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Stigmaeopsis mites are voracious feeders of bamboo plants, Pleioblastus spp., Miscanthus spp., and Sasa spp. Fifteen species of the genus Stigmaeopsis have been reported worldwide. Their life histo...

—The temperate bamboos are a taxonomically difficult group with nearly 600 species in approximately 30 genera and at least 12 constituent lineages. In this study, phylogenetic relationships were explored using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data in comparison with a phylogeny based on plastid DNA sequences, with an emphasis on Arundinaria of North America and its allies in East Asia (the Arundinaria clade). Molecular analyses involved 248 individuals in 10 genera and 60 species. Hybridization was detected both within and among genera. Comparative analyses indicated hybrid origins for species in several widespread and well-known genera, including Hibanobambusa, Sasaella, and Semiarundinaria. Evidence also indicated that Pseudosasa japonica (the type species of Pseudosasa) is an intergeneric hybrid involving Pleioblastus and Sasamorpha. In addition, cryptic hybrids were detected within and among Pleioblastus, Sasa, and Sasamorpha. After accounting for hybrids, phylogenetic analyses of AFLP data provided resolution for core lineages in the Arundinaria clade, including Pleioblastus sensu stricto, Sasa s. s., and Sasamorpha. AFLP data also provided evidence for the monophyly of the North American cane bamboos (Arundinaria, three species) but failed to identify their closest relative among the East Asian taxa. The broader evolutionary implications of hybridization in the temperate bamboos are discussed along with recommendations for future studies.

Pleioblastus mosaic virus (PleMV) is a tentative member of the genus Potyvirus in the family Potyviridae and was discovered in bamboo with mosaic symptoms in Tokyo, Japan. Since no information on the genome sequence of PleMV has been reported, its taxonomic position has long been uncertain. Here, we report the first complete genome sequences of two distinct PleMV isolates. Excluding the 3'-terminal poly(A) tail, their genomic RNA sequences consist of 9,634 and 9,643 nucleotides (nt); both contain a large open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polyprotein and a small ORF termed PIPO. The large ORFs of the two isolates share 79.2% and 87.6% sequence identity at the nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) level, respectively, and were found to have the highest nt and aa sequence identity (69.0% and 69.9%) to the potyvirus johnsongrass mosaic virus (JGMV). Phylogenetic analysis showed that PleMV is most closely related to JGMV but forms its own clade. These results suggest that PleMV is a distinct member of the genus Potyvirus.

Pleioblastus triangulata (Hsueh & T.P.Yi) N.H.Xia, Y.H.Tong & Z.Y.Niu, comb. nov. Figs. 1 & 2 Basionym: Indosasa triangulata Hsueh & Yi (1983: 41); Institutum Botanicum Kunmingense Academiae Sinicae (1984: 2165); Southwestern Forestry College & Forestry Department of Yunnan Province (1991: 1484); Yi et al. (2008: 246); Yang et al. (2019: 438, excl. figures); Yi et al (2021: 439). Arundinaria triangulata (Hsueh & T.P.Yi) C.S.Chao & G.Y.Yang in Yang & Chao (1994: 16); Li & Hsueh (2003: 164). Type: — CHINA. Yunnan: Maguan Xian, Dulong Zhen, Tianbaxin Cun, elev. 1200 m, 21 December 1977, T. P . Yi 77339 (holotype: SIFS). Description: —Shrubby or arborescent bamboo. Rhizomes leptomorph; internodes cylindrical, 2–7 cm long, 8–10 mm in diameter, nearly solid; nodes prominent, 4–6 roots at each node; rhizome buds triangular-ovate to ovate, margins brown ciliate. Culms pluricaespitose, erect, 3–6 m tall and 1.0– 2.5 cm in diameter; internodes terete, (10–)25–35(– 