Acute toxicity of Galium odoratum to the freshwater cladoceran Moina macrocopa

Galium odoratum (L.) is a medicinal plant with a number of health benefits, used in traditional and modern medicine. The toxicity of the coumarin in Galium odoratum is classified as high, however, no experimental data or data on toxic effects in humans following intake of Galium odoratum are available. The potential toxic effect can be estimated based on the content of coumarin and knowledge of its toxicity. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the acute toxicity effects of a range of concentrations of Galium odoratum water extract on Moina macrocopa and calculate the LC50 within 24 hours. In order to compare the toxicity with those of other, well-known and widely used medicinal plants, extracts of Matricaria chamomilla and Tribulus terrestris are also tested.  The results show that LC50 value of Galium odoratum is comparable with those of Matricaria chamomilla and Tribulus terrestris, and Galium odoratum has intermediate toxicity between the two other studied species. 

Herbaceous Layer Net Primary Production of Oak-Hornbeam Forest: Comparing Six Methods of Assessment Based on the Seasonal Dynamics of Biomass Increments

Proper estimation of the herb layer annual net primary production (ANPP) can help to appreciate the role of this layer in carbon assimilation and nutrient cycling. Simple methods of ANPP estimation often understate its value. More accurate methods take into account biomass increments of individual species but are more laborious. We conducted our study in an oak-hornbeam forest (site area 12 ha) dominated by beech in NW Poland during two growing seasons (2010 and 2011). We collected herb layer biomass from 7 to 10 square frames (0.6 × 0.6 m). We collected plant biomass every week in April and May and every two weeks for the rest of the growing season. We compared six methods of calculating ANPP. The highest current-year standing biomass (1st method of ANPP calculation) was obtained on May 15, 2010—37.8 g m−2 and May 7, 2011—41.0 g m−2. The highest values of ANPP were obtained by the 6th method based on the sum of the highest products of shoot biomass and density for individual species: 74.3 g m−2 year−1 in 2010 and 94.0 g m−2 year−1 in 2011. The spring ephemeral Anemone nemorosa had the highest share of ANPP with 50% of the total ANPP. Two summer-greens, Galeobdolon luteum and Galium odoratum, each had a ca. 10% share of ANPP. The best results of ANPP calculation resulted from laborious tracking of dynamics of biomass and density of individual shoots.

Experience of using GIS in assessment of conservation value of urban forests (by example of “Savin Navolok” park, Petrozavodsk city, Republic of Karelia)

The information about the state and nature conservation value of the recreational forests of the Savin Navolok Park is presented. Maps of vegetation and localization of rare and protected species of vascular plants, mosses, lichens and fungi have been compiled. Nine types of forest have been identified in the Park where birch herb-rich forests (31.8 %), spruce forests (25.2 %), and pine forests (16.3 %) prevail. About a quarter of the studied territory (25.6 %) is covered by mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, aspen and willow forests. The flora of the Park is characterized by high species diversity: 258 species of vascular plants, 40 species of mosses and 45 species of lichens have been identified. In comparison with adjacent territories, distinctive feature of the studied flora is the presence of a large number of species of the southern taiga subzone (19.7 %), including nemoral species on the northern border of their distribution range (Corydalis solida, Pulmonaria obscura, Tilia cordata, etc.). In the Savin Navolok Park, 8 species protected in the Republic of Karelia are registered: Galium odoratum, Humulus lupulus, Lentaria afflata, Neckera pennata, Punctularia strigosozonata, Thalictrum kemens, among which species Calypso bulbosa and Cypripedium calceolus are listed in the Red Data Book of Russian Federation. Species Chaenotheca brachypoda and Ulmus glabra are included in the list of taxa of the Republic of Karelia that need special attention to their state in the natural environment and are recommended for biological surveillance. According to the Federal Law “On Specially Protected Natural Areas”, the natural complexes of the Savin Navolok Park satisfies the criteria for give this territory the status of a specially protected natural area in the rank of a natural monument or a state botanical reserve of regional significance “Savin Navolok”.

Seasonal dynamics of shoot biomass of dominant clonal herb species in an oak–hornbeam forest herb layer

Seasonal fluctuations of light availability, nutrient concentrations, and moisture affect plant population traits like density, standing biomass, and flowering. We analyzed seasonal changes of density and shoot biomass of the four most frequent herb species growing in an oak–hornbeam forest community, i.e., Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Galeobdolon luteum, and Galium odoratum. In 2010 and 2011 plant biomass was harvested from 7 to 10 randomly situated square sample plots (0.36 m2) in the homogenous oak–hornbeam forest community every week in the spring and every two weeks in the summer and autumn. The highest abundance of Anemone nemorosa reached over 1000 shoots per m2, of Ficaria verna 459.5 shoots per m2, of Galium odoratum 83.6 shoots per m2, and of Galeobdolon luteum 98.4 shoots per m2 (means for 2010 and 2011, based on all sample plots). We did not observe negative correlation between density and shoot biomass. Growth rates of vegetative shoot biomass amounted to 0.857 mg day−1 for Anemone nemorosa, 0.467 mg day−1 for Ficaria verna, 0.722 mg day−1 for Galium odoratum, and 0.448 mg day−1 for Galeobdolon luteum (means for 2010 and 2011). Spring ephemerals had much higher densities of shoots than summer-greens. Summer-greens reached higher biomass of individual shoots than spring ephemerals. Flowering shoots constituted only 4, 2, and 11% of all shoots for A. nemorosa, F. verna, and G. odoratum, respectively. More resource availability resulting in high shoot biomass did not translate to higher share of flowering shoots.

Indications of Susceptibility to Calonectria pseudonaviculata in Some Common Groundcovers and Boxwood Companion Plants

Knowing the host range of a pathogen is critical to developing and implementing effective disease management programs. Calonectria pseudonaviculata (Cps) is known to attack a number of species, varieties, and cultivars in the genus Buxus as well as three Pachysandra species (Pachysandra terminalis, Pachysandra procumbens, and Pachysandra axillaris) and several Sarcococca species, all in the Buxaceae family. The objective of this study was to evaluate non-Buxaceae groundcovers and companion plants commonly associated with boxwood plantings for their susceptibility to Cps. Twenty-seven plant species belonging to 21 families were exposed to different levels of inoculum: 50 to 300 conidia per drop for detached leaf assays and 30,000 to 120,000 conidia per 1 ml for whole-plant assays. Inoculated plants were incubated in humid environments for at least 48 h to facilitate infection. Cps infection and sporulation were observed on 12 plant species: Alchemilla mollis, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Brunnera macrophylla, Epimedium × youngianum, Galium odoratum, Geranium sanguineum, Phlox subulata, Tiarella cordifolia, Callirhoe involucrata, Iberis sempervirens, Mazus reptans, and Vinca minor. These results suggest that there may be more hosts of Cps commonly grown in nurseries and landscapes. If corroborated by observations of natural infection, these findings have implications for the Boxwood Blight Cleanliness Program instituted by the National Plant Board and for planning disease mitigation at production and in the landscape.

Cladosporium galii. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

A description is provided for Cladosporium galii, which sometimes causes severe damage to Galium leaves. Some information on its interactions and habitats, dispersal and transmission and conservation status is given, along with its geographical distribution (Poland and Ukraine) and hosts (Galium odoratum and G. physsocarpum).