Abstract:The flowers of Zingiberaceae have higher degrees of organ fusion and specialization with one functional stamen and two lateral subsidiary structures, which result in controversial explanations on the derivation and nature of the floral organs. However, the origin and course of the floral vasculature may provide credible evidence to understand the nature of floral structures. This paper reported the floral anatomy of Hedychium forrestii Diels with paraffin method. The floral vasculature of H. forrestii is described and the nature of labellum and petaloid subsidiary structures is discussed. The labellum is supposed to represent one member of the outer androecial whorl by the median bundle and two members of the inner whorl by its two lateral traces. While the two petaloid structures, the petaloid staminodes, receive vascular traces of two adaxial sets of carpellary dorsals, representing two inner androecial members. Present evidence is in support of the Thompson and Gregory’s view that the labellum is a triple structure in Zingiberaceae. As in other species of Zingiberaceae, the epigynous glands on the prolongation of the flower in H. forrestii are vascularized emergences of the ovary, which are of modified gynoplural nectary but not androecial member. Comparison with other species studied, the origin and course of floral vasculature are consistent in the tribe Hedychium, which indicated that homeosis played an important role in the evolution of the flower in Zingiberaceae.

Abstract:Microsporogenesis and male gametophyte development of Flaveria bidentis (L.) Kuntze were observed by using method of traditional paraffin sections. The results showed that anther was tetrasporangiate, and the development of anther wall was the Basic type, which included an epidermis, an endothelium, a middle layer and a tapetum. The tapetum belonged to amoeboid type and its cells were binucleate. From appearance of archesporial cells to 2-celled pollen stage, the development of tetrasporangiate was asynchronous. The archesporial cells differentiated from single archesporium, the meiosis of microspore mother cells were continuous type and tetrads were tetrahedral. Mature pollen grains were 2-celled with 3 aperture, and obvious spines on thick extine. Huge pollens were observed occasionally. At the MMC stage, the tapetum membrane was formed from the middle layer neighboring tapetal cells, which surrounded tapetum and MMC.

Abstract:Chirita lutea, which was published in 2004 by Liu and Wei, belonging to Gesneriaceae and only distributed in Guangxi Province of China, is a perennial herb and grows on limestone rocky hillsides or cliffs. The species can produce abundant flowers every year, but it currently presents the small populations. The pollination biology in C. lutea was studied. Flowering of C. lutea took place from early July to late August. The flowering period of individual lasted about 35~47 days, while anthesis of single flower lasted 6~12 days. Flowers opened at noset time. During anthesis, the pollen viability retained at about 80% and the stigma receptivity retained at about 75%~90%. The mean P/O was 1215.73±266.13. The stigma was obviously higher than the anther after flowering 1 day and reached the entrance of collar tube when the pollen was dispersed, which easily made it to be touched firstly by pollinator and receive allogamy. Field experiments indicated that C. lutea was self-compatible and there was no agamospermy. The pollination must depend upon insects because the occurrence of autonomous self-pollination was difficult. Pollination limitation is existent in this species, so the fruit set in the artificially pollinated flower was higher than that in the open pollinated flower. The main pollinators are Apidae sp., Crabro sp., Amegilla sp, which visited the flowers for pollens.

Abstract:Based on the investigation of the flora in Ninepin Group of Hong Kong, there were 140 vascular species belonging to 115 genera and 54 families, of which 5 families, 6 genera and 6 species belonged to Pteridophytes, 48 families, 108 genera and 133 species to Angiosperms, only 1 species to Gymnosperms. The Tropical and Subtropical distribution elements were dominant in this flora. The vegetation types included evergreen broad-leaved shrub、lower subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest and tropical sand vegetation. The checklist of Ninepin Group plants was reported for the first time, and the characteristic of plant diversity in each island was discussed, the floristics characteristics of the Ninepin Group were also compared with the neighbouring regions, all of these provided some basic references for studying on the flora of Hong Kong.

Abstract:The floristics of seed plants in coastal hilly areas of southern Hainan Island was studied on the basis of data of 6 600 m2 sampling plots and route survey. There were 876 species, belonging to 484 genera and 112 families. There were 78 families of Tropical elements, accounting for 69.64% of the total families. The Tropical elements at genus level were the dominant components, in which the Pantropic genera and Tropical Asian genera contributed 33.47% and 19.62% of the total (excluding cosmopolitan), respectively. There were 3 genera endemic to China, e.g. Merrillanthus, Hainania and Chunechites. At the species level, Tropical elements contributed 74.94% of the total number of species (excluding cosmopolitan). There were 204 species endemic to China, accounting for 23.13% of the total species, in which 78 species were endemic to Hainan. Compared with the seed plant flora in the northern Island, it had obvious differences in species composition, due to differences in natural landform and climate.

