Tribe Ocimeae Research Articles

Isodonxiaoluzhiensis (Lamiaceae, Nepetoideae), a new species from Yunnan, southwest China.

Isodonxiaoluzhiensis, a new species of the tribe Ocimeae in family Lamiaceae, is described and illustrated. The new species is known only from the type locality, Xiaoluzhi village in Luzhijang dry-hot valley of Yimen County, central Yunnan, southwest China. It is characterized by having a procumbent habit, gracile stems and branches, relatively small leaves and flowers, and the phenology of flowering in winter. The morphological comparisons with its putative closest relatives (I.adenanthus and I.hsiwenii) are also presented.

Nomenclatural changes in Coleus and Plectranthus (Lamiaceae): a tale of more than two genera.

A synopsis of the genera Coleus Lour, Equilabium A.J.Paton, Mwany. & Culham and Plectranthus L’Hér. (Lamiaceae, Tribe Ocimeae, Subtribe Plecranthinae) is presented. Generic delimitation follows a recently published molecular phylogeny which identified Coleus as the sister of the remaining genera of Subtribe Plectranthinae; Plectranthus as sister to Tetradenia Benth. and Thorncroftia N.E.Br., and a separate phylogenetically distinct genus Equilabium comprising species previously placed in Plectranthus. In this treatment, 294 species of Coleus, 42 of Equilabium, and 72 of Plectranthus are recognized. All but one of the combinations in Equilabium are new as only the genus and type species have been previously published. Two-hundred and twelve names are changed to combinations in Coleus from Plectranthus, Pycnostachys Hook. and Anisochilus Benth.

Hyptis pastorei, an unusual new species of Hyptis sect. Eriosphaeria (Lamiaceae: Hyptidinae) from the Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brazil

A brief account of Hyptis sect. Eriosphaeria (Lamiaceae, subfamily Nepetoideae, tribe Ocimeae, subtribe Hyptidinae) and its distribution, is followed by a description of the new species and details showing how it differs from other members of the section, a line drawing showing details of its morphology, and a distribution map. Habitat, phenology and conservation status are also included.

Mesosphaerum caatingense (Lamiaceae), a new species from the semi-arid Caatinga Region of Northeast Brazil

A new species, Mesosphaerum caatingense Harley & J.F.B.Pastore (Lamiaceae: tribe Ocimeae: subtribe Hyptidinae), is described from the semi-arid Northeast region of Brazil known as the Caatinga biome, included under the domain of the STDF (Seasonally Tropical Dry Forest). The generic placement and its conservation status are assessed and its phenology is discussed. The new species is compared with some of its morphologically allied species, M. pectinatum, M. irwinii and M. sidifolium. Illustrations, photographs, a distribution map and a key to Brazilian species are also provided.

In vitro antioxidant, antiproliferative and apoptosis effect of Coleus tuberosus L.

Coleus tuberosus (Blume) Benth. is classified as a local vegetable of the familyLamiaceae, subfamily Nepetoideae and tribe Ocimeae. Ethanolic extract the Flesh of C. tuberosus and ethanolic extract of the peel of C. tuberosus evaluated antioxidant properties based on 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical assay, antiproliferative based on 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and morphological change apoptosis based on staining with acridine orange and ethidium bromide using human breast cancer Michigan Cancer Foundation 7 (MCF 7) cells. Results showed that antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of ethanolic extract of the peel of C. tuberosus was higher than ethanolic extract of the flesh of C. tuberosus. Based on morphological changes with acridine orange and ethidium bromide staining, ethanolic extract of the flesh of C. tuberosus, ethanolic extract of the peel of C. tuberosus, ursolic acid and oleanolic acid have antiproliferative activity through induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. The antioxidant and antiproliferative activities were in a dose-dependent manner. The antioxidant activities and antiproliferative activity of ethanolic extract of the the flesh of C. tuberosus and ethanolic extract of the peel of C. tuberosus related with oleanolic acid and ursolic acid content. These result indicated that ethanolic extract of the flesh of C. tuberosus and ethanolic extract of the peel of C. tuberosus might be used as a potential source of natural antioxidants and antiproliferative agents. Key words: Antioxidant, antiproliferative, apoptosis, Coleus tuberosus, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid.

Identity of the downy mildew pathogens of basil, coleus, and sage with implications for quarantine measures

The downy mildew pathogen of basil ( Ocimum spp.) has caused considerable damage throughout the past five years, and an end to the epidemics is not in sight. The downy mildew of coleus ( Solenostemon spp.) is just emerging and here we report that it was very recently introduced into Germany. Although it has been recognised that these pathogens are a major threat, the identity of the pathogens is still unresolved, and so it is difficult to devise quarantine measures against them. Using morphological comparison and molecular phylogenetic reconstructions we confirmed in this study that the downy mildews of basil and coleus are unrelated to Peronospora lamii, which is a common pathogen of the weed Lamium purpureum. In addition, we conclude by the investigation of the type specimen of P. swingleii and downy mildew specimens on Salvia officinalis that the newly occurring pathogens are not identical to P. swingleii on Salvia reflexa. The taxonomy of the downy mildew pathogens of hosts from the Lamiaceae and, in particular, from the tribes Mentheae and Elsholtzieae, is discussed, and a new species is described to accommodate the downy mildew pathogen of basil and coleus, which is the first downy mildew pathogen known to be parasitic to hosts of the tribe Ocimeae.

