Search

Two smut fungi, Microbotryum bardanense and M. polygoni-alati, are reported for the first time from Nepal. Descriptions, illustrations, and taxonomic notes are provided for these taxa.

In the present study, we presented a taxonomic revision of the genus Sorbaria (Sorbarieae; Amygdaloideae) with a new infrageneric classification. Moreover, we extensively reviewed various data for Sorbaria species, including previous anatomical, micromorphological, and palynological data. The new sectional classification was based on morphological, micromorphological, and palynological evidence, with two sections: sect. Sorbaria aut. and sect. Kirilowiana J.-H. Song & S.-P. Hong (sect. nov.). Overall, four species and five varieties (including two nomenclatural novelties) were recognized: S. sorbifolia (Linnaeus) A. Braun var. sorbifolia, S. sorbifolia var. glandulifolia J.-H. Song & S.-P. Hong, S. sorbifolia var. stellipila Maximowicz, S. pallasii (G. Don) Pojarkova, S. tomentosa (Lindley) Rehder var. tomentosa, S. tomentosa var. angustifolia (Wenzig) Rahn., S. kirilowii (Regel & Tiling) Maximowicz var. kirilowii, S. kirilowii var. arborea (C.K. Schneider) J.-H. Song & S.-P. Hong (comb. & stat. nov.), and S. kirilowii var. dubia (C.K. Schneider) J.-H. Song & S.-P. Hong (comb. nov.). Some illustrations and syntype were designated as the lectotype for several names. The classification was based on a comprehensive morphological examination of herbarium specimens, including field observations and observations of types, micromorphological, and palynological characteristics. In addition, we provided an identification key, diagnostic characteristics, full descriptions, comprehensive nomenclatural treatments and taxonomic notes (including complete synonymy), and distribution maps of Sorbaria species.

We used scanning electron microscopy to describe petal epidermal cell patterns and evaluate their systematic implications for 22 representative taxa belonging to all 9 genera of the Rosaceae tribe Spiraeeae, including the monotypic Korean genus Pentactina. Characters of both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the petal epidermis, including cell type (papillose conical cells, papillose knobby rugose cells, or tabular rugose cells), anticlinal wall shape (sinuous or curved), and cuticle sculpturing (striate or rugose) were observed. Here, we present the first comprehensive analysis of the tribe based on petal micromorphological data in the context of a molecular phylogeny. We conclude that petal epidermal characters provide strong evidence in support of the independent taxonomic position of the Korean endemic genus Pentactina. Moreover, mapping epidermal characters on the molecular phylogeny indicates that some of the characters are synapomorphies for clades within the tribe. Thus, this study presents new perspectives for future work on the evolution of morphological characters in tribe Spiraeeae.

Sorbaria stellipila var. glandulosa has not previously been validly published as there was no Latin diagnosis or description and no designation of a type specimen. The combination name of Sorbaria sorbifolia f. glandulosa that was proposed by T.B. Lee was also a nomen nudum. However, recent morphological, anatomical, and numerical studies have clearly identified this as a variety of Sorbaria sorbifolia. Here, we suggest this taxon as a new variety, Sorbaria sorbifolia var. glandulifolia with full description and type designation. Moreover, nomenclatural reviews, distribution maps, and an identification key to the Sorbaria taxa (one species and two varieties) in Korea are also provided.

