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Various elements along with heavy metals, present in different medicinal plants, play important roles in human’s life. Assuming this, the concentrations of nine different elements including heavy metals were analyzed in selected medicinal plants i.e. Astragalus anisacanthus and Ebenus stellata. Wet digestion method was performed for the mineralization of plant samples employing three strong acids such as sulphuric acid (H2SO4), nitric acid (HNO3) and per chloric acid (HClO4) in ratio of 1:5:0.5mL respectively followed by filtration and analysis by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. For Na and K, flame photometer was used and samples were diluted up to hundred folds for obtaining results within the range of the instrument. The increasing order of concentration of elements in A. anisacanthus is as: Cd

Este trabalho consiste no levantamento florístico e estudo taxonômico da tribo Justicieae (Acanthaceae) no Semiárido do Estado da Bahia. Para a execução desse inventário, foram analisadas as coleções dos herbários baianos e dos principais herbários do Sudeste e Sul, e realizadas diversas coletas georeferenciadas e aleatórias abrangendo 25 municípios incluídos no Semiárido do Estado da Bahia. Foram reconhecidas 27 espécies e dez gêneros: Justicia L. (17 espécies), Harpochilus Nees (2), Anisacanthus (A. trilobus Lindau), Clistax Mart. (C. brasiliensis Nees), Dicliptera Juss. (D. mucronifolia Nees), Herpetacanthus Nees (H. magnobracteolatus Idriunas & Kameyama), Poikilacanthus Lindau (P. bahiensis (Nees) Wassh.), Pseuderanthemum Radlk. (P. modestum (Nees) Radlk.), Schaueria Nees (S. humuliflora Nees) e Thyrsacanthus Moric. (T. ramosissimus Moric.). É proposta a nova combinação Justicia chamaedryoides (Nees) Wassh. ex A.L.A. Côrtes & P.L.R. Moraes. Várias espécies não eram descritas desde a Flora Brasiliensis, publicada no século XIX, e algumas são ocorrências novas para o Estado da Bahia. Seis espécies de Justicia, incluindo quatro espécies recentemente descritas, além de Harpochilus neesianus e Anisacanthus trilobus, são endêmicas da Caatinga. Foram preparadas chaves de identificação e descrições dos táxons, além de ilustrações e comentários taxonômicos e sobre a distribuição geográfica das espécies, incluindo mapas de ocorrência no Estado. The inventory and taxonomic study of the tribe Justicieae (Acanthaceae) of Bahia State's Semiarid region are presented. For the execution of this inventory, collections of Bahia herbaria and major herbaria of the Southeast and South of Brazil, and random collections (georeferenced) were conducted covering 25 municipalities of the Semiarid region of the Bahia State. Twenty-seven species and ten genera were recognized, namely: Justicia L. (17 species), Harpochilus Nees (2), Anisacanthus (A. trilobus Lindau), Clistax Mart. (C. speciosus Nees), Dicliptera Juss. (D. mucronifolia Nees), Herpetacanthus Nees (H. magnobracteolatus Idriunas & Kameyama), Poikilacanthus Lindau (P. bahiensis (Nees) Wassh.), Pseuderanthemum Radlk. (P. modestum (Nees) Radlk.), Schaueria Nees (S. humuliflora Nees), and Thyrsacanthus Moric. (T. ramosissimus Moric.). A new combination is proposed, Justicia chamaedryoides (Nees) Wassh. ex A.L.A. Côrtes & P.L.R. Moraes. Many of the species included in the treatment have not been described since the Flora Brasiliensis, published in the 19th century, and some are new reports to the Bahia State. Six species of Justicia, including four new species recently described besides Harpochilus neesianus and Anisacanthus trilobus, are endemic to the Semiarid. Key for identification and descriptions of taxa, illustrations and comments on the taxonomy and geographic distribution of species, including maps of occurrence in the State, are provided.

