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Plant species belonging to the family Acanthaceae are globally known to possess various medicinal properties and have cultural and economic importance in both traditional medicine and horticulture. They are important to both animals and humans and are used as food or for ornamental purposes worldwide. Barleria is the third largest genus in the family Acanthaceae. A few of the highly important and reported species of Barleria include B. prionitis, B. cristata, B. grandiflora, and B. lupulina. The flowers, leaves, stems, roots, and seed extracts of plants belonging to this genus are rich in bioactive compounds and have exhibited significant medicinal potential for the treatment of various ailments and infections. Evidence derived from several studies has demonstrated the antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, analgesic, antiamoebic, antihelminthic, antiarthritic, antihypertensive, antiviral properties and toxicity of extracts, in addition inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity and biosynthesis of nanoparticles, of the plant and seed extracts of species belonging to Barleria. Studies have reported that bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, quinones, iridoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, the immunostimulant protein “Sankaranin”, and antibiotics isolated from Barleria species are resposnsible for the above biological activities. Traditionally, the genus Barleria has significant medicinal potential; however, there is a scarcity of information on various species that are yet to be evaluated. This review provides a comprehensive report on existing literature, concerning the phytochemistry and biological activities of the genus Barleria.

Strobilanthes medahinnensis, a new species of Acanthaceae is described and illustrated from Sri Lanka. The new species is similar to S. anceps in having ovate leaves, yellow gland dots of abaxial leaf surface and reflexed bracts but differs by rounded stem, leaves with acuminate apex, elongated spikes, lanceolate outermost bract with long acuminate apex. The establishment of the new species is supported by complete plastome genome analyses.

Strobilanthes anamallaica (Acanthaceae) is an endemic plant of South-Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Cytogenetical characterisation from the root meristem revealed exhibition of mixoploidy, i.e. three chromosome counts, 2n = 10, 20 and 30, within the same tissue. Three different euploid linkage sets corresponding to hypoploid, diploid and hyperploid cells could be differentiated. Although it is difficult to ascertain true paired sets, but a close look at the karyomorphology led to deduce karyotype formulae as 2nsm(-) + 8 nm; 2 M + 18 nm; and 30 nm, respectively (nsm = nearly submedian, nm = nearly median, M = median). The centromere position of chromosomes was predominantly nearly median with a few median ones. The karyotype details and incidence of mixoploidy is the first report for this endemic species. The karyotype is symmetric and primitive in nature. Occurrence of mixoploidy is suggested as an adaptation measure for the species.

Light and scanning electron microscopic studies of pollen and seeds were carried out for nine species of Andrographis (Acanthaceae) from India. Pollen in all species is isopolar, radially symmetric...

Potential biomass valorization of aquatic plant seeds of eight species was studied. Merremia emarginata (Convolvulaceae), Nelumbo nucifera (Nelumbonaceae), Schoenoplectus articulatus (Cyperaceae), Cleome viscosa (Cleomaceae), Ipomoea purpurea (Convolvulaceae), Rorippa palustris (Brassicaceae), Ludwigia parviflora (Onagraceae), and Hygrophila auriculata (Acanthaceae) were investigated for their oil yield and their lipophilic bioactive compound composition. The ultrasound-assisted extraction of oil followed by GC and HPLC analyses was applied for the determination of bioactive compounds. The oil yield ranged from 1.7 to 29.1%, in N. nucifera and H. auriculata, respectively. The studied species differed significantly with respect to the composition of fatty acids and bioactive compounds (statistically assessed). Unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) were the predominant group of fatty acids (74–88%) in the investigated samples. Four species were mainly comprised of γ-tocopherol (88–99%) (M. emarginata, C. viscosa, I. purpurea, L. parviflora), while the other four studied samples were dominated by γ-tocotrienol (72%) in N. nucifera, β-tocotrienol (72%) in S. articulates, α- and γ-tocopherol (49% and 41%, respectively) in R. palustris, and α-tocopherol (91%) in H. auriculata. β-Sitosterol was the main sterol (46–69%) in the majority of studied species, with the exception of H. auriculata, in which Δ5-stigmasterol (50%) dominated. Considerable levels of campesterol in each species (13–25%) were also recorded. Squalene was detected only in I. purpurea, R. palustris, and L. parviflora. The studied species were characterized by considerable quantities of carotenoids, tocochromanols, phytosterols, and squalene (0.6–6.9, 51–634, 292–2480, and 0–22 mg/100 g oil, respectively). Seeds of several studied aquatic species can be considered as an alternative source of oil and/or valuable lipophilic ingredients for industrial applications.

