Angiosperm Taxonomy

In 1901, Matsumura Jinzo (1856-1928), professor at Tokyo Imperial University, claimed a scientific binomial Prunus yedoensis for the most beloved cherry in Japan. Matsumura received an imperial award for this feat in 1904, upon which he posed proudly for a photograph in a European-style imperial garment complete with a shiny sash and a plumed hat. This photo was later fittingly supplemented with a pink-hued cherry blossom background, adding a wisp of joy. 1 Japanese botanists' ability to rename this familiar Japanese plant, which almost every Japanese person knew, in a language (Latin) that only a few understood, was celebrated as the indication of Japan's successful modernization of its plant systematics. 2 It was a success resonating with the

Historiographic discussions of the universality and regionality of science have to date focused on European cases for making regional science universal. This paper presents a new perspective by moving beyond European origins and illuminating a non-European scientist's engagement with the universality and regionality of science. It will examine the case of the Japanese botanist Nakai Takenoshin (1882-1952), an internationally recognized authority on Korean flora based at Tokyo Imperial University. Serving on the International Committee on Botanical Nomenclature in 1926, Nakai endorsed and acted upon European claims of universal science, whilst simultaneously unsettling them with his regionally shaped systematics. Eventually he came to promote his own systematics, built regionally on Korean flora, as the new universal. By analysing his shifting claims in relation to those of other European and non-European botanists, this paper makes two arguments. First, universalism and regionalism were not contradictory foundations of scientific practice but useful tools used by this non-European botanist in maintaining his scientific authority as a representative Japanese systematist. Second, his claims to universality and regionalism were both imperially charged. An imperially monopolized study of Korean plants left a regional imprint on Nakai's systematics. In order to maintain his scientific authority beyond its region of origin he had to assert either the expanding regionalism of 'East Asia' or universalism.

Benford's Law gives the expected frequencies of the digits in tabulated data and asserts that the lower digits (1, 2, and 3) are expected to occur more frequently than the higher digits. This study tested whether the law applied to two large earth science data sets. The first test analyzed streamflow statistics and the finding was a close conformity to Benford's Law. The second test analyzed the sizes of lakes and wetlands, and the finding was that the data did not conform to Benford's Law. Further analysis showed that the lake and wetland data followed a power law. The expected digit frequencies for data following a power law were derived, and the lake data had a close fit to these expected digit frequencies. The use of Benford's Law could serve as a quality check for streamflow data subsets, perhaps related to time or geographical area. Also, with the importance of lakes as essential components of the water cycle, either Benford's Law or the expected digit frequencies of data following a power law could be used as an authenticity and validity check on future databases dealing with water bodies. We give several applications and avenues for future research, including an assessment of whether the digit frequencies of data could be used to derive the power law exponent, and whether the digit frequencies could be used to verify the range over which a power law applies. Our results indicate that data related to water bodies should conform to Benford's Law and that nonconformity could be indicators of (a) an incomplete data set, (b) the sample not being representative of the population, (c) excessive rounding of the data, (d) data errors, inconsistencies, or anomalies, and/or (e) conformity to a power law with a large exponent.

We report a collection of Bidens pilosa L. from an urban habitat in Abu Dhabi. This represents a new generic record of Bidens L. for the emirate. The species has most likely been accidentally introduced and has the potential to affect the native flora because of its fast rate of growth. The new record expands the geographic distribution of the species and highlights the importance of expanding surveys to include urban habitats, which would help track the spread of non-native species within the emirate.

The species Memecylon cerasiforme Kurz was previously known only from the type which was collected in Chittagong, Bangladesh. A recent collection of the species from the Jaldapara National Park, West Bengal, India is not only the first since the species was described in 1877 but also the first record of its occurrence in India and the first flowering collection. Its flowers can now be described and illustrated for the first time. An emended description, figure, phenological and habitat information, notes on related species, and a conservation assessment are also provided. The only original material available at Kew is designated here as a lectotype.

