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Species of Apiaceae, despite uniform floral structure, show great variation in floral morphs and sexual distribution. In the present study, the ontogeny of the diclinous flowers within the cage‐shaped inflorescences of the andromonoecious Dicyclophora persica Boiss. was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to determine if they follow the same ontogenetic processes. The development of an interesting, unusual club‐like organ in the center of the umbel was also studied. Our findings show that the floral organs in diclinous flowers follow the same pattern. Petals initiate in a clockwise direction, while stamens form in a helical pattern. The perfect central sessile flower in the umbellet, despite sepal suppression, was synchronized with inner staminate flowers in the initiation of petals, stamens, and carpels. In staminate flowers, two prominent sepals initiate after the inception of the stamens. Ovules only get aborted in the late stages. The club‐like organ initiates from a naked receptacle that has no resemblances to umbellets or flowers. In perfect flowers, the delayed initiation and prolonged spatial constraints are caused by bracts and massive staminate flowers which suppress the sepals and make them sessile. Considering the ovule suppression, staminate flowers may be adapted to prevent the perfect flowers from being exposed to extreme environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims The California Floristic Province (CA-FP) is the most species-rich region of North America north of Mexico. One of several proposed hypotheses explaining the exceptional diversity of the region is that the CA-FP harbours myriad recently diverged lineages with nascent reproductive barriers. Salvia subgenus Audibertia is a conspicuous element of the CA-FP, with multiple sympatric and compatible species. Methods Using 305 nuclear loci and both organellar genomes, we reconstruct species trees, examine genomic discordance, conduct divergence-time estimation, and analyse contemporaneous patterns of gene flow and mechanical reproductive isolation. Key Results Despite strong genomic discordance, an underlying bifurcating tree is supported. Organellar genomes capture additional introgression events not detected in the nuclear genome. Most interfertility is found within clades, indicating that reproductive barriers arise with increasing genetic divergence. Species are generally not mechanically isolated, suggesting that it is unlikely to be the primary factor leading to reproductive isolation. Conclusions Rapid, recent speciation with some interspecific gene flow in conjunction with the onset of a Mediterranean-like climate is the underlying cause of extant diversity in Salvia subgenus Audibertia. Speciation has largely not been facilitated by gene flow. Its signal in the nuclear genome seems to mostly be erased by backcrossing, but organellar genomes each capture different instances of historical gene flow, probably characteristic of many CA-FP lineages. Mechanical reproductive isolation appears to be only part of a mosaic of factors limiting gene flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and species, Castrila latens, native to the south‐eastern Iberian Peninsula, is described here for the first time and compared with its closest relatives. The plant is characterized by being annual, glabrous, having reduplicate leaves in whorls of (5)6–7, inflorescences capitate and involucrate, corolla shortly hypocrateriform and white, with yellowish doliiform tube, stamens included, and ovary and mericarps densely papillose. An endemic plant, it grows on the calcareous mountains of the Sierra Seca, Sierra de Castril, and Sierra de la Cabrilla, between 1800 and 2100 m of elevation, in the Granada and Jaén provinces (eastern Andalusia, Spain). For this genus and species, a description, an illustration, a distribution map, the chromosome number, the assessment of the conservation status, an estimate of the breeding system, and the situation in the Rubieae phylogenetic tree are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement Summary The discovery of a new genus within the family Thismiaceae, known as fairy lanterns, marks a significant scientific milestone in Japan, a country renowned for its botanical research. The unearthing of a new genus, especially in a well‐documented flora like Japan, is both rare and monumental. Unlike other fairy lanterns that bloom under leaf litter and can be easily overlooked, the new genus and species, Relictithismia kimotsukiensis, often does not even emerge above the surface of the soil when flowering. This captivating characteristic not only enriches our knowledge of botanical diversity but also emphasizes the importance of preserving natural habitats that harbor such rare species.The family Thismiaceae, known as “fairy lanterns”, is distinguished by its urn‐ or bell‐shaped, glasswork‐like flowers with basally fused tepals and its dependence on specific fungi for carbon. A new genus and species, Relictithismia kimotsukiensis, has been discovered in southern Japan. This species is notable for its unique anther‐stigma contact, hitherto unreported in the other Thismiaceae. Unlike typical fairy lanterns that bloom just above the leaf litter, Relictithismia often flowers beneath it. The underground habit is potentially associated with self‐pollination. The discovery of Relictithismia enhances our understanding of evolutionary pathways within the Thismiaceae, as it possesses characteristics previously thought to be unique to Thismia (the annulus with drooping stamens) as well as traits found in other genera (free stamens without expanded connectives). This paper reviews the morphology, ecology, and evolutionary history of Relictithismia, offering insights into the peculiarities of these enigmatic plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Berberidaceae, the phylogenetic position and systematic affinities of the monotypic genus Nandina have long been debated and remain unclear. In addition, previous comparative studies have provided conflicting reports on the origin and development of its petals. Using scanning electron microscopy and microtome sections, we studied the structure and development of the flower and perianth in Nandina domestica to re-evaluate its affinities and homology of its petals. Our results confirm that N. domestica essentially shares the same Bauplan (organization) with other Berberidaceae and its petals are neither delayed in development nor much differentiated from sepals. However, we sometimes also observed the initiation of additional primordia that become confluent with the base of stamens of the outer whorl, but do not develop further and are no longer visible in later stages of development. Our study thus not only reconciles previous conflicting interpretations on the origin and development of petals in Nandina , but also confirms that it has a unique suite of vegetative and reproductive features supporting its position as a distinct member of the family. In addition, it suggests that the most recent common ancestors of both Berberidaceae and Ranunculales probably had two types of petaloid organs with distinct origin and development but still sharing a deep common genetic identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new species Rosa aharbalensis is described and illustrated from Tehsil Damhal Hanjipura of Jammu and Kashmir. It is morphologically similar to Rosa canina, but characterized by having