A new species of Petrocosmea (Gesneriaceae) from Myanmar

The new species Petrocosmea villosa D.J.Middleton from Shan State, Myanmar is described. It is most similar to Petrocosmea kerrii Craib, P. crinita (W.T.Wang) Z.J.Qiu and P. heterophylla B.L.Burtt in Petrocosmea sect. Deinanthera but differs particularly in inflorescence structure, inflorescence indumentum and in the long calyx lobes.

Floral evolution and pollinator diversification in Hedychium J.Koenig (Zingiberaceae): one of Mr. Darwin’s tropical fantasies

ABSTRACTPREMISEHedychium J.Koenig (ginger lilies: Zingiberaceae) is endemic to the Indo-Malayan Realm (IMR) and is known for its fragrant flowers. Two different pollination syndromes characterize the genus: diurnal or bird pollination and nocturnal or moth pollination systems. To date, no attempt has been undertaken to understand the evolution of floral traits in this genus.METHODSWe estimated ancestral character-states, phylogenetic signals, and character correlations for thirteen discrete and eight continuous floral traits representing 75% species diversity of Hedychium. Diversification rate estimation analyses were also employed to understand trait-dependent diversification in the genus.RESULTSInflorescence structure, cincinnus capacity, and curvature of floral tubes revealed strong phylogenetic dependence, whereas number of open flowers per inflorescence per day, color of the labellum, and exertion of the stigma characterized higher ecological effects. Diversification rate estimations suggested that the labellum width, floral tube length, and labellum color played a major role in the evolutionary diversification of Hedychium.CONCLUSIONSWe identified bract type and cincinnus capacity as synapomorphies for Hedychium, while the island-specific clade III was characterized by slender cylindrical inflorescence, coiling of floral tubes, and longer bract to calyx ratio. The circum-Himalayan clade IV is the most speciose, derived, and with most variable floral traits. Although floral color and size lacked any association with pollinator-specific traits (moth and bird pollination), pale colored flowers were most common in the early diverging clades (clade I, II-el., and II-de.), indicating their ancestral nature, when compared to brightly colored flowers.

DIONYSIA SPLENDENS (PRIMULACEAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM THE FARS PROVINCE OF IRAN

Dionysia splendens Alipour, Mehregan & Lidén, sp. nov., from Fars, Iran, is a unique species that cannot be easily accommodated in any hitherto recognised section of the genus and is immediately recognised by its large flowers and pectinate leaves with very broad pale and thick midvein. It agrees with Dionysia cespitosa Duby (Boiss.) in the small flat leaves, stalked inflorescence with large bracts, and few large ellipsoid seeds, but differs in the tubular calyx and large purplish-blue corolla. It is also somewhat reminiscent of Dionysia viva Lidén & Zetterl. in growth habit and inflorescence structure, but that species has large irregularly dentate leaves, yellow corolla and numerous small angular seeds. Dionysia splendens is so far known from a single locality with c.200 mature individuals. An updated key to Dionysia species in the Zagros mountains is provided.

Molecular Characterization and Expression Patterns of the HkSVP Gene Reveal Distinct Roles in Inflorescence Structure and Floral Organ Development in Hemerocallis fulva

SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) genes are members of the well-known MADS-box gene family that play a key role in regulating vital developmental processes in plants. Hemerocallis are perennial herbs that exhibit continuous flowering development and have been extensively used in landscaping. However, there are few reports on the regulatory mechanism of flowering in Hemerocallis. To better understand the molecular basis of floral formation of Hemerocallis, we identified and characterized the SVP-like gene HkSVP from the Hemerocallis cultivar ‘Kanai Sensei’. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) indicated that HkSVP transcript was mainly expressed in the vegetative growth stage and had the highest expression in leaves, low expression in petals, pedicels and fruits, and no expression in pistils. The HkSVP encoded protein was localized in the nucleus of Arabidopsis protoplasts and the nucleus of onion epidermal cells. Yeast two hybrid assay revealed that HKSVP interacted with Hemerocallis AP1 and TFL1. Moreover, overexpression of HkSVP in Arabidopsis resulted in delayed flowering and abnormal phenotypes, including enriched trichomes, increased basal inflorescence branches and inhibition of inflorescence formation. These observations suggest that the HkSVP gene may play an important role in maintaining vegetative growth by participating in the construction of inflorescence structure and the development of flower organs.