A Taxonomic Revision of Tribe Ocimeae Dumort. (Lamiaceae) in Continental South East Asia I. Introduction, Hyptidinae & Hanceolinae

The tribe Ocimeae is fully revised for continental South East Asia (Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam). In all, 77 taxa including 70 species and 14 varieties are recognised under 9 genera: HyptisJacq., Siphocranion Kudo, Isodon (Schrad. ex Benth.) Spach, Anisochilus Wall. ex Benth., Plectranthus L'Her., Basilicum Moench, Orthosiphon Benth., Ocimum L. and Platostoma P. Beauv. This first part of the revision includes a general introduction covering the Ocimeae in SE Asia and taxonomic accounts of the Hyptidinae (Hyptis) and Hanceolinae (Siphocranion and Isodon). Descriptions, full synonyms relevant to South East Asian Floras, maps, line drawings, information about ethnobotany, distributions, habitats, ecology, endemism and conservation, selected specimen citations and an index to accepted names and synonyms are given. In all parts, 16 new species (including 11 validated names) and 3 new varieties are described in the genera Anisochilus, Isodon, Orthosiphon, Plectranthus and Platostoma. In this part, Isodon colaniae S. Suddee & A. J. Paton is validated and Isodon meeboldii (W. W. Sm.) S. Suddee is presented as a new combination. Two floristic elements are identified here: the Indo-Burmese and Sino-Himalayan elements that enter the area from the northwest and north, and the Indo-Chinese element that enters the area from Indo-China. Most species of Platostoma, the largest Indo-Chinese element, especially section Mesona and section Ceratanthus, are concentrated along the Mekong River in the Indo-Chinese peninsula around the Bolovens-Langbian plateaus. In all, there are 33 (43%) taxa endemic to the area of study. Seventy-four taxa were assessed according to IUCN red list criteria. Fourteen taxa were assessed as threatened. Two, Plectranthus tomentifolius and Orthosiphon truncatus are believed to be extinct.

Phylogeny and evolution of basils and allies (Ocimeae, Labiatae) based on three plastid DNA regions

A phylogeny of basils and allies (Lamiaceae, tribe Ocimeae) based on sequences of the trnL intron, trnL–trnF intergene spacer and rps 16 intron of the plastid genome is presented. Several methods were used to reconstruct phylogenies and to assess statistical support for clades: maximum parsimony with equally and successively weighted characters, bootstrap resampling, and Bayesian inference. The phylogeny is used to investigate the distribution of morphological, pericarp anatomy, chemical, and pollen characters as well as the geographical distribution of the clades. Tribe Ocimeae is monophyletic and easily diagnosable with morphological synapomorphies. There are monophyletic clades within Ocimeae that broadly correspond to currently recognised subtribes: Lavandulinae, Hyptidinae, Ociminae, and Plectranthinae. Only Lavandulinae has clear non-molecular synapomorphies. Several currently recognised genera are not monophyletic. Floral morphology consistent with sternotribic pollination is most common in Ocimeae, but there are independent departures from this model. Buzz pollination is likely in some species, the only postulated occurrence of this within Lamiaceae. Quinone diterpenoids and flavones in the leaf exudates differ in their distributions across the phylogeny and this could contribute to differences in the recorded medicinal as well as pesticidal uses of the species in the different clades. Mapping geographic distribution on to an ultrametric phylogenetic tree produced using non-parametric rate smoothing supports an Asiatic origin for Ocimeae. There are several secondary occurrences in Asia arising from the African Ociminae and Plectranthinae clades. Colonisation of Madagascar occurred at least five times, and New World colonisation occurred at least three times.

New Synonymy and Taxonomic Changes in the Labiatae

Several new combinations and new synonomies are made affecting the following genera of Labiatae: Keiskea, Collinsonia, Chingyungia, Perrierastrum, Plectranthus, Nepeta and Pitardia. In addition, subtribe Hanceolinae (tribe Ocimeae) is recognized. This includes Isodon, Hanceola and Siphocranion.

