Flora最新文献

{"title":"Relevance of leaflet morphoanatomical characters in the taxonomy and ecology of seven species of the genus Mimosa (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae, Mimoseae)","authors":"Manuel Alberto Ayala-Ramos ,&nbsp;Susana Adriana Montaño-Arias ,&nbsp;Teresa Terrazas ,&nbsp;Rosaura Grether","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152849","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152849","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The genus <em>Mimosa</em> is complex; it is distributed in a wide variety of habitats, and the delimitation of several of its species remains problematic. To date, leaflet morphoanatomy has not been explored in most of its species, despite the fact that such exploration would not only make it possible for the species to be distinguished but also provide information about the environment. It was for these reasons that the taxonomical and ecological implications of the morphoanatomical characters of seven <em>Mimosa</em> species’ leaflets were determined. The architecture and anatomy of three leaflets were observed in three individuals per species. Interspecific differences were evaluated through analysis of variance. Similarity analysis and a non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis were performed. Traits showed associations with several environmental variables using canonical correspondence analysis. The characters with specific taxonomic value include primary venation type, stomatal complex type, mesophyll type, presence or absence of twice-branched veinlets, and cuticular folds over the primary vein. The analysis of similarities grouped the species according to the section to which they belong (<em>M</em>. sect. <em>Batocaulon, M.</em> sect. <em>Habbasia</em>, and <em>M</em>. sect. <em>Mimosa</em>). Furthermore, the characters are associated with protection against solar radiation, reduction of water loss, and optimization of water transport and photosynthesis. This study demonstrates that leaflet morphoanatomical characters are important for the resolution of taxonomic problems and can provide insight into the survival strategies employed by <em>Mimosa</em> species, thus pointing the way for future exploration of the topic.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"332 ","pages":"Article 152849"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145226980","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":"Phytotoxic effects of nano- and bulk-form of CdO on photosynthetic apparatus of Hordeum vulgare","authors":"Kirill Azarin ,&nbsp;Alexander Usatov ,&nbsp;Tatiana Minkina ,&nbsp;Nadezhda Duplii ,&nbsp;Ilya Alliluyev ,&nbsp;Aleksei Fedorenko ,&nbsp;Natalia Chernikova ,&nbsp;Ritu Rani ,&nbsp;Saglara Mandzhieva ,&nbsp;Vishnu D. Rajput","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152838","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152838","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The toxic effects of nano- and macro-dispersed forms of CdO on the photosynthetic apparatus of <em>Hordeum vulgare</em> L. seedlings have been studied. The application of nano-CdO reduced the concentration of chlorophylls and carotenoids, while bulk-CdO did not cause significant changes. At the same time, the level of the chlorophyll precursor, 5-aminolevulinic acid, increased by 31% to 57% compared to control in all studied treatments. Ultrastructural studies of chloroplasts revealed a decrease in their size and disruption of the ordered thylakoid organization under the influence of bulk- and nano-CdO. Expression analysis of key genes of the photosynthetic electron transport chain showed a rise in expression under low pollutant concentrations and a decline under high concentrations. Nevertheless, the photochemical activity in the seedlings tended to decrease in a dose-dependent manner. Under the influence of high concentrations of nano-CdO, there was more than 2-fold increase in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of fluorescence. Moreover, both high and low doses of the studied compounds suppressed the expression of ATP synthase genes, and genes of the Calvin-Benson cycle enzymes. At the same time, upregulation of genes of the pentose phosphate pathway and terminal oxidase was observed, indicating the activation of protective mechanisms amid decreased photosynthesis efficiency. The suppression of photosynthesis was reflected in the levels of non-structural carbohydrates, which were reduced in all treatments. The research results emphasize the need to assess the long-term effects of the heavy metal nanoparticles on photosynthesis and plant productivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"332 ","pages":"Article 152838"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050193","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":"Solanum