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To analyze the genetic diversity of 9 species of Clematis from 31 different populations, we extracted DNA by the improved CTAB method, used ISSR-PCR for amplification, and then selected 9 primers with clear amplified bands from amongst 220 primers. A total of 127 clear bands were amplified, of which 126 were polymorphic bands, yielding a ratio of 99.2%. The polymorphism information index (PIC) of the primers ranged from 0.9326 to 0.9649. The Nei’s genetic diversity index (H) was 0.2750, the total gene diversity (Ht) was 0.2845, and the genetic differentiation coefficient (Gst) was 0.6696, indicating high genetic differentiation among populations of Clematis. After cluster analysis, the 31 Clematis populations were divided into 3 categories. Principal coordination analysis (PCoA) of 9 Clematis species then showed that the genetic relationship between samples of the same Clematis germplasms was closer than that of samples from the same region. The mantel test revealed a significant positive correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance among the populations. The population clustering results are broadly consistent with the clustering graphs of UPGMA and PCoA. We can conclude the polymorphism of the 9 primers is good, and that the genetic diversity of 31 Clematis populations is rich. Individual Clematis germplasms are closely related and will gather together preferentially.

Summary • Mechanical architectures of two Clematis species, the herbaceous perennial Clematis recta and the woody liana, Clematis vitalba, were investigated and compared with the woody rhizomatous sand dune plant Clematis flammula var. maritima. • Bending mechanical properties of stems from various developmental stages were compared and related to stem geometry and relative proportions of tissues during development. • Clematis vitalba and C. flammula var. maritima showed mechanical architectures with reductions in structural Young's modulus of the stem during ontogeny. Irreversible loss of stem rigidity was mediated by disruption, separation and eventual loss of primary phloem fibres via secondary growth of the periderm and cambial activity. Each species showed variations of non-self-supporting mechanical architecture relating to specific habitat preferences. In aerial stems of C. recta the structural Young's modulus remained approximately constant during ontogeny, a mechanical signal characteristic for semi-self-supporting architectures. • Woody aerial plant stems are extremely rare in the Ranunculaceae and seldom, if ever, show self-supporting characteristics. Growth form evolution in the group may have been canalised by evolution of rhizomatous geophytic growth forms with secondary growth confined to underground stems specialized for water conduction, storage and perennation. Variation of this ground plan includes climbing, straggling or rhizomatous architectures but not self-supporting shrubs or trees with secondary growth generating requisite self-supporting mechanical properties. Certain body plan organisations appear to have inbuilt mechanical constraints which may have profound effects on the subsequent evolution of growth forms.

The article presents the results of studying the fruiting in 9 clematis cultivars under the conditions of the southern coast of Crimea. Morphometric characteristics of seeds, their weight and germination capacity are given. Potential and real seed production was assessed. It was found that the studied cultivars are characterized with high potential seed production, on average from 38.1 to 116.9 ovules per fruit, but relatively low real seed production, on average from 1.3 to 8.3 seeds per fruit. Among the studied cultivars, the largest number of viable seeds formed per plant was noted in 4 cultivars: ‘Jan Pawel II’, ‘Ramona’, ‘Elegia’ and ‘Juulii’. These cultivars are recommended for use in breeding works as maternal parental forms.

Quantitative morpho-anatomical features of leaves of nine Clematis taxa (C. alpina ‘Pamela Jackman’, C.macropetala ‘Maidwell Hall’, C. integrifolia ‘Aljonushka’, C. ispahanica ‘Zvezdograd’, C. fargesii ‘Paul Farges’, C.texensis ‘Princess Diana’, C. tibetana, C. viticella, and C. heracleifolia) were determined with the aim to analyze their adaptation to the environmental conditions. Among investigated clematises, there were plants with hypostomatic (C. viticella, C. fargesii ‘Paul Farges’, C.heracleifolia, C. texensis ‘Princess Diana’, C. macropetala ‘Maidwell Hall’, and C. alpina ‘Pamela Jackman’), and amphistomatic leaves (C. ispahanica ‘Zvezdograd’ and C. tibetana). In C. integrifolia ‘Aljonushka’ leaves were hypostomatic, but few solitary stomata were also present on the adaxial surface. In the leaves of investigated taxa, the palisade coefficient ranged from 27.3% (C. alpina ‘Pamela Jackman’) to 49.9% (C. tibetana). The leaves also differed significantly in size. In particular, leaves of C. integrifolia ‘Aljonushka’ were almost ten times smaller than such of C. heracleifolia. As a result of UPGMA clustering, the plants that can survive in severe windy weather in open rocky areas, Clematis tibetana and C. ispahanica ‘Zvezdograd’, were joined in a separate cluster. The second cluster combined C. alpina ‘Pamela Jackman’ and C. macropetala ‘Maidwell Hall’ – cultivars blooming in the spring, during a period of significant difference in daily temperatures. A relatively small leaf area in plants from these two clusters may indicate an adaptation by reducing the transpiration area and general windage. The third cluster united the rest of investigated taxa, mostly – the mesophytic plants with a relatively large leaf area. However, due to similar morpho-anatomical structure of the leaf, the third cluster also comprised C. integrifolia ‘Aljonushka’ with the smallest leaves.

The article presents the results of a long-term of study of biological features of 54 sorts of Clematis L. genus of collection of the SouthUral Botanical Garden-Institute of UFRC RAS. The aim of the work was to summarize the introduction studies for the possibility of successful use of clematis sorts in vertical gardening in the Bashkir Cis-Urals and adjacent territories. During the period 2007 and 2015, the seasonal rhythm of growth and development and vegetative reproduction were studied, and the prospects of introduction and introduction resistance under the culture were assessed. The length of the clematis growing period varies from 156 to 168 days. The duration of flowering of sorts is 24–111 days. Rooting of clematis sorts using root-forming stimulators is 33 to 100%. The largest number of rooted cuttings was obtained using the preparation “Circon”. According to the results of the introduction success assessment, all the studied sorts have high resistance to local climatic conditions.

