Abstract:The purpose of this work is to update and discuss the list of Bambusoideae species and its natural distribution in Brazil. According to the data collected, there are in total 256 native taxa (including 2 subspecies and 3 varieties) of Bambusoideae in Brazil, belonging to 34 genera and 2 tribes in this country. Among them, 164 taxa of 17 genera are woody bamboo, and the rest are herbaceous bamboo. The North region is most rich in herbaceous bamboo with 61 species of the tribe Olyreae, while the woody bamboo are mostly found in the Southeast region with 96 species of the tribe Bambuseae. Merostachys (43 species) and Chusquea (45 species) are the most common genera with most potential utilization for the Guadua (18 species). The endemism at generic and species level is 32.4% and 68.8%, respectively. The endemic genera in Brazil are Diandrolyra, Eremitis, Parianella, Reitzia and Sucrea for tribe Olyreae, and Alvimia, Apoclada, Athroostachys, Cambajuva, Filgueirasia and Glaziophyton for tribe Bambuseae.

Abstract:Phyllostachys Sieb. et Zucc., an important genus in Bambusoideae (Gramineae), consisting of ca. 60 species, is mainly distributed in China. In the present taxonomic literature, the classification and identification of species in the genus is mainly based on the characters of culm leaves and young culm. However, the sprouting period of most species, is between spring and summer for only 20-30 d, and it is rather difficult to observe fresh bamboo shoots or fresh culm-sheaths and young culms in the other seasons, so that both the present key to the species and the description of characters are poor for the identification of plants in non-sprouting state. To solve this problem, the more taxonomic evidence is needed to be looked for. On the basis of a long-term field investigation with a continued observation under cultivation in several Chinese bamboo gardens, some vegetative characters in non-sprouting state, such as length of culm-intranode, arrangement of branchlet and leaf, status of leaf-auricle and oral seta, status of leaf-ligule, and hair on the abaxial surface of leaf, etc. were discovered to play important roles in classification of the species rank. If the characters were used properly and combination with the others, all of species known in the genus in non-sprouting state could be efficiently distinguished. A key to species, according mainly to vegetative characters in non-sprouting state, is prepared here for field works.

Abstract:Examination of herbarium specimens and pollen morphology has shown that the specimens from southeastern Xizang (Mêdog) previously identified as Anemone davidii Franch. (Ranunculaceae) actually belong to A. griffithii Hook. f. & Thoms. Previous records of the occurrence of A. davidii in southeastern Xizang are therefore not correct. This species is currently known from Chongqing (Chengkou, Nanchuan, Wulong, Wuxi, Youyang, Yunyang), Guizhou (Jiangkou, Kaili, Leishan), Hubei (Shennongjia, Xingshan, Xuanen, Zhuxi), Hunan (Sangzhi, Shimen, Xinning), Sichuan (Anxian, Baoxing, Dujiangyan, Ebian, Emei, Hongya, Jinyang, Junlian, Leibo, Mabian, Shimian, Tianquan, Tongjiang, Yingjing), and Yunnan (Dali, Mojiang, Weixi, Zhongdian), China.

Abstract:Hedyotis affinis Roem. & Schult. is reported from China for the first time. Its morphological description is also provided in detail.

Abstract:An Europe originated cranesbill, Geranium dissectum L., is first recorded as naturalized species in Jiangsu Province of China. Morphological characters and color images are provided for this alien.

Abstract:In order to understand the cytohistology of Casuarina cunninghamiana callus, cell division, callus differentiation and adventitious bud regeneration were studied under scanning electron microscope and paraffin sections. The results showed that parenchyma cells in the wound started dedifferentiation in the callus induction medium. After cultured for one week, callus were induced at the explant wound, and embryonic callus was formed. Bud primordium was induced from surface cells after two weeks. After culturing for a further four weeks, embryonic bud primordium became more increasely visible, and gradually differentiated to become adventitious bud. After another six weeks, most of the adventitious buds have proliferated and differentiated, and some developed to shoots. It was confirmed that the regeneration of C. cunninghamiana could be achieved through embryoid callus differentiation, it would provide basis for establishment of efficient regeneration system in C. cunninghamina.