40) cm long, basally weakly flattened above branches, initially covered with thick white powder, glabrous; walls 2–5 mm thick; pith lamellate; supranodal ridges not conspicuous; sheath scars prominent, corky, with persistent remains of sheath base. Intranodal region ca 5 mm high, thinly white powdery but darkened by contamination when old, glabrous. Primary buds solitary, triangular-ovate, not sunken into culm, margins densely brown ciliate except base. Branches erect, 3–5 per mid-culm node, subequal, 30–55 cm long, inclined at an angle of 15°–40° with the culm, branch sheaths thinly leathery, shorter than internodes, abaxially glabrous, with unevenly scattered black dots, margins sparsely ciliate. Culm leaf: sheaths long triangular, caducous, thinly leathery, oily, glossy, with pungent smell, 20.5–32.0 × 5–10 cm, 2/3–11/10 as long as internodes, initially yellowish green, brown when dry, abaxial surface glabrous except base with a ring of dense brown setae that are 0.5–7 mm long, with densely dark brown dotted lines between veins, and one black line near the margin of each side of sheath apex, margins sparsely ciliate; auricles absent or present, falcate and densely pubescent when present; oral setae erect, radiate, rigid, scabrid, pale yellow, 3–10 mm long, easily deciduous when old; ligules arcuate to truncate, 1–5 mm tall, entire, with a black band at base, band 1 mm tall, densely pubescent, glabrescent when old; blades reflexed, linear-lanceolate, caducous, 3.0–16.5 × 0.2–0.8 cm, ca 1/2–3/5 as long as sheath, base slightly narrowed, both sides glabrous, margins serrulate. Foliage leaves 2–5 per ultimate branch: sheaths 5.5–7.0 cm long, glabrous, longitudinal ribs conspicuous; auricles and oral setae absent; ligule convex to truncate, 1–2 mm tall, green in vivo, purple when dry, entire, abaxially pubescent, apex ciliate; outer ligule truncate, ca 0.5 mm tall, ca 2 mm wide, entire, apex pubescent; pseudo-petioles 2–5 × 0.5–1.5 mm, glabrous; leaf blades lanceolate, papyraceous, 9–21 × 1.2–2.5 cm, base widely cuneate or truncate, apex acute, glabrous on both surfaces, margins serrulate along both sides, secondary veins 5–7 pairs, transverse veins slightly conspicuous. Inflorescence unknown. Distribution and habitat: —The species has only been found at its type locality so far. It prefers sunny environments and often grows on mountain slopes near roadsides. Phenology: —New shoots produced during May to June. Vernacular names: —Chinese name “K爪Ứ” [wǔ zhǎo zhú], “ẄỨ” [yáng zhú]. Additional specimen examined: —The same locality as type, hillside, in Chinese fir forests, 22°53′58″N, 104°36′36″E, 1220 m, 18 May 2021, Z.Y. Niu NZY040 (IBSC)., Published as part of Niu, Zheng-Yang, Tong, Yi-Hua & Xia, Nian-He, 2021, Pleioblastus triangulata (Poaceae: Bambusoideae), a new combination for Indosasa triangulata based on morphological and molecular evidence, pp. 275-283 in Phytotaxa 527 (4) on pages 278-281, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.527.4.5, http://zenodo.org/record/5766249, {"references":["Institutum Botanicum Kunmingense Academiae Sinicae. (1984) Index Florae Yunnanensis Tomus II. The People's Publishing House Press, Yunnan, 2259 pp.","Yi, T. P., Shi, J. Y., Ma, L. S., Wang, H. T. & Yang, L. (2008) Iconographia Bambusoidearum Sinicarum. Science Press, Beijing, 766 pp.","Yang, Y. M., Wang, K. L. & Sun, M. S. (2019) Yunnan Bamboo Flora. The People's Publishing House Press, Yunnan, 674 pp.","Yi, T. P., Shi, J. Y., Zhang, Y. S., Zhou, D. Q., Ma, L. S. & Yao, J. (2021) Illustrated Flora of Bambusoideae in China vol. 1. Science Press & Springer, Beijing, 637 pp.","Yang, G. Y. & Chao, Q. S. (1994) A revision of the genus Arundinairia Michaux in China. Journal of Bamboo Research 13 (1): 1 - 22."]}

