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47. Randia hainanensis Merr. (Rubiaceae) in Lingnan Sci. J. 11(1): 58. 1932. TYPE:— CHINA. Hainan: Hongmao Shan, 3 May 1929, W. T. Tsang, Tang & H. Fung 45 (i.e. Lingnan University Herbarium 17576) (holotype: NY 00133067 image!; isotype: A 00032356 image!). The name Randia hainanensis Merr. was validly published with a gathering “ Tsang, Tang & Fung 17576 ” in NY designated as the type (Merrill, 1932). However, the collecting number on the lable of the holotype specimen is 45, while its herbarium number is Lingnan University Herbarium 17576. Therefore, the erroneous collecting number in the designation of type is to be corrected., Published as part of Lin, Yun, Bi, Hai-Yan, Sun, Jun & Sun, Qian, 2023, Correction of collecting number errors in the protologues of sixty-four taxon names from China, pp. 271-282 in Phytotaxa 598 (4) on page 279, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.598.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7983799, {"references":["Merrill, E. D. (1932) A fourth supplementary list of Hainan plants. Lingnan Science Journal 11 (1): 37 - 61."]}

Background and aims – Generic limits of the tropical tribe Gardenieae (Ixoroideae, Rubiaceae) have partly remained unsettled. We produced a new phylogeny of the Randia clade, with emphasis on its Neotropical clade comprising five genera (Casasia, Randia, Rosenbergiodendron, Sphinctanthus, and Tocoyena). The result was subsequently used to evaluate and discuss: a) the respective monophyly of the above-mentioned genera and their interrelationships; b) relationships within Tocoyena and the evolutionary relevance of its subgeneric classification; and c) the monophyly of the morphologically variable T. formosa.Material and methods – We examined the phylogeny of the Randia clade based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of sequence data from two nuclear (ETS and Xdh) and two plastid (petB-petD and trnT-F) DNA regions from 59 individuals (including seven representatives from the remaining Ixoroideae).Key results – The Neotropical clade of the Randia clade comprises three major lineages, the Randia armata subclade, the Randia-Casasia subclade and the Rosenbergiodendron subclade. Neither Casasia nor Randia is monophyletic. Tocoyena is sister to Rosenbergiodendron + Sphinctanthus and is subdivided into three lineages: the Tocoyena pittieri group, the Tocoyena guianensis group, and the core Tocoyena. Tocoyena williamsii is paraphyletic with respect to T. pittieri. Tocoyena formosa is polyphyletic and should be re-circumscribed.Conclusions – Our results demonstrate the monophyly of each of the relatively species-poor genera Rosenbergiodendron, Sphinctanthus, and Tocoyena, and confirm their close affinity. The serial classification of Tocoyena does not reflect the evolutionary history of the genus. The paraphyly of T. williamsii with respect to T. pittieri, together with their morphological similarities and geographic distributions, support the inclusion of the former in the latter. Our study calls for additional phylogenetic work on Casasia and the more species-rich genus Randia. While the respective monophyly of both genera is rejected here, future work with a broader representation of Randia is needed.

Randia ferox is a Brazilian native species used in folk medicine. Scientific information regarding the toxicology and phytochemistry of this plant remains unclear. We aimed to produce a R. ferox extract, identify its chemical matrix, and evaluate its safety profile. The extract chemical composition was accessed through UHPLC-MS/MS. Mononuclear cells, erythrocytes, fibroblasts, macrophages, and kidney cells were subjected to extract concentration-response curve testing. The cellular viability, proliferation, dsDNA release, reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), hemolysis, and DNA damage were determined. Ten molecules were found in the extract matrix. Most of the tested concentrations can be considered safe. Cellular viability, proliferation, dsDNA release, and NO remained at similar levels to the control. The extract increased ROS in macrophages. None of the tested concentrations induced DNA damage or hemolysis. The data suggest R. ferox extract contains several bioactive molecules and has a safety profile in vitro.