Phylogenetic studies based on molecular data indicated that the Neotropical genus Anisacanthus Nees (Acanthaceae), as traditionally circumscribed, is not monophyletic. Based on the priority of the description of Thyrsacanthus ramosissimus Moric. versus the description of Thyrsacanthus Nees, we are reinstating the name Thyrsacanthus (Art. 42.1 of the ICBN) to include the South American species traditionally assigned to Anisacanthus. Drejera Nees is included in the synonymy of Thyrsacanthus, a new species (T. microphyllus A. Cortes & Rapini) is described, three new combinations are proposed, two new taxonomic synonyms at the species level indicated and three lectotypes designated. The positions ofAnisacanthus trilobus Lindau and A. pohlii Lindau are uncertain, requiring further investigations.

A new furofuranoid lignan glucoside ((+)-epipinoresinol-4?-s-D-glucoside) and the known lignan glucoside phillyrin ((+)-epipinoresinolmethyl ether-4?-s-D-glucoside), were isolated from the aerial parts of Anisacanthus virgularis Nees, along with some known steroids, a terpenoid and flavonoids. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis, chemical derivatization and/or direct comparison with authentic samples. Furofuranoid lignans are reported in the family Acanthaceae for the first time. Their potential biological activity and chemotaxonomic value are discussed.

A macro- and micromorophological study of Anisacanthus virgularis Nees. have been carried out, with the aim of finding out the diagnostic features of the different organs of the plant in both the entire and powdered forms.

Increased salinity levels in irrigation water are often attributed to natural weathering, as well as runoff from industrial and agricultural production. As fresh water sources rapidly deplete on a global scale, availability of quality irrigation water has become an issue in many regions of the United States. Salinity tolerance mechanisms in plants are generally sorted into one or more of three established salt responses (exclusion, excretion, and accumulation). Although poorly understood, tolerance mechanisms may be enhanced through any number of environmental variables including presence of soluble calcium in soil or water. Three species of bedding plants, Artemisia schmidtiana ‘Silver Mound’ (Silver Mound Artemisia), Eustoma exaltatum ssp. russellianum (Texas Bluebells) and Anisacanthus quadrifidus (Hummingbird Bush) were evaluated for their respective salinity tolerance to increased levels of sodium (Na) and calcium (Ca). Species were suspended in a hydroponic system using a randomized complete block design with a control (~1.5 dS/m) and three salinity treatments (3 mS/cm, 6 mS/cm and 12 mS/cm) mixed using a 2:1 ratio of Na to Ca. Nutrients were provided via a half-strength Hoagland’s solution. After 90 days, dry weight and length measurements were taken on root and shoot tissue. Tissue was then dried and ground for tissue analysis to determine % Na, % Ca and Cl ppm and identify salt mobility into the leaves. Tissue analysis could only be performed on A. schmidtiana ‘Silver Mound’ and A. quadrifidus, as E. exaltatum ssp. russellianum had insufficient tissue. Generally, no differences were found between treatments with either A. schmidtiana ‘Silver Mound’ or E. exaltatum Texas Tech University, Rebecca Grubbs, June 2013 iv ssp. russellianum. Linear regression analyses indicate there was a decrease in root and shoot lengths in A. quadrifidus with increasing salinity levels. Additional regression analysis also indicates shoot dry weights decreased with increasing salinity. However, there was no relationship between root dry weight and salinity level. As expected, an increase in salinity yielded a positive slope with % Na and Cl ppm. There was no relationship determined between higher salinity and % Ca suggesting the possibility that limited calcium mobility may have been overwhelmed by sodium influx resulting in the overall decline in plant health.