Abstract:In order to understand the biological function of histone deacetylase HDA705 in rice, the yeast twohybrid bait vector of HDA705 and the cDNA library were constructed and the interaction partners of HDA705 were screened. The results showed that HDA705 bait vector showed no self-activating and no toxicity to yeast cells. Furthermore, the titer of cDNA library was suitable for normal yeast two-hybrid screening assay. There were 164 positive clones by yeast two-hybrid screening. DNA sequencing analysis indicated that these positive clones encoded 47 proteins which may interact with HDA705. These proteins included 3 transcription factors (or transcription co-factors) which play key roles in stress responses and hormone signaling pathways, 6 chloroplast located proteins which were involved in photosynthesis, 1 protein containing the R3H domain structure, and 22 enzymes in plant, etc. These may provide important cues to further study the biological function of HDA705 in rice.

Abstract:In order to screening stable reference genes that can be used to real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis in Anthurium andraeanum spathes, five constitutively expressed genes, including EF1-a, UBQ7, ACTB, GADPH and His3, were analyzed expression stability by using qRT-PCR, and the expression of dihydroflavonol 4-reductase gene (dfr) was analyzed by using screened reference gene. The results showed that the expression stabilities of five reference genes were different among different cultivars. On the basis of the normalization factor V_n/n+1, the optimum number of reference gene was two. The expression of ACTB and UBQ7 were the most stable in dfr ferent cultivars and different development stages of A. andraeanum spathes, so that they were ideal reference genes. When ACTB and UBQ7 were used as reference genes, the gene dfr expressed in different cultivars and different development stages of A. andraeanum spathes, and the change trend of dfr expression were consistent. Thus, both ACTB and UBQ7 were suitable as reference genes for A. andraeanum spathes.

Abstract:The aim was to obtain the compatible mycorrhizal fungi of lithophytic Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum using in situ seed baiting technique. Two natural small seedlings were harvested after in situ seed germination. The effective symbiotic fungi of genus Epulorhiza were isolated from these developed seedlings. In order to verify the effect of the isolated fungal strains on seed germination, one of strains, Phs34, was used to the in vitro symbiotic seed germination of P. hirsutissimum on the sterile habitat substrate. After cultured for 6 weeks, seeds inoculated with Phs34 started to develop into protocorms and average germination rate was (58.35±3.41)%, whereas seeds without the fungus failed to germinate. These indicated that the fungal strain Phs34 was compatible mycorrhizal fungus of P. hirsutissimum, and it will be helpful in seedling production and orchid conservation of P. hirsutissimum.

Abstract:In order to understand the correlation between seed hardness and total lignin content in seed coat of pomegranate (Punica granatum), the seed hardness and total lignin content of six cultivars were measured by Texture Analyser and thioglycolic acid method. The results showed that the correlation coefficient was 0.9246 between seed hardness and total lignin content in seed coat. A full-length cDNA sequence of 1456 bp (GenBank accession No.: KJ713968) was cloned from pomegranate seed coat by RACE, named PgCOMT gene. Realtime quantitative PCR showed that the relative expression of PgCOMT in ‘Hongyushizi', ‘Fenpi', ‘Huiliruanzi', ‘Mengzitian' and ‘Tunisiruanzi' seed coat had a similar trend with seed hardness. The relative expression of PgCOMT declined at first, and then rose with development stage of pomegranate seed coat the last stage. These lay a foundation for further study the mechanism of soft seed traits in pomegranate.