Pollen morphology of 19 taxa in Persicaria section Cephalophilon and four related taxa in the genus Koenigia was examined. Pollen grains shed as a monad were oblate to subprolate in shape (P/E = 0.50–1.20), small to large in size (13.44–51.16 μm), and tricolpate, octocolpate, or pantoporate. Three types of exine ornamentation were identified: (I) reticulate (P. sect. Cephalophilon), (II) reticulate with microechinae (Koenigia delicatula), and (III) microechinate (studied taxa of Koenigia except K. delicatula). The quantitative pollen characteristics analyzed using principal component analysis showed diagnostic importance among the taxa. The comprehensive consideration of pollen characteristics (aperture type, pollen size, and detailed exine ornamentation) is systematically informative, particularly at the series level of P. sect. Cephalophilon. Furthermore, the results also support the separation of some taxa of uncertain taxonomic affinities between Koenigia and P. sect. Cephalophilon. Orbicules were absent in all taxa of P. sect. Cephalophilon but were consistently found in Koenigia. The examined orbicules were spherical with a psilate surface, and the studied orbicule characteristics provided additional evidence to clarify the taxonomic position of some taxa of Koenigia. The orbicule and pollen morphology, especially aperture types, has proven to be a useful diagnostic characteristic in P. sect. Cephalophilon and related taxa, and their systematic importance is further discussed in this study.

Patrinia saniculifolia Hemsl. is a Korean endemic plant belongs to the family Caprifoliaceae s. l. In this study, we report the complete chloroplast genome of P. saniculifolia. The chloroplast genome was 153,775 bp with LSC (87,529 bp) and SSC (17,236 bp) regions, separated by two IRs regions 23,806 bp, and overall GC content was 38.48%. It contains total of 111 genes, including 78 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes.

Variation in seed macro- and micromorphology of nine genera in Rosaceae tribe Spiraeeae, including the rare Korean endemic genus Pentactina, was examined using stereo and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the diagnostic value of this variation for intergeneric/specific identification, and to facilitate future systematic studies. All genera in the tribe had follicles, except Holodiscus which only had achenes. Various seed morphological characteristics were identified, both among and within genera. Some characteristics (e.g. length : width ratio, texture and shape) provided useful information for taxonomic studies of Spiraeeae. Four types of testa ornamentation were recognised: Type I-a, simple reticulate (Petrophytum, Sibiraea, Spiraea and Xerospiraea); I-b, reticulate-foveate (Aruncus and Luetkea); Type II, reticulate-rugose (Holodiscus); Type III, reticulate-colliculate (Kelseya) and Type IV, striate-rugose (Pentactina). Moreover, the phenogram from a cluster analysis using UPGMA also represented four groups. Seed morphological characteristics strongly support the current molecular phylogenetic position of Pentactina as distinct from Spiraea, contrary to previous classifications. Moreover, Pentactina possessed a combination of palynological data and testa ornamentation characteristics within the Spiraeeae to confirm its generic status.

We investigated fruit and seed morphology in tribe Sorbarieae and one traditionally included genus (Lyonothamnus), which revealed that these characteristics are taxonomically significant for generic delimitation in the tribe Sorbarieae, and two distinct groups in the genus Sorbaria were identified. The following fruit and seed micromorphological characteristics were described: size, shape, texture, the presence/absence of epicuticular wax and, trichomes, testa cell size, and surface ornamentation. Multicellular capitate glands with stalks were only observed on the follicle surfaces of Lyonothamnus. Simple unbranched unicellular non-glandular trichomes were found on the follicles of Chamaebatiaria millefolium, Sorbaria grandiflora, S. sorbifolia complex, and Spiraeanthus schrenkianus. However, Sorbaria arborea complex, S. kirilowii, and S. tomentosa complex had platelet epicuticular wax on their glabrous follicles. Moreover, four types of testa ornamentation were identified: type I, colliculate (Lyonothamnus); type II, reticulate, with straight anticlinal walls and smooth to micro-papillate periclinal walls (Chamaebatiaria); type III, reticulate, with undulate anticlinal walls and smooth periclinal walls (Spiraeanthus); and type IV, reticulate testa ornamentation and divided into two subtypes based on anticlinal and periclinal cell wall patterns (Sorbaria). These studied characteristics identified using principal component analysis may have diagnostic importance among the taxa in the tribe. Our fruit and seed micromorphological results provide strong evidence that genus Lyonothamnus could be positioned in the tribe Lyonothamneae, not Sorbarieae. Moreover, these data supported the preliminary phylogenetic hypothesis that Sorbaria could be divided into two groups.

