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The previous studies on Eriocaulon cinereum R.Br showed that one of the subfractions from its dichloromethane extract has better activity than its crude extract in a breast cancer cell line. Meanwhile, the activity of the same subfractions has never been studied in cervical cell lines. The hypothesis was that the subfraction activity was also better than its crude extract in cervical cancer lines. This study compared the activity of extracts, fractions, and subfractions of E. cinereum R.Br extracts on HeLa cervical cell lines. The sample extraction was carried out using ethyl acetate solvent and continued via fractionation using semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The samples were then tested for cytotoxicity on HeLa cervical cancer cells and Vero cells as normal control cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Finally, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was used to identify the active compound from the active subfractions. The data obtained from the cytotoxic activity evaluation were analyzed via linear regression using Excel for MS Windows®. The results showed that the best cytotoxicity against HeLa cells was with the ASA012 subfractions with an IC50 value of 83.248 μg/mL and a selectivity index (SI) of 2.157. These compounds were obtained from a peak with a retention time of 19.605 min and identified as terpenoids. These subfractions have moderate cytotoxicity activity and have better activity than their crude extract. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out further isolation to separate them to obtain pure compounds with better cytotoxic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of pipewort (Eriocaulon; Eriocaulaceae) from Cape York, Queensland was recently discovered. Eriocaulon insectum Baleeiro & R.W.Jobson is distinguished from all other species by its golden-brown inflorescence head, having female flowers with large, winged sepals with two black spots, four black, exerted stamens, with male sepals as a spathe, and seeds with 3-5 hyaline, T-shaped peg-like projections. Diagnostic characters are illustrated and tabulated with comparison to closely related species. A taxonomic key containing all known species from Cape York is provided, and habitat preference, distribution, and conservation status are discussed and compared to that of closely related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is the first-ever comprehensive molecular systematic study of Indian Eriocaulon species based on the critical appraisal of the freshly collected 552 accessions of 66 Eriocaulon spp. The genus Eriocaulon L. (Eriocaulaceae) is one of the most diverse genera of Eriocaulaceae and around one-quarter of the world's representation is in India. The taxonomy of the genus has been challenging due to high intraspecific and low interspecific variation. With about 70% of Indian species endemic to the country, sparse representation in earlier phylogenetic studies did not provide phylogenetic resolution of Indian species. A critical analysis of morphology including microscopic seed surface characters of 55 species is presented here for the first time. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS and trnL–F data yielded three major clades of Indian Eriocaulon species. Based on the morphological and molecular data, Eriocaulon baramaticum, E. govindiana, E. gulnarparianum, E. idukkianum, E. maharashtrense and E. pradeepii have been synonymized. Also, Eriocaulon rhodae has been reinstated. Molecular data exhibited little congruence with the earlier available taxonomic treatments for Indian species. Several morphological characters were mapped onto a phylogeny and none were found to characterize monophyletic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eriocaulon is a predominantly pantropical and monophyletic genus, with aquatic or amphibian species and a high endemism rate. The number of nerves in the leaves varies widely among the species of the genus, but up to now only four have one-nerved leaves: Eriocaulon araguaiense, E. cylindratum, E. huanchacanum and E. setaceum. These species are exclusive to South America, except E. setaceum, which is broadly distributed. Eriocaulon setaceum is easily recognised by its aquatic habit, linear, one-nerved leaves, and the cucullate sepals of the pistillate flowers. However, it has characters with wide variation, including the scape number, stem length, and the presence or absence of trichomes, which make the species difficult to delimit. Here, we describe a new species from the Cerrado: Eriocaulon albosetaceum that is similar to E. setaceum. To clarify the differences between them, we present tables of distinguishing characters, including the seed coat and anatomical data. Also, we describe the seed coat and the scape anatomy of vouchers of E. setaceum collected in Brazil. The results show a different kind of seed projection when compared with specimens from Asia, corroborating the idea that E. setaceum is a complex of at least two species that occur in both the Old and New Worlds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-nine taxa of Eriocaulon L. are recorded in this synopsis of the genus for the region of New Guinea. A key to the New Guinea species is provided. The widespread E. cinereum R.Br. is not recorded for New Guinea but is included in the key. Eriocaulon brevipedunculatum var. longipes Moldenke is determined as a synonym of E. novoguineense P.Royen. Issues of lectotypification are discussed for E. echinulatum Mart. (syntypes identified), E. hamiltonianum Mart., E. hookerianum Stapf, E. nepalense var. luzulifolium (Mart.) Praj. & J.Parn., E. truncatum Buch.