Uncommon Plants Research Articles

Translocation and population establishment of

Coastal ecosystems are under increasing pressure from land clearing along the east coast of Australia. Methods to mitigate the impacts of land clearing are needed, particularly for locally uncommon plants. In addition, there are significant knowledge gaps about cultivation methods for many wet-heath sedges. Translocation via salvage and relocation of plant populations is often the only viable ex situ, last-resort conservation option for populations threatened by clearing. We aimed to determine if translocation was an effective method for relocating a wild population of Schoenus scabripes, and how the use of organic mulch or a nitrogen-fixing companion plant affected survival, growth and nutrient concentrations of nursery-grown S. scabripes plants. Whole-plant translocation of S. scabripes plants was effective, with 62% survival at 50 months after installation. Survival of translocated nursery-grown plants was 35% at 27 months after installation. Organic mulch improved survival and health of field-established plants; however, companion plants did not improve plant health or survival. Stem and leaf winter potassium concentrations for mulched plants were significantly higher than for other treatments. Our case study demonstrated two establishment techniques for S. scabripes and suggested that whole-plant translocation of mature clumps is more effective than field establishment of nursery-grown plants.

An ethnobotanical study in Midyat (Turkey), a city on the silk road where cultures meet

BackgroundStudies of ethnobotanical usages in south-eastern Turkey are rare. To widen this field of knowledge, we conducted an ethnobotanical study in Midyat (Mardin Province), Turkey.MethodsThe field study was completed during three years (2007–2010). Our aim was to document the ethnobotanical uses of local plants and to make an ethnobotanical inventory of uncommon plants using qualitative interviews.ResultsDuring field studies, 368 voucher specimens were collected in the investigated area. Ninety-two traditionally used plant species were reported from Midyat and surrounding vicinities in Turkey. Among the 92 taxa (129 usages), 35% were used for medical purposes, 22% for food, 13% for animal fodder, 7% as ornamental plants and dyes, 6% as brooms, 4% for latex and as fragrance, 4% for herbal tea, molasses and wine preparation, 3% for agricultural purposes, and 6% for other purposes. Comparative assessment showed that Teucrium polium (0.51), Matricaria aurea (0.26), Alcea setosa (0.21), and Malva neglecta (0.21) have the highest recorded UVs, and the following taxa had UVs between 0.10–0.20: Anthemis cotula (0.12), Allium cepa (0.13), Alcea striata subsp. striata (0.14), Crupina crupinastrum (0.12), Papaver rhoeas (0.13), Salvia multicaulis (0.14), Thymbra spicata (0.11), and Vicia pannonica subsp. striata (0.15). We reported the ethnobotanical usages of 21 taxa for the first time, in addition to indicating usages previously recorded in the literature. We also recorded four endemic plant usages in the area: Alkanna trichophila var. mardinensis, Centaurea kurdica, Centaurea stapfiana, and Sideritis libanotica subsp. linearis. They have variable leaf and flower morphology that are used traditionally. They are present as well-developed populations and thus their conservation status is not compromised. Additionally, Thymbra sintenisii is a recorded species that is classified as a rare and extensively used species in the region.ConclusionsThese results contribute to the fundamental knowledge of ethnobotanical usages in Midyat. To date, ethnobotanical studies have not been carried out in this region. This investigation uncovered usages of endemic medicinal plant species and traditional knowledge of Midyat communities living in a mixed culture. The people of Midyat, Batman, and Şırnak are Turkish citizens from various ethnic backgrounds, such as Kurdish, Arabic, and Syriac. We compared our data with results from other studies conducted in Turkey, particularly in south-eastern and eastern regions, as well as with studies from bordering countries, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Iran. Nonetheless, more work needs to be conducted to extend the present knowledge for locals to contribute to and evaluate economic potential in the region.

