Flora最新文献

{"title":"Which habitat element has the critical impact on photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrates, and antioxidant defense in epiphytic mosses?","authors":"Tahereh A. Aghajanzadeh ,&nbsp;Seyedeh Sepideh Seyed Mousavi ,&nbsp;Farshad Mohammadzadeh Gharegheshlagh ,&nbsp;Afshin Fayyaz Movaghar","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152816","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152816","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mosses, as an essential component of the Hyrcanian Forest ecosystem, are influenced by various ecological factors. The current study aimed to investigate the role of habitat elements on the concentration of photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrates, antioxidant compounds, and antioxidative enzymes activity in three native epiphytic moss species from the Neckeraceae family: <em>Forsstroemia remotifolia, Homalia besseri</em>, and <em>Neckera complanata.</em> The mosses were collected from the Hyrcanian Forest in Golestan Province, northern Iran, along three bands of an elevational transect with different climatic conditions. The results revealed that in <em>H. besseri</em> and <em>F. remotifolia</em> the metabolite concentrations and antioxidative enzyme activities were not correlated with elevation or associated climatic factors. Instead, they were strongly influenced by the characteristics of their host trees. Notably, the patterns of change in metabolites including chlorophyll a and b, soluble carbohydrates, proteins, phenols, and the activity of antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase were similar in these two moss species, regardless of whether they were collected from low or high elevations. This similarity may be attributed to their common host tree, <em>Parrotia persica.</em> It appears that the host tree plays a significant role in shaping the mosses’ metabolite profiles particularly through traits such as bark thickness and pH. In contrast, the metabolite composition in <em>N. complanata</em>, including photosynthetic pigments, soluble proteins, flavonols, and SOD activity, was influenced by both the host tree and elevation. Moreover, <em>N. complanata</em> exhibited different responses to host tree features (bark thickness and pH) compared to <em>H. besseri</em> and <em>F. remotifolia</em>. This study concludes that host tree characteristics play a pivotal role in modulating the physiological responses of epiphytic mosses, revealing species-specific sensitivities to elevational gradients. The findings emphasize the intricate interaction between host bark traits and abiotic environmental factors in shaping moss metabolism within the Hyrcanian Forest ecosystem.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 152816"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144749382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The secrets of variegated leaves: Molecular to physiological and ecological insights","authors":"Anjali Bhardwaj ,&nbsp;Dipti Agarwal ,&nbsp;Upma Bhatt ,&nbsp;Sunita Parihar ,&nbsp;Vineet Soni","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152815","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152815","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Leaf variegation, characterized by multicolored patterns such as white, yellow, red, or purple hues, deviates from the uniform green coloration typical of most plants due to complex genetic, physiological, and structural mechanisms. It can arise from stable genetic mutations or transient environmental influences and is broadly classified into structural and pigment-based types. Mechanistically, variegation is further divided into four categories based on chlorophyll absence, internal air spaces, epidermal structure, or localized pigment expression. Genetic studies in model species such as <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em>, tobacco, rice, and tomato have revealed that mutations affecting chloroplast biogenesis and pigment biosynthesis often underlie variegated phenotypes. In addition to its ornamental appeal, variegation plays critical physiological and ecological roles, influencing photosynthesis, photoprotection, thermoregulation, and plant-herbivore interactions. Pseudo-variegation, a visually similar but a non-genetic phenomenon induced by other organisms, can also confer adaptive advantages such as herbivore deterrence and environmental stress tolerance. Recent research highlights the importance of integrating molecular, anatomical, and ecological perspectives to fully understand the developmental and adaptive significance of leaf variegation in higher plants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 152815"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144766589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gynoecium and fruit development in Oenocarpus mapora Karsten (Arecoideae, Arecaceae)","authors":"Genise Luz de Oliveira ,&nbsp;Maria Gracimar Pacheco de Araújo ,&nbsp;Fred Stauffer","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152814","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152814","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Oenocarpus mapora</em>, commonly known as “bacabinha,” is a culturally and economically important palm in the Amazon region, especially due to