-Ham. ex Mart. Species with extra New Guinea distributions are E. australe R.Br., E. depressum R.Br. ex Sm., E. echinulatum , E. hamiltonianum , E. hookerianum , E. nepalense var. luzulifolium , E. setaceum L., E. sexangulare L., E. truncatum , E. willdenovianum Moldenke and E. zollingerianum Körn. A high level of endemism is recorded, particularly in the alpine zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Eriocaulon buergerianum Körnicke. (Eriocaulaceae) is one of the most common and least expensive herbal medicines for eye disease. This species is facing potential threats from climate change. Insufficient biogeographic knowledge of this plant species can hinder its effective management for long‐term population survival. We integrated ecological niche modelling (Biomod2) with 70 records of E. buergerianum and eight environmental variables to estimate changes in distribution over time. A core area Zonation algorithm was introduced to identify conservation priority areas. Our results indicate that the range of E. buergerianum will likely decrease in the future: the overall range change on average is −44.36 ± 21.56% (−3.70% to −77.73%); values of range loss and range gain are 45.79 ± 20.30% (9.29–78.19%) and 1.43 ± 1.53% (0.18–5.59%), respectively. According to conservation priority analysis, the mandatory reserve (top 5%), negotiable reserve (0.95–0.9) and partial reserve (0.9–0.8) areas are 19,799, 19,799 and 39,597 km2, respectively. The areas identified as conservation priority are located in the southeast, especially in northern Taiwan and the Wuyi Mountains. Based on these results, we suggest a re‐evaluation of the threatened status of this species, with a potential upgrade to the vulnerable (VU) category. To overcome the adverse conditions faced by populations of E. buergerianum in China, we propose a multi‐faceted conservation strategy involving more complete resource assessment, a monitoring system, medical research focused on revealing medicinal components or substitutes, and a regional development plan that considers both wildlife and socio‐economic issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A re-evaluation of the Dupatya (Eriocaulaceae) names proposed by Vellozo in the Florae fluminensis is presented. Based on analyses of Vellozo's text, plates, original material and protologues of all species of Eriocaulon and Paepalanthus originally assigned to Dupatya, we accept E. ligulatum and P. aequalis, while D. hirsuta is reduced into synonymy with E. kunthii. Lectotypes are proposed for names based on the original plates of Vellozo's work deposited at the Manuscript Section of the Rio de Janeiro National Library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Eriocaulon govindiana Sunil & Ratheesh, from marshy areas in the Wayanad wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically most similar to E. nepalense but differs mainly in having well developed root stock, rounded and involute leaf apex, lobed limb of sheath, and usually a single hoary male petal. Information on habitat, distribution, phenology, and conservation status are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eriocaulon pradeepii, a new species of Eriocaulaceae from Kayambovum, Thrissur, Kerala, India, is described and illustrated here. The new species is closely allied with E. cristatum, but differs in having subequal petals and seed morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater-fed fens are known sources of methane ( CH4) emissions to the atmosphere, and these are known to be mediated by the vegetation. In a fen located in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia, we assessed the effects of a cushion plant ( Eriocaulon schimperi) and a sedge ( Carex monostachya) on rhizosphere biogeochemistry., Methane and CO2 concentrations and pH were measured in pore-water at different depths in the profile. Redox potentials and NaCl-extractable element concentrations were analysed in soil samples from sites dominated by either E. schimperii or C. monostachya. Nutrient and element concentration were analysed in plant tissues., At Carex-dominated sites, CH4 concentrations increased from 70 μmol·l−1 at a depth of 10 cm to 130 μmol·l−1 at a depth of 100 cm. CH4 concentrations at Eriocaulon-dominated sites were almost zero (<1 μmol·l−1) to a depth of 100 cm. Simultaneously, soil redox potentials and CO2 concentrations were higher at Eriocaulon-dominated sites, indicating a low potential for CH4 production and a high potential for CH4 oxidation., Eriocaulon schimperi displayed a root investment strategy to cope with the harsh environment, similar to the cushion plant Astelia pumila in Patagonian bogs. This strategy is characterised by high root/shoot ratios, high root porosity and density under high redox conditions. Both cushion plant species create an aerobic rhizosphere through radial oxygen loss from deep roots, which strongly reduce CH4 fluxes to the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eriocaulon nudicuspe (Eriocauloaceae) is an endangered species in Japan. Habitats of the species are lost by city development. So many conservation areas are established in Aichi Prefecture, and protection activities are done by many natural