Recording Persicaria maculosa and P. lapathifolia (Polygonaceae)

Persicaria maculosa Gray (Redshank) is a distinct species which can be distinguished from all forms of P. lapathifolia (L.) Delarbe (Pale Persicaria) based on the outer tepal veins. The recording and identification of these two taxa can be clouded by colour variation (especially in the latter species) and due to varied treatments in different works or Floras. This article describes ways to separate the two species and gives details of the various treatments in order for others to decide which taxonomic work should be followed. It suggests that there is a greater need for further morphological and or molecular studies for this complex group in order to form a consensus. Hybrids may occur but none have been confirmed by scientific methods. It may be that most of these taxa (especially in P. lapathifolia s.l.) are recognizable as forms or varieties, and this is also suggested (informally at present) by the author below, until further work clarifies the situation.

ESTIMATION OF VARIABILITY ANALYSIS PARAMETERS FOR MAJOR GROWTH AND FLOWERING TRAITS OF Lilium leichtlinii var. maximowiczii GERMPLASM

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the Lilium leichtlinii var maximowiczii germplasm collected from the different natural habitats from all over Korea. In total 30 accessions were studied for nine traits viz. plant height, leaf length, leaf width, the numbers of flowers, flower diameter, length of outer tepal, width of outer tepal, the number of leaf burn, and days to flowering in randomized block design with three replications. The ANOVA revealed highly significant variability prevailing among the investigated genotypes for almost all studied traits (except leaf width). The higher estimated value of GCV, PCV, heritability (H2), and genetic advance as percent of the mean was obtained for the number of flowers and leaf burn. The moderate to high GCV and PCV coupled with higher heritability estimates (H2) and GAM were found for plant height and flower diameter. Progeny selection would be effective as the prevalence of additive gene effect for these traits. Besides, leaf width, leaf length, length of outer tepal, the width of outer tepal, and days to flowering traits were possessed moderate to low GCV and PCV value coupled with the moderate value of heritability estimate with the low level of GAM proved to be the prevalence of non-additive genetic effect thereby indicating the necessity of alternative breeding approach for these traits improvement and breeding scheme. For the former group of traits breeding hybridization and selection would be an effective method, and primarily mean performance of these traits would be very handy for the decision of selection.

Triandra pellabergensis (Hyacinthaceae subfam. Urgineoideae), a new genus and species from Pella se Berge, Northern Cape Province, South Africa

Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of subfamily Urgineoideae based on morphological, genetic and phytogeographic data covering numerous samples from its whole range of distribution, we here describe a new genus and species from Pella se Berge in northwestern South Africa. Triandra gen. nov. is easily characterized by the absence of stamens associated with the outer tepal whorl, therefore having only three stamens per flower, a character previously unknown in Hyacinthaceae. Triandra pellabergensis sp. nov. produces hypogeal bulbs with filiform proteranthous leaves, spurred bracts, lax racemes with few, nodding, nocturnal flowers and erect capsules with the withered tepals persisting atop. The new species resembles Urginea revoluta in general morphology, although this latter species has six stamens per flower, a different seed morphology, a distinct phytogeographic pattern, and a distant phylogenetic relationship. A complete morphological description is presented for the new genus and species, including data on its biology, ecology and distribution.

Begonia depressinerva (sect. Baryandra, Begoniaceae), a new species from Luzon Island, the Philippines

A new peltate species of Begonia sect. Baryandra from Kidadayaig Falls, General Nakar, Quezon is described and illustrated here. The new species, B. depressinerva, is diagnosed against the morphologically similar B. tayabensis. The two species are similar by having rhizomatous stem, peltate, ovate leaf, and 5-tepalled pistillate flower, but the new species is remarkably different by having densely pilose, asymmetric leaf blade, densely pilose petiole that is inserted much closer to the basal margin, obtuse to subobtuse staminate flower outer tepal apex, and glandularly hairy ovary. B. depressinerva is proposed to be Vulnerable (VU) D1, following the guidelines of the IUCN.

Juncus fascinatus (Juncaceae), a new combination in Juncus sect. Ozophyllum and notes on morphologically similar species

Research of the morphologic variation within Juncus (Juncaceae) sect. Ozophyllum has revealed the need for a new combination, Juncus fascinatus. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses show that J. fascinatus is morphologically distinct from J. validus. Juncus fascinatus is described, illustrated, and compared to the superficially similar species J. paludosus, J. polycephalos, and J. validus. Juncus fascinatus is endemic to 25 counties in north-central and southeastern Texas whereas J. validus is more widespread and weedy. Juncus fascinatus is distinguished from J. validus by a united capsule apex at dehiscence, capsule length, inner and outer tepal length, length by which the capsule exceeds the tepals, and inflorescence length and width. Juncus validus is ecologically distinct from J. fascinatus and has shown a rapid range expansion throughout the southeastern United States and into the Mid-Atlantic. Juncus validus is most likely non-native west of the Mississippi River. The morphologically similar J. paludosus is reported from Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and South Carolina for the first time. Juncus polycephalos is reported from Kansas.

Floral development of Butomus umbellatus

The primordia of the floral appendages appear in acropetal succession and develop in the order in which they appear. The primordia of each whorl of appendages are formed in a rapid sequence. After the inception of outer tepal primordia, the floral apex becomes triangular. On each angle, one inner tepal primordium together with the primordia of a pair of outer stamens and an inner stamen is formed. The triangularity of the floral apex might be interpreted as an indication of the formation of petal–stamen (CA) primordia as reported for Alisma and Hydrocleis. If this is the case, the primary pattern of organogenesis of the Butomus flower is trimerous and tetracyclic, i.e. one whorl of outer tepals, one complex of inner tepals and stamens, and two whorls of pistils. The floral apices have a two-layered tunica surrounding a central corpus. The initiating divisions in the formation of all floral appendages occur in the second tunica layer. In the case of stamen primordia, the outer corpus is also involved. Procambial development is acropetal. One procambial strand differentiates into each floral appendage shortly after its inception. Additional procambial strands are formed in the pedicel and the perianth and gynoecium. The relationships of Butomus to the Magnoliidae are discussed.