Phytolith and charcoal records in cumulative soils provide a past history of vegetation transition with fire occurrence. By using these records, we assess the long-term response of respective grass types to variations in fire frequency in central Japan. We analyzed phytoliths and macrocharcoals in cumulative soils on the Kannabe Plateau in central Japan. The results of the analysis showed that prior to 8000 cal BP, Sasa species was dominant along with Pleioblastus species under conditions of low fire frequency. Between 8000 and 2000 cal BP, the plateau was covered by grasslands dominated by Pleioblastus species under a warmer climate and/or an increase in fire frequency. Since approximately 2000 cal BP, the grasslands have been covered by Miscanthus sinensis under a high fire frequency of repeated cycles of annual burning, as is present today. The establishment and maintenance of a M. sinensis grassland are probably related to human activity in this area because this species had many uses. Correlation coefficients for phytolith types versus charcoal concentrations in cumulative soils from three areas in central Japan, including the Kannabe Plateau area, were obtained to assess the habitats and related fire frequencies for their respective grass types. These correlations were consistent with their fire tolerance and degree of succession, as inferred from modern observations. This suggests that the modern fire ecology of these grass types can be used to understand their long-term fire ecology.

“Qidian”, “Qiai”, “Qishe”, and “Qigui” were regarded as the “Four Treasures of Kichow” in Li Shizhen’s hometown. From the Tang Dynasty onwards, “Qidian” had been a tribute for the central authority. “Qidian” has been highly praised in the poetry and prose of the Tang and Song dynasties. The Qi Chun county annals records that the craftsman Ye Caihua’s bamboo weaving skill was exceptional in Qichun, and his classic “Shuangfeng Chaoyang” Zhudian won the Golden award in the Panama world fair in 1915. However, “Qidian” had disappeared and the manufacturing process had also been lost. In 1974, a valuable “Qidian” sample was unearthed in Liu Jiaju’s tomb, Wangyao Village, Qizhou town, Qichun County, Hubei Province. The tomb dated back to 1516–1558 (the Ming dynasty). The front of the “Qidian” sample is yellow brown, and its back is yellowish white; it is about 183 cm long and 65 cm wide. Features of “Qidian” as light as cotton and soft like cloth, it can be folded at will, which indicates that its toughness is very good. Based on the existing research of the flexibility and uses of bamboos in Flora Hubeiensisi , we speculate that “Qidian” originated from Phyllostachys , Neosinocalamus or Bambusa . The “Qidian” sample and many bamboo species from Qichun were used to manufacture bamboo charcoal and were examined by means of scanning the ultrastructure with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). A total of 12 genera were recorded in Flora Hubeiensisi , these include Bambusa , Brachystachyum , Chimonobambusa , Fargesia , Indocalamus , Lingnania , Phyllostachys , Pleioblastus , Pseudosasa , Qiongzhuea , Sinarundinaria , and Sinocalamus . Based on its description of bamboos in Bamboo culm anatomy of China , pits of different genera showed significant differences. Pits were arranged alternately in Bambusa, Lingnania , and Sinocalamus , while pits were arranged stepwise in Brachystachyum and Qiongzhuea . However, the pits were arranged alternately, took on a ladder shape, or faced in the opposite direction in Chimonobambusa , Indocalamus , Phyllostachys , Pleioblastus , Pseudosasa , and Sinarundinaria . “Qidian” has been hypothesised to originate from Phyllostachys or Pleioblastus according to arrangement of pits. The experimental results showed that some pits were longitudinally extended in “Qidian” and Phyllostachys heteroclada Oliver, pits of other bamboo samples were ladder-shaped or alternately arranged in patterns. Therefore, we speculate that “Qidian” originates from Phyllostachys heteroclada Oliver. and its related species. The investigation of ancient poetry indicated the characteristics of the unearthed “Qidian” relics were in accordance with this description. The processing technology of “Qidian” has been discussed on the basis of section analysis. Based on the comparison of the ultrastructural features of “Qidian” and Phyllostachys heteroclada Oliver, which were observed through the scanning electron microscope, it can be concluded that “Qidian” can be extracted from the ground tissues in the outer side of Phyllostachys heteroclada Oliver. As one of the four treasures of Qizhou, “Qidian” is a typical part of China’s material and cultural heritage. It has obvious cultural characteristics and profound academic value. The archaeological research on the origin and production technology of “Qidian” in the Ming dynasty provides a basis for the cultural restoration of the cultural relic of “Qidian” in Qichun.

Considerable isoprene emissions from several bamboo species have been reported. However, bamboos are highly diverse in taxonomy and have different niches or habitats among species, and the present investigation might be insufficient to conclude a representative isoprene emission trait for bamboos. In this study, isoprene flux, leaf mass per area (LMA), photosynthetic rate, and electron transport rate (ETR) observations were conducted for 18 species within five genera of bamboo species, which include different growth types (tall and dwarf) and climates of the region of origin (temperate, warm-temperate, and subtropical). As a result, we observed that dwarf bamboos exhibited very low or no emission; in contrast, tall bamboos demonstrated considerable isoprene emission fluxes mainly in August and September 2019 at temperatures greater than 30 °C. For tall bamboos, isoprene emission fluxes, photosynthetic rate, and ETR in area-based units were correlated with LMA. To exclude the systematic correlation among isoprene emission flux, photosynthetic rate, and ETR, correlations among the observations of mass-based units were also tested, and the results demonstrated significant positive correlations. The distinction in isoprene emission traits between tall and dwarf bamboos was independent of LMA, photosynthetic rate, and ETR, as there was no difference between them. This implies that the distinction in isoprene emission was caused by genetic differences. The low emission of isoprene from the dwarf species is reasonable because dwarf bamboos usually grow in areas with relatively low heat stress and low light where the production of isoprene could be futile due to carbon loss. This study suggests separating the two bamboo types into different functional types of isoprene emissions.

There is convincing evidence for a scaling relationship between leaf dry weight (DW) and leaf surface area (A) for broad-leaved plants, and most estimates of the scaling exponent of DW vs. A are greater than unity. However, the scaling relationship of leaf fresh weight (FW) vs. A has been largely neglected. In the present study, we examined whether there is a statistically strong scaling relationship between FW and A and compared the goodness of fit to that of DW vs. A. Between 250 and 520 leaves from each of 12 bamboo species within 2 genera (Phyllostachys and Pleioblastus) were investigated. The reduced major axis regression protocols were used to determine scaling relationships. The fit for the linearized scaling relationship of FW vs. A was compared with that of DW vs. A using the coefficient of determination (i.e., r2). A stronger scaling relationship between FW and A than that between DW and A was observed for each of the 12 bamboo species investigated. Among the 12 species examined, five had significantly smaller scaling exponents of FW vs. A compared to those of DW vs. A; only one species had a scaling exponent of FW vs. A greater than that of DW vs. A. No significant difference between the two scaling exponents was observed for the remaining 6 species. Researchers conducting future studies might be well advised to consider the influence of leaf fresh weight when exploring the scaling relationships of foliar biomass allocation patterns. Keywords: Allometry, dry weight, Foliar water content, Fresh weight, Power law, Reduced major axis