AROMATIC PLANT OF LAMIACEAE FAMILY FOR USE IN PHYTOTHERAPY

Introduction. Therapeutic action of terpenoids of essential oil in uncommon plants like Elsholtzia stauntonii, Agastache foenic-ulum, Monarda fistulosa, Perovskia atri-plicifolia, Majorana hortensis, therefore the study for these plants application in phyto-therapy is timely. The study for componen-tial content of essential oil of 18 uncommon species from Lamiaceae family from the collection of Nikitsky Botanical Garden to increase therapeutic possibilities and their practical use in phytotherapy was the purpose of this paper. The plant species under study were introduced to the South Coast of Crimea from different ecological and geographic zones in seeds from botanical gardens of Europe. Methods. Every species was represented by 3-20 samples, which were studied by biomorpholofical and principal economically valuable features. The article presents the generalization and analysis of long-time studies for biologically active substances from 18 species of aromatic plants from Lamiaceae family. The content of essential oil was determined in a phase of mass blossom, from freshly harvested raw materials by means of hydro distillation at Ginsberg apparatuses. Componential content of essential oil was studied by the method of gas liquid chromatography. Results. Identification of the essential oils components allowed isolation of plant chemotypes with high content of valuable substances (methyl chavicol, carvacrol, pinen, thymol, and others). Highproductive samples (forms), prospective for industrial cultivation were isolated by the features complex. Based on the classification of A.D. Turova in phytotherapeutic action of plants and results of our studies, the isolated plant forms were distributed in 10 groups of usage in phytotherapy. On the example of Agastache foeniculum we showed that one and the same plant species may have different chemotypes, which have treatment and toxic action. Conclusion. The data obtained broaden and add the information about a chemical composition of plants and allow broadening the raw material base of medicinal plant by means of introduction of uncommon species from Lamiaceae family into cultivation.

In vitro antibacterial efficacy of plants used by an Indian aboriginal tribe against pathogenic bacteria isolated from clinical samples

Abstract Objectives To evaluate antibacterial efficacies of 21 medicinal plants used by an Indian aboriginal tribe against infectious diseases caused by bacteria isolated from clinical samples. Methods Standard biochemical procedures were followed for identifying bacteria that were isolated from several clinical samples. All of the bacterial strains were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity tests by Kirby–Bauer's disc diffusion method. From antibiograms of isolated Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, it was discernible that samples were multidrug resistant (MDR). The methanol leaf-extract of Solanum xanthocarpum was subjected to thin layer chromatography (TLC) for phytochemical analysis. Molecular docking of β-lactamase enzyme of Escherichia coli with phytochemicals of S. xanthocarpum was performed to locate effective compounds. Results The most effective 5 plants, which caused the size of the zone of inhibition to range from 21 to 27 mm, were Buchanania latifolia, Careya arborea, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Senna alata and S. xanthocarpum, for MDR bacteria. S. xanthocarpum had the lowest MIC value of 0.67 mg/ml and the lowest MBC value of 1.51 mg/ml against E. coli . In the TLC study, 9 spots of methanol leaf-extract of S. xanthocarpum were recorded with two solvent systems. The phytochemicals of S. xanthocarpum, solasodine and stigmasterol glucoside had the highest docking score values, −10.868 kcal/mol and −10.439 kcal/mol, respectively, against β-lactamase. Conclusion This study could prove in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of 5 uncommon plants against MDR pathogenic bacteria. Solasodine and stigmasterol glucoside were computationally recorded as the best controlling chemicals from the plant S. xanthocarpum.

Managing wetland plant populations: Lessons learned in Europe may apply to North American fens

Despite a strong interest in fen management across temperate regions worldwide, fen plant population dynamics have not been examined in relation to succession and disturbance in North America. However, a number of rare perennials in North American fens are commonly believed to decline as these wetlands transition from open to closed canopy habitats. We investigated the applicability of existing European fen studies to North American fens by focusing on the population dynamics of one of these rare perennials, Trollius laxus (Ranunculaceae). We used projection matrix modeling to examine the subpopulation dynamics of T. laxus in created experimental canopy gaps, paired controls, and naturally occurring gaps in a forested fen; and compared the population dynamics of T. laxus to those of European perennial herbs that occupy traditionally managed fens and wet grasslands. On average, T. laxus subpopulations responded to experimental canopy gaps with first increasing, then declining stem and flower production and overall demographic success (i.e., population growth rate, λ). Competition from surrounding understory vegetation and litter accumulation were likely the major factors causing the declines. Life table response experiments revealed the importance of growth and stasis to differences in λ among T. laxus subpopulations. The demography of T. laxus was similar in several key ways to the demography of European species from fens and wet grasslands, suggesting that active management may be needed in many North American fens in order to conserve the rare and uncommon plants that are characteristic of these habitats. This active management might include establishing mowing, grazing, or selective logging practices that mimic traditional agricultural activities, while also reducing fertilizer runoff.

