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As climate change continues and the frequency and intensity of droughts become more prevalent in some regions, plant populations are facing greater ecological pressures. The objective of this study was to observe the response of a rare plant species to an extreme drought event associated with climate change. To study this response, we collected seeds from three populations of Collinsia multicolor (San Francisco collinsia, Plantaginaceae) found in central California both before and after the state's historic 2012-2016 drought. We conducted a greenhouse study to examine contemporary evolution between the collection years, and included a drought treatment to study plasticity. We measured three traits that indicate life history, morphological, and physiological responses to drought, including flowering time, stomatal density, and chlorophyll fluorescence. In the two coastal populations, where interannual moisture variation is greatest, we observed evolution only in stomatal density, while we observed plasticity in all measured traits. In contrast, the driest inland population showed no response to the drought or to the watering treatments, which is consistent with other studies that have found less response to drought in pre-adapted populations. Overall, our results suggest that plasticity is favored in variable environments. However, they also highlight that the pace of evolution may be insufficient to respond to current environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous data established 4′‐deoxyflavone glycosides (4′‐DFGs) as important pharmaceutical components in the roots of rare medical plants like Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Extracting these compounds from plants involves land occupation and is environmentally unfriendly. Therefore, a modular ("plug‐and‐play") yeast‐consortium platform is developed to synthesize diverse 4′‐DFGs de novo. By codon‐optimizing glycosyltransferase genes from different organisms for Pichia pastoris, six site‐specific glycosylation chassis are generated to be capable of biosynthesizing 18 different 4′‐DFGs. Cellular factories showed increased 4′‐DFG production (up to 18.6‐fold) due to strengthened synthesis of UDP‐sugar precursors and blocked hydrolysis of endogenous glycosides. Co‐culturing upstream flavone‐synthesis‐module cells with downstream glycoside‐transformation‐module cells alleviated the toxicity of 4′‐deoxyflavones and enabled high‐level de novo synthesis of 4′‐DFGs. Baicalin is produced at the highest level (1290.0 mg L−1) in a bioreactor by controlling the consortium through carbon‐source shifting. These results provide a valuable reference for biosynthesizing plant‐derived 4′‐DFGs and other glycosides with potential therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tropical Garcinia genus of flowering plants is a prolific producer of aromatic natural products including polyphenols, flavonoids, and xanthones. In this study, we report the first phytochemical investigation of Garcinia caudiculata Ridl. from the island of Borneo. Fractionation, purification, and structure elucidation by MS and NMR resulted in the discovery of two meroterpenoids. One was a benzofuranone lactone previously isolated from Iryanthera grandis and Rhus chinensis, and the second was a new hydroquinone methyl ester that we named caudiquinol. Both natural products are rare examples of plant meroterpenoids with an intact geranylgeranyl chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public lands across the United States are managed for multiple uses, resources, and values ranging from energy development to rare plant conservation. Intensified energy development and other land use changes across the Southwestern United States have increased the need for proactive management to mitigate impacts to rare plants. Habitat suitability models can inform decision‐making and lead to more effective conservation of rare plants and their habitats, but high‐quality models that are suited for use at local scales are lacking for many species. Our team of scientists and managers developed ensembles of habitat suitability models for five rare plant species in New Mexico using a coproduced, iterative framework complemented by comprehensive ground truthing and tailoring of products for use in public land decisions. Our process resulted in substantial differences from initial models through changes to environmental predictors, species occurrence and background data, and development of new species‐specific predictors. Involving species experts and end users in model development can strengthen the process and resulting model and build understanding and trust in final products. Both factors can promote use of models to inform public land permitting and planning decisions that may affect rare plants, including by guiding development away from highly suitable habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spring‐fed wetlands within arid and semiarid systems are hotspots for endemism and distribution of rare plants. Interactions among groundwater and the geomorphic and climatic features of the setting control the abiotic conditions, particularly soil salinity and moisture, that support these plants. However, water uncertainty and land use change challenge the persistence of conditions necessary to support rare plant communities. Wetland management can be implemented to sustain abiotic processes that support rare plant communities, but key information is needed to guide management practices. In this study, we evaluate the relationships of rare plants to abiotic conditions in a managed spring‐fed arid wetland. Soil salinity and moisture conditions were monitored and related to the presence and abundance of rare plants within management units. Soil salinity and moisture variability were related to groundwater dynamics near springs, but wetland management influenced variability in seasonally flooded areas. Permanently saturated conditions and low soil salinities during the spring season supported higher plant diversity and the presence and greater abundance of rare plants. Rare plant presence and abundance were negatively related to low soil moisture, particularly in the summer. Results indicate that increases in soil salinity during the early establishment of plants may affect their distribution and abundance, an important management consideration in arid landscapes and hydrologically altered systems. Our findings inform the restoration and management of rare plant communities and contribute to the management of spring‐fed arid wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we describe the first discoveries of insects from the Gzhelian of the Reyran Basin (northern part of Esterel, South of France). These are a new mylacrid, Opsiomylacris sp. an undetermined genus and species of Phyloblattidae, two other roachoids of uncertain affinities, and a Palaeodictyoptera, all based on forewings. Although these discoveries demonstrate that insects were present in the corresponding paleoforest, they remain less diverse and rarer than the plant remains. The genus Opsiomylacris is currently supposed to have lived under xeric environments, possibly corresponding to the more xeric paleobiotas of the margin of the humid valley bottoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The river valley forests of the Irtysh River Basin are a germplasm bank of Salicaceae species and rare plant resources in China, and the distribution varies with the river and is highly distinctive. However, there is a dearth of systematic research on the characteristics of plant resources. In this study, a comprehensive investigation was conducted in the trunk stream and six tributaries with valley forest distribution in the Irtysh River Basin, and 244 quadrats were set up. The analysis focused on the composition of the flora and resource characteristics. The results reveal the following: (1) The valley forests of the Irtysh River Basin contain 256 species of plants belonging to 57 families and 178 genera, among which 19 species of trees, 23 species of shrubs, and 214 species of herbs were investigated. (2) Among the identified species, 226 (88.67%) were recognized as resource plants, with medicinal plants being the most abundant (176 species, 68.75% of the total). (3) The distribution patterns of trees, shrubs, and herbs of each resource type vary across rivers. Elevation drop, river length, and river distance all significantly affect the number of specie. This study elucidated the current status and distributional