The complete chloroplast genome of Diarthron linifolium (Thymelaeaceae), a species found on a limestone outcrop in eastern Asia

Diarthron linifolium Turcz. is an annual herb usually found in sandy soil or limestone areas. Plants in the genus Diarthron are known to have toxic chemicals that may, however, be potentially useful as an anticancer treatment. Diarthron linifolium is a unique species among the species of the genus distributed in Korea. Here, we determine the genetic variation of D. linifolium collected in Korea with a full chloroplast genome and investigate its evolutionary status by means of a phylogenetic analysis. The chloroplast genome of Korean D. linifolium has a total length of 172,644 bp with four subregions; 86,158 bp of large single copy and 2,858 bp of small single copy (SSC) regions are separated by 41,814 bp of inverted repeat (IR) regions. We found that the SSC region of D. linifolium is considerably short but that IRs are relatively long in comparison with other chloroplast genomes. Various simple sequence repeats were identified, and our nucleotide diversity analysis suggested potential marker regions near ndhF. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that D. linifolium from Korea is a sister to the group of Daphne species.

Taxonomic entity of Saussurea taquetii (Asteraceae) compared with S. japonica and S. pulchella

Saussurea taquetii reported from Jejudo Island is either treated as a synonym of S. japonica or is recognized as a distinct taxon. Saussurea japonica and S. pulchella belong to the sect. Theodorea by having peculiar outer phyllaries with pale purplish scarious apical appendages; they are closely related to each other morphologically and are known to occur widely throughout the Korean Peninsula. To assess the taxonomic status of S. taquetii, we investigated representative populations of S. taquetii from jejudo Island, Korea, and S. japonica from Kyushu in Japan. We conducted a comparative study morphologically using specimens of three species from KH, CNU, and TI. Saussurea taquetii is very similar morphologically and ecologically to S. japonica in Kyushu. Unlike previous floristic treatments, we concluded that the two taxa, S. pulchella and S. taquetii, occur on the Korean Peninsula and on jejudo Island, respectively.

The complete chloroplast genome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. isolated in Korea (Fabaceae)

The chloroplast genome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch was sequenced to investigate intraspecific variations on the chloroplast genome. Its length is 127,689 bp long (34.3% GC ratio) with atypical structure of chloroplast genome, which is congruent to those of Glycyrrhiza genus. It includes 110 genes (76 protein-coding genes, four rRNAs, and 30 tRNAs). Intronic region of ndhA presented the highest nucleotide diversity based on the six G. uralenesis chloroplast genomes. A total of 150 single nucleotide polymorphisms and 10 insertion and deletion (INDEL) regions were identified from the six G. uralensis chloroplast genomes. Phylogenetic trees show that the six chloroplast genomes of G. uralensis formed the two clades, requiring additional studies to understand it.

Taxonomic entities of two Korean plant taxa: Vicia bifolia (Fabaceae) and Cyperus compressus (Cyperaceae)

Vicia bifolia Nakai (Fabaceae) and Cyperus compressus L. (Cyperaceae) have been ambiguous in terms of their distribution and taxonomic entities in Korea. The existence of these two taxa was confirmed when V. bifolia and C. compressus was found on Jellabuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jeju-do. Vicia bifolia is similar to V. unijuga by having a pair of leaflets but is distinguished by the length of the petiole, the size and degree of longevity of the bracts, and the shape of the stipules. Cyperus compressus was found on Jeju-do, is similar to C. tenuispica, C. haspan, and C. flaccidus, but is distinguished by the branching pattern of the inflorescences and the size of scales and achenes. A description, differences from related species, a key to the taxa and photographs of Korean Vicia bifolia and Cyperus compressus are provided in this study.

Stachyurus praecox (Stachyuraceae), first report in Korea

We report a previously unrecorded woody species, Stachyurus praecox Siebold & Zucc. (Stachyuraceae), in Korea. This species is considered to be endemic to Japan. Stachyurus praecox was collected for the first time in an evergreen forest on an uninhabited island of Bongsun-ri, Saengil-myeon, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do in Korea. The inflorescence of the species was racemose and pendulous on the axils of the previous year’s branches. Flowers bloomed from March to April. They were functionally dioecy but morphologically hermaphrodite. This woody species was named ‘Wan-do-sul-kkot-na-mu’ in Korean based on the shape of its inflorescence. Morphological characteristics and illustrations of this woody species have been provided with a distribution map and photographs of the natural habitat.