Abstract:Thirteen new combinations, one new name and 3 new synonyms of Bambusoideae from Guangdong, China are reported. The new combinations are Bambusa transvenula (W. T. Lin et Z. J. Feng) N. H. Xia, B. revoluta (W. T. Lin et J. Y. Lin) N. H. Xia, R. H. Wang et R. S. Lin, B. rectocuneata (W. T. Lin) N. H. Xia, R. S. Lin et R. H. Wang, Dendrocalamus stenoauritus (W. T. Lin) N. H. Xia, D. suberosus (W. T. Lin et Z. M. Wu) N. H. Xia, D. triramus (W. T. Lin et Z. M. Wu) N. H. Xia, D. pulverulentus var. amoenus (Q. H. Dai et C. F. Huang) N. H. Xia et R. S. Lin, Arundinaria lentiginosa (W. T. Lin et Z. J. Feng) N. H. Xia, A. albosericea (W. T. Lin) N. H. Xia, A. scabriflora (McClure) Z. D. Chu et C. S. Chao var. breviligulata (Z. P. Wang et G. H. Ye) N. H. Xia, A. biloba (W. T. Lin et Z. J. Feng) N. H. Xia, A. acutiligulata (W. T. Lin) N. H. Xia and Chimonobambusa gracilis (W. T. Lin) N. H. Xia. Sinocalamus concavus W. T. Lin et Z. M. Wu is transferred to the genus Bambusa and a new name B. basihirsutoides N. H. Xia is proposed because the present of the block name, B. concava W. T. Lin (1997). A. tenuivagina W. T. Lin is reduced to a synonym of A. cantorii (Munro) L. C. Chia. A. multinervis W. T. Lin et Z. M. Wu and Indocalamus multinervis (W. T. Lin et Z. M. Wu) W. T. Lin are reduced to synonymy of I. longiauritus Hand.-Mazz.

Abstract:Two newly recorded species of Dischidia R. Br. (Asclepiadiaceae) from China, D. singularis Craib and D. griffithii Hook. f., are reported. A key to Chinese species of Dischidia R. Br. is provided.

Abstract:The full-length cDNA of flavonoid-3,5-hydroxylase gene (F3,5H) was cloned by RT-PCR from blue color pedal of Petunia hybrida (GenBank Accession EF371021). Bioinformatics analysis showed that the gene sequence was highly consistent with previously reported F3,5H genes, such as GenBank Accession D14588, Z22545, and DQ352142. The encoded amino acid sequence was highly homology with that of GenBank Accession BAA03438.1 (Petunia hybrida), BAC10997.1 (Nierembergia sp. NB17) and AV85470.1 (Solanum tuberosum) at 99%, 88% and 87%, respectively. A novel vector pBIN19-PchsA-F35H was constructed from plasmids of pBIN19, pBluescript SK(+) and pMD18-PchsA, which was driven by flower-specific promoter of chalcone synthase A gene (PchsA). Furthermore, the vector was successfully transformed into the wild-type Agrobacterium rhizogenes K599. The hairy roots of Dendranthema morifolium were induced by K599 harboring pBIN19-PchsA-F35H with the frequency of 30.7%. The results provided an important foundation for blue flower breeding by gene engineering technique.

Abstract:The function of IQM3 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana was analyzed. The ressults showed that the putative promoter region of IQM3 contained cis-acting regulatory elements involved in response to environmental changes, such as light, phytohormones and abiotic-stress. IQM3 gene strongly expressed in different organs of 6-week-old plant, such as flower, rosette leaf, cauline leaf, stem, and root, but weekly in pods. Mutants iqm3-1 and iqm3-2 inserted T-DNA of IQM3 gene had been found to be loss-of-function and over-expression line, respectively, by RT-PCR analysis. Phenotypic characterization of the mutants indicated that IQM3 gene related with seed germination and cotyledon expansion.

Abstract:The silent information regulator protein (Sir2) and its homologues collectively known as Sirtuins, NAD+-dependent deacetylase enzymes, play an important role in physiological regulation, such as the survival, aging and apoptosis of cell. The biological function of SIR2 HDACs family from Magnaporthe grisea was investigated by using bioinformatics. The results showed that the members of SIR2 family were localized in the different chromosomes and different parts of Magnaporthe grisea cell, and their encoding proteins all have four sites, such as the protein kinase C phosphorylation site, the Casein kinase II phosphorylation site, the N-glycosylation site, and the N-myristoylation site. The SIR2 HDACs members all haven’t transmembrane regions and they are hydrophilic proteins without signal peptide. The SIR2 HDACs members from M. grisea were aligned by ClustalW2 and their SIR2 domains are highly conserved. These SIR2 HDACs seemed to be involved in processes, such as transcription regulation, energy metabolism and chromatin silencing in M. grisea.