Rungia gialaiensis, a new species endemic to Gia Lai Province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically allied to R. daklakensis and R. khasiana, but differs from both in its stoloniferous branches growing from leaf axils.

Lectotypes are designated for three names in Phlogacanthus: P. albiflorus Bedd., P. grandis Bedd., and P. tubiflorus Nees.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T15:01:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) US National Science Foundation A species previously treated in Staurogyne (S. nitida) is elevated to the category of a new genus of Acanthaceae, subfamily Nelsonioideae, based on morphological and molecular data. The sole species, Aymoreana nitida, occurs in the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil, from southern Bahia to northern Espirito Santo. Aymoreana differs from other genera of Nelsonioideae by the combination of the calyx with subequal segments, the slightly zygomorphic corolla, the four didynamous stamens, and the asymmetric gynoecium. Morphological information is accompanied by a molecular phylogenetic tree, ecological data, a preliminary conservation assessment, and Univ Fed Rural Rio de Janeiro UFRRJ, Inst Ciencias Biol & Saude, Dept Bot, BR 465,Km 7, BR-23890000 Seropedica, RJ, Brazil Calif Acad Sci, Bot, 55 Mus Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118 USA Claremont Grad Univ, Rancho Santa Ana Bot Garden, 1500 North Coll Ave, Claremont, CA 91711 USA Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Biol Biol Vegetal, Inst Biociencias, Av 24 A,1515, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Biol Biol Vegetal, Inst Biociencias, Av 24 A,1515, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil FAPESP: 00/05881-5 US National Science Foundation: DEB 1754845

Strobilanthes lawsonii was described by Gamble based on a collection made from Sispara Ghat of Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu. Later researchers reported its distribution in Kerala, and S. gamblei and S. pushpangadanii, two endemic species of the Western Ghats, were synonymised with S. lawsonii during the genus revision in southern India in 2006. During a recent expedition to Muthikulam forest of Palakkad, Kerala the authors collected typical S. lawsonii. After comparing the new collections with S. gamblei and S. pushpangadanii, it was found that both taxa are distinct from S. lawsonii, with the most notable morphological differences being partially fused corolla lobes and exserted stamens. A detailed comparison of the three taxa is provided here, along with color photographs and a taxonomic key for easy species identification.

Chroesthes is a small genus that includes three species from Peninsular Malaysia: Chroesthes faizaltahiriana Siti-Munirah sp. nov., C. lanceolata (T. Anderson) B.Hansen and C. longifolia (Wight) B.Hansen. Chroesthes faizaltahiriana, recently discovered in the State of Kelantan, is described and illustrated. This species is similar to the common species C. longifolia, but is distinguished mainly by its inflorescence type, calyx shape and its flowers being bright orange instead of dark purple internally. Chroesthes lanceolata is a new record for Peninsular Malaysia and has only been collected once. Following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, these three species are assessed (national scale assessment) as Critically Endangered (C. faizaltahiriana and C. lanceolata) and Least Concern (C. longifolia).