protecting groups, and the extinction rate in recent years is being decelerated. But many protecting groups often transplanted from some other places, and genetic disturbance was a problem. We sampled 12 populations of the species from nature reserved areas, and studied them for allelic variation at 17 enzyme loci. There was no significant correlation between the real distance of conserved areas and genetic distances, suggesting that the gene disturbances occurred in these areas especially in frequently managed areas. On the other hand, the degree of the genetic differentiation at strictly conserved area where conservation management is done only once a year was high and there was no evidence about genetic disturbances. There was a possibility peculiar genetic disappearance of each habitat for genetic disturbance, and the necessity with which a guideline of protection activity is made was indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lectotypes are designated for eight names in Eriocaulon in tropical Asia, namely E. alatum, E. hamiltonianum, E. hookerianum, E. infirmum, E. lanigerum, E. nautiliforme, E. nigrum and E. ubonense. Additional information on the lectotype of Eriocaulon quinquangulare is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Costa Rican vascular flora is well known and studied, but there are gaps of floristic knowledge in some areas and ecosystems that are poorly explored. The Costa Rican savannas, cover a small geographic extent and are almost unexplored floristically. The Sabanas Miravalles are located in the western flank of the Volcán Miravalles in the Cordillera de Guanacaste. As a result of a broad floristic inventory of this site, four species have been documented as new records for the Costa Rican vascular flora: Eriocaulon fuliginosum, Polygala pseudocoelosioides, Trimezia martinicensis, and Utricularia subulata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eriocaulon sieboldianum (Sieb. & Zucc. ex Steud.), a genus of Eriocaulon in the Eriocaulaceae family, is an edible and medicinal plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. It was processed into healthcare beverages for expelling wind-heat, protecting eyes, and reducing blood fat. Also, it has been used with other herbs as Traditional Chinese herbal compound to treat cancer as adjuvants in tumor therapy in China. However, the active fractions and precise cellular mechanisms of E. sieboldianum extract remain to be illustrated. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of the active fraction of E. sieboldianum on the growth of K562 cells and understand the possible mechanisms of its action. Our findings suggested that the fraction E3 of E. sieboldianum could effectively inhibit the activity of Aurora kinase and induce apoptosis via blocking cell cycle, up-regulating the expression of proapoptotic proteins including p53 and Bax and reducing the expression of Bcl-2. The levels of Cytochrome C, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP were also found to be increased after treatment with fraction E3 of E. sieboldianum . This study could improve the development of E. sieboldianum and raise its application value in cancer adjuvant therapy. Considering it is both a dietary supplement and a traditional Chinese herbal medicine which exhibits anticancer activities, it can be developed into functional food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eriocaulon biappendiculatum, a new species of Eriocaulaceae from the southern Western Ghats, India, is described and illustrated. The new species is close to Eriocaulon nairii but differs in having 5–17 peduncles, free male sepals, and both continuous ribbon-like and setiform appendages on the seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eriocaulon vandaanamense (Eriocaulaceae), a new species from a marshy coastal area in the Alappuzha District, Kerala, India, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to E. truncatum and resembles it in having vertically elongated seed coat cells, but differs mainly in having pale black hoary floral bracts, 3-lobed hoary male sepals, linear-falcate, non-conduplicate hoary female sepals, and small, smooth, pale brown seeds without seed coat appendages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low level, denuded, laterite landscape of coastal Uttara Kannada has a rich diversity of monsoon herbs, including threatened and newly discovered ones. Our study reveals that honey bees congregate on the ephemeral herb community of Utricularias, Eriocaulons and Impatiens during their gregarious monsoon flowering period. Apis dorsata had highest visitations on Utricularias, Impatiens and Flacourtia indica, whereas Trigona preferred Eriocaulons. Laterite herb flora merits conservation efforts as a keystone food resource for the insect community, especially for honey bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Inflorescences are thought to be of enormous taxonomic relevance; however, at the same time they are regarded as being notoriously difficult. This is partly due to the conflicting needs of floristics and evolutionary botany, but partly also due to the complicated and confusing terminology introduced by W. Troll and his school. Methods The branching patterns of representatives of the genera Eriocaulon, Syngonanthus and Paepalanthus have been studied in the field and from preserved material by scanning electron microscopy. Branching patterns and formation sequences