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Ligustrum fengjieense (Oleaceae), a new species from Fengjie County, Chongqing, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to L. pricei and L. expansum, but it can be distinguished by its extremely long pedicels and purple anthers. Color photographs, conservation assessments and taxonomical notes are provided.

A novel species, Micropeltis goniothalamicola and a new record Scolecopeltidium menglaense were collected from Mae Fah Luang Botanical Gardens, Thailand. Our new taxon is different from other species in Micropeltis in having relatively smaller ascomata, 6–8-spored asci and 4–5-septate ascospores covering with mucilaginous sheath. Our new record, S. menglaense is the first host recorded from Jasmine grandiflorum (Oleaceae). Morphological comparison coupled with phylogenetic analysis of combined LSU and ITS sequence data provide evidence for the new species and new host record.

Phytoplasmas have been associated with a disease that affects trees of at least 11 species from different botanic families in Bogotá, Colombia. ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma fraxini’ are the major groups of phytoplasma in the area of Bogotá. In this study, the genetic diversity within ‘Ca. P. asteris’ and ‘Ca. P. fraxini’ was studied in five urban tree species: Croton species (Euphorbiaceae), Fraxinus uhdei (Oleaceae), Magnolia grandiflora (Magnoliaceae), Populus nigra (Salicaceae) and Quercus humboldtii (Fagaceae). Analyses of the 16S rRNA gene using nested PCR, RFLP and sequencing showed that phytoplasmas of ‘Ca. P. asteris’ could be assigned to: subgroup 16SrI-B; a new subgroup named 16SrI-AF, with a restriction pattern similar to that of 16SrI-B; and a new subgroup named 16SrI-AG, with a restriction pattern similar to that of 16SrI-K and 16SrI-AH with a restriction pattern similar to that of 16SrI-AC. ‘Ca. P. fraxini’ isolates belonged to a new subgroup named 16SrVII-G, with a restriction pattern similar to that of 16SrVII-A. To complement the identification of the phytoplasma strains, we amplified nonribosomal genes such as leuS and secA. Unexpectedly, it was observed that in 16 trees in which 16S rRNA gene analysis showed the presence of ‘Ca. P. fraxini’ only, the leuS or secA primers amplified sequences exclusively affiliated to ‘Ca. P. asteris. In those plants, sequences belonging to ‘Ca. P. fraxini’ leuS or secA genes were not amplified. The present work contributes to the identification of novel strains of both species in Colombia, and supports previous suggestions that phytoplasmas in South America are highly variable.

White fringetree is a host for the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) but is of lower quality than the related and highly susceptible black ash. Field observations suggest that host trees grown in full sun are more resistant to EAB than those in shade, however the impact of light limitation on chemical defenses has not been assessed. We quantified constitutive and jasmonate-induced phloem defenses and growth patterns of white fringetree and black ash under differential light conditions and related them to EAB larval performance. White fringetree had significantly lower constitutive and induced activities of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, β-glucosidase, chitinase and lignin content, but significantly higher gallic acid equivalent soluble phenolic, soluble sugar, and oleuropein concentrations compared to black ash. Multivariate analyses based on tissue chemical attributes displayed clear separation of species and induced defense responses. Further, EAB performed significantly worse on white fringetree than black ash, consistent with previous studies. Light limitation did not impact measured defenses or EAB larval performance, but it did decrease current year growth and increase photosynthetic efficiency. Overall our results suggest that phenolic profiles, metabolite abundance, and growth traits are important in mediating white fringetree resistance to EAB, and that short-term light limitation does not influence phloem chemistry or larval success.

A taxonomic revision of Korean Ligustrum species is presented based on critical observations of wild populations and herbarium specimens. Species delimitations were re-evaluated on the basis of morphological characters, such as plant height, texture and shape of leaf, shape of inflorescence, shape of drupe and seed, and texture of endocarp. From the results, L. leucanthum (= L. acutissimum), being recorded in Korea, is excluded from the Korean flora because it comes from misidentifications of the herbarium specimen, whose identity is L. obtusifolium. We also treated L.obtusifolium subsp. suave and L. obtusifolium subsp. microphyllum as synonyms of L.obtusifolium. Ligustrum quihoui var. latifolium is placed into synonym of L. quihoui. In addition, the record of L. ovalifolium from Korea has proved to be a misidentification of herbarium specimens, the correct identity of which is L. salicinum. Consequently, we recognized the following six Ligustrum species in Korea: L. japonicum, L. lucidum, L. quihoui, L. salicinum, L. foliosum, and L. obtusifolium. Photographs and a key to six species of Ligustrum were provided in addition to complete descriptions including information on nomenclatural types, synonyms, and taxonomic notes.