The study was carried out in Wawa-Zange Forest Reserve. The aim was to investigate the Herbaceous Species Composition and Diversity. Point Centered Quarter (PCQ) Sampling method was used to conduct the study. Data obtained was analyzed for Frequency, Relative Frequency, Density, Relative Density and Importance Value Index. The result obtained showed a total number of twenty. Herbaceous Plant Species. Out of this number 17 were Forbs and 3 were Grasses. They belonged to 9 families and 19 genera. The family Fabaceae (Subfamily Caesalpinoideae, Papilionoideae and Mimosoideae) had 5 species, and Malvaceae had 5 species while Poaceae had 3 species, Rubiaceae had 2 species. Euphorbiaceae, Linderniaceae, Acanthaceae, Commelinaceae and Arecaceae had 1 species each. Simpson’s index of diversity (1 - D) was (0.60) while Shannon-Wiener index was (2.21). The species with the highest importance value index was Urena lobata L. (65.47%) and the species with lowest importance value index were Palisota hirsuta, Cassia rotundifolia, Amorphophallus abyssinicus, and Corchorus olitorius with (2.93%). These plants therefore require urgent conservation measures.

Barleria albostellata (Acanthaceae), is a valuable medicinal plant with a broad spectrum of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to characterize the micromorphology, distribution, and chemical composition of the trichomes present on the leaves and stems of B. albostellata using light and electron microscopy and histochemistry. Morphological observations using stereo and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a dense indumentum bearing numerous non-glandular trichomes on the leaves and stems of B. albostellata. The histochemical and SEM analyses revealed the presence of five morphologically distinct glandular capitate trichome types, multangulate-dendritic branched (MDB) non-glandular trichomes and a glandular head attached to a branched non-glandular trichome. Transmission electron micrographs showed that numerous plastids, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum cisternae were actively involved in the secretory process. The stained leaf and stem sections indicated the presence of alkaloids and phenolics as the major medicinal compounds in glandular and non-glandular trichomes. To our knowledge, this study represents the first detailed report describing the key micromorphological features of the foliar structures of B. albostellata as well as the preliminary chemical composition of the secretions produced by these structures.

A new species of Acanthaceae, Strobilanthes sunhangii, is described from Mêdog County, Tibet, China. Morphologically, the new species is closely similar to S. medogensis and S. divaricata, but S. sunhangii differs in having glabrous stems, longer spikes, glabrous rachis, double curved corolla and glabrous calyx, different stamens and style.

Petalidium kaokoense, here described as a new species, is only known from the Hartmann Mountains and one other location on the inland plateau in the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, northwestern Namibia, where it grows on hillsides and mountain slopes. Diagnostic characters for P. kaokoense include the stout trunk on older plants, white bark, peeling on the younger branches in long, narrow strips, stellate trichomes, short inflorescences of racemoid dichasia with acute linear-oblanceolate or linear-lanceolate bracts, flowers with maroon corollas with the two upper lobes connate towards the base and the lower lobe with two yellow spots near the base. A comparison of some of the more prominent morphological features to differentiate between Petalidium kaokoense and its presumed close relative, the morphologically similar P. physaloides, is provided. Based on IUCN Red List categories and criteria, a conservation assessment of Vulnerable (VU D1) is recommended for the new species.

Natural plant dyes have been developed and used across many traditional societies worldwide. The blue pigment indigo has seen widespread usage across South America, Egypt, Europe, India and China for thousands of years, mainly extracted from indigo-rich plants. The utilization and genetic engineering of indigo in industries and ethnobotanical studies on the effects of cultural selection on plant domestication are limited due to lack of relevant genetic and genomic information of dye plants. Strobilanthes cusia (Acanthaceae) is a typical indigo-rich plant important to diverse ethnic cultures in many regions of Asia. Here we present a chromosome-scale genome for S. cusia with a genome size of approximately 865 Mb. About 79% of the sequences were identified as repetitive sequences and 32 148 protein-coding genes were annotated. Metabolic analysis showed that the main indigoid pigments (indican, indigo and indirubin) were mainly synthesized in the leaves and stems of S. cusia. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the expression level of genes encoding metabolic enzymes such as monooxygenase, uridine diphosphate-glycosyltransferase and β-glucosidase were significantly changed in leaves and stems compared with root tissues, implying their participation in indigo biosynthesis. We found that several gene families involved in indigo biosynthesis had undergone an expansion in number, with functional differentiation likely facilitating indigo biosynthesis in S. cusia. This study provides insight into the physiological and molecular bases of indigo biosynthesis, as well as providing genomic data that provide the basis for further study of S. cusia cultivation by Asia's traditional textile producers.