―Randia heteromera is a new species described based on studies of taxonomy and vegetative anatomy (leaf, stipule, and colleters). This species is illustrated and diagnosed in comparison to the other four similar species of Randia in the Southern Cone of America. The species grows in areas of humid forests, locally known as the humid Chaco in the southern part of its distribution (Argentina and Paraguay), and in seasonal forests in the northern part, in northeast Paraguay and the south of Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil. We present a key to distinguish R. heteromera from the other species of the Southern Cone of America. The species was also compared with similar taxa, Randia nitida or R. hebecarpa, occasionally used to identify material from the Southern Cone of America. A distribution map is provided. The anatomical data studied had a taxonomic value at the species level. In addition, based on the leaf anatomy studies carried out in the present study and in previous studies, three new types of vascular tissue organization in the leaf are described for Rubiaceae.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the composition and diversity of plant species browsed in a tropical dry forest, on the selection and voluntary intake (VI) by cattle during two seasons of the year. Plant species selection and VI of nine adult cattle (390 ± 13 kg of live weight) was evaluated for 7 weeks during the dry and rainy seasons on secondary vegetation (acahual). The composition, structure, diversity and importance value index were measured for fodder species browsed by cattle. The bite frequency (BF), preference index (PI) and VI of plants were also recorded. A total of 4882 plants belonging to 26 species and 17 families were registered, with a Shannon–Wiener diversity (H′) of 2.45. The species with the highest BF, PI and VI (P

International audience; Background and aims – New Caledonia is a hotspot of biodiversity in the world. Among the most diverse New Caledonian plant families is Rubiaceae, which consist of 30 genera containing 220 species, with a level of endemism of 93%. The tribe Gardenieae is represented by four genera, Gardenia (8 species), Aidia (2 species), Randia (7 species), and Atractocarpus (10 species). As Randia has now been restricted to the Neotropics, the New Caledonian Randia species remain unplaced within the tribe. Atractocarpus is a Pacific genus, easily characterized by long imbricated stipules, a feature also present in the Randia species and in several Gardenia species in New Caledonia. The aims of the present study are to test the monophyly of Atractocarpus and to assess the phylogenetic placement of the Randia and Gardenia species with long imbricated stipules within Gardenieae and specifically their relationships with taxa of the Porterandia group to which Atractocarpus belongs.Material and methods – We investigated 63 species of Pacific Gardenieae, with a focus on the Porterandia group, in a Bayesian phylogenetic reconstruction (cpDNA: trnTF and rpl32, and nrDNA: ITS).Key results – Our study provides a mostly supported consensus tree topology of the Porterandia group. Five Gardenia and seven Randia species fall within a clade that comprises the New Caledonian Atractocarpus species, rendering both Atractocarpus and Gardenia polyphyletic.Conclusion – We enlarge the delimitation of Atractocarpus to include 12 New Caledonian Randia and Gardenia species. New Caledonia is consequently confirmed as the centre of diversity for Atractocarpus with 31 species. According to our study, three genera of Gardenieae occur in the archipelago: Aidia, Gardenia, and Atractocarpus.

Numerous studies of terrestrial orchids have demonstrated widespread partial mycoheterotrophy, particularly the possibility of obtaining organic matter from surrounding trees through a common fungal network. Fungi are also widespread in epiphytic orchid roots, but there have been no attempts to determine if epiphytes accept organic matter from the living stems of their phorophytes. We hypothesise that such transfer does not exist because epiphytes and phorophytes harbour different fungal communities. To test this hypothesis, we tagged three short Randia sp. trees with 13C-enriched CO2 and examined 13C transfer from the phorophyte into the epiphytic orchids Grosourdya appendiculata, Dendrobium oligophyllum and Gastrochilus sp. in Cat Tien National Park, (South Vietnam, Cat Tien National Park, plot size approx. 1 ha). The coincidence of fungal sequences in the orchid roots and in the branches on which they grew was also examined. We did not detect 13C label moving from phorophytes to epiphytes. Using Illumina sequencing, 162 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected. The fungal communities were significantly different between the roots of epiphytes and branches of phorophytes, although no strict fungal specificity at the species level was found in either epiphytes or phorophytes.

Physicochemical characterization (i.e., solubility, stability, UV–vis, IR, 1H and 13C NMR, and thermogravimetric and elemental analysis) and biological activities (antioxidant and immunomodulatory) of purified melanins from the fruit flesh of Vitex mollis (VM) and Randia echinocarpa (RE) were investigated. The melanins showed low solubility, light stability, oxidation by chemicals, metal chelation, degradation temperature at 350 °C, % nitrogen (VM 3.725 and RE 4.485), characteristic spectroscopic signals, high antioxidant activity (µmol TE/g) (ABTS, VM 1333.5 and RE 835.7; FRAP, VM 1098.41 and RE 709.64), protective effect against H2O2-stress in Saccharomyces, and an induction of splenocyte proliferation. The chemical and biological data support that melanins of VM and RE are biosynthesized from tyrosine and have potential as photoprotective agents and could be considered for the prevention/treatment of chronic degenerative diseases. The fruits of VM and RE could be used to develop high added-value products favoring their preservation and sustainable exploitation.

