Journal of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Petal evolution and distribution patterns of Epimedium Linn. (Berberidaceae)

YING Tsun-Shen

2002, 40 (6): 481-489. DOI: 10.7523/j.issn.2095-6134.2002.6.001

Abstract ( 1329 )

The genus Epimedium as known at present comprises 50 species, in contrast to the 21

species recognized by Stearn in 1938. Its wide and fragmented range from Japan westward to Algeria

indicates its antiquity. The species of the genus Epimedium are far from being evenly distributed

over Eurasian land. Approximately 80% species of the total species of the genus are now represent-

ed in the central-southeastern China. This must be considered as a very high concentration of the

number of species for a genus in a relatively not very large area like that of the central-southeastern

China. On the other hand, an analysis of the petal evolution seems to indicate that the genus Epi-

medium has enjoyed uninterrupted evolution only in China. From the above facts, we can see clearly

that the central-southeastern China has the credit of being a center of concentration for the species of

Epimedium in the North Hemisphere. Epimedium occupies two widely separated regions, in East

Asia and the Mediterranean regions; within each region there are extensive areas from which the ge-

nus is entirely absent. Despite the wide and discontinuous distribution outlined above, the ecological

requirements of the species appear to be much alike. Essentially woodland herbs, the Epimedium

plants often grow in the shade of Fagus forest as dominant species of herb layer in East Asia and the

Mediterranean land, and its distribution pattern is very similar to that of Fagus in Eurasian land. It

is significant that the distribution pattern of Epimedium coincides in many respects with the modern

distribution pattern of the Tertiary genus Fagus. It is reasonable, despite the lack of fossil evidence, to suppose that Epimedium had acquired its wide dispersion in the North Hemisphere during

the Paleogene if not before the collision of India with the Eurasia plate and the subsequent uplift of

the Himalayas increased aridity in Central Asia. This led to its further disjunction.

Pollen morphology of 15 species in nine genera of the Hydrocharitaceae

SUN Kun, CHEN Jia-Kuan, ZHANG Zhi-Yun

2002, 40 (6): 490-500. DOI: 10.7523/j.issn.2095-6134.2002.6.002

Abstract ( 1255 )

Pollen morphology of 15 species in nine genera of Hydrocharitaceae was examined with

light microscope (LM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope

(TEM). The pollen grains are usually inaperturate, spheroidal to subellipsoidal in shape, but those

of Stratiotes aloides and Halophila ovalis are monosulcate. The ornamentation of exine is spinulose

with tuberculae, verrueae, granules or rugulae on pollen surface under SEM. The exine is composed

of three indistinct layers, e.g. tectum, columellae and foot layer, but the columellae are only

slightly developed. Some characters, such as the size of pollen grain, shape and length of spinules

and wall structure are of some systematic value. The treatment of Stratiotes and Hydrilla as inde-

pendent tribes respectively is supported. The ornamentation and structure of exine in the Hydrochari-

taceae are similar to those in the Alismataceae, Aponogetonaceae and Butomaceae, but the presence

of inaperturate pollen grains in most taxa of Hydrocharitaceae shows its affinity with Najadales.

Seed morphology of Kadsura Juss.(Schisandraceae) in relation to its taxonomic significance

BI Hai-Yan, LIN Qi, LIU Chang-Jiang, ZHAO Jian-Cheng

2002, 40 (6): 505-510. DOI: 10.7523/j.issn.2095-6134.2002.6.003

Abstract ( 1283 )

Seed macromorphology and seed-coat micromorphology of 11 species of Kadsura

(Schisandraceae) represented by 36 samples were observed under light microscope (LM) and scan-

ning electron microscope (SEM). The seeds are reniform, ellipsoid, cordiform or reniform-oblate in

shape. Under SEM the surface pattern of the seeds shows some variation among the species and

three types have been observed, i.e. (1) Nearly Smooth, (2) Areolate and (3) Reticulate. In the

type 1, the seed surface is nearly smooth. This type was found to occur in two species, viz. K.

