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The worldwide emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections among the population has impaired the existing effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments, necessitating the hunt for other alternatives. We aimed to find the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Clematis montana and C. grata leaf extracts (both species have medicinal use among the local population). Extracts were assessed against four pathogenic bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus), through the agar well diffusion method. Total flavonoid content (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity were quantified. Results suggested that all plant extracts, particularly those extracted with methanol, were potentially active in suppressing pathogenic bacterial growth (particularly against P. aeruginosa and E. coli) although their efficiency varied when compared to vancomycin. However, the antibacterial activity of methanolic extracts from both species was not greatly influenced by the method of extraction (maceration/soxhlet apparatus). TFC was significantly higher in the methanolic extracts of both species in comparison to the n-hexane extracts, whereas TPC and DPPH scavenging activity were detected to be highest in the methanolic extract from the leaves of C. grata. Our results suggested that the leaf extracts from both Clematis species, particularly the methanolic-based extract of C. montana, might serve as a promising source of an effective antibacterial agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flower morphology is a critical ornamental trait in flowering plants. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying flower development is essential for the breeding of diverse ornamental plant cultivars. The ABCE model genes are pivotal in regulating floral development in angiosperms. In order to understand the molecular mechanism of flower development in Clematis, nine ABCE model genes were identified from the transcriptome data of Clematis cv. 'Amethyst Beauty'. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed tissue-specific expression patterns among these genes. ClPI, ClSEP1, and ClSEP3 were predominantly expressed in sepals. ClAP3, ClPI, ClAG2, ClSEP1, and ClSEP3 were highly expressed in stamens. ClAG1 was exclusively expressed in pistils. These findings suggested that ABCE genes may play an important role in regulating the formation of flower morphology in the Clematis. The open reading frame (ORF) of ClAG2 was cloned and overexpression of ClAG2 in tobacco resulted in shorter corolla tube, reduced crown area, and stunted stamen. ClAG2 may have a negative effect on the formation of double-tepal flowers of Clematis and play a specific role in stamen and pistil development. Yeast two-hybrid assays demonstrated that ClAG2 could interact with class E proteins ClSEP3 and ClSEP4 but not with class B proteins ClAP3 and ClPI. Our results will lay a theoretical foundation for further research on the mechanism of flower development regulation in Clematis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the impact of environmental changes on the distribution of Clematis tangutica, providing theoretical support for its conservation, development, utilization, and early warning monitoring of potential impacts on the ecological environment and local plant communities. An ensemble model in R was used to simulate the suitable habitats of Clematis tangutica on the Tibetan Plateau, integrating climate, topography, and soil variables. Simulations were conducted under three distinct future climate scenarios. The ensemble model exhibited superior performance, as indicated by a true skill statistic of 0.9203, compared to the individual models. Clematis tangutica primarily occupies the eastern Tibetan Plateau, with optimal habitats predominantly located in western Sichuan Province. Regions of inadequate suitability encompass approximately 69.72% of the total area (equivalent to approximately 1743 thousand square kilometers), while highly suitable areas constitute about 5.48% (equivalent to approximately 137 thousand square kilometers). In the future, as the temperature rises on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, overall precipitation is expected to increase, though regional differences will exist, particularly the SSP245 scenario in the 2050s, the centroid of Clematis tangutica distribution is projected to shift northwest, potentially providing favorable conditions. The distribution pattern of Clematis tangutica is strongly influenced by fluctuations in temperature and elevation, as these factors directly affect the plant's ability to thrive in specific regions. Changes in these variables may alter its future distribution, particularly under climate change scenarios. There is a tendency for the center of mass of Clematis tangutica to migrate northwest under future climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavescence dorée (FD) is a major grapevine disease in Europe, despite the quarantine status of its causal agent [FD phytoplasma (FDp)] and the mandatory monitoring and vector control practices. As alarming FD epidemic outbreaks continue to appear in Tuscany (Central Italy), a 4-year survey was carried out in the main wine-growing areas of the region, where FD presence was investigated in both primary and secondary FDp hosts and vectors, i.e., Vitis vinifera (VV), Clematis vitalba (CV), Alnus glutinosa (AG), Scaphoideus titanus (ST), and Dictyophara europaea (DE). This work i) confirmed FD diffusion in almost the whole of Tuscany and even with an increased occurrence rate (approximately 50% of the samples tested positive); ii) highlighted a complex FDp ecology also in the Tuscan vineyard agroecosystem, as FDp was reported not only in VV and ST but also in secondary vectors (DE) and hosts (AG and CV); iii) reported nine FDp strains (three of which were novel) belonging to all the three methionine aminopeptidase (map) clusters, i.e., map -FD1, map -FD2, and map -FD3, with the map -FD3/M51 genotype mostly reported in not only VV but also DE and CV; and iv) further confirmed a complex FDp ecology in the vineyard agroecosystem, also by phylogenetic analyses carried out at both Italian and European levels, which also showed some relations between the Tuscan FDp strains and those reported in the Balkan and the French scenarios. We believe that the outcomes reported here will be useful in preventing and controlling the spread of harmful FD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clematis ispahanica Boiss. is a rare species belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. Clematis ispahanica is highly valued for its ornamental and medicinal properties. The specific traditional uses of Clematis ispahanica in traditional medicine may include curing neurological disorders, syphilis, malaria, rheumatism, gout, diarrhea, and asthma. In this study, leaves of C. ispahanica were collected from collected from Boanat, Kerman Province, Iran. Essential oil isolated from the leaves of C. ispahanica was evaluated for its chemical composition for the first time. GC/MS analyzed the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation. The chemical analysis of the oil from Clematis ispahanica Boiss. revealed the identification of 50 compounds, accounting for 92.5% of the total oil composition. In the leaves oil, the main components detected were phthalic acid, heptacosane, pentadecanoic acid, methyl ester, and apinene with amounts of 51.1 %, 5.8 %, 3.9 %, and 2.9 %, respectively. The analysis of various extracts from Clematis ispahanica Boiss. revealed a significant difference among all of them in Antioxidant activity (AA), Total phenol content (TPC) and Total flavonoid content (TFC) (p≤0.01, p≤0.05). For the antioxidant activity, the results obtained showed that the highest radical scavenging activity was observed in the extract of hexane with IC50 122 μg/ml, and the lowest activity was found in acetone extraction with IC50 170 μg/ml. The highest TPC value was 15.0 mg GAE/g DW in the extract of hexane. The highest TFC belongs to the extract of hexane and methanol with 7.3 mg QE/g and 7.2 mg QE/g. The analysis between TPC (r= 0.708, p≤0.01) and TFC (r= 0.786, p≤0.01) of C. ispahanica and its antioxidant properties were found to have a strong correlation. C. ispahanica exhibits a relatively high level of antioxidant potency and contains a significant amount of total phenolic compounds when extracted with a hexane solvent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clematis is an excellent vertical greening plant for garden viewing vines, with great ornamental and high medicinal value. To