RESUMEN Se estudió la composición florística, riqueza (S), heterogeneidad (H'), equidad (J') y similitud en y entre el bosque tropical caducifolio (BTC) y bosque espinoso (BE) de cuatro sitios del Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Meseta de Cacaxtla, Sinaloa, México de junio a noviembre de 2016. En el área se localizan los parches más meridionales del bosque espinoso en el noroeste de México, comparándose por primera vez en la región ambos bosques secos. Se realizaron transectos lineales de 50 x 2 m replicados 10 veces, sumando 0,1 ha, ordenando por familias, géneros, especies, formas de crecimiento cada uno de los individuos registrados y se obtuvieron valores por los coeficientes de Shannon-Wiener, Pielou y Jaccard. Resultaron 28 familias, 68 géneros y 92 especies de formas arbóreas, arbustivas y trepadoras. Las familias con mayor riqueza de géneros, especies y formas de crecimiento fueron Fabaceae, Cactaceae, Euphorbiaceae y Malvaceae; los géneros más diversos en especies fueron: Bursera, Caesalpinia y Randia. El BTC registró 83 especies y el BE 69. Los valores de heterogeneidad H' fueron altos, y variaron de 3,20 hasta 3,65 bits/ind. Los valores de equidad (J') oscilaron entre 0,74 y 0,86. La similitud, arrojó valores entre 0,338 y 0,479. La comparación entre Las Labradas (BE) y El Rancho Las Palomas resultó en una menor cantidad de especies compartidas, presentando la mayor tasa de recambio de especies entre ambos bosques secos. La composición y diversidad florística fue alta en los bosques secos representativos de la Meseta de Cacaxtla.

The water-soluble melanins (SM) of Randia echinocarpa fruit possess interesting biological activities and have been scarcely characterized. In this study, SM were obtained at boiling (SMBT) and room (SMRT) temperatures and characterized by UV-Vis, IR, thermogravimetric analysis, and GC-MS of the hydrolysis products of the SM; besides, the solid-state 13 C NMR, elemental analysis, and acute and sub-acute toxicity of the SMBT were determined. SMBT and SMRT contain organic acids and carbohydrates and their spectroscopic signals and thermograms were similar, but the SMBT yield was higher. The SMBT were characterized by their elemental composition (C 48.260 ± 0.011%, N 3.693 ± 0.009% and H 6.093 ± 0.076%) consistent with the presence of aromatic rings and eumelanins, degradation temperature at 300°C, 13 C NMR signals supporting melanin-bonding with carbohydrates and organic acids, and innocuity in Balb/C mice (acute assay, LD50 > 5 g/kg b.w.; sub-acute assay, no lethality at 500 mg/kg b.w. for 30 days). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The consumption of melanins has been associated with health benefits because of their biological activities (e.g., antioxidant, immunostimulatory, UV- and radiation-protective). Randia echinocarpa is employed in Mexican traditional medicine against chronic degenerative diseases (e.g., cancer and diabetes) and ailments of organs (e.g., kidney and lung) and systems (e.g., circulatory and gastrointestinal). The R. echinocarpa fruit contains water-soluble melanins (SM) that inhibit carbohydrate-digestive enzymes and show high antioxidant activity; thus, SM could be useful for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. This study showed that the SM structure contains melanin-bonding organic acids and carbohydrates, which could be associated with the SM solubility and higher yield, and that SMBT were innocuous in the acute and sub-acute assays in mice. Thus, the R. echinocarpa SMBT could be used as safe potential ingredients to develop functional products.

Se describen atributos de especies arbustivas y arbóreas, componentes del bosque tropical caducifolio dentro del Municipio de Querétaro, Querétaro. Se utilizó un muestreo aleatorio de 36 sitios de vegetación natural con criterios de exclusión. Para cada sitio se delimitó un cuadrante de 25 m × 25 m. Dentro del cuadrante se identificaron y evaluaron el total de especies arbóreas y arbustivas mayores a 150 cm de altura, excluyendo especies de cactáceas y suculentas. Se evaluaron atributos de los árboles como: diámetro basal, diámetro a la altura del pecho, altura total del árbol, altura de la copa, diámetro de copa y se estimó la capacidad de captura de carbono por especie considerando las variables climáticas del sitio donde crecen. Se observaron 22 especies de arbustos y árboles dentro las que destacan por su abundancia: Acacia schaffneri, Bursera fagaroides, Forestiera phillyreoides, Karwinskia humboldtiana, Dodonaea viscosa e Ipomea murucoides, mientras las que presentan mayor potencial de almacenar carbono son: Prosopis laevigata y Leucaena leucocephala; en contraparte, las menos abundantes fueron: Randia thurberi y Erytrina coralloides. Estos resultados son indispensables para el desarrollo y diseño de propuestas de conservación y reforestación del bosque tropical caducifolio.