Mimosa pudica (MP) is an annual/perennial herb which is also known as touch me not. It is a native plant of South America and central America, but now it has turned into a common weed around the world (Varnika et al., 2012). It is a young plant which reaches up to the height of 1. 5m (5 ft) with erect stems that bears bipinnately compound leaves with 10 to 30 leaflets per pinna and pink or purple colored globular flowers having 8-10 mm diameter(Miller et al., 2012). The roots of this plant are used for the treatment of inflammation, asthma, dysentery, leprosy, burning sensation, piles, jaundice, bilious fevers and tooth ache, skin diseases. It is the main ingredient in herbal preparation for gynecological disorders (Joseph et al., 2013, Ahmad et al., 2012). It stops bleeding and fastens the wound healing process alongside International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 12 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com

Recent advances in molecular phylogenetics and a series of important palaeobotanical discoveries have revolutionized our understanding of angiosperm diversification. Yet, the origin and early evolution of their most characteristic feature, the flower, remains poorly understood. In particular, the structure of the ancestral flower of all living angiosperms is still uncertain. Here we report model-based reconstructions for ancestral flowers at the deepest nodes in the phylogeny of angiosperms, using the largest data set of floral traits ever assembled. We reconstruct the ancestral angiosperm flower as bisexual and radially symmetric, with more than two whorls of three separate perianth organs each (undifferentiated tepals), more than two whorls of three separate stamens each, and more than five spirally arranged separate carpels. Although uncertainty remains for some of the characters, our reconstruction allows us to propose a new plausible scenario for the early diversification of fl...

The study of diversity of herbaceous angiosperms in South Kamrup area, Kamrup district of Assam, India revealed the presence of 457 species belonging to 316 genera, 78 families and 32 orders as per APG IV classification. The most populous orders are Poales (73), Lamiales (50), Asterales (43), Fabales (33), Caryophyllales (32), Asparagales (31), Alismatales (28), Solanales (21), Zingiberales (17) and Cucurbitales (16), which constitute 75.27% of the total herbaceous flora of the study area. The Poaceae are the most dominant family, followed by Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Orchidaceae, Araceae, Cyperaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae and Amaranthaceae. The naturally occurring (wild) species are 76.4% (349 spp.) while 23.6% (108 spp.) are cultivated herbs. Amongst these are 137 IUCN threat assessed as of the LC category. Of the other species whose conservation status in the study area outside the IUCN assessment is 17 Edangered, two Critically Endangered, nine Vulnerable (VL) and three Rare (R). Most of herbaceous angiosperms are terrestrial (273; 59.73%), which are followed by geophytes (73; 15.97%), climbers (47; 10.28%), hydrophytes (20; 4.37%), epiphytes (19; 4.15%), helophytes (17; 3.71%), lianas (9; 1.96%), succulents (3; 0.65%), parasites ((3; 0.65%) and lithophytes (1; 0.2%).

Phyllanthus scabrifolius Hook.f. (Phyllanthaceae) is documented for the first time from Gujarat, India, based on recent field collections from Satlasana Taluka, Mehsana District. The species, previously known only from peninsular and central India, was found along Taranga Hill's forest slopes. Here, a revised morphological description, diagnostic characters, distributional notes, habitat ecology, and phenology are presented, accompanied by photographic documentation. This record extends the species' known range northwestward and reveals new perspectives on floristic diversity in semi-arid North Gujarat.