obtain transcriptome information and functional gene data for the Clematis calyx, this study utilized three biological replicates of the calyx from each of the three Clematis varieties: 'Henryi', 'Polish spirit', and 'Mme Julia Correvon' Single-molecule real-time sequencing technology was employed for full-length transcriptome sequencing. The study revealed that 21,673,173 non-chimeric sequences were identified through full-length transcriptome sequencing. After clustering, correction, and redundancy removal, 40,465 high-quality, full-length transcripts were obtained. Among these transcripts, there were 15,488 long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), 9,212 simple sequence repeats (SSR) sites, 1,247 transcription factors (TFs), 1,228 alternative splicing events, and 7,189 selectively polyadenylation sites predicted. In addition, 7,442 primer pairs were designed based on the SSR sites, covering 80.76% of the total SSR. 15 primer pairs were randomly selected for amplification, and 73.3% of them were successfully amplified. Transcript annotation results showed that 38,439, 38,094, 26,815, and 33,407 transcripts were annotated to the Nr, KEGG, KOG, and SwissProt databases, respectively. Among these, the KEGG database identified 137 metabolic pathways, including biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, carbon metabolism, and amino acid biosynthesis. 104 and 7 transcripts are involved in the flavonoid and anthocyanin metabolism pathways, respectively. The above results provide initial insights into the transcriptome information and functional characteristics of Clematis calyx. This critical data supports future research on marker primers for the color mechanism of Clematis calyx, the pathways and regulatory mechanisms of flavonoids and other products, as well as specific trait genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Jordanian traditional medicine, Clematis cirrhosa is commonly employed for the management of different diseases. Numerous investigations have documented the cytotoxic properties of different Clematis species against numerous types of cancer. Previously, we demonstrated the potential cytotoxicity of Clematis cirrhosa against HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. Extending our work, the current research aimed to explore the possible mechanisms underlying its antiproliferative activity with a plant safety evaluation. Methods: This study evaluates the extract's impact on the cell cycle, apoptosis, and cell migration through in vitro assays, LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis, docking studies, and an acute toxicity evaluation. Results: The Clematis cirrhosa ethanol extract (CEE) induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest (19.63%), triggered significant apoptosis (41.99%), and inhibited cell migration/wound healing by 28.15%. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed increased expression of the proapoptotic markers BAX (6.03-fold) and caspase-3 (6.59-fold), along with the reduced expression of the antiapoptotic BCL-2, in CEE-treated cells. Moreover, CEE significantly restrained angiogenesis by reducing VEGF mRNA expression by 63.9%. High-resolution LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS studies identified 26 metabolites, including phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and triterpenoids. Docking studies suggested that manghaslin had the highest binding affinity for VEGFR-2, followed by calceolarioside B, quercetin 7-O-rhamnopyranoside, luteolin, and quercetin-3,7-O-diglucoside. On the other hand, salvadoraside exhibited the highest binding affinity for the inhibition of caspase-3, followed by quercetin-3,7-O-diglucoside, kaempferol-3,7-O-α-L-dirhamnoside, manghaslin, and tectoridin, supporting the observed apoptotic effects. Interestingly, the outcomes further indicate that a single oral administration of up to 5000 mg/kg CEE is safe for consumption. Conclusions: These outcomes point to the potential of Clematis cirrhosa as a promising candidate for further exploration in cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clematis serratifolia has high medicinal and ornamental value. In this study, we characterize and report, for the first time, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of C. serratifolia based on high-throughput sequence dates. The whole chloroplast genome of C. serratifolia is a circular molecule of 159,648 bp in length, consisting of a large single-copy (LSC) region of 79,394 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,112 bp, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 31,071 bp. The overall GC content of the chloroplast genome is 38%, while that in the LSC, SSC, and IR regions is 36.3%, 31.3%, and 42.1%, respectively. The chloroplast genome of C. serratifolia contains 133 genes, including 89 coding genes, 8 ribosomal RNAs, and 36 transfer RNAs. Among them, 14 protein-coding genes have a single intron, and 2 genes have two introns. The phylogenetic analysis showed a close relationship between C. serratifolia and C. heracleifolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven acaricides were selected in the toxicity test on Tetranychus urticaris that break out on Clematis L.. Slide impregnation, leaf disk and toxicity test on pot were applied respectively for eggs, female adults and single population on plant in toxicity test. Results indicated that the order of curative effect from good to bad was matrine, abamectin+pyridaben, buflomedin, bifenazate+etoxazole, abamectin+etoxazole, spirodiclofen and bifenazate. Toxicity test on pot showed that the LC50 value were higher than that in slide impregnation and leaf disk test. Morever, the LC50 values that we obtained in this study were higher than previously reported LC50 values of T. urticaris that live on other plants which indicated that T. urticaria colonized on Clematis L. had higher tolerance to pesticides. This study would be helpful in providing theoretical basis for T. urticaria chemical control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nepal harbors a rich diversity of cultures and traditions, including the unique practice of creating an indigenous grain called Marcha by various ethnic groups such as Newar, Tamang, Sherpa, Rai, Limbu, Gurung, Magar, and Tharu people. In the eastern region of Nepal, Marcha producers utilize over 42 different plants, including Vernonia cinerea, Clematis grewiae, Polygala arillata, Buddleja asiatica, Inula sp., Scoparia, and more, which shows regional diversity. The primary objective of the study was to explore the diversity of yeast present in Marcha samples. The studied Marcha samples were collected from 10 different geographic regions of Nepal, which included altogether 27 samples. The isolates were grouped into Groups A, B, and C based on morphological and physiological characteristics. Notably, Group B yeast displayed high amylase production, an enzyme responsible for starch breakdown, and exhibited the ability to produce ethanol. To further investigate the potential of these isolates, stress exclusion tests were conducted, with 30 isolates (70%) showing positive responses. The yeast isolates demonstrated resilience to high glucose concentrations of up to 36% (w/v) at a pH above 3 and a temperature of 37°C, which is the ideal growth condition. The study observed a direct correlation between the yeast isolates' ethanol production capabilities and their tolerance to different ethanol concentrations. Considering that all tested Marcha samples contained yeast capable of starch degradation and ethanol production, it was expected that these yeast isolates would actively participate in the fermentation of starch‐based alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clematis, one of the largest genera of the family Ranunculaceae, has a wide array of morphological variation and is considered the most difficult group of taxa in terms of infrageneric discrimination. This study assessed the leaf micromorphological features of 19 Clematis taxa (16 species and three varieties) found in Korea. The leaf surface features were studied under scanning electron microscopy, and the stomatal counting and measurement were carried out under light microscopy. Clematis are hypostomatic, meaning the stomata are only found on the abaxial surface of the leaf. Observed taxa showed near uniformity in the epidermal cell type, structure, and morphology on both surfaces of the leaf. Differences were observed in the presence and absence and/or abundance of trichomes on both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces, the epidermal cell boundary, and the periclinal and anticlinal wall of the cells. Differences were also