Plant Taxonomy Research Articles

Revealing leaf species through specific contour and region-based features extraction

Leaf identification plays a vital role in plant classification and protection, and advancements in artificial intelligence and machine vision have revolutionized leaf identification technology. This study focuses on evaluating different feature extraction methods, specifically region-based and contour-based approaches, to identify plant leaf species through image analysis. The study initially extracts leaf characteristics from images, which are then divided into two groups based on area features or contour features. The dataset is split into 80% for training and 20% for testing, and a K-Nearest Neighbour (K-NN) classifier is employed for species identification. Three approaches are compared for leaf classification. The first approach utilizes region-based shape descriptors (RBSD) and achieves an accuracy rate of 75%. The second approach employs contour-based shape descriptors (CBSD) and achieves a higher accuracy of 76%. The third approach combines both area and contour features, resulting in an average accuracy of 75.5%. Through the comparison of all three methods, it is evident that the CBSD approach outperforms the others, making it the most effective feature extraction method for plant species identification. The developed automatic leaf species identification system was implemented using the PyCharm environment.The proposed approach and feature extraction techniques surpass previous state-of-the-art 69.61%, 72%, 74.4% results, showcasing the potential of the proposed separation of leaf characteristics. Also the advancement of automated leaf species identification and have significant implications for plant taxonomy and protection efforts.

PLANT IDENTIFICATION USING MACHINE LEARNING

The preservation of therapeutic plants is crucial as it will help a broad variety of sectors, including medicine, botanic research, and plant taxonomy studies, among others. Existing technologies cannot imitate the range of therapeutic plant species present in India. The suggested technique facilitates the classification of medicinal plants by exploiting textural aspects crucial in leaf recognition and identification. The three key phases of the proposed technique are picture enhancement, feature extraction, and classification. The photographs of the leaves are shot using cellphones and then processed using digital image processing algorithms to extract the features that may be compared between them. Finally, the CNN classifier is employed to develop an automated classifier. Key Words: Plant identification, CNN algorithm, Image processing.

Botanical characterization and authentication of lavender essential oil using its volatile organic compounds and compound-specific carbon and hydrogen isotope ratio analysis

The determination of authenticity and provenance is one of the main issues in high-value natural products such as lavender (L. angustifolia) essential oil. Due to their high value, natural products are often totally or partially substituted with cheaper alternatives. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately characterize the composition of lavender essential oil and its related species, particularly lavandin (L. intermedia) essential oil, which is frequently used as an adulterant. In this study, we analyzed the most distinctive volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their relative compound-specific stable carbon and hydrogen (δ13C and δ2H) isotope ratios in lavender, lavandin, and commercial lavender essential oil samples using fast GC-MS/MS and GC-IRMS methods and sparse Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis (sPLS-DA) to classify and verify their botanical origin. For the first time, concentration ranges for 79 VOCs and the δ13C and δ2H values in 32 VOCs were used to characterize lavender essential oils. sPLS-DA models with either VOCs, δ13C and δ2H, or in combination successfully classify lavender and lavandin with 100% accuracy. VOCs such as camphor, borneol, eucalyptol, α-bisabolol, and α-pinene were found to be the most important variables for differentiating lavender oil from lavandin. Similarly, δ13C in camphor, eucalyptol, trans-β-ocimene and 3-octanone, and δ2H in α-terpineol and trans-β-ocimene and 3-octanone also differentiated lavender and lavandin oil. In addition, we demonstrated that compound-specific δ13C and δ2H detected the adulteration of natural lavender or lavandin oil if more than 15% of linalool, linalyl acetate, eucalyptol, and α-terpineol were of synthetic origin. These preliminary results with sPLS-DA models suggest that VOCs and compound-specific δ13C and δ2H can be a promising tool for the botanical classification of lavender essential oil and the detection of possible adulteration with synthetic compounds.

Transfer Learning Approach to Seed Taxonomy: A Wild Plant Case Study

Plant taxonomy is the scientific study of the classification and naming of various plant species. It is a branch of biology that aims to categorize and organize the diverse variety of plant life on earth. Traditionally, plant taxonomy has been performed using morphological and anatomical characteristics, such as leaf shape, flower structure, and seed and fruit characters. Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and especially deep learning can also play an instrumental role in plant taxonomy by automating the process of categorizing plant species based on the available features. This study investigated transfer learning techniques to analyze images of plants and extract features that can be used to cluster the species hierarchically using the k-means clustering algorithm. Several pretrained deep learning models were employed and evaluated. In this regard, two separate datasets were used in the study comprising of seed images of wild plants collected from Egypt. Extensive experiments using the transfer learning method (DenseNet201) demonstrated that the proposed methods achieved superior accuracy compared to traditional methods with the highest accuracy of 93% and F1-score and area under the curve (AUC) of 95%, respectively. That is considerable in contrast to the state-of-the-art approaches in the literature.

