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Abstract Subnival glasshouse plants provide a text-book example of high-altitude adaptation with reproductive organs enclosed in specialized semi-translucent bracts, monocarpic reproduction and continuous survival under stress. Here, we present genomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses for one such plant, the Noble rhubarb (Rheum nobile). Comparative genomic analyses show that an expanded number of genes and retained genes from two recent whole-genome duplication events are both relevant to subnival adaptation of this species. Most photosynthesis genes are downregulated within bracts compared to within leaves, and indeed bracts exhibit a sharp reduction in photosynthetic pigments, indicating that the bracts no longer perform photosynthesis. Contrastingly, genes related to flavonol synthesis are upregulated, providing enhanced defense against UV irradiation damage. Additionally, anatomically abnormal mesophyll combined with the downregulation of genes related to mesophyll differentiation in bracts illustrates the innovation and specification of the glass-like bracts. We further detect substantial accumulation of antifreeze proteins (e.g. AFPs, LEAs) and various metabolites (e.g. Proline, Protective sugars, procyanidins) in over-wintering roots. These findings provide new insights into subnival adaptation and the evolution of glasshouse alpine plants.

A checklist of the grasses of India is presented, as compiled from survey of all available literature. Of the twelve subfamilies of grasses, ten are represented in India. Most subfamilies have been examined by taxonomic experts for up-to-date nomenclature. The list includes 1506 species plus infraspecific taxa and presents information on types, synonyms, distribution within India, and habit. Twelve new combinations are made, viz. Arctopoa tibetica (Munro ex Stapf) Prob. var. aristulata (Stapf) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Chimonocalamus nagalandianus (H.B. Naithani) L.G. Clark, comb. nov.; Chionachne digitata (L.f.) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Chionachne wallichiana (Nees) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Dinebra polystachyos (R. Br.) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Moorochloa eruciformis (Sm.) Veldkamp var. divaricata (Basappa & Muniv.) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Phyllostachys nigra (Lodd. ex Lindl.) Munro var. puberula (Miq.) Kailash, comb. & stat. nov.; Tzveleviochloa schmidii (Hook. f.) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Urochloa lata (Schumach.) C.E. Hubb. var. pubescens (C.E. Hubb.) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Urochloa ramosa (L.) T.Q. Nguyen var. pubescens (Basappa & Muniy.) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Urochloa semiundulata (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Ashalatha & V.J. Nair var. intermedia (Basappa & Muniy.) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.

Summary: Recent availability of biodiversity data resources has enabled an unprecedented ability to estimate phylogenetically based biodiversity metrics over broad scales. Such approaches elucidate ecological and evolutionary processes yielding a biota and help guide conservation efforts. However, the choice of appropriate phylogenetic resources and underlying input data uncertainties may affect interpretation. Here, we address how differences among phylogenetic source trees and levels of phylogenetic uncertainty affect these metrics and test existing hypotheses regarding geographic biodiversity patterns across the diverse vascular plant flora of Florida, US. Ecological niche models for 1,490 Florida species were combined with a “purpose-built” phylogenetic tree (phylogram and chronogram), as well as with trees derived from community resources (Phylomatic and Open Tree of Life). There were only modest differences in phylodiversity metrics given the phylogenetic source tree and taking into account the level of phylogenetic uncertainty; we identify similar areas of conservation interest across Florida regardless of the method used. : Spatial Phylogenetics; Plant Biology; Biogeography Subject Areas: Spatial Phylogenetics, Plant Biology, Biogeography

A particular pattern of tricolon or triplet, sometimes known as forked parallelism, has been identified in Ugaritic and early Hebrew poetry. It has been suggested that it is a characteristic style of Canaanite or ancient Semitic poetry, and noted that in the Hebrew Bible its use declines dramatically outside the archaic and early examples of poetry. Hence it can be seen as a stylistic indicator suggesting authentic early composition of some portions of the Hebrew Bible. This paper shows that the pattern was also used as a regular feature in some genres of Egyptian poetry from the Old Kingdom through to the end of the New Kingdom. At that time it appears to have ceased being a device regularly used by Egyptian poets, in parallel with their counterparts in the Levant. Thus the use, and subsequent decline, of this pattern in Israel is a local reflection of a wider aesthetic choice rather than an isolated phenomenon. The structural uses of this and some other triplet patterns are reviewed, and some clear poetic purposes identified. This review also highlights some differences between the typical poetic use of triplets in Ugaritic, Hebrew and Egyptian. Some typical triplet patterns used in Ugaritic and Hebrew are not found in Egyptian sources.