observed in the number of the epidermal cells connected with the stomata on the abaxial surface, with small differences noted in epidermal cell shapes. The ANOVA showed a significant variation in the stomata density in the studied taxa (P < 0.0001). The cluster analysis based on 13 leaf micromorphological features generated four major clusters. These results indicated similarities in certain key leaf micromorphological features among taxa from the Tubulosae, Clematis, and Virona sections. In the genus Clematis, as with other morphological characteristics, using leaf micromorphological characters alone, which possess limited taxonomic value, proves inadequate for resolving infrageneric relationships. However, incorporating certain features with other morphological characteristics offers a possible alternative means of determining the infrageneric relationships within the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying characteristics of invasive species or growth forms that facilitate their range expansion is critical for management. Clematis vitalba L. (old man's beard) is an invasive temperate liana in many areas of its introduction, yet its seedlings do not thrive in circumstances where resources are limited. Although some lianas in both tropical and temperate climates have been shown to spread by clonal stems along the ground, the bulk of previous research on C. vitalba reproduction has focused largely on aspects of seed ecology. The vegetative growth of the species is poorly understood. The first objective of our study was to evaluate the use of vegetative spread by C. vitalba as a means of local dispersal and population growth. We excavated ten 1‐m2 plots in infested riparian zones and found an extensive, branching network of creeping stems, both above and below ground. Our second objective was to test the ability of C. vitalba stem fragments to act as vegetative propagules. After 4 months, ~50% of two‐node fragments had regenerated, from both creeping and climbing stems. These studies help explain how a temperate liana forms populations and dominate ecological communities. The findings provide good evidence that C. vitalba may rely quite heavily on asexual reproduction. In addition, the results document liana stem phenotypic plasticity; fragmented climbing stems are just as likely as fragmented creeping stems to reprogram shoot tissue systems, generate roots and regrow as independent plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clematis graveolens Lindl., an indigenous climbing plant found in the Himalayan areas, is used by local communities for the treatment of neck tumors. The objective of this work is to examine the comprehensive metabolomic profile, antioxidant capability, in vitro and in silico anti-glioma effects on U-87 human glioma cell lines of the crude extract and fractions from C. graveolens. Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (LC–MS/MS) was used to establish detailed metabolite profiling of C. graveolens. The assessment of cell cytotoxicity was conducted using MTT cell viability assay on U-87 and BHK-21. Through molecular docking studies, the mode of inhibition and binding interaction between identified compounds and target proteins were also determined to evaluate the in vitro results. The use of LC–MS/MS-based global natural products social (GNPS) molecular networking analysis resulted in the identification of 27 compounds. The crude extract, ethyl acetate fraction, and chloroform fraction exhibited significant inhibitory activity against the U-87 cell lines, with IC50 values of 112.0, 138.1, and 142.7 µg/mL, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited significant inhibitory concentration for 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity and the metal chelation activity with IC50 value of 39.50 µg/mL, 32.27 µg/mL, and 53.46 µg/mL, respectively. The crude extract showed maximum total phenolic, and total flavonoid concentration measuring 338.7 µg GAE/mg, and 177.04 µg QE/mg, respectively. The findings of this study indicate that C. graveolens consists of a diverse range of active phytoconstituents that possess antioxidant and anti-glioma properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clematis nannophylla is a perennial shrub of Clematis with ecological, ornamental, and medicinal value, distributed in the arid and semi-arid areas of northwest China. This study successfully determined the chloroplast (cp) genome of C. nannophylla, reconstructing a phylogenetic tree of Clematis. This cp genome is 159,801 bp in length and has a typical tetrad structure, including a large single-copy, a small single-copy, and a pair of reverse repeats (IRa and IRb). It contains 133 unique genes, including 89 protein-coding, 36 tRNA, and 8 rRNA genes. Additionally, 66 simple repeat sequences, 50 dispersed repeats, and 24 tandem repeats were found; many of the dispersed and tandem repeats were between 20–30 bp and 10–20 bp, respectively, and the abundant repeats were located in the large single copy region. The cp genome was relatively conserved, especially in the IR region, where no inversion or rearrangement was observed, further revealing that the coding regions were more conserved than the noncoding regions. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C. nannophylla is more closely related to C. fruticosa and C. songorica. Our analysis provides reference data for molecular marker development, phylogenetic analysis, population studies, and cp genome processes to better utilise C. nannophylla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of reference genes makes it difficult to conduct molecular biology research on the plant genus, Clematis L. Clematis lanuginosa belongs to Sect. Viticella DC of Clematis L. It is also an important ornamental cultivated variety parent of the early and late large-flowered groups. Studying the reference genes of C. lanuginosa in different tissues will provide a theoretical basis for the reference selection of early and late large-flowered groups of Clematis, which could promote research progress on molecular biology of ornamental Clematis. Results: The roots, stems, leaves, sepals, stamens, and carpels of C. lanuginosa were used as research materials, and seven candidate reference genes were used for quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Comprehensive stability analysis using geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder software showed that suitable reference genes in C. lanuginosa root, stem, and leaf were PP2A-2 and UBC34; and in floral tissue were UBC34, PP2A-2, and ARP7. These reference genes can be used as internal reference either alone or in combination. The pairwise variation value evaluated with geNorm software showed that two internal reference genes were needed for gene expression correction in the tissues. In the floral organs, three reference genes were required for gene expression correction. Conclusions: Our results provide a foundation for future gene expression analysis of C. lanuginosa and guidance for the screening of reference genes in Clematis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clematis is the queen of the vines, being an ornamental plant with high economic value. Waterlogging stress reduces the ornamental value of the plant and limits its application. Melatonin plays an important role in plant resistance to abiotic stresses. In this study, the physiological responses and gene expression levels of two wild species, namely, Clematis tientaiensis and Clematis lanuginosa, and two horticultural varieties, namely, 'Sen-No-Kaze' and 'Viva Polonia,' under waterlogging stress were analyzed to determine the effect of melatonin onwaterlogging tolerance. The results showed that the waterlogging tolerances of C. lanuginosa and 'Sen-No-Kaze' were relatively poor, but were significantly improved by concentrations of 100 μmol·L-1 and 50 μmol·L-1 melatonin. C. tientaiensis and 'Viva Polonia' had relatively strong tolerance to waterlogging, and this was significantly improved by 200 μmol·L-1 melatonin. Under waterlogging stress, the relative conductivity and H2O2 content of Clematis increased significantly; the photosynthetic parameters and chlorophyll contents were significantly decreased; photosynthesis was inhibited; the contents of soluble protein and soluble sugars were decreased. Effective improvement of waterlogging tolerance after exogenous melatonin spraying, the relative conductivity was decreased by 4.05%-27.44%; the H2O2 content was decreased by 3.84%-23.28%; the chlorophyll content was increased by 35.59%-103.36%; the photosynthetic efficiency was increased by 25.42%-45.86%; the antioxidant enzyme activities of APX, POD, SOD, and CAT were