The olive tree is a member of the Oleaceae family (Olea europaea). Olea europaea is commonly known as Zaitoon. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and other Mediterranean nations cultivated olives for its edible fruits and to obtain oil from them. Leaves of the tree became important when olive leaf extract was reported to be potent in reducing incidence of degenerative diseases, particularly coronary heart disease (CHD) and cancers of the breast, skin, and colon. Olive leaves have the highest antioxidant power among the different parts of the olive tree. While in olive fruit, phenols (e.g. TYR) and terpenoid hydrocarbon (squalene) are the major components found in the oil. Much research has been carried out on the medical applications of olive. The choice of the plant was based on the good previous biological study of Olea europaea. Interest to choose this plant, may have been due to the widespread use of olive species medicinally, food industry and cosmetics.

KIEW, R. 2020. Towards a Flora of New Guinea: Oleaceae. Part 1. Jasminum, Ligustrum, Myxopyrum and Olea. Reinwardtia 19(1): 1‒25. ‒‒ Oleaceae in New Guinea is represented by five genera and about 32 species, namely Chionanthus (about 16 species), Jasminum (10 species), Ligustrum (3 species), Myxopyrum (2 species) and Olea (1 species). A key to genera as well as descriptions of and keys to species of Jasminum, Ligustrum, Myxopyrum and Olea are provided. Of the three Ligustrum species, L. glomeratum is widespread throughout Malesia, L. novoguineense is endemic and L. parvifolium Kiew is a new endemic species. Six species of Jasminum are endemic (J. domatiigerum, J. gilgianum, J. magnificum, J. papuasicum, J. pipolyi and J. rupestre). Jasminum turneri just reaches the northern tip of Australia; of the two species from the Pacific Islands J. simplicifolium subsp. australiense just reaches SE Papua New Guinea and J. didymum, a coastal species, reaches into Malesia as far north as E Java; J. elongatum is widespread from Asia to Australia. Neither Myxopyrum species is endemic: M. nervosum subsp. nervosum extends from Peninsular Malaysia to Indonesian New Guinea, and M. ovatum from the Philippines to the Admiralty Islands. The sole species of Olea, O. paniculata, stretches from Java to Australia and New Caledonia.

Chionanthus retusus Lindl. & Paxton (Oleaceae) is an androdioecious species, in which male individuals coexist with hermaphroditic individuals. Even though the floral scent dimorphism of dioecious taxa has been reported elsewhere, little is known about the floral scent compounds of androdioecious species. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the identity and localization of floral scent components in C. retusus in both male and hermaphrodite. The headspace of whole flowers exhibited quantitative and qualitative floral scent dimorphism. Among several constituents, including phenylethyl alcohol, benzeneacetonitrile, 2-hexen-1-ol were the main fragrance component of both sexual morphotypes. In particular, the abundance of phenylethyl alcohol (2-phenylethanol), which is one of the compounds in pollen and pollenkitt, in both sexual morphotypes might provide indirect evidence for the viability and functionality of pollen grains. However, 3-hexen-1-ol, 1-hexanol, 3-hexenyl 2-metylbutanoate, alloaromadendrene, and farnesol were only detected in hermaphrodites. These patterns of floral scent difference suggest that several compounds solely detected in each sexual type are associated with specific reproductive organs. Comparative micromorphological and ultrastructural studies of floral surfaces (e.g. floral stomata, calyx glands) and pollen grains (especially pollenkitt) revealed that all represent a putative secretory structures and materials.

Five species of woody climbers—Ampelopsis rubifolia (Wall.) Planch. (Vitaceae), Argyreia wallichii Choisy (Convolvulaceae), Combretum sundaicum Miq. (Combretaceae), Jasminum lanceolaria Roxb. (Oleaceae), and Tetrastigma obovatum Gagnep. (Vitaceae)—are reported here as new distribution records of lianas for the state flora of Manipur, India.

A recent re-evaluation of the Noronhia species from the Guineo-Congolian forests resulted in a much more restricted circumscription of N. mannii. A part of the specimens excluded from N. mannii represents the two new species described here. Both new species, N. silvatica from Liberia, Ivory Coast and Ghana, and N. cameroonensis from Cameroon, have red fruits, while N. mannii has dark purplish fruits. Both new species are small trees or shrubs found in the undergrowth of evergreen forest.

Syringa reticulata subsp. amurensis (Rupr.) P. S. Green & M. C. Chang (Oleaceae) is a shrub or tree with high medicinal value as well as great ecological significance as an urban garden plant. To b...

