Iridaceae

Crocus sativus L. (Saffron), a monocot triploid species belonging to the Iridaceae family, is also called golden crop owing to its precious stigmas enriched with flavanoids Crocin, Picocrocin and Safranal. Unlike majority of plants which follow typical ABC model of floral development, deviations from ABC model have been reported in Saffron flowers which could probably be implicated in growth and development of distinct Saffron stigmas. CsAP3 is a critical gene regulating stigma development in Saffron. Its promoter consists of three CArG regions which play pivotal role in the expression of AP3 gene, of which CArG1 is the binding site for activator proteins thus regulating floral growth. Keeping in view the growth regulating characteristics of CArG1, we choose to identify the nuclear factors binding to this region in Saffron. Purified nuclear proteins were allowed to bind synthetic CArG1 sequence and the complex was subjected to protein identification using LCMS. Out of the 5 major protein hits in LCMS, NAC-like protein (NAP) was identified as a conspicuous homeotic protein interacting with CArG1 region of AP3 promoter. Gene expression analysis of CsAP3 and CsNAP at different stages of flower development showed stage-specific expression of both the genes however, no direct correlation between CsAP3 and CsNAP gene expression could be observed, even though both these genes are present in the same pathway and expressed at same time. It is possible that CsNAP may be regulating CsAP3 expression via some other mediators, indirectly which needs further molecular profiling.

Urolithiasis is a common worldwide problem with high recurrence. This review covers forty four (44) families starting from alphabet A to L and includes Bignoniaceae (05) Juglandaceae (01) plant used globally in different countries. The plants of three families Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae are revisited to provide updated information. This review will not only be useful for the general public but also attract the scientific world for antiurolithiatic drug discovery.

Resumen. Se confirma la presencia de Romulea bulbocodium (L.) Sebast. & Mauri en la provincia de Sevilla, donde no se había citado desde 1861. Se trata de un geófito de distribución circunmediterránea, versátil en la ocupación del hábitat y ampliamente extendido en la Península Ibérica. Actualmente se consideraba ausente del territorio hispalense, donde continúa siendo una especie muy rara. Convive con Romulea ramiflora Ten. susbp. ramiflora. Palabras clave: Romulea bulbocodium; corología; pinares de Aznalcázar; bosque-isla; SO ibérico. Rediscovery of Romulea bulbocodium in the province of Seville.

Abstract. The presence of Romulea bulbocodium (L.) Sebast. & Mauri is confirmed in the province of Seville, where it had not been reported since 1861. Geophyte of circunmediterranean distribution, it is versatile in habitat occupancy and widespread in the Iberian Peninsula. It was considered absent of the territory of Seville, where it still considered as a very rare species. It coexists with Romulea ramiflora Ten. subsp. ramiflora.

Background and Aims. Heterostylous plants have been characterized by the presence of two or three discrete morphs that differ in their sex organ position within populations. This polymorphism is widely distributed among the angiosperms, but detailed studies are limited to few taxonomic groups. Although a small representation, evolutionary meaningful variations of the heterostylous syndrome have been reported when precise measurements of the sexual whorls were taken. A thorough exploration of groups where heterostyly has been reported should offer new opportunities to further testing the evolutionary hypotheses explaining heterostyly. Here, the traits defining heterostyly were explored in half of the species in Nivenia, the only genus of Iridiaceae where heterostyly has been reported.
Methods. Detailed morphometric analysis of the flower sexual whorls and some traits considered as ancillary are supplied to determine for each population (a) the kind of stylar polymorphism, (b) the morph ratio and (c) the degree of reciprocity between sexual whorls. Also the rates of assortative (within morph) versus disassortative (between morphs) pollen transfer were estimated by analysing pollen loads on stigmas. The association between floral phenotypic integration and the reciprocity between sexual whorls was estimated; both characteristics have been quoted as dependent on the accuracy of the fit between pollinators and flowers and therefore related to the efficiency of pollen transfer.
Key Results. Different types of polymorphism, differing in their degree of reciprocity, were found in Nivenia. Effective disassortative mating appears to be common, since (a) all dimorphic populations show equal morphratios (isoplethy), and (b) the pollen placed on the stigmas of each morph is likely to be coming from the other (complementary) morph. The most reciprocal populations of the heterostylous species have also the highest values of phenotypical integration.
Conclusions. Stigma height dimorphism, as opposed to distyly, is proven for the first time in Nivenia. The presence of different types of polymorphism within the genus is consistent with hypotheses of the evolution of heterostyly. The role of the pollinators as the leading force of the transition seems to be apparent, since floral integration is related to reciprocity