increased by 28.03%-158.61%; the contents of proline, soluble protein, and soluble sugars were enhanced, and cell homeostasis was improved. Transcription sequencing was performed on wild Clematis with differences in waterlogging tolerance, and nine transcription factors were selected that were highly correlated with melatonin and that had the potential to improve waterlogging tolerance, among which LBD4, and MYB4 were significantly positively correlated with the antioxidant enzyme system, and bHLH36, DOF36, and WRKY4 were significantly negatively correlated. Photosynthetic capacity was positively correlated with DOF36 and WRKY4 while being significantly negatively correlated with MYB4, MOF1, DOF47, REV1 and ABR1. Melatonin could enhance the flooding tolerance of Clematis by improving photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidant enzyme activity. This study provides an important basis and reference for the application of melatonin in waterloggingresistant breeding of Clematis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Investigate the history of Clematis breeding in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden (NBG), NAS of Ukraine, determine the main directions of hybrid Clematis breeding work. Results. It was established that the result of more than 16 years of breeding Clematis in the NBG was the selection of the 61 perspective hybrid, 42 of which, the most perspective, were assigned names. Of these, large-flowered varieties are the most numerous according to the distribution of variety groups in the current Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain classification. In particular, Late Large-flowered account for about 40% of the total and Early Large-flowered for about 29%. Small-flowered hybrids make up the smaller part, of which about 26% belong to the Viticella group and one hybrid ('Sputnik') to the Integrifolia. The known directions of distribution of hybrid Сlematis of the NBG breeding indicate the possibility of their successful cultivation both in continental and maritime areas with a high level of humidity in the temperate zone and in the dry Mediterranean climate of the subtropical climate zone, which reveals their significant adaptive potential. Conclusions. Obtaining varieties of hybrid Clematis of domestic breeding is important for the implementation of sustainable horticulture practices on the territory of Ukraine, since a significant part of the modern introduced assortment of Clematis raises doubts about their adaptability to the local climate, and requires additional research into their adaptive potential. A successful combination in vertical landscaping of NBG-bred Clematis belonging to different varietal groups can ensure continuous flowering from May to the end of the season. These unique characteristics of Clematis ensure the creation of not only environmentally sustainable, but also visually appealing spaces that will contribute to the overall health and beauty of the urban environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing conceptual models is a critical step in hydrogeological studies that should utilise multiple lines of evidence and data types to minimise conceptual uncertainty, particularly in data-sparse systems. This study used new and existing major ion and isotope (O, H, Sr, C) data sets to refine a previous hydraulic-head-based conceptual model of the Galilee Basin (Australia). The analyses provide evidence for the locations of recharge and discharge areas and determine hydrochemical processes along flow paths to improve understanding of potential source waters to the Doongmabulla Springs Complex (DSC) and to infer mixing within, or exchange between aquifer units. There was good agreement between previously inferred recharge and discharge areas defined using hydraulic head data and interpretations from hydrochemical evolution along groundwater flow pathways, at least where data were available. Major ion and isotope data suggest that the DSC likely receives water from both a relatively shallow, local flow path and a deeper regional flow path. This observation is relevant to previous concerns about threats to the DSC, as mine-induced drawdown may impact the relative contributions to spring discharge from different recharge sources and aquifers. Silicate weathering in the deeper Clematis Formation and Dunda Beds, and evapotranspiration in the overlying Moolayember Formation have strong control on the total dissolved solids content. These findings suggest that the Clematis Formation and Dunda Beds are hydrochemically distinct from the Moolayember Formation, with limited exchange between these aquifers, which has important implications for model conceptualisation and ongoing monitoring of mining activities in the Galilee Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new compounds named mandshurica A (1) and mandshurica B (2), together with four known lignans (3–6) were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Clematis terniflora var. manshurica (Rupr.) Ohwi. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated against lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed significant inhibitory effect on NO production, and compound 2 exhibited obvious inhibition on the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α. Both new compounds showed potential anti-inflammatory activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clematis, one of the largest genera of the family Ranunculaceae, has a wide array of morphological variation and is considered the most difficult group of taxa in terms of infrageneric discrimination. This study assessed the leaf micromorphological features of 19 Clematis taxa (16 species and three varieties) found in Korea. The leaf surface features were studied under scanning electron microscopy, and the stomatal counting and measurement were carried out under light microscopy. Clematis are hypostomatic, meaning the stomata are only found on the abaxial surface of the leaf. Observed taxa showed near uniformity in the epidermal cell type, structure, and morphology on both surfaces of the leaf. Differences were observed in the presence and absence and/or abundance of trichomes on both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces, the epidermal cell boundary, and the periclinal and anticlinal wall of the cells. Differences were also observed in the number of the epidermal cells connected with the stomata on the abaxial surface, with small differences noted in epidermal cell shapes. The ANOVA showed a significant variation in the stomata density in the studied taxa (P < 0.0001). The cluster analysis based on 13 leaf micromorphological features generated four major clusters. These results indicated similarities in certain key leaf micromorphological features among taxa from the Tubulosae, Clematis, and Virona sections. In the genus Clematis, as with other morphological characteristics, using leaf micromorphological characters alone, which possess limited taxonomic value, proves inadequate for resolving infrageneric relationships. However, incorporating certain features with other morphological characteristics offers a possible alternative means of determining the infrageneric relationships within the genus.

Flower morphology is a critical ornamental trait in flowering plants. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying flower development is essential for the breeding of diverse ornamental plant cultivars. The ABCE model genes are pivotal in regulating floral development in angiosperms. In order to understand the molecular mechanism of flower development in Clematis, nine ABCE model genes were identified from the transcriptome data of Clematis cv. ‘Amethyst Beauty’. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed tissue-specific expression patterns among these genes. ClPI, ClSEP1, and ClSEP3 were predominantly expressed in sepals. ClAP3, ClPI, ClAG2, ClSEP1, and ClSEP3 were highly expressed in stamens. ClAG1 was exclusively expressed in pistils. These findings suggested that ABCE genes may play an important role in regulating the formation of flower morphology in the Clematis. The open reading frame (ORF) of ClAG2 was cloned and overexpression of ClAG2 in tobacco resulted in shorter corolla tube, reduced crown area, and stunted stamen. ClAG2 may have a negative effect on the formation of double-tepal flowers of Clematis and play a specific role in stamen and pistil development. Yeast two-hybrid assays demonstrated that ClAG2 could interact with class E proteins ClSEP3 and ClSEP4 but not with class B proteins ClAP3 and ClPI. Our results will lay a theoretical foundation for further research on the mechanism of flower development regulation in Clematis.