its use in the production of “vinho de bacaba,” a traditional beverage made from its fruit pulp. This study describes the ontogenetic development of the gynoecium through to the mature fruit, based on morphological, anatomical, and histochemical analyses. Individuals were monitored in the field over a three-year period, and samples at different floral and fruit developmental stages were examined using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and morphometry. The results confirm that the gynoecium is unilocular, uniovulate, and pseudomonomerous, with no anatomical evidence of carpel fusion—an important insight for the comparative floral morphology of the genus <em>Oenocarpus</em>. Fruits were analyzed in three developmental stages and showed that key structural features, such as mechanical tissues in the pericarp, differentiate early and are maintained throughout maturation, forming a continuous protective matrix around the seed. The fruit is classified as a pyrene-type drupe with a complex (cocosoid-arecoid) endocarp, lignified and composed of fibers adhering to the seed. An elongated embryo with a functional haustorial region was also observed in the mature fruit, evidenced by starch accumulation in the cotyledonary tissues. These early-formed structures reflect adaptive strategies for seed protection and dispersal. The findings offer novel insights into the developmental patterns of the genus and provide valuable information for propagation, cultivation, and conservation strategies involving Amazonian palms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 152814"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144724214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.) trees traits under different silvicultural systems in broad-leaved forest","authors":"Hasan Balabandi ,&nbsp;Kambiz Abrari Vajari ,&nbsp;Naghi Shabanian","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152805","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152805","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The deciduous-broadleaved oriental beech (<em>Fagus orientalis</em> L.) forests in Hyrcanian region have been logged under different silvicultural systems. In this study, we aim to investigate the influences of the three silvicultural systems including single-tree selection, shelterwood systems and control (unlogged) on the oriental beech tree traits in a broad-leaved forest. A total of 90 beech trees in overstorey were randomly sampled in each applied systems(<em>n</em> = 270), then their crown dimensions and some morphological as well as chemical compounds of leaves were measured. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed the impact of different silvicultural systems on all beech tree traits and we found significantly greater basal area, height, volume, crown length and crown width for beech trees under both single-tree selection system and control site(<em>P</em> ≤ 0.01), compared with shelterwood system. The higher values of leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, leaf fresh weight, specific leaf area and leaf perimeter of beech trees were measured in forest managed by single-tree selection system (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.01). Some chemical elements showed significant differences among silvicultural systems, as the highest mean value of N, C, chlorophyll <em>a</em>, and chlorophyll <em>b</em> was observed in the leaf of beech tree in forest managed under single-tree selection system (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.01, <em>P</em> ≤ 0.05), which might be related to nutrient availability in forest. Regression analysis showed that height/diameter ratio and some beech tree traits including DBH, crown width, crown surface area, crown volume were significantly negatively correlated for three silvicultural systems (<em>p</em> = 0.000). In general, uneven-aged silvicultural system including the single-tree selection system, result in variations in beech tree structure that may affect the tree growth and timber quality within beech forest in Hyrcanian region. This is something that must be taken into account when designing forestry projects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 152805"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144711768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphological and histological description of the development of microtubers of the genus Dioscorea (Dioscoreaceae)","authors":"Laura Díaz-Godínez ,&nbsp;Fernando Santacruz-Ruvalcaba ,&nbsp;Patricia Zarazúa-Villaseñor ,&nbsp;José Juvencio Castañeda-Nava ,&nbsp;Antonia Gutiérrez-Mora ,&nbsp;Rosalba Mireya Hernández-Herrera","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152803","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152803","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microtubers constitute a production alternative to tuber segmentation, storage, and sowing in traditional cultivation systems. Despite existing studies on the conditions necessary for production, descriptive analyses are scarce and have focused on the starches present in microtubers. To address the lack of information, this study aimed to describe the primary stages of microtuber development and the anatomical changes during each stage in different <em>Dioscorea</em> species and varieties produced under <em>in vitro</em> conditions. Forty microtubers were processed by differential staining using the Feulgen method and analyzed by confocal microscopy. The results describe the formation of the main microtuber segments and developmental stages, as well as the formation of the conduction systems within the microtuber, the start of starch granule accumulation, and the different cells of microtuber tissue. In addition, morphological differences were observed in the microtubers derived from <em>Dioscorea sparsiflora</em>, which exhibited an elongated, thickened root-like appearance, in contrast to the microtubers of <em>Dioscorea alata</em>, which were spherical to ovoid in shape and displayed a slight purple hue.