Abstract:In order to understand the survival situation of plant community in Jinggang Mountain, the spatial patterns and interspecific relationship of dominant species were studied, and the protection strategy was discussed. The results showed that four dominant species with top importance value, such as Rhododendron ovatum, Castanopsis eyrei, Litsea elongate and L. elongata var. faberi, had different size structures, as well as in vertical distribution. Based on relative neighborhood density index (Ω _r) analyses, the spatial distribution of Rhododendron ovatum, Litsea elongate and L. elongata var. faberi showed significantly aggregated distribution at most scales, while that of Castanopsis eyrei was random distribution. The upper canopy species Castanopsis eyrei had only significant positive correlation with under canopy species Rhododendron ovatum at small scale (<6 m), and Castanopsis eyrei provide refuge for Rhododendron ovatum within a certain range. However, most Litsea elongate and L. elongata var. faberi individuals in the middle canopy had obvious competitive relationship, which the two species showed significantly negative correlation at 9-13 m scale. Therefore, there were no significant competition among dominant species in Jinggang Mountain communities. If taking reasonable and scientific protection, the diversity of plant community will continue to improve.

Abstract:In order to understand the heavy metal accumulation ability of Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm., the fronds, roots and rhizosphere soil of C. barometz were collected from six woodlands of nature reserves in Guangdong Province, including Nanling, Nankunshan, Baiyunshan, Dalingshan, Wutongshan and Xiqiaoshan. The contents of nine heavy metal elements, such as Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg and Pb, were measured by ICPMS. The results showed that the sampling soils in six woodlands were contaminated by heavy metals at different degree. The contents of Cd and Hg in soil were higher than the background values in Guangdong Province about 1.61- 4.82 and 4.74-11.79 times, respectively. Among six sampling woodlands, Cd content in soil was the highest in Xiqiaoshan and Hg content was the highest in Nanling. Among nine heavy metals, translocation factor (TF) of Hg by C. barometz was the highest up to 4.8, and bioconcentration factor (BCF) of Cd was the highest for 2.2, TF and BCF of Cu and Cd were all above one. It was suggested that C. barometz had high transportation capability and low accumulation capability of heavy metals.

Abstract:In order to discuss the bryodiversity and bryoflora of Duoyihe Scenic Spot in Luoping County, Yunnan Province, the taxa and phytogeographical elements of the bryophyte were investigated and analyzed. The results showed that there were 116 species (including subspecies and varieties), belonging to 59 genera and 34 families in Duoyihe Scenic Spot. Both the dominant families and genera indicated that the bryoflora was mostly temperate elements with some subtropic and tropic elements. The areal-types were dominated by North Temperate (27.03%), Tropical Asia (25.23%), East Asia (19.82%), and endemic to China (10.81%); the dominant floristic elements are tropical elements (34.23%), northern temperate elements (35.14%) and eastern Asia elements (30.63%). Therefore, the characteristics of the bryoflora were that temperate and tropical elements coexist with high endemism. Compared with bryoflora in neighbouring 13 regions, the species abundance of Duoyihe was relatively high (ranked the eighth) and its bryoflora is the closest to Xiangzhigou karst areas in Yunnan-Guizhou Bryological Region due to the close geographic locations, the similar elevations and the same karst-river-valley environment in the two areas.

Abstract:In order to understand the chemical constitutents of Epimedium pseudowushanese B. L. Guo, seven compounds, including two megastigmane glycosides and four phenylpropanols were isolated from water extracts of the aerial part of. E. pseudowushanese. On the basis of the spectral data, they were identified as icariside B6 (1), megastigman-5-ene-3,9-diol 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), eugenol rutinoside (3), 2-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone (4), 2,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy- 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone (5), 2,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone (6), dihydroconiferyl alcohol γ-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (7). Among them, compounds 2 and 7 were new. All compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Abstract:In order to understand the chemical constituents of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Ait.) Hassk., ten compounds were isolated from alcohol extract of R. tomentosa leaves. On the basis of spectral data, they were identified as: lupeol (1), myricetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside (2), rhodomyrtone (3), 4,8,9,10-tetrahydroxy-2,3,7-trimethoxyanthracene- 6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), stigmasterol (5), kaempferol-3-O-α-L-furanoarabinoside (6), myricetin (7), 23-hydroxytormentic acid (8), 2α,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (9) and laricitrin (10). Compounds 5-10 were obtained from this plant for the first time. Compound 3 showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and B. subtilis with MIC=0.78 μg mL^-1.

Abstract:Rafflesia keithii Meijer