January 2012 Newsletter
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Phylogenetic Placement and Generic Re-Circumscriptions of The
TAXON 65 (2) • April 2016: 249–261 Powell & al. • Generic recircumscription in Schlechteranthus Phylogenetic placement and generic re-circumscriptions of the multilocular genera Arenifera, Octopoma and Schlechteranthus (Aizoaceae: Ruschieae): Evidence from anatomical, morphological and plastid DNA data Robyn F. Powell,1,2 James S. Boatwright,1 Cornelia Klak3 & Anthony R. Magee2,4 1 Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa 2 Compton Herbarium, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Private Bag X7, Claremont 7735, Cape Town, South Africa 3 Bolus Herbarium, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, 7701, Rondebosch, South Africa 4 Department of Botany & Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa Author for correspondence: Robyn Powell, [email protected] ORCID RFP, http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7361-3164 DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.12705/652.3 Abstract Ruschieae is the largest tribe in the highly speciose subfamily Ruschioideae (Aizoaceae). A generic-level phylogeny for the tribe was recently produced, providing new insights into relationships between the taxa. Octopoma and Arenifera are woody shrubs with multilocular capsules and are distributed across the Succulent Karoo. Octopoma was shown to be polyphyletic in the tribal phylogeny, but comprehensive sampling is required to confirm its polyphyly. Arenifera has not previously been sampled and therefore its phylogenetic placement in the tribe is uncertain. In this study, phylogenetic sampling for nine plastid regions (atpB-rbcL, matK, psbJ-petA, rpl16, rps16, trnD-trnT, trnL-F, trnQUUG-rps16, trnS-trnG) was expanded to include all species of Octopoma and Arenifera, to assess phylogenetic placement and relationships of these genera. -
Mesembryanthemaceae James A
Mesembryanthemaceae James A. Robbins December 1982 Mesembryanthemaceae is a family of the plant kingdom with perhaps the longest name (19 letters) with the relatively simple meaning of, “pistil in the middle.” It was formerly spelled Mesembrianthemum, with the meaning of “midday flower,” but as some bloom in the morning, afternoon and many at night, the name was changed. The family is composed of mostly succulent plants of which 99% are found in south or southwest Africa. The other one-percent are found in coastal areas of Australia, New Zealand, Mediterranean area, Canary Islands, and the western coasts of Chile and California. Plants of the Aizoaceae, as many were first known, have been studied as long ago as 1652, and came into cultivation about then. Some who worked with these plants were Prof. Paul Hermann, Richard Bradley, Andrian Hardy Haworth, Alwin Berger, Dr. N. E. Brown, and Dr. H. M. Bolus. Dr. Brown was one of the first to separate the large genus Mesembryanthemum into many smaller units. Dr. Bolus, Prof. K. Dinter, and later Prof. Dr. G. Schwantes carried on this division. Still later, workers in the field were Dr. Marloth, Prof. Nel (Lithops) Jacobsen, (Vol. 111, A Handbook of Succulent Plants, and the most recent English edition of his Succulent Lexicon), Volk, Prof. Desmond Cole (with his recent revision of the genus Lithops), and Rawe (with his revision of the genus Conophytum, which is going on right now in the American Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. XLVII, 1975). Probably, though, we owe most of our present day knowledge to the grand old man of succulent collectors, Hans Herre, former curator for many years of the gardens at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. -
Some Major Families and Genera of Succulent Plants