Vegetation history after the Aso-4 ignimbrite eruption (89 ka) has been reconstructed using phytolith records obtained from three tephra sections from caldera rim to the western foot of Aso Volcano, southwestern Japan. The ca. 90,000-year vegetation transitions vary between these sites and elevations. At the northern caldera rim (800–900 m asl), sparse vegetation composed of Sasa sect. Crassinodi (cool-temperate dwarf bamboo) and Zoysia was considered to be established within 1000 years after the catastrophic Aso-4 eruption. The Sasa grassland dominated by Sasa sect. Crassinodi existed continuously at the northeastern caldera rim between 89 and 13.5 ka, whereas Pleioblastus sect. Nezasa (warm-temperate dwarf bamboo), Andropogoneae (including Miscanthus Japanese pampas grass) and Zoysia existed in the Sasa grassland between 66 and 30 ka. Although Sasa grassland existed after 13.5 ka, Pleioblastus dwarf bamboo became a constituent of the grassland around 8 ka and continued flourishing until the present. On the western slope (ca. 150 m asl), sparse vegetation existed prior to 55 ka after a large outburst flood generated by a breach of caldera rim of intra-caldera lake (ca. 89–72 ka). The vegetation after 55 ka was dominated by grassland accompanied with moderate amounts of trees. Zoysia prevailed from about 55 to 40 ka, although Sasa was predominant during the period of 40–5 ka. The Sasa grassland containing Andropogoneae pampas grass declined around 5 ka, and Pleioblastus dwarf bamboo became a constituent of the grassland. The Pleioblastus grassland including Miscanthus Japanese pampas grass, Paniceae and trees (Lauraceae etc.) continued to the present. At the western foot of the volcano (∼100 m asl), Zoysia grassland became established after the large outburst flood. The grassland gradually declined from ca. 60 ka and almost disappeared around 40 ka. Instead, Sasa dwarf bamboo grassland, which accompanied Pleioblastus dwarf bamboo, increased after 60 ka. The Sasa grassland accompanying sparse trees continued, but decreased after 13.1 ka. Miscanthus grassland occurred after 29 ka, and flourished especially in the last 8 ka. The consistent presence of Miscanthus grassland for 29,000 years may be related to frequent fire episodes due to human activities including burning at the low elevation of the western foot of Aso Volcano.

Bamboos native to temperate East Asian coniferous forests arrive with increasing frequency in the United States as horticultural imports, and some are becoming naturalized locally. Given the strong floristic and physiognomic similarities between East Asian and western North American coniferous forests, we asked whether these introduced bamboos could tolerate the varied light regimes within coniferous forests in their new range. Seven temperate Asian bamboos and one North American bamboo (Arundinaria gigantea) were grown within shade structures in an experimental garden; these structures reduced ambient light to three light levels (50, 70, 90 % shade) that occur routinely within coniferous forests in the Pacific Northwest. Species’ responses under these light levels were measured by their light response curves to photosynthesis, resource allocation to light or carbon harvesting centers inferred by CO2 response curves, and shifts amongst forms of leaf Chlorophyll. Bashania fargesii has lower chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rates under high shade (90 %) relative to other Asian species and to B. fargesii grown in 50 and 70 % shade. Bashania fargesii, Sasa kurilensis and A. gigantea also displayed lower photosynthetic rates under 90 % shade compared to plants grown in 50 and 70 % shade and lower electron transport capacity under 70 and 90 % shade compared to plants grown in 50 % shade. In contrast, Pleioblastus chino, Pleioblastus distichus, Pseudosasa japonica, Sasa palmata and Sasaella ramosa display strong tolerance of low light. Our results indicate these five Asian bamboos (and others yet to be introduced) could skirt a major environmental barrier to new species establishment in these North American forests. Measuring a species’ light response curve offers a reliable, rapid means to assess an immigrant species’ potential to tolerate forests’ varied light regimes.

Vegetation history during the last 90,000 years has been reconstructed using the phytolith record obtained from a tephra section located at the northeastern rim of Aso caldera, southwestern Japan. The phytolith assemblage from the section revealed that grassland vegetation dominated by Gramineae consistently occurred for 90,000 years. Sparse vegetation composed of Sasa sect. Crassinodi (cool-temperate dwarf bamboo) and Zoysia (lawn) was considered to be established within 1,000 years after the catastrophic Aso-4 eruption (89 ka). The Sasa grassland dominated by Sasa sect. Crassinodi existed continuously at the northeastern caldera rim between 89 and 13.5 ka. The dominance of Sasa sect. Crassinodi in the grassland suggests that the Aso caldera rim during the period was under a cooler and drier climate., Plants other than Sasa dwarf bamboo declined during the period of 75-66 ka (MIS4) whereas Pleioblastus sect. Nezasa (warm-temperate dwarf bamboo), Andropogoneae (pampas grass) and Zoysia existed in the Sasa grassland between 66-30 ka (MIS3). During the period from 30 to 13.5 ka (MIS2) corresponding to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), phytoliths from plants other than Sasa dwarf bamboo and fern are only present in small numbers, suggesting that they declined in response to a cool climate during the LGM. Sasa grassland, which had continued since 89 ka, existed after 13.5 ka at the northeastern rim of Aso caldera. In the earlier stage of the Holocene, phytoliths of Sasa sect. Crassinodi and Sasa sect. Sasa etc. dominated, but Pleioblastus dwarf bamboo became a constituent of the grassland around 8 ka. The proportion of Pleioblastus dwarf bamboo (mainly Pleioblastus sect. Nezasa) in the grassland increased and continued flourishing until the present, although Sasa gradually decreased. In addition, arboreal phytoliths were recognized at several Holocene horizons. These phenomena indicate that grassland vegetation composed mainly of Sasa and Pleioblastus dwarf bamboos with sparse trees dominated at the northeastern rim of the Aso caldera in Holocene time.