Inventarisasi Dan Analisis Jenis Tumbuhan Famili Euphorbiaceae Dan Sebarannya Di Desa Cipeundeuy, Kecamatan Bantarujeg, Kabupaten Majalengka

Plant classification exists to simplify and clarify the level of kinship and the type of treatment in plant distribution, at the taxonomic level there are family categories, this family in plant taxonomy is a classification system that groups plants based on similarities between their morphology, characteristics, morphology. Euphorbiaceae is a family with flower characteristics hidden in cyathia structures (inflorencia), sap and various sizes. This research is located in Cipeundeuy Village, Bantarujeg District, Majalengka Regency with quantitative analysis using the exploration method in the residents' yards in Cipeundeuy Village. The results of the study found 1 individual of Ephorbia milli, 1 individual of Euphorbia hirta, 1 individual of Pedilanthus tithymaloides, 4 individuals of Acalypha siamensis and 8 individuals of Manihot esculenta from the Euphorbiacea family. This plant is used as an ornamental plant and can be used as herbal medicine because it has chemical compounds that are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial because it contains tannins, flavonoids and saponins which are effective for healing wounds and several other diseases. The purpose of this research is to inventory and identify plants in Cipeundeuy Village so that the systematics of plants in this area can be known.

Anatomical and histochemical characterization of some highly medicinal plants as a tool for quality control.

Medicinal plants are richest source of chemical compounds that can be used to evolve novel drugs. According to World Health Organization (WHO), in developing countries more than 3.5 billion people relay on herbal drugs for their primary health care. In the present study, an attempt was carried out to authenticate some selected medicinal plants (Fagonia cretica L., Peganum harmala L., Tribulus terrestris L., Chrozophora tinctoria L. Raf. and Ricinus communis L.) from family Zygophyllaceae and Euphorbiaceae using light and scanning electron macroscopic techniques. Macroscopic evaluation and comparative anatomy (Light Microscopy) of the root and fruits revealed great diversity in macro and microscopic features. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of root powder showed non-glandular trichomes, stellate trichomes, parenchyma cells and vessels. Fruits SEM exhibited non-glandular trichomes, glandular trichomes, stellate trichomes, peltate trichomes and mesocarp cells. Both macroscopic and microscopic evaluation plays a crucial role in the correct substantiation and validation of novel sources. These findings can serve as an essential source of information to accomplish the authenticity and to appraise the quality and purity of the herbal drugs in accordance to WHO guidelines. These parameters can be used to distinguish the selected plants from their commonly used adulterants. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: In the current work, five plants (Fagonia cretica L., Peganum harmala L., Tribulus terrestris L., Chrozophora tinctoria L. Raf.and Ricinus communis L.) from Zygophyllaceae and Euphorbiaceae were investigated for macroscopy and microscopy (LM & SEM) for the first time. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation disclosed great diversity in morphology and histology. Microscopy is the backbone of standardization process. Current study helped in correct identification and quality assurance of the plant materials. Their statistical investigation may possess great potency for plant taxonomists to further appraise the vegetative growth and tissue development which is requisite especially for fruit to enhance the yield of herbal drugs and their formulation. Further molecular studies, compounds isolation and characterization are required to deepen the knowledge of these herbal drugs.

Palynotaxonomical study of honeybees (Apis mellifera var. adansonii) forage and/or preference plants in South-Western Nigeria