SOME MAJOR FAMILIES AND GENERA OF SUCCULENT PLANTS Including Natural Distribution, Growth Form, and Popularity as Container Plants Daniel L. Mahr There are 50-60 plant families that contain at least one species of succulent plant. By far the largest families are the Cactaceae (cactus family) and Aizoaceae (also known as the Mesembryanthemaceae, the ice plant family), each of which contains about 2000 species; together they total about 40% of all succulent plants. In addition to these two families there are 6-8 more that are commonly grown by home gardeners and succulent plant enthusiasts. The following list is in alphabetic order. The most popular genera for container culture are indicated by bold type. Taxonomic groupings are changed occasionally as new research information becomes available. But old names that have been in common usage are not easily cast aside. Significant name changes noted in parentheses ( ) are listed at the end of the table. Family Major Genera Natural Distribution Growth Form Agavaceae (1) Agave, Yucca New World; mostly Stemmed and stemless Century plant and U.S., Mexico, and rosette-forming leaf Spanish dagger Caribbean. succulents. Some family yuccas to tree size. Many are too big for container culture, but there are some nice small and miniature agaves. Aizoaceae (2) Argyroderma, Cheiridopsis, Mostly South Africa Highly succulent leaves. Iceplant, split-rock, Conophytum, Dactylopis, Many of these stay very mesemb family Faucaria, Fenestraria, small, with clumps up to Frithia, Glottiphyllum, a few inches. Lapidaria, Lithops, Nananthus, Pleisopilos, Titanopsis, others Delosperma; several other Africa Shrubs or ground- shrubby genera covers. Some marginally hardy. Mestoklema, Mostly South Africa Leaf, stem, and root Trichodiadema, succulents. -
In Vitro Propagation Studies of Rare Argyroderma Species Strictly Endemic to the Knersvlakte Region of South Africa
IN VITRO PROPAGATION STUDIES OF RARE ARGYRODERMA SPECIES STRICTLY ENDEMIC TO THE KNERSVLAKTE REGION OF SOUTH AFRICA By MBULELO OFISI Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Horticultural Science in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Supervisor: Prof. Learnmore Kambizi Co-supervisor: Dr Ignatious Matimati Bellville November 2017 CPUT copyright information The dissertation/thesis may not be published either in part (in scholarly, scientific or technical journals), or as a whole (as a monograph), unless permission has been obtained from the University. i DECLARATION I, Mbulelo Ofisi declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Date: Signed: ii ABSTRACT A study was conducted to investigate the effects of various media composition and wounding treating on the in vitro propagation of Argyroderma subalbum and A. testiculare explants derived from mature plants, antioxidants and plant growth regulators (PGR) concentrations. One experiment consisted of 3 medium types including Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium strength, vitamin supplement. Fifteen replicates were used for each treatment. The shoots were then sub-cultured to ten replicate regenerated medium consisting of varying levels and combination of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 10 µM 6-Benzyladenine (BA) supplements. In another experiment consisted of varying levels of auxins with MS medium strength, activated charcoal (AC) and vitamin supplements ten replicates were used for each treatment. -
Natural and Artificial Hybrids in Mesembryanthemaceae
356 S.-Afr.Tydskr. Plantk. , 1990, 56(3): 356-362 Natural and artificial hybrids in Mesembryanthemaceae S. Hammer* and Sigrid Liede Mesa Garden, P.O. Box 72, Belen, NM 87002, United States of America Accepted 5 March 1990 Aspects of natural and artificial hybridization in Mesembryanthemaceae are discussed. Morphological and experimental evidence is used to trace the parent species of some natural hybrids. Natural hybridization is interpreted in evolutionary terms. The possibility that garden hybrids might invade the cultivated gene pool, thus endangering the continuity of some threatened species, is pointed out. Aspekte van natuurlike en kunsmatige hibridisering in Mesembryanthemaceae word bespreek. Morfologiese en eksperimentele bewyse is gebruik om die oorspronklike ouer-spesies van 'n aantal natuurlike hibriede op te spoor. Natuurlike hibridesering word in terme van evolusie ge·fnterpreteer. Die gevaar vir die voortbestaan van bedreigde spesies deur die indringing van tuinhibriede by 'n gekweekte genebank, is bespreek. Keywords: Hybridization, Mesembryanthemaceae *To whom correspondence should be addressed Introduction indicated in parentheses, with the date and location (MG Only a few instances of natural or artificial hybridization = Mesa Garden, KG = Karoo Garden). have been recorded in the Mesembryanthemaceae. Despite the intense field research into the family during Natural intergeneric hybrids the last century, very few natural hybrids have hitherto The best-known instance of natural hybridization in been investigated. Similarly, few artificial hybrids have Mesembryanthemaceae occurs between Gibbaeum been recorded though the family has been widely culti album N.E. Br. and Muiria hortenseae N.E . Br. The vated in European greenhouses for the last two natural hybrid, Muirio-Gibbaeum muirioides Rowley centuries. -