Prunus virus I (PrVI) was detected for the first time in Clematis vitalba in Italy using high-throughput sequencing and the complete genome of this isolate, named Clv-1, was assembled and characterized. The results of the bioinformatic analyses were further validated with RT-PCR assays using PrVI-specific primers and Sanger dideoxy sequencing. The Clv-1 genome included three RNA segments of nucleotide lengths of 3468 (RNA1), 2892 (RNA2) and 2225 (RNA3), with five predicted open reading frames. Phylogenetic analyses showed close relationships with other PrVI isolates from different geographical origins, including European and non-European countries. This new pathogen record extends the information on the geographical distribution of PrVI, and possibly reflects the international movement of infected clematis germplasm due to global trade. Further surveys on the presence and distribution of PrVI in weeds and crops, such as the two PrVI hosts sweet cherry and peach, are required in the countries where PrVI has been detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Old man's beard (Clematis vitalba L.) is a liana species that has become invasive in many areas of its introduced range. Seeds are produced in abundance and are both physiologically and morphologically dormant upon maturity. To understand the importance of seeds to its invasiveness, changes in viability and dormancy of the aerial seed bank were tracked throughout the after‐ripening period and during storage.Seeds collected every second month for 2 years were subjected to germination tests. Other seeds stored in outdoor ambient conditions or in a dry, chilled state were dissected before, during, and after imbibition, as well as during incubation, to measure embryo size.Less than 72% of seeds on the mother plant were viable. Viable seeds remained completely morpho‐physiologically dormant throughout autumn, even when treated with nitrate. Physiological dormancy declined in response to seasonal changes, yet morphological dormancy did not change until seeds had been exposed to appropriate germination conditions for several days. Fully dormant autumn seeds decayed at higher rates during incubation than partially or fully after‐ripened seeds, which were also more germinable and less dormant. Furthermore, seeds incubated in complete darkness were more likely to decay or remain dormant than those exposed to light.This study demonstrates that fewer than three‐quarters of seeds produced are viable and further decay occurs after dispersal, yet total fertility is still very high, with enormous propagule pressure from seeds alone. Viable seeds are protected with two forms of dormancy; morphological dormancy requires additional germination cues in order to break after seasonal changes break physiological dormancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clematis tomentella 2001 (Ranunculaceae) is a typical drought-tolerant sand-fixing plant in desert ecosystem in northwest China. To elucidate the phylogenetic status of C. tomentella and its related species, we determined the complete chloroplast (cp) genome and analyzed their interspecific relationships. The result showed that the cp genome of C. tomentella was 159 816 bp in length, including two inverted repeats of 31 045 bp, a large single copy region of 79 535 bp, and a small single copy region of 18 191 bp. 136 genes were annotated across the whole cp genome, including 92 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 36 tRNA genes, as well as the GC content accounted for 38%. Crucially, we found that the regions of psbE-petL, trnG_UCC-atpA, ndhF-rpl32, and rps8-infA were highly divergent, which could be marked as DNA barcodes for the identification of C. tomentella in Ranunculaceae. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree revealed that C. tomentella was closely related to C. fruticosa. Our results provide the references and implications for the phylogenetic study of Clematis in Ranunculaceae in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clematis hirsuta is one of the traditional medicinal plants used in Ethiopia to treat different ailments, such as cancer and diseases related to the respiratory system. This study aimed to isolate the phytochemical components of the root of C. hirsuta and evaluate their in vitro and in silico biological activities. Oleic acid (1), palmitic acid (2), sterols (3 and 4), boehmenan (5), and carolignans E (6 and 7) were isolated by silica gel column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 5–7 were isolated from the plant for the first time. At 5 mg/mL, the inhibition zone of evaluated compounds ranged from 8.80 to 11.10 mm against all selected bacteria. The MIC of the MeOH and n-hexane: EtOAc (1 : 1) extracts was greater than or equal to 50 mg/mL against all selected bacteria. At 62.5 μg/mL, the % DPPH radical scavenging activity of tested compounds ranged from 30.3% to 92.1% with an IC50 value of 19.4 to 2.1 μg/mL. The results of molecular docking studies indicated that the docking scores of compounds 3–7 ranged from −6.4 to −7.9 kcal/mol against E. coli DNA gyrase B, −8.3 to −9.0 kcal/mol against the Pseudomonas quinolone signal A, −7.1 to −8.5 kcal/mol against pyruvate kinase M2, and −7.9 to −8.5 kcal/mol against human topoisomerase IIβ. The results of the in silico antibacterial activity of compounds 3, 5, and 6 supported the in vitro antibacterial test results. Compound 5 had a better docking score against human topoisomerase IIβ than the other test samples demonstrating its potential as an anticancer agent. Therefore, compounds 3–7 could be considered as a lead for developing antibacterial and anticancer drugs. Moreover, the presence of these active phytochemicals supports the traditional use of this plant against cancer and bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides information about the plant species Clematis wightiana, which has recently been discovered in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Previously thought to be endemic to the Western Ghats, the species has now been found in Arunachal Pradesh through field trips conducted as part of the Action Plan Project. The article describes the plant's characteristics, including its flowering and fruiting data, ecology, and distribution status, and includes herbarium images. The discovery of Clematis wightiana in Arunachal Pradesh represents an extended distributional range for the species and highlights the need for conservation measures to protect it from threats such as overgrazing, deforestation, and uncontrolled collection. [Extracted from the article]