sanctae-catharinae Dunal, a new study of the morpho-anatomy and micromorphology of the leaf and stem","authors":"Leandro Taborda da Rocha ,&nbsp;Lorene Armstrong ,&nbsp;Cintia Aparecida dos Anjos ,&nbsp;Karine Amorim Fladzinski ,&nbsp;Juliana de Fátima Garcia ,&nbsp;Marco Franceschi ,&nbsp;Deise Prehs Montrucchio ,&nbsp;Josiane de Fátima Gaspari Dias ,&nbsp;Marilis Dallarmi Miguel ,&nbsp;Obdulio Gomes Miguel","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152841","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152841","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The genus <em>Solanum</em> is considered cosmopolitan due to its worldwide distribution. The species <em>Solanum sanctae-catharinae</em> Dunal (“<em>joá-manso</em>”, “<em>canema</em>”) is a native species which is found in the south and southeast regions of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. This study aimed to describe leaf and stem morpho-anatomy of the species and determine its morphological singularities, and to identify qualitatively the metabolites of <em>S. sanctae-catharinae</em> through histochemical tests. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) were used to analyze the micromorphology and composition of crystals. Findings in this species, such as hypostomatic leaf and anomocytic stomata, striate cuticle, dorsiventral mesophyll, bicolateral vascular bundle, stellate trichomes in the leaf and stem are reported. With regard to sand crystals in all the structures analyzed, a platy aggregate and magnesium crystals are detected in the petiole. The presence of starch grains, lipid substances and lignin, were reported. These relevant characteristics help in the identification of <em>S. sanctae-catharinae</em>. These were compared with several species of the genus to highlight the main similarities and differences between them.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"332 ","pages":"Article 152841"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145107230","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":"Phenology, floral biology, morphology and hawkmoth pollination of Calliandra magdalenae (Fabaceae) in modified landscapes of the Soconusco region, Mexico","authors":"Karen Beatriz Hernández-Esquivel ,&nbsp;Lourdes Aideé Jiménez-Aparicio ,&nbsp;Angel Gabriel Vazquez-Calvo ,&nbsp;Anne Damon","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152829","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152829","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite the recognized importance of nocturnal pollinators, studies focusing on nocturnally pollinated plants remain limited. <em>Calliandra magdalenae</em> (Fabaceae) is a species that exhibits floral morphology adapted to hawkmoths. The principal aim of this study was to determine the phenological patterns, whether the species reproduces in rural environments, and how climatic conditions influence their floral growth. For two years, the reproductive phenology of <em>C. magdalenae</em> was studied. Flower morphology was assessed using both univariate and multivariate analyses. Floral biology and environmental variables were monitored over 27 days, and their relationships were analyzed. Nocturnal pollinator observations were carried out over five nights. The phenology of <em>C. magdalenae</em> is synchronous among individuals and consists of extended flowering during the wet season and a fruiting period during the dry season. Two distinct floral morphs were documented based on the staminal tube lengths. Increased light is positively correlated with floral bud production, while higher humidity favored floral anthesis. The species exhibits low fruit set rates, possibly due to the low pollination visitation rates and habitat fragmentation. Four hawkmoth species were identified as principal pollinators, each with specific visitation behaviors. Utilizing different pollinators can enhance pollen dispersal. This study demonstrates that plants living in modified landscapes utilize complex strategies to sustain their reproduction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"332 ","pages":"Article 152829"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145007594","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":"Does seed morphology affect seedling emergence in Amazonian forest species?","authors":"Ayla Yanne Gomes Pinheiro ,&nbsp;Graciliano Galdino Alves dos Santos ,&nbsp;Evandro Ferreira da Silva ,&nbsp;Fabio Miranda Leão ,&nbsp;Emil José Hernández-Ruz","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152840","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152840","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Morphological and morphometric knowledge, as well as assessments of fruit and seed quality and vigor, are crucial for the large-scale production of seedlings of Amazonian species. This study aimed to describe the morphometric characteristics of seeds from six forest species collected in the Volta Grande do Xingu region and to evaluate the effects of fruit morphology (fleshy vs. dry) and pre-hydration on seedling emergence. It also examined the relationship with the Emergence Speed Index (ESI), Mean Emergence Time (MET), and Emergence Percentage (EP). Fleshy fruits were defined as those with nutritional reserves in the mesocarp (<em>Psidium densicomum</em> Mart. ex DC., <em>Virola surinamensis</em> Warb<em>., Genipa americana</em> L<em>.