The pollen morphologies of 18 native species
of Iridaceae from central Brazil Goia´s and Tocantins States
were investigated in order to understand the palynology
and taxonomy of some Brazilian Iridaceae. Pollen grains
were acetolyzed, measured, and studied via light microscopy
and scanning electron microscopy. The measurement
data was analyzed by descriptive and multivariate statistics.
The pollen grains are studied for the following characteristics:
monads, medium-to-large in size, bilateral
symmetry; heteropolar or isopolar; amb ellipsoidal or
spheroidal, biconvex, plane-convex or spheroidal in equatorial
view; 1-sulcate or zonasulculate; microreticulate or
reticulate, exine with smooth simplicolumellate muri,
narrow or wide, straight or curved, continuous or discontinuous;
rounded or polyhedral lumina, filled with or
without granules; sexine thicker than nexine, tectum with
similar thickness as nexine in most species. The results
allowed the distinction of genera and most species, showing
that pollen morphology can contribute to taxonomic
studies. The observed variation in pollen morphology of
the species occurring in the study region allowed us to
characterize the family as eurypalynous. These data
emphasize the importance of pollen morphology for identification
and diagnosis of genera in Iridaceae.

Iris germanica L. is an ornamental and medicinal plant used since ancient times for their rhizomes, still utilized today to obtain orris butter highly valued in perfumery. Iris germanica presents special root adaptations, which confers certain tolerance to water and salt stress, making it a good option in the context of the current climate trend. Aim of this study was to prospect the potential for biofortification of rhizomes using commercial arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) application in field conditions for six Iris germanica cultivars. Plants presented Paris-type AM colonization. Rhizome samples collected after nine months from treatment and maturated, presented FT-IR (fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) spectra variation between experimental variants. Presence of the main metabolites in rhizome could be confirmed based on literature. Screening focused on two rhizome quality markers: carbohydrates, which influence plant development, and fatty acids, which are extractable from rhizome. Results suggest potential to enhance their accumulation in certain cultivars, such as 'Pinafore Pink' following AM application.

Previous studies with the bulbs of Cipura paludosa (Iridaceae) showed the presence of pyranonaphthoquinones, including eleutherine, isoeleutherine and eleutherol. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal properties of these compounds. The activity was tested against the clinically relevant yeasts Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Cryptococcus neoformans with the microbroth dilution method, following the guidelines of CLSI. Eleutherine, isoeleutherine and eleutherol all presented significant antifungal activity, especially the first two, the major components, with MIC values between 7.8 and 250 μg/mL. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that C. paludosa bulbs produce active principles with relevant antifungal potential, contributing, at least in part, to the antimicrobial effect evidenced for this plant and justifying its popular use against infections.