Heterostyly is a reproductive system in which plant populations comprise two or three morphs with different lengths of pistil and stamen. In the present study, we demonstrated clear morphological traits of Persicaria odorata subsp. conspicua, a distylous taxon. Like other distylous species, the length of the style and filament are different between the two morphs. Although the fruit size and rate of pollen viability are slightly different between the two morphs, these two morphs have functionally hermaphroditic flowers based on production of pollen and fruits. The stigma length, anther length, ovary size, and fruit size are significantly larger in pin-type flowers than in thrum-type flowers, but the diameter of the pollen and aperture are larger in thrum-type flowers than in pin-type flowers. The tepal size is larger in pin-type flowers although not significantly. However, except for these reproductive organs, we could not detect any morphological differences between the two morphs, including the tepal and leaf microstructures. We further compared the detailed morphology of the two morphs and discussed the significance of heterostyly in P. odorata subsp. conspicua.

The sexual system of Aruncus aethusifolius (Amygdaloideae, Rosaceae), which is endemic to Korean, remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate the sexual system of A. aethusifolius based on a detailed morphological, micromorphological, and anatomical study. The natural population of this endemic species is restricted to Hallasan Mountain on Jeju Island. We found two types of plants in the natural population: hermaphrodite and female plants. Each sexual morph exhibited different floral traits, showing a modest form of sexual dimorphism. Significant quantitative differences were detected in the investigated organs (i.e., petal, sepal, ovary, stamen, nectary, and follicle). For example, hermaphroditic floral organs (i.e., petal, sepal, stamen and nectary) were larger than those of the female flowers (P

Androdioecy is a reproductive system in which males coexist with hermaphrodites, which have both male and female functions. We present here the morphological differences in the sexual morph of flowers in Chionanthus retusus , an androdioecious species. Hermaphroditic floral organs, such as the corolla, calyx, and anther, are relatively larger than male ones ( P P C. retusus is an androdioecious species. Moreover, mapping the breeding system onto the recently studied phylogenetic tree indicates that a clade belonging to C. retusus might be represent a shared androdioecious system.

A comparative study of leaf epidermal microstructures in the tribe Sorbarieae (Adenostoma: 3 spp., Chamaebatiaria: 1 sp., Sorbaria: 11 spp., Spiraeanthus: 1 sp.) including related genera Gillenia (2 spp.) and Lyonothamnus (2 spp.) was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to evaluate their significance in taxonomy. The leaves of Adenostoma, Chamaebatiaria, and Spiraeanthus were amphistomatic, whereas Gillenia, Lyonothamnus, and Sorbaria were hypostomatic. The size range of the guard cells is ; the smallest one was found in Sorbaria tomentosa var. tomentosa (), while the largest measured example was Adenostoma fasciculatum var. obtusifolium (). Anomocytic stomata complex were the most frequent type (rarely cyclocytic), with usually both anomocytic and actinocytic types occurring in one leaf. On the surfaces, both the adaxial and abaxial anticlinal walls of the subsidiary cells vary (e.g., straight/curved, undulate, sinuate). Four types (unicellular non-glandular trichome, stellate, glandular trichome, pustular glandular trichome) of trichomes are found in the leaves. The epicuticular wax can be divided two types: membraneous platelets (Lyonothamnus) and platelets (Sorbaria arborea var. arborea, S. arborea var. subtomentosa, S. kirilowii, S. tomentosa var. tomentosa, Spiraeanthus schrenkianus). The trichome diversity (in particular, stellate, gland) and the existence of epicuticular wax may have taxonomic significance, although the leaf epidermal micromorphological characteristics do not provide synapomorphy in this tribe. These leaf micromorphological features are most likely better understood in the Sorbarieae when used in conjunction with external morphological characters.