Lepidagathis sabui, a new species of Acanthaceae is described and illustrated from the Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. It is closely related to L. prostrata, but differs by linear, spinulose, glabrous leaves, axillary spikes, recurved bracts and 5–7-nerved outer sepals. Coloured photographs and illustrations of new species and key to the Indian species having spinescent bracts, 5-partite calyx and 2-seeded capsule are provided to facilitate the identification.

Background Neuracanthus sphaerostachyus Dalz. species shows the spherically arranged flowering head. Mostly flowers are observed in purple colour. It is an annual herb with 30–60 cm high. Flowers arranged in rounded clusters without a stalk. Leaves are 5–10 cm in length, and are almost without a stalk. N. sphaerostachyus has been traditionally used to treat skin diseases, cough and asthma. Objective The present study was undertaken to study the Pharmacognostic parameters for the rapid identification and authentication of the plant. Materials and methods The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics with intensive quantitative microscopy of N. sphaerostachyus Dalz leaves were done using different chemicals and reagents. Results The plant leaves show single layered, wavy walled cells in upper epidermis. Powder study of leaves shows light greenish colour with multicellular covering trichomes and sessile glandular trichomes with fibres passing through parenchymatous cells. Conclusion The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of N. sphaerostachyus Dalz leaves serves as a tool for low cost, rapid identification and authentication of this plant.

A new species of Lepidagathis from the lateritic plateau of Kasaragod district of Kerala, India, is described and illustrated as Lepidagathis ananthapuramensis sp. nov. The new species resembles L.keralensis but differs in having erect habit, hairy stem, roots borne only on the basal root stock , hairy veins of leaves, early blooming period, one-sided purplish brown long inflorescence,14–30 flowers per spike, four ovules in the ovary and 1–4 seeded capsule.

Justicia adhatoda L. (Acanthaceae), an Old-World species of Justicia, is found in almost all geographical regions of India. Indian botanists have persistently used two accepted synonyms of J. adhatoda, namely, Adhatoda vasica and Adhatoda zeylanica, treating them as names of separate species, but without considering or making any reference to variation of forms in the species. Here, different aspects of variation-phenotypic, genotypic, and distributional-in Indian populations of J. adhatoda were studied to determine whether the two names might have been used to designate distinguishable forms of the species. We conducted field studies in different regions of India, laboratory studies of diverse phenotypic traits in experimental plots (anatomical, biochemical, reproductive, and morphometric), and a preliminary study of genetic variation using homologous cytochrome P450 gene fragments. We assessed herbarium samples from across India and the taxonomic literature for pointers indicating the presence of distinguishable forms. Population-level phenotypic and genetic variation pointed to the presence of two distinct morphotypes of the species, which separately tend to occur in dry and wet regions. Each form retains its original phenotype, either when the two forms are transplanted and cultivated together, or when found growing in regions (presumed introduced) outside its normal distributional range. Morphological studies and metabolic profiling (leaf and seed fatty acids, wax load and wax composition in leaf) suggest functional adaptation of the two forms, one to drier and the other to wetter regions. We could distinguish these forms in herbarium specimens dating back to 1821, but neither herbarium specimens nor the taxonomic literature reveal any reference to two forms. We propose that the forms be recognized as two distinct morphotypes of Justicia adhatoda.

