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Background and aims: The excellent physical and chemical properties of Abacá and Japan papers make them one of the most used materials in restoration of cultural assets on paper. The objective of this work is to characterize the fibers that compose them and identify plant genera or species that were used in their manufacture. M&M: Fibers from samples of each paper and previously collected reference plant material were disintegrated. The diagnostic characters of the fibers were observed with a photomicroscope and photomicrographs were taken. Subsequently, the homologous characters were compared by relating the Abacá paper fiber samples with those of Musa sp. and the Japan paper samples with Broussonetia sp. and Euonymus sp. Results: There were coincidences between the diagnostic characters of the paper fibers of Abacá and Musa sp. Regarding the Japan paper samples, there were results consistent with Broussonetia sp. but not with Euonymus sp. Conclusions: According to the results observed between the Abacá paper fibers and the samples of the collected living material, we infer that the Abacá paper contains fibers of Musa sp. In the Japan paper samples, the similarities observed between the diagnostic characters of the fibers with respect to the reference plant samples indicate the presence of Broussonetia sp. fibers. There is no evidence of fibers of Euonymus sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The Funga of the Patagonian Nothofagus forests is being studied since the late 19th century, but despite many efforts is still far from being completely known. The aim of this paper is to present detailed descriptions and data on geographical distribution of some genera and species of mitosporic ascomycetes that constitute new records for Argentina and for the Neotropical Region. M&M: Bark and woody debris from native Nothofagaceae were collected and studied. Reproductive structures were hand-sectioned and examined following traditional mycological techniques. Results: Six species of mitosporic ascomycetes were identified: Avettaea salvadorae, Bactrodesmium atrum, Dwiroopa ramya, Gilmaniella multiporosa, Monodictys paradoxa and Pycnopeziza quisquiliaris. Full descriptions, comments on identification and data on distribution and habitat of each species are provided, along with photographs illustrating diagnostic features. Conclusions: Two genera, Dwiroopa and Pycnopeziza, and one species, M. paradoxa, are registered for the first time in the Neotropical Region, two other species are first recorded in South America (B. atrum and G. multiporosa). This constitutes the second record of A. salvadorae in the continent, thus expanding its area of distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Amaryllidaceae is a family of monocotyledons belonging to the order Asparagales. Some species have extensive pharmacological properties as they produce alkaloids, with antiviral and antimicrobial activity. Within this family, in the Allioideae subfamily, it’s found garlic (Allium sativum L.). Investigations have been carried out on the phytochemical compounds, both of the isolated components of their bulbs and of various formulations. The objective of the present work was to carry out a bibliographical review of investigations made in this regard, with emphasis on those referred to fungal control. M&M: The methodology used consisted of an online search and subsequent review of specialized papers. The search engines Google and Google Scholar were used. A total of 31 scientific journals, 1 web page, 6 theses, 1 final degree project and 1 conference proceedings have been consulted. These investigations date from the end of the 20th century to the present. The following search guides were used: Garlic, garlic components, and garlic as an antifungal agent. The works consulted and search sites have been synthesized in a table. Results: The investigations surveyed in this review confirm the high potential of garlic as an antimicrobial and antifungal agent, both in isolated components of the bulbs and in different formulations. A synthesis with the results obtained in recent investigations applied to prevention and fungal control is presented. Conclusions: This review contributes to the updated knowledge of the antimicrobial and antifungal properties of garlic that are related to the variety of isolated compounds produced in the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Laportea aestuans (Urticaceae) is an herb possibly native to Madagascar (Africa) and widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics of the world. In the Americas, it have been reported as a weed from southern United States of America and throughout Central America to South America in Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. The aim of this paper was to report the presence of L. aestuans in Argentina for the first time. M&M: For the morphological description and illustrations, live plants from our collections were studied in addition to other herbarium specimens. Our specimens were deposited in the Herbarium LIL. Type and non-type specimens preserved in BR, COL, K, LINN and the original description were analyzed. Results: A morphological description of the species is provided together with illustrations, photographs and a key to differentiate Laportea from the other genera of Urticaceae present in Argentina. Conclusions: The presence of L. aestuans in Argentina is recorded for the first time. According to previous research, it is a species that exhibits a potentially invasive behavior, so there is the possibility that it may establish itself as a weed in natural environments and cause detrimental impacts on biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: During the study of the bryoflora of Bogotá, individuals of Syntrichia papillosa were found in urban localities. The aim of this contribution is to confirm the presence of this epiphytic species to the Colombian flora. Materials and methods: Living plants and herbarium material from the Natural History Museum (BM), the New York Botanical Garden (NY) and Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis (JBB) herbaria, were analyzed. Recently collected specimens were deposited in JBB. Results: A conspectus of the morphological features of the species based on herbarium specimens are provided, along with morpho-anatomical photographs. Further, the presence of the species in different localities belonging to the area around Bogotá was confirmed. Conclusion: This paper confirms the presence of Syntrichia papillosa in the surroundings of Bogotá. This species is known from Asia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, North America, Africa, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador. Thus, the genus Syntrichia is represented in Colombia by eight taxa: S. andicola, S. bogotensis, S. breviseta, S. fragilis, S. kingii, S. lacerifolia, S. laevipila and S. papillosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and objectives: The genus Pilosella is native to Europe and Asia, but its species are successful invaders on most continents. These species form an agamic complex with common apomixis. Apomictic species hybridize and have different degree of residual sexuality. Main aim of this paper was to determine if interspecific hybridization already occurred in Patagonia. M&M: We analysed seed progeny collected at thirteen populations of Pilosella in southern Argentina and Chile. The taxonomic identity of plants, DNA ploidy level (using flow cytometry), chromosome number, reproduction, formation of parthenogenetic seeds and clonal identity (using isozyme phenotypes) were examined. Results: No mixed-species population was recorded. Two apomictic clones of P. officinarum (one pentaploid and the other hexaploid) were found in populations: eight were hexaploid and one was mixed in cytotype composition. A new species for Patagonia, the apomictic pentaploid P. caespitosa, was represented by plants from two Argentinean populations. Some of the progeny plants, cultivated from seeds sampled at three localities, represented seed-fertile aneuploids the morphology of which suggest a hybrid origin with P. officinarum as one of the parental species. Conclusions: The presence of seed-fertile, aneuploid and parthenogenetic hybrids among the cultivated plants signifies an increased risk of the formation of new hybridogeneous genotypes of Pilosella in southern Patagonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]