NICHOLAS EDWARD BROWN BIOGRAPHY Chuck Staples, CSSA Historian
NICHOLAS EDWARD BROWN BIOGRAPHY Chuck Staples, CSSA Historian Brown, Dr Nicholas Edward (1849–1934)—describer of over 10,000 new species of plants with many drawings and paintings by him—specializing in African succulents—especially Euphorbiaceae, Stapelieae and Mesembryanthemaceae. Born at Redhill, England, on 11 July 1849, Nicholas Edward Brown became a herbarium botanist, taxonomist, artist, systematist, and geographer. After high school graduation and already interested in natural science, he first obtained work at William Wilson Saunders' (1809–1879) private museum of natural history and notable private garden at Reigate, Surrey, England 1867–1873. NE Brown's interest in succulent plants became due to the collection of such plants by Thomas Cooper (1815–1913) from South Africa 1859–1862 that were in a couple of greenhouses at Reigate. NE Brown then became the chief assistant in the Herbarium of Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, England from 1873 until retirement in 1914. He continued his association with Kew for many years after his retirement. He was enamored with the succulent plants of South Africa—Asclepiadaceae, Ericaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Iridaceae, Stapelieae and especially Mesembryanthemaceae along with other genera and species which bears his author citation "N.E.Br." behind its name. NE Brown finished up the last 4 volumes (1896–1933) of Flora Capensis with Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer (1843–1928) after the deaths of Dr William Henry Harvey (1811–1866) and Dr Otto Wilhelm Sonder (1812–1881) who had completed the first 3 vols (1860–1865) of Flora Capensis. NE Brown was credited with articles from various journals/bulletins (including Gardeners Chronicle) on Sansevierias, Mesembs & allied genera, and Stapelias. -
Serpentine Soil Endemics in the California Flora Occur in Barer Serpentine Habitats with Lower Soil Calcium Levels Than Serpentine Tolerators
RESEARCH ARTICLE Adaptation and divergence in edaphic specialists and generalists: serpentine soil endemics in the California flora occur in barer serpentine habitats with lower soil calcium levels than serpentine tolerators Shelley A. Sianta1,2 and Kathleen M. Kay1 Manuscript received 4 December 2018; revision accepted 19 March PREMISE: Adaptation to harsh edaphic substrates has repeatedly led to the evolution of 2019. edaphic specialists and generalists. Yet, it is unclear what factors promote specialization 1 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of versus generalization. Here, we search for habitat use patterns associated with California, Santa Cruz, California serpentine endemics (specialists) and serpentine tolerators (generalists) to indirectly 2 Author for correspondence (e-mail: [email protected]) test the hypothesis that trade- offs associated with serpentine adaptation promote Citation: Sianta, S. A. and K. M. Kay. 2019. Adaptation and divergence specialization. We predict that (1) endemics have adapted to chemically harsher and more in edaphic specialists and generalists: serpentine soil endemics in the California flora occur in barer serpentine habitats with lower soil bare serpentine habitats than tolerators, and (2) edaphic endemics show more habitat calcium levels than serpentine tolerators. American Journal of Botany divergence from their sister species than tolerators do among on- and off- serpentine 106(5): 690–703. populations. doi:10.1002/ajb2.1285 METHODS: We selected 8 serpentine endemic and 9 serpentine tolerator species representing independent adaptation to serpentine. We characterized soil chemistry and microhabitat bareness from one serpentine taxon of each species and from a paired nonserpentine sister taxon, resulting in 8 endemic and 9 tolerator sister- taxa pairs. -
HARRY HALL BIOGRAPHY Chuck Staples, CSSA Historian
