Unusual carpological characters in Marlothiella gummifera (Apiaceae)

AbstractFlowers and fruits of the monotypic Namibian endemic Marlothiella gummifera were examined to explore anatomical variation and to highlight problems associated with the homology of certain character states. Some unusual new features observed in the fruits and ovaries raise questions regarding the homology of fruit heteromorphy, rib oil ducts, vittae and carpophores in subfamily Apioideae. These include the irregular occurrence of heterocarpic ovaries, oil ducts on both the internal and external sides of the vascular bundles (the inner dwarf ducts), short ducts in the commissural area, and carpophores (only rarely present). The fruits of Marlothiella share several unusual features with the genus Lichtensteinia, namely concentric rings of cells around the rib oil ducts, of which the innermost are irregular in size and shape, very small vascular bundles that are usually comprised of two separate strands, and the occurrence of heteromorphy in fruits and ovaries. These two genera are morphologically very different and it is encouraging to find anatomical data to support their presumptive relationship based on molecular studies

Kyrgyzian Umbelliferae as part of a critical revision of the Asian representatives of the family

In Kyrgyzstan 193 species of the Umbelliferae, representing 65 genera, have been recorded. A list of Kyrgyzian Umbelliferae is presented. There are no endemic Umbelliferae genera. The number of endemic species is 27, belonging to 11 genera. The concentration of species and genera is presented according to the three floristic provinces and 15 floristic districts of Kyrgyzstan. Biomorphic groups of species and their distributional patterns are presented

The ethnobotany and pharmacognosy of Olea europaea subsp. africana (Oleaceae)

AbstractThe ethnobotanical uses of wild olive, O. europaea subsp. africana (sometimes referred to as subsp. cuspidata) in southern Africa and in other parts of Africa are reviewed. Chromatographic analyses of secoiridoids (oleuropein and other oleuropeosides) in 25 wild olive leaf samples from 10 localities in South Africa showed substantial amounts of oleuropein (up to 110mg/g dry weight) and not trace amounts as reported in the literature. Oleuropein is the main active compound in olive leaf, with demonstrated anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, hypolipidemic and hypotensive activities. A comparison with nine cultivated olive leaf samples (subsp. europaea) from six cultivars and two localities showed that commercial olive leaf can be distinguished by the presence of verbascoside, which is absent in wild olive. Extraction methods and solvent systems (TLC and HPLC) were compared, using pure oleuropein (isolated from wild olive leaf and identified by NMR) as an authentic reference sample. The unique peltate scales on the leaves are useful to identify olive leaf raw material (but are the same in both subspecies). The main conclusion is that wild olive leaf is chemically closely similar to cultivated olive leaf and therefore suitable as an alternative source of raw material for olive leaf extract

Fruit anatomy of the genus Bupleurum (Apiaceae) in northeastern China and notes on systematic implications

The fruit anatomy of all eight species of the genus Bupleurum L. mentioned in the most recent literature from northeastern China was studied for the first time. The eight species were divided into two groups based on the shape of the mericarps in transverse section. The first group (round mericarps without prominent ribs) includes B. longiradiatum and B. komarovianum, and the second group (angular mericarps with prominent ribs) includes B. angustissimum, B. bicaule, B. chinense, B. euphorbioides, B. scorzonerifolium and B. sibiricum. The second group can be further subdivided into group 2a (large vittae, very small vascular bundles) — B. euphorbioides and B. sibiricum, and group 2b (small vittae, large vascular bundles) — B. angustissimum, B. bicaule, B. chinense and B. scorzonerifolium. This result closely supports the traditional classification system which was based on gross morphology (plant height; leaf shape and size; involucre number, size and shape). The only exception is that B. komarovianum should not be close to the second group, but close to B. longiradiatum. Group 1 corresponds with Bupleurum sect. Longifolia and group 2 with sect. Eubupleura; group 2a with ser. Ranunculoides and group 2b with ser. Falcata. Fruit anatomical characters seem to have potential for evaluating infrageneric relationships in the genus Bupleurum

A new species of Polemanniopsis (Apiaceae) from Namibia

AbstractA new species of woody Apiaceae, Polemanniopsis namibensis B-E. Van Wyk, A. Burke & C. Mannheimer, is described. The species is allied to Polemanniopsis marlothii but differs in the much smaller habit of (up to 0.6m vs 1.5–4m in Polemanniopsis marlothii), the white or greyish colour of the twigs (brown in Polemanniopsis marlothii), the 3-foliolate leaves (predominantly 5-foliate in Polemanniopsis marlothii), the smaller inflorescences with persistent involucral bracts (caducous in Polemanniopsis marlothii) and anatomical details of the leaves. The species is endemic to Namibia and is known only from a localised area in the southern Namib desert near Lüderitz, where it is relatively common

Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae in Madagascar

An account of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) for the Flore de Madagascar et des Comores (Paris) has recently been completed and submitted for publication (Sales and Hedge 2004). The flora account deals with 15 genera and 31 species in the subfamilies Hydrocotyloideae, Saniculoideae and Apioideae; some of the species are globally widespread and/or doubtfully native. Five new species will be described in Peucedanum (2), Phellolophium (1) and Pimpinella (2). Here, we concentrate on subfam. Apioideae, draw attention to some features of special interest and provide a checklist of the native 11 genera and 20 species currently known to occur in Madagascar

A taxonomic revision of Capnophyllum (Apiaceae: Apioideae)

AbstractThe Cape endemic genus Capnophyllum Gaertn. is revised. As a result of valuable recent collections and extensive fieldwork, this hitherto neglected genus was found to comprise four annual species, two of which are newly described, namely C. lutzeyeri Magee and B.-E.van Wyk, and C. macrocarpum Magee and B.-E.van Wyk. The four species are distinguished from one another by their fruit morphology (relative length of the styles, the shape and position of the stylopodium, fruit size, surface sculpturing, and the presence or absence of a sterile apical portion) and fruit anatomy (marginal wings slightly or prominently involute and secondary ribs present or absent). A comprehensive key to the species, their complete nomenclature and typification, together with complete descriptions and known geographical distributions for all the species are presented and illustrated

A taxonomic revision of the Pteronia camphorate group (Astereae, Asteraceae)

As a first step towards a comprehensive revision of Pteronia (Asteraceae, Astereae), we present here a taxonomic treatment of the Pteronia camphorata group, in which we recognise three species. The group includes the type species P. camphorata (an important medicinal plant) and is easily distinguished from the rest of the genus by the glabrous rather than glandular or variously pilose cypselas. The lectotype of P. camphorata has involucral bracts with entire margins and long acuminate apices, both diagnostic characters for P. stricta. As such P. stricta is here reduced into synonymy with P. camphorata and the next available name, P. aspera Thunb, reinstated to accommodate the species heretofore treated as P. camphorata. Three varieties within Pteronia camphorata had been previously recognised (var. armata, var. laevigata and var. longifolia). The characters distinguishing var. armata were found to be continuous with the variation observed within var. longifolia. The third infraspecific taxon, var. laevigata, was however found to be distinct and is therefore recognised here as a new species, P. cederbergensis Bello, Magee & Boatwr. It is readily distinguished by the glabrous branches, opposite to sub-opposite somewhat succulent leaves, the 2-seriate pappus and larger, obclavate cypselas. Transverse sections of the leaves and cypselas were also examined and provide additional differences between the three recognised species.IS