The pollen morphology of the tribe Sorbarieae (Adenostoma, Chamaebatiaria, Sorbaria, and Spiraeanthus) and two related genera Gillenia and Lyonothamnus was investigated by light, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy. Sorbarieae pollen was monad, tri-colporate, small to medium in size (P = 10.2–40.0 μm, E = 10.8–32.4 μm), and oblate to prolate in shape (P/E = 0.74–1.88). The sexine ornamentation was striate, but four different types could be divided: striate-psilate, striate-plicate, striate-microechinate, and striate-perforate. The pollen wall stratification typically consisted of unbranched columellae and a continuous endexine. As an additional palynological characteristic, orbicules (small sporopollenin granules) were observed in all taxa and thus a possible synapomorphic character of Sorbarieae as a whole. The pollen characteristics are useful to recognize certain taxa. Gillenia is the only genus with both a pore flap on the aperture and the perforated sexine. Lyonothamnus has a significantly thick exine and relatively larger pollen grains, which is compared to that of Sorbarieae. Some quantitative characteristics (e.g., pollen and colpus size, exine thickness, and ridge width of striae) identified using principal components analysis (PCA) may have diagnostic importance among the taxa in the tribe.

Pollen morphological characteristics of 7 taxa of the genus Aruncus L. (Rosaceae) were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the taxonomic implication within the genus. Aruncus pollen grains were monad, tri-colporate with granular membranes, small in size (, ), amb is sub-circular to circular, suboblate to prolate-spheroidal in shape (P/E = 0.68-1.70). The sexine ornamentation in all studied taxa was basically striate but existence of perforation (striate-perforate: A. dioicus, A. dioicus var. acuminatus, A. dioicus var. astilboides, A. dioicus var. pubescens, A. dioicus var. vulgaris; striate-pstilate: A. dioicus var. aethusifolius, A. gombalanus) and the widths of muri and grooves varied according to the taxa. In particular, relatively short, and sharply crested muri being a distinct feature of A. dioicus var. acuminatus. As a result, the various combination of each pollen characteristics could be useful to identify the some taxa of the genus Aruncus.

【Although airborne pollen is invisible to the eye, it has been known as a major source to respiratory allergic reactions. For this reason, airborne pollen is monitoring in many countries to predict pollen concentration based on locality and season. However, the morphological characteristics of airborne pollen and their potential tendency as an allergen are still obscure. In the present study, we selected 52 airborne pollen samples based on previously reported data and investigated their detail pollen characteristics using LM and SEM. Major airborne pollen in Korea has sorted in 19 families (most angiosperms except four gymnosperm families), and all pollen grains are small to medium in size ( $P=17.34-49.86{\mu}m$ ) apart from the bisaccate pollen grains of Pinaceae ( $P=46.49-106.20{\mu}m$ ). The aperture number and shape vary from sulcate to polyporate. While the inaperture pollen has found only in gymnosperm (Cupressaceae and Taxaceae), triporate or polyporate is common pollen type in angiosperm. The sexine ornamentations could divide into several types, but the most sculpturing types are inconspicuous like psilate, rugulate and granulate. Reticulate pollen grains as a semitectum have occurred the species of genera Platanus and Fraxinus only. To estimate the possible relationships between pollen features and allergen, the results are discussed in botanical context.】

We investigated phenotypic expression and floral dimorphism in Agastache rugosa, a gynodioecious perennial herb, in five Korean populations. Three phenotypes, based on their reproductive characteristics, were found: plants with hermaphrodite flowers (male fertile); plants with female flowers (male sterile); and an intermediate phenotype, which had both hermaphrodite and female flowers within the same inflorescence. Most populations consisted of hermaphrodite and female individuals, together with the intermediate phenotype. Floral dimorphisms were found in nearly all the organs studied, including the corolla, calyx, and stamen, but not between the gynoecium of hermaphrodite and female flowers. Hermaphrodite flowers always had larger floral parts than those of the female and intermediate phenotype. Although there were no significant nutlet size differences between sexual types, nutlet weight was consistently greater in females than in hermaphrodites. Hermaphrodite flowers possessed a high proportion of fertile pollen grains, whereas in the intermediate phenotype, there was either the same amount of sterile and fertile grains or there were more sterile than fertile grains. The differences in the quality and quantity of pollen grains between the hermaphrodite and intermediate phenotype may reflect a trade-off between male and female function. These results indicate that intermediate flowers may be a transitional sexual morph toward female flowers.