Five new taxa from Central America, Anisacanthus nicaraguensis (compound dichasial cymes, 4-merous red corollas, 3-colporate pollen), Aphelandra scabra var. angustifolia (narrowly elliptic leaves), Justicia cauliflora (some inflorescences on old wood, lanceolate bracts, greenish white corolla), J. chiriquiensis (cymose panicles, oblanceolate bracts, 4-porate pollen), and J. nicaraguensis (clusters of 2-3 flowers to short spikes, corollas orange, dicolporate pollen), are described. The new combination Justicia rothschuhii (Lindau) Durkee, based on Chaetothylax rothschuhii Lindau, is made, and the new name Justicia danielii Durkee, which replaces Chaetothylax cuspidatus D. N. Gibson, is provided. In preparation of the family treatment of Acanthaceae for the Flora de Nicaragua and Flora Mesoamericana, examination of recent collections has revealed four new species and one new variety. In each case these taxa were collected from areas that have not been well collected in the past. Also, as the result of combining Chaetothylax with Justicia (Graham, 1988), two Central American species of the former genus must now be transferred to the latter. Anisacanthus nicaraguensis Durkee, sp. nov. TYPE: Nicaragua. Departamento Estelf: "Kukamonga," 18.5 m N of Estelf, 13014'N, 86021'W, elev. ca. 850 m, 19 Jan. 1985, Pedro P Moreno 25325 (holotype, MO; isotype, CAS). Figures 1, 6A. Frutex ad 3 m. Folia ovata, 27-75 mm longa, 9-25 mm lata, apice acuminato, basi acuta ad obtusa; petiolis ad 27 mm. Inflorescentiae spiciformes secundae vel cymae compositae sine floribus basibus; bracteae lineares-subulatae, 3.5-4.5 mm longae. Corollae rubrae, 4-merae, 33-35 mm longae. Fructus clavati, 15-17 mm longi, glabri, seminibus 4. Shrub to 3 m tall. Young stem quadrate-fluted, glabrous except for puberulence at the nodes; older stems subquadrate or terete, brown epidermis shredding in long strips. Leaves ovate, blades 2775 mm long, 9-25 mm broad, apically acuminate, basally acute to obtuse, margins entire to crenulate, glabrous, cystoliths to ca. 0.2 mm long, abundant and plainly visible on both surfaces of dried leaves; petioles to 27 mm long, glabrate. Inflorescences basically compound dichasial cymes lacking the central or basal flower, to 2.5 cm long, inflorescence branches sometimes appearing as secund spikes, rachises minutely puberulent with hairs ca. 0.1 mm long plus occasional, slightly longer glandular hairs; bracts and bracteoles linear-subulate, 3.54.5 mm long, 0.3-0.4 mm broad at base, sparingly puberulent. Flowers with short pedicels 0.5-1.5 mm long; calyx 5-merous, 11-15 mm long, segments equal, deeply divided, long subulate, 9-13 mm long, glandular-puberulent; corollas red, 4merous, 33-35 mm long, puberulent outside, upper lip single-lobed, 29 mm long, 0.8-0.9 mm broad, lower lip 3-lobed, lobes 15-17 mm long, 2.5-3 mm broad, apically acute; stamens 2, exserted, filaments to 33 mm long, attached near base of corolla, glabrous, anthers bithecous, thecae parallel, equal, 3.6-3.8 mm long, pollen prolate, 50-55.3 X 27.229 ~tm, 3-colporate, pseudocolpi on either side of each pore, insulae lacking; style to 42 mm long, extending beyond stamens, stigma bilobed. Fruit a clavate capsule, 15-17 mm long, 5.8-6.9 mm broad, glabrous, tuberculate, stipe 6-8 mm long; seeds 4, 5.8-6.5 mm long, 4.4-5.1 mm broad, glabrous, margins conspicuously thickened. Habitat, distribution, and phenology. Anisacanthus nicaraguensis is known only from the type collected in flower and fruit in January. The collection area, Cuesta de Kukamonga, is a mesa that has been collected repeatedly in recent years, leading W. D. Stevens of MO to conclude that the plant is rare in this generally arid area that, he told me, has resulted from an old basaltic lava flow now eroded into a series of mesas, flat-topped hills, or mountains with steep slopes. The soil that overlies the basalt is thin and black. He also related that the area has a distinctive vegetation dominated by Agave, columnar cacti, thorny shrubs, and small trees, with occasional oaks where the soil is a little deepNovoN 9: 503-510. 1999. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.104 on Mon, 20 Jun 2016 06:38:14 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms

The recent completion of the Acanthaceae treatment for the Flora of the Venezuelan Guayana has necessitated a new name in the genus Staurogyne, a new combination in Anisacanthus, and the recognition of two undescribed species of Odontonema, based on relatively recent collections. Staurogyne spraguei Wasshausen, nom. nov. Replaced name: Staurogyne leptocaulis Leonard, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 31: 671. 1958, not S. leptocaulis Bremek. 1957. TYPE: Colombia. Meta: T. A. Sprague 27 (holotype, K). Anisacanthus boliviensis (Nees) Wasshausen, comb. nov. Basionym: Drejera boliviensis Nees in DC., Prodr. 11: 334. 1847. TYPE: Bolivia. Orbigny 786 (lectotype, designated here, G; isolectotype, GZU). [The syntypes, Otto 1009 (Venezuela) and Hostmann 1123 (Surinam), are Anisacanthus secundus Leonard.] Schaueria caducifora Griseb. in Symb. Fl. Argent. 261. 1879. A. caduciflorus (Griseb.) Ariza in Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. 22(1/4): 255. 1983. TYPE: Argentina. Gran Chaco: Laguna del Palmar, Lorentz & Hieronymus 554 (holotype, GOET). Jacobinia caducifolia Griseb. in Symb. Fl. Argent. 261. 1879. Anisacanthus caducifolius (Griseb.) Lindau in Bot. Jahr. 19, Beibl. 48: 18. 1894. TYPE: Argentina. Oran, Tabacal, Lorentz & Hieronymus 926 (holotype, GOET). Odontonema liesneri Wasshausen, sp. nov. TYPE: Venezuela. Territorio Federal Amazonas: Depto. Rio Negro, Cerro de La Neblina Camp V, valley N base of Pico Cardona, 0?49'N, 66?0'W, 1,250 m, 21-24 Mar. 1984, Ronald Liesner & Brian Stannard 16910 (holotype, US; isotype, MO). Figure 1A-F. Frutex caulibus juvenilibus subquadrangularibus, glabris. Folium lamina oblonga vel elliptica, acuta vel acuminata, basi angustata et in petiolum decurrenti, membranacea, utrinque minute et parce puberula; petiolo parce puberulo. Racemi terminales, graciles, rhachi sicut pedicello puberula; bracteis lineari-lanceolatis; bracteolis anguste triangulatis, minute puberulis. Flos calycis segmentis anguste triangularibus; corolla rubra, glabra vel minute glanduloso-pubescenti, labiis subaequalibus, superiore bilobo lobis ellipticis vel late oblongis, inferiore prope basim trilobo lobis loborum superiorum similibus; staminibus vix exsertis. Plants fruticose, 1-1.5 m tall, the stems terete in older portions to subquadrangular in younger portions, glabrate. Leaves petiolate, the petioles 1020 mm long, minutely and inconspicuously puberulous with appressed trichomes, the blades oblongelliptic, 16-30 x 6.5-11 cm, acute to acuminate at apex, narrowed at base and decurrent on the petiole, thin, membranous, minutely and inconspicuously puberulous on both surfaces especially along the midrib and lateral veins of the upper leaves, the margins entire to crenate, the cystoliths minute and scattered on the upper surface, visible only under a lens; inflorescence a loose, slender, terminal raceme 10-22 cm long with 1 or 2 flowers per node, the rachis puberulous, the pedicels 2-4 mm long, minutely puberulous; the bracts subtending the rachis linear-lanceolate, the lowermost pair 5.5-9 x 0.8 mm, the others successively reduced upwardly, the bracts subtending the pedicels narrowly triangular, 2 x 0.6 mm; bracteoles 2 per flower, narrowly triangular, 1 x 0.5 mm, all minutely puberulous; calyx segments narrowly triangular, 2 x 0.8 mm, acute, sparingly to moderately puberulous; corolla red, narrowly urceolate, 15-25 mm long, 12 mm wide at base, 3-4 mm wide at throat, glabrous to inconspicuously glandular-puberulent without, puberulent within, the lips similar, the upper lip with elliptic to broadly oblong lobes, 3 x 2 mm, the lower lip with similar lobes 2.5-3 x 2 mm; stamens extended to the edge of the corolla lips, the filaments glabrous, 12 mm long (heterostyly is known to occur in many species of Odontonema; however, only one morph is currently known from this taxon), the anthers 3.5 mm long; staminodes 1 mm long, glabrous; pistil exserted, the stigma minutely bilobed, the style 20 mm long, glabrous; ovary glabrous. Capsule not seen. Distribution. Noted as locally common, but known only from the type locality, Cerro Neblina in southern Venezuela. NOVON 2: 149-152. 1992. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.129 on Sat, 25 Jun 2016 06:26:39 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms

Mexacanthus is based on specimens from west-central Mexico and placed in the Justicieae, Odontoneminae. Its closest relatives appear to be Carlo- wrightia and Anisacanthus. The only known species, M. mcvaughii, differs from these genera in several features including the bicolporate pollen. The Acanthaceae consists of herbs and shrubs with centers of diversity in the tropics of both the Old and New Worlds. Mexico appears to have been a secondary center of diversification, possessing several endemic or nearly endemic genera and many endemic species. While preparing a treatment of the Acanthaceae for Dr. Rogers McVaugh's forthcoming Flora Novo-Galiciana, I encountered several in- teresting specimens from west-central Mexico, representing an unde- scribed genus with an unusual pollen type. They are described here as a new genus and species with affinities to both Carlowrightia A. Gray and Anisacanthus Nees.

Anisacanthus wrightii seed germination and radicle growth were greatest at 35° C and both rapidly decreased at temperatures above 35°C. Seeds germinated equally well in light and dark and had no after-ripening requirements. Treatments which decreased water availability sig- nificantly reduced germination and radicle length. Germination percentages and radicle growth of seeds in aqueous media were not significantly different between pH 4 and 7 but were significantly reduced at pH values of 8 and 9. Germinability of Anisacanthus wrightii seeds decreased rapidly after 33 months dry storage and the seeds did not germinate, during a 10-day test period, after 42 months. Anisacanthus wrightii (Torr.) Gray (Acanthaceae) is a multi-branched shrub occurring on fertile soils of South Texas thickets, on rocky banks and flood plains of streams in the Edwards Plateau of Texas (Correll and John- ston, 1970), and in northeastern Mexico (Vines, 1960). The flowers are borne singly or in pairs in unilateral spicate inflorescences and are subsessile to MATERIALS AND METHODS.-Wright's anisacanth seeds used in this study were obtained from a mixture of seeds from approximately 300 plants at the Soil Conservation Service Plant Materials Center at Knox City, Texas. Wright's anisacanth plants at Knox City were grown from seeds col- lected from a natural population of plants near Waco, Texas. Seeds used in this study were harv- ested in 1976 and 1978. The 1976 accession was used to determine the length of seed viability and the 1978 accession was used for all other experiments. Seeds were stored at room temperature (24°C ± 3°) until used in experiments. Germination studies were conducted using 10 replications of 25 fully developed and undamaged seeds each in 10-cm diameter petri dishes. Two Whatman No. 3 filter papers saturated with 8 ml of distilled water or various test solutions were used as the germination substrate. The petri dishes were randomly arranged on moist paper toweling in a sealed glass box inside an environmental chamber for testing. Preliminary germination trials indicated no significant increase in germina- tion percentage between 10 and 30 days when seeds were subjected to constant temperatures of 25°, 30°, or 35°C. Therefore, cumulative percent germination and radical lengths were recorded at the end of 10-day test periods. Seeds were considered to have germinated when the radicle was at least 3 mm long. Each experiment was repeated one to three times and the data pooled.