Two new genera, three new species and three new records of eriophyoid mites from China are described and illustrated: Medicavarus rhododendrus gen. nov. et sp. nov. from Rhododendron delavayi Franch. (Ericaceae); Rhycanonaequitas laevifolia gen. nov. et sp. nov. from Magnolia laevifolia (Y.W. Law & Y.F. Wu) Noot. (Magnoliaceae); Cosella quihouis sp. nov. on Ligustrum quihoui Carr. (Oleaceae); Rhombacus eucalypti Ghosh & Chakrabarti, 1987 rec. nov. on Eucalyptus sp. (Myrtaceae); Keiferana neolitsiae (Channabasavanna, 1966) rec. nov. on Cinnamomum burmanni (Nees et T. Nees) Blume (Lauraceae); Petanovicia cathartica Zhao, Li & Wang, 2018 rec. nov. on Allamanda schottii Pohl (Apocynaceae).

Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) is the most widely distributed ash tree in North America. Once common, it has experienced high mortality from the non-native invasive emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis). A small percentage of native green ash trees that remain healthy in long-infested areas, termed "lingering ash," display partial resistance to the insect, indicating that breeding and propagating populations with higher resistance to EAB may be possible. To assist in ash breeding, ecology and evolution studies, we report the first chromosome-level assembly from the genus Fraxinus for F. pennsylvanica with over 99% of bases anchored to 23 haploid chromosomes, spanning 757 Mb in total, composed of 49.43% repetitive DNA, and containing 35,470 high-confidence gene models assigned to 22,976 Asterid orthogroups. We also present results of range-wide genetic variation studies, the identification of candidate genes for important traits including potential EAB-resistance genes, and an investigation of comparative genome organization among Asterids based on this reference genome platform. Residual duplicated regions within the genome probably resulting from a recent whole genome duplication event in Oleaceae were visualized in relation to wild olive (Olea europaea var. sylvestris). We used our F. pennsylvanica chromosome assembly to construct reference-guided assemblies of 27 previously sequenced Fraxinus taxa, including F. excelsior. Thus, we present a significant step forward in genomic resources for research and protection of Fraxinus species.

Three new species of Fungitarsonemus Cromroy, 1958 (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Tarsonemidae), F. baganbilasae Karmakar & Mondal sp. nov., F. icchepaharicus Karmakar & Mondal sp. nov., F. rishyapensis Karmakar & Mondal sp. nov., are described based on the specimens collected from Bougainvillea glabra (Nyctaginaceae) in a part of the lower Gangetic plains located in Nadia district; Citrus reticulata (Rutaceae), Jasminum mesnyi (Oleaceae) and Prunus domestica (Rosaceae) in parts of the Central Himalayan biotic province spread across the hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong district of West Bengal, India. This registers the first record of Fungitarsonemus from India.

Carotenoids and phenylpropanoids play a dual role of limiting and countering photooxidative stress. We hypothesize that their “antioxidant” function is prominent in plants exposed to summer drought, when climatic conditions exacerbate the light stress. To test this, we conducted a field study on Phillyrea latifolia, a Mediterranean evergreen shrub, carrying out daily physiological and biochemical analyses in spring and summer. We also investigated the functional role of the major phenylpropanoids in different leaf tissues. Summer leaves underwent the most severe drought stress concomitantly with a reduction in radiation use efficiency upon being exposed to intense photooxidative stress, particularly during the central hours of the day. In parallel, a significant daily variation in both carotenoids and phenylpropanoids was observed. Our data suggest that the morning-to-midday increase in zeaxanthin derived from the hydroxylation of ß-carotene to sustain non-photochemical quenching and limit lipid peroxidation in thylakoid membranes. We observed substantial spring-to-summer and morning-to-midday increases in quercetin and luteolin derivatives, mostly in the leaf mesophyll. These findings highlight their importance as antioxidants, countering the drought-induced photooxidative stress. We concluded that seasonal and daily changes in photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic pigments may allow P. latifolia leaves to avoid irreversible photodamage and to cope successfully with the Mediterranean harsh climate.

The new species Forestiera veracruzana is described and illustrated. This newly described plant is part of the tree and shrub strata of riparian forests in the lowlands and hills of the Mexican states of Veracruz and Tabasco. Forestiera veracruzana is morphologically similar to F. corollata, and F. isabeliae by the presence of petals, and possibly to F. rhamnifolia, which also grow in similar environments, but it can be readily distinguished from these by its polygamodioecious condition, the length of peduncle, and the length and shape of pistil at anthesis.