The vexing literary relationship between Kurt Sprengel and Friedrich Dietrich appears to have led to some of Dietrich’s work being willfully disregarded and subsequently forgotten/extinguished/suppressed. Examination of Dietrich’s oeuvre leads to the rehabilitation of fifteen of his new combinations, making securer by up to 175 years, some names in current use for largely New World plants. To take into account Dietrich’s work as a whole, four new combinations and three nomina nova are proposed with the help of authorities in the germane plant groups: Caamembeca andina (A.W. Benn.) J.F.B. Pastore & Mabb. (Bolivia), Callicarpa ekmanii I.E. Méndez & Mabb. (Cuba), Clematis wangiana Mabb., (Madagascar), Coleataenia pulchra (F. Dietr.) Mabb. & LeBlond (USA), Packera dubia (Spreng.) Trock & Mabb. (USA), Piper samainianum Mabb. (Peru), Rostellularia vahliana (Schult.) Mabb. (south Asia), for which a lectotype is designated, with other adjustments of names in Besleria (B. formosa now B. amabilis, tropical America), Oxalis (O. eckloniana now O. biloba, South Africa), Passiflora (P. arborea now P. magnoliifolia, Colombia), Ribes (R. ruizii now R. sylvestre, Chile), and possibly Tocoyena (South America), while further work on Lupinus is called for.

Based on the examination of herbarium specimens (including type material), we demonstrate that Clematis glabrifolia and C. hastata var. micrantha (Ranunculaceae) are identical with C. hastata, a species from the Daba mountains region in central China. We therefore place C. hastata var. micrantha and C. glabrifolia in synonymy with C. hastata herein.

Based on critical examination of herbarium specimens (including type material), we demonstrate that Clematis hainanensis (Ranunculaceae), described from Hainan in southern China, is not essentially different from C. leschenaultiana, a species widely distributed in China (Chongqing, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan), and also in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. We therefore place C. hainanensis in synonymy with C. leschenaultiana herein. Lectotypification is proposed for C. leschenaultiana var. denticulata, which was described also from Hainan and treated as a synonym of C. leschenaultiana. The placement of the name C. splendens is briefly discussed.

Clematis is a medicinal plant and a promising culture for introduction into urbophytocenoses. In order to ensure optimal growing conditions, it is necessary to take into account the ecological needs of plants, a key place among which is water supply. The experiments were carried out with cultivars and species of the genus Clematis: Clematis alpina ‘Pamela Jackman’, C. macropetala ‘Maidwell Hall’, C. integrifolia ‘Aljonushka’, C. ispahanica ‘Zvezdograd’, C. fargesii ‘Paul Farges’, C. taxensis ‘Princess Diana’, C. tibetana, C. viticella and C. heracleifolia. Ecological peculiarities of studied plants cause differences in the anatomical tissues structure and dynamic of physiological processes. The lowest content of dry matter in the leaves was found in C. alpina ‘Pamela Jackman’ (16,3 %) and C. macropetala ‘Maidwell Hall’ (18,3), indicating their potentially lowest drought resistance. The highest value of this index was identified in C. heracleifolia (27.5 %) and C. integrifolia ‘Aljonushka’ (23.4 %), that characterizes them as the most drought resistant among studied plants. A function describing the process of cutted leaves wilting at the temperature +60 °C was defined: f(x) = y0 + ae–bx. A significant correlation was found between the parameter y0 and the dry mass (0.99), water content (0.86) in the leaves and their weight before drying (0.91); the parameter a and the mass index of leaves before wilting (0.99), the water content (1.00) and dry matter (0.83), as well as the density (0.86) and the area of stomatas (0.81) on the adaxial surface of leaves. Parameter b correlated with the values of dry mass (—0.75), its fraction in the total leaf mass (—0.84), the water fraction (0.83) and the width of spongy mesophyll cells (0.76). The peculiarities of anatomical structure and dynamic of leaves water loss process among investigated plants indicate the difference in their potential drought resistance. Obtained results allow to choose the optimal conditions for growing of investigated plants of the genus Clematis and planning additional care measures.

Clematis (Clematis ×hybrida) is among the flowering plants well-recognized by the retail consumer; however, production has not traditionally fit into standard greenhouse production systems. One reason is the relatively long 2-year production cycle from propagation to flowering. Four experiments were conducted with clematis ‘H.F. Young’ to understand the factors that influence shoot development and flowering of clematis so that strategies could be developed for bulking, providing a cold treatment, and flowering the plants with a shortened production time. The first experiment showed an increase in shoot and flower numbers and a decrease in time to flower as the duration of cold treatment increased from 0 to 9 weeks and the photoperiod increased from 9 to 16 hours. The second experiment resulted in greater shoot and flower numbers when plants were forced at 21 °C as compared with 27 °C. The third experiment showed that the application of ethephon (500 or 1000 mg·L−1) during bulking increased shoot formation (branching) as compared with the control or 500 mg·L−1 benzylaminopurine treatments. The fourth experiment showed that applications of 500 mg·L−1 ethephon along with a 16-hour photoperiod during the bulking period improved shoot number and flowering of the finished crop. The combined results provide guidelines for producing a well-branched, flowering clematis crop within 1 year from the start of propagation to the time of the first open flower.

The article presents the results of long-term research on the genus Clematis (Clematis L.) in the Stavropol Botanical garden. Biological, morphological and ornamental characteristics of varieties are provided; recommendations on selection of assortment and application in vertical gardening are given. For the first time, in the soil-climatic conditions of the Stavropol upland, an introduction study of 29 clematis varieties from six garden groups was conducted. According to the results of a comprehensive assessment, the most stable and highly decorative varieties were selected. In-depth study, parameters that have a significant value in the analysis of ornamental and economic-valuable qualities of varieties were revealed. In the course of research, when evaluating ornamental features, much attention was paid to the shape of the perianth, the size and color of the flowers. It was found that 24 varieties have an open flower shape, and five varieties have a bell – shaped one. The number of sepals varies from 4 to 6-8. In the presented garden groups, 27 varieties have a simple perianth, two with terry flowers. The size of the flower is divided into large-flowered, with a flower size of more than 10 cm and medium-flowered-from 4-10 cm. The color is varied, with many shades, from white-pink-red to blue-purple. When evaluating the prospects of the variety, special attention is paid to the duration and productivity of flowering. Varieties of the Lanuginosa and Patens groups bloom profusely in MayJune on shoots of the previous year and in July-September on annual shoots. In the groups Viticella, Jackmanii, Integrifolia and Texensis, abundant and prolonged flowering occurs on the shoots of the current year. Life forms determine not only the appearance of plants, but also are a criterion for use in garden and Park construction. Varieties of the Integrifolia group are preferably used for decorating low objects. For vertical gardening of structures with a height of more than three meters and as single and group planting varieties of garden groups are recommended Jackmanii, Lanuginosa, Patens, Viticella. The studied assortment, which has a complex of valuable ornamental and economic-biological features, is recommended for use in ornamental gardening and landscaping in the Stavropol territory.