Plants of the Clematis genus are attractive ornamental plants due to their various flower colors and patterns, and they play an important role as ground cover plants in landscaping. However, the application of Clematis plants in landscaping in arid and semi-arid areas is limited. This study used five common wild Clematis species in Gansu Province as experimental materials, including Clematistangutica, Clematis glauca, Clematis intricata, Clematis nannophylla, and Clematis fruticosa. By simulating different intensities of drought stress with polyethylene glycol (PEG), the germination behavior of seeds and the physiological and biochemical responses of seedlings of these five species to drought stress were observed. The results showed that 15% PEG stress significantly inhibited the seed germination of the five species, which was also the drought threshold for seed germination of C. fruticosa. C. tangutica exhibited the strongest tolerance to drought stress in seed germination. Seedlings of the five Clematis plants showed different levels of tolerance to drought stress, mainly demonstrating higher tolerance to 10% and 20% concentrations of PEG stress, while a 30% concentration of PEG stress caused varying degrees of damage to the seedlings of the five Clematis species. PCA analysis indicated that seedlings of C. intricata and C. glauca had higher scores under drought stress. These findings can provide a theoretical basis for the selection of urban landscaping plant species in arid and semi-arid regions of northwest China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MADS-box gene family controls plant flowering and floral organ development; therefore, it is particularly important in ornamental plants. To investigate the genes associated with the MADS-box family in Clematis courtoisii, we performed full-length transcriptome sequencing on C. courtoisii using the PacBio Sequel third-generation sequencing platform, as no reference genome data was available. A total of 12.38 Gb of data, containing 9,476,585 subreads and 50,439 Unigenes were obtained. According to functional annotation, a total of 37,923 Unigenes (75.18% of the total) were assigned with functional annotations, and 50 Unigenes were identified as MADS-box related genes. Subsequently, we employed hmmerscan to perform protein sequence similarity search for the translated Unigene sequences and successfully identified 19 Unigenes associated with the MADS-box gene family, including MIKC*(1) and MIKCC (18) genes. Furthermore, within the MIKCC group, six subclasses can be further distinguished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed at elucidating the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial mechanisms of Clematis flammula (CF) leaf extracts. Methodologically, antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power assays, and antibacterial activity was assessed using Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) cell cultures. Anti-inflammatory potency was evaluated through cyclooxygenase and trypsin inhibitory activities. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial mechanisms of the active extracts were elucidated using two membrane models: erythrocytes and liposomes. The phenolic compounds in the extracts were identified using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Ethyl acetate extract inhibited S. aureus growth at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 78 µg/mL, possibly due to its lytic activity of liposomes (56.75 ± 0.54%). Additionally, the extract presented the best anti-trypsin activity (IC50 =7.67 ± 0.61 µg/mL) and inhibited cyclooxygenase activity (IC50 = 594.33 ± 11.15 µg/mL), probably related to its high polyphenol content (192.64 ± 1.55 mg GAE/g E). HPLC-MS analysis revealed the presence of flavones and flavonols. Conclusively, the results of this study suggest that CF extracts exert anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and trypsin activities and altering bacterial cell membrane, suggesting the potential of CF in the treatment of bacterial infections and inflammatory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel Comoclathris species were identified from dicotyledonous plants (Clematis sp. and Xanthoceras sorbifolium) in China. The results were supported by morphological characters and Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) analyses. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of the ITS, LSU, SSU and rpb2 sequences revealed two new species Comoclathris clematidis and C. xanthoceratis, which are phylogenetically distinct. The new species are phylogenetically closely related to C. arrhenatheri. However, they are distinguishable from C. arrhenatheri by having comparatively larger asci and ascospores. This study improves our knowledge of Comoclathris as no species has been previously described from China. This suggests such taxa may be rare and it is likely that new taxa will be discovered from hosts and environments that have not yet been extensively investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clematis alopecuros Q.L. Gan & X.W. Li sp nova (Ranunculaceae) is described and illustrated from Hubei, China. It has white flowers with four spreading sepals, persistent and villous styles, and hastate leaflets. It resembles C. hastata but differs from it by having much longer anthers, larger leaflets, and petioles that are basally widened and connate to the opposite petiole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus of Clematis is a buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), recognized for its flowers and adaptable as an ornamental plant in colder climates. It contains around 300 species. Clematis has a variety of active phytoconstituents or secondary metabolites which are responsible for health benefits in human beings. Traditionally various species of the clematis genus used for centuries to treat various ailments including syphilis, bone disorders, gout, rheumatism, diuretics, wound healing, blood sugar control, blood diseases, spleen difficulties, leprosy, fevers, skin diseases. A systematic review of scientific electronic database and reference books were consulted to find all relevant literature for this work. This review discusses the ethnomedicinal usage, health advantages, phytoconstituents and bioactivities of clematis species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A micropropagation protocol for growing Clematis 'Warszawska Nike' was developed. The MS medium supplemented with 1 mg∙dm−3 BAP showed good results in the case of microshoot initiation (80%). The addition of BAP to the medium at higher concentrations resulted in the formation of a large amount of callus tissue at the base of the explant. Of the explants growing on the medium with the lowest cytokinin concentration, 8% flowered. Very quickly, after just 14 days, the explants began to die: some of the leaves that developed in in vitro cultures began to turn yellow and wither. The propagation of shoots was performed in two steps. In the first step, cytokinin BAP and Kin in various concentrations (0.5–2 mg∙dm−3) were added to the MS medium. In the second step, MS medium with the combinations of BAP (0.5 and 1 mg∙dm−3) with IAA or GA3 (1 and 2 mg∙dm−3) was used. The MS medium with 0.5 mg∙dm−3 BAP and 2 mg∙dm−3 GA3 was the best medium for the multiplication stage of clematis. Plants growing on this medium had the largest number of leaves, shoots, and internodes, and were also heavier compared to plants propagated on other media. The proliferated clematis explants were rooted on MS medium with the addition of IAA or IBA in different concentrations (0.5 to 4 mg∙dm−3). Of the concentrations tested, 0.5 mg∙dm−3 IAA was the most effective one for in vitro root induction. The highest percentage of acclimatized plants (75%) was observed when the shoots were rooted on MS medium with 0.5 mg∙dm−3 IAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus of Clematis is a buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), recognized for its flowers and adaptable as an ornamental plant in colder climates. It contains around 300 species. Clematis has a variety of active phytoconstituents or secondary metabolites which are responsible for health benefits in human beings. Traditionally various species of the clematis genus used for centuries to treat various ailments including syphilis, bone disorders, gout, rheumatism, diuretics, wound healing, blood sugar control, blood diseases, spleen difficulties, leprosy, fevers, skin diseases. A systematic review of scientific electronic database and reference books were consulted to find all relevant literature for this work. This review discusses the ethno-medicinal usage, health advantages, phytoconstituents and bioactivities of clematis species.