Two new species of Aphelandra, A. rugosa and A. apecoi, are described and illustrated from the Huánuco region of Peru. Aphelandra rugosa is related to A. mucronata and A. weberbaueri but differs from both species in having larger dark red calyx, subequal sepals, corolla upper lip with 4 lobes and stamens exceeding the tip of corolla. Aphelandra apecoi is related to A. zamorensis, but differs from the latter in having long-pedunculate spikes, larger calyx, and a corolla with unequal upper lip lobes.

Dyschoriste and Hygrophila (Acanthaceae: Ruellieae) comprise two complex and morphologically similar genera with numerous as yet unresolved nomenclatural issues. In this study, the names D. erythrorhiza and Homotropium erythrorhyzum var. latifolium are lectotypified and H. erythrorhyzum var. latifolium and H. angusta are reduced to synonymy under D. erythrorhiza and H. guianiensis, respectively. Hygrophila oblongifolia is shown to be an illegitimate name and synonymous with H. acutangula. A new name, H. nordestina, is proposed for H. sessilifolia.

Introduction: Benzoxazinoids (BXs) are plant phytochemicals that have both defensive properties in plants and therapeutic effects in humans. The presence of BXs has been largely studied in the Poaceae family (monocots). To study the presence or absence of BXs in dicotyledons and monocotyledons outside the Poaceae family, parts of 24 plant species at several growth stages were selected for analysis, some of which were already known to contain BXs.Objectives: To devise a step-wise mass spectrometry-based approach for confirming the presence of BXs in plant samples, and to use the method to explore the status of BXs in selected plant species.Experimental: Plant samples were extracted using accelerated solvent extraction and analyzed using triple-quadrupole liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Results: The use of different columns, double mass transitions, and ion ratios proved to be a robust tool for confirming the presence of BXs in different plant species. By this method, the presence of BXs was confirmed in three of the 24 species. Double-hexose forms of BXs, which have not been reported before in dicotyledons, were confirmed to be present in the dicotyledon plants Acanthus mollis and Lamium galeobdolon, and the presence of BXs in the seeds of Consolida orientalis is reported for the first time here. High concentrations of BXs were found in the aerial parts of Acanthus mollis and Lamium galeobdolon, at 20 and 32 μmol/g plant dry weight, respectively.Conclusions: The stepwise approach described in this work confirmed the presence of BXs in new samples.

—Justicia rubrobracteata, a new species from northeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to J. aequilabris due to its shrubby habit, and terminal and axillary spicate inflorescences with red flowers. However, J. rubrobracteata is differentiated mainly by the shape and color of its bracts and bracteoles as well as an orangish macula in the corolla, and a torulose capsule. In addition, J. rubrobracteata is only known from northeastern Brazil, from the states of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte, while J. aequilabris is widely distributed in Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. A table with the main morphological characters of both species is included, as well as photographs, a key to species of Justicia for the states of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte in northeastern Brazil, a distribution map of both species, and conservation data for the new species.

Plants are important reservoirs of described and undescribed species of yeast. During a study of yeasts associated with bromeliads from the Northeast region of Brazil (collected in 2013–2017), analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region identified eleven strains of yeasts as representing an unknown species of the genusVishniacozyma. The species may have a diverse habitat in Brazil as a strain was collected from a flowering plant (Acanthaceae) in 1994. As a consequence, we proposeVishniacozyma alagoanasp. nov. as a member of the tremellomycetes yeasts (Agaricomycotina, Basidiomycota).Vishniacozyma alagoanasp. nov. was found in Atlantic Forest (a tropical rainforest) and the Caatinga (a seasonally dry tropical forest) associated with bromeliads in northeast and southeastern Brazil. The proposed novel species is related toVishniacozyma taibaiensisand distinguished by eight nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 domain and seventeen in the ITS region. In addition,Vishniacozyma alagoanasp. nov. differs fromV. taibaiensisby the ability to assimilate ribitol. The holotype is CBS 15966T.