Four new 8-O-4' neolignans, characterized at methoxy or ethoxy groups substituted at C-7, namely, (±) lasiandranins A-D (1-4), and two known analogs (±) pinnatifidanin BV (5) and (±) pinnatifidanin BVI (6) were isolated from the whole plants of Clematis lasiandra Maxim. The structures of 1-6 were determined by spectroscopic methods including 1D, 2D NMR, ECD, and HRESIMS analysis. Compounds 1 and 5 were determined as erythro configuration, while 2-4 and 6 were determined as threo configuration based on the chemical shift difference of H-9a and H-9b in CD3OD. The 8-O-4' neolignans were found from the genus Clematis for the first time. Compounds 1-6 were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against three plant pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, Ralstonia solanacearum, and Erwinia carotovora by agar and broth dilution methods. Compounds 1-6 showed potent antibacterial activity against R. solanacearum with MIC values of 25-50 μg/mL and relatively lower activity against P. syringae pv. actinidiae with MIC values of 50-100 μg/mL, while they were inactive to E. carotovora.

The phenodata, thermal requirements, and their regional parameters are compared for six seasonal developmental stages of two ecologically distinct clematis species, Clematis integrifolia and C. recta. The thermal requirements to be compared are determined by an original technique based on the data of phenological observations carried out in 1990–2014 in Galich’ya Gora Nature Reserve (Lipetsk oblast). In C. recta, all of the registered stages except the stage of mass seed ripening occurred later than in C. integrifolia. It is found that C. recta, being a woodland species, requires more heat for its development than C. integrifolia, which grows in grassy habitats. At the stages of the beginning of vegetation, blossoming, and the beginning of seed ripening, this is manifested by higher values of both thermal constants and regional parameters of development. It is assumed also that the development of C. recta did not pause in winter and that it is exactly in this time that flower buds formed. The results of the study indicate that the adaptation of the two species to different environmental conditions, which took place in the course of evolution, has led to physiological changes that are reflected, in particular, in a shift in the thermal requirements for development.

The cosmopolitan plant genusClematiscontains many climbing species that can be found worldwide. The genus occurs in the wild and is grown commercially for horticulture. Microfungi onClematiswere collected from Belgium, China, Italy, Thailand and the UK. They are characterized by morphology and analyses of gene sequence data using an integrated species concept to validate identifications. The study revealed two new families, 12 new genera, 50 new species, 26 new host records with one dimorphic character report, and ten species are transferred to other genera. The new families revealed by multigene phylogeny are Longiostiolaceae and Pseudomassarinaceae in Pleosporales (Dothideomycetes). New genera areAnthodidymella(Didymellaceae),AnthosulcatisporaandParasulcatispora(Sulcatisporaceae),Fusiformispora(Amniculicolaceae),Longispora(Phaeosphaeriaceae),Neobyssosphaeria(Melanommataceae),Neoleptosporella(Chaetosphaeriales, generaincertae sedis),Neostictis(Stictidaceae),Pseudohelminthosporium(Neomassarinaceae),Pseudomassarina(Pseudomassarinaceae),Sclerenchymomyces(Leptosphaeriaceae) andXenoplectosphaerella(Plectosphaerellaceae). The newly described species areAlloleptosphaeria clematidis,Anthodidymella ranunculacearum,Anthosulcatispora subglobosa,Aquadictyospora clematidis,Brunneofusispora clematidis,Chaetosphaeronema clematidicola,C. clematidis,Chromolaenicola clematidis,Diaporthe clematidina,Dictyocheirospora clematidis,Distoseptispora clematidis,Floricola clematidis,Fusiformispora clematidis,Hermatomyces clematidis,Leptospora clematidis,Longispora clematidis,Massariosphaeria clematidis,Melomastia clematidis,M. fulvicomae,Neobyssosphaeria clematidis,Neoleptosporella clematidis,Neoroussoella clematidis,N. fulvicomae,Neostictis nigricans, Neovaginatispora clematidis,Parasulcatispora clematidis,Parathyridaria clematidis, P. serratifoliae,P. virginianae,Periconia verrucose,Phomatospora uniseriata,Pleopunctum clematidis,Pseudocapulatispora clematidis,Pseudocoleophoma clematidis,Pseudohelminthosporium clematidis,Pseudolophiostoma chiangraiense,P. clematidis,Pseudomassarina clematidis,Ramusculicola clematidis,Sarocladium clematidis,Sclerenchymomyces clematidis,Sigarispora clematidicola,S. clematidis,S. montanae,Sordaria clematidis,Stemphylium clematidis,Wojnowiciella clematidis,Xenodidymella clematidis,Xenomassariosphaeria clematidisandXenoplectosphaerella clematidis.The following fungi are recorded onClematisspecies for the first time:Angustimassarina rosarum,Dendryphion europaeum,Dermatiopleospora mariae,Diaporthe ravennica,D. rudis,Dichotomopilus ramosissimum,Dictyocheirospora xishuangbannaensis,Didymosphaeria rubi-ulmifolii,Fitzroyomyces cyperacearum,Fusarium celtidicola,Leptospora thailandica,Memnoniella oblongispora,Neodidymelliopsis longicolla,Neoeutypella baoshanensis,Neoroussoella heveae,Nigrograna chromolaenae,N. obliqua,Pestalotiopsis verruculosa,Pseudoberkleasmium chiangmaiense,Pseudoophiobolus rosae,Pseudoroussoella chromolaenae,P. elaeicola,Ramusculicola thailandica,Stemphylium vesicariumandTorula chromolaenae. The new combinations areAnthodidymella clematidis(≡ Didymella clematidis),A. vitalbina(≡ Didymella vitalbina),Anthosulcatispora brunnea(≡ Neobambusicola brunnea),Fuscohypha kunmingensis(≡ Plectosphaerella kunmingensis),Magnibotryascoma rubriostiolata(≡ Teichospora rubriostiolata),Pararoussoella mangrovei(≡ Roussoella mangrovei),Pseudoneoconiothyrium euonymi(≡ Roussoella euonymi),Sclerenchymomyces jonesii(≡ Neoleptosphaeria jonesii),Stemphylium rosae(≡ Pleospora rosae), andS. rosae-caninae(≡ Pleospora rosae-caninae). The microfungi onClematisis distributed in several classes of Ascomycota. The analyses are based on morphological examination of specimens, coupled with phylogenetic sequence data. To the best of our knowledge, the consolidated species concept approach is recommended in validating species.