Syringa reticulata subsp. pekinensis (Ruprecht) P. S. Green & M. C. Chang (Oleaceae: Syringeae) is horticultural woody plant. To grasp a better comprehension on the molecular basis of S. reticulata...

In Western Europe the ash sawfly Tomostethus nigritus is known to occur at low densities on Fraxinus excelsior and is uncommonly reported as a pest species. However, we show here that outbreaks can occur on non-endemic trees such as F. angustifolia, and that the species is able to spread quickly using city infrastructure. At the visited localities near the city of Ghent, foliage of Fraxinus angustifolia ‘Raywood’ emerged approximately one month earlier than on F. excelsior. At the same time, changed climatic conditions in the last decade, i.e. higher temperatures in March, caused adults to emerge earlier. Synchronicity of the potential hosts and T. nigritus may therefore have altered, playing a crucial role in population dynamics. Future research should aim to confirm if the species dramatically declines in numbers after reaching its peak population level, an effect which was observed in previous studies, but for which there is still no satisfactory explanation.

Jasmines are an important group of plants extensively used in the perfumery industry, preparation of garland and for ornamental purposes. To analyze the genetic potential of the group, the authors evaluated its genetic diversity. Intersimple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers were used to evaluate genetic diversity among 40 accessions of 23 Jasminum species including six endemic species. The present study is the first report of the efficacy of 10 shortlisted ISSR markers out of 30 primers screened. Among 23 Jasminum species, J. bignoniaceum revealed maximum genetic diversity and Shannon’s Index. Results revealed that the accessions of Jasminum species are grouped into three major clades, showing close agreement with the morphological relatedness. The diversity analysis also showed that the members of section Alternifolia are the ancestor to the rest of the Jasminum spp. The study provides direction for the future population study on Jasminum spp. This is the first report on the genetic diversity assessment of Indian Jasminum spp. incorporating approximately 50% species.

The park of Agrarian-economic college Poltava State Agrarian Academy is a monument of landscape gardening art of state importance. The object of the research was the dendroflora of the park of Agrarian-economic college Poltava State Agrarian Academy. The results of the research revealed that the vast majority of woody plants species belong to the department of Carnivores (Magnoliophyta). However, there are also various representatives of the department of Gymnospermous (Pinophyta), belonging to the class of Coniferous (Pinopsida). According to the results of the study, it was found that the college’s dendroflora has 47 families, 101 genus and 160 species. The correlation between the branches of the plants Pinophyta and Magnoliophyta was the following in the number of families 4 and 43, by the number of genera 11 and 90, by the number of species 23 and 137, respectively. The department of Gymnospermous (Pinophyta) is represented by 23 species, of which: trees-14, bushes-8, representatives of Aboriginal flora-6, introducents-16. The most common plants of the genus Pinus, that contains 6 species Juniperus-5 species, Picea – 3 types and Chamaecyparis – 2 kinds. Among the coniferous plants, the dominant are Pinus pallasiana L., Pinus ponderosa Dougl., Picea abies L. Angiospermous plants (Magnoliophyta) are represented by 137 species that belong to 43 families and 90 genera, of which 52 trees, 75 bushes, 10 species of lianas (Creepers) - 25 species of which are aboriginal, introducents-112. The analysis of the systematic structure of decorative plants at the level of the families showed that the most widely in the green areas of the Park are family: Rosaceae (23 species), Fabaceae (9 species), Caprifoliaceae (7 species), Salicaceae (7 species), Oleaceae (5 species) Sapindaceae (5 species). At the level of genera, sample types of Rosa (8 kinds), Salix (5 types), Juglandaceae (4 species), Crataegus (4 species), Sorbus (4 species).

The genus Jasminum L., of the family Oleaceae, includes many species occurring in the wild, or cultivated worldwide. A preliminary investigation based on inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) was performed to assess the genetic diversity among 28 accessions, representing nine species of Jasminum from various regions, representing a range of altitudes in Pakistan. A total of 21 ISSR primers were used, which produced 570 amplified bands of different sizes, with a mean polymorphic band percentage of 98.26%. The maximum resolving power, polymorphism information content, and index values of the ISSR markers recorded for primers 6, 16, and 19 were 0.40, 12.32, and 24.21, respectively. Based on the data of the ISSR markers, the resulting UPGMA dendrogram with the Jaccard coefficient divided the 28 accessions into two main clades. At the species level, the highest values for Shannon’s information index, polymorphism percentage, effective allele number, Nei’s genetic variations, and genetic unbiased diversity were found in Jasminum sambac L. and J. humile L., while the lowest were observed in J. mesnyi Hance and J. nitidum Skan. Based on Nei’s unbiased genetic identity pairwise population matrix, the maximum identity (0.804) was observed between J. elongatum Willd and J. multiflorum (Burm. f.) Andrews, and the lowest (0.566) between J. nitidum Skan. and J. azoricum L. Molecular variance analysis displayed a genetic variation of 79% among the nine populations. The study was aimed to established genetic diversity in Jasminum species using ISSR markers. With the help of this technique, we were able to establish immense intra- and interspecific diversity across the Jasminum species.