velvety leaves, leaves with up to 9 leaflets, hairy stipules with glandular margins, hairy and eglandular pedicels, one bract and two bracteoles, sepal margins with numerous pinnae, emarginate and obcordate petals, hairy style, larger number of hips per inflorescence, more numerous stamens per flower, hips (pseudo fruits) sub‐globose to ovoid, achenes with sparse hairs, thin pollen exine and indistinct striae and narrow grooves on the exine surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Evolution of cross‐pollination efficiency depends on the genetic variation of flower traits, the pollen vector, and flower trait matching between pollen donors and recipients. Trait matching has been almost unexplored among nonheterostylous species, and we examined whether the match of anther length in pollen donors and stigma length in pollen recipients influences the efficiency of cross‐pollination. To explore potential constraints for evolutionary response, we also quantified genetic variation and covariation among sepal length, petal length and width, stamen length, style length, and herkogamy. Methods: We created 58 experimental arrays of Turnera velutina that varied in the extent of mismatch in the position of anthers and stigmas between single‐flowered plants. Genetic variation and correlations among flower traits were estimated under greenhouse conditions. Results: Style length, but not herkogamy, influenced the efficiency of cross‐pollination. Plants with stamen length that matched the style length of other plants were more efficient pollen donors, whereas those with the style protruding above the stamens of other plants were more efficient pollen recipients. Significant broad‐sense heritability (0.22 > hB2 < 0.42) and moderate genetic correlations (0.33 > r < 0.85) among floral traits were detected. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that anther‐stigma mismatch between flowers contributed to variation in the efficiency of cross‐pollination. The genetic correlations between stamen length and other floral traits suggests that any change in cross‐pollination efficiency would be driven by changes in style rather than in stamen length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that ethylene levels in flower buds are key to sex determination in plants. However, the roles of ethylene in wheat flower development are poorly understood. In this study, pistillody wheat HTS-1 (three-pistil trait), CM28TP (three-pistil trait), CS (one-pistil trait), and CM28 (one-pistil trait) were used as experimental materials. The effect of exogenous ethephon (ETH) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the morphology of wheat flowers and candidate genes in the ethylene signaling pathway was investigated. The results revealed that exogenous ETH or 1-MCP treatment had a strong effect on the stamens but not on the pistils of wheat. Specifically, after treatment with ETH, the stamens of CS and CM28 became significantly shorter, while in CM28TP, 71.38% of stamens were homologously transformed into pistils or pistil-like structures (pistillody). Moreover, after treatment with 1-MCP, the pistillody stamens of HTS-1 were transformed back into stamens, and the pistillody rate decreased from 73.61 to 55.25%. Furthermore, pistillody occurred in three-pistil wheat but not in one-pistil wheat, so the three-pistil trait was closely related to the occurrence of pistillody. In addition, the expression of the ethylene transduction genes TaETR1, TaCTR1, and TaEIN2 and the ethylene response gene TaERF was upregulated under pistillody. Among them, TaCTR1 presented the highest level under pistillody, being 150 times in HTS-1 and 103 times higher in CM28TP treated with ETH than in CM28TP. Moreover, the ERELEE4 cis-acting element was found upstream of the TaCTR1 gene promoter and could facilitate homologous transformation of stamens into pistils or pistil-like structures. The results lay a theoretical foundation for analyzing the effect of ethylene on wheat flower development and supply important information for wheat hybrid breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the fertility of "Huajin 6" and the effect of exogenous methyl jasmonate on its fertility. In this study, "Huajin 6", "Huajin 6" treated with methyl jasmonate and "Damaohua" were used as the research objects, the stamen phenotypes and the shape of pollen grains were observed, pollen viability and stigma receptivity were measured. The results showed that the pistil structure and function were normal, and although the stamen anthers did not dehisce, they were still capable of producing pollen with a certain amount of vigor. Methyl jasmonate could promote the opening of the flowers of "Huajin 6" and improve the development of pollen grains to a certain extent, but it could not promote anthers dehiscence of "Huajin 6". This study can provide theoretical guidance for the cultivation of new honeysuckle varieties using "Huajin 6". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Successive stamen movement is a complex plant behavior involving successive uplift of stamens and pollen release, which plays a role in reducing sexual interference, increasing pollen deposition and promoting pollen export. Although reported from several taxa, studies on whether the movement can be influenced by abiotic and biotic factors are scarce. Methods: In this study, we here for the first time described a pattern of successive stamen movement in Saxifraga candelabrum (Saxifragaceae). We then compared the rates of stamen movement in S. candelabrum under different weather and varying pollinator visits. Pollen packaging and presentation schedule of S. candelabrum were also investigated. Results: The results showed that the number of stamens bent per day in sunny days was significantly higher than overcast and rain. Flowers that receive more pollinator visits (control treatment) had significantly higher number of stamen movement than those that received fewer (removal treatment) and none (bagging treatment). Throughout the staminate phase of a flower, there was a progressive increase in both pollen quantity of individual stamens and pollen presentation during each day. Conclusion: Our research demonstrates that successive stamen movement in S. candelabrum was accelerated by favorable weather and increased pollinator visits, which may promote pollen export. Moreover, incremental pollen packaging is likely an adaptation to seasonal regularity in variations of sex ratio resulting from protandry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flowering plants display unsurpassed diversity in the morphology of their reproductive structures, including the stamens. Stamens within a flower are usually akin in appearance, however some species possess two, or occasionally three, structurally distinct types that often differ in reproductive function. This peculiar morphological differentiation of stamens and anthers within a flower is referred to as heteranthery. It occurs in at least 20 families distributed among 12 orders including Commelinaceae, Fabaceae, Lythraceae, Melastomaceae, etc. Functional significance of this feature has also been elaborated in several species. Genus Crotalaria of family Fabaceae is a classical example displaying this mechanism. Present work carried out on two species of genus Crotalaria i.e., C. medicaginea and C. mysorensis, forming natural population at an altitude of 426–1015 m a.s.l. in subtropical regimes of Northwestern Himalayas is aimed to address relative functional