The collection fund of the Laboratory of Ornamental Plants of the Main Botanical Garden, Russian Academy of Sciences, was established in 1947. Today it includes 1055 plant species and varieties as well as 4995 cultivars and garden forms of cultivated plants. The current policy of a collection formation is aimed at the creation of unique collections. Such generic complexes as Paeonia, Rosa, Syringa, and Tulipa are presented as large monocollections. Domestic cultivars dominate in collections of Dendranthema, Lilium, Phlox, and Clematis. Collections of Narcissus, Hemerocallis, and Tulipa are focused on the preservation of retro cultivars. The main stages of microevolutionary development of cultivated species are demonstrated by the example of the genera Astilbe and Iris.

Urban natural areas are often heavily invaded by non-native plants. To restore the biodiversity and ecosystem function of these areas, land managers commonly remove invasive species. Partnering with Portland Parks and Recreation, I studied a management-scale removal of Hedera spp., Clematis vitalba, Ilex aquifolium and Prunus laurocerasus from a 59 ha forested natural area in Portland, OR. Over four years, I compared the community composition of this area with contiguous control areas where invasive species remained intact. Hedera, the most abundant invader, was dramatically reduced in removal areas, along with Clematis and Ilex. Both the abundance and the diversity of native herbs and woody seedlings were substantially higher in removal areas, with Claytonia sibirica, Galium spp., Hydrophyllum tenuipes, Trillium ovatum, and Acer macrophyllum seedlings all showing significant increases. By 2015, the minimum native species richness for removal areas was 37, as determined by the Chao 2 estimator, versus 10 native species for control areas. In contrast, native shrubs and ferns showed no increase in response to invasive removal; in fact, control plots typically contained significantly higher stem densities of native shrubs and ferns than removal plots did. Few non-native species recolonized removal areas, except for seedlings of Clematis. Collectively, these results indicate that passive recovery of the herbaceous layer is possible at large scales following invasive species removal, but that active replanting of woody species may be needed. Partnerships between land managers and academic researchers are key to documenting the effects of management-scale removals.

Relevance. Establishment of regularities of growth and development, determination of the influence of the temperature factor on the individual phases of clematis ontogenesis for a reasonable prediction of the timing of their occurrence in the conditions of the Stavropol upland. Methodology . The paper presents the results of studies of the onset of certain phases of growth and development of clematis varieties of the garden group Integrifolia in the Stavropol Botanical Garden. The data of phenological observations and meteorological indicators of 2016–2020 are analyzed. Results . It is established that representatives of this group, in the climatic conditions of the Stavropol upland annually pass all stages of seasonal development. According to the results of long-term observations, the degree of adaptation to new natural and climatic conditions was revealed. The influence of the temperature factor on the dates of occurrence of phenological phases were analyzed. The weather conditions of the growing season cause the shift of the phenophases to earlier or later periods. In our studies, the dates of the onset of the “beginning of vegetation” phase vary, due to the instability of meteorological conditions. The earliest date of the beginning of the growing season was marked on 04.03.2016, the latest — on 29.03.2019. The sum of active air temperatures above 0 ° C for this period was 185–198 ° C. The sum of effective temperatures above +5 ° C required for the beginning of the budding and flowering phases has been determined. The duration of the interphase period from the beginning of the growing season to budding is on average 67 days. The interphase period from the beginning of budding to flowering is 18 days, the sum of effective temperatures above +5 ° C for this period was 220 ° C. To predict the timing of the onset of the “flowering” phase, the necessary sum of effective temperatures above +5 ° C for the interphase period from the beginning of the growing season to the beginning of flowering is calculated — 681 ° C. The sum of the active temperatures above 0 ° C, before flowering, was — 1212 ° C.

Interspecific hybridization is common and has often been viewed as a driving force of plant diversity. However, it raises taxonomic problems and thus impacts biodiversity estimation and biological conservation. Although previous molecular phylogenetic studies suggested that interspecific hybridization may be rather common in Clematis, and artificial hybridization has been widely applied to produce new Clematis cultivars for nearly two centuries, the issue of natural hybridization of Clematis has never been addressed in detail. In this study, we tested the hybrid origin of a mesophytic and cold-adapted vine species, Clematis pinnata, which is a rare and taxonomically controversial taxon endemic to northern China. Using field investigations, flow cytometry (FCM), phylogenomic analysis, morphological statistics, and niche modeling, we tested hybrid origin and species status of C. pinnata. The FCM results showed that all the tested species were homoploid (2n = 16). Phylonet and HyDe analyses based on transcriptome data showed the hybrid origins of C. × pinnata from either C. brevicaudata × C. heracleifolia or C. brevicaudata × C. tubulosa. The plastome phylogeny depicted that C. × pinnata in different sampling sites originated by different hybridization events. Morphological analysis showed intermediacy of C. × pinnata between its putative parental species in many qualitative and quantitative characters. Niche modeling results suggested that C. × pinnata had not been adapted to a novel ecological niche independent of its putative parents. These findings demonstrated that plants of C. × pinnata did not formed a self-evolved clade and should not be treated as a species. The present study also suggests that interspecific hybridization is a common mechanism in Clematis to generate diversity and variation, and it may play an important role in the evolution and diversification of this genus. Our study implies that morphological diversity caused by natural hybridization may overstate the real species diversity in Clematis.

В лаборатории плодоводства ФГБОУ ВО РГАУ-МСХА имени К.А. Тимирязева за последнее время собрана обширная коллекция сортов клематиса (около 30). В течение ряда лет ведутся работы по оптимизации методики черенкования этой культуры. Однако для определенных сортов, представляющих большой интерес при использовании в вертикальном озеленении, черенкование малоэффективно. В первую очередь из-за низкой способности к укоренению ряда махровых и полумахровых сортов. Во-вторых, период нарезки черенков ограничен по времени. В открытом грунте черенкование возможно проводить только один раз в период массового нарастания молодых, не одревесневших побегов до распускания бутонов. Этот период длится в нашей зоне 2–3 недели, затем побеги быстро одревесневают. При содержании маточных растений в условиях теплицы в процессе вегетации возможно проводить 3 черенкования за сезон. Но с каждым последующим черенкованием количество черенков снижается, так как цветочные почки закладываются все ниже к основанию куста. Также маточное растение сильно истощается от постоянной срезки побегов год от года. За последние 4 года эксплуатации маточников выход черенков снизился примерно в 2 раза у немахровых сортов и в 3 раза у махровых. Поэтому маточники, начиная с 5–7-летнего возраста, необходимо омолаживать, чтобы выход посадочного материала не снижался. Все это делает актуальной разработку метода микроклонального размножения клематисов. Этот метод позволит быстро обновить маточники клематиса, а также оздоровить полученный посадочный материал от вирусов и болезней. В работе изучено 10 сортов клематиса из коллекции плодовой станции. Разработана оптимальная технология микроразмножения, подобрана питательная среда, обогащенная гормонами, позволяющая получить высокий коэффициент размножения по большинству изучаемых сортов.