The disputed issues of higher plant taxonomy and phylogeny are greatly impacted by pollen morphology because pollen grains have clear distinctive characteristics that are typically labeled. Palynotaxonomical study of Honeybees preference plants in South-Western Nigeria were conducted between the months of May, 2019 and June 2021 using fresh polleniferous materials which were extracted through acetolysis methods. Results showed that ninety-two (92) plant species belonging to thirty-six (36) plant families of apicultural importance most visited by honeybees (Apis mellifera var. adansonii) were documented. At x100 magnification, thorough morphological studies were performed, and the results showed that pollen grains from plant species in the family Asteraceae were spinolous and spherical in shape; those from the Fabaceae sub-families Caesalpinoideae, Mimosoideae, and Papilionoideae, on the other hand, had a great deal of morphological diversity with variations in symmetry, position and distribution. Those of the families Malvaceae was echinate and Myrtaceae were colporate; syncolpate and prolate respectively. However, the variations above were generally reduced within species in the same genera. Tricolpate aperture type was observed in the genus Euphorbia; giving reason for their classification in the same genera. The genus Combretum was all heterocolpate, circular in shape and heteroporate. Sculpturing was psilate or scabrate and pollen shape class were sub-prolate, oblate-spheroidal or prolate spheroidal. Similar form and symmetry observed in all the species studied were reason for their classification into the same family. The study revealed that the flowering period for most of these honeybees’ forage plants were between the months of October to March. Identification, propagation, cultivation, conservation, and sustainable exploitation of these honeybee (Apis mellifera var. adansonii) forage and preference plants would be beneficial in potentially increasing the efficiency of apiculture and commercial cultivation in South-Western Nigeria.

Botanical Dissertations from the 19th and Early 20th Centuries at the Ohio State University Herbarium (OS)

Botanical Dissertations from the 19th and Early 20th Centuries at the Ohio State University Herbarium (OS)

(2961) Proposal to conserve Bellucia, nom. cons., against the additional names Myriaspora and Loreya (Melastomataceae: Henrietteeae)

(2961) Proposal to conserve <i>Bellucia</i>, nom. cons., against the additional names <i>Myriaspora</i> and <i>Loreya</i> (<i>Melastomataceae</i>: <i>Henrietteeae</i>)

The Ethnopharmacological, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Review of Euryale ferox Salisb.: A Chinese Medicine Food Homology.

Euryale ferox Salisb. (prickly water lily) is the only extent of the genus Euryale that has been widely distributed in China, India, Korea, and Japan. The seeds of E. ferox (EFS) have been categorized as superior food for 2000 years in China, based on their abundant nutrients including polysaccharides, polyphenols, sesquineolignans, tocopherols, cyclic dipeptides, glucosylsterols, cerebrosides, and triterpenoids. These constituents exert multiple pharmacological effects, such as antioxidant, hypoglycemic, cardioprotective, antibacterial, anticancer, antidepression, and hepatoprotective properties. There are very few summarized reports on E. ferox, albeit with its high nutritional value and beneficial activities. Therefore, we collected the reported literature (since 1980), medical classics, database, and pharmacopeia of E. ferox, and summarized the botanical classification, traditional uses, phytochemicals, and pharmacological effects of E. ferox, which will provide new insights for further research and development of EFS-derived functional products.

The big four of plant taxonomy - a comparison of global checklists of vascular plant names.

Taxonomic checklists used to verify published plant names and identify synonyms are a cornerstone of biological research. Four global authoritative checklists for vascular plants exist: Leipzig Catalogue of Vascular Plants, World Checklist of Vascular Plants, World Flora Online (successor of The Plant List, TPL), and WorldPlants. We compared these four checklists in terms of size and differences across taxa. We matched taxon names of these checklists and TPL against each other, identified differences across checklists, and evaluated the consistency of accepted names linked to individual taxon names. We assessed geographic and phylogenetic patterns of variance. All checklists differed strongly compared with TPL and provided identical information on c. 60% of plant names. Geographically, differences in checklists increased from low to high latitudes. Phylogenetically, we detected strong variability across families. A comparison of name-matching performance on taxon names submitted to the functional trait database TRY, and a check of completeness of accepted names evaluated against an independent, expert-curated checklist of the family Meliaceae, showed a similar performance across checklists. This study raises awareness on the differences in data and approach across these checklists potentially impacting analyses. We propose ideas on the way forward exploring synergies and harmonizing the four global checklists.

Development of an Encyclopedia Book for Anatomy and Morphology of Plants on the Morphological Identification of Orchid Plants (Orchidaceae) in Kampoeng Anggrek Kediri

The low level of understanding of biology students on plant morphology material, especially Orchidaceae, requires the development of learning resources. This study aims to develop an encyclopedia "Identification of Orchidaceae Morphology" and test its feasibility. Research and development was carried out in 2 stages, namely identification of the morphology of Orchidaceae and development of an encyclopedia using the ADDIE model (analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation). The results of the study, the eleven identified orchid plants had similarities in the flower parts included in the flower tent because they could not be distinguished between the petals and the corolla. An encyclopedia book containing taxonomy of orchid plants, scientific names, identification descriptions of orchid plants along with pictures. The results of the percentage score of material experts was 77.17%, media experts were 88%, and lecturers of Plant Anatomy and Morphology were 83.65%. The results of student implementation obtained an average percentage score of 85.34%. The developed encyclopedia has a decent quality to be used as a learning resource.