have been analysed and documented in longitudinal schemes and diagrams. Repetitive units of different levels are detected and related to the body plans of other species of the family. Key Results The repetition of very few different branching patterns on different levels of complexity may lead to highly complex inflorescences. However, terms are needed only for patterns; levels may be numbered consecutively. While complex inflorescences are often described as additions or aggregations of units, there is some evidence that complex inflorescences are often the result of fractionation of inflorescence meristems. Conclusions Precise descriptions of inflorescences useful for diagnostics and phylogenetics can be much simpler than they often are today. If complex inflorescences are the result of meristem fractionation, intermediate morphotypes cannot be expected. On the other hand, such intermediate morphotypes should occur if a complex inflorescence is formed following an aggregation pathway. Unless the repetitive patterns shown here are not correlated to complementary gene activities the inflorescences are not fully understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A flavan, eriocaulin A (1), and three flavone acyl glucosides, eriocaulosides A–C (2–4) were isolated from the capitula of Eriocaulon australe R. Br. (Eriocaulaceae), a Chinese medicine and an herb for health care beverages, together with seven known flavones and three isoflavones (5–14). The new flavonoids were elucidated as (2S)-3′,4′-methylenedioxy-5-methoxy-7-hydroxyflavan (1), hispidulin 7-O-β-d-(6-O-cinnamoyl)glucopyranoside (2), jaceosidin 7-O-β-d-(6-O-p-coumaroyl)glucopyranoside (3), jaceosidin 7-O-β-d-(6-O-p-hydroxybenzoyl)glucopyranoside (4) based on their spectroscopic data. All the 14 flavonoids were obtained from this species for the first time. The in vitro cytotoxicity of compounds 1–14 against human lung adenocarcinoma A549, human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7, and human cervical carcinoma HeLa cell lines was evaluated using the MTT colourimetric assay. Compounds 1, 7, and 9 were cytotoxic to A549, compounds 1, 2, 7, 9, 12, and 14 to MCF-7, and compounds 7, 9, and 14 to HeLa cells, with IC50 values ranging from 7.17 to 29.57μg/ml, while the others were inactive (IC50 >50μg/ml). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The submersed macrophyte Utricularia inflata has invaded lakes in northern New York State, thereby threatening native isoetids such as Eriocaulon aquaticum. Isoetids often dominate and modify softwater lakes due to their capacity to oxidize sediment and thus influence solute mobilization. Greenhouse experiments tested the hypotheses that U. inflata invasion could result in higher porewater iron (Fe) concentrations and greater ammonium (NH) and Fe release from the sediment into the water column, and that this mobilization would stimulate further U. inflata growth. In the first experiment, three levels of U. inflata impact on E. aquaticum were imposed using sediment cores overlain by lake water: E. aquaticum alone, E. aquaticum with a cover of U. inflata, and bare sediment-the latter to simulate local extirpation of the isoetid by the invasive. After 16 weeks, sediment porewater NH and total dissolved Fe concentrations were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) for the U. inflata and bare sediment treatments. Water column concentrations of these solutes were five-fold higher ( P < 0.05) for the bare sediment treatment than E. aquaticum alone, indicating that isoetid extirpation by U. inflata can compromise water quality. A second experiment demonstrated that U. inflata grew faster over bare sediment than over sediment with E. aquaticum ( P < 0.05), likely due to greater solute mobilization in the absence of E. aquaticum. Where U. inflata causes a decline of native isoetids in Adirondack Mountain lakes, changes to lake sediment and water chemistry can create a positive feedback loop further escalating the impact of this invasive species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lsoetids are submersed aquatic plants that thrive in soft water, oligotrophic bodies of water and possess small, stiff rosettes and extensive root systems. These roots absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, altering the biogeochemistry of sediment. Eriocaulon aquaticum and Lobelia dortmanna are representative isoetids. While Eleocharis acicularis and Utricularia resupinata do not strictly qualify as isoetids, they are commonly found anchored in or attached to sediment populated with isoetids. In a greenhouse experiment, the four macrophytes were planted in two contrasting sediment types to determine how the different species modify sediment redox potential, carbon dioxide concentration, and porewater pH. Eleoeharis acicularis and U. resupinata oxidized both sediment types and acidified the porewater more than or equally as extensively as the isoetids (p < 0.05). Eleocharis aeieularis was the only species that significantly reduced porewater carbon dioxide (p < 0.05). In the field study, sediment cores were collected over bare sediment and over each of the four species concurrently with redox and pH measurements. Sediment cores associated with all four aquatic plants had significantly higher redox potentials compared to bare sediment (p < 0.05). However, the redox values measured near E. acicularis and U. resupinata were generally lower than those taken near the