characteristics of plant resources in the valley forests of the Irtysh River Basin, which is essential for both biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global biodiversity crisis affects species across all continents and taxonomic groups. Direct destruction of species and habitats has been a primary driver of declines, though climate change and associated sea level rise are expected to accelerate loss. The flora of low-lying, relatively isolated islands is especially threatened when high species richness intersects with vulnerability to sea level rise. The Florida Keys represent a hotspot for cactus diversity in the eastern United States, with eight species recognized, three of which are endemic to the islands. Though not endemic to the islands, the Key Largo tree cactus (Pilosocereus millspaughii) was known in the United States from only a single population in the Florida Keys. Its decline and ensuing extirpation correspond with rising sea levels in the region. The other cacti in the region, and all rare plants in the Florida Keys, are threatened with a similar fate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grassland alvar is a rare plant community that occurs throughout North America and northern Europe, and may require control of encroaching vegetation to be maintained or restored. We evaluated the hypothesis that restoration techniques used to restore the alvar ecosystem do not lead to declines in small mammal abundance. More specifically, we used a Before-After Control-Impact (BACI) design to compare how two methods of vegetation control, prescribed burns and mechanical removal, affected small mammal populations. The restoration was conducted beginning in 2019 on Pelee Island, Ontario, Canada. Live trapping of small mammals and associated vegetation sampling were conducted before and after on treatment and control locations. The only small mammal species to be caught during the study was the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque, 1818)), which had an observed decrease across all treatment sites and the control site. Generalized linear mixed effects models demonstrated that the main effects of treatment and year best explained mouse abundance at the site level. Interannual variability appeared to explain more variation in mouse abundance than treatment effects. Our study did not provide strong evidence that the vegetation control measures we employed might limit white-footed mouse abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rare and endangered plant species Abies fanjingshanensis, which has a limited habitat, a limited distribution area, and a small population, is under severe threat, particularly due to poor leaf health. The plant endophytic microbiome is an integral part of the host, and increasing evidence indicates that the interplay between plants and endophytic microbes is a key determinant for sustaining plant fitness. However, little attention has been given to the differences in the endophytic microbial community structure, network complexity, and assembly processes in leaves with different leaf health statuses. Here, we investigated the endophytic bacterial and fungal communities in healthy leaves (HLs) and non-healthy leaves (NLs) of A. fanjingshanensis using 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer sequencing and evaluated how leaf health status affects the co-occurrence patterns and assembly processes of leaf endophytic microbial communities based on the co-occurrence networks, the niche breadth index, a neutral community model, and C-score metrics. HLs had significantly greater endophytic bacterial and fungal abundance and diversity than NLs, and there were significant differences in the endophytic microbial communities between HLs and NLs. Leaf-health-sensitive endophytic microbes were taxonomically diverse and were mainly grouped into four ecological clusters according to leaf health status. Poor leaf health reduced the complexity of the endophytic bacterial and fungal community networks, as reflected by a decrease in network nodes and edges and an increase in degrees of betweenness and assortativity. The stochastic processes of endophytic bacterial and fungal community assembly were weakened, and the deterministic processes became more important with declining leaf health. These results have important implications for understanding the ecological patterns and interactions of endophytic microbial communities in response to changing leaf health status and provide opportunities for further studies on exploiting plant endophytic microbes to conserve this endangered Abies species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reproduction of rare and endangered plant species is one of the most important factors determining the stability and survival of their populations, and knowledge of the barriers to successful reproduction is essential for species conservation. Habitat loss and slow reproduction due to low fruit set are usually considered the main threats to Cephalanthera longifolia and C. rubra (Orchidaceae). The aim of this study was to analyse the natural fruit set of these species during three consecutive years in Lithuania in the northern part of the temperate zone of Europe. Six populations of C. longifolia and three populations of C. rubra were studied each year from 2021 to 2023. During the study period, 49.3% to 54.4% of C. longifolia and 40.0% to 54.3% of C. rubra individuals produced no fruit. Over the three-year period, fruit set in individual populations of C. longifolia ranged from 5.2% to 19.5%, whereas fruit set in populations of C. rubra ranged from 4.1% to 18.8%. Significant weak or moderate correlations were found between plant height, inflorescence length and the number of flowers in the inflorescence and fruit set of both species. Flower position in the inflorescence had a significant effect on fruit set in both species, and the fruit set rate of lower flowers was higher than that of upper flowers. Significant but weak correlations were found between the fruit set and most of the environmental factors analysed. The results of this study suggest that the fruit set of C. longifolia and C. rubra is dependent on insect pollination of the flowers, which in turn is affected by habitat conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public lands are often managed for multiple uses ranging from energy development to rare plant conservation. Habitat models can help land managers assess and mitigate potential effects of projects on rare plants, but it is unclear how models are currently being used. Our goal was to better understand how staff in the Bureau of Land Management currently use habitat models to inform their decisions, and perceived challenges and benefits associated with that use. We first examined litigation documents to determine whether the agency has been challenged on its use of data for rare plants and found no relevant legal challenges. Second, we analyzed model use in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents and found no clear citations of habitat models. Finally, we conducted interviews with agency staff who analyze potential effects of proposed actions on rare plants in NEPA documents. The primary challenges interviewees faced in using models related to data organization and access, model quality and accuracy, and institutional capacity. Interviewees believed models could be used more to inform decisions and actions to conserve rare plants and rare plant habitat on public lands and recommended improving staff access to models, creating models for additional species, and addressing staffing limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding genetic structure in rare plant populations is essential to making informed decisions for recovery actions, particularly in species capable of clonal reproduction. Here, we present three case studies using microsatellites to assess clonal structure in rare plants: Northern Oconee bells (S. brevistyla (P.A. Davies) Gaddy) and Southern Oconee bells (Shortia galacifolia Torr & Gray) (Diapensiaceae); and bunched arrowhead (Sagittaria fasciculata E.O. Beal (Alismataceae)). We used six loci to genotype Shortia brevistyla (n = 62 ramets; three sites) and S. galacifolia (n = 111 ramets; seven sites) and five loci in Sagittaria fasciculata (n = 162 ramets; eight sites). Ramets were systematically mapped and sampled to allow for clonal assignment in a spatial context. All ramets for S. brevistyla were genetically identical across all loci, while S. galacifolia exhibited variation consistent with