Pycnostachys recurvata (Lamiaceae), a New Species from Ethiopia

Pycnostachys recurvata, a new species from Ethiopia, is described and illustrated. Com- parisons are made to P pseudospeciosa and P che- valieri, which it resembles by having recurved leaves, and to P niamniamensis, P reticulata, and P deflexifolia, which it resembles in calyx shape. Pycnostachys is a distinct genus belonging to Lamiaceae subfamily Nepetoideae tribe Ocimeae subtribe Plectranthinae. It is characterized by hav- ing dense, head- to spike-like inflorescences and subequally spiny-lobed calyces with scales between the lobes. According to Bruce (1939), who revised the genus, there are 37 species, all in tropical to southern Africa and on Madagascar. According to Cufodontis (1963), the east African P deflexifolia Baker occurs in Ethiopia. However, the Ethiopian material distributed under this name and under P reticulata (E. Meyer) Bentham has been found to represent a distinct taxon, which here is described as a new species. Material from the herbaria C, ETH, K, UPS, and WAG has been studied. gin serrate. Inflorescence terminal on branches, dense, initially head-like, becoming elongate and spike-like in the fruiting stage, sometimes with a few spaced three-flowered whorls at the base, up to 30-70 mm long; bracts narrowly lanceolate-linear, up to 5-7 X 0.6-1.0 mm, recurved. Flowers sessile. Calyx enlarging up to a length of 6.5-8 mm in the fruit, with 5 erect triangular-acute scales alternat- ing with and forming a whorl near inside the lobes; tube bent upward in the proximal half, slightly nar- rowed along the distal half, mostly slightly recurved near the mouth, with 10 slightly prominent longi- tudinal veins and a thicker vein at the throat, with sessile glands and hairy at least in the apical part,

Hanceola, Siphocranion and Isodon and Their Position in the Ocimeae (Labiatae)

In preparing an account of the Tribe Ocimeae Dumort. for Kubitzki's Families and Genera of Vascular Plants, it was noted that three closely related genera, Hanceola Kud6, Siphocranion Kud6 and Isodon (Benth.) Schrad. ex Spach, had an anomalous position within the tribe and did not fit neatly into the existing subtribes. This anomaly had already been highlighted by Ryding (1992, 1993a), who noted the difference in nutlet anatomy between these genera and the remainder of the tribe. This paper discusses the place of these genera within the tribe and concludes that they are best placed incertae sedis within the Ocimeae. A key to the subtribes of the Ocimeae and to genera incertae sedis is given.

Pericarp structure and systematic positions of five genera of Lamiaceae subg. Nepetoideae tribe Ocimeae

Pericarp structure has been investigated in five genera of Lamiaceae subg. Nepetoideae tribe Ocimeae which were omitted or poorly studied by Ryding (1992a): Hanceola, Limniboza, Skapanthus, Tetradenia and Thorncroftia. In the light of the results, the systematic position of these and some related genera are discussed. Limniboza is suggested to belong to Ocimeae subtribe Ociminae, the Acrocephalusgroup. Hanceola (incl. Siphocranion), Isodon, Skapanthus (which is resurrected as a genus), Tetradenia and Thorncroftia apparently do not fit into any of the three traditional subtribes (Hyptidinae, Ociminae or Plectranthinae). The three Asiatic genera, Hanceola, Isodon and Skapanthus might together form a new subtribe. Tetradenia and Thorncroftia have more isolated positions in the Ocimeae.

Pericarp structure and phylogeny within Lamiaceae subfamily Nepetoideae tribe Ocimeae

The pericarp structure has been investigated in about 205 species, representing 43 out of the about 50 genera of Lamiaceae subfamily Nepetoideae tribe Ocimeae (Ocimoideae). In its basic structure, the pericarp of Ocimeae corresponds to that of other Nepetoideae. The exocarp has usually both mucilaginous and non‐mucilaginous cells. Below it, there are soft cells (mesocarp), a layer of vertically arranged bone cells and a thin innermost cell layer. The differences discovered in pericarp anatomy essentially agree with the traditional subdivisions of Ocimeae (by e.g. Briquet). The subtribes Hyptidinae and Ociminae and the genus Aeollanthus (in subtribe Plectran‐thinae) have, with few exceptions crystals in the bone cells. Unlike other Labiatae, Plectranthinae (except Alvesia, Isodon and Siphocranion) has a plate‐like content in the mucilaginous cell. The systematic position of the latter three genera is discussed. Because of their pericarp anatomy, Hoslundia, Fuerstia, Catoferia, Nosema, Benguellia, Octomeron and Ceratanthus are suggested to belong to Ociminae, and Neohyptis to Plectranthinae. On the basis of pericarp characters an informal division of Ociminae is suggested. Considering the distribution of stamen and pericarp characters, the genera Capitanya, Pycnostachys and Solenostemon are suggested to originate from Plectranthus. Ocimeae species which grow in arid habitats tend to produce more mucilage and to have a larger plate‐like content in the mucilaginous cells than species from moist or wet habitats.

Revision of generic limits in Hyptis Jacq. (Labiatae) and its allies

The primarily neotropical sub-tribe Hyptidinae (Labiatae: tribe Ocimeae) consists of six or seven genera of which the largest is the genus Hyptis with over 300 species. Over the last 12 years, work on