Three new species of Cypella are described and illustrated for the complex of grasslands ecosystems of rio de La Plata: C. aurinegra, C. guttata and C. ravenniana. The former is endemic to the region of the Taquari river, southern Cerro Largo department, Uruguay, and is closely related to Cypella fucata and C. luteogibbosa, but can be distinguished from these species by its yellow flowers stained with dark-purple, narrower outer tepals, smaller inner tepals, shorter adaxial crests of style branches, slender filaments, and seeds with smooth testa. Cypella guttata occurs in artigas and rivera departments, northern Uruguay, and in Santana do Livramento Municipality, southwestern rio Grande do Sul State, brazil. This species resembles C. herbertii and C. lapidosa, and can be distinguished by its flowers with central depression showing red spots, filaments narrower and tape-shaped, style branches with shorter adaxial crests, and small transverse stigmatic surface of the abaxial crest. The range of geographic distribution of C. ravenniana includes southern Misiones, and northeast Corrientes Provinces, argentina, and west and northwest rio Grande do Sul State, brazil. This species can be recognized by its one-flowered spathes, borne on short peduncles. Cypella ravenniana was firstly misidentified as C. suffusa; however, having as base the type and topotypical collections of the latter species, C. suffusa is recognized by its two-flowered spathes borne on long peduncles, and perigone golden-yellow with deep central concavity. data about phenology, geographic distribution, conservation and dichotomous keys to segregate these three new species from its related species are supplied.

Breeding experiments suggest that the occurrence of white (acyanic) flowers in several cultivars derived from Watsonia borbonica (Pourr.) Goldblatt is determined by a single recessive allele. Many Watsonia cultivars have been characterised simply as 'white-flowered'; but descriptions based on several characters are necessary if cultivars with unique genotypes are to be differentiated without ambiguity.

Emesis encompasses the forceful expulsion of the contents of stomach via the mouth or sometimes the nose. The adverse effects of currently available anti-emetic agents potentiate the natural product researchers to explore the natural anti-emetics with fewer side effects. The presented communication constitutes a review on anti-emetic effect of two hundred and forty five plants belonging to seventy-eight families found in different parts of the world. It also outlined the anti-emetic effect of plant extracts and isolated secondary metabolites studied through a variety of animal models of emesis. The reported anti-emetic plants in different countries and cultures and the scientific studies on extracts may help in the identification of promising single chemical compound(s) that may be used as a potential leads for developing safe anti-emetic agents in future. Moreover the reported secondary metabolites having the same effect may open the door for the search of same secondary metabolite...

The endemic Oncocyclus irises of Lebanon are rare and threatened. Their historical locations (based on information from herbaria and the available literature) were compared to an update of their current distribution. Only 50 % of the previously known populations were confirmed extant, indicating a considerable decline in the range of these taxa. The populations that were relocated were either small remnants of once larger populations or highly fragmented. The main threats identified were urbanization, agriculture and grazing. No specific habitat preferences could be identified other than an association with open rocky slopes with a south-west exposure. Based on our findings, we propose that Iris cedretii and Iris sofarana subsp. sofarana should be categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and I. sofarana subsp. kasruwana as Vulnerable. There is an urgent need to develop national conservation measures for these species, especially in regards to land ownership.

Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel (Iridaceae) has been used for the treatment of depression and psychotic disorders in African traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the aqueous extract from the corm of Gladiolus dalenii and its possible mechanisms of action. We assessed the antidepressant properties of G. dalenii corm aqueous extract in mice, using the open field, forced swimming, and tail suspension tests. Spontaneous locomotor activity of mice given various doses of G. dalenii extract (per os) was determined in the open field, whereas immobility was evaluated in the other two tests. Extract maximal effect was observed at 15 mg/kg, as mice displayed a marked reduction in immobility time in both the forced swimming test (80%) and the tail suspension test (66%). In further studies aimed at investigating the mechanism of action of G. dalenii extract, the latter significantly antagonized the effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA, 75 mg/kg) at both the doses 15...

Estimation of variability and genetic relationships among breeding materials is one of the important strategies in crop improvement programs. Morphological (plant height, spike length, a number of florets/spike), physiological (chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, and rapid light curve parameters) and Directed amplification of minisatellite DNA (DAMD) markers were used to investigate the relationships among 50 Gladiolus cultivars. Cluster analysis based on morphological data, physiological characteristics, molecular markers, and cumulative data discriminated all cultivars into seven, five, seven, and six clusters in the unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic mean (UPGMA) dendrogram, respectively. The results of the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) also supported UPGMA clustering. Variations among the Gladiolus cultivars at phenotypic level could be due to the changes in physiology, environmental conditions, and genetic variability. DAMD analysis using 10 primers...