The temperate bamboos are a morphologically diverse grass lineage with a complex and problematic taxonomy. We present the first robust multilocus chloroplast phylogeny of the temperate bamboos, assess relationships among key genera with an emphasis on Arundinaria and its allies, and highlight the potential role of hybridization and reticulate evolution in this group. Utilizing a total of twelve plastid DNA regions (1 gene, 10 intergenic spacers, and 1 intron), the temperate clade was resolved to include six major lineages: Bergbamboes, the African alpine bamboos, Chimonocalamus, the Shibataea clade, the Phyllostachys clade, and the Arundinaria clade. Internal resolution varied among these six, in part reflecting sampling density and in part due to apparent evolutionary rate heterogeneity. The recovered phylogeny is largely incongruent with morphological classifications, rendering subtribes and many genera paraphyletic or polyphyletic. Some associations are consistent with existing hypotheses of intergeneric hybridization, while others may indicate convergent evolution, lineage sorting, or previously unsuspected cases of hybridization. Several robust lineages were identified within the Arundinaria clade, including the Medake subclade (Pleioblastus s. s. and allies), Sasa s. s., and the Sinicae subclade (comprising a subset of Chinese taxa currently classified in Acidosasa, Indosasa, Pleioblastus sect. Amari, and Pseudosasa subg. Sinicae). Our analyses also recovered a monophyletic Arundinaria s. s. in North America, and revealed substantial divergence between A. gigantea and A. tecta.

Flavonoids are the main functional compounds in a bamboo leaf extract. Because of their activity flavonoids are widely used in many of health products, cosmetics, and food supplements. A simple high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method has been established for simultaneous quantification of vitexin, isovitexin, orientin, and isoorientin in the leaves of three different bamboo species: Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel ex H. de Lehaie, Phyllostachys glauca McClure, and Pleioblastus yixingensis S. L. Chen et S. Y. Chen. The method was validated for precision (expressed as the coefficient of variation, CV [%]), accuracy, sensitivity, and selectivity. Instrumental precision was found to be 0.37, 0.52, 0.39, 0.13, and 0.84% and the repeatability of the method 0.98, 0.91, 1.02, 1.04 and 0.87% for isovitexin, rutin, orientin, isoorientin, and vitexin, respectively. The accuracy of the method was determined by measurement of recovery at three different concentrations. Average recovery was 99.54% for ...

A new flavonoid, 5,7,3'-trihydroxy-6-C-beta-D-digitoxopyranosyl-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl flavonoside (1), along with four known flavonoids 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxy flavone (2), 5,3',4'-trihydroxy-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl flavonoside (3), 5,4'-dihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxy-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl flavonoside (4), 5,3',4'-trihydroxy-6-C-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl flavonoside (5) were isolated from 95% EtOH extract of the leaves of Pleioblastus argenteastriatus. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and chemical methods.

Phylogenetic relationships ofArundinaria and related genera (Pleioblastus, Pseudosasa, Oligostachyum, Bashania, Clavinodum, etc.) were assessed by analyzing the sequences of the nrDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the cpDNAtrnL-F intergenic spacer (IGS). Comparison withtrnL-F IGS sequence, the ITS region provided the higher number of parsimony informative characters, and the interspecific variation of the ITS sequence was higher than that of thetrnL-FIGS sequence. The tree obtained by combining both sets of data showed that the species sampled inArundinaria and the related genera were monophyletic and divided into two clades. The relationships and positioning of all the taxa surveryed (includingA. oleosa, A. hsienchuensis, A. chino, A. amara, A. yixingensis, A. amabilis, A. fortunei, A. pygmaea, A. gramineus, A. fargesii, A. faberi, A. hupehense, Pseudosasa japonica cv. Tsutsumiana, P. japonica andBrachystachyum densiflorum) were also discussed. The results from the sequences were broadly consistent with morphological characters, appearing all these taxa sampled belong to the genus ofArundinaria. The topologies of the trees generated from individual data and the combined data were similar.

Four Phaeosphaeria species on bamboos are reported. Leptosphaeria lelebae on culms of Bambusa multiplex is synonymized with P. oryzae. A Phaeosphaeria sp. on leaves of Sasa kurilensis is noted to have some similarities to Leptosphaeria sasae. Cultural characteristics of P. brevispora collected from culms of Sasa sp. are first recorded. Phaeosphaeria bambusae on leaves of Pleioblastus simoni is redescribed. In addition, the history of taxonomic studies on bambusicolous fungi in Japan is briefly reviewed.

The effects of moisture availability on clonal growth and biomass investment in the bamboo Pleioblastus maculata were investigated over a four-year period by transplanting Pleioblastus maculata clones into soils with different levels of moisture availability in the field. The results showed that: (1) The higher the moisture availability, the greater the total biomass of P. maculata clones. Although fewer culms are produced at the higher moisture levels, mean tiller biomass is greater. (2) Under different levels of moisture availability, obvious differences in the total rhizome length (p < 0.01), spacer length (p < 0.05) and the sizes of bamboo culms (height, p < 0.01; diameter, p < 0.01) were observed. Thus, the higher the moisture availability, the shorter the rhizomes and the larger ramets. (3) In microhabitats with low moisture availability, bamboo allocated more biomass to underground organs, which promotes elongation of rhizomes and increases root production, thereby helping to capture underground resources essential to growth. In microhabitats of high moisture availability, the biomass is primarily allocated to the aboveground growth of ramets. (4) We suggest that soil moisture availability effects the foraging strategies of bamboo, that bamboo plants growing with low moisture availability produce longer rhizomes (that is, more, although shorter, spacers) with more biomass allocation than plants in high moisture and have a better ability to forage to increase the probability of locating adequate moisture patches. Also, longer length distance between shoots (that is, longer spacers) in high soil moisture than in low is adapted to avoid intense competition from faster growing aboveground growth in high moisture patches.