Background The fragrant flower plant Osmanthus fragrans has an extremely rare androdioecious breeding system displaying the occurrence of males and hermaphrodites in a single population, which occupies a crucial intermediate stage in the evolutionary transition between hermaphroditism and dioecy. However, the molecular mechanism of androdioecy plant is very limited and still largely unknown. Results Here, we used SWATH-MS-based quantitative approach to study the proteome changes between male and hermaphroditic O. fragrans pistils. A total of 428 proteins of diverse functions were determined to show significant abundance changes including 210 up-regulated and 218 down-regulated proteins in male compared to hermaphroditic pistils. Functional categorization revealed that the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) primarily distributed in the carbohydrate metabolism, secondary metabolism as well as signaling cascades. Further experimental analysis showed the substantial carbohydrates accumulation associated with promoted net photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency were observed in purplish red pedicel of hermaphroditic flower compared with green pedicel of male flower, implicating glucose metabolism serves as nutritional modulator for the differentiation of male and hermaphroditic flower. Meanwhile, the entire upregulation of secondary metabolism including flavonoids, isoprenoids and lignins seem to protect and maintain the male function in male flowers, well explaining important feature of androdioecy that aborted pistil of a male flower still has a male function. Furthermore, nine selected DEPs were validated via gene expression analysis, suggesting an extra layer of post-transcriptional regulation occurs during O. fragrans floral development. Conclusion Taken together, our findings represent the first SWATH-MS-based proteomic report in androdioecy plant O. fragrans, which reveal carbohydrate metabolism, secondary metabolism and post-transcriptional regulation contributing to the androdioecy breeding system and ultimately extend our understanding on genetic basis as well as the industrialization development of O. fragrans.

Summary • The differential accumulation of various polyphenols, particularly of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamates, was studied in leaves of Ligustrum vulgare exposed to increasing sunlight under well watered or drought-stress conditions. • Light- and drought-induced changes in leaf polyphenol concentrations were normalized to the CO2 assimilation rate. The functional roles of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamates were analysed through tissue localization using multispectral fluorescence microimaging, and through efficiencies to scavenge superoxide radicals (O2−) and to screen UV wavelengths. • Clear effects of light and water treatments on leaf polyphenol concentrations were not observed, as the CO2 assimilation rate varied according to sunlight and water availability. However, biosynthesis of quercetin 3-O-rutinoside, luteolin 7-O-glucoside and echinacoside, which were efficient O2− scavengers, increased sharply in response to solar radiation. By contrast, carbon for the synthesis of p-coumaric acid and monohydroxyflavones, efficient UV screeners but poor O2− scavengers, did not vary depending on light treatments. Flavonoids accumulated in both the adaxial epidermis and the palisade tissue because of sunlight irradiance, whereas echinacoside occurred largely in abaxial tissues. • We hypothesize that flavonoids may serve antioxidant functions in response to excess light and drought stress, and that a coordinate control system between hydroxycinnamate and flavonoid pathways operated in L. vulgare exposed to excess light.