In this paper, we propose a three-dimensional (3D) image correlator by use of computational integral imaging reconstruction based on the modified convolution property of periodic functions (CPPF) for recognition of partially occluded objects. In the proposed correlator, elemental images of the reference and target objects are picked up by a lenslet array, and subsequently are transformed to a sub-image array which contains different perspectives according to the viewing direction. The modified version of the CPPF is applied to the sub-images. This enables us to produce the plane sub-image arrays without the magnification and superimposition processes used in the conventional methods. With the modified CPPF and the sub-image arrays, we reconstruct the reference and target plane sub-image arrays according to the reconstruction plane. 3D object recognition is performed through cross-correlations between the reference and the target plane sub-image arrays. To show the feasibility of the proposed method, some preliminary experiments on the target objects are carried out and the results are presented. Experimental results reveal that the use of plane sub-image arrays enables us to improve the correlation performance, compared to the conventional method using the computational integral imaging reconstruction algorithm.

A comparative study of the leaf microstructures of 19 taxa belonging to the Persicaria sect. Cephalophilon and related four Koenigia taxa was performed by LM and SEM to evaluate their systematic significance. Both amphistomatic and hypostomatic leaves were observed in the taxa studied. The stomatal size ranged from 17.04–41.96 × 13.41–37.30 μm, and stomata on the adaxial side were larger than those on the abaxial side in general. Anomocytic stomata occurred most commonly, but more than one type of stomata was observed on the same surface. Paracytic stomata was found in both Persicaria palmata and P. criopolitana. The epidermal cells usually have straight to sinuate anticlinal cell walls (ACW), and the ACW on the abaxial side of most taxa is much more undulated than that on the adaxial side. Cuticular striation was observed in most of the studied taxa, which was restricted to only the adaxial side. Two types of crystals were observed: druse and prismatic, and seven types of trichome were recognized: five types of non-glandular trichomes (stellate with smooth surface, multiseriate with either smooth or striated surface, and uniseriate with either smooth or papillose surface), and two types of glandular trichomes (peltate and long-stalked pilate). The leaf micromorphology in this study was categorized into five types based on the stomata, epidermis, crystal and trichome, as further systematic significance of the leaf epidermal characters within the P. sect. Cephalophilon are discussed. In addition, we propose a new taxonomic combination in the P. sect. Cephalophilon.

The natural populations of Lycopus lucidus Turcz. ex Benth. var. hirtus Regel (Lamiaceae) were found in Gangwon province, Korea. This taxon was mainly distinguished from L. lucidus Turcz. ex Benth. var. lucidus by having multicellular hairs on the stem and leaves. However, the delimitation of this taxon from the typical plants of this variety (var. lucidus) was never assessed and the existence of this taxon was obscure in Korea. So, we provide a detailed morphological description of this taxon, as well as its geographical distribution and habitat.

A comparative study of leaf epidermal microstructure in tribes Forsythieae (Abeliophyllum: 1 species, Forsythia: 12 taxa - 10 species, 2 varieties), Fontanesieae (Fontanesia: 2 species) including one related genus Myxopyrum belonging to Myxopyreae (Myxopyrum: 5 taxa - 4 species, 1 subspecies) was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to evaluate their significance in the taxonomy. The leaves of investigated taxa are either hypostomatic or amphistomatic, but former is more frequent. The size range of the guard cells is 17.14-47.58 11.59- 44.25 : the smallest one was found in Forsythia giraldiana (17.48-22.96 11.64-12.88 ), while the largest one was measured to Myxopyrum pierrei (31.50-41.75 32.53-44.25 ). Anomocytic stomatal complex are most frequent type (rarely paracytic), usually both anomocytic and anisocytic occur in one leaf. In surface view both adaxial and abaxial anticlinal walls of the subsidiary cells are variable (e.g., straight/curved, undulate, sinuate, undulate/sinuate). Three types (simple unicellular and multicellular non-glandular, subsessile glandular) of trichomes are found in leaves. Finally, the systematic significance of the leaf epidermal micromorphological characters in idenfitication and elucidation of these tribe, between or within the genera including among the species is also briefly discussed.