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 152803"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144749380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Revealing leaf anatomical characters that impact the taxonomy of Calea sect. Calea (Asteraceae)","authors":"João Victor da Costa Santos ,&nbsp;Maria José de Sousa Monteiro ,&nbsp;Genilson Alves dos Reis e Silva ,&nbsp;E Josiane Silva Araújo","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152804","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152804","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This is the first report of a comparative leaf anatomy study of <em>Calea</em>, a genus of Asteraceae with a markedly complicated taxonomic history. The purely structural analyses allowed us to distinguish anatomical patterns that have not yet been explored in the literature of the group. The different types of trichomes, both tector and glandular, are informative in the taxonomy of the genus. The other secretory structures and the different conformational patterns of the vascular system in the midrib and petiole deserve to be highlighted for contributing to the distinction of <em>Calea</em> species, especially <em>C. serrata</em> from <em>C. pinnatifida</em>, two morphologically similar species. The similarity analysis reinforces the structural similarity between the species of <em>Calea</em> sect., distinguishing them from the outgroup, whose leaves are distinct due to the absence of laticifers and isobilateral mesophyll. Histochemical studies are needed to investigate the metabolites secreted by the cavities, laticifers, nectaries and secretory trichomes. Many of these structures have chemical content that has not yet been explored in the genus. We present an identification key and a binary/multistate matrix that can support future proposals for infrageneric classification in <em>Calea</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 152804"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144702641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to “Different benefit from clonal integration of stress signal between a stoloniferous alien invasive plantand its congeneric native one” [FLORA Volume 326, May 2025, 152724]","authors":"Jie Deng,&nbsp;Jiao Tian,&nbsp;Cheng-Gang Qiu,&nbsp;Xue-Mei Wang,&nbsp;Jie Jiang,&nbsp;Han-Jun Yang,&nbsp;Yi Dan,&nbsp;Chang-Fan Chen,&nbsp;Su-Juan Duan,&nbsp;Jin-Song Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152798","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152798","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 152798"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144687224","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Different benefit from clonal integration of stress signal between a stoloniferous alien invasive plant and its congeneric native one","authors":"Jie Deng,&nbsp;Jiao Tian,&nbsp;Cheng-Gang Qiu,&nbsp;Xue-Mei Wang,&nbsp;Jie Jiang,&nbsp;Han-Jun Yang,&nbsp;Yi Dan,&nbsp;Chang-Fan Chen,&nbsp;Su-Juan Duan,&nbsp;Jin-Song Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152799","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152799","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Under heterogeneous resource supply, alien invasive plants with clonal growth can benefit more from clonal integration than their native ones. However, different benefit from translocation of non-resource substance (such as stress signal or hormone) between invasive alien clonal plants and native congener remains poorly understood. To address this, we conducted a pot experiment to explore translocation of stress signal, induced by local exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) application, within clonal networks of alien invasive plant <em>Wedelia trilobata</em> and native congeners <em>W. chinensis</em> subjected to drought stress (20 % soil moisture). In <em>W. trilobata</em>, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (<em>F_v/F_m</em>, ΦPSII and qP) and photosynthetic parameters (<em>P_n</em> and <em>G_s</em>) of young ramets significantly increased 2–3 days after ABA application to old ramets. In contrast, <em>W. chinensis</em> exhibited a delayed response, with a significant increase in <em>F_v/F_m</em> of young ramets observed only after 3 days, and increases in <em>P_n</em> and <em>G_s</em> delayed until 17 days. A similar temporal difference was observed when ABA was applied to young ramets; chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic parameters in old ramets of <em>W. trilobata</em> responded more rapidly than those in <em>W. chinensis</em>. At the end of