Experiments were conducted on Phillyrea latifolia plants grown under a dense overstorey of Pinus pinea (shade plants) or on seashore dunes (sun plants) in a coastal area of Tuscany (42° 46′ N, 10° 53′ E). Total integrated photon flux densities averaged 1.67 and 61.4 m mol m−2 d−1 for shade and sun sites, respectively. A leaf morphological–structural analysis, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenylpropanoids of leaf tissue and leaf surface, and a histochemical localization of flavonoids were conducted. The area of sun leaves reached 57% of that of shade leaves, whereas leaf angle (β), sclerophylly index (ratio of leaf d. wt:leaf area), and trichome frequency (trichome number mm−2 ) were markedly greater in leaves exposed to full solar radiation than in leaves acclimated to shade. The total thickness of sun leaves was 78% higher than that of shade leaves, mostly owing to a greater development of both palisade parenchyma and spongy mesophyll. The concentration, but not the composition, of leaf tissue phenylpropanoids varied significantly between sun and shade leaves, with a marked increase in flavonoid glycosides in sun leaves. Flavonoids occurred almost exclusively in the upper epidermal cells of shade leaves. By contrast, flavonoids largely accumulated in the upper and lower epidermis, as well as in the mesophyll tissue of leaves that were acclimated to full sunlight. Flavonoid glycosides were found exclusively in the secretory products of glandular trichomes of P. latifolia leaves exposed to high levels of light; luteolin 7-O- glucoside and quercetin 3-O-rutinoside were the major constituents. By contrast, verbascoside and an unidentified caffeic acid derivative constituted 72% of total phenylpropanoids secreted by glandular trichomes of shade leaves, whereas they were not detected in glandular trichomes of sun leaves. These findings suggest that the light-induced synthesis of flavonoids in glandular trichomes of P. latifolia probably occurs in situ and concomitantly inactivates other branch pathways of the general phenylpropanoid metabolism. This is the first report of the key role of glandular trichomes and of flavonoid glycosides in the integrated mechanisms of acclimation of P. latifolia to excess light.

summary Young ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior L.) growing in the field were exposed to episodes of 150 nl 1−1 ozone, or to clean air, in open-top chambers at the University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, UK, May–October, 1992–1994. The episodes were for 8 h daily and for 1–4 d in succession, with seasonal totals of 24–27 d. A nondestructive method for estimating whole-tree leaf area was developed in 1992 and used to monitor leaf area, leaf number and leaf size in 1993 and 1994. Stomatal density and leaf abscission were also studied. No effects of exposure to ozone on leaf area and leaf number were detected. In 1994 there were consistent trends towards greater mean leaf size and higher stomatal density in trees exposed to ozone, but these effects were not significant at the 95% confidence level. Leaf abscission was slower in trees exposed to ozone in 1992 and 1994, but not in 1993 when there were fewer exposure days late in the season.

Jasminum L. is the largest genus containing ~200 species found wild mostly in the tropical regions of the world. The comparative palynological study of nine Pakistani Jasminum species with SEM showed zonocolpus, trilobate, and tricolpus pollen types with simple endocolpus apertures which are plesiomorphic and conserved in the Jasminum species. The equatorial pollen view was prolate, subprolate, and perprolate with elliptic, lobate, subcircular whereas polar view was subtriangular in all species. Few characters were specific to some species like heteropolarity in Jasminum grandiflorum and foveolate exine ornamentation with rounded heterobrochate in Jasminum angulare whereas reticulate and angular homobrochate character was common in other species. The UPGMA dendrogram based on qualitative characters did not support the phylogenetic classification of the genus Jasminum as these are highly conserved. The quantitative data showed more variation in some characters whereas few characters showed little or no variation. A greater variation in pollen size was observed among the variants of same species, for example, Jasminum humile showed highly variable polar length and equatorial diameter as compared to other species. Minimum variation was observed in colpus length which divided all species in to two groups. The large lumina were specific to Jasminum nitidum and broader muri was the prominent characteristic of Jasminum angulare. Some species like Jasminum sambac and Jasminum azoricum were unable to develop true pollen due to structural or functional disabilities. So, the quantitative characters of pollen are only suitable for palynological based grouping of Jasminum species but less suitable to infer their evolutionary relationship.

Geminiviruses are a group of plant-infecting viruses with single-stranded DNA genomes. Within this family, viruses in the genus Begomovirus are known to have a worldwide distribution causing a range of severe diseases in a multitude of dicotyledonous plant species. Begomoviruses are transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, and their ssDNA genomes can be either monopartite or bipartite. As part of a viral survey, various plants including those in the families Alliaceae, Amaranthaceae, Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Cactaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Malvaceae, Oleaceae and Solanaceae were sampled and screened for begomoviruses using both a high-throughput sequencing and a begomovirus-specific primer pair approach. Based on the sequences derived using these approaches, the full-length genome of various begomoviruses were amplified from plants using abutting primers. Squash leaf curl virus (SLCV) and watermelon chlorotic stunt virus (WCSV) were identified in Cactaceae (n = 25), Solanaceae (n = 7), Cucurbitaceae (n = 2) and Lamiaceae (n = 1) samples. WCSV is an Old World bipartite begomovirus that has only recently been discovered infecting watermelons in the Americas. Our discovery of WCSV in the USA is the first indication that it has reached this country and indicates that this virus might be widespread throughout North America. Phylogenetic analysis suggests WCSV was introduced to the New World twice. The detection of begomoviruses in cactus plants suggests possible spillover events from agricultural areas into native vegetation. Since WCSV and SLCV have previously been found in mixed infections, pseudo-recombination infection experiments were conducted. We demonstrate that WCSV DNA-B is successfully trans-replicated by SLCV DNA-A despite very low degree of similarity between the replication-associated iterative sequences present in their common region, an essential feature for binding of the replication associated protein. This study highlights the importance of viral surveys for the detection of spillover events into native vegetation, but also suggests the need for more surveillance of WCSV in the USA, as this virus is a serious threat to watermelon cultivation in the Middle East.