In his monograph onAnisacanthus, Hagen (1941) consideredDrejera puberula Torr. (1859) anomen confusum as it was based on material of three distinct species, while the laterA. insignis A. Gray (1886), which we show also consisted of three distinct species, was considered valid. Through typification, we establish from the older name.A. puberulus for a lance-ovate, puberulent-leaved, springblooming, pink-flowered species and elevateA. insignis var.linearis Hagen toA. linearis for the linear-, glabrous-leaved, summer-blooming, orange-red-flowered species. Descriptions and a map of these two species are presented.

The Chihuahuan DesertAnisacanthus junceus (Torr.) Hemsl. is recognized as a distinct species and is compared withA. linearis to which it appears similar andA. wrightii to which it is possibly related.

Mirandea huastecensis is described from Huasteca Canyon in west-central Nuevo Le6n. The subfamilial status of the genus is discussed. A character tabulation comparing the two species of Mirandea is included together with illustrations of the diagnostic morphological features of M. huastecensis. Rzedowski (1959) described the genus Mirandea, containing the single species M. grisea. He noted the vegetative and floral relationships of this genus to Carlowrightia A. Gray and Anisacanthus Nees, but was uncertain of its tribal affinities based on the pollen. Since Rzedowski's treatment, Bremekamp (1965) has sought to clarify the tribal situation in the Acanthaceae with respect to pollen morphology. In his scheme, Mirandea falls within the circumscription of the tribe Justicieae, subtribe Odontoneminae with Carlowrightia and Anisacanthus. It differs from both of these genera by having stamens with twisted filaments and an apically geniculate style. Mirandea may be further distinguished from Carlowrightia by the position of the stamens which are appressed to the upper lip of the corolla in Mirandea and are either enclosed in the central, conduplicate petal lobe of the lower lip or exserted and spread beyond the recurved petal lobes in Carlowrightia. Mirandea also differs from Anisacanthus by its pubescent capsule, filaments and style, and by the blue or purple corolla which is 12 to 20 mm long. In Anisacanthus, the capsule, filaments and style are glabrous, and the corolla is bright red or orange and 30 to 55 mm long. On examining material of these genera, I encountered collections representing an undescribed species of Mirandea from northern Mexico which is presented below. Mirandea huastecensis T. F. Daniel, sp. nov. Planta fruticosa, usque ad 1 m alta, valde ramosa. Caules striati, pubescentes. Folia subsessilia, lamina plerumque ovato-elliptica vel ovatolanceolata, 3-10 mm longa, 1-5.5 mm lata, circa 2-4-plo longiora quam latiora, apice rotundata vel acuta, basi cuneata, margine ciliata. Inflorescentiae numerosae, rachidibus canescentibus. Bracteae anguste ovatae vel anguste ellipticae, 2-4 mm longae, 0.8-1.5 mm latae. Corolla roseolapurpurea, 12-20 mm longa, bilabiata, labio superiore erectiusculo apice bidentato, labio inferiore trilobato. Stylus geniculatus. Capsula 8-11 mm longa, puberula. Semina 3.5-4.0 mm longa, 2.5-3.0 mm lata, granulata, muricata. 1 Botany, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.

Anisacanthus is a small genus of the Acanthaceae, which, because of the relatively few collections and the obscure specific characters, has been poorly understood. The present study was undertaken to correlate the morphological characters of the taxonomic entities of the genus as a whole, and to determine the relative value of the different characters in specific and varietal delimitation. Anisacanthus is one of several genera segregated from Justicia, having been described by Nees2 in the year 1842. He based it on Justicia qquadrifida Vahl,3 which in turn was founded on J. coccinea Cavanilles,4 a plant grown in the gardens of Madrid from stock brought from Mexico probably in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Vahl had changed the species name from coccinea to quadrifida because of the earlier J. coccinea Aublet. Under the name Justicia quadrifida Vahl, it was not infrequently cultivated in European gardens; and fortunately several authentic specimens from horticulture have been preserved in herbaria. Nees, however, soon changed the name of the type species to Anisacanthus virguclaris (Salisbury) Nees,5 and as such it was known until Standley revived the specific name quadrifidus.ff