Stigmaeopsis celarius Banks (hereafter Sc) is a spider mite living and feeding on the leaves of various bamboo species such as Moso bamboo [Phyllostachys edulis (=P. pubescens)] and Pleioblastus spp. (Poaceae). A previous phylogenetic study revealed a cryptic, phylogenetic sister species to Sc (hereafter Ss). Although its life type appears to be similar to that of Sc, individuals of Ss make much smaller nests compared with Sc, and the nests have been found mostly on Nezasa bamboo (Pleioblastus argenteostriatus). To investigate whether Sc and Ss are reproductively isolated, we explored their populations in southwestern Japan, and crossed them to examine mating behaviors and fertilization success. Field surveys revealed that the nests of these two species occur on the same leaves and, thus, the individuals of these species may make frequent contact. Reciprocal crosses suggested that the two species are reproductively isolated. Though Sc males have tried to mate with Ss females, copulation seldom occurred because of their long opisthosoma (hind body), which prevented the insertion of the aedeagus into the genitalia of Ss females. In contrast, most Ss males ignored Sc females, and eggs were not fertilized even in the few cases where copulation appeared to occur. These results suggest that strong selection pressure is imposed on body length to prevent interspecific hybridization in the contact area of these species.

An endopeptidase has been purified from sprouts of bamboo (Pleioblastus hindsii Nakai) to electrophoretic homogeneity by four purification steps. Its Mr was estimated to be 82 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Enzyme activity was inhibited strongly by diisopropyl fluorophosphate, and weakly by p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid, but not at all by EDTA or pepstatin, indicating that it was a serine protease. The preferential cleavage sites for this protease were found to be large hydrophobic and amide residues at the P1 position. The specificity of the bamboo serine protease differed from that of cucumisin [EC 3.4.21.25], which cleaved the charged amino acid residues at the P1 position.

A coelomycetous fungus occurring on culms of Pleioblastus sp. in Yakushima Island, southern Japan, is described and illustrated as a new species, Pseudolachnella yakushimensis. The species is characterized by cupulate, superficial black setose conidiomata, and cylindrical 3-septate conidia with two to five appendages at each end. Pseudolachnella yakushimensis is similar to P. indica and P. scolecospora by its 3-septate conidia, but is different from them by its smaller conidia with more than two appendages.

17 taxa of subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae, bamboos are reported as naturalised in New Zealand. A key to the genera and one each to the species of Bambusa, Phyllostachys, and Pleioblastus are provided.

We tried to isolate actinomycetes from fallen leaves by using three methods ; the topping, the agar layered and the extraction methods. A large number of rare actinomycetes were isolated from fallen leaves. The genus Microbispora was high frequency in the samples of bamboo (Sasa and Pleioblastus) and loosestrife (Lythrum).

Pleioblastus pygmaeus (Miq.) Nakai (POACEAE)—VIRGINIA, Fairfax County: eastern bank of Dead Run floodplain in mature woodland, approximately 1 km south of George Washington Memorial Parkway, 26 January 2012, Steury 120126.1 (George Washington Memorial Parkway Herbarium, JSU); unnamed tributary 50 m from Potomac River and 4.8 km north of Mt. Vernon, 2 July 2012, Steury 120702.1 (George Washington Memorial Parkway Herbarium, JSU). MARYLAND, Montgomery County: Takoma Park, Sligo Creek Park, eastern bank of Sligo Creek floodplain just downstream of Maple Avenue Bridge, 8 March 2012, Parrish & Steury 120308.1 (George Washington Memorial Parkway Herbarium, JSU, US). DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Rock Creek Park at terminus of Juniper Street, NW, on floodplain of Rock Creek and extending up a short slope, 8 March 2012, Parrish & Steury 120308 (George Washington Memorial Parkway Herbarium, JSU). Significance. These are the first records for North America (Kartesz 1999, Barkworth et al. 2007). Pleioblastus pygmaeus (pygmy bamboo) is native to Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu) where it is known only in cultivation (Ohwi 1965, Suzuki 1978) and likely represents a horticultural derivative of Pleioblastus variegatus (Siebold ex Miquel) Makino, or ally in Pleioblastus section Nezasa Koidzumi (Ohrnberger 1999). This species is characterized by elongate rhizomes sprouting solitary, minutely ribbed, purplish culms (drying to gray), to 1.5 m tall and 4 mm in diameter. Nodes bear numerous, tan to brownish, stiff, antrorsely fringed hairs and are typically fastigiate and three branched on mature canes and unbranched on young ones. Foliage leaf blades are green, unvariegated, abruptly acuminate, with wedged to rounded bases and a short pseudopetiole, pubescent on both sides, more densely so abaxially where cross-veins are evident, typically to 1.3 cm wide and 13.5 cm long with two or three lateral veins on each side of the midrib on branched canes and to 2.3 cm wide and 18.3 cm long with four or five veins on each side of the midrib on unbranched canes. Foliage leaf sheaths are glabrous and often bristled at the apex. The only other species in this genus reported from North America (Georgia and Tennessee) is P. simonii (Carriere) Nakai (Duncan & Kartesz 1981, DeSelm et al. 1994). In Virginia, P. pygmaeus was found at two sites, one patch measuring 19.5 m 3 14.7 m in old Liriodendron tulipifera L., Fagus grandifolia Ehrh., Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal. woodland along Dead Run (38857 41.76 N, 77810 24.21 W) and another patch approximately 40 m 3 30 m near the mouth of a small unnamed tributary of the Potomac River 4.8 km north of Mt. Vernon (3884334.08 N, 7780232.18 W). The Maryland population measured 8.4 m3 5.0 m and occurred in woodland with a mixture of native (Acer negundo L., Fraxinus pennsylanica Marshall, Platanus occidentalis L., Ulmus americana L.) and nonnative (Albizia julibrisson Durazz. and Morus alba L.) trees. The colony in the District of Columbia measured 55.0 m 3 16.7 m and occurred in disturbed woodland containing native trees and shrubs such as Acer negundo L., Acer rubrum L., Carpinus caroliniana Walt., Carya cordiformis (Wangenh.) K. Koch, Lin*email address: brent_steury@nps.gov Received November 30, 2012; Accepted February 7, 2013. DOI: 10.2179/12-045