During a previous study on microfungi associated with clematis roots, Penicillium-like fungi were isolated and identified based on morphology. In this study, we subjected those strains to a detailed examination which led to the proposal of two taxonomic novelties, named Rasamsonia chlamydospora and Talaromyces clematidis. The first taxon is characterized by rough-walled mycelium, acerose to flask shaped phialides, cylindrical conidia and by production of chlamydospore-like structures. The four-loci-based phylogeny analysis delineated the taxon as a taxonomic novelty in Rasamsonia. Talaromyces clematidis is characterized by restricted growth on Czapek yeast extract agar, dichloran 18% glycerol agar and yeast extract sucrose agar, and production of yellow ascomata on oatmeal agar. Phylogenetic analyses placed this taxon as a taxonomic novelty in Talaromyces sect. Bacillispori. Both taxa are introduced here with detailed descriptions, photoplates and information on their phylogenetic relationship with related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clematis vitalba L. is a climbing shrub and a pioneer plant in abandoned orchards or vineyards that are widespread in temperate climate zones. In past years, several viruses infecting the Clematis species have been identified, including different ilarviruses. Prunus virus I (PrVI) is a recently described ilarvirus, which has been shown to infect sweet cherries and peaches in Greece. Moreover, its presence has been detected in ornamental Clematis in Russia. In the present work, we analyzed the virome of wildly growing C. vitalba plants from Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia showing different kinds of symptoms using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) of small RNAs or ribodepleted RNAs. Applying HTS enabled us to identify the presence of PrVI in C. vitalba, and the bioinformatic analyses were further validated with RT-PCR using PrVI-specific primers and Sanger dideoxy sequencing. Nearly full genome sequences of all three viral RNAs of one Hungarian, two Slovak and one Croatian isolate were determined. Their phylogenetic analysis showed high similarity to each other and to other PrVI isolates described from Central Europe. As the sampled plants were co-infected with other viruses, it is not possible to determine a direct correlation between the infection with PrVI and the observed symptoms. Analyses of different Prunus species in stock collection showed infection of several peach and sweet cherry varieties in Hungary. Our results expand the knowledge on the natural host range of PrVI and highlight the necessity to evaluate alternative plant hosts (even non-Prunus) of PrVI and the role of the virus in the etiology of the potential diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green routes for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles have gained interest and recommended as better alternatives for physical and chemical synthesis. The present work reports an environment-friendly, non-toxic and cost-effective approach for synthesizing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using Clematis Montana plant extract with potential antimicrobial properties. The biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The antimicrobial potential of the ZnONPs were evaluated using agar well diffusion assay against bacterial pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The biosynthesized ZnONPs elongated structures with an average size ranging from 10.3 to 12.2 nm. The antibacterial activity was determined using different concentrations of the ZnONPs. The results suggested that the bacterial growth decreased with the increase in the concentration of the ZnONPs. Further, it was observed that the gram-negative bacteria were more sensitive to the exposure of the ZnONPs when compared to the gram-positive strains in the following order of sensitivity: E. coli ≥ P. aeruginosa ≥ B. cereus ≥ S. aureus. The green synthesis of ZnONPs using C. montana extract showed superior antibacterial activity against pathogenic organisms and suggests that this approach can be an excellent strategy to synthesize cost-effective, eco-friendly and versatile nanoparticles with promising pharmaceutical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floral scent is a crucial characteristic that greatly affects the reproductive process and also the market value of numerous ornamental crops. As the pivotal species in basal dicotyledonous, Clematis is widely favored as an ornamental vine plant due to its varied colors and shapes of flowers. However, the diversity and complexity of the floral fragrance in Clematis is largely unexplored. Thus, on the basis of the initial sensory survey, four fragrant wild Clematis species and five cultivars were selected to investigate the variation of the floral volatile profiling between the wild Clematis species and their cultivars. Our results demonstrated that a total of 162 volatile compositions, including terpenoids, benzenoids, fatty acid derivatives, and N-containing compounds, were successively detected by the combination of dynamic headspace collection and GC-MS analysis. The qualitative and quantitative comparison combined with clustering and PCA analysis indicated the interspecific discrepancy in floral volatiles between the wild Clematis species and cultivars. C. finetiana exhibited a higher emission with the characteristic releasing pattern being distinct from other species. In conclusion, the exploitation of the emission patterns, biosynthesis, and potential biological functions of floral scent, especially for terpenoids and methyl esters, provides a comprehensive understanding of volatile metabolism in fragrant Clematis species and their cultivars. These findings can be useful for aromatic resources screening and breeding strategies developing to create new aromatic cultivars of Clematis.

Lectotypification of the name Clematis grata Wall. is discussed and a second-step lectotype is designated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating the genetic diversity and population structure is important in conserving narrowly distributed plants. In this study, 90 Clematis acerifolia (C. acerifolia) plants belonging to nine populations were collected from the Taihang Mountains in Beijing, Hebei, and Henan. Twenty-nine simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers developed based on RAD-seq data were used to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of C. acerifolia. The mean PIC value for all markers was 0.2910, indicating all SSR markers showed a moderate degree of polymorphism. The expected heterozygosity of the whole populations was 0.3483, indicating the genetic diversity of both C. acerifolia var. elobata and C. acerifolia were low. The expected heterozygosity of C. acerifolia var. elobata (He = 0.2800) was higher than that of C. acerifolia (He = 0.2614). Genetic structure analysis and principal coordinate analysis demonstrated that C. acerifolia and C. acerifolia var. elobata showed great genetic differences. Molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) demonstrated that within-population genetic variation (68.31%) was the main contributor to the variation of the C. acerifolia populations. Conclusively, C. acerifolia var. elobata had higher genetic diversity than C. acerifolia, and there are significant genetic differences between C. acerifolia and C. acerifolia var. elobata, and small genetic variations within the C. acerifolia populations. Our results provide a scientific and rational basis for the conservation of C. acerifolia and provide a reference for the conservation of other cliff plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavescence dorée (FD) is a severe and epidemic grapevine yellows disease, affecting most of the major European viticultural regions and classified as a quarantine pest. It is transmitted primarily by the ampelophagous Neartic deltocephalinae leafhopper, Scaphoideus titanus. The causative agent of the disease is FD phytoplasma (FDp), Vectotypes II and III, member of the 16S rRNA taxonomic subgroups V-C and V-D. Recent evidence indicates that FDp is native to Europe. Since 2018, vineyards in Montenegro have been subject to a preventive surveillance for the presence of FDp. In July of 2021, 56 samples of symptomatic grapevines were collected from vineyards in the major wine-growing regions. Using conventional nested PCR on the 16SrV group-specific FD9 marker (secY gene) and PCR-RFLP analysis of the 16S gene, the 16SrV-C phytoplasma subgroup was identified in a single grapevine from the Godinje location of the Crmnica wine