isoetids. The field sediment oxidation data may be explained by the significantly lower biomass of U. resupinata and E. acicularis compared to the isoetids in the field study (p < 0.05). These results show that E. acicularis and U. resupinata are capable of isoetid-like sediment oxidation under greenhouse and field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eriocaulon madayiparense Swapna, Rajesh, Manju & Prakashkumar, sp. nov. is described and illustrated from the Madayipara, a lateritic hillock in the midland of Kannur District of Kerala. The species is allied to E. eurypeplon Koernicke, in its two free male and female sepals, female sepals being keeled and acute and not exceeding the floral bracts, acuminate leaf apex and setiform seed appendages appearing in vertical rows, but differs mainly in having yellow seeds with solitary appendage arising from transverse radial walls, curved and connate with the adjacent ones of the same vertical row forming longitudinal parallel ribs on the surface of the seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Eriocaulon buergerianum Koern. is the botanical source for the Chinese herbal medicine Gu-Jing-Cao. Other Eriocaulon species are also used as the same herb in local areas and are difficult to be differentiated. In order to improve the quality control of Gu-Jing-Cao, chemical constituents of E. buergerianum and adulterating species were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS n ). The 70% methanol extracts were separated on a Zorbax SB-C18 column and eluted with acetonitrile–water (each containing 0.1% formic acid). The compounds were identified by ion-trap mass spectrometry in both positive and negative ion modes. From E. buergerianum, E. faberi, E. sexangulare and E. cinereum, a total of 72 compounds were characterized, including 37 flavonols, 6 flavones, 4 isoflavones, 6 xanthones, 14 naphthopyranones, 3 phenolic acids, and 2 other flavonoids. Chemical variation of these four species were studied at three tiers, HPLC fingerprinting, quantitation of six major flavonoids, and semi-quantitative analysis of all characterized compounds, in combination with principal component analysis. E. buergerianum contained abundant flavonols and naphthopyranones, with minor flavones and xanthones; E. cinereum contained abundant isoflavones and flavones, together with few naphthopyranones; E. sexangulare was rich in flavones; and E. faberi contained abundant xanthones. Based on the above chemical analysis, E. buergerianum could be explicitly differentiated from the adulterating species, and the botanical species of 13 commercial batches of Gu-Jing-Cao were identified correctly. This is the first report on comprehensive chemical analysis of Eriocaulon species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses a study which described the species Eruicaulon cylindratum and Eriocaulon araguaiense from the Tocantins-Araguaia River basin in Brazil. Particular focus is given to the taxonomy of the species, including their etymology, phenology, distribution and ecology. Results of the study showed that Eriocaulon araguaiense has hemipsheric heads and concave floral bracts, while Eriocaulon cylindratum has ovoid or cylindrical heads and carinate floral bracts.

Abstract: We investigated the relative importance of above- and below-ground competition by reeds (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud) on the growth rate of Eriocaulon carsonii F.Muell. subsp. carsonii, an endangered plant threatened by reeds on artesian springs in Australia. Soil-filled buckets containing E. carsonii were frequently watered to simulate artesian spring conditions and subject to three treatments: (1) no Phragmites (control), (2) Phragmites (ABG), and (3) Phragmites with shoots tied back (BG). After thirteen months, Phragmites mean below-ground biomasses had increased to c. 3kgm−2 and mean above-ground biomasses to c. 1kgm−2. After the same period, mean root biomass of E. carsonii plants was significantly lower in buckets subject to both Phragmites treatments compared with control plants, as was E. carsonii foliage area. Comparison of the two Phragmites treatments indicated that below-ground competition was the primary cause of this reduced growth in E. carsonii. The vulnerability of E. carsonii to competitive exclusion by P. australis is in part due to the highly synchronized phenologies of the two species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Five phenolic components, 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2,5,7-trimethoxyxanthone (1), 7,3′-dihydroxy-5,4′,5′-trimethoxyisoflavone (2), toralactone-9-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), patuletin-3-O-[2-O-E-feruloyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside] (4), patuletin-3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-2-O-E-caffeoyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside] (5), along with 19 known compounds were isolated from Eriocaulon buergerianum (Eriocaulaceae). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. All 24 isolated compounds were tested against the pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923); as a result, 10 compounds were found to exhibit antibacterial activity with MICs ranging from 32 to 256μg/ml. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