Veronica eriogyne H. Winkl.(Plantaginaceae) is a perennial herb with high medicinal value. To better understand the molecular genetics and evolutionary of V. eriogyne, its complete plastid genome was sequenced and annotated. The assembled chloroplast genome is a circular 151,083 bp sequence, consisting of a 82,302 bp large single copy region (LSC) and a 17,449 bp small single copy region (SSC), which were flanked by a pair of 25,666 bp inverted repeats (IRs). The GC content of the chloroplast genome is 38.03%. Moreover, a total of 134 functional genes were annotated, including 88 protein-coding, 38 tRNA, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that V. eriogyne has close relationship with V. persica Poi. The current study provides important information for further genetic studies on Plantaginacea.

The spittlebugs Philaenus spumarius and Neophilaenus campestris (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) are xylem-feeder insects that have been identified as vectors of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe. In the present study, we aim to identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may act as semiochemicals for these species. Using the dynamic headspace technique, we collected VOCs from Olea europaea L. and Polygala myrtifolia L., highly susceptible plant species to X. fastidiosa, Pinus halepensis Mill., a common plant where N. campestris is found during summer, and from host plant species that are used as cover crops or exist as natural vegetation in olive orchards, such as Cistus creticus L., Medicago sativa L., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh., Apium graveolens L. and Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss. We tested the response of female antennae on those blends with Gas Chromatography-Electroantennographic Detection (GC-EAD). The chemical profile of C. creticus and P. halepensis was rich in terpenes, alcohols, aldehydes, and esters. In the O. europaea profile, the main compounds were terpenes. As for P. myrtifolia, the volatile profile consisted mostly of alkanes and their substitutes. In the volatile profile of M. sativa, C. dactylon and L. arundinaceum, common volatile compounds were detected. Petroselinum crispum and Apium graveolens chemical profiles were dominated by terpenes. Several compounds elicited a consistent response to the female antennae of both species. In total, 65 compounds elicited consistent EAD responses for P. spumarius and 16 compounds for N. campestris. α-pinene was found in all tested plants and elicited consistent EAD responses of P. spumarius in five plants. In addition, antennae of P. spumarius females responded to camphor, limonene, 4-methyl octane and sabinene. These compounds were found in the volatile profile of at least 5 out of 8 examined plant species. Behavioral bioassays using Y-tube olfactometry were performed on volatiles that elicited antennal responses during electrophysiological studies. Among the compounds tested in behavioral studies, namely (-)-α-pinene, (+)-α-pinene, sabinene, (-)-S-limonene and (1R)-(+)-camphor, only the last one elicited a significant attraction response by P. spumarius females. The results achieved shed light on the VOCs from selected host plant species of X. fastidiosa that are perceived by two important insect vectors and a non-host plant, P. crispum. The identification of semiochemicals for manipulating spittlebugs' behavior contribute to the development of efficient monitoring tools for X. fastidiosa vectors.

With 120 described species (ThripsWiki 2020) Neohydatothrips is the most species-rich genus in the Thripidae subfamily Sericothripinae. Although widely distributed almost 70% of the species are from the New World (Lima & Mound 2016), with only seven species recorded from India (Rachana & Varatharajan 2017). The biology of most species in the genus remains unknown, but they apparently feed and breed on the leaves and/or flowers of various unrelated plants. A few species are economically important as plant pests as well as virus vectors, such as N. variabilis (Beach) (Zhou & Tzanetakis 2013; Lima & Mound 2016; Han et al. 2019). N. samayunkur (Kudo) is a pest on flowers and leaves of Tagetes spp. in many countries including India (Nakahara 1999; Bhatti et al. 2003). Even though N. gracilipes (Hood) was described originally as damaging cotton in Mexico, it is associated with weedy species of Sida in several countries including central India (Lima & Mound 2016). In southern China, N. flavicingulus Mirab-balou, Tong & Yang is reported as damaging leaves of Manglietia fordiana. In California, avocado crops are sometimes damaged by N. burungae (Hood) and this species is also recorded as distorting the young leaves of Passiflora in Colombia (Mound et al. 2019). N. gracilicornis (Williams) is reported as damaging Pinaceae and Betulaceae in Spain and South Italy (Marullo 2009). The purpose of this article is to describe a new species from India that was collected in the flowers of Jasminum sambac (Oleaceae) in Assam, northeastern India. A detailed structural diagnosis of this genus is provided by Masumoto and Okajima (2020).

