Cereal Husks: Versatile Roles in Grain Quality and Seedling Performance

The seed is the fundamental unit of the dispersal of dry, dehiscent fruits, in which the fruit splits open at maturity to allow for seed dispersal. However, dry fruits may be indehiscent and therefore represent the dispersal unit (DU). Cereals possess a one-seeded fruit, whereby the seed coat and the fruit coat are fused together to generate the caryopsis. This caryopsis may be covered by floral bracts to generate two types of DUs, namely florets, whereby the caryopsis is enclosed by the lemma and the palea (e.g., Avenasterilis) or spikelet, whereby the floret(s) is further covered by the glumes (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides). Here, we highlight the dead coverings enclosing the caryopsis in cereals, namely the husks as an integral component of the dispersal unit that play multifaceted roles in grain biology. Thus, besides protection and dispersal means, the husks function as a rich maternal supply of proteins and metabolites for enhancing growth and development, combat potential pathogens as well as confer tolerance to abiotic stresses. These attributes might have broad implications for crop performance, plant population dynamics and diversity in ecological systems, and for conservation of genetic resources in seed banks.

Salvia beltraniorum (Lamiaceae), a new species in savannoid vegetation from Cosalá, Sinaloa, Mexico

An undescribed Salvia species was discovered in savannoid vegetation in the municipality of Cosalá, Sinaloa, during botanical explorations addressed to document the endemic species of this Mexican state. This plant is morphologically most similar to Salvia pringlei, sharing with this the peculiar character of connivent calyces during fructification enclosing the mericarps. However, the new species differs by having smaller floral bracts, deep blue corollas instead of magenta, shorter corollas, corolla lips subequal in length, and shorter connectives and styles. Consequently, we describe and diagnosed this taxon as Salvia beltraniorum. A distribution map, photographs and an identification key to Salvia species in Sinaloa are also provided.

Two new species of Cryptanthus (Bromelioideae, Bromeliaceae) from northeastern Brazil

Two new species of Cryptanthus from Bahia State, in northeastern Brazil, are described and illustrated. Cryptanthus apiculatantherus occurs in Atlantic Forest and Cryptanthus brevibracteatus was discovered in a transition area between Atlantic Forest and Caatinga. Cryptanthus apiculatantherus and C. bibarrensis have similar stem lengths and leaf blade shapes, but differ mainly by the stem diameter, width of the leaf sheaths, sepal and petal color, anther apex shape, and length and width of the ovary. Cryptanthus brevibracteatus and C. warren-loosei have a similar leaf blade color and are geographically close to each other, but differ by the number of flowers in the apical cluster of flowers of the inflorescence, length and width of the floral bracts, length of the sepals, connation of the sepals and length of the sepal lobes. Data about the geographic distribution, habitat, phenology, conservation status, taxonomic comments, a distribution map and photographs of the new species are provided. In addition, there are tables included that compare the new species to morphologically similar species.

Paepalanthus mellosilvae (Eriocaulaceae), a new species from the Mantiqueira Range in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Paepalanthus mellosilvae is here described and illustrated as a new species of Eriocaulaceae from the Atlantic Forest domain in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The new species is known from a single locality in the Mantiqueira Range, growing along trails through cloud forests. According to the IUCN criteria, it is suggested here as critically endangered. Paepalanthus mellosilvae is compared to P. harmsii, a morphologically similar species also growing in the Mantiqueira Range, being mainly distinguished by the presence of a rhizome, narrower leaves, more numerous scapes, narrower capitula, sparsely pilose involucral bracts, and obdeltate floral bracts. Additional comments on the taxonomy, morphology, and distribution of the species, along with illustrations are provided. The specific epithet is a tribute to Prof. Dr. Renato de Mello-Silva.

Begonia microinduta (Begoniaceae) a new species from the Atlantic Coastal Forest in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Begonia microinduta, a new species of Begonia sect. Pritzelia from the Atlantic Coastal Forest of Brazil is described and illustrated with detailed field photographs. This species is similar to B. windischii and B. lorenzii by having three tepals on pistillate flowers, staminate flowers with pilose dorsal surface, short peduncled inflorescences, very short inflorescence ramification and persistent floral bracts. It differs from B. windischii in its petiole indumentum, which is covered with short microscopic trichomes throughout (vs. sparsely pilose in the upper third with villous trichomes, with a trichome necklace at the base of the petiole and in the apex) and differs from B. lorenzii by having microscopic (vs. villous) trichomes, glabrous (vs. pubescent) adaxial leaf surface and glabrous (vs. pubescent) fruits.

