The Ethnomedicinal Efficacy of Mistletoe : a Review

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Ethnomedicinal Efficacy of Mistletoe : a Review International Journal of Advanced Technology & Science Research Volume 02 Issue 04 April 2021 The Ethnomedicinal Efficacy Of Mistletoe : A Review 1Adaaja B.O, 2Akemien N.N, 2Zaman E.Y , 1Otiwa G.V 1Trial Afforestation Research Station, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria. 2Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria P.M.B 5054 Jericho Hills Ibadan Nigeria. Abstract – Mistletoe is the general name for obligate hemi-parasitic herb belonging to the Loranthaceae family of genus Santalales. While several species of this plant are found in places like North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and Korean, the most common species are known as American mistletoe (Phorandendronleucarpun) and the European mistletoe (Viscumalbum). As mistletoe is a parasitic plant, it generally grows on other trees or plants, for instance, Theobromacacao (Cocoa plant), Heaveabrasiliensis (Rubber plant), Colanitida or Colasp. (Kola plant) etc. Other host are Malusdomestica (apple trees), Quercus (oaks trees), pines, first to produce yellowish green leaves, flowers and waxy berries.This review shows the ETHNOMEDICINAL uses of Mistletoes. Keywords: Mistletoe, Parasitic, Health, Diabetes, Hepatitis. 1. Introduction Mistletoe was often considered a pest that kills trees and devalues natural habitats but was recently recognized as an ecological keystone species. It is an organism that has a disproportionately pervasive influence over its community. Animals depend on mistletoe for food by consuming the leaves and young shoots, transferring pollen between plants and dispersing the sticky seeds. In the western North America, their juicy berries are eaten and dispersed by birds (notably Phainopepla or Silky-flycatcher). When the berries are consumed, some seeds pass unharmed through their digestive systems and if the birds‟ droppings happen to land on a suitable branch, the seeds may stick long enough to germinate. This way of propagation is shown in the name: Mistel is the Anglo-Saxon word for dung-on-a-twig. A study of mistletoe has shown that as the plants mature, they grow into masses of branching stems which brings about the popular name “witches‟ brooms”. The dense evergreen witches‟ brooms formed by the dwarf mistletoes (Arceuthobiumspecies) of western North America also make excellent locations for roosting and nesting of the northern spotted owl and the marbled murrelet. A study of mistletoe in junipers concluded that more juniper www.ijatsr.org Copyright © IJATSR 2021, All Right Reserved Page 185 International Journal of Advanced Technology & Science Research Volume 02 Issue 04 April 2021 berries sprout in stands where mistletoe is present and the reason for this is that the mistletoe attracts berryeating birds which also eat juniper berries (Millus, 2002). Such interactions lead to dramatic influences on diversities of animals. Thus, rather than being a pest, mistletoe can have a positive effect on biodiversity providing high quality food and habitat for a wide range of animals in forests and woodlands worldwide. There are currently three species of mistletoe being used for medicinal purposes. These species are European mistletoe (Viscumalbum), a Korean variety (Viscum album coloratum) and an Africa species (Viscum album (Loranthusbegwensis L.) (Faluyi et al., 2002). Mistletoe is a very crucial plant that is used for the treatment of various diseases. The chemical analysis of mistletoe has revealed that this parasitic herb possesses calming, antispasmodic, purgative, immune-modulator, immune-stimulator, a potent hypotensive (causing low blood pressure), an excellent cardio-tonic, diuretic and vermifuge (any medication that helps to expel worms from the body) properties. Due to its multifarious therapeutic attributes, mistletoe is prescribed to cure cough particularly spasmodic cough, asthmatic attacks attributed to psychological tension as well as bronchial asthma. The Yoruba people found mistletoe plant to be medicinally good in curing hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, stomach ulcer, etc. (Okokoh, 1999). This herb is also used to alleviate the symptoms of epilepsy, hysteria, dizziness, nervous fits, neurosis, cardiac ischemia, arterial