1. Emergence traps were set overnight on the sediment surface to sample the littoral microcrustaceans of 22 Canadian Shield lakes that ranged in pH from 4.56 to 6.92. Traps were randomly allocated in quintuplicate in both wave-washed sandy habitats where pipewort ( Eriocaulon septangulare) was the dominant macrophyte (termed pipewort habitats), and more protected habitats dominated by floating-leaved macrophytes (termed floating-leaved habitats). 2. In total, 50 cladoceran and 22 copepod species were found, with 16–45 species in each lake. Lakes that had never acidified exhibited a more diverse fauna than lakes that had acidified. 3. There were only minor differences between the numbers of species found in floating-leaved versus pipewort habitats except for one lake. Non-chydorid cladoceran, chydorids and copepods constituted 45%, 26% and 29% of the total number of individuals, respectively. 4. Based on presence/absence, dominance scores and frequency of occurrences of species, the microcrustacean faunal composition was similar in the two habitats. A detrended correspondence analysis confirmed that there was no separation between the two main types of habitat, and that pH was the parameter most strongly correlated with the dominant microcrustacean compositional gradient among lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eriocaulon carsonii F.Muell. species complex consists of rare perennial mat-forming forbs endemic to mound springs of central and north-eastern Australia. Even though the complex occurs across a range of more than 1500km, the springs on which it occurs are naturally rare and highly disjunct, with groupings of springs (?super-groups') 200?500km apart. The present paper investigated the taxonomy of the complex by analysing morphometric characters and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) genetic markers. Morphological measurements were made of 126 samples collected from 23 spring-subpopulations representing 15 spring-groups spread across all nine super-groups on which the complex occurs. Ordination and univariate analysis of data relating to 30 morphological characters revealed five morphologically distinct groups. These groupings were supported by an analysis of 613 AFLP loci markers derived from a subset of samples from all of the same springs. Ordination analysis of the genetic data matrix revealed that the morphological groups were also genetically distinct. It is proposed that the complex consists of five distinct taxa. Two new subspecies (E. carsonii F.Muell. subsp. euloense R.J.Davies and E. carsonii F.Muell. subsp. orientale R.J.Davies) are described, along with two new species (E. aloefolium R.J.Davies and E. giganticum R.J.Davies). All taxa are nationally endangered or critically endangered according to IUCN criteria, except for E. carsonii subsp. orientale which is vulnerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal leachate was treated in an experimental unit of constructed wetlands of subsurface flow type. The parameters studied were organics (BOD and COD), solids and heavy metals (Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr and Pb). Using two types of emergent plants of Scirpus globulosus and Eriocaulon sexangulare, more than 80% removal was achieved for all the parameters. E. sexangulare removed organics and heavy metals better than Scirpus globulosus. A higher concentration of heavy metals in the influent did not change the removal efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The floral anatomy of Eriocaulon elichrysoides Bong. and Syngonanthus caulescens (Poir.) Ruhland, from Brazilian mountain rock savannas (campos rupestres) was studied. The staminate flowers of E. elichrysoides present a diplostemonous androecium with six stamens, and those of S. caulescens present an isostemonous androecium with three stamens and three scalelike staminodes. Eriocaulon elichrysoides and S. caulescens have three nectariferous pistillodes located in the central portion of the receptacle. The pistillate flowers of E. elichrysoides present three simple styles while those of S. caulescens present three simple styles interspersed with three nectariferous appendices. Both the styles of E. elichrysoides and the nectariferous appendices of S. caulescens are vascularized by the dorsal vascular bundles of the carpels. The styles of S. caulescens lack vascularization. At the base of the gynoecium of E. elichrysoides there are six staminodes and there are three in the S. caulescens. Entomophily is suggested as the pollination syndrome in E. elichrysoides and S. caulescens as they present staminate and pistillate flowers with nectariferous structures. The ancestral character in Eriocaulon is probably given by the presence of the two staminal whorls. The staminate flowers of S. caulescens are probably derived from the reduction of a diplostemonous ancestral androecium. It remains open whether the pistillate flowers with nectariferous appendices present an ancestral character or a derived one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information related to seasonal variation of desmids at a small marsh in Hiroshima, Japan. The variation of vegetative cell characters in desmids has been studied by many investigators. The vegetation at present is mainly composed of Scirpus wichrae, Carex dispalata, Cirsium sieboldii, Eriocaulon iskokianum, and Thuidium glaucinum. In August heights of the vegetation attained up to about 1 m, but the sunlight reached the surface of the water through the vegetation. During the months of January and February in 1985 this marsh was covered with snow.