Climate change, according to the country to increase locality of slope collapse of heavy disaster, such as increasing the likelihood and prior in order to prevent these disasters, “Slope construction design standards (Ministry of Land, 2011),” is prescribed in the relevant guidelines. In recent years, guidelines Slope Stability Analysis of the existing methods when the rainy season infiltration of rainfall, taking into account have been revised to perform more realistic. In this study, according these trends to the analysis of saturation depth by rainfall intensity and soil conditions. Results as a whole, the larger the saturated hydraulic conductivity and depth of rainfall intensity also showed a tendency to rise in proportion but MH, CL did not occur in the saturation region. Analysis of antecedent rainfall case also reflects an overall increase of depth in the saturated, rainfall in many cases is less than the growth rate was higher in the saturation region. 요 지 우리나라는 기후변화에 따른 국지성 호우의 증가로 비탈면 붕괴와 같은 재해 가능성이 높아지고 있으며 , 이러한 재해를 사전에 예방하기 위해 ｢건설공사 비탈면 설계기준｣에 관련 지침사항을 규정하고 있다 . 최근에는 관련 지침 중 기존의 우기시 비탈면 안정성 검토 방법이 강우의 침투를 고려하여 보다 현실적으로 수행할 수 있도록 개정되었다 . 본 연구에서는 이러한 동향에 따라 통일분류법에 따른 흙의 종류와 강우강도별 포화깊이를 분석하였다 . 분석 결과, 전반적으로 투수계수와 강우강도가 클수록 포화깊이도 비례하여 증가하는 양상을 보였으나 MH, CL에서는 포화영역이 발생하지 않았다. 또한 선행강우를 해석상에 반영한 경우에 포화깊이가 전반적으로 증가하였으며 , 강우량이 많은 경우 보다 적은 경우에 포화영역의 증가율이 높은 것으로 나타났다.

The aliphatic polyesters are normally synthesized by ester interchange reactions or direct esterification of hydroxyacids or diacid/diol combinations. Biotransformation, utilizing the enzymes as catalysts, was accepted as an alternative route for the synthesis of aliphatic polyesters and offers various advantages compared with the conventional, metal-catalyzed polymerization reactions. Previous studies indicated that lipase-catalyzed polycondensation reactions between diols and diacids occurred preferentially at primary hydroxyl groups of diols, when diols contained both primary and secondary hydroxyl groups. In this work, we investigated lipase-catalyzed polycondensation of diacids and secondary hydroxyl group–containing diols, and successfully synthesized polyesters by polycondensation with secondary hydroxyl groups as well as primary hydroxyl groups. Various diols, glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, and 2,4-pentanediol were tested for the polycondensation. The polymeriz...

We report a newly naturalized species of the genus Bidens L. (Asteraceae) in Korea, specifically Bidens subalternans DC. var. subalternans. This naturalized plant was discovered Geumjung-gu in Busan; Gyeongsan-si, Jillyang-eup in Gyeongbuk-do; and in Buk-gu in Daegu. Bidens subalternans var. subalternans is distinguishable from other Bidens in Korea by the following combination of characteristics: an odd-pinnate leaf, deeply lobed, narrow lanceolate, four lobes in the corolla, an oblong achene shape. This taxon is termed `Wang-do-kka-bi-ba-neul` as a common Korean name based on its large size (in particular, the size of leaf). The key for all taxa of the genus Bidens in Korea is also provided here.