We demonstrate that Clematis dongchuanensis (Ranunculaceae), described from Dongchuan in northeastern Yunnan, China and considered to be related to C. repens in having simple leaves, erect sepals and pubescent filaments and anthers, is identical with C. connata var. trullifera, a taxon with pinnate leaves of 5−7 (9) leaflets. The simple leaves described in C. dongchuanensis are actually leaflets of a pinnate leaf in C. connata var. trullifera. We therefore place C. dongchuanensis in synonymy with C. connata var. trullifera. Lectotypification is proposed for C. connata var. trullifera and for C. coriigera, a synonym of C. connata var. trullifera.

Results of the introduction researches of 5 species of Clematis in a collection of lianas of South-Ural Botanical Garden-Institute of Ufa Federal Research Centre are presented in article. According to phenological observations in 9 years (2007–2015) integrated assessment of introduction perspectives and introduced stability of clematises is given. The scale developed by P.I. Lapin and S.V. Sidneva for wood plants is used for assessment of introduction perspectives. Preliminary estimate of introduction stability is carried out according to a scale of N.V. Trulevich. Extent of ripening of shoots, winter hardiness, preservation of growth form, shoot-formation ability, generative development, ability to reproduction in culture were estimated. All species are characterized by stability of rhythmic processes and their fitness to local climatic conditions. Duration of the vegetative period consists of 5,5 months. Duration of flowering of C. ligusticifolia is more than 2,5 months, C. gouriana is more than 2 month, C. apiifolia, C. fargesii and C. brevicaudata is not less than 1,5 months. In accordance with the scale of introduction stability, all the studied species belong to the perspective group of II (80-85 points). All the species under investigation can be used in green landscaping in different regions of the South Urals.

Clematis crassifolia and Clematis cadmia Buch.-Ham. ex Hook.f. & Thomson are herbaceous vine plants native to China. C. crassifolia is distributed in shaded areas, while C. cadmia mostly grows in bright, sunny conditions in mountainous and hilly landscapes. To understand the potential mechanisms involved in the irradiance responses of C. crassifolia and C. cadmia, we conducted a pot experiment under three irradiance treatments with natural irradiation and two different levels of shading. Various growth, photosynthetic, oxidative and antioxidative parameters and the relative expression of irradiance-related genes were examined. In total, 15 unigenes were selected for the analysis of gene expression. The exposure of C. crassifolia to high irradiance resulted in growth inhibition coupled with increased levels of chlorophyll, increased catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activity and increased expression of c144262_g2, c138393_g1 and c131300_g2. In contrast, under high irradiance conditions, C. cadmia showed an increase in growth and soluble protein content accompanied by a decrease in the expression of c144262_g2, c133872_g1, and c142530_g1, suggesting their role in the acclimation of C. cadmia to a high-irradiance environment. The 15 unigenes were differentially expressed in C. crassifolia and C. cadmia under different irradiance conditions. Thus, our study revealed that there are essential differences in the irradiance adaptations of C. crassifolia and C. cadmia due to the differential physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying their irradiance responses, which result from their long-term evolution in contrasting habitats.

Clematisguniuensissp. nov., a new narrowly endemic species of Clematis, is described and illustrated from the Huangshan Mountains of Eastern China. A description of C.guniuensis is presented along with illustrations, photographs and diagnostic differences between the new species and its putative close allies.

Climbing vines such as clematis are used in artificially created urban landscapes (Clematis L.). Clematis diseases were determined to be the main reason of the decrease in clematis decorative value and flower abundance, reduction of its lifespan and duration of the flowering period as well as the increase in the amount of flowers falling off. The need of phytopathological monitoring and diagnostics of clematis diseases, their intensity and distribution has been established in the urban landscapes of Poltava. It has been found that clematis diseases of various etiology were registered in the study region during the period of 2016 to 2018. Fungal diseases and nematodiasis were determined to be the most prevalent. The highest manifestation was attributed to powdery mildew (Epysiphe communis Grev. f. clematidis Jacz), rusts (Aecidium clematidis DC), Ascochyta diseases, and Septoria diseases. In 2016, the prevalence of powdery mildew reached 54%. It decreased to 50% and 40% in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The rate of prevalence was twice lower for rusts (22-25%), although its highest prevalence was registered in 2017. The prevalence of mottling (Septoria – 5.5-6.5% and Ascochyta – 7.5-10%) was not significant compared to powdery mildew and rusts. However, its development depended on the moisture and, thus, reached its maximum in 2016. The development of the diseases was correlated with weather conditions such as precipitation and air temperature. The need for continuous monitoring of the process of clematis cultivation was established for the forest steppe region of Ukraine. The research conducted is an important step in formation and development of decorative floriculture in Poltava region.

Traditional medicine is widely practiced in Ethiopia. Here we investigate the toxicity of extracts of seven medicinal plants traditionally used to treat breast cancer in Ethiopia. These plants, Sideroxylon oxyacanthum, Zanthoxylum chalybeum, Clematis simensis, Clematis longicauda, Dovyalis abyssinica, Vernonia leopoldi, and Clerodendrum myricoides, were selected based on recommendations by traditional healers and on the frequency of use. After harvesting the plant material, the water content was determined and the powder was subjected to methanol extraction resulting in crude extracts which were tested for cytotoxicity in dose response assay. Then the methanol extract of the most toxic plants was subjected to further solvent-solvent fractionation to gain petroleum ether, hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water fractions and these were also tested for cytotoxicity in dose response assays. Extracts of Z. chalybeum and C. myricoides were not toxic. The crude extracts of S. oxyacanthum, C. simensis, and D. abyssinica showed cytotoxicity with half maximal inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) below 1 μg/ml in the human breast cancer cell lines JIMT-1, MCF-7, and HCC1937. The ethyl acetate fraction of V. leopoldi was the most cytotoxic fraction of all fractions tested with an IC50 of 0.87 μg/ml in JIMT-1 cells. The aqueous fraction of S. oxyacanthum and the chloroform fraction of C. simensis were also cytotoxic. In conclusion, our data show a wide difference in in vitro toxicity of medicinal plants used to treat breast cancer patients, which may guide the use of traditional medicine and the choice of plants for isolation of new compounds for cancer treatment. Key words: Cancer, Ethiopia, in vitro cytotoxicity, 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), traditional medicine.