hypertension, hiccups, predispositions to virosis (a viral infection), digestive and uterine cramps, memory problems related to hypertension (high blood pressure), ganglionary ailments as well as immunity disorders owning to old age. It is also useful in the treatment of gout, leucorrhoea (a white or yellowish vaginal discharge) and sciatica (pain in some portions of the sciatic nerve). The Druids and ancient Greeks were the first to use European mistletoe for the reported health benefits offered by the herb. These people employed European mistletoe in the form of a „cure all‟ to treat almost all types of medical conditions. In effect, since a long time ago, mistletoe has been extensively employed in the form of a herbal therapy for an assortment of health disorders, counting alleviating headaches, pains caused by arthritis as well as the menopausal symptoms (i.e menopause complaints). Primarily, European mistletoe is employed to reduce high blood pressure and slow down the rapid heart rate, alleviate nervousness and induce sleep. When used in small doses, mistletoe helps to provide relief from headaches, panic attack and augments concentration. Herbalists especially prescribe European mistletoe to treat epilepsy and tinnitus (a ringing or similar sensation in the ear). Interest in mistletoe as an anticancer drug began in the 1920‟s (Khinaja, 1986, Kaegi, 1998 and Wagner, 1986). The extracts obtained from mistletoe berries are administered in form of injection to cure cancer in anthroposophical (a medical philosophy founded on Rudolf Steiner‟s teachings) medicine. www.ijatsr.org Copyright © IJATSR 2021, All Right Reserved Page 186 International Journal of Advanced Technology & Science Research Volume 02 Issue 04 April 2021 According to Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Anthroposophy, mistletoe is “insanely aristocratic”, because it grows according to its own rhythms, “as if the earth were not there.” It grows in any direction, often forming a strange ball up in a tree, it flowers in the winter and it has berries all year long. He argued that mistletoe was the perfect remedy for cancer and developed it into a specially crafted medicine called Iscador which is used in Europe (It is not the same thing as an extract). Mistletoe is also known as Birdlime, Herbe de la Croix, Mystyldene and Lignum Crucis. In his study, he compared the parasitic nature of the mistletoe plant to that of cancer and believed that cancer represents a faltering of the body’s spiritual defenses (Ernst, 2006). Some arthroposophical mistletoe preparations are diluted homeopathically. Mistletoe extract is sold as Iscador, Helixor, Eurixor and several other trade names. Public interest in the United States was spurred in 2001 following actress Suzanne Somers‟ decision to use Iscador in lieu of chemotherapy following her treatment for breast cancer using surgery and radiotherapy (Schneider, 2001). Laboratory studies have found that mistletoe can stimulate the immune system and kill cancer cells. However, clinical trials in humans have yet to prove that mistletoe is beneficial for cancer patients. Although studies have shown improvements in survival and/or quality of life among people using mistletoe in treatment of cancer. Mistletoe is a very effective remedy for women‟s problems. For instance, this herb is used to lessen the profuse menstruation flow, menstrual problems as well as hemorrhage following child birth. In addition, this herb can also be employed to treat persistent cramping, infertility and to cure uterine problems.This review aimed to collate and enumerate the indigenous uses of mistletoes . Life cycle of (bioweb.uwla ) www.ijatsr.org Copyright © IJATSR 2021, All Right Reserved Page 187 mistletoe x.edu International Journal of Advanced Technology & Science Research Volume 02 Issue 04 April 2021 Fig1:Life cycle of Mistletoes. 2. HEALTH BENEFITS OF MISTLETOES:A GENERAL OVERVIEW 2.1 Mistletoe and Hepatitis C The immune system’s role in defeating Hepatitis C and fighting cancer is very similar. Every day, hundreds of cells in our body degenerate because of viral infections or genetic changes, both which can become cancerous. Various types of white blood cells, including natural- killer cells, recognize these harmful cells and destroy them. A healthfully functioning immune system defends against the formation of tumors daily with this process. 