLIM gene expression and D-limonene emissions existed. The synthesis of floral scent is thus associated with diverse regulatory mechanisms that require further investigation.

Analysis of floral scent emitted from Syringa plants

Syringa is an important aromatic woody angiosperm that is widely planted in gardens. Its dry flowers are traditionally used to manufacture infusions and spices in China. In this study, the floral volatiles emitted from nine different Syringa species and varieties, viz. S. chinensis, S. p rotolaciniata, S. o blata, S. o blata var. giraldii, S. o blata var. plena, S. v ulgaris ‘Mrs Harry Bickle’, S. v ulgaris ‘Bright Centennial’, S. v ulgaris ‘White Spires’, and S. v ulgaris ‘President Lincoln’ were collected by the dynamic headspace technique, and then identified by automated thermal desorption–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. There were significant differences in components and corresponding contents of floral scent emitted from the nine Syringa species and varieties. Among the detected components, β-ocimene exhibited the highest content, accounting for more than 70 % of the floral scent of S. p rotolaciniata, S. o blata var. giraldii, and S. v ulgaris ‘Bright Centennial’. A significant daytime variation of floral scent emitted from S. p ekinensis was recorded, especially for benzaldehyde, whose content first increased and then decreased. We studied the scent emitted from the in vitro flowers of S. v ulgaris ‘Pres Lincoln’ during the process of natural drying. Alcohol compounds were released in the greatest content, and the content of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol accounted for about 40 % of the total release amount. The results described the emission pattern and mechanisms of floral scent in Syringa.

Identification of Alternaria alternata as a Causal Agent for Leaf Blight in Syringa Species

While many isolates of Alternaria alternata are common saprophytes on trees and shrubs, this study clearly demonstrated that A. alternata is a primary pathogen in lilac (Syringa sp.), causing a leaf-blight that affects different Syringa species. Isolates of Alternaria sp. were collected from leaf blight samples of lilacs in the field. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and morphological characterization were used to identify lilac blight pathogen. Based on 100% ITS nucleotide sequence identities to the Alternaria genus in the GenBank and morphological features, these isolates were identified as A. alternata. Disease symptoms were reproduced in lilac plants inoculated with A. alternata mycelial plugs and sprayed with a fungus-free culture filtrate, indicating that pathogenesis in lilac involves secondary metabolites or toxins. Diagnostic primers were developed to detect Alternaria sp. and A. alternata in lilac leaf blight based on ITS region and four known genes associated with pathogenesis in A. alternata: mixed-linked glucanase precursor, endopolygalacturonase, hsp70, and histone genes. The results from our study indicated A. alternata is a primary pathogen in lilac leaf blight, and these diagnostic primers can be used as a tool for the fast detection of A. alternata associated with lilac leaf blight.

Rapid determination of floral aroma compounds of lilac blossom by fast gas chromatography combined with surface acoustic wave sensor

A novel analytical method using fast gas chromatography combined with surface acoustic wave sensor (GC/SAW) has been developed for the detection of volatile aroma compounds emanated from lilac blossom ( Syringa species: Syringa vulgaris variginata and Syringa dilatata). GC/SAW could detect and quantify various fragrance emitted from lilac blossom, enabling to provide fragrance pattern analysis results. The fragrance pattern analysis could easily characterize the delicate differences in aromas caused by the substantial difference of chemical composition according to different color and shape of petals. Moreover, the method validation of GC/SAW was performed for the purpose of volatile floral actual aroma analysis, achieving a high reproducibility and excellent sensitivity. From the validation results, GC/SAW could serve as an alternative analytical technique for the analysis of volatile floral actual aroma of lilac. In addition, headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) GC–MS was employed to further confirm the identification of fragrances emitted from lilac blossom and compared to GC/SAW.

Gas exchanges of an endangered species Syringa pinnatifolia and a widespread congener S. oblata

Net photosynthetic rate (PN), transpiration rate (E), water use efficiency (WUE), stomatal conductance (gs), and stomatal limitation (Ls) were investigated in two Syringa species. The saturation irradiance (SI) was 400 µmol m-2s-1 for S. pinnatifolia and 1 700 µmol m-2s-1 for S. oblata. Compared with S. oblata, S. pinnatifolia had extremely low g s . Unlike S. oblata, the maximal photosynthetic rate (Pmax) in S. pinnatifoliaoccurred around 08:00 and then fell down, indicating this species was sensitive to higher temperature and high photosynthetic photon flux density. However, such phenomenon was interrupted by the leaf development rhythms before summer. A relatively lower PN together with a lower leaf area and shoot growth showed the capacity for carbon assimilation was poorer in S. pinnatifolia.

Divergent Potentials for Cytoplasmic Inheritance within the Genus Syringa. A New Trait Associated with Speciogenesis

Epifluorescence microscopic detection of organelle DNA in the mature generative cell is a rapid method for determining the potential for the mode of cytoplasmic inheritance. We used this method to examine 19 of the known 22 to 27 species in the genus Syringa. Organelle DNA was undetectable in seven species, all in the subgenus Syringa, but was detected in the 12 species examined of the subgenera Syringa and Ligustrina. Therefore, species within the genus Syringa display differences in the potential cytoplasmic inheritance. Closer examination revealed that the mature generative cells of the species in which organelle DNA was detected contained both mitochondria and plastids, but cells of the species lacking detectable organelle DNA contained only mitochondria, and the epifluorescent organelle DNA signals from the mature generative cells corresponded to plastid DNA. In addition, semiquantitative analysis was used to demonstrate that, during pollen development, the amount of mitochondrial DNA decreased greatly in the generative cells of the species examined, but the amount of plastid DNA increased remarkably in the species containing plastids in the generative cell. The results suggest that all Syringa species exhibit potential maternal mitochondrial inheritance, and a number of the species exhibit potential biparental plastid inheritance. The difference between the modes of potential plastid inheritance among the species suggests different phylogenies for the species; it also supports recent conclusions of molecular, systematic studies of the Syringa. In addition, the results provide new evidence for the mechanisms of maternal mitochondrial inheritance in angiosperms.