Embryology can provide valuable information for determining taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships at the genus level. However, embryological information is fragmentary for the genus of Clematis. Herein, we studied the anther and ovule development of Clematis terniflora var. mandshurica using paraffin sections to examine microsporogenesis, microgametogenesis, megasporogenesis and macrogametogenesis in this plant. Tetrasporangiate anther, successive microsporocyte cytokinesis, and glandular tapetum, or occasionally amoeboid tapetum were observed in C. terniflora var. mandshurica. This plant’s microspore tetrads were mostly tetrahedral, and occasionally symmetrical, after meiosis. The anther wall was comprised of an epidermis and endothecium, both with fibrous thickenings in the mature anthers. Pollen grains were symmetrical, oblate, tricolpate, and two-celled. As for the ovary, it had one chamber with a few degraded ovules and a single normal one, which was anatropous, unitegmic, and tenuinucellate, and formed a Polygonum-type embryo-sac. Only one archesporial cell was present, and developed directly into a megaspore mother cell, which later formed a linear tetrad of megaspores. Larger dikaryocytic antipodal cells could also be observed in the mature embryo sac. This species might belong to a relatively primitive and transitional clade within the genus Clematis. To our knowledge, this study documented the embryological characters of C. terniflora var. mandshurica in detail for the first time and provided more information on the embryology of the genus Clematis.

A saponin (echinocystic acid-3-o- α -l – rhamnopyranosyl (1 à 5) – o – β - d – xylofuranosyl (1 à 5) – o – β - d – arabinofuranosyl (1 à 4) – o – β - d –glucopyranoside)have been isolated and identified from the leaves of clematis nepaulensis. Repeated chromatographic manipulations and spectral analysis (IR, 1H-NMR, and Mass) suggested the structure of saponin. Keywords: Saponin, Echinocystic acid, Isolation, spectral analysis

We assessed the micro-morphological and anatomical structures of the petioles of 19Clematistaxa from South Korea. The petiole surface features were observed with the help of stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and the anatomical features are studied via microtomy and light microscopy. The results of this study showed that the presence/absence and abundance of trichomes, petiole cross-section outlines, upper surface wings and grooves, and the number of vascular bundles were useful for species discrimination inClematis. Among the studied taxa,C. hexapetalawas the only species with a glabrous petiole surface. Two types of trichomes were observed in the other 18 taxa: long, non-glandular and flagelliform trichomes and short, glandular capitate trichomes. We found four to six major vascular bundles and a maximum of eight interfascicular vascular bundles (C. heracleifoliaandC. urticifolia) in the 19 taxa. A cluster analysis based on UPGMA identified six clusters with 18 nodes. Although the number of taxa investigated was limited, taxa from the sectionsTubulosae,Viorna, andAstrageneclustered with each other in the UPGMA phenogram due to the overall similarity of petiole features. Based on this observation, we can conclude that most of the petiole features are limited to the species level, and thus, the data obtained could be used as descriptive and/or diagnostic features for particular taxa, which may be useful for the investigation of problematic taxa in the genus.

The aphid Colophina monstrifica forms woolly colonies with sterile soldiers on the secondary host Clematis uncinata in Taiwan. However, the gall or primary-host generation of C. monstrifica has not been found to date. We successfully induced galls of the species on trees of Zelkova serrata through attaching its eggs onto the trees, and also found a few naturally formed galls on another Z. serrata tree. The identity of the aphids was confirmed by examining their morphology and mitochondrial DNA sequences. First- and second-instar nymphs in the galls exhibited attacking behavior toward artificially introduced moth larvae. Observations with a scanning electron microscope revealed that the gall inner surface was densely covered with minute trichomes. This indicates the water repellency of the inner surface, and strongly suggests that young nymphs of C. monstrifica dispose of honeydew globules outside the gall, as known in the congener C. clematis.

Background Studies on the stem anatomical characteristics of Taiwanese species from the Clematis genus (Ranunculaceae) are scarce. This study aimed to investigate and compare the patterns of secondary growth in stems of 22 Clematis species. Results The rhytidome is composed of periderm and non-conducting phloem and formed either cogwheel-like or continuous segment bark. Key features of the genus were stem with an irregular conformation, wedge-like phloem and rays, indentations in the axial parenchyma, ray dilatation, and narrow rays. Approximately eight Clematis species formed bark arc shape, which developed the cogwheel- like rhytidome. There were with approximately 27% of the Clematis species in Taiwan having 12 vascular bundles. The vessels dispersed throughout the stem were semi-ring-porous in most species but were ring-porous in others. No species had diffuse-porous vessels. The vessel restriction pattern was only found in the two shrubs, C. psilandra and C. tsugetorum. The primary xylem ring was located around the pith in C. uncinata var. uncinata, making its pith cavity hexagon in shape. Four species had the pith cavity feature. Narrow rays that occurred in the secondary xylem increased with increasing stem diameter. Conclusions The cambial variants described in this study provide a foundation for further morphological studies of the Clematis genus.

This study has been conducted at Kimvula city. The goal was to investigate the medicinal plants used in that city. Thus, any ethnobotanical survey has been realized on the use of the plants in six towns by direct interviews among 180 peoples with an average of age comprise between 17- 70 years old with high representatives of women. This study has allowed us to establish a floristic list of 188 medicinal species belonging in 158 genera and 69 families where Fabaceae dominant group. Anemia was indications mostly cited as a sickness threated by using plants. Concerning the characteristics of the treatment preparation, leaves are the plant’s organs mostly used; decoction is the preparation way cited and the oral admistration is the administration way for those medicinal drugs. Morinda morindoides, Ocimum gratissimum, Disphania ambrosioïdes and Moringa oleifera have the VAUs superior or eaual to 1.10. There is not a link concerning the use of plants between the inhabitant of group 1 and the inhabitant of group 2. By the wah, that there is a link concerning the use of plants between the Lona, Winda, Pado, Revolution and Kinata neighborhoods (Group 2). Three sspcies characterized the group 1 like: Clematis hirsuta, Saccharum officinarum and Voacanga africana, and four especies Ceiba pentandra, Indigofera paracapitata, Maprounea africana and Ochna afzelii characterized the group 2.