2.2 Mistletoe and diabetes Preliminary research indicates that mistletoe may be useful in the management of diabetic animals treated with mistletoe had a significant decrease in blood sugar levels. Mistletoe also appeared to stimulate the secretion of insulin in both diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Since there is limited evidence on mistletoe’s benefits and risks for people with hepatitis C or diabetes, it is crucial for patients to consult a physician before using this herb. When someone has a low blood pressure, mistletoe can help to raise it. This sound not logical but when we understand that the effect of mistletoe works by strengthen the heart and making the blood vessels more elastical. Mistletoe can modify the blood pressure in both directions. Since mistletoe helps in strengthening the digestive system and metabolism, it is also helpful against rheumatic complaints. Mistletoe strengthens the nerves and can thus be a remedy against headache and dizziness. It also helps against other circulatory problems
Recommended publications
  • Đa Dạng Thực Vật Có Hoa Vùng Đất Cát Huyện Triệu Phong Và Hải Lăng Tỉnh
    TIỂU BAN ĐA DẠNG SINH HỌC VÀ BẢO TỒN ĐA DẠNG THỰC VẬT CÓ HOA VÙNG ĐẤT CÁT HUYỆN TRIỆU PHONG VÀ HẢI LĂNG TỈNH QUẢNG TRỊ Hoàng Xuân Thảo1, Lê Tuấn Anh2, Ngô Thị Diễm My3 1Trường Đại học Sư phạm Huế 2Viện Nghiên cứu Khoa học Miền Trung, Viện Hàn lâm Khoa học và Công nghệ Việt Nam 3Trường Cao đẳng Sư phạm Đắk Lắk Cồn cát ven biển, đất cát là loại thể nền đặc trưng của vùng bờ biển. Chúng chịu tác động của các yếu tố vô sinh như: hoạt động của biển, thủy triều, nhiệt độ, gió, sự bồi lắng phù sa hay sự ngưng tụ chất hữu cơ,… Trải qua thời gian, dưới tác động của các yếu tố trong môi trường đã hình thành những dãy cồn cát từ bờ biển cho đến sâu vào trong nội địa. Nhờ có sự hiện diện của hệ thực vật ở đây đã góp phần vào giảm thiểu tính khắc nghiệt khí hậu, ngăn cản sự sa mạc hóa do hiện tượng di động của cồn cát, đồng thời đó là một trong những nguồn lợi kinh tế của dân địa phương như cung cấp chất đốt, cây thuốc, mật ong,… Kết quả nghiên cứu góp phần đánh giá tiềm năng của thực vật đất cát tại Quảng Trị, bảo tồn và phát triển các loài có ích, khai thác hợp lý để duy trì bền vững hệ sinh thái này. I. ĐỐI TƢỢNG, ĐỊA ĐIỂM VÀ PHƢƠNG PHÁP NGHIÊN CỨU 1. Đối tƣợng và địa điểm nghiên cứu - Đối tượng nghiên cứu: Thực vật có hoa.
    [Show full text]
  • An Ethnobotanical Analysis of Parasitic Plants (Parijibi) in the Nepal Himalaya Alexander Robert O’Neill1 and Santosh Kumar Rana2*
    O’Neill and Rana Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2016) 12:14 DOI 10.1186/s13002-016-0086-y RESEARCH Open Access An ethnobotanical analysis of parasitic plants (Parijibi) in the Nepal Himalaya Alexander Robert O’Neill1 and Santosh Kumar Rana2* Abstract Background: Indigenous biocultural knowledge is a vital part of Nepalese environmental management strategies; however, much of it may soon be lost given Nepal’s rapidly changing socio-ecological climate. This is particularly true for knowledge surrounding parasitic and mycoheterotrophic plant species, which are well represented throughout the Central-Eastern Himalayas but lack a collated record. Our study addresses this disparity by analyzing parasitic and mycoheterotrophic plant species diversity in Nepal as well as the ethnobotanical knowledge that surrounds them. Methods: Botanical texts, online databases, and herbarium records were reviewed to create an authoritative compendium of parasitic and mycoheterotrophic plant species native or naturalized to the Nepal Central- Eastern Himalaya. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with 141 informants to better understand the biocultural context of these species, emphasizing ethnobotanical uses, in 12 districts of Central-Eastern Nepal. Results: Nepal is a hotspot of botanical diversity, housing 15 families and 29 genera of plants that exhibit parasitic or mycoheterotrophic habit. Over 150 of the known 4500 parasitic plant species (~3 %) and 28 of the 160 mycoheterotrophic species (~18 %) are native or naturalized to Nepal; 13 of our surveyed parasitic species are endemic. Of all species documented, approximately 17 % of parasitic and 7 % of mycoheterotrophic plants have ethnobotanical uses as medicine (41 %), fodder (23 %), food (17 %), ritual objects (11 %), or material (8 %).