Abstract:The changes in some physiological characteristics in two cultivars of Amaranthus tricolor L., such as ‘Red flower’ and ‘Green leaf’, were investigated under 40℃ for 6 days. The results showed that the contents of soluble sugar and praline, the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) were enhanced in ‘Red flower’ under high temperature, compared with ‘Green leaf’, while amaranthine content in ‘Red flower’ was remarkably accumulated under 40℃. The ‘Green leaf’ exhibited sensitively to high temperature, in which the content of amaranthine decreased, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and membrane leakage rate increased, as well as the visible damage symptom appeared during heat stress. In comparison with, the content of total phenolic in leaves of two cultivars under 40℃ had no significant difference from that in the control under 30℃. It was suggested that the accumulation of osmoregulatory matter and amaranthine, and enhancement of the activities of enzymes might be the physiological basis of ‘Red flower’ resistanted to heat stress.

Abstract:The rapid propagation of Enkianthus quinqueflouus Lour. had been established by using shoot-tip or stem with auxiliary buds as explants. The modified B5 medium as basal medium was optimum for callus induction. The callus induction rate was up to 100% cultured on B5 medium with 1 mg L-1 2,4-D. The adventitious buds were induced on B5 medium supplemented with 1∼2 mg L-1 BA +0.1∼0.5 mg L-1 NAA. Propagation coefficient was the highest when adventitious buds were subcultured on modified B5+1 mg L-1 BA+0.5 mg L-1 NAA. The rooting could reach 80% when adventitious buds cultured on 1/2MS+2 mg L-1 IBA, and the survival of plantlet could reach 90% after transferred into perlite bed.

Abstract:The relationship between the distribution of Malania oleifera and climatic factors was studied by using WI, HI, cluster analysis, and principal component analysis. The results showed that maximum temperature, mean temperature in July, annual average temperature, ≥10℃ annual accumulated temperature and annual average precipitation were the main limited factors to the geographical distribution of Malania oleifera. By Peak-Width-Half (PWH) Numeration, the optimum temperature and annual precipitation ranged from 18.0℃ to 22.0℃ and from 1 106.5 mm to 1 585.1 mm, respectively. The regions of Leye were the main geographical distribution of Malania oleifer due to the hydro-thermal environment. The maximum temperature and arid climate are the significant factors to the distribution of Malania oleifera, and lead to endangerment.

Abstract:Nitrogen content (N), phosphorous content (P) in leaves, leaf mass per area (LMA), max. net photosynthetic rate (Pmax) and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) of 16 woody species were examined, which were used for the restoration of degraded hilly land. The results showed that contents of N and P in leaves were 18.8 mg g-1, 1.07 mg g-1, that were 6.9% and 26% lower than the national average levels (20.2 mg g-1, 1.46 mg g-1), respectively. The average N: P ratio in leaves was 18.4, 12.9% higher than the national average level (16.3 mg g-1). N content in leaves was positively correlated with P content in leaves, and the N: P ratio was significantly correlated with P content in leaves, and weakly with N content in leaves. It suggested that N: P in leaves was mainly dependent on P content in leaves. The species with high N content in leaves generally had high Pmax, PNUE and low LMA, while those with low N content in leaves had low Pmax, PNUE and high LMA.

Abstract:The compositions of the essential oil from the leaves of Callicarpa formosana Rolfe in Guangdong Province were analyzed by means of GC-MS technique, and 48 chemical constituents, accounting for 90.14% of total content were identified. The main components were (-)-spathulenol (20.23%), β-caryophyllene (17.22%), germacrene D (8.06%) and β-eudesmene (5.52％). Besides, some sesquiterpenes and their oxides, such as t-elemene (4.18%), aristolene (3.78％), isoaromadendrene oxide (2.71%) and 4-terpineol (2.50%) had also relatively high contents. The tested oils at three concentrations displayed ability to scavenge the stable free radical DPPH and showed a concentration-effect relationship.

Abstract:The volatile oils from leaves of Michelia macclurei were extracted by hydrodistillation, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Sixty-one peaks were detected. Among them, forty-five compounds were identified, accounting for 91.41% of the total volatile oils. The major compositions were caryophyllene (18.74%), β-elemene (14.56%), elemol (13.14%), γ-elemene (9.18%), α-eudesmol (7.22%), α-caryophyllene (5.20%) and γ-eudesmol (4.90%), etc.

Abstract:The volatile oils were extracted from the leaves of Clerodendrum chinense (Lour.) Merr. collected in eastern Guangdong by monthod of steam-distillation, and their compositions were analyzed by GC-MS. Thirty-one compounds were identified, accounting for 100% of the total volatile oils. The five main compounds, such as 1-octen-3-ol (49.50%), (E)-3-hexen-1-ol (13.39%), linalool (9.41%), cyclohexanol (3.37%), 3-octanol (1.69%), n-valeridc acid-cis-3-hexenyl ester (1.42%), 1-hexanol (1.38%), furfural (1.37%) and a-terpineol (1.17%), accounting for 81.53% of the total volatile oils.

Abstract:The three hypotheses about the evolution of sex in Ficus spp. were summarized, such as seasonality, the reduction of non-pollinating fig wasp species, and the persistence of pollinator populations within small groups of trees. The studies on sex evolution of Ficus spp. in the future were also discussed.