Clematis species are commonly grown in western and Japanese gardens. Heat stress can inhibit many physiological processes mediating plant growth and development. The mechanism regulating responses to heat has been well characterized in Arabidopsis thaliana and some crops, but not in horticultural plants, including Clematis species. In this study, we found that Clematis alpina ‘Stolwijk Gold’ was heat-sensitive whereas Clematis vitalba and Clematis viticella ‘Polish Spirit’ were heat-tolerant based on the physiological analyses in heat stress. Transcriptomic profiling identified a set of heat tolerance-related genes (HTGs). Consistent with the observed phenotype in heat stress, 41.43% of the differentially expressed HTGs between heat treatment and control were down-regulated in heat-sensitive cultivar Stolwijk Gold, but only 9.80% and 20.79% of the differentially expressed HTGs in heat resistant C. vitalba and Polish Spirit, respectively. Co-expression network, protein–protein interaction network and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the genes encoding heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) played an essential role in Clematis resistance to heat stress. Ultimately, we proposed that two clades of HSFs may have diverse functions in regulating heat resistance from C. vitalba and CvHSFA2-2 could endow different host with high temperature resistance. This study provides first insights into the diversity of the heat response mechanisms among Clematis species.

The stamens of angiosperms are diverse in number, colour and structure. The morphological and structural changes of stamens show important evolutionary significance for improving pollination efficiency. In Clematis macropetala, the androecium consists of fertile stamens and tepaloid staminodes. However, studies on the developmental features, structures and possible functions of stamens are few. In this study, the stamen ontogeny, micromorphology and nectary structure of C. macropetala were studied by scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the stamens can be divided into four forms according to shape and anther size: tepaloid staminode (St1), spatulate staminode (St2), linear-spatulate fertile stamen (St3) and linear fertile stamen (St4). The characteristics of stamen development are similar in the early stage but gradually differentiate in the later stage. St1 has delayed development and no anther differentiation. St2 develops abnormally at the early stage of anther differentiation. St3 and St4 are fertile, but their anther sizes are different. Nine epidermal cell types were observed in stamens, with only 4 types in St1 and 6-7 types in St2, St3 and St4. Nectary tissue appears on the adaxial side of the filament base. The nectary is composed of only one layer of secretory epidermal cells, which have a large nucleus, dense cytoplasm and well-developed wall ingrowth. Nectar is released through micro-channels in the cuticle of the outer wall. In Ranunculaceae, the staminal nectary is often located on fertile or sterile stamens, and the position, structure and micromorphology of secretory tissues of the stamen within Ranunculales are discussed.

Clematis plants play an important role in botanical gardens. Heat stress can destroy the activity, state and conformation of plant proteins, and its regulatory pathway has been well characterized in Arabidopsis and some crop plants. However, the heat resistance response mechanism in horticultural plants including Clematis has rarely been reported. Here, we identified a heat-tolerant clematis species, Clematis vitalba. The relative water loss and electrolytic leakage were significantly lower under heat treatment in Clematis vitalba compared to Stolwijk Gold. Differential expression heat-tolerant genes (HTGs) were identified based on nonparametric transcriptome analysis. For validation, one heat shock transcription factor, CvHSF30-2, extremely induced by heat stimuli in Clematis vitalba, was identified to confer tolerance to heat stress in Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Furthermore, silencing of HSF30-2 by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) led to heat sensitivity in tobacco and Clematis, suggesting that the candidate heat-resistant genes identified in this RNA-seq analysis are credible and offer significant utility. We also found that CvHSF30-2 improved heat tolerance of Clematis vitalba by elevating heat shock protein (HSP) expression, which was negatively regulated by CvHSFB2a. Taken together, this study provides insights into the mechanism of Clematis heat tolerance and the findings can be potentially applied in horticultural plants to improve economic efficiency through genetic approaches.

The effects of growth regulators, namely, 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and thidiazuron (TDZ), on the morphogenic capacity of 13 cultivars of clematis plants, in terms of their morphological structure formation, shoot regeneration, and somatic embryo development, are presented. The clematis cultivars ‘Alpinist,’ ‘Ay-Nor,’ ‘Bal Tsvetov,’ ‘Crimson Star,’ ‘Crystal Fountain,’ ‘Kosmicheskaya Melodiya,’ ‘Lesnaya Opera,’ ‘Madame Julia Correvon,’ ‘Nevesta,’ ‘Nikitsky Rosovyi,’ ‘Nikolay Rubtsov,’ ‘Serenada Kryma,’ and ‘Vechniy Zov’ were taken in collection plots of the Nikita Botanical Gardens for use in study. After explant sterilization with 70% ethanol (1 min), 0.3–0.4% Cl2 (15 min), and 1% thimerosal (10 min), 1-cm long segments with a single node were introduced to an in vitro culture. The explants were established on the basal MS medium supplemented with BAP (2.20–8.90 μM) and 0.049 μM NAA, or TDZ (3.0; 6.0, and 9.0 μM) with 30 g/L sucrose and 9 g/L agar. The medium with 0.89 μM BAP served as the control. Culture vessels and test tubes with the explants were maintained in plant growth chamber-controlled conditions: with a 16-h photoperiod, under cool-white light fluorescent lamps with a light intensity of 37.5 μmol m–2 s–1, at a temperature of 24 ± 1°C. Histological analysis demonstrated that adventitious bud and somatic embryo formation in studied clematis cultivars occurred at numerous areas of active meristematic cell zones. The main role of plant growth regulators and its concentrations were demonstrated. It was determined that maximum adventitious microshoot regeneration without any morphological abnormalities formed on the media supplemented with BAP or TDZ. 4.40 μM BAP, or 6.0 μM TDZ were optimal cytokinin concentrations for micropropagation. The explants of ‘Alpinist,’ ‘Ay-Nor,’ ‘Crimson Star,’ ‘Crystal Fountain,’ ‘Nevesta,’ and ‘Serenada Kryma’ cultivars displayed high morphogenetic capacity under in vitro culturing. During indirect somatic embryogenesis, light intensity 37.5 μmol m–2 s–1 stimulated a higher-number somatic embryo formation and a temperature of 26°C affected somatic embryo development. Active formation of primary and secondary somatic embryos was also demonstrated. 2.20 μM BAP with 0.09 μM IBA affected the high-number somatic embryo formation for eight cultivars. Secondary somatic embryogenesis by the same concentration of BAP was induced. The frequency of secondary somatic embryogenesis was higher in ‘Crystal Fountain’ (100%), ‘Crimson Star’ (100%), ‘Nevesta’ (97%), and ‘Ay-Nor’ (92%) cultivars. Based on these results, the methodology for direct somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis of studied clematis cultivars has been developed.

Clematis is a superior perennial ornamental vine known for varied colors and shapes of its flowers. Clematis crassifolia is sensitive to high temperature, whereas Clematis cadmia has a certain temperature adaptability. Here we analyzed the potential regulatory mechanisms of C. crassifolia and C. cadmia in response to heat stress by studying the photosynthesis, antioxidant parameters, amino acids, and gene expression patterns under three temperature treatments. Heat stress caused the fading of leaves; decreased net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activity; increased 13 kinds of amino acids content; and up-regulated the expression of seven genes, including C194329_G3, C194434_G1, and C188817_g1, etc., in C. crassifolia plants. Under the treatments of heat stress, the leaf tips of C. cadmia were wilted, and the net photosynthetic rate and soluble protein content decreased, with the increase of 12 amino acids content and the expression of c194329_g3, c194434_g1, and c195983_g1. Our results showed that C. crassifolia and C. cadmia had different physiological and molecular response mechanisms to heat stress during the ecological adaptation.