significance of this dimorphism. The dimorphism of anthers that includes shape, size, dehiscence time as well as size of pollen is associated with staggered presentation of pollen in both the species. As expected, this aids in delayed selfing and assurance of seed set. However, while heteranthery plays extremely significant role in the reproductive success of C. mysorensis, extent of contribution is relatively much lower in C. medicaginea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grias lucindoae, a new species from the Western Andean slopes of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia (Serranía de Las Quinchas), is described and illustrated, and its morphological similarities with comparable species are discussed. This new species is a tree between 10 and 15 m tall from montane forest remnants (900–1200 m). Grias lucindoae shares several features with G. angustipetala and G. cauliflora. It differs in the size and pubescence of the leaf blade, pedicels, the number of secondary veins and stamens, calyx dehiscence, size, shape, and color of the petals, and the 4-lobed stigma, which is truncated when mature. Additionally, a table comparing morphological characters of G. lucindoae to the other Grias species that occur in Colombia is presented, as well as an identification key of the Neotropical species. With this new species, there are now nine species of Grias in the flora of Colombia, which, along with Ecuador, are countries with the highest diversity of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Florets are the basic structural units of spikelets, and their morphogenesis determines the yield and quality of rice grains. However, whether and how pseudouridine-50 -phosphate glycosidase participates in rice spikelet development remains an open question. In this study, we identified a novel gene, OsPPG, which encodes a peroxisome-localized pseudouridine-50 -phosphate glycosidase and regulates the development of rice spikelets. osppg mutants exhibited abnormal sterile lemma, lemma, palea, lodicule, stamens, and pistils; male sterility; shorter panicles; and reduced plant height. OsPPG was found to regulate several OsMADS genes, thereby affecting the morphogenesis of rice spikelets. Furthermore, metabolomics revealed that the OsPPG gene was involved in the decomposition of pseudouridine via the pyrimidine metabolism pathway and may affect the jasmonic acid signaling pathway. These results suggest that OsPPG is a key regulator of rice spikelet development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The present study aimed to provide key information for an in-depth exploration of the reasons behind the low yield of Prunus salicina var. Fengtangli by analyzing the process of flower bud differentiation and flowering in Fengtangli. [Method] A relatively high- yielding plum variety, Mili No. 1, was selected as the control. The external characteristics and size of flower buds in Fengtangli and Mili No. 1 were observed. The anatomical structure, deformities and the number of flower primordia were studied using the paraffin section method. The flowering process, flower quantity and the occurrence of abnormal flowers were also investigated. (Result) Both Fengtangli and Mili No. 1 plums experienced undifferentiated, initial differentiation, sepal primordia differentiation, petal primordia differentiation, stamen primordia differentiation, and pistil primordia differentiation phases during flower bud differentiation. Although the initiation time of flower bud differentiation in Fengtangli was similar to Mili No. 1, the peak period of differentiation in Fengtangli occurred relatively early, mainly concentrated from mid-September to the end of October. Furthermore, Fengtangli exhibited a higher occurrence of abnormal flower buds during the peak period, with fewer flower primordia differentiated in each bud. During the flowering period, the flower quantity of Fengtangli was significantly lower than that of other plum varieties, and a higher frequency of short pistils and double pistils in abnormal flowers was observed. Continued observation revealed that late-stage double pistil flowers could develop into deformed double fruits. [Conclusion] The peak period of flower bud differentiation and the occurrence of abnormal flower buds in Fengtangli are from mid-September to the end of October. Fengtangli has a higher proportion of deformities in flower buds, and each flower bud differentiates fewer flower primordia. These factors contribute to the higher occurrence of abnormal flowers and lower flower quantity during flowering, potentially explaining one of the reasons for the low yield of Fengtangli plum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modification of fertile stamens into sterile staminodes has occurred independently many times in the flowering plant lineage. In the genus Aquilegia (columbine) and its closest relatives, the two stamen whorls closest to the carpels have been converted to staminodes. In Aquilegia, the only genetic analyses of staminode development have been reverse genetic approaches revealing that B-class floral identity genes are involved. A. jonesii, the only species of columbine where staminodes have reverted to fertile stamens, allows us to explore the genetic architecture of staminode development using a forward genetic approach. We performed QTL analysis using an outcrossed F2 population between A. jonesii and a horticultural variety that makes fully developed staminodes, A. coerulea 'Origami'. Our results reveal a polygenic basis for staminode loss where the two staminode whorls are under some level of independent control. We also discovered that staminode loss in A. jonesii is not complete, in which staminode-like traits sometimes occur in the inner fertile stamens, potentially representing a fading boundary of gene expression. The QTLs identified in this study provide a map to guide future reverse genetic and functional studies examining the genetic basis and evolutionary significance of this trait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Thismiaceae, known as "fairy lanterns" for their urn- or bell-shaped flowers with basally fused tepals, consists of non-photosynthetic flowering monocots mainly in tropical regions, extending into subtropical and temperate areas. Here, we propose a new mycoheterotrophic genus, Relictithismia Suetsugu & Tagane (Thismiaceae), with its monotypic species Relictithismia kimotsukiensis Suetsugu, Yas.Nakam. & Tagane from Kimotsuki Mountains in the Osumi Peninsula, Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu Island, southern Japan. Relictithismia resembles Haplothismia Airy Shaw in having a cluster of tuberous roots, a feature previously observed only in this genus within the family Thismiaceae. However, it differs in having solitary flowers (vs. 2–6-flowered pseudo-raceme in Haplothismia), anther thecae largely separated (vs. connate), and the presence of an annulus (vs. absent). Additionally, Relictithismia differs from the geographically overlapping genus Thismia Griff. in its stamen structure and the position of the annulus. In Relictithismia, the stamens lack connectives, and its free filaments arise from the annulus located inside the perianth mouth, while in Thismia, the stamens typically have connate connectives, forming a staminal tube pendulous from the annulus located at the mouth of the floral tube. Our morphological and phylogenetic data indicated that R. kimotsukiensis holds an early-diverging position within the