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Biogeography of Loranthaceae (Santalales): Diversification Agrees with Emergence of Tropical Forests and Radiation of Songbirds
    Accepted Manuscript Historical biogeography of Loranthaceae (Santalales): Diversification agrees with emergence of tropical forests and radiation of songbirds Bing Liu, Chi Toan Le, Russell L. Barrett, Daniel L. Nickrent, Zhiduan Chen, Limin Lu, Romina Vidal-Russell PII: S1055-7903(17)30821-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2018.03.010 Reference: YMPEV 6082 To appear in: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Received Date: 14 November 2017 Revised Date: 3 March 2018 Accepted Date: 7 March 2018 Please cite this article as: Liu, B., Le, C.T., Barrett, R.L., Nickrent, D.L., Chen, Z., Lu, L., Vidal-Russell, R., Historical biogeography of Loranthaceae (Santalales): Diversification agrees with emergence of tropical forests and radiation of songbirds, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution (2018), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev. 2018.03.010 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Running title: Phylogeny and historical biogeography of Loranthaceae Historical biogeography of Loranthaceae (Santalales): Diversification agrees with emergence of tropical forests and radiation of songbirds a,b, † a,b,c,d, † e,f g Bing Liu , Chi Toan Le , Russell L. Barrett , Daniel L. Nickrent , Zhiduan Chena,b, Limin Lua,b,* and Romina Vidal-Russellh,* a State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China b Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China c University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China d Hanoi Pedagogical University No.
    [Show full text]
  • Mistletoes and Thionins
    Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Pharmacy 49 Mistletoes and Thionins as Selection Models in Natural Products Drug Discovery SONNY LARSSON ACTA UNIVERSITATIS UPSALIENSIS ISSN 1651-6192 UPPSALA ISBN 978-91-554-6824-8 2007 urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-7705 ! "!!# $!! % & % % ' ( % ' )* + , - &* . /* "!!#* + * / 0 ' & * 1 * 2* 34 * * 5/0 2#672744736"76* + % & % , % 8 * 5 8 9 ,& & % % & & * 1 8 % % * + % * : & % ; , % & & % 7 * % % & % , ; %% * 1 %% % / , * + % & % 01 ; , & % : & & 6/ "3/ 01 ; , / * 1 & & , ; % % / * + % 9 % 9 9 , % < * + % % ' + , & (/ ) / , , % & 7 7 2 #<+* & . , & % * 5 , 9 , % % ; 9 & , & & * ! "# & & / $ %" $ $ & '()$ $ *+(',-. $ !" = / . "!!# 5//0 34732" 5/0 2#672744736"76 $ $$$ 7##!4 ( $>> *9*> ? @ $ $$$ 7##!4) ...his task had never been to undo what he had done, but to finish what he had begun. A Wizard of Earthsea Ursula K. Le Guin List of Papers This thesis is based on the following papers, referred to in the text by their roman numerals:
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Biogeography of Loranthaceae (Santalales): Diversification Agrees T with Emergence of Tropical Forests and Radiation of Songbirds
    Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 124 (2018) 199–212 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ympev Historical biogeography of Loranthaceae (Santalales): Diversification agrees T with emergence of tropical forests and radiation of songbirds Bing Liua,b,1, Chi Toan Lea,b,c,d,1, Russell L. Barrette,f, Daniel L. Nickrentg, Zhiduan Chena,b, ⁎ ⁎ Limin Lua,b, , Romina Vidal-Russellh, a State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China b Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China c University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China d Hanoi Pedagogical University No. 2, 32 Nguyen Van Linh, Xuanhoa, Phucyen, Vinhphuc, Viet Nam e National Herbarium of New South Wales, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney 2000, New South Wales, Australia f Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, GPO Box 1700, Canberra 2601, Australian Capital Territory, Australia g Department of Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901-6509 USA h Laboratorio Ecotono, INIBIOMA (CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue), Quintral 1250 (8400), Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Coadaptation between mistletoes and birds captured the attention of Charles Darwin over 150 years ago, sti- Divergence time mulating considerable scientific research. Here we used Loranthaceae, a speciose and ecologically important Eocene mistletoe family, to obtain new insights into the interrelationships among its hosts and dispersers. Phylogenetic Gondwana analyses of Loranthaceae were based on a dataset of nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences.