Randia tafallana is here proposed as a new name for Mussaenda parvifolia Tafalla ex Estrella, a species published in Flora Huayaquilensis (1989) and a later homonymous of Mussaenda parvifolia Miq. (1867). The present status of the populations of Randia tafallana is unknown.

Hemicolpus randiae Hespenheide, new species, and H. prenai Hespenheide, new species, are described from Mexico taken from fruits of Randia sp. (Rubiaceae). Hemicolpus costaricensis Hespenheide, new species, is described from Costa Rica. The type of Hemicolpus cubicus (Lacordaire) has not been located, but Hemicolpus abdominalis Hustache is described, a syntype is illustrated, and additional distribution records are given.

Three new species of hispine beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) from the United States are described, illustrated, and discussed: Baliosus randia Riley (Texas), Heptispa brevicornis Riley (Texas), and Sumitrosis triplehorni Riley (Florida). A fourth species originally described from Mexico, Odontota signaticollis (Baly), is newly recorded from the United States (Arizona, New Mexico) and is removed from Xenochalepus Wiese and newly combined with Odontota Chevrolat, new combination.

The Randia sepium is an extremely interesting species with its coriaceous medium-sized leaves glabrous and brilliant on both sides with 4–7 pairs of secondary nerves and terminal inflorescences, with medium-sized hirsute flowers and pubescent corolla lobes on both sides not having closely related taxon in the Mexican and Mesoamerican flora. All Randia species of these areas having coriaceous shiny leaves — e.g. R. cookii and R. chiapensis — are thorny small-leaved, nerveless, small-flowered ones with small glabrous, axillary or terminal solitary flowers. It is notable for its use, since it is applied as living fence in Chiapas (Mexico).

RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo conhecer a diversidade vegetal de uma área de Cerrado em Prudente de Morais, MG, bem como suas indicações medicinais. Foram feitas nove excursões à reserva da Fazenda Experimental Santa Rita da Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (FESR/EPAMIG) (19°26’20”’ S e 44°09’15”’ W). O material vegetal coletado foi herborizado, identificado e incorporado ao acervo do Herbário PAMG/EPAMIG. O sistema de classificação utilizado foi o APG III. Após a identificação, realizou-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica buscando dados sobre a utilização medicinal das espécies. Coletaram-se 108 espécies pertencentes a 47 famílias. As famílias mais representativas foram: Fabaceae, com 16 espécies, Myrtaceae com sete espécies, Asteraceae e Rubiaceae com seis espécies cada, Malpighiaceae e Solanaceae com cinco espécies cada, Erythroxylaceae, Euphorbiaceae e Vochysiaceae, com quatro espécies cada, Anacardiaceae, Apocynaceae, Lamiaceae e Sapindaceae com três espécies cada, Annonaceae, Arecaceae, Bignoniaceae, Celastraceae e Primulaceae com duas espécies cada. Vinte e nove famílias foram monoespecíficas. Das 108 espécies, 39 são árvores (36%), 43 arbustos (40%), seis subarbustos (5,5%), 14 lianas (13%) e seis são ervas (5,5%). Sessenta e seis (61%) espécies pertencentes a 39 famílias (83%) são utilizadas popularmente, para o tratamento de alguma doença. As famílias com maior número de espécies medicinais foram: Fabaceae com oito espécies; Rubiaceae com cinco espécies e Solanaceae com quatro espécies. As espécies que apresentaram mais finalidades terapêuticas foram: Brosimum gaudichaudii Trécul (Moraceae), Caryocar brasiliense Cambess. (Caryocaraceae), Cochlospermum regium (Mart. ex Schrank) Pilg. (Bixaceae), Croton urucurana Bail. (Euphorbiaceae), Gomphrena officinalis Mart. (Amaranthaceae), Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne (Fabaceae), Lithrea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae), Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (Anacardiaceae) e Randia. armata (Sw.) DC. (Rubiaceae). As finalidades terapêuticas que apresentaram maior número de espécies foram: tônico (15 spp., 22,7%), afecções do aparelho respiratório (13 spp., 19,6%), afecções da pele (12 spp., 18%) e febres (12 spp., 18%). O conhecimento tradicional sobre as plantas medicinais do cerrado deve ser mais investigado para que seja preservado, valorizado, e para que medidas conservacionistas sejam tomadas evitando que essas plantas desapareçam antes que sua utilização tradicional seja corroborada pela ciência. ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the plant diversity of a Cerrado area in Prudente de Morais, MG, and its medicinal indications. Nine field trips were made to the reserve of Fazenda Experimental Santa Rita of the Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (FESR/EPAMIG) (19°26’20” S and 44°09’15” W). The plant material collected was herborized, identified and incorporated into the collection of the Herbarium PAMG/EPAMIG. The classification system used was the APG III. After identification, we carried out a literature search to find data about the medical use of the species. 108 species were collected, belonging to 47 families. The most representative families were Fabaceae, with 16 species, Myrtaceae with seven species, Asteraceae and Rubiaceae with six species each, Malpighiaceae and Solanaceae with five species each, Erythroxylaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Vochysiaceae, with four species each, Anacardiaceae, Apocynaceae, Lamiaceae and Sapindaceae with three species each, Annonaceae, Arecaceae, Bignoniaceae, Celastraceae and Primulaceae with two species each. Twenty-nine families were monoespecific. From the 108 species, 39 are trees (36%), 43 are shrubs (40%), six are subshrubs (5.5%), 14 are climbing (13%) and six are herbs (5.5%). Sixty-six (61%) species belonging to 39 families (83%) are commonly used for the treatment of diseases. The families with the highest number of medicinal species were the Fabaceae with eight species; the Rubiaceae with five species and the Solanaceae with four species. The species showing more therapeutic purposes were: Brosimum gaudichaudii Trécul (Moraceae), Caryocar brasiliense Cambess. (Caryocaraceae), Cochlospermum regium (Mart. Ex Schrank) Pilg. (Bixaceae), Croton urucurana Bail. (Euphorbiaceae), Gomphrena officinalis Mart. (Amaranthaceae), Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne (Fabaceae), Lithrea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae), Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (Anacardiaceae) and Randia. armata (Sw.) DC. (Rubiaceae). The therapeutic purposes indicated by the highest number of species were: tonic (15 spp., 22.7%), diseases of the respiratory system (13 spp., 19.6%), skin affections (12 spp., 18%) and fever (12 spp., 18%). The traditional knowledge of medicinal plants of the Cerrado should be investigated further in order to be preserved and enhanced. In that sense, conservation measures should be taken for these plants do not disappear before their traditional use is supported by science.

RESUMO: Antracologia e o estudo do carvao arqueologico ou de origem sedimentar a partir da anatomia do lenho. Uma correta identificacao depende de um bom conhecimento da anatomia do lenho e de material de referencia adequado. Neste artigo descrevemos a anatomia do carvao de dez especies nativas que ocorrem na Planicie Costeira do Rio Grande do Sul – Lithraea brasiliensis , Schinus polygamus ( Anacardiaceae ), Ilex dumosa ( Aquifoliaceae ), Ocotea pulchella ( Lauraceae ), Myrcia palustris , Myrrhinium atropurpureum ( Myrtaceae ), Guapira opposita ( Nyctaginaceae ), Randia ferox ( Rubiaceae ), Casearia sylvestris ( Salicaceae ) e Chrysophyllum marginatum ( Sapotaceae ). A estrutura anatomica da madeira se preservou perfeitamente apos carbonizacao, apesar de ter ocorrido reducao de massa e contracao anisotropica. As pequenas variacoes induzidas por estes fenomenos nao interferem na qualidade do carvao nem no potencial de identificacao dos taxa. Os resultados obtidos corroboram a viabilidade da identificacao taxonomica a partir da anatomia do carvao. ABSTRACT: Anthracology is the study of charcoal from archaeological or sedimentary contexts based on wood anatomy. A proper identification depends on a good knowledge of charcoal anatomy as well as on the availability of appropriate reference material. In this paper we describe the charcoal anatomy of ten woody species that occur at Rio Grande do Sul Coastal Plain (Southern Brazil) – Lithraea brasiliensis, Schinus polygamus (Anacardiaceae), Ilex dumosa (Aquifoliaceae), Ocotea pulchella (Lauraceae), Myrcia palustris, Myrrhinium atropurpureum (Myrtaceae), Guapira opposita (Nyctaginaceae), Randia ferox (Rubiaceae), Casearia sylvestris (Salicaceae) and Chrysophyllum marginatum (Sapotaceae). The wood anatomical structure was perfectly preserved after carbonization, despite mass loss and anisotropic shrinkage. The small variations due to these properties do not affect charcoal quality nor its identification potential. The results here obtained attest of the reliability of taxonomic identification from charcoal anatomy.