family, situated outside the Old World Thismia clade. This paper offers an extensive description and color photographs of R. kimotsukiensis, complemented by notes on its phylogenetic relationship and evolutionary history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper anther dehiscence is essential for successful pollination and reproduction in angiosperms, and jasmonic acid (JA) is crucial for the process. However, the mechanisms underlying the tight regulation of JA biosynthesis during anther development remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the rice (Oryza sativa L.) ethylene-response factor-associated amphiphilic repression (EAR) motif-containing protein TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTORS (TCP) INTERACTOR CONTAINING EAR MOTIF PROTEIN1 (OsTIE1) tightly regulates JA biosynthesis by repressing TCP transcription factor OsTCP1/PCF5 during anther development. The loss of OsTIE1 function in Ostie1 mutants causes male sterility. The Ostie1 mutants display inviable pollen, early stamen filament elongation, and precocious anther dehiscence. In addition, JA biosynthesis is activated earlier and JA abundance is precociously increased in Ostie1 anthers. OsTIE1 is expressed during anther development, and OsTIE1 is localized in nuclei and has transcriptional repression activity. OsTIE1 directly interacts with OsTCP1, and overexpression of OsTCP1 caused early anther dehiscence resembling that of Ostie1. JA biosynthesis genes including rice LIPOXYGENASE are regulated by the OsTIE1-OsTCP1 complex. Our findings reveal that the OsTIE1-OsTCP1 module plays a critical role in anther development by finely tuning JA biosynthesis and provide a foundation for the generation of male sterile plants for hybrid seed production. A transcriptional repressor interacts with a transcription factor to modulate rice anther dehiscence and male sterility by finely regulating jasmonic acid biosynthesis during anther development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims – Vietnam is one of the leading diversity centres for Asian Malpighiaceae, comprising 24 accepted species and three native genera (i.e. Aspidopterys, Hiptage, and Tristellateia). During recent fieldwork towards completing the taxonomic revision of Malpighiaceae for the Flora of Vietnam, we have collected specimens from two populations that could not be placed in any of the three native genera of this family. We performed morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies to test the generic placement of those specimens. Material and methods – We sampled 27 genera (including the Asian Acridocarpus, Aspidopterys, Brachylophon, Hiptage, Stigmaphyllon, and Tristellateia, out of a total of 75) of Malpighiaceae representing all phylogenetic clades comprising paleotropical lineages (i.e. acridocarpoids, bunchosioids, tetrapteroids, malpighioids, and stigmaphylloids), the unusual specimen recently collected in Vietnam, and the two genera of Elatinaceae as outgroups. Maximum Likelihood analysis was carried out based on a molecular matrix alignment of the internal transcribed spacer marker (ITS). Comprehensive morphological analyses were also carried out based on the collected specimens and additional herbarium specimens. Key results – Our molecular phylogeny strongly supported the unusual specimen from Vietnam placed as sister to Hiptage in the tetrapteroid clade. Key morphological traits differing these Vietnamese specimens from Hiptage were identified related to the floral bud imbrication, shape, colour, posture of sepals and petals, length of stamen filaments, number of styles, and shape of mericarps, allowing the proposition of a new monospecific genus. Conclusions – Chlorohiptage vietnamensis is proposed as a new monospecific genus closely related to Hiptage but differing in several key morphological traits. A complete morphological description is provided alongside photographic illustrations and notes on its conservation, distribution, ecology, etymology, and taxonomy. Additionally, an updated identification key to the genera of the tetrapteroid clade is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floral colours represent a highly diverse communication signal mainly involved in flower visitors' attraction and guidance, but also flower discrimination, filtering non‐pollinators and discouraging floral antagonists. The divergent visual systems and colour preferences of flower visitors, as well as the necessity of cues for flower detection and discrimination, foster the diversity of floral colours and colour patterns. Despite the bewildering diversity of floral colour patterns, a recurrent component is a yellow UV‐absorbing floral centre, and it is still not clear why this pattern is so frequent in angiosperms. The pollen, anther, stamen, and androecium mimicry (PASAM) hypothesis suggests that the system composed of the flowers possessing such yellow UV‐absorbing floral reproductive structures, the flowers displaying central yellow UV‐absorbing structures as floral guides, and the pollen‐collecting, as well as pollen‐eating, flower visitors responding to such signals constitute the world's most speciose mimicry system. In this review, we call the attention of researchers to some hypothetical PASAM systems around the globe, presenting some fascinating examples that illustrate their huge diversity. We will also present new and published data on pollen‐eating and pollen‐collecting pollinators' responses to PASAM structures supporting the PASAM hypothesis and will discuss how widespread these systems are around the globe. Ultimately, our goal is to promote the idea that PASAM is a plausible first approach to understanding floral colour patterns in angiosperms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persicaria subterranea Bo Li, a new species from Xizang in southwestern China, is described and illustrated in this study. Gross morphology and pollen micromorphology corroborate its placement within Persicaria sect. Cephalophilon. Unique to this section, P. subterranea is the only species known to exhibit subterranean cleistogamous flowers, making it distinct within the sect. Cephalophilon. Morphologically, it shows the closest resemblance to P. glacialis (Meisn.) H. Hara and its variety, P. glacialis var. przewalskii (A.K. Skvortsov & Borodina) M.J. Kong & S.P. Hong. However, it could be readily distinguished from these related taxa by leaf shapes and indumentum, inflorescence structure, number of stamens, and achene morphology. In addition, we provide diagnostic characteristics, a detailed morphological description, line drawing, and information on the distribution and habitat for this new species, as along with comparable photographs of the three related taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two new species of Pelargonium sect. Hoarea are described. • Pelargonium elizabethiae is allied to P. rapaceum. • Pelargonium geophyllum is a member of Fissifolium/Pinnatum groups. • Both species illustrated by colour photographs and watercolour paintings. Two new species of Pelargonium sect. Hoarea (Sweet) DC. are described from the Greater Cape Floristic Region. Pelargonium elizabethiae M.Strlič, from near Rawsonville and Sir Lowry's Pass Village in Western Cape, resembles P. rapaceum (L.) L'Hér. in the abruptly short-clawed lower petals with oblong blades and porrect median anterior petal but differs from that species in its less dissected, markedly discolourous foliage with proportionally shorter lamina, and flowers without a