a mixed reproductive strategy. Sagittaria fasciculata also exhibited a mixed reproductive strategy with emphasis on clonality. Our data indicate that stem counts are not effective measures for recovery assessment in these species, and a more complex demographic monitoring protocol should be developed. Additional implications for conservation of these species are discussed, including a consideration for federal listing for Shortia brevistyla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nymphoides coronata is an endangered aquatic plant species with significant medicinal and ecological importance. To preserve N. coronata from going extinct, we need to provide seedlings and efficient multiplication techniques so that it can be extensively studied. This study aimed to identify the most suitable sterilization treatment, growth medium, and substrate for the cultivation and propagation of N. coronata. Ethanol sterilization, fungicide treatment, and sterile water washing were the most important sterilization steps. A combination of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) and indoleacetic acid (IAA) was the most suitable medium for bud induction and shoot proliferation. The use of α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) increased the rooting rate and rooting time compared to indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Increasing the concentration of NAA from 0.5 to 1.0 mg/L increased the rooting rate from 78 to 100% and reduced the rooting time from 7 to 5 days. The survival rate of N. coronata seedlings was 100% in a mixture of red soil and sand (1:1, w/w). As a result, the procedure mentioned above could potentially be used to safely propagate this rare species on a large scale. These findings provide valuable insights into the optimal conditions for the successful cultivation and propagation of N. coronata, which can contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of this important rare plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we assembled high-quality chloroplast genomes of Mandragora caulescens through a reference-guided approach using high-throughput Illumina sequencing reads. The resulting chloroplast genome assembly displayed a typical quadripartite structural organization, comprising a large single-copy (LSC) region of 85,233 bp, two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 25,685 bp each, and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,207 bp. The chloroplast genome harbored 141 complete genes, and its overall GC content was 38.0%. In maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) trees, the 19 Solanaceae species formed a monophyletic group, dividing into two main clades. M. caulescens and Nicandra physalodes formed a monophyletic group, suggesting a close relationship between the two species. The M. caulescens cp genome presented in this study lays a good foundation for further genetic and genomic studies of the Solanaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare species are often considered inferior competitors due to occupancy of small ranges, specific habitats, and small local populations. However, the phylogenetic relatedness and rarity level (level 1–7 and common) of interacting species in plant-plant interactions are not often considered when predicting the response of rare plants in a biotic context. We used a common garden of 25 species of Tasmanian Eucalyptus, to differentiate non-additive patterns in the biomass of rare versus common species when grown in mixtures varying in phylogenetic relatedness and rarity. We demonstrate that rare species maintain progressively positive non-additive responses in biomass when interacting with phylogenetically intermediate, less rare and common species. This trend is not reflected in common species that out-performed in monocultures compared to mixtures. These results offer predictability as to how rare species' productivity will respond within various plant-plant interactions. However, species-specific interactions, such as those involving E. globulus, yielded a 97% increase in biomass compared to other species-specific interaction outcomes. These results are important because they suggest that plant rarity may also be shaped by biotic interactions, in addition to the known environmental and population factors normally used to describe rarity. Rare species may utilize potentially facilitative interactions with phylogenetically intermediate and common species to escape the effects of limiting similarity. Biotically mediated increases in rare plant biomass may have subsequent effects on the competitive ability and geographic occurrence of rare species, allowing rare species to persist at low abundance across plant communities. Through the consideration of species rarity and evolutionary history, we can more accurately predict plant-plant interaction dynamics to preserve unique ecosystem functions and fundamentally challenge what it means to be "rare". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why and how organismal lineages radiate is commonly studied through either assessing abiotic factors (biogeography, geomorphological processes, and climate) or biotic factors (traits and interactions). Despite increasing awareness that both abiotic and biotic processes may have important joint effects on diversification dynamics, few attempts have been made to quantify the relative importance and timing of these factors, and their potentially interlinked direct and indirect effects, on lineage diversification. We here combine assessments of historical biogeography, geomorphology, climatic niche, vegetative, and floral trait evolution to test whether these factors jointly, or in isolation, explain diversification dynamics of a Neotropical plant clade (Merianieae, Melastomataceae). After estimating ancestral areas and the changes in niche and trait disparity over time, we employ Phylogenetic Path Analyses as a synthesis tool to test eleven hypotheses on the individual direct and indirect effects of these factors on diversification rates. We find strongest support for interlinked effects of colonization of the uplifting Andes during the mid-Miocene and rapid abiotic climatic niche evolution in explaining a burst in diversification rate in Merianieae. Within Andean habitats, later increases in floral disparity allowed for the exploitation of wider pollination niches (i.e. shifts from bee to vertebrate pollinators), but did not affect diversification rates. Our approach of including both vegetative and floral trait evolution, rare in assessments of plant diversification in general, highlights that the evolution of woody habit and larger flowers preceded the colonization of the Andes, but was likely critical in enabling the rapid radiation in montane environments. Overall, and in concert with the idea that ecological opportunity is a key element of evolutionary radiations, our results suggest that a combination of rapid niche evolution and trait shifts was critical for the exploitation of newly available niche space in the Andes in the mid-Miocene. Further, our results emphasize the importance of incorporating both abiotic and biotic factors into the same analytical framework if we aim to quantify the relative and interlinked effects of these processes on diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Reintroductions or translocations are an increasingly important activity to recover and conserve at‐risk plant species. Yet because many are not published in the scientific literature, learning from previous attempts may often require considerable time and effort. The Center for Plant Conservation Reintroduction Database (CPCRD; https://saveplants.org/reintroduction-database/), a new centralized and standardized repository of U.S.