The rediscovery of Impatiens sigmoidea Hook. f. (Balsaminaceae) in Guizhou, China after more than 100 years

Impatiens sigmoidea was described in 1908 by the eminent British plant taxonomist J. D. Hooker based on specimens collected by the French missionaries E. M. Bodinier et al. from Guizhou, China. However, there has been no other records since then. After years of concern, we rediscovered I. sigmoidea in one of its type localities, Gao-po Town, in 2018. A revised description, colour photographs and a provisional IUCN Red List assessment of this species are provided, along with discussions of its geographical distribution, ecology and morphological comparison with I. lasiophyton. The lectotype of I. sigmoidea is also designated here. The rediscovery provides an essential basis for enriching the botanical resources of the genus Impatiens.

Contributions of Chemical Content and Biological Activity to Plant Taxonomy Based on the Four Allium L. Taxa (Sect. Cupanioscordum - Amaryllidaceae).

Garlic and onions are used as food and for medicinal purposes worldwide. Allium L. species are rich in bioactive organosulphur compounds that exhibit many biological activities like anticancer, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antidiabetic activities. In this study, macro- and micromorphological characteristics of four Allium taxa were examined and the results suggested that A. callimischon subsp. haemostictum was the outgroup to sect. Cupanioscordum. Also, for the genus Allium, which is a taxonomically difficult genus, the hypothesis that chemical content and bioactivity can also be used taxonomically in addition to micro and macromorphological characters has been questioned. The bulb extract was analyzed to determine their volatile compositions and anticancer activities against human breast cancer, human cervical cancer, and rat glioma cells for the first time in the literature. To detect the volatiles, the Head Space-Solid Phase Micro Extraction method was used followed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The main compounds were found as dimethyl disulfide that (36.9 %, 63.8 %, 81.9 %, 12.2 %) and methyl (methylthio)-methyl disulfide (10.8 %, 6.9 %, 14.9 %, 60.0 %) for A. peroninianum, A. hirtovaginatum and A. callidyction, respectively. Additionally, methyl-trans-propenyl disulfide is detected for A. peroniniaum (36 %). As a result, all extracts have shown significant efficacy against MCF-7 cells depending on applied concentrations. The treatment of MCF-7 cells for 24 h with 10, 50, 200, or 400 μg/mL ethanolic bulb extract of four Allium species resulted in DNA synthesis inhibition. Survival rates for A. peroninianum was 51.3 %, 49.7 %, 42.2 %, 42.0 %, for A. callimischon subsp. haemostictum 62.5 %, 63.0 %, 23.2 %, 22 %, for A. hirtovaginatum 52.9 %, 42.2 %, 42.4 %, 39.9 %, for A. callidyction 51.8 %, 43.2 %, 39.1 %, 31.3 %, for cisplatin 59.6 %, 59.9 %, 50,9 %, 48.2 %, respectively. Moreover, taxonomic evaluation according to biochemical compounds and bioactivities is almost in agreement with that made according to micro and macromorphological characters.

Barking up the wrong tree: the dangers of taxonomic misidentification in molecular phylogenetic studies

Background and aims – Keraunea is a Brazilian endemic genus that has sat uncomfortably in Convolvulaceae where it was placed due to an enlarged and adnate fruit bract typical of Neuropeltis. A recent molecular phylogeny suggested that two of its five morphologically almost identical species actually belong to two different families, Malpighiaceae (superrosids) and Ehretiaceae (superasterids). Later studies have demonstrated that Keraunea effectively belongs to Ehretiaceae, but the proposal of one species belonging to Malpighiaceae has remained problematic. In this study, we re-assess this hypothesis, discuss the issues that have led to this assumption, and offer insights on the importance of carefully using herbarium collections and incorporating morphological evidence in systematic studies. Material and methods – Sequences of matK, rbcL, and ITS for all 77 currently accepted genera of Malpighiaceae, K. brasiliensis and Elatinaceae (outgroup) were compiled from GenBank and analysed with Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference criteria for nuclear, plastid and combined datasets. Additional database and herbarium studies were performed to locate and analyse all duplicates of the holotype of K. brasiliensis to check for misidentified or contaminated material. Key results – Our examination of expanded DNA datasets and herbarium sheets of all K. brasiliensis isotypes revealed that a mistake in tissue sampling was, in fact, what led to this species being proposed to belong in Malpighiaceae. Kew’s isotype had a leaf of Malpighiaceae (likely Mascagnia cordifolia) stored in the fragment capsule, which was sampled and sequenced instead of the actual leaves of K. brasiliensis. Recently published studies have settled the placement of Keraunea in Ehretiaceae (Boraginales) and proposed three additional species. Conclusions – DNA sequences can be helpful in classifying taxa when morphology is conflicting or of a doubtful interpretation, with molecular phylogenetic placement being established as a popular tool accelerating the discovery of systematic relationships. Nonetheless, molecular techniques are also susceptible to methodological mistakes, which necessitates building a solid foundation of plant morphology and taxonomy to avoid artefacts in phylogenetic studies.