The study "Floristic Diversity in Chhattisgarh State of India: A Study in Plant Taxonomy" aims to explore and document the rich floristic diversity of Chhattisgarh, a state known for its vast forest cover and varied topography. The research focuses on the comprehensive taxonomy of plant species found in the region, highlighting their ecological significance and contribution to biodiversity. Chhattisgarh's diverse ecosystems, ranging from tropical moist deciduous forests to dry deciduous forests, harbor a wide array of plant species. The study catalogues these species, providing detailed descriptions of their morphological characteristics, habitat preferences, and phenological patterns. Emphasis is placed on identifying both common and rare species, with special attention to endemic and threatened plants that are crucial for conservation efforts. The methodology includes extensive field surveys across different forest types and seasons to ensure a representative sampling of the region's flora. Herbarium specimens are collected and analyzed, supplemented by photographic documentation to aid in accurate identification and classification. The research also integrates ethnobotanical insights, recording traditional knowledge on the medicinal and economic uses of various plant species by local communities. Key findings reveal a high level of species richness and endemism in Chhattisgarh, underscoring the state's role as a biodiversity hotspot. The study identifies several new records for the region, contributing valuable data to the existing floristic databases. Notable discoveries include species with potential pharmacological properties, highlighting the need for further bioprospecting research. The research also examines the impact of anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, mining, and agricultural expansion on plant diversity. It calls for enhanced conservation strategies, including the establishment of protected areas and the promotion of sustainable land-use practices. The study advocates for community involvement in conservation efforts, recognizing the integral role of indigenous knowledge in preserving biodiversity. Overall, the study "Floristic Diversity in Chhattisgarh State of India: A Study in Plant Taxonomy" provides a critical baseline for understanding the region's botanical wealth. It serves as a foundational resource for botanists, ecologists, and conservationists working towards the sustainable management and preservation of Chhattisgarh's unique floral heritage.

Dactyloctenium ctenioides, previously regarded as the species endemic to East Africa and the West Indian Ocean Islands, has now been identified in a residential landscape in Florida, USA. This study examines its taxonomy, identification, morphological affinities with allied species, and distribution, drawing on specimens housed at BR, K, NHN, P, PIHG, PRE, and US herbaria, majority of which originate from Africa and West Indian Ocean Islands, and relevant global literature. Detailed photographic plates are provided for accurate identification, along with an updated distribution map based on GBIF data. Some possibilities link to its introduction in Florida are discussed. A second-step lectotypification has been conducted to resolve nomenclatural ambiguity, building on the first-step lectotypification inadvertently established in the Flora of East Tropical Africa in 1974. The first key to the global species of Dactyloctenium has been provided to facilitate the precise identification. The authenticated specimen of D. ctenioides housed at the PRE Herbarium, along with the lectotype specimen preserved at the Paris Herbarium (P), are cited as key reference materials for the validation of this species' identity from Florida, USA.

The peptide INFLORESCENCE DEFICIENT IN ABSCISSION (IDA), which signals through the leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases HAESA (HAE) and HAESA-LIKE2 (HSL2), controls different cell separation events in Arabidopsis thaliana. We hypothesize the involvement of this signaling module in abscission processes in other plant species even though they may shed other organs than A. thaliana. As the first step toward testing this hypothesis from an evolutionarily perspective we have identified genes encoding putative orthologs of IDA and its receptors by BLAST searches of publically available protein, nucleotide and genome databases for angiosperms. Genes encoding IDA or IDA-LIKE (IDL) peptides and HSL proteins were found in all investigated species, which were selected as to represent each angiosperm order with available genomic sequences. The 12 amino acids representing the bioactive peptide in A. thaliana have virtually been unchanged throughout the evolution of the angiosperms; however, the number of IDL and HSL genes varies between different orders and species. The phylogenetic analyses suggest that IDA, HSL2, and the related HSL1 gene, were present in the species that gave rise to the angiosperms. HAE has arisen from HSL1 after a genome duplication that took place after the monocot-eudicots split. HSL1 has also independently been duplicated in the monocots, while HSL2 has been lost in gingers (Zingiberales) and grasses (Poales). IDA has been duplicated in eudicots to give rise to functionally divergent IDL peptides. We postulate that the high number of IDL homologs present in the core eudicots is a result of multiple whole genome duplications (WGD). We substantiate the involvement of IDA and HAE/HSL2 homologs in abscission by providing gene expression data of different organ separation events from various species.

Fragmentation of the former broadly circumscribed genus Acacia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) necessitates combinations in Senegalia (syn. Acacia subg. Aculeiferum) and Vachellia (syn. former Acacia subg. Acacia) for the following 40 taxa that are recorded for the region encompassed by Southeast Asia and China.