‐based plant reintroductions, aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of accessing data on rare plant reintroductions. Methods: The CPCRD is the product of multiple efforts to assemble information on rare plant reintroductions in the United States. The database comprises a wealth of standardized data on the key stages of a reintroduction, from the planning and implementation phases, to monitoring and management techniques. Results: The CPCRD is a dynamic resource, allowing data contributors to continually update their entries as projects progress. While contributions are ongoing, the CPCRD currently includes 460 projects involving 201 plant taxa, spanning diverse growth forms, ecosystems, and regions. Discussion: The CPCRD and its well‐documented and monitored projects provide a valuable practical resource for conservation practitioners, and have supported multiple scientific studies and contributed to the internationally recognized Center for Plant Conservation Best Practices Guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ludwigia ravenii (G1G2) is a wetland-obligate perennial, endemic to the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The species appears to be relegated to roadside ditches and ruts, and is under review for federal listing. The objectives of this study were to quantitatively assess biotic and abiotic habitat characteristics of extant populations and augment knowledge of the species ecology. Two congeners were selected for comparative analysis: L. alternifolia and L. pilosa. Over two field seasons, data were collected from 108 1 m2 quadrats and variable length transects across the species range. All 17 element occurrences of L. ravenii on record during the 2020--2021 sampling period were visited and 15 (nplots=62) were sampled. Forty-six plots at 14 sites were collectively sampled for the target congeners (L. alternifolia, nplots=27; L. pilosa, nplots=19). Variables assessed included: physical ditch dimensions, aspect, elevation, canopy cover, abiotic and vegetative cover, and edaphic variables (nutrient composition and pH). Data were visualized using NMS and PCA, and analyzed using ANOVA and post-hoc tests. Only PCA showed distinct clustering of quadrats of L. ravenii along soil fertility gradients. Quadrats of L. ravenii exhibited median values compared to congeners in many measured variables, including canopy cover, species richness, and Shannon's diversity index. Quadrats of L. ravenii differed most strongly from congeners by more acidic mean soil pH (4.68±0.05). Although no single species emerged as an ideal indicator, the combination of L. linearis and Kellochloa verrucosa was found highly suggestive of suitable habitat for L. ravenii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the host diversity and characteristics of the rare parasitic plant Silverberry-like taxillus (Taxillus yadoriki). Seogwipo, Jeju Island, where T. yadoriki grows naturally, was examined to clarify the diversity of host species, their location, and the part of the tree where T. yadoriki is attached. A total of 687 host trees were found. Taxillus yadoriki was intensively distributed in the lowlands below 200 m a.s.l. The host trees belonged to 40 species, four varieties, three cultivars, and two hybrids from 32 genera and 21 families, of which 23 taxa were identified as host plants for the first time in this study. Incredibly, this plant was found to be able to parasitize a variety of plants from 12 orders. Taxillus yadoriki was found to be parasitic in three orders of Gymnosperms, Ginkgoales, Cupressales, and Pinales, as well as nine orders of Angiosperms, including Magnoliales, Rosales, and Ericales. Rosaceae was the most diverse at 18.0%, and most species were broad-leaved and arboreal. Among them, Cryptomeria japonica and Litsea japonica had the highest frequency of parasitization and T. yadoriki was mainly attached to the upper part of the main tree and the main branch; as a result, T. yadoriki was distributed and showed specificity in the position of disturbance on the host. T. yadoriki's specific distribution model was built as a Maxent program. The area under the curve of the receiver operation characteristic was 0.948 ± 0.026 (mean ± standard deviation), and the performance of the constructed model was excellent. Of the total eight environmental factors, density of artistic forest and meant temperature of coldest quarter accounted for 75.3% of the total importance, which was the main distribution determinant of species. In the average distribution probability map of T. yadoriki, the critical probability for determining distribution was calculated to be 0.2898 ± 0.1018. Accordingly, the distribution of species is predicted to expand from Jeju Island to the entire southern and southeastern coasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Alstonia belonging to the Apocyanaceae family is represented by 44 species distributed worldwide. In India, the taxon is represented by eight species, reported from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, western Himalaya, and northeastern regions. The present study reported the occurrence of Alstonia sebusii from Pudunamei village, Mao, a new addition to the flora of Manipur. Detailed morphological descriptions and measurements were recorded based on living plant specimens. The plant is locally called 'Topfiira Koso Pro' having ethno-medicinal properties and widely been used by local people of the state to treat various ailments. The plant is rare and found to occur at specific location at Pudunamei village. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fundamental goal of a rare plant translocation is to create self‐sustaining populations with the evolutionary resilience to persist in the long term. Yet, most plant translocation syntheses focus on a few factors influencing short‐term benchmarks of success (e.g., survival and reproduction). Short‐term benchmarks can be misleading when trying to infer future growth and viability because the factors that promote establishment may differ from those required for long‐term persistence. We assembled a large (n = 275) and broadly representative data set of well‐documented and monitored (7.9 years on average) at‐risk plant translocations to identify the most important site attributes, management techniques, and species' traits for six life‐cycle benchmarks and population metrics of translocation success. We used the random forest algorithm to quantify the relative importance of 29 predictor variables for each metric of success. Drivers of translocation outcomes varied across time frames and success metrics. Management techniques had the greatest relative influence on the attainment of life‐cycle benchmarks and short‐term population trends, whereas site attributes and species' traits were more important for population persistence and long‐term trends. Specifically, large founder sizes increased the potential for reproduction and recruitment into the next generation, whereas declining habitat quality and the outplanting of species with low seed production led to increased extinction risks and a reduction in potential reproductive output in the long‐term, respectively. We also detected novel interactions between some of the most important drivers, such as an increased probability of next‐generation recruitment in species with greater seed production rates, but only when coupled with large founder sizes. Because most significant barriers to plant translocation success can be overcome by improving techniques or resolving site‐level issues through early intervention and management, we suggest that by combining long‐term monitoring with adaptive management, translocation programs can enhance the prospects of achieving long‐term success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of ecological knowledge is a major challenge for effective conservation of threatened plant species in Australia as disturbance events, such as wildfire, increase in frequency and magnitude. Rapid on‐ground surveys are increasingly important to inform recovery strategies for rare and threatened plants in response to extreme wildfire events, yet resources are rarely available to deploy time‐sensitive surveys. Here, we utilize a rapid on‐ground survey and monitoring program to document basic biological and ecological information for 21 rare and threatened plant species from the New England bioregion in northern New South Wales, which were affected by the catastrophic 2019–2020 megafires. Our results fill an important knowledge gap of ecology, population size, distribution and response to fire for these taxa, document for the first time a species distribution pattern within the Torrington State Conservation Area and reveal previously undocumented plant–insect interactions for nine species, including likely pollination of Persoonia terminalis ssp. terminalis and Monotaxis macrophylla by native bee (Hymenoptera) and fly (Diptera) species. Our findings reveal that two species (Cassinia heleniae and Hakea macrorrhyncha) have scarce distribution and low population sizes, despite neither having a conservation listing and their threat status should be urgently assessed. Simple rapid on‐ground surveys can be more cost effective for delivering long‐term conservation outcomes for rare and threatened taxa and we advocate that future funding and prioritisation processes