New record of an alien plant, Petrorhagia nanteuilii (Caryophyllaceae) in Korea

Petrorhagia nanteuilii (Burnat) P. W. Ball & Heywood (Caryophyllaceae), native to western Europe and western North Africa and an introduced or alien plant in South America, Australia, and Japan, was newly found in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. Petrorhagia is clearly distinguished from other genera by a bract at the base of calyx, which differs from Gypsophila L., and commissures at the sepals, which is different from Dianthus</i L. Petrorhagia nanteuilii grows on slopes and roadsides, suggesting that it is likely to have been introduced through the installation of green sites and road construction. A precise description, illustration, photographs, and a key to related genera and species is provided.

Arctium tomentosum (Asteraceae): A new report of a native genus in the flora of Mongolia

Arctium tomentosum Mill. (Asteraceae), from Ulaanbaatar in the Khentei phytogeographical region of Mongolia, is recognized here as a new genus and species of the flora of Mongolia. Arctium differs from other genera of Asteraceae by the hooked apex of the involucral bracts. While A. tomentosum is most similar to A. lappa, it is easily distinguished by the glandular hairs of the corolla limb and the widened inner involucral bracts. Taxonomic notes, a description of the morphology, detailed photos, habitat information, the phenology and a distribution map of A. tomentosum are provided.

The complete chloroplast genome of Limonium tetragonum (Plumbaginaceae) isolated in Korea

The chloroplast genome of Limonium tetragonum (Thunb.) Bullock, a halophytic species, was sequenced to understand genetic differences based on its geographical distribution. The cp genome of L. tetragonum was 154,689 bp long (GC ratio is 37.0%) and has four subregions: 84,572 bp of large single-copy (35.3%) and 12,813 bp of small singlecopy (31.5%) regions were separated by 28,562 bp of inverted repeat (40.9%) regions. It contained 128 genes (83 proteincoding genes, eight rRNAs, and 37 tRNAs). Thirty-five single-nucleotide polymorphisms and 33 INDEL regions (88 bp in length) were identified. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogenetic trees showed that L. tetragonum formed a sister group with L. aureum, which is incongruent with certain previous studies, including a phylogenetic analysis.

Mapping and analyzing the distribution of the species in the genus Tulipa (Liliaceae) in the Ferghana Valley of Central Asia

Tulips are bulbous geophytes that have considerable commercial value worldwide. This genus primarily originated in the Tien Shan and Pamir-Alai mountain ranges, which surround the Ferghana Valley. The Ferghana Valley is home to five sections of the genus Tulipa L, represented by 23 taxa (22 species). However, there is a lack of detailed information about the distribution of Tulipa species in the natural geographic area of the Ferghana Valley. Therefore, to address this knowledge gap, we comprehensively investigated the spatial distribution of all Tulipa species in the valley. To assess the spatial distribution, the entire area was divided into 32 squares consisting of four latitudinal and eight longitudinal zones. The results showed that latitudinal zones B and C with 15 and 13 taxa, respectively, along with five longitudinal zones (A5, B3, B4, C2, and C3) with 5 to 10 taxa were hotspots for this genus. Additionally, the spatial distributions of the species in terms of the corresponding state borders, mountain ranges, endemism, and conservation issues were assessed. The findings of this study provide comprehensive information about the distribution of Tulipa species to assist with conservation initiatives ultimately to ensure the survival of various species.

Tripterygium wilfordii (Celastraceae): A new generic and species record for the flora of Vietnam

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. (Celastraceae), collected from Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park of Vietnam, is reported here as a new generic and species record for the flora of Vietnam. The genus Tripterygium differs from other genera of Celastraceae by its samara fruits, which become three-winged at maturity, and a scandent shrub. Taxonomic notes, descriptions, line drawing and photographs are provided, together with short notes on the distribution, ecology and phenology of Tripterygium wilfordii.