</em>), while dry fruits lack a succulent pericarp (<em>Hevea brasiliensis</em> Willd. ex A. Juss., <em>Carapa guianensis</em> Aubl., <em>Campsiandra laurifolia</em> Benth.). A completely randomized design was adopted, with four replicates of 20 seeds each. The treatments applied were (1) hydration and (2) control (no hydration). Fruit morphology did not influence seed emergence indices. However, hydration for 24 hours resulted in a shorter MET and a higher ESI.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"332 ","pages":"Article 152840"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050191","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":"Soil microbiota and native neighbor identity affect invasive plant competitiveness","authors":"Lei Wang,&nbsp;Dingding Feng,&nbsp;Ruonan Zhang,&nbsp;Ailing Wang,&nbsp;Hongbo Tang,&nbsp;Jie Sun,&nbsp;Xianqin Wei,&nbsp;Weibin Ruan","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152844","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152844","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Invasive plants often compete with diverse native species, thereby altering native ecosystem structure and function. Soil microbiota can further influence invasion outcomes through their effects on plant performance, yet it remains unclear how soil microbiota and native neighbor identity jointly shape these competitive dynamics. Here, we used natural and sterilized soil to separate biotic from abiotic effects and examined competition between the invasive <em>Alternanthera philoxeroides</em> (Amaranthaceae) and two native species, <em>Bidens bipinnata</em> (Asteraceae) and <em>Setaria viridis</em> (Poaceae), in a common garden experiment. We assessed plant performance and their interaction relationship under different soil treatment. Soil microbiota removal reduced the invader’s total biomass when competing with <em>S. viridis</em>, and its biomass was lower with <em>S. viridis</em> than when grown alone or with <em>B. bipinnata</em> in sterilized soil. Competition with either native species increased the invader’s root-shoot ratio regardless of soil treatment, while sterilization enhanced its specific leaf area under competition. Moreover, both soil microbiota and neighbor identity influenced interaction relationship and competition intensity of the invader. Natural soil weakened the competition interaction and reduced the competition intensity between invasive plant and <em>S. viridis</em>, but not with <em>B. bipinnata</em>. For the native species, <em>S. viridis</em> showed increased shoot biomass, total biomass, and root-shoot ratio when competing with invader, while <em>B. bipinnata</em> showed no significant response. Overall, our findings demonstrate that soil microbiota and neighbor identity jointly regulate the competitive ability of invasive plants, underscoring their importance in shaping invasion outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"332 ","pages":"Article 152844"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145107232","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":"2025-10-01","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":"Physiological responses of Illicium difengpi to simulated persistent and intermittent droughts","authors":"Baoyu Liu ,&nbsp;Huiling Liang ,&nbsp;Xiujiao Zhang ,&nbsp;Hai Ren ,&nbsp;Manlian Wang ,&nbsp;Hui Tang ,&nbsp;Xue Zhao ,&nbsp;Dafeng Hui ,&nbsp;Chenghua Deng","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152820","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152820","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Global climate change has intensified the impacts of persistent and intermittent droughts on karst plants, especially on endangered and medicinal species, but research in this area remains limited. This study investigated the effects of two types of droughts, i.e., persistent drought–rehydration (PD-R) and cyclic mild/moderate drought–rehydration (CD-R), on <em>Illicium difengpi</em>, an endangered medicine plant native to the karst regions in China, using two-years-old seedlings. Key physiological variables were measured throughout the experimental period. The leaf relative water content and predawn water potential of the species rapidly recovered to