To clarify some ambiguous diagnostic characters of Callicarpa japonica Thunb. and Callicarpa dichotoma (Lour.) K. Koch in Korea (Verbenaceae), the external morphology and micromorphology (leaf, anther, pollen, fruit, in particular endocarp surface and structure) of two taxa are studied and described in detail. It is confirmed that the following characteristics (e.g., the stem outline in a cross-section, the bud shape and length, the corolla tube length and the lobe length, the pattern of the anther dehiscence and length, and the endocarp morphology) are useful for distinguishing these two taxa. In particular, following three characteristics are most useful for an identification: (1) the corolla tube length of C. japonica (2.5-4.6 mm) is longer than that of C. dichotoma (0.7-1.0 mm); (2) the anther is dehiscing by an apical pore at the anthesis of C. japonica, while it is opening by a long fissure from the apex to the base in C. dichotoma; and (3) the edge of the endocarp (lateral view) in C. japonica is concave, while in C. dichotoma it is shown to be flat. On the other hand, the teeth state on the leaf margin and the position of inflorescence are not good diagnostic characteristics for identification. Additionally, the keys for all known Callicarpa taxa in Korea are provided.

Comparative seed morphology of Boronia Sm., Boronella Baill., Neobyrnesia J. A. Armstr. and Zieria Sm., 31 taxa in total, in Rutaceae is studied. The seeds are ventrally ellipsoid to ovoid (0.93–4.42 × 0.50–2.31 × 0.95–2.70 mm). Colour is brown to black. An elaiosome which is related to myrmechocory was observed in Boronella, Boronia, Neobyrnesia and Zieria. Six testa surface pattern types are identified: Type I (Boronia sect. Boronia) – smooth, and cells not barely discernable; Type II (Boronella) – smooth and cells more or less rectangular and often cells elongated; Type III (Boronia sects. Boronia, Cyanothamnus, Imbricatae and Valvatae, Neobyrnesia) – colliculate with four subtypes by presence, absence of ridges or ridge characters; Type IV (Boronia sect. Alatae) – digit form; Type V (Boronia sect. Algidae) – alveolate; Type VI (Zieria) – ridged, the interridge area formed by both cells that form the ridges and cells that do not form the ridges. Seed morphology, especially testa surface patterns, was partially congruent with the current classification of Boronia, with most sections having apomorphies, and provided additional support for the placement of Boronella near Boronia sect. Boronia. Hilum (surrounded by labiose margin or not) and elaiosome shape also offer useful diagnostic characters for Boronia at infrageneric levels. Neobyrnesia and Zieria both had unique testa surface patterns. The seed morphological data contribute to our understanding of systematic relationship in the subtribe Boroniinae.

Patrinia saniculifolia Hemsl. is a Korean endemic plant belongs to the family Caprifoliaceae s. l. In this study, we report the complete chloroplast genome of P. saniculifolia. The chloroplast genome was 153,775 bp with LSC (87,529 bp) and SSC (17,236 bp) regions, separated by two IRs regions 23,806 bp, and overall GC content was 38.48%. It contains total of 111 genes, including 78 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes.

The present study was focused on the careful investigation of Glechoma longituba flowers collected from four populations in Korea to clarify their precise sexual systems. All floral characters of this taxon were examined by using a stereo microscopy. The nutlet size and production were compared between two distinct morphs (i.e., hermaphrodites and females), and pollen viability test of hermaphrodite and intermediate phenotype (i.e., individuals with a mixture of females and perfect flowers) was also observed by light microscopy (LM). All of the investigated floral characters of G. longituba are significantly different from one sexual morph to another. Hermaphroditic plants were larger than the female ones in corolla width and length, calyx length, filament length, anther length, and style length (all P

The morphological characteristics of Chionanthus retusus Lindl. & Paxton in Korea are reviewed in this study through the comparison with its previous records and a distribution map of this species is created using previous flora and voucher specimens. The leaf epidermal micromorphology and the petiole anatomy are also briefly described.