must support the immediate delivery of such surveys in response to disturbance events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk factors that make rare plant taxa particularly susceptible to population declines include a self-incompatible breeding system combined with small population size, small range, and isolated populations separated by unsuitable habitat. Phlox pilosa ssp. sangamonensis is an endangered, self-incompatible, and narrowly endemic taxon with isolated population fragments in east-central Illinois. Here we combined a field and genetic study of Phlox pilosa ssp. sangamonensis as a study of its taxonomic status and conservation, especially because some of its remaining populations are small (< 30 flowering individuals). First, we used six polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci developed for P. pilosa ssp. pilosa to characterize the genetics of 212 individuals in all 10 known populations of P. pilosa ssp. sangamonensis. We tested the taxon's genetic differentiation from congeners in east-central Illinois: two populations of Phlox pilosa ssp. fulgida, two populations of Phlox pilosa ssp. pilosa, and three populations of Phlox divaricata ssp. laphamii. We also quantified reproduction in each population. We surveyed fruit set for three years and tested correlations with flowering population size and distance to other flowering individuals. For one year, we collected data on seed set from successfully formed capsules. Phlox pilosa ssp. sangamonensis was genetically distinct from, and had putatively lower genetic variation, than Phlox divaricata ssp. laphamii, Phlox pilosa ssp. fulgida, and Phlox pilosa ssp. pilosa. Overall genetic diversity in P. pilosa ssp. sangamonensis appeared low, especially in small populations. Fruit set was positively associated with P. pilosa ssp. sangamonensis population size, with larger population (> 100 flowering individuals) fruit set being more than twice as high compared to smaller (< 30 flowering individuals) ones. Across populations, individuals with a greater distance to flowering neighbors also showed reduced fruit set, although the relationship was not as strong as for population size. In the year we studied seed set, we also found a positive association between population size and seed set, with approximately 30% more seeds per capsule being produced in the larger populations relative to small ones. Our data suggest that P. pilosa ssp. sangamonensis is a genetically distinct taxon from nearby Phlox taxa, and its smaller populations could be at risk of further decline, possibly due to mate or pollen limitation, and/or low genetic diversity. Management for this endangered taxon should facilitate recruitment in small (< 100 flowering individuals) populations and maintain habitat quality for the large populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aeridas rosea and Eria lasiopetala are the species of rare and endangered orchids of uttrakhand region. These species deal with the in vitro propagation methods. For green pod culture, three Nutrient media Murashige and skoog (MS Media), Knudson Media (KC Media) and stock Solution of MS Media were tested by adding different concentration of growth regulators. MS Media supplemented with growth regulators 1.5mg/L NAA and 1.5mg/L BAP were found to be the most effective media for the development of protocorn like body(PLBs). This study is helpful in the propagation of these rare Orchids Plants at lower elevation, which could be a successful effort of conservation of rare Orchid plants and this could also reduce pressure on its population in the Wild. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Bangladesh, there are significant number of medicinal plants, but currently no comprehensive record of these valuable species is publicly available. Alarmingly, some of these plants are in a precarious state of endangerment. Therefore, we are creating a unique dataset of Bangladeshʼs rare, endangered, and threatened medicinal plants to support conservation efforts. It will help us to track and conserve endangered plant species, ensuring a more organized approach to research and preservation efforts. We conducted on-site visits to the National Botanical Garden and The Government Unani and Ayurvedic Medical College, capturing photographs of these plants in optimal sunlight conditions at various times of the day. This involved fieldwork, detailed image annotations, dataset organization, diversity augmentation, and contribution to the preservation of our natural heritage. We have collected a total of 16 types of rare and endangered medicinal plant leaf photos to create our unique dataset consisting of a total of 3494 images. This dataset will help researchers in biodiversity conservation through building efficient machine learning models and applying advanced machine learning techniques to identify rare and endangered medicinal plants.

During the present biodiversity crisis, rare and endangered plants can be conserved ex situ in botanic gardens or seed banks. Ex situ collections distributed among multiple locations—"metacollections"—can safeguard against extinction but must represent adequate genetic diversity to be resilient to changing environments. Previous analyses have revealed strategies to create genetically diverse metacollections of plants with diverse life histories. However, past work has neglected important aspects of metacollection conservation: rare alleles, redundancy (duplication of alleles to be resilient to loss), geographic coverage, and relatedness. Therefore, we assessed two existing large metacollections (>250 individuals) of two International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List threatened plant species— Quercus acerifolia , a wind-pollinated oak, and Zamia integrifolia , an insect-pollinated cycad—for these previously neglected aspects of metacollection genetic conservation. We found that large metacollections of both species conserved genetic diversity well: over 80% of all alleles were conserved in at least one copy, and ∼70% of alleles were represented in five to 10 copies. Metacollections, however, could still be improved. The rare genetic diversity of Z. integrifolia was less well conserved than that of Q. acerifolia , and several wild populations of both species are precariously undersampled. Ex situ collections also contained high relatedness, which may hamper restoration efforts. Although large metacollections are commendable for their size and breadth, examining metacollections for these facets allowed a more holistic evaluation of genetic diversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Translocation of rare plant species to their original habitat is an increasingly used conservation approach around the world. However, we lack information on the factors affecting translocation outcomes. Research on the influence of seed provenance on plant fitness is limited in the context of translocations using plug plants. This study aims at exploring the effect of seed origin on vegetative and floral performances of three species (Arnica montana L., Campanula glomerata L. and Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench) in eight populations (of 500 to 700 individuals each from two to five different origins) translocated in Belgium. We recorded for 4 to 8 years the survival of each plant, its fertility, the length of the longest flower stem or rosette diameter (depending on the species), the number of flower stems and the number of flowers (or flower heads) per flower stem. The results show that the origin of the seeds significantly impacted the three species studied for at least three performance variables, but no origin was superior to the others in all the measured variables. A combined effect of seed origin, site and year has also been observed. The seed origin effect persisted over the years, suggesting that this factor is at least as important as habitat suitability or environmental stochasticity. These results show the importance of the choice of the source population in the context of translocations and strongly support a multisource and multisite approach for future translocations of threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi‐year and multi‐site demographic data for rare plants allow researchers to observe threats and project population growth rates and thus long‐term persistence of the species, generating knowledge, which allows for effective conservation planning. Demographic studies across more than a decade are extremely rare but allow for the effects of threats to be