floral 'keel' formed by the lower petals. It also lacks a well-defined fold on the staminal column blocking the hypanthium entrance. Pelargonium geophyllum M.Strlič, from central Namaqualand in Northern Cape, has unique prostrate, divaricately bi- or tripinnate leaves with suborbicular ultimate pinnules. The leaf rachis is closely pressed to the soil surface and sometimes covered by sand, with only the pinnules protruding. The flowers resemble those of P. pinnatum and associated taxa that have all the stamens shorter than the sepals. Both species are fully illustrated in colour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the mycoheterotrophic genus Thismia from Malaysia is described and illustrated. Thismia malayana introduced here was found in two localities: in the lowlands of Gunung Angsi Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan, and in the hilly dipterocarp forests of Gunung Benom in Tengku Hassanal Wildlife Reserve, Pahang. Thismia malayana falls into the section Thismia subsect. Odoardoa, as it has creeping vermiform roots and free equal tepals. It is characterised by the following taxonomically important features: a sepia-brown, urceolate-curved floral tube, free equal tepals with terminal appendages, prominent bright yellow annulus and bright violet-blue stamens each bearing five appendages (one pair of club-shaped inwards-pointing, one pair of acute outwards-pointing, and one central appendage). According to the categories and criteria of the IUCN Red List, T. malayana is provisionally classified as Vulnerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orange Bombax ceiba (B. ceiba) is an indigenous plant, and its stamen is an important ingredient in traditional Lanna food. There are limitations in scientific reports on the effects of the biological activities of B. ceiba stamens on the male reproductive system. This study aims to investigate the phytochemical compounds of the orange B. ceiba stamen and its potential effect on the antioxidant properties and quality of cattle sperm treated with Fe. The orange BUE had the highest total phenolics, total tannins, total monomeric anthocyanins, and maximal antioxidant potential. The orange BAE had the highest concentration of total flavonoids. LC-QTOF/MS showed that the orange BUE contained the highest number of phytochemical compounds related to male reproductive enhancement. The orange BUE enhanced sperm motility, and both the orange BUE and the BAE enhanced sperm viability and normal sperm morphology via free radical scavenging. It might be suggested that B. ceiba stamens have benefits for sperm preservation, sperm quality, and increasing the economic value of local plants, and that they may be developed and used to guard against oxidative stress from cryodamage induced by frozen semen technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camellia nitidissima is famous for its golden flowers. Its flowers are rich in secondary metabolites, and they have ornamental, medicinal, and edible value. Pigment composition and regulation has been studied in the golden petals, but there has been little research on pigment composition or the molecular mechanism underlying yellow stamens in C. nitidissima. To explore the molecular mechanism of yellow stamen formation, three developmental stages (S0, S1, and S2) were used for transcriptome and pigment analyses. Pigment analysis showed that the flavonoid content increased sharply from the S0 to S1 stage and decreased from the S1 to S2 stage, and the carotenoid content increased sharply during yellow stamen formation (from the S1 to S2 stage). RNA-seq analysis showed that a total of 20,483 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. KEGG and heatmap analyses showed that flavonoid and carotenoid biosynthesis pathways were enriched, and we identified 14 structural genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and 13 genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis and degradation. In addition, the expression of carotenoid- and flavonoid-related genes was consistent with carotenoid and flavonoid content. In addition, correlation network analysis indicated that the WARYK, MYB, bHLH, and AP2/ERF transcription factor families were screened for involvement in the biosynthesis of flavonoids and carotenoids. In this study, we describe the pathway associated with color formation in the stamens of C. nitidissima. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parthenocarpy and male sterility are highly desirable traits in tomato breeding and molecular study. The stamen carpelloid mutant generally displays male sterility. A natural mutant displaying carpelloid stamen and parthenocarpy (csp) was identified in our research group. In this study, the csp locus was finely mapped to a 65 kb interval, which contained six putative genes. One of them, Solyc04g081000, encodes the tomato class B MADS box gene TAP3 (syn. SlDEF). Sequencing data revealed that a copia long terminal repeat retrotransposon was inserted in the first intron of the TAP3 gene of the csp mutant. qRT-PCR showed that the expression of TAP3 was significantly down-regulated in the petals and stamens of the csp mutant. A phenotypic analysis of the TAP3 gene-edited mutants and allelism tests indicated that TAP3 was the gene underlying csp, and csp was a novel allelic mutation of TAP3. The results of this study will lay the foundation for a further analysis of the function of TAP3 and provide materials and a basis for a further study of the functional differentiation of tomato B-class genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants generate their reproductive organs, the stamens and the carpels, de novo within the flowers that form when the plant reaches maturity. The carpels comprise the female reproductive organ, the gynoecium, a complex organ that develops along several axes of polarity and is crucial for plant reproduction, fruit formation, and seed dispersal. The epigenetic trithorax group (trxG) protein ULTRAPETALA1 (ULT1) and the GARP domain transcription factor KANADI1 (KAN1) act cooperatively to regulate Arabidopsis thaliana gynoecium patterning along the apical-basal polarity axis; however, the molecular pathways through which this patterning activity is achieved remain to be explored. In this study, we used transcriptomics to identify genome-wide ULT1 and KAN1 target genes during reproductive development. We discovered 278 genes in developing flowers that are regulated by ULT1, KAN1, or both factors together. Genes involved in developmental and reproductive processes are overrepresented among ULT1 and/or KAN1 target genes, along with genes involved in biotic or abiotic stress responses. Consistent with their function in regulating gynoecium patterning, a number of the downstream target genes are expressed in the developing gynoecium, including a unique subset restricted to the stigmatic tissue. Further, we also uncovered a number of KAN1- and ULT1-induced genes that are transcribed predominantly or exclusively in developing stamens. These findings reveal a potential cooperative role for ULT1 and KAN1 in male as well as female reproductive development that can be investigated with future genetic and molecular experiments.