Microsatellite DNA analyses of a highly disjunct New Zealand tree reveal strong differentiation and imply a formerly more continuous distribution

Although New Zealand is a biodiversity hotspot, there has been little genetic investigation of why so many of its threatened and uncommon plants have naturally disjunct distributions. We investigated the small tree Pseudopanax ferox (Araliaceae), which has a widespread but highly disjunct lowland distribution within New Zealand. Genotyping of nuclear microsatellites and a chloroplast locus revealed pronounced genetic differentiation and four principal genetic clusters. Our results indicate that the disjunct distribution is a product of vicariance rather than long-distance dispersal. This highlights the need to preserve multiple populations when disjunct distributions are the result of vicariance, rather than focusing conservation efforts on a core area, in order to retain as much as possible of a species' evolutionary legacy and potential. Additionally, based on our genetic findings and the ecology of P.ferox, we hypothesize that it was more continuously distributed during the drier (but not maximally colder) interstadials of glacial periods and/or on the fertile soils available immediately postglacial. We further hypothesize that P.ferox belongs to a suite of species of drought-prone and/or fertile habitats whose distributions are actually restricted during warmer and wetter interglacial periods, despite being principally of the lowlands. Our genetic data for P.ferox are also the first consistent with the survival during the Last Glacial Maxima of a lowland tree at high latitudes in the south-eastern South Island.

Environment, composition and conservation of coastal turfs of mainland New Zealand

Coastal turfs are communities of tightly interlaced, ground-smothering, short-statured herbs, grasses and sedges occupying shoreline rock landforms exposed to persistent salt-laden onshore winds. They are recorded from eight mainland New Zealand regions along the west and south coasts of North and South Islands. They display regional compositional distinctiveness best explained by geographic location, landform shape and substrate type. There is evidence that the predominant direction of onshore winds delivering aerial salt is aligned obliquely and not perpendicular to the coastline, and that the topographic aspect of turfs is correspondingly skewed in the opposing direction. Significant differences in soil salinity and pH were found between turfs of native herbs and those of exotic grasses and herbs on the same uniform landform. Turfs support 9 threatened and 24 uncommon plants, with all but 1 of the 33 being herbs, and 21 being recorded from just one region. Turfs exposed to ungulate (mostly farm stock) disturbance showed greater vegetation cover than those without ungulates. Conservation priorities should mostly be set intra-regionally and cautiously view ungulate disturbance as a beneficial management tool.

Plant Toxicity, Adaptive Herbivory, and Plant Community Dynamics

We model effects of interspecific plant competition, herbivory, and a plant’s toxic defenses against herbivores on vegetation dynamics. The model predicts that, when a generalist herbivore feeds in the absence of plant toxins, adaptive foraging generally increases the probability of coexistence of plant species populations, because the herbivore switches more of its effort to whichever plant species is more common and accessible. In contrast, toxin-determined selective herbivory can drive plant succession toward dominance by the more toxic species, as previously documented in boreal forests and prairies. When the toxin concentrations in different plant species are similar, but species have different toxins with nonadditive effects, herbivores tend to diversify foraging efforts to avoid high intakes of any one toxin. This diversification leads the herbivore to focus more feeding on the less common plant species. Thus, uncommon plants may experience depensatory mortality from herbivory, reducing local species diversity. The depensatory effect of herbivory may inhibit the invasion of other plant species that are more palatable or have different toxins. These predictions were tested and confirmed in the Alaskan boreal forest.

Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision)

A reappraisal of the conservation status of the indigenous New Zealand vascular plant flora is presented using the 2008 version of the threat classification system developed for the New Zealand Department of Conservation. The list comprises 897 taxa (38% of New Zealand's total indigenous vascular flora) in the following categories: Extinct—6 taxa, Threatened—180 taxa (comprising 91 Nationally Critical taxa, 45 Nationally Endangered, and 44 Nationally Vulnerable), At Risk—651 taxa (comprising 83 Declining, 6 Recovering, 20 Relict, and 542 Naturally Uncommon taxa), 25 taxa listed as either Vagrant (12) or Coloniser (13), and 35 as Data Deficient. A further 171 plants are listed as taxonom ically indeterminate, being those which might warrant further conservation attention once their taxonomic status is clarified. Forty‐four recognised taxa and 26 plants rated as taxonomically indeterminate, and previously considered to be threatened and/or uncommon, are removed from this updated listing. A brief analysis of the patterns of rarity exhibited by the listed taxa is presented. Overall, the conservation status of the New Zealand indigenous vascular plant flora is worsening, with 7.6% of this flora now regarded as threatened with extinction. A concordance of plants names from the 2004 listing is provided.