experiment, exogenous ABA application significantly promoted biomass accumulation in alien invasive plant <em>W. trilobata</em>, but had no significant effect on the <em>W. chinensis</em>. It is suggested that translocation of stress signal may improve growth performance more in invasive alien clonal plant than its native congeners. Consequently, translocation of stress signal may confer a competitive advantage to invasive alien clonal plants over native plants, further contributing to its invasiveness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 152799"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144687148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Leaf traits mediate galling insect frequency on woody plants in a Neotropical savanna","authors":"Leandro Maracahipes ,&nbsp;Leonardo Lima Bergamini ,&nbsp;Fernando Landa Sobral ,&nbsp;Mário Almeida-Neto ,&nbsp;Marcus Vinicius Cianciaruso ,&nbsp;Walter Santos de Araújo","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152800","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152800","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Galling insects are highly specialized herbivores that exhibit intimate interactions with their host plants. However, the role of interspecific variation in plant traits on galling species occurrence has been little explored. Here, we assessed the roles of nutritional (P:N ratio) and defensive (latex, specific leaf area, leaf toughness and extrafloral nectaries) leaf traits in determining galling insect frequency and richness across 50 woody plant species in a Brazilian savanna. Specifically, we tested the hypotheses that nutritional leaf traits attract galling insects, thus increasing their frequency and species richness, while defensive leaf traits reduce galling frequency and richness. Sampling was conducted during the rainy season, resulting in the identification of 82 galling insect species distributed among 42 plant species. We found no relationship between leaf traits and galling species richness. However, latex reduced the frequency of galling insects, whereas the presence of extrafloral nectaries, tougher leaves and higher leaf P:N ratio were positively associated with galling frequency. Our findings indicate that latex plays an important role on the occurrence of galling insects, presumably by hindering oviposition and reducing egg survival and larval hatching. Additionally, the presence of extrafloral nectaries may offer protection against natural enemies, tough leaves can increase leaf longevity and enhance defense against herbivory, and galling species prefer plant with better nutritional quality. In contrast to previous studies, we demonstrate that defensive and nutritional leaf traits do not affect galling species richness; rather, defensive traits influence the frequency of galling insects among savanna plant species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 152800"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144687523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Functional trait variability and adaptive strategies of Genus Carex along the elevation gradients","authors":"Muhammad Waheed ,&nbsp;Fahim Arshad ,&nbsp;Muhammad Manzoor ,&nbsp;Syed Waseem Gillani ,&nbsp;Abeer Al-Andal ,&nbsp;Kaniz Fatima","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152802","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152802","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the variability of plant functional traits along environmental gradients is essential for assessing vegetation-environment interactions. The genus <em>Carex</em>, a dominant component of temperate ecosystems, exhibits diverse ecological adaptations across elevation gradients. This study investigates the composition, functional trait variations, and adaptive strategies of <em>Carex</em> species along an elevational gradient in the Western Himalayas. We hypothesized that elevational gradients influence species composition and functional traits, thereby shaping adaptive strategies. We conducted field surveys across three elevation ranges (500–1000 m, 1100–1500 m, and 1600–2000 m), recording <em>Carex</em> species distribution and measuring key functional traits. CSR strategies were evaluated to determine ecological adaptation trends. Results revealed 24 <em>Carex</em> species with the highest richness at mid-elevations. Functional trait variations demonstrated significant ecological differentiation, with species at lower elevations exhibiting competitive traits, whereas stress tolerance increased at higher altitudes. Results indicated that plant dry weight and number of rhizomes were major drivers of trait differentiation. CSR analysis revealed a shift from competitive strategies at lower elevations to stress-tolerant strategies at higher elevations, reflecting resource availability and abiotic constraints. These findings highlight the ecological adaptability of <em>Carex</em> species and the role of elevation in shaping plant functional traits. The study provides critical understanding of plant adaptation mechanisms, aiding conservation efforts in the Western Himalayas under changing environmental conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 152802"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144611641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}