Olives, oldest cultivated tree, have always been considered as a symbol of sacredness and a source of medicines from prophetic times. Olives are low-calorie fruit due to low carbohydrate, protein and fibre content. However, the quality of protein is excellent as it contains almost all essential amino acids. Olives are known to exert several beneficial effects such as antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory activity, chemopreventive effect and anti-proliferative activity due to the presence of certain phenols such as chlorogenic acids, oleanolic acid, cholinergic and maslinic acid. Several phenols from olives also act as intermediates in prevention of hyperglycemia, Alzheimer’s (dementia) and Parkinson’s disease. Open image in new window Family: Oleaceae Genus: Olea Species: Olea europaea Local name: Zaitoon

Orobanche laxissima Uhlich & Ratzel (Orobanchaceae) is a polyphagous root parasitic plant distributed in the Caucasus Mountains and Transcaucasia; especially Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, N.E. Turkey (Piwowarczyk et al. 2019). It infects many wild or sometimes cultivated trees and shrubs, such as Betulaceae, Oleaceae, Fagaceae, Aceraceae, Cornaceae, usually Fraxinus L., Fagus L., Carpinus L. (Piwowarczyk et al. 2019, 2020). Punica granatum L. (Lythraceae), commonly known as pomegranate, is native to the Caucasus, the Himalayas in North Pakistan and Northern India, and is widely cultivated, e.g. in USA and throughout the Mediterranean. Pomegranate is one of the first domesticated fruits and have been used in folk medicine or as a food for centuries. Fruit, seed, leaves, flower, root, or barks extracts have extensive medicinal properties (Shaygannia et al. 2015). Field surveys conducted in south-eastern Georgia in May 2019 revealed extensive infestations of O. laxissima on the roots of P. granatum in one locality in Kakheti Province, near Sighnaghi (41°37,4 N, 45°56,3 E, 480 m elevation), in roadside or hills scrub and cultivated areas of pomegranate. The infection was confirmed by verifying the attachment of the Orobanche to the Punica root. The population of the parasite consisted of at least a ca. thousand shoots, sometimes in one clump was ca. 100 individuals. A single plant of pomegranate was parasitized by few to c.a. a hundred of broomrape plants, and 10 to 20% of the ca. 1 ha location was infested. The main botanical features of the O. laxissima are: i) stem simple, (10-)25-40(-100) cm high, with haustoria; ii) inflorescence usually long to short cylindrical or lax, usually many-flowered; iii) calyx-segments entire or bidentate, rarely with 4 teeth; iv) corolla (16-)22-24(-31) mm long, tubular-bell-shaped; purple, pink, rarely dirty yellow, light brown; v) stigma purple, orange, or yellow (Piwowarczyk et al. 2019, 2020). For molecular analysis, total genomic DNA was extracted from the sample and the plastid gene rbcL (rubisco large subunit) was sequenced and amplified as described in Piwowarczyk et al. (2015). The sequence (1231 bp) was deposited in GenBank (MN384886). BLAST search found that it was most similar to (Query Cover 100%, Per Ident. 100%) O. laxissima (KR260928). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a O. laxissima parasitizing P. granatum. O. laxissima appearing in large numbers on singles pomegranate shrubs can weaken the plants, and reduce flowering and fruiting. In the Caucasus region, O. laxissima was observed in mesophilic forests and shrubs, but our report suggests the possibility of a potential spread to neighboring cultivated areas, especially fruit trees and shrubs. Until now, only one report of pathogenic plants was documented for P. granatum, included Phelipanche aegyptiaca (Pers.) Pomel and O. crenata Forssk. in Israel (Dor et al. 2014).

Two new species of the family Diptilomiopidae (Acari: Eriophyoidea) from China are described and illustrated. They are Catarhinus sanguinalus sp. nov. on Digitaria sanguinalis (Poaceae) and Rhyncaphytoptus mandshuricae sp. nov. on Fraxinus mandshurica (Oleaceae). Both new species are vagrant on lower leaf surface. No apparent damage to the host was observed. In addition to the descriptions, a key to Catarhinus species was provided.