Reproductive phenology of climbers in a Southeastern Brazilian forest

The reproductive phenology of the entire climber community (96 species of lianas and 40 species of vines) in a semideciduous forest in Southeastern Brazil (22 degrees 49'45''S; 47 degrees 06'33''W and 670 m altitude) was observed from March 1988 to February 1991. Phenological observations were made weekly by walking along a 10.5 km trail in the interior and at the forest edges of the Santa Genebra Reserve (SGR). The most species-rich families of climbers were Bignoniaceae (22), Malpighiaceae (17), Sapindaceae (12) and Asteraceae (12). Flowering patterns for woody lianas and herbaceous vines differed. Lianas had two flowering peaks: a minor peak in March in the transition from wet to dry season, and a major peak in October during the transition from dry to wet season. The flowering peak for herbaceous vines was in April. Fruiting of lianas was highly seasonal, with one peak in the late dry season (July-August). Fruiting for vines was less seasonal with a slight peak in March. These differences were consistent with the predominance of wind-dispersed fruits among lianas (72% of species) versus vines (52%). Low rainfall, high leaf fall, and strong winds during the dry season favor wind dispersal. More species of vines (40%) have animal-dispersed seeds than lianas (19%), and most vines fruited during the wet season. Phenological patterns of climbers and trees and treelets at SGR differed. The life form of lianas and their system of reserve economy may allow them to reproduce during periods unfavorable to trees. Displacement of peak flowering periods of trees and climbers pollinated by bees and small generalist insects may decrease competition for pollen vectors among species of these two groups of plants. Whereas the fruiting patterns of wind-dispersed trees and climbers at SGR were similar (most species fruiting during the dry season), animal-dispersed trees and treelets fruited throughout the year while animal-dispersed climbers exhibited a pronounced peak in late wet season. The distinct phenological patterns of climbers, generally complementary to those presented by trees, resulted in constant availability of Bowers and fruits throughout the year and enhances the importance of this plant group in Neotropical forests.28218019

Ethnobotany of Atlantic Forest coastal communities .2. Diversity of plant uses at Sepetiba Bay (SE Brazil)

This is an ethnobotanical study of Atlantic Forest coastal communities located at Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Atlantic Forest remnants are top priority conservation areas, and include native communities that depend on fish and small-scall agriculture. We conducted fieldwork in the community of Calhaus (Jaguanum Island) from 1989 to 1991, and interviewed adults on their use of plants. we examined the diversity of medicinal plants used among communities of different islands and found results similar to previous research at Gamboa (Itacuruca Island); communities living in smaller islands and on islands further from the coast use a lower diversity of plants. Also, older islanders show a deeper knowledge of medicinal plants than younger islanders.25235336

Diversity of plant uses in two Caicara communities from the Atlantic Forest coast, Brazil

Caicaras are native inhabitants of the Atlantic coast on southeastern Brazil, whose subsistence is based especially on agriculture and artisanal fishing. Because of their knowledge about the environment acquired through generations, Caicara people can play an important role in Atlantic Forest conservation. An ethnobotanical study was conducted within two Caicara communities (Ponta do Almada and Camburi beach, Sao Paulo State, Brazil), focusing on plant uses. In 102 interviews, 227 plant ethnospecies were quoted, mainly for food, medicine, handicraft and construction of houses and canoes. People from studied communities depend on the native vegetation for more than a half of the species known and used. Using diversity indices, plant uses are compared between studied communities and between gender and age categories within each community. We found quantitative differences in the knowledge about plants between gender categories for each kind of use (medicinal, food and handicrafts). Older and younger informants also have different knowledge about plants for handicraft and medicine, but not for edible plants.9559761

POLYACETYLENES OF BRAZILIAN SPECIES OF DIDYMOPANAX (ARALIACEAE)

Analysis of ethereal extracts of the roots of Didymopanax macrocarpus and D. vinosus gave falcarinol, dehydrofalcarinol, falcarinone, dehydrofalcarinone and octa-9(Z); 17-diene-12,14-diyne-1,16-diol. The presence of these dehydro compounds in the Araliaceae is very unusual and may constitute an index for chemotaxonomic characterization of the genus.20878378

Indole alkaloids from Aspidosperma ramiflorum

Two new bis-indole alkaloids, ramiflorines A and B, were isolated, together with the known compounds, beta-yohimbine and 10-methoxygeissoschizol, from the bark and seeds of Aspidosperma ramiflorum. 2D-NMR analysis, together with CD measurements, established the absolute configuration of both stereogenic centres in the ramiflorines.41396396

Woody vegetation in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil: a preliminary typology

The ecological conditions of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso change during yearly and multi-years cycles because of pronounced water-level fluctuations. Differences in topography and related hydrological conditions allow the coexistence of specific vegetation units. This paper presents an analysis of the flora and vegetation types described in the scientific literature and based on our own observations in the Pantanal. It offers a unifying characterization of the vegetation of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso with respect to the characteristics of woody plants of the region. Grasslands and aquatic communities were not considered. Three floristic types with 19 units were distinguished: savannas (5 units), forests (2 sub-types and 10 units), and scrublands (4 units). The environmental parameters used to define these types, subtypes, and units are described, and information on species composition is given.194173215918

COUMARINS FROM PTEROCAULON-BALANSAE AND PTEROCHAULON-LANATUM

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