    [Show full text]
  • The Phylogenetic Relationships of Balanophoraceae and Related Santalales Inferred from Floral B Homeotic Genes and Nuclear 18S Rdna Sequences
    The phylogenetic relationships of Balanophoraceae and related Santalales inferred from floral B homeotic genes and nuclear 18S rDNA sequences Huei-Jiun Su and Jer-Ming Hu Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, National Taiwan University Abstract Balanophoraceae are obligate root parasites, which comprise 17 genera with 44 species in the tropics and subtropics. Plants of Balanophoraceae are composed of underground tuberous structures that attach to the host, and only emerge above ground during reproduction. Unlike typical flowers of the core eudicots that have differentiated sepals and petals, the flowers of Balanophoraceae are highly reduced and the remnant floral organs are sometimes difficult to interpret the ontological origins. Due to the extreme reduction of morphological features in Balanophoraceae, the phylogeny of Balanophoraceae has been controversial. Although recent molecular data shows Balanophoraceae might be close to Santalales, the exact position of Balanophoraceae remains in question. Previous studies also showed these parasitic plants have accelerated DNA substitution rates, which have caused problems in phylogenetic reconstruction. To clarify the affinities of Balanophoraceae and other Santalales members, we compared phylogenetic trees resulted from analyses of nuclear 18S rDNA and the floral B-class homeotic genes. A total of 23 B-class gene homologues were identified for Balanophoraceae and Santalales species. The results of various phylogenetic analyses confirm the basal position of Balanophoraceae in the Santalales. In addition, the substitution rates of B-class genes do not have drastic changes among Balanophoraceae, Santalales and other eudicots, compared with 18S rDNA. These results suggest that floral homeotic genes could be potential tools for reconstructing difficult phylogenies such as holoparasites.
    [Show full text]
  • Plants of Cát Tiên National Park Danh Lục Thực Vật Vườn Quốc Gia Cát Tiên
    Plants of Cát Tiên National Park 04 August 2021 Danh lục thực vật Vườn Quốc Gia Cát Tiên Higher Bộ Family Chi - Loài Authority Ngành / Lớp / Phân họ Họ Rec. No.* Clas. Order Species (& Sub-family) ssp., var., syn. etc. & notes TÊN VIỆT NAM Ds Cd Mã số Clade: Embryophyta Nhánh: Thực vật có phôi (Division) Marchantiophyta Liverworts Ngành Rêu tản (Division) Anthocerotophyta Hornworts Ngành Rêu sừng (Division) Bryophyta Mosses Ngành Rêu Tracheophyta (Vascular plants) Thực vật có mạch (Division) Lycopodiophyta clubmosses, etc Ngành Thạch tùng Lycopodiales Huperziaceae firmosses Họ Thạch sam Huperzia carinata (Poir.) Trevis Phlegmariurus is the tropical sub-genus Thạch tùng sóng K C - T 4 Huperzia squarrosa (Forst.) Trevis Thạch tùng vảy K T 12 Huperzia obvalifolia (Bon.) Thạch tùng xoan ngược K C - T 8 Huperzia phlegmaria (L.) Roth Râu cây K C - T 9 Lycopodiaceae clubmosses Họ Thạch tùng Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Franco & Vasc Thạch tùng nghiên K T 16 Lycopodiella sp. Thạch tùng K T Selaginellales Selaginellaceae spikemosses Họ quyển bá Selaginella delicatula (Desv) Alst. Quyển bá yếu K T 41 Selaginella rolandi-principis Alston. Hoa đá K T 27 Selaginella willdenowii (Desv.) Baker. Quyển bá Willdenov K T 33 Selaginella chrysorrhizos Spring Quyển bá vàng K 39 Selaginella minutifolia Spring Quyển bá vi diệp K 49 (Division) Pteridophyta (Polypodiophyta) Leptosporangiate ferns Ngành Dương xỉ Class: Marattiopsida Lớp Dương xỉ tòa sen Marattiales Marattiaceae (previously Angiopteridaceae) Họ Dương xỉ tòa sen Angiopteris repandulade Vriese. Ráng hiền dực, Dương xỉ móng trâu K 82 Class: Pteridopsida or Polypodiopsida Lớp Dương xỉ Polypodiales polypod ferns Bộ Dương xỉ Aspleniaceae Họ Can xỉ (tổ diều) Asplenium nidus L.