HARRY HALL BIOGRAPHY Chuck Staples, CSSA Historian Hall, Harry (1906–1986)—a skilled horticulturist and succulent plant authority who made many discoveries of succulent plant species in South Africa—and who had many more succulent plants named in his honor. Born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England on 22 May 1906, Harry Hall became a horticulturist and a succulent plant specialist. He attended college at Cheshire Agricultural College one year (1925–26), a year at Reading University (1926–27) and two years at the John Innes Horticultural Institute in Wimbledon (1927–29). Harry then enrolled for a three-year course in horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, from 1930–1933—was an exchange student for one year (1931–1932) at the Hanbury Botanical Garden in La Mortola, Italy. It was here at La Mortola that his interest in succulent plants was born—requesting upon his return to Kew be placed in charge of their cactus and succulent plant collection. Upon completing his training at Kew in 1933, Harry was appointed curator of the Darrah cactus and succulent plant collection at Alexandra Park in Manchester, England. It was here that his interest in South African succulent plants became his major work by adding some 600 South African species to the collection. He spent four years in the Royal Air Force during World War II. Wanting to start somewhere new after the War, he decided to contact the director of Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens in South Africa, Professor Dr Robert Harold Compton (1886–1979), for a job. Dr Compton created a horticultural succulent plant post at Kirstenbosch for Harry upon his arrival with his spouse and 12-year-old son in August 1947. -
The Xerophytic Mimicry Plants
Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/30/3/201/23957/4442008.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 The Xerophytic Mimicry Plants * John A. Jump, ElmhurstCollege, Elmhurst,Illinois Certain easily grown species of the family Aizoaceae provide demonstrationsof mimicry, adaptationto intense light and drought, and seed dispersal by rain, For the past fifteen years the author has The plants are easily grown in a sunny win- kept in cultivation a collection of plants of dow or under Gro-Lux tubes; they are the family Aizoaceael which is easily grown flowered readily in a greenhouse; and the and admirably suited to demonstration of seeds are as easily germinated as petunias some of the most remarkable adaptations of although they have a long juvenile period. the plant kingdom. At present the group The family is predominately found in the is not widely available commercially, al- deserts of south-west South Africa, the Karoo though an occasional specimen shows up and Kalahari being particularly rich in vari- in succulent collections at garden centers ety of species. Largely for this reason, most and on the plant counters of some of the of the available literature on the group is chain stores. Seeds in mixture and plants by English, German, and South African au- are available from at least one source in thors, the foremost semi-popular works being this country and may be obtained readily Higgins' translation of Schwantes,' "Flower- from abroad in a wide variety of species. ing Stones and Mid-Day Flowers," and the tri-lingual, "Mesembryanthema," by Brown, 'European writers tend to use Mesembryanthema- ceae rather than Aizoaceae. -
Strategies for the Development of Plant Systematics in a Floristically Diverse Region
Strategies for the development of plant systematics in a floristically diverse region by Janine Elizabeth Victor Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Philosophiae Doctor in the Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (Plant Science) University of Pretoria Pretoria Supervisor: Prof. Dr. A.E. van Wyk Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. G.F. Smith July 2015 DECLARATION I, Janine Elizabeth Victor, declare that the thesis/dissertation, which I hereby submit for the degree Doctorate of Philosophy at the University of Pretoria, is my own work and has not previously been submitted by me for a degree at this or any other tertiary institution. SIGNATURE: .......JtU: c!o!. ........ .. DATE: 1 July 2015 II ABSTRACT Strategies for the development of plant systematics in a floristically diverse region Janine Elizabeth Victor Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Philosophiae Doctor In the Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (Department of Plant Science) University of Pretoria July 2015 Supervisor: Prof. Dr. A.E. van Wyk Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. G.F. Smith South Africa is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, and harbours one of the richest floras. Vast areas of the country remain under-collected, and a large proportion of species are taxonomically problematic and under-represented in herbarium collections. These factors hinder management of biodiversity. The main intention of this study was to develop a strategy for plant taxonomic research that would meet the needs of end users, and make efficient use of scarce human and financial resources in South Africa. The development of plant taxonomy in South Africa from 1600 to 2014 is reviewed, with emphasis on the main driving factors that have influenced the research direction, techniques used, and choice of taxonomic research topic. -
Greg Daniels Mesemb Plant List March 2015 [email protected] 07 3376 3404
Greg Daniels Mesemb Plant List March 2015 [email protected] 07 3376 3404 Genus/species Collector No Locality Price No. available Acrodon bellidiflorus Rooivlei 5 3 Aloinopsis loganii Matjiesfontein, N 6 1 Aloinopsis schooneesii 5 1 Antimima argentea Namus Kloof 5 1 Antimima limbata Langebaan 5 5 Antimima solida SB1515 Grootgraafwater 5 19 Antimima sp. Brandkop 5 1 Antimima sp. SB1942 Quaggaskop 5 4 Antimima turneriana 5 2 Argyroderma congregatum HH5032 Vredendal, near 5 4 Argyroderma congregatum SB614 Vredendal, near 5 9 Argyroderma delaetii PV255 Nuwerus, 40 km W of 5 3 Argyroderma delaetii 'aureum' Langdam, Bitterfontein 5 13 Argyroderma fissum Klawer 5 3 Argyroderma fissum Klawer, 3 km S of 5 3 Argyroderma fissum 'brevipes' Vredendal 5 3 Argyroderma fissum 'litorale' SB1542 Strandfontein, E of 5 11 Argyroderma framesii ssp. hallii 'cerise fl' Holrivier TL 5 14 Argyroderma patens Kliprand Road 5 1 Argyroderma patens 'lemon to amber fl' Soutrivier Bridge, 8 miles NE of 5 2 Argyroderma pearsonii var. luckhoffii ‘yellow fl' 5 2 Argyroderma pearsonii 'purple fl' 5 6 Argyroderma testiculare 5 2 Astridia longifolia 'bright red fl' SB758 Remhoogte 5 1 Astridia sp. 5 34 Astridia velutina RJC163/97 Hellskloof Gate and Sendlingsdrift, between 5 2 Bergeranthus concavus 6 3 Bergeranthus multiceps 'addoensis' Sondagsrivierpoort 5 3 Bergeranthus multiceps 'artus' 5 10 Bergeranthus scapiger 5 3 Braunsia apiculata Klein Cederberg 5 9 Cephalophyllum alstonii Ceres Karoo 5 22 Cephalophyllum curtophyllum 5 4 Cephalophyllum ebracteatum Lüderitz 5 5 Cephalophyllum loreum SB619 Gifberg 5 4 Cephalophyllum pillansii 5 1 Cephalophyllum pulchrum 5 10 Cephalophyllum rigidum 'aureorubrum' #same? 5 2 Cephalophyllum sp. -
Mesembs Leo A
Mesembs Leo A. Martin Linnaeus called these plants Mesembryanthemum, which means mid-day flower. As time passed, and more and more were discovered, more genera were established. The common name Mesembs is often used for the whole group. There are several dozen genera and probably over a thousand species. They are now considered members of the plant family Aizoaceae. All can be identified by the peculiar seed capsule, which, in most, has water-sensitive valves, which open when wet and close when dry. It is amazing to put a drop of water on a capsule and watch it open. Most come from Africa, particularly in the south. Mesembs have adapted to all the climates of Africa and given species have particular cultural requirements. Once the preferred growth and rainfall pattern is understood their culture becomes easier. For this reason, reading about them or asking somebody with experience growing them in your climate is important when first beginning to grow them. Some are easier to grow than others are. Winter and spring visitors to California will have seen acres of land along freeways or on slopes covered with sheets of pink-flowered Delosperma and Carpobrotus, common ice plants. Hearts and flowers (Aptenia cordifolia ) is a ground cover used here in Arizona. Many of these plants are reduced to nothing more than spherical leaf pairs. Lithops (Greek for "stone face") and Conophytum ("cone plants") come to mind. Lithops do look like pebbles. Conophytum are small green bubbles. Both can be grown here successfully, though Lithops are probably easier. Plants grown from seed in Arizona seem to do better here than California imports, which often melt when they first experience our heat.