subregion. The isolate was identified as Vectotype III, Map-FD3/VmpA-III genotype M51/III-c11 after characterizing the epidemiologicaly informative map and vmpA genes. In October of the same year, additional grapevines and potential reservoir or natural host plants of FDp and related phytoplasmas were sampled in the Godinje location. No new FDp-infected grapevines were found, indicating that this was likely an incidental transmission by natural, indigenous vectors and not an outbreak. However, one clematis and six alders were found carrying 16SrV group phytoplasmas and were subjected to map/vmpA typing, along with isolates of previously collected clematis plants in the Nudo wine region, and alder trees in non-viticultural areas and the potential wine region of Montenegrin North. The clematis plant in Godinje shared the same FDp Vectotype III as the infected vine, suggesting that clematis was the likely source of infection. On the other hand, alders in Godinje harbored VmpA-II cluster genotypes of either Map-FD2 M148 or AldY (alder yellows) M52, or multiple map gene sequences. Finally, all three FDp clusters of epidemic genotypes were found in clematis and alder reservoir plants in various regions of Montenegro. According to Map/VmpA Vectotype classification, clematis was identified as a potential source of FD3/III-c, and alders of FD1/III-f and FD2/II-d cluster genotypes. These findings call for stringent management and monitoring of S. titanus in Montenegrin vineyards to prevent FDp epidemic outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The limestone region in Southwest Guangxi is defined as a priority area for biodiversity conservation and research not only at provincial but also at national level. Through in-depth investigation in the two nature reserves of this region, 20 angiosperm species from 20 genera and 17 families were found as new records for the flora of Guangxi, including Wuodendron praecox (Hook. f. & Thomson)B. Xue, Y. H. Tan & X. L. Hou, Phoebe macrocarpa C. Y. Wu, Clematis fengii W. T. Wang, Trichosanthes tetragonosperma C. Y. Cheng & Yueh, Sorbus yunnanensis L. T. Lu, Elatostema longibracteatum W. T. Wang, Acer paihengii Fang, Cornus eydeana Q. Y. Xiang & Y. M. Shui, Rhododendron longipedicellatum Lei Cai & Y. P. Ma, Styrax roseus Dunn, Symplocos hookeri C. B. Clarke, Dicercoclados triplinervis C. Jeffrey & Y. L. Chen, Lysimachia pittosporoides C. Y. Wu, Lycianthes marlipoensis C. Y. Wu & S. C. Huang, Justicia multinodis Benoist, Scutellaria sichourensis C. Y. Wu & H. W. Li, Liparis bistriata C. S. P. Parish & Rchb. f., Peristylus tenuicallus Ormerod, Pinalia yunnanensis(S. C. Chen & Z. H. Tsi)S. C. Chen & J. J. Wood and Zeuxine integrilabella C. S. Leou. Among them, Wuodendron B. Xue, Y. H. Tan & Chaowasku and Dicercoclados C. Jeffrey & Y. L. Chen were new recorded genera of Guangxi. All species were annotated by morphological and distribution description, voucher specimens and pictures. In addition, based on collected materials, several key taxonomic characteristics of Trichosanthes tetragonosperma C. Y. Cheng & Yueh and Dicercoclados triplinervis C. Jeffrey & Y. L. Chen were supplemented and revised respectively. Lastly, the biogeographic significance of these newly records as well as protection effectiveness of the reserves in limestone region of southwestern Guangxi were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coumarin is an important secondary metabolite that affects plant physiology. It is a lactone of cis- o -hydroxycinnamic acid and widely exists in medicinal plants. Clematis terniflora DC. is a plant belonging to Ranunculaceae and is rich in variety of coumarins. Feruloyl-CoA 6′-hydroxylase has been reported as a key enzyme in the formation of coumarin basic skeleton only in some common plants, however, its evidence in other species is still lacking especially for the biosynthesis of coumarins in C. terniflora. In the present study, we identified a feruloyl-CoA 6′-hydroxylase CtF6′H in C. terniflora , and functional characterization indicated that CtF6′H could hydroxylate feruloyl-CoA to 6-hydroxyferuloyl-CoA. Furthermore, the expression level of CtF6′H was differed among different tissues in C. terniflora , while under UV-B radiation, the level of CtF6′H was increased in the leaves. Biochemical characteristics and subcellular location showed that CtF6′H was mainly present in the cytosol. The crystal structure of CtF6′H was simulated by homology modeling to predict the potential residues affecting enzyme activity. This study provides the additional evidence of feruloyl-CoA 6′-hydroxylase in different plant species and enriches our understanding of biosynthetic mechanism of coumarin in C. terniflora. • F6′H was first isolated and characterized from Ranunculaceae plants. • Ultraviolet-B induced high expression of CtF6′H. • CtF6′H has little activity in a very sour or alkaline conditions. • CtF6′H provides a thought for improving the utilization rate of medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clematis chinensis Osbeck is an important medicinal and edible plant. The complete chloroplast genome of C. chinensis Osbeck was constructed and annotated for the first time in this study. Full length of the chloroplast genome of C. chinensis Osbeck is 159,647 bp, with a large single-copy (LSC) region of 86,301 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 79,536 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats IRa and IRb regions of 31,039 bp. The result of the gene annotation identified the 135 genes in the chloroplast genome, including 91 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The total amount of GC is 47.82%. In the phylogenetic analysis, C. chinensis Osbeck showed the closest relationship with Clematis uncinata.

The evolutionary history of Clematis section Tubulosae, an East Asian endemic lineage, has not been comprehensively studied. In this study, we reconstruct the phylogeny of this section with a complete sampling using a phylogenomic approach. The genome skimming method was applied to obtain the complete plastome sequence, the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA), and the nuclear SNPs data for phylogenetic reconstruction. Using a Bayesian molecular clock approach and ancestral range reconstruction, we reconstruct biogeographical history and discuss the biotic and abiotic factors that may have shaped the distribution patterns of the section. Both nuclear datasets better resolved the phylogeny of the sect. Tubulosae than the plastome sequence. Sect. Tubulosae was resolved as a monophyletic group sister to a clade mainly containing species from the sect. Clematis and sect. Aspidanthera. Within sect. Tubulosae, two major clades were resolved by both nuclear datasets. Two continental taxa, C. heracleifolia and C. tubulosa var. ichangensis, formed one clade. One continental taxon, C. tubulosa, and all the other species from Taiwan island, the Korean peninsula, and the Japanese archipelago formed the other clade. Molecular dating results showed that sect. Tubulosae diverged from its sister clade in the Pliocene, and all the current species diversified during the Pleistocene. Our biogeographical reconstruction suggested that sect. Tubulosae evolved and began species diversification, most likely in mainland China, then dispersed to the Korean peninsula, and then expanded its range through the Japanese archipelago to Taiwan island. Island species diversity may arise through allopatric speciation by vicariance events following the range fragmentation triggered by the climatic oscillation and sea level change during the Pleistocene epoch. Our results highlight the importance of climatic oscillation during the Pleistocene to the spatial-temporal diversification patterns of the sect. Tubulosae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new triterpenoid saponin, 3-O-β-D-allopyranosyl (1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (IV), together with six known ones Hederacholichiside F (I), Tanguticoside B (II), Tauroside St-H1 (III), Hederoside H1 (V), Kalopanaxsaponin G (VI), Hederasaponin B (VII) were separated from Clematis tangutica (Maxim.) Korsh. Their cytotoxic activities were evaluated. Saponins IV (new compound) and I showed selective inhibitory activities against HGC-27 with IC50 values of 20.17 and 66.18 μM. Saponin VII exhibited extensive inhibitory action against HGC-27, Hela and SK-OV-3 with IC50 values of 16.47-71.36 μM. Saponin III showed selective inhibitory activity against SK-OV-3 with the IC50 value of 48.70 μM. All isolated saponins were inactive (IC50 >150 μM) to GES-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]