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In the conditions of climate change, when some plant species are completely disappearing, and others are forced to adapt quickly, it becomes extremely important to find the main architectural characteristics that allow plants to spread to new territories. This study demonstrated the modifications of the architecture of Thymus marschallianus and its relationship with the environmental conditions of Central Asia (Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan) and North Asia (Russia). For the first time, we tried to combine architectural and eco-morphological approaches to studying plants, which allowed us to obtain the most complete information about the morphological mechanisms of plant adaptation. The diversity of shoots and categories of axes (monopodial system of shoots and sympodial axis) were identified. The variability of monopodial system of shoots and sympodial axis modify the architecture of T. marschallianus. We characterized three modifications of this architecture and established their relationship with specific habitats. We found out that the basitonic branching of the monopodial system of shoots determines life form (dwarf subshrub), and the growth direction of the sympodial axes determines growth form (prostate or erect). The differences in architecture, growth forms and quantitative characteristics of sympodial axes are related to environmental conditions, particularly the cover of herbaceous plants, dead grass, and stones, as well as topography. We propose that the morphological variability of T. marschallianus allowed this species to spread widely in the plains and mountains of Central and North Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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High standards in managing the seed-supply chain, emphasizing sourcing and seed storage, are crucial to maintaining seed viability and ultimately to meeting restoration goals. The germination of 40 plant species was investigated in response to difficulties experienced by restoration practitioners in propagating them from seed in nurseries and in direct seeding. The species were from a biodiversity hotspot in inland eastern Australia and spanned a range of life-forms. The initial constraint identified was poor seed viability, which varied widely within and between species but was < 50% in at least one seedlot of 36 species. Low seed viability was indicated by poor seed storage and processing practices, manifest in excessive storage time, herbivory, fungal infection, and inadequate seed collection and processing (e.g. collection of immature seed and overcleaning). The main reason for low germination of viable species was seed dormancy. Dormancy was identified in 16 species: pre-sowing treatments in these species were effective in relieving dormancy or increasing germination percentage by two to three-fold. The most frequent pre-sowing treatment required was scarification. Stratification, de-husking and leaching also increased germination in some species. Temperature conditions for high germination were also investigated. Seasonal temperature treatments affected germination in 22 species. The results emphasize the necessity for (1) testing seed before use; (2) identifying temperature ranges to achieve maximum germination; (3) identifying species with germination constraints, and (4) using suitable pre-sowing treatments for plant propagation in nurseries and potentially in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A flavone, chrysoeriol is synthetized in several plant species. It comes from several natural sources, especially medicinal plants. The identification and isolation of this compound has been carried out and verified by several research teams using different spectral methods. It seems that the concentration of this molecule is variable and fluctuating depending on the source, the part extracted, the region, and the methods of extraction and characterization. The aim of this paper is to highlight the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of chrysoeriol and to provide insight into its pharmacokinetics. Anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-osteoporosis, anti-insecticide, and neuroprotective actions have been shown in a number of studies on this chemical. Different mechanisms in theses pharmacological effects include subcellular, cellular, and molecular targets. In vivo pharmacokinetic analysis has proved the good stability of this molecule, showing its promising potential to prevent or treat diseases including cancer, diabetes, inflammation, osteoporosis, Parkinson's disease, and cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study presents data on some invasive and conservation-significant species in two protected areas of the Strandzha Nature Park - Protected Area "Marina Reka" and Protected Area "Silistar". There were monitored the protected species Pancratium maritimum, Calluna vulgaris, Daphne pontica, Ilex colchica, Rhododendron ponticum, Mespilus germanica, and Taxus baccata, as well as an invasive species - Amorpha fruticosa, whose population borders that of Pancratium maritimum. The projective coverage of species in the sample areas and the total projective coverage of the vegetation have been studied also measures for their protection have been indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flower colour has played a decisive role as an evolutionary force in many groups of plants by driving speciation. A well-known example of colour polymorphism is found across the Mediterranean populations of Lysimachia arvensis and L. monelli , in which blue- and red-flowered plants can be found. Previous studies recognized two lineages within L. arvensis differing in flower colour, but this variation has not yet been considered in a phylogenetic context. We have reconstructed the ancestral states of flower colour across Mediterranean Lysimachia spp. aiming at understanding its phylogenetic signal using the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences and three plastid markers. All blue- and red-flowered specimens were nested in different clades in the ITS tree, thus supporting that L. arvensis and L. monelli are polyphyletic, whereas low phylogenetic resolution was found in plastid markers. Monophyly was reconstructed for blue-flowered L. arvensis and L. monelli samples, and similarly for red-flowered individuals of each species: (1) blue-flowered L. arvensis was reconstructed as sister to the strictly blue-flowered L. talaverae in a monophyletic clade sister to remaining Lysimachia ; (2) red-flowered L. arvensis was resolved as sister to red-flowered L. monelli in a monophyletic clade; and (3) clade 2 was sister to blue-flowered L. monelli and the strictly blue-flowered L. foemina. Our results suggest that colour lineages in L. arvensis and L. monelli constitute different species, but flower colour did not promote the separation of these lineages. We propose a new name for blue-flowered L. arvensis (L. loeflingii) and a new combination for red-flowered L. monelli (L. collina), maintaining L. arvensis for red-flowered plants and L. monelli for blue-flowered plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]