Phylogenetic position of Parasyringa sempervirens (Franch.) W. W. Smith

Phylogenetic position of Parasyringa (=Ligustrum) sempervirens is evaluated using two noncoding region sequences (ca. 1,700bp) of chloroplast trnL-F and pasA-ycf3 regions. Taxon sampling includes all major lineages of Ligustrum and Syringa, and three out group genera from the subfamily Oleoideae. The aligned sequence data were analysed by maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analysis methods and all analyses showed the congruent tree topology. The monophyletic Ligustrum firmly nested within the paraphyletic Syringa. Within the monophyletic Ligustrum clade, Parasyringa sempervirens was the sister group to the rest of Ligustrum species. The results indicated that the capsules of Parasyringa sempervirens and Syringa species were the symplesiomorphic characters and the drupaceous fruits of Ligustrum derived once during the evolution of groups. Alternatively, the results indicated that the morphologically intermediate Parasyringa sempervirens may derive from the hybrid between Syringa and Ligustrum lineages during the early evolution of two groups.

Studies on the constituents of Syringa species. XII. New glycosides from the leaves of Syringa reticulata (BLUME) HARA.

Three new glycosides, 6'-O-alpha-D-galactopyranosylsyringopicroside (1), secologanoside 7-methyl ester (2) and (+)-lariciresinol 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), were isolated from the leaves of Syringa reticulata. Their structures were established on the basis of chemical and spectral data. Compound 1 is the first naturally occurring iridoid di-glycoside having melibiose. Comparison of the spectral data of 2 and that previously recognized as secologanoside 7-methyl ester led to the conclusion that the recognized structure should be revised to the sodium salt of secoxyloganin (2').

Studies on the Constituents of Syringa Species. Part 10. Five New Iridoid Glycosides from the Leaves of Syringa reticulata (Blume) Hara

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Studies on the constituents of Syringa species. X. Five new iridoid glycosides from the leaves of Syringa reticulata (Blume) Hara.

Five new iridoid glycosides, (8Z)-ligstroside (1), (8Z)-nüzhenide (3), 6'-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosylsyringopicroside (4), 3'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylsyringopicroside (5) and 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylsyringopicroside (6) were isolated, together with a known one, (8E)-nüzhenide (2), from the leaves of Syringa reticulata. Their structures were established on the basis of chemical and spectral data. Compounds 1 and 3 are the first findings of a (8Z)-oleoside-type secoiridoid. Compound 4 is the first naturally occurring iridoid di-glycoside having an isomaltose.

Ash Yellows and Lilac Witches'-Broom: Phytoplasmal Diseases of Concern in Forestry and Horticulture.

Ash yellows (AshY) and lilac witches' -broom (LWB) are diseases of Fraxinus and Syringa species, respectively, believed to be caused by phytoplasmas (formerly called mycoplasmalike organisms. AshY and LWB in highly susceptible taxa are characterized by slow growth, progressive loss of vitality, dieback, and premature death (Figs. 1 and 2). These diseases are considered together in this article because evidence indicates they are caused by the same pathogen. Knowledge of AshY and LWB has accumulated primarily since 1983, but enough is now known for these diseases to serve together as a model for tentative understanding of lesser known phytoplasmal diseases of trees and shrubs in forests and horticultural landscapes. Objectives of this article are to summarize information about AshY and LWB, relate this information to knowledge of other phytoplasmal diseases of perennial plants, and identify needs for further research. Fraxinus and Syringa are closely related genera in the Oleaceae. Some ash species in Europe and North America are commercially important for wood products, including furniture, tool handles, and baseball bats; and some species are planted in horticultural landscapes (Fig. 2A). Three of the 12 North American species, white ash (F. americana), green ash (F. pennsylvanica), and velvet ash (F. velutina), receive emphasis in this article. Lilacs are flowering shrubs or small trees grown in temperate regions for their fragrant and attractive floral displays in spring. Lilac and ash taxa are generally graft-compatible, and some cultivars of lilac have been grown on ash rootstocks.

Response of Different Syringa (Lilac) Species and Hybrids to Renovation

Abstract Eighteen species and hybrids of Syringa were renovated by removing all stems. At the end of 4 years, shoot growth, shoot diameter, and numbers of lateral shoots produced were evaluated to assess species differences in growth response. In most species, there was an initial rapid growth rate followed by a decline. The decline in growth rate may be related to increasing architectural complexity as the shoot system develops. Genotypic differences in stem diameter, height growth progression and the number of lateral shoots have a principal role in plant form development and should be considered when selecting plants with particular textural characteristics for landscape plantings. In addition, these response patterns may be a useful guide for predicting growth and development after renovation of a particular species and hybrids.

Syringa属植物の成分研究(第8報)ハシドイの葉のフェニルプロパノイド配糖体の単離と構造

Syringa属植物の成分研究(第8報)ハシドイの葉のフェニルプロパノイド配糖体の単離と構造