The phylogenetic position of Pentactina Nakai, one of only six endemic genera in the Korean peninsula, has been elusive and difficult to determine due to inaccessibility of plant materials. In this paper, we were able to obtain material from the one and only living collection of Pentactina outside of its native range in North Korea and determined its phylogenetic relationship relative to the other genera within the tribe Spiraeeae (Rosaceae). This paper presents the first molecular phylogeny of the genus Pentactina using both nuclear ribosomal ITS regions as well as chloroplast DNA trnL-trnF intergenic spacers to conduct phylogenetic analyses (maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood) of the Spiraeeae. The ITS and combined data set trees suggest that Pentactina shares its most recent common ancestor with Petrophyton, a small western North American genus, while cpDNA suggests close relationships to Kelseya, Sibiraea, and Petrophyton. Therefore, based on the present molecular sequence data, we suggest that the rare Korean monotypic endemic genus Pentactina possibly has a close relationship with the small western North American genus Petrophyton, although receiving a weak support. In addition, our current study suggests that Pentactina is not part of the large genus Spiraea as previously hypothesized by Hutchinson. Pentactina possess combinations of several morphological features within the Spiraeeae such as an erect shrub habit, simple serrate leaves, and raceme inflorescences, and recognition as a distinct endemic genus in Korea is warranted.

The seed morphology of 22 taxa (12 genera) of Solanaceae in Korea was studied by stereo and scanning electron microscopy, and a detailed description of seed morphological features for all examined taxa is provided. The color of the seed is yellow to black, and the shape is reniform to circular. Its size is 0.56-4.29 mm in length and 0.38-3.20 mm in width. The largest sample was found in Datural metel, while the smallest was in Petunia hybrida. Three different surface types (verrucate, verrucate-reticulate, and reticulate) were recognized in the studied taxa. The top of the anticlinal wall produces appendages known as 'fibrils'. This projection of anticlinal wall was found to be specific to the genus Solanum (S. japonense, S. lyratum, and S. lycopersicum). The morphological features (seed shape, size, color, hilum shape, surface type, and fibrils) of the family Solanaceae in Korea are described and their systematic implications are briefly discussed.

Pollen morphology of 18 species (32 specimens) representing all three currently recognized sections of the genus Elsholtzia (Elsholtzieae–Lamiaceae) was investigated in detail using light, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. Elsholtzia pollen grains are small to medium in size (P=20–50 μm, E=16–45 μm), mostly prolate-spheroidal to prolate, and rarely oblate-spheroidal to subprolate in shape (P/E=0.95–1.46), hexacolpate (the amb more or less circular or ellipsoid) with granular aperture membranes. Three distinct types of sexine ornamentation are observed in Elsholtzia: perforate, rugulose-bireticulate, and bireticulate. The bireticulate pattern is the most common, showing a wide range of morphological variation among species. The exine thickness varies from 1.2 to 2.5 μm. Among the present palynological data, the variability observed in sexine ornamentation of Elsholtzia could be of systematic significance. Current infrageneric classification of the genus Elsholtzia is partially congruent with pollen morphological data.

The pollen morphology of 13 taxa (34 specimens) of the genera Glechoma L., and Marmoritis Benth. was investigated in detail using light, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy. Pollen grains of all studied taxa are small to large in size (P= 32.5–60.4 μm, E= 20.2–50.5 μm), prolate-spheroidal to prolate in shape and mostly hexacolpate (the amb more or less circular or rarely ellipsoid) with granular membranes. The sexine ornamentation of Glechoma is bireticulate; the muri of the primary reticulum are irregularly circled, and lumen size is short. In contrast, the sexine surfaces of the Marmoritis pollen tend to more elongate or wider at the muri of the primary reticulum than those of the Glechoma. The pollen wall stratification of selected taxa (three from Glechoma and one from Marmoritis) is characterized by unbranched columellae, and continuous or distinctly discontinuous endexine based on transmission electron microscopy observation. The results of Glechoma and Marmoritis reveal rather similar pollen morphological features, however, fine details of sexine ornamentation are characteristic to differentiate the pollen taxa. Although these differences may be useful in establishing the taxonomic boundary between two genera, they are too weak to segregate diagnostic characters.