    [Show full text]
  • Flowering Plants Eudicots Santalales, Balanophorales
    Edited by K. Kubitzki Volume XII Flowering Plants Eudicots Santalales, Balanophorales J. Kuijt, B. Hansen THE FAMILIES AND GENERA OF VASCULAR PLANTS Edited by K. Kubitzki For further volumes see list at the end of the book and: http://www.springer.com/series/1306 . The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants Edited by K. Kubitzki Flowering Plants Eudicots XII Santalales, Balanophorales Job Kuijt Bertel Hansen With 82 Figures Prof. em. Dr. Job Kuijt Dr. Bertel Hansen (deceased) 649 Lost Lake Road formerly at Botanical Museum Victoria BC V9B 6E3 Copenhagen, Denmark Canada Series Editor Prof. Dr. Klaus Kubitzki Universit€at Hamburg Biozentrum Klein-Flottbek und Botanischer Garten 22609 Hamburg Germany ISBN 978-3-319-09295-9 ISBN 978-3-319-09296-6 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-09296-6 # Springer Cham Heidelberg New York Dordrecht London Library of Congress Control Number: 2014949618 # Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. Exempted from this legal reservation are brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis or material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the Copyright Law of the Publisher’s location, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogenetic Classification of Seed Plants of Taiwan
    Lin and Chung Bot Stud (2017) 58:52 DOI 10.1186/s40529-017-0206-6 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Open Access Phylogenetic Classifcation of Seed Plants of Taiwan Cheng‑Tao Lin1 and Kuo‑Fang Chung2* Abstract Background: Biological classifcation, the hierarchical arrangement of scientifc names of organisms, constitutes the core infrastructure of biological databases. For an efcient management of biological databases, adopting a stable and universal biological classifcation system is crucial. Currently in Taiwan Biodiversity Information Facility (TaiBIF; http://taibif.tw/), the national portal website that integrates Taiwan’s biodiversity information databases, angiosperms are arranged according to Cronquist’s System of Classifcation, which is not compatible with current trend of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) classifcation. To consolidate the function and management of the database, TaiBIF is moving to adopt the APG IV classifcation and Christenhusz et al. (Phytotaxa 19:55–70, 2011)’s classifcation of gymnosperms, which we summarize as the Phylogenetic Classifcation of Seed Plants of Taiwan. Results: The Phylogenetic Classifcation of Seed Plants of Taiwan places gymnosperms in fve families [vs. eight families in the Flora of Taiwan (FOT)] and angiosperms in 210 families (vs. 193 families in FOT). Three FOT gymnosperm families are synonymized in current treatment. Of the 210 APG IV families, familial circumscriptions of 114 families are identical with FOT and 50 families are recircumscription of FOT, with 46 families newly added. Of the 29 FOT families not included in current classifcation, two families are excluded and 27 families are synonymized. Conclusions: The adoption of the Phylogenetic Classifcation of Seed Plants of Taiwan in TaiBIF will provide better service and efcient management of the nation’s biodiversity information databases.