the control levels after rehydration. However, photosynthesis-related variables—including net photosynthetic rate (P_n), effective PSII quantum yield (ΦPSII), photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), chlorophyll concentration (Chl a+b), Chl a/b ratio—were positively correlated with soil moisture content (SM) but negatively correlated with drought cycles, leading to increasing decline with increased drought severity and frequency. Consequently, these variables failed to fully recover during the rehydration phase following severe drought or multiple CD-R cycles. Malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation significantly increased during severe drought and the third CD-R cycle. Catalase (CAT) activity increased progressively with drought intensity under PD-R (60–291 %), while CD-R induced significant increases of 28–68 % (mild) and 44–170 % (moderate). Proline (Pro) and soluble proteins (SP) elevated significantly only under severe persistent drought stress, showing no significant change under CD-R. This study demonstrates that: (i) <em>I. difengpi</em> exhibits strong post-drought water recovery; (ii) drought damage increases with severity and frequency; (iii) CAT plays a key role in antioxidant defense, while Pro and SP primarily respond to severe or multiple drought cycles. These findings provide a preliminary understanding of the physiological response of <em>I. difengpi</em> to persistent and intermittent drought.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 152820"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144858315","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 “Intraspecific variation of leaf traits in tree plantings of different ages in a tropical forest” [Journal Flora 325 (2025) 152700]","authors":"Nathalie Loureiro ,&nbsp;Jerônimo Sansevero","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152818","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152818","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 152818"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145019226","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":"Comparative morpho-anatomical study of the native Fritillaria species from Romania and its taxonomic significance","authors":"Anca Sârbu ,&nbsp;Alina Georgiana Cîșlariu ,&nbsp;Adrian Oprea ,&nbsp;Culiță Sîrbu ,&nbsp;Anca-Monica Paraschiv ,&nbsp;Mioara Dumitrașcu","doi":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152826","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.flora.2025.152826","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the native <em>Fritillaria</em> species of Romania, <em>Fritillaria montana</em> Hoppe ex W.D.J. Koch (mesophilous), <em>Fritillaria meleagris</em> L. (meso‑hygrophilous), and <em>Fritillaria meleagroides</em> Schult. &amp; Schult. fil. (halo-hygrophilous). <em>Fritillaria montana</em> and <em>Fritillaria meleagris</em> are protected in Romania, whereas <em>Fritillaria meleagroides</em> is newly recorded in the national flora. Field identification of these taxa relied on morphological traits visible during the reproductive period.</div><div>The study examines the vegetative organs (roots, bulbs, stems, and leaves) to provide a detailed understanding of species morpho-anatomy and to aid taxonomic identification outside the flowering phase. Given their differing ecological requirements, particular focus was on structural variation related to soil moisture conditions. Morphological measurements were complemented by anatomical analyses of cross-sections and paradermal sections (leaf) examined under optical microscopy.</div><div>Morphological differences among taxa were minor, whereas anatomical analyses revealed distinct histological features in all vegetative organs. Key traits include the presence or absence of aeriferous cavities in the root cortex and bulb storage parenchyma; variation in aeriferous formations in the stem medullary parenchyma; dimensional variation in stem parenchyma; numerical and dimensional differences in conductive bundles; presence or absence of perifascicular sheaths in the lamina; and differences in lamina cross-section outline.</div><div>Anatomical traits linked to moisture preference, particularly the occurrence of aeriferous formations, proved most informative for distinguishing species outside the reproductive period. These features formed the basis of a dichotomous identification key, designed for use under optical microscopy. The key enables reliable identification of <em>Fritillaria</em> taxa during the vegetative stage or from vegetative fragments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55156,"journal":{"name":"Flora","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 152826"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144932345","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}