Sasa (Pleioblastus pygmaea Miff., cv. Oroshimatiku) has been used as a ground-cover plant because it keeps the ground green throughout the year and prevents soil erosion. Sasa, which rarely flowers, can be micropropagated under artificial light for mass production of transplants. In this study, a micropropagation system for sasa has been developed. The processes are 1) an in vitro propagation period, 2) an in vitro growth period and 3) an ex vitro acclimatization period. The growth of plantlets was examined under six culture conditions: with combinations of sugar-containing or sugar-free medium and one of two types of supporting material (plastic net and vermiculite) or no supporting material. All plantlets were grown under relatively high photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) and CO2-enriched conditions during the growth period. Plantlets grown on sugar-containing medium without supporting material under relatively low PPF and CO2 non-enriched conditions were used as a control. The plantlets grown photoautotrophically with vermiculite during the in vitro growth period showed enhanced growth during the ex vitro acclimatization period, while the plantlets of the control wilted during that period.

This chapter presents the members of the tribe Bambuseae and subtribe arundinariinae. It includes Acidosasa, Arundinaria, Bashania, Ferrocalamus, Gaoligongshania, Gelidocalamus, Indocalamus, Menstruocalamus, Metasasa, Oligostachyum (Clavinodum), Pleioblastus (Nipponocalamus), Polyanthus, Pseudosasa, Sasa (Neosasamorpha, Sasamorpha), Sasaella (Nipponobambusa), and Vietnamocalamus in alphabetical order. Taxonomic and nomenclatural references, selected references, number of species known, common names, geological distribution, and features of all the members have been presented in the chapter.

Opal phytolith analysis of the Kanto Loam Formation (the tephra layers) composed of the Shimosueyoshi Loam, the Musashino Loam, the Tachikawa Loam and the Kuroboku Soil (in ascending order) at Narimasu Geological Exposure, Itabashi, Tokyo, was carried out. Five local opal phytolith zones can be roughly distinguished. The Kuroboku Soil (A zone) was characterized by the dominance of Pleioblastus with Paniceae, suggesting a warm temperate climate. The Tachikawa Loam (B zone) was dominated by Sasa, indicating a cool temperate climate. This zone was subdivided into two subzones, B1 and B2. Zone B1, the upper part, contained more panicoid phytoliths than Zone B2, the lower part. The Musashino Loam was divided into two zones, C and D, with the boundary between the two situated over the tephra TP (4.9×104F.T.y.B.P.). Zone C was characterized by Pleioblastus, indicating a warm temperate climate, which may correspond to the Middle Pleniglacial in Europe. An increased number of Festuceae and Paniceae were found in zone D which probably means that zone D was in the cooltemperate to subarctic climate. This cold age is correlated with the Murodo Glacial Substage of Mt. Tateyama and the Lower Pleniglacial in Europe. The Shimosueyoshi Loam (zone E) contained much more weathered phytoliths than the other zones. The vegetation at E zone, therefore, unfortunately could not be reconstructed.

