Although the causes and consequences of floral closure have been studied widely, the ecological advantages of floral closure and its role in plant reproductive success is largely unknown. Using ...Merremia umbellata subsp. orientalis (Hallier f.) Ooststr., a twining and/or prostrate annual herb as a model system, we experimentally investigated the effect of different pollination treatments (self and cross) on the petal closure. We also evaluated the effect of experimental floral manipulation treatments (wire, wire-control, and control) on the pollen viability, pollen loss, and reproductive success. Further, we hypothesized that floral closure ensures reproductive success by providing protection against the loss of pollen grains by wind and rain and by providing a microenvironment inside the corolla that maintains pollen viability. Further, we predicted that the unpollinated flowers should remain open longer than pollinated flowers. We expected a lower pollen viability and availability of pollen in anthers and reduced reproductive success (fruit and seed set) in experimentally manipulated flowers compared to naturally closed flowers. Floral closure occurred 4-6 h after pollination following fertilization. We observed that the emasculated flowers remained open for a longer time than the pollinated flowers. There were significant differences in floral closure between self- and naturally pollinated flowers. The flowers that were experimentally manipulated to prevent floral closure resulted in lower pollen viability and pollen availability. We have observed significant differences in the proportion of fruit set among different pollination treatments. Mature seed production was significantly reduced in wire-treated flowers compared with wire-control-treated flowers. Further, experimentally treated (wire treatment) flowers resulted in increased aborted seed production than the control flowers. Lower reproductive success in experimentally open flowers could be due to lower stigma pollen load, reduced stigma receptivity, decreased pollen tube growth, and reduced rate of successful fertilization. Our findings suggest that species exhibit an adaptive response to different pollination treatments, because prolonged floral longevity may enhance the likelihood of successful pollination and seed production. Therefore, petal closure is an important non-morphological floral trait that facilitates the reproductive success of this species possibly by maintaining an optimal microenvironment inside the corolla tube.
This study evaluated the change in the carotenoid content and colorimetric properties of the pumpkin flower ( Cucurbita maxima ) in convective drying. Three factors were studied: drying temperature ...(45, 50, and 55°C), airflow (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 m/s), and shape of the flower (whole, half, and petals). The initial lightness value of 64.38 tends to decrease with drying temperature and time; however, the lightness increases as the pumpkin flower shape passes from the petals to the whole shape because of the high moisture content. During drying, the a and b parameters ranged from 16.61 to 30.03 and 34.61 to 61.46, respectively. An increment in a value indicates that the pumpkin flower tends to be redder, and the increase in b values indicates a yellow color movement. The hue angle increased when the airflow goes from 0.3 to 0.9 m/s and when the drying temperature increased from 50 to 55°C; therefore, the pumpkin flower tended to be more yellow when the drying temperature passed from 50 to 55°C. The best properties of pumpkin flowers were obtained during the drying process at a temperature ranging from 50 to 55°C. At this temperature range, moisture content was around 3.11% to 10.2% and water activity was from 0.225 to 0.334, respectively. It was also noted that drying at higher temperatures leads to loss of color and carotenoid content because of the presence of heat‐sensitive molecules, which is also why low drying temperature is used in this process.
A new purple-flowered Butia Sant`Anna-Santos, Bruno Francisco
Plant ecology and evolution,
10/2023
3
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Background and aims - The highlands of the Chapada dos Veadeiros region comprise one of the largest savannah areas in central Brazil. The region includes large areas of the rare and little-known ...cerrado rupestre, which is home to numerous endemic species. During research on the Arecaceae flora of Chapada dos Veadeiros, a new species of Butia was discovered, and it is described here. Material and methods - The morphology and anatomy are described based on field collections. Following the default methodology, pinnae and flowers were analysed using LM (freehand cross- and longitudinal sections) and SEM. The new species is compared to its morphologically similar species from the Brazilian central plateau, and an identification key and distribution map were established. Key results - At first sight, the new species Butia soffiae resembles B. archeri, but with staminate and pistillate flowers, which are always purple, different in size, and congested in the rachillae. After close inspection, it is morphologically allied to B. buenopolensis, differing mainly by its glaucous peduncular bract - similar size to the inflorescence, herbaceous peduncle, numerous rachillae, purple floral colour, and inconspicuous staminodes. Differences in leaf anatomy, such as the presence of raphides, a cross-sectionally truncated midrib, and the number of accessory bundles on the midrib, also support the description of a new species. Two structures were recorded for the first time for the genus: squamiform trichomes at the base of the pistil and osmophores on the staminodes. The new species is assessed as Critically Endangered based on the restricted area of occurrence and anthropogenic threats. Conclusion - Butia soffiae is the first endemic Butia species described in Chapada dos Veadeiros. The type population is located near Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, which is the subject of a bill that aims to reduce its area by 73%. The discovery of this new species reinforces the uniqueness of the local flora and the importance of maintaining the park. Keywords: acaulescent, Goiás State, new species, Palmae , plant anatomy, raphides, squamiform trichomes, taxonomy
Artists and writers alike have always been drawn to flowers. As sources of inspiration or simple enjoyment, flowers have been responsible over the centuries for many of our greatest and most ...memorable works of art, works that echo and preserve - in words and in line and colour - the particular beauties of their subjects. This volume brings together a personal selection of poetry and prose from a broad range of writers, from Shakespeare and Milton, to Reginald Farrer and Edward Augustus Bowles, to twentieth-century poets such as Marianne Moore and Theodore Roethke. Familiar wild and garden flowers are here explored in all their moods and mysteries. The poems and extracts are illustrated with botanical prints from the remarkable collection of artworks at the Royal Horticultural Society's Lindley Library, acknowledged as the world's finest horticultural library.