Lepanthes marielana (Orchidaceae, Pleurothallidinae), a new species from the eastern Andes in Colombia

Lepanthes marielana, a new orchid species of the eastern Andes of Colombia, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to Lepanthes clausa, also from the eastern Andes, but it can be distinguished by the echinate floral bracts, the light yellow with a central claret blotch flowers, the blades of the lip subfalcate with the apices surrounding the apex of the column and by the lip appendix subtriangular to oblong. Taxonomic and ecological notes are given.

Novel Piperidine and 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole Alkaloids from Tilia platyphyllos and Tilia cordata Flowers

Lime flowers, traditionally used for medical purposes for the treatment of symptoms of the common cold and mental stress, consist of the dried inflorescences including the floral bracts of Tilia cordata, Tilia platyphyllos, Tilia × vulgaris, or mixtures thereof. During phytochemical investigations, 6 different alkaloids – not described until now – were detected in T. cordata and T. platyphyllos flowers. They have been isolated and characterized as alkaloids with a dihydro-pyrrole and a piperidine substructure, respectively. Compounds 1a and 1b (tiliines A and B) are characterized as 2 diastereomers containing a 2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-3-ol, connected via a C-10 alkyl chain to a O-glucosylated hydroquinone moiety. Compounds 2a and 2b (tiliamines A and B) are diastereomers of a 2-methyl-substituted piperidin-3-ol, coupled via a C-9 alkyl chain again to an O-glucosylated hydroquinone moiety. Compounds 3a and 3b (tilacetines A and B) are 3-O-acetylated derivatives of tiliamines. Quantification of the 6 alkaloids by HPLC-ESI-qTOF analysis indicated the presence of all alkaloids in T. cordata flowers and T. platyphyllos flowers, bracts, and leaves, with tiliines A and B and tilacetines A and B being the major compounds. Acetone/water turned out be the best extraction solvent for the alkaloids, but ethanol and ethanol/water mixtures also can be used for effective extraction. Furthermore, the alkaloids are found in hot water extracts, which are typically used in the traditional medicine.

A new species of Werauhia (Bromeliaceae: Tillandsioideae) from the Brazilian “Hylaea”

The authors describe and illustrate Werauhia hylaeana, a new species of Tillandsioideae (Bromeliaceae) from the Amazonian “Hylaea” of Brazil. It is related to W. gladioliflora, but differs in its stature, leaf blade, and inflorescence size, in the shape of floral bracts, sepals, and petals. An identification key for the species of Werauhia reported to Brazil is presented, in addition to habitat and distribution data for the new species.

Dead but Not Dead End: Multifunctional Role of Dead Organs Enclosing Embryos in Seed Biology

Dry fruits consist of two types, dehiscent and indehiscent, whereby the fruit is splitting open or remains closed at maturity, respectively. The seed, the dispersal unit (DU) of dehiscent fruits, is composed of three major parts, the embryo and the food reserve, encapsulated by the maternally-derived organ, the seed coat. Indehiscent fruit constitutes the DU in which the embryo is covered by two protective layers (PLs), the seed coat and the fruit coat. In grasses, the caryopsis, a one-seeded fruit, can be further enclosed by the floral bracts to generate two types of DUs, florets and spikelets. All protective layers enclosing the embryo undergo programmed cell death (PCD) at maturation and are thought to provide mainly a physical shield for embryo protection and a means for dispersal. In this review article, I wish to highlight the elaborate function of these dead organs enclosing the embryo as unique storage structures for beneficial substances and discuss their potential role in seed biology and ecology.

Cunila socorroae (Lamiaceae) a new species from Sierra Madre Occidental, Durango, Mexico

Recent botanical explorations in Durango, Mexico, led to the discovery of a new species endemic to this state: Cunila socorroae (Lamiaceae), which is consequently here described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically most similar to C. jaliscana and C. lythrifolia. It can be distinguished from both in having less flowers per cyme, lanceolate floral bracts, longer calyx tube, and lanceolate calyx teeth and longer. It also deviates from C. jaliscana by the fewer floral internodes, longer floral bract, and generally longer corolla tube. Also, the exfoliating bark, white corollas and internally pubescent, make a clear distinction against C. lythrifolia. The distinctive geographic distribution of these species is an additional support to their separation; the new species is exclusive of the middle portion of Sierra Madre Occidental, whereas C. jaliscana is restricted to the northernmost portion of Sierra Madre del Sur, and C. lythrifolia, though mostly occurs in eastern Tans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, has also some localities in southern Chihuahuan Desert, Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Madre del Sur.