observed and assessed within the context of interannual environmental variation. We collected demographic data on the Threatened plant Cirsium pitcheri in two sites from 2011–2022. These sites were chosen because one exhibited the presence of non‐native seed predators while the other did not, and we hypothesized that we would see declines and potentially extinction of the population threatened by predation. Over the course of our study, we observed additional threats, such as human trampling and high lake levels, which led to significant erosion, sand burial, and storm damage to plants. We find high interannual variation in vital rates and population growth rates for both populations, which mask the overall effects of predation. We observed dramatic declines in plant survivorship and population growth rates in both sites in the years with high lake levels. We conclude that high lake levels, which are expected to become more frequent with climate change, pose a significant threat to all near‐shore populations of C. pitcheri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petrosaviales is an early diverging monocot order that includes only two genera with distinct nutritional modes, namely the autotrophic Japonolirion and mycoheterotrophic Petrosavia. A rare serpentine plant endemic to Japan, Japonolirionosense is the only species of this genus. Although Petrosavia species are known to produce seeds by autonomous self‐pollination, the mating system and flower visitors of J. osense remain unknown. In this study, the pollination biology of J. osense was investigated on a serpentine slope in northern Hokkaido, Japan. Pollination experiments suggested that J. osense predominantly depends on cross‐pollination by insect pollinators for seed production. Ants and dipterans were the main flower visitors to this species. This study showed that the two genera in Petrosaviales with distinct nutritional modes also have contrasting mating systems, which provides insights into the evolution of pollination biology in this early diverging monocot order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an overview of the integrated conservation efforts for Yulania zenii, an endangered plant species in China. The Shanghai Botanical Garden has taken measures to collect and preserve rare and endangered species, including Y. zenii. The article emphasizes the importance of ex situ conservation and the establishment of a demonstration site for the protection of this tree species. It also discusses the threats to Y. zenii, propagation methods, in situ and ex situ conservation efforts, stakeholder engagement, and raising awareness about the conservation of endangered species. The document acknowledges the individuals and organizations involved in the Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Sustainable Plant Innovation and the Shanghai Botanical Garden, as well as the financial support received from BGCI and the Shanghai Science and Technology Planning Project. Additionally, it mentions a Biodiversity Exhibition scheduled for 2021. [Extracted from the article]

Guizhou Botanical Garden, in Guizhou Province, China has carried out a series of research on the conservation of rare and endangered plants, including field investigation, ex situ conservation, reproduction, scientific research and reintroduction, all of which aid in the conservation of plant species and contribute towards the CBD Global Biodiversity Gardens (GBF). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammi L. is a small genus of economically important plants belonging to Apiaceae family that includes only six taxa. In the present study the chemical composition of the essential oil from aerial parts of Ammi crinitum Guss., a very rare plant, endemic of Sicily, was analyzed by GC–MS. No previously paper has been published on this species. The results showed the presence of large quantity of monoterpene hydrocarbons with sabinene (63.9%), as the most abundant component. Other metabolites present in good quantity were γ-terpinene (8.0%), and 4-terpineol (3.7%). Based on the composition of the essential oil of all the other Ammi taxa, several considerations have been carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wuyi Mountain, located in the north of Fujian Province, China, is renowned for its abundant medicinal plant resources. In July 2014, the 8th (second team) of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University's Chinese Medicine Resources Scientific Expedition Team conducted field investigation in the area. Through specimen collection and extensive literature review, the team identified and analyzed 223 vascular plant species from 175 genera and 85 families. The most dominant families were Compositae and Rosaceae, and perennial herbs were the predominant species, accounting for 44.39% of the total species identified. Notably, we documented five precious and rare medicinal plants unique to Wuyi Mountain. This study updates the database of plant resources and diversity in the region, providing a valuable reference for future studies. Finally, we put forward some suggestions to enhance the conservation and sustainable utilization of Wuyi Mountain's plant resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuwiedia singapureana is a rare and endangered plant of the Apostasioideae subfamily. The Apostasioideae subfamily has a unique evolutionary status, as it is considered to be the most primitive group forming the base of the Orchidaceae evolutionary tree. Therefore, N. singapureana has high scientific research and conservation value. The endophytic fungal communities associated with orchids are rich and diverse, but few studies have investigated the endophytic fungi of Neuwiedia orchid plants. In the present study, the aim was to examine the endophytic fungal community structures associated with wild N. singapureana rhizomes and normal roots in the ground and with bare prop roots in the air at two sampling sites in China. High-throughput sequencing of nuclear ribosomal DNA fragments of the internal transcribed spacer regions was conducted, and cultivable methods were adopted. A total of 2161 endophytic fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained at a 97% sequence similarity threshold. The endophytic fungal diversity differed among the samples but not significantly. There were many more non-mycorrhizal endophytic fungal than orchid mycorrhizal (OM) fungal species detected in the N. singapureana orchid, about 98.33% OTUs of non-mycorrhizal fungi contrasting with 1.67% OTUs of potential orchid mycorrhizal fungi, among which Ceratobasidiaceae, Russulaceae, and Thelephoraceae were the dominant orchid mycorrhizal fungi. One culturable OM fungal Epulorhiza sp. isolated from the rhizome was capable of significantly promoting the seed germination and seedling growth of Dendrobium officinale and Epidendrum secundum orchids, respectively, with different efficiencies. These endophytic fungal strains with growth-promoting functions will provide materials for orchid conservation and for the study of the mechanisms underlying orchid symbiotic associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decline in seedling growth of Malania oleifera as the age increases is often observed in the absence of host plants. A better knowledge of nutrient dynamics in terms of concentration and distribution patterns in different parts of the declining seedlings, the concentrations of N, P, and K were comparatively analyzed in various organs of unattached M. oleifera seedlings grown for half a year, two years, and three years. Additionally, the starch content and distribution patterns in the roots and stems of seedlings with different vigor levels were qualitatively assessed by staining cross-sections. The results were as follows:(1)As the growth vigor of M. oleifera seedlings declined, the concentrations of N, P, and K in most organs decreased, except for a significant increase in K concentration in lateral roots. The leaf N/P ratios of the declining seedlings became increasingly imbalanced, indicating different nutrient deficiency types among the seedlings with varying decline degrees. Unattached M. oleifera seedlings grown for half a year were primarily limited by insufficient N supply(with an average N/P ratio of 11.33)and subsequently by P limitation after two years(average N/P ratio 17.81). The leaf N/P ratio of unattached M. oleifera seedlings grown for three years was remarkably imbalanced(with an average value of 52.46). As the growth vigor of unattached three-year seedlings was considerably low, they are deemed unsuitable for afforestation.