Re-evaluation of the Amazonian Hylaeaicum (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) based on neglected morphological traits and molecular evidence

Generic status for the Amazonian Hylaeaicum is proposed within the Aechmea alliance, excluding it from the “Nidularioid complex” in general and from Neoregelia in particular. The monophyly of this new genus is supported by molecular phylogenetic analyses. The taxonomic circumscription of Hylaeaicum is based on the combination of geographical range and morphological characters, such as clonal growth, inflorescence structure, petal and corolla conformation, petal appendages, ovary, ovule, stigma, pollen, fruit, and seed, as well as seed anatomy, thoroughly documented and illustrated from field-collected specimens that flowered in cultivation in the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and in Refúgio dos Gravatás. The presence of seeds with long bicaudate appendages on both chalazal and micropylar ends is reported for the first time in Bromelioideae and considered an important character to distinguish Hylaeaicum from the related genera in the Aechmea alliance. In order to support the morphological distinctness of Hylaeaicum, the most varied and complete documentation of stigmata, fruits, and seeds of Bromelioideae is also presented for the first time, covering 24 genera and 17 subgenera. Fourteen new combinations, including 12 species and two varieties, are proposed.

WILD SPECIES OF THE GENUS IRIS L.

The catalogue includes descriptions of 24 iris accessions belonging to seven species of the genus Iris L. from the VIR collection: species characteristics, main ornamental traits and inflorescence structure features, flowering schedule, and reproducibility. These accessions are the most adapted to the climate conditions of the Russian Northwest. Brief descriptions facilitate identification of varieties in the field. As a result of long-term research, accessions have been identified in the iris genepool to serve as sources of valuable agronomic traits, namely high ornamental value, winter hardiness, and resistance to fungal diseases. The catalogue is recommended to plant breeders, landscaping architects, and students majoring in agricultural disciplines.

A developmental approach expanding the knowledge of inflorescence diversity in subtribe Eleusininae (Chloridoideae: Poaceae)

Subtribe Eleusininae (Chloridoideae, Poaceae) comprise 237 species with little morphological diversity in inflorescence structure. This diversity may be explained by an evolution from complex (pyramidal, highly branched) to simpler (digitate, barely branched) morphologies. However, only mature specimens have been studied; the developmental analyses of the inflorescences are rare. We analysed the inflorescence, spikelet and flower development of 17 species of Eleusininae using scanning electron microscopy. In the early stages of the transition to flowering of the studied species, the inflorescence meristem elongates initiating primary branches acropetally. The differentiation of these branches along the main axis is either basipetal or amphipetal. Although the initiation of secondary branches along primary branches may be acropetal or amphipetal, their differentiation follows an amphipetal direction. The florets in spikelets are initiated acropetally. We found abnormal orientation of stamens and gynoecium in florets of Leptochloa chloridiformis. The analysis of the ontogeny has enriched current knowledge of inflorescences in the subtribe. In addition, the developmental patterns revealed the existence of more than one developmental pattern leading to similar mature inflorescence forms. The results will support future efforts on postulating trends of developmental patterns across Poaceae.

Maesa brevipedicellata (Primulaceae), a new species from Papua New Guinea

Maesa brevipedicellata, a new species of Maesa ( Primulaceae-Maesoideae) from Papua New Guinea, is described and illustrated based on herbarium specimen observations. The collections of this species resemble M. rufovillosa and were previously determined as that species. Maesa brevipedicellata is unique with its self- supporting habit, hispid hairs throughout and paniculate inflorescences with very short pedicels. This new species mainly differs from M. rufovillosa by the habit (tree/shrub in M. brevipedicellata vs climber in M. rufovillosa) and the inflorescence structure (panicles in M. brevipedicellata vs simple racemes in M. rufovillosa).