Comparison of plant identifier application ability as a recommendation for biology learning

This study aims to test the ability of the Plant Identifier application to identify plants as a recommendation for biology learning and practicum on plant identification and classification materials. The applications used in this research are Google Lens, Plant Net, Picture This, and Leaf Snap. Object samples include moss plants, ferns, dicot plants, and monocot plants. This study uses the VES (Visual Encounter Survey) method with an exploratory-descriptive approach. Application testing includes the speed of object detection, the accuracy of detecting objects based on shape and color, as well as the completeness of plant taxonomy information which includes division, class, order, family, genus, and species. The results of application testing show that: (1) the Google Lens and Picture This applications are superior in terms of speed in detecting objects, (2) Google Lens and Picture This are also superior in terms of accuracy in detecting objects based on shape and color, (3) the Picture This application is an application superior in completeness of taxonomic information. Based on these findings it can be concluded that the Picture This application is the most superior application and can be a recommendation for biology learning and practicum on plant identification and classification materials

In memoriam Klaus Kubitzki (1933–2022)

In memoriam Klaus Kubitzki (1933–2022)

(2946) Proposal to conserve the name Iris latifolia (Mill.) Voss (Iridaceae) against I. latifolia Heer (fossil Iridaceae)

(2946) Proposal to conserve the name <i>Iris latifolia</i> (Mill.) Voss (<i>Iridaceae</i>) against <i>I. latifolia</i> Heer (fossil <i>Iridaceae</i>)

Ethnopharmacological survey on medicinal plants utilization in Freetown, Sierra Leone

Abstract Objectives Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants utilized in Freetown Sierra Leone in the management and treatment of diseases. Methods The study utilized a cross-sectional descriptive study and face-to-face interviews with a pre-checklist of 20 Traditional Herbal Medicine Practitioners in Freetown. The survey included socio-segment information, data on the kinds of herbal medication, their constituents, wellsprings of the plants, diseases managed and details on preparation. Twenty traditional medicine practitioners consented to this study. Key findings The results showed that 15 (75%) were men and 5 (25%) were women, while all of them are above the age of 30 years. Some of the respondents have some level of formal education, ranging from twelve (12) with primary/secondary education to three (3) with tertiary education while five (5) do not have any formal education at all. Thirty percent practice herbal medicine as a family trade (inherited), 10% got involved in it through training, or both, while 10% claimed the knowledge as a natural gift. Traditional Herbal Medicine Practitioners (THMPs) in the study area updated their knowledge of medical practice through a wide range of choices such as by intuition (70%), participation at health talks or meetings (20%), while 10% of them adopted various forms of a combination of these and other choices. However, there was the problem of plant misidentification with some practitioners. According to our data, Freetown, Sierra Leone has a rich wellspring of restorative plants and an enormous part of the populace actually depends on customary plant drugs which are plentifully and promptly accessible. Conclusions Traditional Herbal Medicine Practitioners (THMPs) in this research updated their knowledge of medical practice through intuition, participation at health talks or meetings and also via various forms of a combination of these and other choices. The involvement of certified Plant Taxonomists is important, in order to avoid the consequences which may arise through misidentification.

(2950) Proposal to conserve the name Cacao sylvestris (Theobroma sylvestre) (Malvaceae: Byttnerioideae) with a conserved type

(2950) Proposal to conserve the name <i>Cacao sylvestris</i> (<i>Theobroma sylvestre</i>) (<i>Malvaceae</i>: <i>Byttnerioideae</i>) with a conserved type