borneensis and K. lanceolata. In the type 2, the seed surface is areolate with prominent lumina and

sunken muri. This type was found to occur in K. coccinea and K. verrucosa. In the type 3, the

seed surface is reticulate with sunken lumina and prominent muri. This type is the commonest in the

genus, occurring in seven species, viz. K. heteroclita, K. induta, K. japonica, K. oblongifo-

lia, K. angustifolia, K. scandens and K. marmorata. Seed-coat micromorphological features

seem to be quite constant within species and thus are of significant value in the delimitation of some

species. Evidence from seed-coat micromorphological features supports the treatment of reducing K.

polysperma and K. interior to K. heteroclita and of reducing K. longipedunculata to K. japoni-

ca. Brief speculation on the evolutionary trend of the seed-coat micromorphological features in the

genus Kadsura is discussed.

Distribution of the cytoplasmic DNA in male cells of the Convolvulaceae and its systematic significance

HU Shi-Yi, YUAN Zong-Fei

2002, 40 (6): 511-516. DOI: 10.7523/j.issn.2095-6134.2002.6.004

Abstract ( 1216 )

The distribution of cytoplasmic DNA in generative and sperm cells of four species in four

genera in the Convolvulaceae, i. e. , Calonyction aculeatum , Ipomoea aquatica , Quamoclit pennata

and Cuscuta japonica, has been detected using DAPI fluorescent staining method. Cytoplasmic DNA

is found to occur in generative and sperm cells of all the species except for Cuscuta japonica. This

result, together with the previous reports that cytoplasmic DNA is also distributed in male cells of

five species in Ipomoea, Pharbitis and Calystegia, may indicate that the presence of cytoplasmic

DNA in generative and sperm cells is a general feature of the Convolvulaceae. The absence of such

DNA in male cells in the genus Cuscuta supports the establishment of this genus as an independent

family, the Cuscutaceae.

Pollen morphology of the Araceae from China

WANG Wei, ZHAO Nan-Xian

2002, 40 (6): 517-529. DOI: 10.7523/j.issn.2095-6134.2002.6.005

Abstract ( 1088 )

Pollen morphology in 28 species of 22 genera in the Araceae and two species in the Ac-

oraceae, all from China except Arum maculatum, has been investigated under scanning electron mi-

croscope. Pollen grains in the Araceae are morphologically highly variable among the genera. They

are spherical, subspherical, ellipsoidal, oblate or olive-shaped in shape. The apertures are panto-

porate, tenuate, zonate or inaperturate. The exine ornamentation is foveolate, reticulate, ribbed,

striate, verrucate, echinate or psilate. Based on the results, some taxonomic problems in the Arace-

ae, particularly the intergeneric relationships among Rhaphidophora, Epiprermnum and Monstera,

and the infrageneric classification within Typhonium, are discussed. Palynological data seem to sup-

port the treatment of Rhaphidophora, Epipremnum and Monstera as three independent genera.

Taxonomic revision of and supplement to the Tectaria Cav. (Aspidiaceae) from Yunnan, China

WU Su-Kung

2002, 40 (6): 530-538. DOI: 10.7523/j.issn.2095-6134.2002.6.006

Abstract ( 1005 )

Tectaria Cav. is a large fern genus of ca. 150 species distributed in the tropic and sub-

tropic regions of the world, of which 27 species and two varieties occur in China. These species are

mostly distributed in the southern part to the Yangtze River, mainly concentrated in Yunnan, only

two species spreading northwards to Sichuan located in the northern part to the Yangtze River. Based

on examination of specimens deposited in KUN and PE, many of which are recent collections, a new

species is described, one species and one variety are recognized as new records for China, one spe-

cies as new record for Yunnan, one species as new record for Guizhou, and four specific names, i.

e., T. cosimilis Ching et C. H. Wang, T. decurrenti-alata Ching et C. H. Wang, T. fengii

Ching et C. H. Wang, T. simaoensis Ching et C. H. Wang are reduced to synonymies. As a re-

suit, 22 species and two varieties are recognized in the genus Tectaria from Yunnan.