(2)A decrease in starch content was observed in declining seedlings, as evidenced by the reduced staining intensity of cross-sections. After three years, the starch content of unattached M. oleifera seedlings was found to have decreased to an extremely low level. Significant differences in starch content were observed at various locations, including the connecting point of the stems and roots, the basal swelling top of the root, the main root, and lateral roots, among seedlings with different degrees of decline. These findings suggested that starch content levels could serve as crucial criteria for evaluating the growth vigor of seedlings. Specifically, lateral roots were identified as optimal sampling materials for assessing seedling growth vigor through a minimally invasive method. Given the gradual decline in vitality and decreased nutrient content observed in M. oleifera seedlings grown in the absence of a host plant, it is recommended, during the propagation phase, to ensure adequate mineral nutrient supplementation, select appropriate host plants for cultivation, and facilitate early-stage transplantation. This proactive approach serves to mitigate a potential decline in survival rates during afforestation, attributed to the reduced vitality of the seedlings. The results of this study provide valuable information for evaluating seedling growth vigor and offer scientific guidance for rational fertilization in M. oleifera nurseries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Rafflesia are rare holoparasitic plants. In the Philippines, all but one species are found only on single islands. This study aimed to better understand the factors contributing to this distributional pattern. Specifically, we sought to determine whether narrow environmental tolerances of host and/or parasite species might explain their island endemicity. Methods: We used Maxent species distribution modeling to identify areas with suitable habitat for R. lagascae, R. lobata, and R. speciosa and their Tetrastigma host species. These analyses were carried out for current climate conditions and two future climate change scenarios. Results: Although species distribution models indicated suitable environmental conditions for the Tetrastigma host species in many parts of the Philippines, considerably fewer areas were inferred to have suitable conditions for the three Rafflesia species. Some of these areas are on islands from which they have not been reported. All three species will face significant threats as a result of climate change. Conclusions: Our results suggest that limited inter‐island dispersibility and/or specific environmental requirements are likely responsible for the current pattern of island endemicity of the three Rafflesia species, rather than environmental requirements of their Tetrastigma host species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the effects of seed predation, dispersal, and recruitment on the population dynamics of rare plant species is essential for generating effective management strategies. Unfortunately for most rare plants, the parameterization of these processes is limited and generally not included in demographic analyses. This exclusion can lead to biased estimates of vital rates and overall population growth rates, as well as limit inferences about inter-population processes like colonization and demographic rescue that can affect population viability. Based on previous empirical studies from Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) North Carolina (USA), we constructed a spatially explicit demographic model that accounts for pre-dispersal seed predation, dispersal, and habitat suitability for Lindera subcoriacea (bog spicebush), a rare shrub in the southeastern United States. We demographically modeled three scenarios: S1 did not include any of the three parameters; S2 accounted for seed predation and dispersal; and S3 included all three of the parameters. Results suggested that pre-dispersal seed predation, dispersal, and habitat suitability negatively impact the population growth rates of bog spicebush relative to the naïve demographic model. After 100 annual time steps, scenarios S1, S2, and S3 led to a 96%, 49%, and 1% increase in population size, respectively. In addition, over the course of 100 years, results of scenarios S2 and S3 demonstrated limited increases in site occupancy, with newly occupied areas located < 1 km from previously occupied habitat. Our results suggest additional parameterization of plant demographic models may be an informative endeavor and warranted, even in the absence of empirical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background. Herminium monorchis (L.) R. Br. – rare species of the Orchid family, included in the Red Book of Penza region. Monitoring of the cenopopulation of the species on the Olshansky solonetz is necessary to assess the current state and forecast in order to preserve it. Materials and methods. H. monorchis develops on soils of varying degrees of salinity in the composition of meadows of different types on the Olshanskiy solonetz. In 2013, 2021, 2023 geobotanical descriptions were made, the ontogenetic structure was studied, and the ecological density of the cenopopulation, the Δ and ω indices were determined. Results. The area of the H. monorchis cenopopulation on the Olshanskiy solonetz has not decreased over 10 years of observations. The species is confined to associations of saline and steppe meadows formed by Centaurea jacea, Equisetum arvense, Inula salicina, Senecio schvetzovii, Ononis arvensi, Calamagrostis epigeios, Thalictrum simplex. At low salinity, H. monorchis plays the role of an assector in them. With an increase in the degree of salinity, its participation in the composition of plant communities increases – it becomes a co-dominant and dominant. The ecological density of the cenopopulation is very high, increasing with increasing salt content. Population is normal. Ontogenetic spectra in 2013 are righthanded, with a predominance of generative individuals, in 2023 they are bimodal with a maximum on generative ones on immature plants. Self-maintenance of the population occurs mainly due to vegetative reproduction, which ensures the rejuvenation of individuals to the immature age state, and to a lesser extent by seed (a low proportion of juvenile individuals). A high renewability index indicates the stability of the population due to efficient reproduction. Indices of age and efficiency are typical for maturing and mature populations. Among the generative individuals, plants of reduced and low vitality predominate due to the toxic effect of salts. The life form of a vegetative annual allows the species to increase its competitiveness in saline conditions compared to other meadow grasses. Conclusions. The condition of the H. monorchis cenopopulation at the Olshanskiy solonetz is relatively favorable. Further monitoring of the state of the cenopopulation should be continued in order to timely identify possible adverse changes.

Background: Dioecy, a sexual system of single-sexual (gynoecious/androecious) individuals, is rare in flowering plants. This rarity may be a result of the frequent transition from dioecy into systems with co-sexual individuals. Results: In this study, co-sexual expression (monoecy and hermaphroditic development), previously thought to be polyploid-specific in Diospyros species, was identified in the diploid D. oleifeara historically. We characterized potential genetic mechanisms that underlie the dissolution of dioecy to monoecy and andro(gyno)monoecy, based on multiscale genome-wide investigations of 150 accessions of Diospyros oleifera. We found all co-sexual plants, including monoecious and andro(gyno)monoecious individuals, possessed the male determinant gene OGI, implying the presence of genetic factors controlling gynoecia development in genetically male D. oleifera. Importantly, discrepancies in the OGI/MeGI module were found in diploid monoecious D. oleifera compared with polyploid monoecious D. kaki, including no Kali insertion on the promoter of OGI, no different abundance of smRNAs targeting MeGI (a counterpart of OGI), and no different expression of MeGI between female and male floral buds. On the contrary, in both single- and co-sexual plants, female function was expressed in the presence of a genome-wide decrease in methylation levels, along with sexually distinct regulatory networks of smRNAs and their targets. Furthermore, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified a genomic region and a DUF247 gene cluster strongly associated with the monoecious phenotype and several regions that may contribute to andromonoecy. Conclusions: Collectively, our findings demonstrate stable breakdown of the dioecious system in D. oleifera, presumably also a result of genomic features of the Y-linked region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stachys brachyclada de Noé ex Coss. (Lamiaceae) is a quite rare medicinal plant endemic to the Mediterranean basin. In this study, seven secondary metabolites from a methanol extract of its leaves have been isolated and identified by a combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR experiments and ESIMS analysis). They include one ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (1), three acylated flavone glycosides (2-4), one diapigenin derivative (5) and two flavone aglycones (6-7). Stachysetin (5) was found the major compound of the extract (74.0 mg/g of dry matter). Moreover, the produced extract showed the ability in inhibiting the α-glucosidase enzyme (IC50 = 13.7 µg/mL), in quenching the radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (EC50 = 74.6 µg/mL), and in reducing the intracellular oxidative stress level in Human Dermal Fibroblast (64% inhibition at 50 µg/mL). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for new bioactive substances with anticancer activity and the understanding of their mechanisms of action are high priorities in the research effort toward more effective cancer treatments. In this article, we analyzed, for the first time, the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) hydrodistilled from the aerial parts of Vicia ochroleuca Ten. (Leguminosae) by GC-MS. A total of sixteen compounds representing 82.2% of the total composition were identified. The major compounds were phytone (20.11%), hexadecanoic acid (10.23%), 1-octen-3-ol (9.84%), and 10-epia-cadinol (7.13%). Additionally, using the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) method, the EO was tested in vitro against a panel of human cancer cells, including breast (MDA-MB 231), colon (HCT116), melanoma (A375), and glioblastoma (T98G), with corresponding IC50 values of 23.07, 47.05, 51.64, and 64.07 lg/mL, respectively. The results demonstrate cytotoxic activity and suggest that V. ochroleuca EO could be regarded as a natural bioactive source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podzol soils (Podzol) sampled in the area affected by the rare metal plant in the Murmansk oblast were analyzed using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to determine the bulk content of 14 rare earth elements (REEs) and the contents of their water-soluble, exchangeable, and mobile species. The mean bulk content of ΣREE in the soil sampled near tailings amounts to 594.9 mg/kg (218.2–1177.6 mg/kg), which is considerably higher as compared with the conventionally background soil (90.4 mg/kg, 79.45–101.35 mg/kg). The contents of individual REEs in the examined soils follow those in the mill tailings of loparite ores, thereby confirming the impact of mining activities on the content and distribution of REEs. The calculated REE enrichment factors (EFs) for soils vary from insignificant (EFΣREE = 2.4) to high (EFΣREE = 13.0). High EF values coincide with wind directions, suggesting an airborne technogenic nature of soil pollution caused by the dusting of tailings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the plurality of referents associated with the term "dragon's blood" ("sanguis draconis"), a legendary substance that brings together Greco-Roman and Arabic medical knowledge, local vernacular traditions and artisanal practices, and new Spanish and Portuguese botanical discoveries. The study of dragon's blood reveals the interface between overlapping epistemic paradigms governing the definition, use, and circulation of complex material substances in early modern Europe, ranging from humanist learned discussions and artisanal experimentation to vernacular narratives of discovery, along with the shifting criteria of truth, authenticity, and value advocated by different communities of learning and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The screening of rare plants from the Yucatan region and the known native plants in Mexico, that have been successfully introduced worldwide, has been conducted. Based on a literature analysis and a search of English and Spanish scientific information regarding botanical, plant biochemical, and antioxidant potential in databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, as well as the national databases of Mexico (Flora: Yucatan Peninsula (cicy.mx) and Especies endémicas|Biodiversidad Mexicana), rare or underutilized plants from the Yucatan region with antioxidant potential have been selected. The formulas of the most studied secondary metabolites of these selected rare plants are shown. Among the selected rare plants with antioxidant potential, the families Sapidaceae and Anacardiaceae had the highest number of representatives. Additionally, representatives from the families Annonaceae, Moraceae, Malpighiaceae, Solanaceae, Ebenaceae, Asteraceae, Ranunculaceae, and Leguminosae were also presented. The current scientific data analysis of selected rare plants from the Yucatan region, Mexico, provides significant background for their further use and introduction in not only the Yucatan region of Mexico, but also worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arid tropical archipelagos, such as the Galapagos Islands, host a high concentration of endemic plant species, many of which require restoration intervention to recover from past environmental degradation. Water-saving technologies (WSTs) have potential for hastening restoration by providing plants with additional water during the early stages of growth. However, it remains unclear whether such technologies provide an advantage for plant species of arid-tropical regions. This study examined the effect of the water-saving technology Groasis Waterboxx®(Groasis) on the rare endemic plant species Scalesia affinis ssp. brachyloba during early stages of restoration. Survival was monitored for 374 individuals planted across six sites on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos (326 with technology and 48 as controls). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the use of Groasis reduced mortality during the first two years of the seedling survival. A mixed-effect logistic regression that modelled plant survival as a function of total precipitation, maximum temperature, and WST treatment (Groasis and notechnology control) found that despite low overall survival rates, plants grown with Groasis exhibited a three-fold higher predicted survival by the end of the 3.7 year duration of the study. Finally, through a resampling method, we demonstrate that the effect of the WST treatment is not dependent on the unbalanced design typical of a restoration project framework. We conclude that water-saving technologies such as the Groasis Waterboxx® can enhance survival of rare plant species such as S. affinis ssp. brachyloba in restoration programs in arid-tropical regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Phagnalon Cass. (Asteraceae) is composed of widely distributed species and most of them, due to the medicinal properties they possess, are widely used in folk medicine but also as spices in the culinary field. The polar and non-polar extracts, as well as the complex mixtures of their essential oils, from several Phagnalon species and ssp., have shown antibiotic, antiviral, cytotoxic, and several other biological properties. In this work, the chemical composition and the antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant properties of the Jordan accession of Phagnalon sinaicum Bornm. & Kneuck. essential oil (EO), an extremely rare plant that grows in ravines in the Middle East, were investigated. The EO, analyzed by GC-MS, was found to be rich in terpenoid compounds, and, in particular, in oxygenated monoterpenes, with the main compound being artemisia ketone (22.3%), followed by α-thujone (17.7%), and santolin alcohol (14.8%). The EO had good antimicrobial activity, especially against Escherichia coli Gram-negative bacterium (3 mg/mL MIC values) and was also effective in counteracting in vitro biofilm formation. Furthermore, this EO showed low cytotoxicity against immortalized human keratinocytes lines, but had good antioxidant activity on the same eukaryotic cellular models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]