The morphology of plant opals in the humic horizons of present and buried volcanic ash soils distributed in Tohoku, northern Kanto, eastern Tokai and Kyushu districts were investigated. Plant opals in leaves of some grasses were also examined. The results obtained were summarized as follows;1) The morphology of plant opals in leaves of Graminaceous grasses is closely related to taxomic groups of grasses, which well confirms that of the previous reports. Dumbbel shaped plant opals, Panicoids, are characterized by subfamily Panicoideae and saddle shaped plant opals, Chloridoids, are contained specifically by Eragrostoideae.2) The sizes of Sasaoid type plant opals vary with taxomic groups within subfamily Bambusoides Their median of size distribution is 24μ in genus Sasa and is 18μ in genus Pleioblastus.3) The plant opals separated from the leaves of Miscanthus sinensis (Susuki in Japanese) are more soluble than those of Pleioblastus sp. (Nezasa in Japanese) when treated with 1%-Na2CO3 solution for an hour at 60°C. Microscopic observation of the insoluble residues confirms the above fact.4) The geographical distributions and mutual relations in the various types of plant opals in the humic horizons of volcanic ash soils are as follows.Sasaoid types are recognized commonly in all sites studied, while Panicoid types are found mainly in samples from Tohoku, northern Kanto and a part of Kyushu districts. Festucoid and Point shape types show high frequency in samples from Hokkaido. Fan shape and Elongate shape types as well as Sasaoid types are recognized extensively. Chloridoid are not common types. The amounts of Point shape types and the ratios of Fan shape types vs. Elongate shape types are closely related to the amounts of Festucoid types.

1. Somatic chromosomes of sixty eight species found in Japan and in some foreign countries were reported (Table 1, Figs. 1-67). They belong to forty four genera in fourteen tribes, i.e. Hordeum, Hystrix, Elymus, Agropyron, Lolium, Bromus, Briza, Festuca, Poa, Glyceria, Torreyochloa, Agrostis, Calamagrostis, Koeleria, Deschampsia, Arrhenatherum, Holcus, Brachyelytrum, Stipa, Phaenosperma, Hakonechloa, Pleioblastus, Sinoarundinaria, Pseudosasa, Sinobambusa, Sasamorpha, Semiarundinaria, Arundinaria, Sasa, Cleistogenes, Muhlenbergia, Eragrostis, Zoysia, Cenchrus, Setaria, Oplismenus, Paspalum, Andropogon, Bothriochloa, Pseudopogonatherum, Sorgum, Ischaemum, Phacelurus and Coix.2. Torreyochloa natans, which had no cytological study up to now, showed fourteen medium or somewhat large chromosomes, differing from those of Glyceria (cf. Church 1949).3. Deschampsia caespitosa obtained at Mt. Hotaka had twenty seven chromosomes in somatic cells, one being very small chromosomes in contrast to the others and twenty six ordinary ones.4. In Koeleria cristata, among thirteen individuals studied, one individual collected in Tokyo showed fifteen somatic chromosomes, one being very small chromosome in comparison with the others and fourteen ordinary ones, and the other individuals showed sixteen chromosomes, two being very small chromosomes and fourteen ordinary ones.5. Twelve species of Bambuseae observed all showed forty eight chromosomes in somatic cells.6. Paspalum dilatatum showed fifty chromosomes in somatic cells, in agreement with Krishnaswamy's (1940) observation, suggesting a basic number of five in Paniceae.7. Karyotaxonomic information concerning the genus Brachyelytrum was mentioned.The writer wishes to express his cordial thanks to Dr. Y. Takenaka, Dr. J. Ohwi and Prof. Dr. H. Ono, who gave him various valuable advices and helps during the course of the present investigations. The writer's thanks are also due to Dr. S. Matsumura, Dr. R. W. Pohl and Mr. S. Nakao, who kindly sent or offered materials for the writer's use, and to Prof. Dr. K. Dan and Dr. J. Dan for their kindness in reading the manuscript.

São apresentados e discutidos os resultados das medições de comprimento e largura das fibras de 27 espécies alienígenas de bambus, compreendendo 12 gêneros, das quais apenas 4 foram anteriormente estudados pelos autores. O material usado nos exames biométricos das fibras de 19 das novas espécies estudadas, foi coletado do "bambusetum" localizado na Estação Experimental de Tatuí, sendo que o dos 4 restantes do base do côlmo de mudos importadas do estrangeiro, mas que não vingaram. Os resultados dos medições mostram que as dimensões das fibras, em comprimento e largura, variaram grandemente segundo as espécies de bambu. O comprimento médio de fibra variou de 1,33 a 2,74 mm, enquanto que a largura variou de 8,39 a 20,90 microns. A relação entre o comprimento e a largura das fibras situou-se entre 63:1 a 264:1. Os resultados encontrados nas medições de comprimento das fibras confirmam, de modo geral, o valor dos bambus como matéria-prima para produção de celulose de fibras longas. This article gives fiber dimensions and derived values obtained for 23 bamboo species, besides similar data for 4 species previously reported by the authors. The average fiber dimensions found for the 27 bamboo species ranged as follows (in milimeters): length, from 1.325 for Bambusa beecheyana to 2.744 for Gigantcchloa apus; width, from 0.00839 for Pleioblastus simoni to 0.02090 for Bambusa beecheyana. The length diameter ratio ranged from 63:1 to 264:1, the shortest ratio being that of Bambusa beecheyana and the highest one of Bambusa vulgaris. The coefficient of variation for fiber length ranged from 26.50% to 42.32% and for fiber width from 17.80% to 60.09%. Considering the ease of bamboo cultivation, the high and rapid production per area, and the quality of the fiber, bamboos areunquestionably the most promising source for cellulose production in the tropical and subtropical regions. As in many other countries where bamboo is being used on a large scale for the pulp and paper industry, it seems likely that in Brazil this plant as a commercial crop will be, in very near future, an important source of long-fibered pulp for blending with short-fibered pulps in papermaking.