    [Show full text]
  • Loranthaceae.Pdf
    Flora of China 5: 220-239. 2003. LORANTHACEAE 桑寄生科 sang ji sheng ke Qiu Huaxing (邱华兴 Chiu Hua-hsing, Kiu Hua-xing)1; Michael G. Gilbert2 Shrubs, usually aerial hemiparasites on other seed plants, often spreading along host by runners (epicortical roots), more rarely terrestrial root-parasitic shrubs or trees, nodes not articulated, glabrous or hairy, hairs often stellate or verticillate. Leaves opposite or alternate, stipules absent; petiole often indistinct; leaf blade simple, usually pinnately veined, margin entire. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, racemes, spikes, or umbels (sometimes condensed into heads); bracts usually inconspicuous, sometimes forming conspic- uous involucre (in Tolypanthus). Flowers usually bisexual, rarely unisexual (plants dioecious), 4–6-merous, actinomorphic or zygo- morphic, often conspicuous. Calyx adnate to the ovary, limb annular to cupular, entire or shortly toothed, persistent. Petals usually 4– 6, free or connate, valvate. Disk usually inconspicuous to ± absent. Stamens as many as petals, opposite and adnate to them; anthers mostly basifixed, sometimes dorsifixed, 2–4-loculed, dehiscence longitudinal, locules sometimes with many transverse divisions so as to be multilocellate. Pollen oblate or suboblate, usually trilobate, or triangular. Ovary inferior, 1- or 3- or 4-loculed, without true ovules, embryo sacs originating from a central column or at the ovary base, integument absent. Style simple; stigma small. Fruit a berry (rarely a drupe or capsule), with a viscin layer (sticky mucilaginous tissue) outside the vascular bundles. Seed 1; testa absent; endosperm copious; embryo large. Between 60 and 68 genera and 700–950 species: primarily in tropical and subtropical regions; eight genera and 51 species (18 endemic) in China.
    [Show full text]
  • Adesina Et Al., Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. (2013) 10(4):161-170 161
    Adesina et al., Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. (2013) 10(4):161-170 161 http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v10i4.26 AFRICAN MISTLETOES (LORANTHACEAE); ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY, CHEMISTRY AND MEDICINAL VALUES: AN UPDATE ¹ʼ³Simeon K. Adesina, ²H. C. Illoh, ³Imoh I. Johnny and ³Imoh E. Jacobs ¹Drug Research and Production Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy and ²Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. ³Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Mistletoes of the Loranthaceae and Viscaceae are hemiparasitic plants and their preparations in the form of injectable extracts, infusions, tinctures, fluid extracts or tea bags are widely used in various cultures in almost every continent to treat or manage various health problems including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory conditions, irregular menstruations, menopause, epilepsy, arthritis, cancer, etc. The medicinal values of some species of Mistletoes (Loranthaceae) growing in the West African sub-region have been reviewed along with some considerations of their chemistries and local uses. These have been compared with Mistletoes (Loranthaceae and Viscaceae) growing elsewhere in Europe and Asia. This review has attempted to update our knowledge on the values of these hemi-parasites which belong to the genera – Globimetula, Phragmanthera, Agelanthus and Tapinanthus, and which have, for years, been seen as only devastating and notorious plants. They are also seen as epiphyting economic, ornamental and medicinal plants. The hemi-parasitic plants (Mistletoes) are not well understood as very little is known about their biology (taxonomy, host/plant relationship, ecology, toxicology, physiological characteristics, etc.) and chemistry (chemical constituents’ profile).
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Chloroplast Genomic Analyses Revealed Extensive Genomic Arrangement in Some Core and Non-Core Caryophyllales
    Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 26(1): 107–116, 2019 (June) © 2019 Bangladesh Association of Plant Taxonomists COMPARATIVE CHLOROPLAST GENOMIC ANALYSES REVEALED EXTENSIVE GENOMIC ARRANGEMENT IN SOME CORE AND NON-CORE CARYOPHYLLALES 1 M. AJMAL ALI Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh-11451, Saudi Arabia Keywords: Caryophyllales; cp genome; Phylogenomics; mVISTA; MAUVE. Abstract The order Caryophyllales exhibit diverse diversity in morphology to molecules, which leads to taxonomic complexities in circumscribing especially to its families. The comparative analysis of the available chloroplast genome to detect pattern of genomic arrangement and variation is lacking; hence, the alignment pattern and genomic rearrangement across the Caryophyllales were detected, and the phylogenetic relationship among the families of the Caryophyllales based on maximum cp genes were inferred. The comparison of the Caryophyllales cp genomes based on representatives of 10 families with Taxillus chinensis as reference genome revealed that coding region were more conserved than the non-coding region; however, clpP, rpl16 and ycf15 were the most divergent coding region among all taxa. Further, the genomic rearrangement occurred in gene organization of the taxa among different families of Caryophyllales, the extensive rearrangement were observed in Amaranthaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Droseraceae and Cactaceae. Introduction The order Caryophyllales (-the core eudicots) is a diverse clade of angiosperms that
    [Show full text]