Revision of two Elymus species (Poaceae)

LU Bao-Rong

2002, 40 (6): 539-545. DOI: 10.7523/j.issn.2095-6134.2002.6.007

Abstract ( 1058 )

Elymus L. is the largest genus in the tribe Triticeae Dumort., encompassing approxi-

mately 150 species over the world. Species of the genus are widely distributed in the temperate re-

gions, particularly in the northern hemisphere. China is one of the most important world’s distribu-

tion and diversification centers of the Elymus species, with more than 80 taxa (including those clas-

sifted in the genus Roegneria C. Koch) widely occurring in many provinces, particularly in the

western and northern regions of the country. Owing to its abundance in species, extensive distribu-

tion, variable habitats, and complicated morphological variation, taxonomic classification of this ge-

nus has been always problematic. In addition, many traditional taxonomists from different parts of

the world mainly had their research interests in their own regions due to historical reasons, which

largely hampered communication between the regions. As a consequence, some Elymus species were-

described as new species several times by different taxonomists. The present paper reports taxonomic

revision of two common Elymus species, i.e.E. antiquus and E. burchan-buddae. Elymus an-

tiquus is a perennial and tetraploid (2n= 4x= 28) species containing the StStYY genomes. It is

commonly found in western and northwestern China and is also found in mountain area of Nepal.

This species was first described by a Russian agrostologist, S. A. Nevski, based on specimens col-

lected from Tibet, China. Our study indicated that two grass species described as Agropyron microl-

epis Melderis from Nepal and Roegneria parvigluma Keng from Kangding of Sichuan are the syn-

onyms of E. antiquus. Elymus burchan-buddae is also a perennial and tetraploid (2n = 4x = 28)

species containing the StStYY genomes. It is widely distributed in western and northwestern China

and might have its distribution in Nepal and northern India. This species was first described by

Nevski based on specimens collected from Burchan Budai Shan (Kunlun Mountain) in Qinghai. Our

investigation concluded that two species described as Agropyron nutans Keng from Xiahe of Gansu

and Agropyron breviglumis Keng from Shao Wu Shi of Sichuan are the synonyms of E. burchan-

buddae.

A newly recorded species of Fissistigma (Annonaceae) from China

HOU Xue-Liang, ZHU Shi-Xin, LI Ping-Tao

2002, 40 (6): 546-548. DOI: 10.7523/j.issn.2095-6134.2002.6.008

Abstract ( 852 )

Aeschynanthus hildebrandii Hemsl. ex Hook. f. (Gesneriaceae)—A new record for China

GAO Tian-Gang

2002, 40 (6): 549-550. DOI: 10.7523/j.issn.2095-6134.2002.6.009

Abstract ( 823 )

Aeschynanthus hildebrandii Hemsl. ex Hook. f. is reported as a new record for China.

A new subspecies of Primula obconica Hance from Eastern China

HE Guo-Sheng, HU Chi-Ming

2002, 40 (6): 551-552. DOI: 10.7523/j.issn.2095-6134.2002.6.010

Abstract ( 1006 )

A new subspecies, Primula obconica subsp. fujianensis, is described. The genus

Primula is widely distributed throughout China, but it has never been previously recorded in Fujian

and Jiangsu. Recently the authors collected a specimen of the genus from Fujian for the first time. It

is obviously closely related to P. obconica, which is one of the most common species in China,

ranging from western Yunnan and Sichuan through Guizhou, Hubei to Hunan and northern Guang-

dong, with its most easterly extension in southern Jiangxi. Morphologically, the Fujian plant is char-

acterized by its much smaller stature and by the scapes being shorter than the leaf rosette, and in

many ways it is more closely related to P. obconica subsp. parva, but can be easily distinguished

by its smaller, white and homostylous flowers. As it is isolated both in distribution and reproduction

with other subspecies of P. obconica, here it is described as a new subspecies.

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