This chapter focuses on Emily Howard’s Wild Clematis in Winter (2008). In this piece, perfect control and precision of intonation are required of the singer. Even from the start, the mezzo is left exposed on long-held pitches, often in the potentially vulnerable register-break area. The piano sets the atmosphere with delicate, oscillating semitones, merged by the pedal, grounded by a constantly repeating G natural in the bass. This pattern is to continue through much of the song. Meanwhile, the singer’s exquisitely poised, hypnotic lines gradually gather intensity over a wide spectrum of dynamics. Phrases become more passionate, with single repeated notes conveying a wealth of meaning in their carefully graded dynamics. Throughout, the accompaniment stays within a restricted pitch area, and there are plenty of cues to keep the singer anchored.

This chapter introduces 23 species of medicinal plants in 3 families, mainly including Aconitum carmichaelii, Cimicifuga foetida, Clematis chinensis, Clematis hexapetala, Clematis terniflora var. mandshurica, Clematis filamentosa, Coptis chinensis, Coptis omeiensis and Coptis teeta of Ranunculaceae, Berberis chingii and Berberis impedita of Berberidaceae.

The work is devoted to the study of the mineral composition influence on the microshoots regeneration of some valuable ornamental Clematis L. varieties. The highest values of morphometric parameters were obtained on the DKW nutrient medium.

Ornamental plants are cultivated for decorative and utility purposes in urban landscapes throughout the world. They are much valued for their aesthetic properties and constitute an important part of the global horticulture industry. Begomovirus infections are increasing day by day as these are causing significant losses and raising danger to a large number of cultivated crops and also to ornamental plants. They are posing a significant negative impact on ornamentals provoking a wide range of symptoms, reducing both decorative value and quality of propagated material, and causing large economic damage. Significant growth of the ornamental plant market in recent years promotes the spread of viral diseases. Among the most popular ornamentals are chrysanthemum, rose, clematis, canna, and lavender. In the presented chapter, the various methods used for the engineering of ornamental plants to guard them against begomovirus pathogenesis are described.

Background: Clematis species are commonly grown in western and Japanese gardens. Heat stress can inhibit many physiological processes mediating plant growth and development. The mechanism regulating responses to heat has been well characterized in Arabidopsis thaliana and some crops, but not in horticultural plants, including Clematis species. Results: In this study, we identified a heat-sensitive Clematis variety (Clematis alpina ‘Stolwijk Gold’) and two heat-tolerant Clematis varieties (Clematis vitalba and Clematis viticella ‘Polish Spirit’) based on heat-related physiological indices. The leaf transcriptomes under normal and heat stress conditions were analyzed by RNA sequencing. Additionally, heat tolerance-related genes (HTGs) were identified and their expression levels were analyzed. Following heat treatments, 41.67% of the differentially expressed HTGs in Stolwijk Gold had down-regulated expression levels, whereas only 9.80% and 21.36% of the differentially expressed HTGs in C. vitalba and Polish Spirit, respectively, had the same trend. The HTGs’ co-expression and protein–protein interaction networks revealed that the hub genes regulating Clematis resistance to heat stress encode heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) and heat shock proteins (HSPs). Moreover, the sensitivity of Stolwijk Gold to heat is mainly due to the heat-induced down-regulated expression of these genes. On the basis of phylogenetic and expression analyses, the differentially expressed HSF and HSP genes in the three examined varieties were divided into three and four clades, respectively, with similar expression profiles common among orthologous family members. Furthermore, we identified two HSF classes in C. vitalba that may have diverse functions influencing heat resistance. Conclusions: Our study provides insights into the diversity of the heat response mechanisms among Clematis species and may be useful for breeding new heat-resistant ornamental Clematis varieties.

BackgroundStudies on the anatomical characteristics of stems of Taiwanese species from the Clematis genus (Ranunculaceae) are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare cambial variation in stems of 22 Clematis species. ResultsThe rhytidome (outer bark) was either cogwheel-like or continuous, except for in the species Clematis tashiroi. Key features of the genus were eccentric to elliptical or polygonous-lobed stems, wedge-like phloem, wedge-like rays, indentations in the axial parenchyma, and ray dilatation. The cortical sclerenchyma fibers were embedded in the phloem rays with approximately 23% of the Clematis species. Both C. psilandra and C. tsugetorum had restricted vessels. There were three vascular bundle patterns, with approximately 27% of the Clematis species in Taiwan having 12 vascular bundles. The vessels dispersed throughout the stem were semi-ring-porous in most species, but were ring-porous in others. No species had diffuse-porous vessels. Only two species had a primary xylem ring located around the pith. Secondary xylem rays split the secondary xylem into parts, increasing stem diameter. The developmental stage of each sample was determined, with the initial ring-like periderm being produced in the primary phloem during the second stage. ConclusionsThe cambial variations described in this study provide a foundation for further morphological studies of the Clematis genus.

Clematis, a widely distributed genus in Ranunculaceae, is one of the most difficult groups of taxa in the family from a taxonomic point of view. A comprehensive study on achene morphology and the anatomy of 19 taxa of Clematis from Korea was carried out using scanning electron and light microscopy to evaluate the taxonomic significance of achene characters. Clematis achenes are elliptical, obovate or fusiform in shape, light yellow or brown to black in color and completely or sparsely covered with hairs. The permanent style is elongated and plumose in all the studied taxa except C. brachyura. We found that the size, indument, permanent style, surface sculpture, shape in cross-section, and nature and thickness of the exocarp, and endocarp were valuable achene features for species delimitation and may contribute to the unraveling of the taxonomic problems in the genus Clematis. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the quantitative achene variables among the species were highly significant (p &lt, 0.001). Principal component analyses based on seven quantitative characters and UPGMA (unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean) analysis based on seven quantitative and 18 qualitative characters also signify the utility of achene features for taxonomic discriminations of the Clematis taxa within the genus. Similar to other morphological characters in the genus Clematis, achene morphological and anatomical characters with the limited taxonomic value alone cannot be expected to resolve the infrageneric relationships but certain achene features combined with other morphological features could be useful as an alternative means of determining the infrageneric relationships within the genus.