Current and historical diversity and new records of wetland plants in Crete, Greece

Bergmeier, E. & Abrahamczyk, S.: Current and historical diversity and new records of wetland plants in Crete, Greece. — Willdenowia 38: 433–453. — ISSN 0511-9618; © 2008 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. doi:10.3372/wi.38.38205 (available via http//dx.doi.org/)A list of uncommon plants of wet or seasonally moist habitats of Crete is presented (72 vascular plants, 10 bryophytes, 5 charophytes), based on a survey of 50 localities, most of them in western Crete. For each species new records are compiled and precise locality data are given. For most plant occurrences frequency estimates are provided. Recorded here as new to Crete are Anagallis minima, Callitriche brutia, Myosotis sicula, Chiloscyphus polyanthus, Philonotis calcarea, Chara galioides and Nitella tenuissima. Several records are the first of a taxon in one of the four Cretan prefectures. Continuity and change in the species composition of wetlands are discussed based on comparisons with historical records. Cretan wetlands are currently under threat due to over-exploitation of water resources from springs and streams. Especially coastal marshes are critically endangered as a result of the expansion of urban settlements and tourist resorts, through neglect of traditional grazing and cutting, and due to administrative mismanagement and detrimental agricultural practice.

Little Big Bend—Common, uncommon, and rare plants of Big Bend National ParkLittle Big Bend—Common, uncommon, and rare plants of Big Bend National Park. by. Morey Roy . 2008. Texas Tech University Press. Soft cover. 329 pp in full color.

Little Big Bend—Common, uncommon, and rare plants of Big Bend National Park<b>Little Big Bend—Common, uncommon, and rare plants of Big Bend National Park</b>. by. Morey Roy . 2008. Texas Tech University Press. Soft cover. 329 pp in full color.

Species evenness and productivity in experimental plant communities

In nature, plant biomass is not evenly distributed across species, and naturally uncommon species may differ from common species in the probability of loss from the community. Understanding relationships between evenness and productivity is therefore critical to understanding changes in ecosystem functioning as species are lost from communities. We examined data from a large multi‐site grassland experiment (BIODEPTH) for relationships between evenness of species composition (proportional abundance of biomass) and total biomass of communities. For plots which started with the same and even species composition, but which diverged in evenness over time, those with lower evenness had a significantly greater biomass. The relationship between evenness and biomass across all plots was also negative. However, for communities where the most common species represented one of the three largest species in monoculture at that site (inclusion of a large dominant species), the relationship was neutral. Path analyses indicated that three paths contributed to this negative relationship. First, higher species richness decreased evenness, but increased biomass (primarily through an increase in maximum plant size). Contrary to predictions, maximum plant size had either no effect on evenness, or a positive effect (in year 3 plots with a large dominant species), thereby reducing this relationship. In year 2, large variation among species in plant size (as measured in monoculture) both decreased evenness and increased biomass, thus increasing the strength of the negative relationship between evenness and biomass. However, the former effect was only found in plots with a large dominant species, the latter only in plots without a large dominant species. When species richness, maximum plant size, and variation in size were accounted for, in year 2 evenness positively affected biomass in plots that included a large dominant species. Our results are consistent with the view that naturally uncommon species may be unaffected by (or even benefit from) the presence of a large naturally common species, and that uncommon plants may have little ability to increase productivity in the absence of such a species. We conclude that the observed negative relationship between evenness and biomass resulted from multiple direct and indirect effects, the relative strength of which depended in part on the presence of large dominant species.

Ecology and conservation of Alseuosmia quercifolia (Alseuosmiaceae) in the Waikato region, New Zealand

The ecology of Alseuosmia quercifolia, a small endemic shrub, was investigated, focussing on its habitat requirements, population dynamics, phenology and reproductive biology, and conservation status. This species occurs most commonly in lowland native forests of the Waikato region of the North Island (north of latitude 38°05'S), but is also found in scattered populations to North Cape. In the Waikato region it typically occupies shady, well‐drained, south or south‐east facing lower slopes of hills and ranges at altitudes below 400 m. Population structures show considerable variation amongst seven study sites in the Waikato region, with disjunct size classes a reflection of the presence and abundance of introduced browsing mammals. It is a relatively short‐lived (less than 50 years), slow‐growing species with a fleshy fruit adapted to bird dispersal, but seed dispersal now appears to be primarily by gravity. Flowering occurs early in spring and is synchronous at both individual and population levels, occurring over a 5‐week period, with peak flowering during the second and third weeks. While all populations set seed, reproductive output can be negatively affected by persistent browse and by rain during peak flowering. This species is vulnerable because it is highly palatable to introduced mammals and all plants in a population are within browse height. It has relatively narrow habitat specificity, localised distribution, and limited potential to extend its range. We suggest it fulfils the requirements of the category “declining”, using the most recent classification of threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand.

Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand

A reappraisal of the conservation status of New Zealand's threatened and uncommon vascular plants is presented. The list comprises 511 taxa (22% of New Zealand's indigenous vascular flora) in the following categories: Presumed Extinct 5 taxa, Threatened 107 taxa (comprising 24 taxa Critically Endangered, 33 taxa Endangered, 50 taxa Vulnerable), Declining 60 taxa, Recovering 17 taxa (comprising 14 taxa Conservation Dependent and 3 taxa undergoing Natural Population Recovery), Naturally Uncommon 204 taxa (comprising 62 taxa rated as Sparse, 17 taxa Vagrant, 125 taxa Range Restricted). Lack of information on the threat status of a further 26 taxa caused these to be listed as Insufficiently Known. Ninety‐two taxa are listed as Taxonomically Indeterminate, being those which probably belong in one or other of the preceding lists but which are currently unnamed or where there are other doubts about their taxonomic status. About half of the Taxonomically Indeterminate taxa are probably threatened. Thirty‐three taxa formerly considered at risk are removed from the threatened and uncommon vascular plant lists. A concordance of plant names is provided.

Rare plants on Mount Amiata, Italy: Vulnerability to extinction on an ecological ‘island’

The vulnerability to local extinction of 21 uncommon plants occurring on Mount Amiata, an isolated mountain in peninsular Italy, is analysed in relation to 17 factors concerning anthropic threat, isolation and biological features of populations. Isolation increases with altitude and vulnerability is weakly but significantly correlated with both altitude and isolation. Cluster analysis identifies five groups with a different average vulnerability, each including species with similar threat profiles. Ordination indicates that demographic variables and anthropic disturbance are the most important in determining the vulnerability of the most threatened populations. Populations of wide-ranging species which have been ‘trapped’ within the ecological island as a consequence of historical variations in distribution and abundance pose, in general pose more serious conservation problems than taxa naturally sparse or narrow-ranged. Isolation or disjunction do not necessarily cause vulnerability; some populations are buffered against demographic stochasticity thanks to their biological and structural features.

Uncommon Plants of the Castlemaine District – Sticky Boronia

Uncommon Plants of the Castlemaine District – Sticky Boronia

Uncommon Plants of the Castlemaine District Wyalong Wattle

Uncommon Plants of the Castlemaine District Wyalong Wattle

Uncommon Plants of the Castlemaine District – Dusty Miller

Uncommon Plants of the Castlemaine District – Dusty Miller

Ethnobotanical value and conservation of sacred groves of the Kpaa Mende in Sierra Leone

Sacred groves in the Moyamba District of Sierra Leone were assessed for their value to local herbalists and traditional folk medicine practitioners of the Kpaa Mende people. Herbalists (tufablaa) collecting in 23 sacred groves were interviewed regarding their general knowledge of medicinal plants, and their perceptions regarding changes in the occurrence of medicinal plants. Over 75 medicinal plant remedies are currently in use among the Kpaa Mende, with some plants reported here for the first time in terms of their medicinal uses in Sierra Leone. A significant feature of Kpaa Mende ethnobotany is the employment of 2 or more kinds of plants in combination as a remedy for particular afflictions. The discovery of rare and uncommon plants in the groves and their medicinal uses are discussed in terms of the role of the sacred groves in medicinal plant conservation.

Over‐collecting: an overlooked factor in the decline of plant taxa

SummaryNorton, D. A., Lord, J. M., Given, D. R. &amp; De Lange, P. J.: Over‐collecting: an overlooked factor in the decline of plant taxa. – Taxon 43: 181‐185. 1994. – ISSN 0040‐0262.Botanists, both professional and amateur, can have a substantial impact on uncommon plant taxa through over‐collecting, and in some cases this may result in extinction of uncommon taxa. This paper reviews examples of over‐collecting, mainly from the New Zealand flora, and suggests five guidelines to reduce its impact: (1) to use photographs where possible, especially as a preliminary record, (2) not to collect whole plants unless there are more than 20 plants, or more than 5 % of any one plant, (3) not to collect flowers or fruits if only a few present, (4) not to collect duplicates, and (5) to use seeds or cuttings for cultivation. Awareness of the effects of over‐collection and adoption of these collecting guidelines should contribute significantly to the conservation of uncommon plants.