Lopezia guerrerensis is described as a new species for the flora of the state of Guerrero, Mexico. It is similar to the species of the Lopezia miniata complex, but is distinguished from them by its habit (subshrubs or shrubs to 3.5 m tall), whorled leaves (three per node) with brochidodromous venation and 12–14 (–17) secondary veins per side, flowers with larger lower petals and a longer fertile stamen, and inflorescences in corymbiform racemes, these axillary or grouped together in terminal panicles. For section Lopezia and the tribe Lopeziae, two new characters are added: whorled leaves (three per node) and whorled inflorescences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bat pollination of Dillenia in Fiji, a genus that was presumed to be pollinated by bees, posits that other Dillenia species may be bat‐pollinated, with implications for conservation and the understanding of angiosperm evolution. Botanical descriptions of some corolla behaviours ('falling as a whole') suggest bat removal of permanently closed corollas, as in D. biflora. Considering the remoteness of species of interest, we reviewed some Dillenia floral traits to hypothesise what they may mean for bat pollination of the genus. We investigated D. biflora pollen grains apertures and reviewed Dillenia literature concerning corolla behaviour and colour, and pollen apertures and presentation, including pores and staminodes. Our samples had dramatically different ratios of tricolpate to tetracolpate pollen grains, a trait that does not exclude pollination by bees. Petal colour polymorphism occurs, with mixed colours proportionately less common in flowers with corollas that open. The proportion of species with staminodes did not differ between those presumed to be pollinated by bats and others, but anthers of the former were significantly more likely to have apical pores, and stamens all had similar length or were slightly longer in the middle, whereas stamens in two distinct groups occurred in 55% of bee‐pollinated species. Pollen heteromorphy may facilitate pollination by different taxa in tropical environments. However, anther apical pores and stamen uniformity are more likely to be associated with bat‐pollinated species than are other morphologies. Dillenia could be a useful model to examine evolutionary aspects of colour, heteranthery, staminodes and pollen heteromorphy. Only field work will verify bat pollination and the implications of bat dependence for Dillenia species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton tree (Bombax ceiba L.) flower stamen has been used widely as a northern Thai food ingredient. In this work, microwave extraction was applied to obtain the Bombax ceiba L. (BOMBAX) flower stamen extract for use as a reducing agent in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The concentration of BOMBAX used was in the range of 0.05 to 0.25 wt%. Quasi-spherical and semi-rectangular shapes of AgNPs were obtained. The synthesized AgNPs showed a high mean zeta potential value of more than -30 mV, indicating the long-term stability and superior dispersity of AgNPs due to the repulsion of negative charges. Furthermore, the antibacterial potency of the synthesized AgNPs affords a good inhibition zone for both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, especially the gram-negative and antibiotic-resistant bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, showing an inhibition zone diameter of 19.4±0.4 mm compared with that of chlophenicol (13.0±0.0 mm). This result suggests that the synthesized AgNPs present good colloidal stability and show good potential as an antibacterial agent for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, especially P. aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subgroup 4 (Sg4) members of the R2R3-MYB are generally known as negative regulators of the phenylpropanoid pathway in plants. Our previous research showed that a R2R3-MYB Sg4 member from Camellia sinensis (CsMYB4a) inhibits expression of some genes in the phenylpropanoid pathway, but its physiological function in the tea plant remained unknown. Here, CsMYB4a was found to be highly expressed in anther and filaments, and participated in regulating filament growth. Transcriptome analysis and exogenous auxin treatment showed that the target of CsMYB4a might be the auxin signal pathway. Auxin/indole-3-acetic acid 4 (AUX/IAA4), a repressor in auxin signal transduction, was detected from a yeast two-hybrid screen using CsMYB4a as bait. Gene silencing assays showed that both CsIAA4 and CsMYB4a regulate filament growth. Tobacco plants overexpressing CsIAA4 were insensitive to exogenous α-NAA, consistent with overexpression of CsMYB4a. Protein-protein interaction experiments revealed that CsMYB4a interacts with N-terminal of CsIAA4 to prevent CsIAA4 degradation. Knock out of the endogenous NtIAA4 gene, a CsIAA4 homolog, in tobacco alleviated filament growth inhibition and α-NAA insensitivity in plants overexpressing CsMYB4a. All results strongly suggest that CsMYB4a works synergistically with CsIAA4 and participates in regulation of the auxin pathway in stamen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Forest Research is the property of Forest Research Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Science & Technology of Food Industry is the property of Science & Technology of Food Industry Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Begonia floriprolifera is a new species of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum distributed in the karst area of southwestern Guangxi of China and northern Vietnam. Morphologically, it is mostly similar to B. bonii, but differs mainly by its nearly glabrous stipules, shorter inflorescence, bilaterally symmetric and upward curved androecium with fewer stamens, and concave apex of anthers. Due to the narrow distribution area and unfavorably environmental changes of its natural habitat, the new species is assigned to Endangered according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agapetes rhuichengiana Bin Yang & Y.H.Tan (Ericaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Southeast Xizang, China. It is morphologically similar to A. huangiana Bin Yang, Y.H.Tan & Y.H.Tong, but differs in having flowers densely covered with white to light yellowish brown villi, shorter stamens, and fruits that are smaller, depressed subglobose, and villous and verrucose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Heuchera (Saxifragaceae) from western North Carolina is described and illustrated herein, including phylogenomic and morphological analyses of its closest allies in the Heuchera parviflora group. Heuchera tuckasegeensis is distinguished from the other Heuchera taxa based on its distinct morphological attributes (style and stamen length, petiole and laminar hair length, and degree of leaf lobing), phylogenetic position, habitat preferences, and edaphic substrate specialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the first description of Salvia majdae (syn. Zhumeria majdae) in 1967, its taxonomic status has remained an enigma within Salvia senso lato due to its unusual characters, in particular the floral structure. Based on recent molecular phylogenetic data, two defensible opinions on its status have been proposed. Here, we studied the floral development of this species using scanning electron microscopy to resolve this ambiguity. The aspects of floral symmetry were also studied. Like species of Salvia and representative genera of Lamiaceae, the initiation sequence of sepals and stamens in S. majdae is unidirectional from adaxial to abaxial and reverse, respectively. The flowers show temporal overlaps in initiation of petals and stamens. However, in contrast, the bidirectional initiation of the petals in S. majdae is reversed, starting