Matthiola longipetala subsp. livida is an annual herb in Brassicaceae that has received little attention despite the family’s high reputation for health benefits, particularly cancer prevention. In ...this study, UPLC-HRMS-MS analysis was used for mapping the chemical constituents of different plant parts (i.e., flowers, leaves, and roots). Also, spectral similarity networks via the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) were employed to visualize their chemical differences and similarities. Additionally, the cytotoxic activity on HCT-116, HeLa, and HepG2 cell lines was evaluated. Throughout the current analysis, 154 compounds were annotated, with the prevalence of phenolic acids, glucosinolates, flavonol glucosides, lipids, peptides, and others. Predictably, secondary metabolites (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and glucosinolates) were predominant in flowers and leaves, while the roots were characterized by primary metabolites (peptides and fatty acids). Four diacetyl derivatives tentatively assigned as O-acetyl O-malonyl glucoside of quercetin (103), kaempferol (108 and 112), and isorhamnetin (114) were detected for the first time in nature. The flowers and leaves extracts showed significant inhibition of HeLa cell line propagation with LCsub.50 values of 18.1 ± 0.42 and 29.6 ± 0.35 µg/mL, respectively, whereas the flowers extract inhibited HCT-116 with LCsub.50 24.8 ± 0.45 µg/mL, compared to those of Doxorubicin (26.1 ± 0.27 and 37.6 ± 0.21 µg/mL), respectively. In conclusion, the flowers of M. longipetala are responsible for the abundance of bioactive compounds with cytotoxic properties.
Interspecific hybridization with 'Satputia' (bisexual and cluster bearing) can be highly useful for the introgression of cluster bearing, high yield and gynoecism in sponge gourd (monoecious and ...solitary bearing). However, the occurrence of self-pollination in closed flowers and anthesis of two species at different time intervals creates hindrance in interspecific hybridization. The present investigation highlighted that the reciprocal interspecific cross (Satputia x sponge gourd) is more successful for development of F.sub.1 hybrid and its further utilization in development of segregating generations. Pre-anthesis emasculation (28 h before anthesis) of Satputia buds in the evening and pollination with sponge gourd (PSG-9) in the morning on the day of anthesis resulted in high fruit set. Interspecific hybrids were monoecious and morphologically intermediate for most of the vegetative, flower and fruit traits. The seed of hybrid vines was vigorous than both the parents with respect to size and weight. Ample pollen production, pollen viability and high fruit set on selfing confirmed the fertility status of vines. Although pollen size was less than both the parents, but the pollen density improved in F.sub.1 vines. Fertile hybrids could be easily used to generate F.sub.2 and BC.sub.1P.sub.2 and TCH segregating generations. In F.sub.2 generation, gynoecious, adroecious, andromonoecoius, monoecious and cluster bearing vines of variable length and fruit size were observed. In back cross and triple cross generations, most of the vines were monoecious except a few adroecious and gynoecious with improved fruit size, vine growth and bearing capacity. Backcross and triple cross with sponge gourd displayed a shift towards this species.
Opisthopappus is a perennial, endemic herb of the Taihang Mountains in China. Two species of this genus (O. longilobus and O. taihangensis) are important wild genetic resources for Asteraceae; ...however, their reproductive biology has been lacking until now. This study is the first detailed report on the reproductive biology and breeding systems of two Opisthopappus species. Through field observations, the floral syndromes of O. longilobus and O. taihangensis were found to possess a similar pattern, although O. taihangensis has a relatively larger capitulum, more ray ligules, and disc florets. The flowers of both O. longilobus and O. taihangensis are protandrous, a character that can prevent autogamy at the single-flower level, and insects are required for pollination. Further, brightly ligules, brightly bisexual florets, unique fragrance, and amount of nectar suggest that these species propagate via an entomophilous pollination system. Hymenopteran and Diptera species were observed as the effective pollinators for these two species. The outcrossing index, pollen/ovule ratio and the results of hand pollination indicated that these Opisthopappus species might have a mixed mating system that combines cross-fertilization and partial self-fertilization for O. longilobus and O. taihangensis, outcrossing predominated in the breeding system, while self-pollination played an important role in seed production when insect pollination was unavailable, particularly in a harsh environment, such as the Taihang Mountains cliffs. Meanwhile, O. taihangensis might better adapt to severe surroundings with relatively complex floral syndromes, specifically through the attraction of visiting insects and a high seed set rate. The above results not only provide reference information toward a better understanding of the survival strategies of O. longilobus and O. taihangensis in the Taihang Mountains but also lay a solid foundation for further exploring the molecular mechanisms that underly their adaptation under cliff environments.