with the abaxial middle petal, followed by the two adaxial ones, and then finally ending with the two lateral ones. The filaments of the sterile stamens are elongated and exposed as staminodes thorough development. We conclude that subequal growth of the calyx lips, weak cochlear aestivation and bidirectional initiation of the petals and well‐developed sterile stamen primordia are responsible for the weak floral asymmetry in S. majdae. Based on these data, S. majdae shows significant differences from Salvia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gynodioecy has been identified to occur in the herbaceous polycarpic Origanum vulgare ssp. gracile growing in Tajikistan and is here described in detail for the first time. The investigated populations of O. vulgare ssp. gracile form two types of flowers, perfect and pistillate, on different individuals. In pistillate flowers, stamens are represented by staminodes. The size of many parts of the corolla and androecium of perfect flowers is significantly larger than in pistillate flowers. Four criteria have been identified that make it possible to reliably distinguish flowers of different sexual forms: the size of the corolla and its parts, the difference between calyx tube length versus corolla tube length, the position of the anthers, and the rate of development of stamens. Perfect flowers are characterized by strictly pronounced protandry. According to the pollen/ovule ratio (from 825 to 953), O. vulgare ssp. gracile is facultatively xenogamous. Hermaphrodites predominated (from 58.9 to 76.2%) in five of the investigated populations. The frequency of females in O. vulgare ssp. gracile was shown to be most dependent on annual precipitation. Finally, we discuss the presence and distribution of gynodioecy within the genus Origanum and its adaptive significance for the existence of populations of O. vulgare ssp. gracile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poa sachensis, a new species from the Sach Pass, Western Himalaya, is described and illustrated. It is a member of P. subg. Ochlopoa sect. Alpinae, and closely allied to P. alpina, but differs from the latter by its lower glume one‐nerved, callus scantly hairy, lemma (3.87–) 4.18–4.54 (–4.65) mm long, purplish, surface between nerves glabrous, palea proliferate and keels ciliate 1/2nd to 1/3rd part, and two stamens in fertile floret with anther (2.42–) 2.67–3.08 (–3.21) mm long. Further, we have added P. diaphora var. alpina for the first time to the flora of India based on specimens collected from the semiarid habitats of Spiti Valley. Information on the distribution, habitat, flowering, and fruiting cycles is provided along with a distribution map for each taxon. Keywords: alpine grasses, Poa alpina, P. subg. Pseudopoa, P. subg. Ochlopoa, Western Himalaya [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immiscible liquids are commonly used to achieve unique functions in many applications, where the breakup of compound droplets in airflow is an important process. Due to the existence of the liquid-liquid interface, compound droplets are expected to form different deformation and breakup morphologies compared with single-component droplets. We investigate experimentally the deformation and breakup of compound droplets in airflow. The deformation characteristics of compound droplets are quantitatively analyzed and compared with single-component droplets. Theoretical models are proposed to analyze the transition between breakup morphologies. The breakup modes of compound droplets are classified into shell retraction, shell breakup, and core-shell breakup based on the location where the breakup occurs. The comparison with single-component droplets reveals that the compound droplet is stretched more in the flow direction and expands less in the cross-flow direction, and these differences occur when the core of the compound droplet protrudes into the airflow. The transition conditions between different breakup modes are obtained theoretically. In addition, the eccentricity of the compound droplet can lead to the formation of the thick ligament or the two stamens in the droplet middle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species in the family Proteaceae are almost invariably tetramerous with the stamen adnate to a tepal. Andromonoecious inflorescences bearing many male flowers composed of a single (spathuloid) stamen and a female flower with a pubescent stigma, as described in Endobeuthos paleosum, are unknown. We suggest that the specimen is a bisexual flower with scores of stamens surrounding a single stigma-style. Further, the specimen is too old to fit with current understanding of the migratory history of the Proteaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollen contains vegetative and generative cells that influence the seed set. Accurate pollen assessments help understand the breeding biology of oilseed rape. In order to evaluate the number of pollen grains in a large number of samples, an effective method should be designed. A new method was established to evaluate the pollen counts of five oilseed rape cultivars. This method mainly relies on 5% sucrose + 0.1% agar solution to suspend the pollen and uses a standard curve corresponding to the absorbance and the number of pollen grains to estimate the number of pollen grains. The linear fit formula of this standard curve was precision, and the R2 value between the pollen count and absorbance reached 0.998. Furthermore, the variation in the pollen counts at three flowering stages and on two kinds of stamens was assessed. The pollen count per flower varied significantly among oilseed rape cultivars and flowering stages (GLM: p<0.001). Moreover, the number of pollen grains on long-stamen anthers was significantly higher than that on short-stamen anthers (GLM: p<0.001). In conclusion, we established a rapid, accurate method for quantifying pollen grains based on absorbance determined in a liquid suspension by light spectroscopy, which is a feasible method. In addition, the number of pollen grains under different physiological conditions also provides basic data for oilseed rape breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Aiouea (Lauraceae) from the Colombian Andes is described and illustrated. Aiouea chicaque is distinguished by the following combination of characters: elliptic leaves with cuneate to attenuate bases, pinnate venation, glabrous, without domatia, externally glabrous flowers with stamens of whorls I and II with four locules, whorl III with two locules, and fruits with persistent tepals in the cupule. According to IUCN criteria, the new species is given a preliminary threat assessment as Vulnerable (VU) based on its reduced area of occupancy and the small number of localities where it is found. Additionally, two species of Ocotea and one of Andea, previously known from the Andes of Ecuador, are here recorded for the first time for the flora of Colombia: O. fistulosa, O. pautensis and A. homeieri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In common with other plant species, the garden pea (Pisum sativum) produces the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) from tryptophan via a single intermediate, indole-3-pyruvic acid (IPyA). IPyA is converted to IAA by PsYUC1, also known as Crispoid (Crd). Here, we extend our understanding of the developmental processes affected by the Crd gene by examining the phenotypic effects of crd gene mutations on leaves, flowers, and roots. We show that in pea, Crd/PsYUC1 is important for the initiation and identity of leaflets and tendrils, stamens, and lateral roots. We also report on aspects of auxin deactivation in pea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo propagation and seed collection are severely limited by a protracted and unpredictable flowering cycle. Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees et Arn. ex Munro was renowned for its delectable, bitter-free bamboo shoots, making it an exceptional choice for culinary purposes, which has significant economic value in China. To date, no fruit has been collected, and there are currently no comprehensive studies available on the floral morphology and embryology of D. hamiltonii. The morphological and anatomical characteristics of floral organs were described, and the developmental process of male and female gametophytes was elucidated, through anatomical observation. It was found that the floret of D. hamiltonii was composed of one lemma, palea, pistil, and six stamens, but lacked lodicules. The single ovule, possessing a parietal placenta, was anatropous and featured a double integument. The floral organs showed normal in external morphology, whereas male and female gametophyte development was abnormal, such as pollen grain shrinkage, hollow anther chambers, and underdeveloped ovules, which might be the important factors of its low seed setting rate. This study provided important information on the developmental stages of D. hamiltonii flowers and offered a theoretical basis for understanding the low seed setting rate of bamboo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of Cyperoideae exhibit wide morphological variation in their flowers due to reduction processes. Their flowers can be bisexual or unisexual, achlamydeous or not, with tepals and stamens varying from one to six and a trimerous or dimerous gynoecium, the latter dorsiventrally or laterally flattened. We studied the floral anatomy and vasculature of Fuirena robusta , Cyperus sesquiflorus , Rhynchospora panicoides , and Schoenoplectus californicus to understand the reduction processes that resulted in different floral morphologies. The floral development of C. sesquiflorus was also analysed. All these species have spikelets with bisexual flowers, but they vary in relation to the perianth, androecium, and gynoecium. Our results show the loss of the outer abaxial tepal in R. panicoides , the total loss of the outer whorl of tepals in F. robusta , and the loss of abaxial tepals (outer and inner) in S. californicus. The tepals are vascularized in F. robusta and R. panicoides and non-vascularized in S. californicus. In C. sesquiflorus , the perianth is absent. Phenolic compounds present in the epidermal cells of the receptacle mark the boundaries between tepals and stamens, before the individualization of these parts. The three stamens present in F. robusta and R. panicoides correspond to the outer whorl. In S. californicus , there is a loss of the adaxial stamens (outer and inner), whereas in C. sesquiflorus the outer stamen whorl and the inner adaxial stamen are lost. The laterally flattened dimerous gynoecium in C. sesquiflorus may be the result of the pressure exerted by the distichously arranged glumes. The most distal flower of the spikelet in this species is staminate by abortion of the gynoecium. The morphological diversity observed in the flowers of Cyperoideae is the result of distinct reduction processes that probably occurred independently in the different clades of the subfamily during the evolution of Cyperaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe here a new species of Casearia from Panama based on both morphological and molecular data. Casearia isthmica sp. nov. is restricted to the mid-elevation cloud forests of Central Panama and presents morphological similarities with two more widespread species, C. sanchezii from high elevation areas of El Salvador and Mexico and C. tremula from the Caribbean, Central America, and Northern South America. Casearia isthmica differs in presenting pedunculated and congested inflorescences with up to 20 flowers, as well as flowers with 12 stamens and a pubescent style. Phylogenetic analysis based on selected plastid (petD, trnK-matK, rpl16 and rps4-trnLF) and nuclear (GBSSI and ITS) markers shows that the new species belongs to subclade B3 of Casearia, a lineage that encompasses species from Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Results of the morphological and molecular analysis were congruent and allowed a broader understanding of this new taxon, especially regarding its relationships to other Casearia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanoseris kangdingensis, a new species native to western Sichuan, China, is firstly described and illustrated, and its conservation status is also assessed. It bears resemblance to M. macrantha and M. bracteata in terms of morphology; however, there are distinguishing characteristics in terms of their leaf structure, presence of bracts, hairiness of involucre, number of florets, and length of both stamen tube and achene’s beak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing availability of DNA sequence data, in particular target enrichment data based on the universal Angiosperms353 probe set, but also accumulated Sanger data from previous phylogenetic studies, is facilitating the placement of taxa that are difficult to place with certainty based on morphological evidence alone. Here, we investigate phylogenetic relationships of Medinilla mirabilis (Melastomataceae), a species distributed in central Africa and currently classified in the mega-diverse genus Medinilla of tribe Sonerileae. Medinilla mirabilis is a twining liana with verticillate leaves when young, spherical inflorescences, 4-merous flowers, dimorphic stamens, and baccate fruits. Our results revealed that M. mirabilis is sister to tribe Dissochaeteae and only distantly related to Medinilla. We also provide new data on wood anatomical and seed morphological characters of M. mirabilis. The alternate inter-vessel pits in M. mirabilis and Dissochaeteae are consistent with the phylogenetic placement. Seeds of M. mirabilis are similar to those of Dissochaeteae and of Medinilla. Due to its unique morphology and phylogenetic position, we propose to reinstate the monospecific genus Myrianthemum with Myrianthemum mirabile. This necessitates expansion of the Southeast Asian tribe Dissochaeteae to include Myrianthemum as its only African member. Our study of M. mirabile demonstrates that the combined application of Angiosperms353 and Sanger data is a cost-effective approach to phylogenetically place enigmatic taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Caldasia is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A new species, Primula xilingensis K.Huang & Z.X.Fu, sp. nov. (Primulaceae), is described and illustrated. In gross morphology, it is clearly allied to section Minutissimae on account of having stolons, being glabrous, leaf rosette less than or equal to corolla, flower solitary and bract not swollen at base. The new species is easily distinguished by the combination of scape densely yellow farinose, leaf apex acute, rarely broadly obtuse, corolla pale purplish blue and style 3.0–6.0 mm above base of corolla tube, stamens reaching the corolla tube mouth in thrum flower. In addition, the distribution map, morphological comparison of related species and conservation status of the new species are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]