We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses of the Randia clade of the tribe Gardenieae using both plastid and nuclear DNA data. In the phylogenetic hypotheses presented, the African genera Calochone, Euclinia, Macrosphyra, Oligocodon, Pleiocoryne, and Preussiodora are resolved as a monophyletic group. Support is also found for a clade of the Neotropical genera Casasia, Randia, Rosenbergiodendron, Sphinctanthus, and Tocoyena. This Neotropical clade is resolved as sister group to the African clade in analyses of combined plastid and nuclear data. The genus Euclinia appears polyphyletic. The species described from Madagascar represent an independent lineage, the position of which is moreover found to be incongruent between datasets. Plastid and ribosomal DNA data support a sister-group relationship to the mainland African clade, whereas the low-copy nuclear gene Xdh supports a closer relationship to the Neotropical genera. The phylogenetic reconstructions also indicate that Casasia and Randia are not monophyletic as presently circumscribed. A taxonomic proposal is made for the recognition of the Malagasy taxon at generic level as Melanoxerus.

Melanins have important pharmacological properties with limited applications due to their poor solubility. Soluble melanins have been reported in different organisms, but not in plants. In this study, aqueous soluble melanins, Impure (IMe) and Partially Purified (PMe), were prepared from the edible pulp of fruits native to Mexico ( i.e. Vitex mollis , VM; Randia echinocarpa , RE; and Crescentia alata , CA). IMe and PMe were tested for their phenolics content (TPC), antioxidant activities (AA), α-glucosidase inhibition (αGI) and spectroscopic features (UV-Vis and IR). Melanins of VM showed the highest TPC (222.23 mg GAE/g) and AA (ABTS 2779.30 μmol TE/g; FRAP 1203.70 μmol TE/g). Purified melanins (PMe) showed better αGI than acarbose (IC 50 = 8.38 mg/mL). The spectroscopic features of IMe and PMe corresponded to melanins and solubility may be by their complexation with carbohydrates. For the first time, plant-based soluble melanins and their remarkably high antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory characteristics are presented.

Aims Elevated nitrogen (N) deposition in tropical regions may accelerate ecosystem phosphorus (P) limitation. However, it is not explicitly addressed that how changes in soil N and P availability affect foliar nutrients and photosynthesis of plants in tropical forests. In this study, we examined the effects of N and P additions on foliar nutrients and net photosynthesis of two dominant understory species, Randia canthioides (R. canthioides) and Cryptocarya concinna (C. concinna) in an N-saturated old-growth tropical forest (>400-year-old) in south ern China. Methods A full factorial NP addition experiment (2

A new species of Randia is described from a collection made by Jose C. Soto Nunez in Michoacan. It is similar to R. laevigatoides Borhidi spreading from Guerrero to Oaxaca and Chiapas, but differs from it in having bisexual flowers, leaves with obtuse to rounded base, calyx with 2 to 5 mm long linear to linear-obovate lobes, shorter corolla with green tube glabrous inside.

A new species named as Randia keniae (Gardenieae tribe) was collected in the State Oaxaca (Mexico), by Kenia Velasco Gutierrez in the framework of the collecting program of SERBO. It is related to R. hypoleuca Borhidi et E. Martinez of Michoacan and Oaxaca, but differs from it by having sessile to subsessile obovate leaves, with rounded apex and cuneate base, flowers with truncate calyx tube and without or with very short distant teeth, half as long corolla tube glabrous on both sides and rounded obovate corolla lobes. It grows in tropical deciduous forest in contact with the gallery forest of the Chuquia river. The new taxon may be an endemic one to the Flora of Mexico.

Two species was described as new ones and published in the second edition of the monograph: Rubiaceas de Mexico utilized illegitimate names, which turned to be invalid synonyms (Govaerts 2016). These are rectified in the following paper.

Randia lorenceana (Rubiaceae), a new species from the cloud forest in the state of Guerrero, Mexico, is described and illustrated. The new species is related to R. matudae, but it differs from that species in having larger stipules, peduncles and calyx lobes, smaller corolla lobes, anthers, and hypanthium in the staminate flowers, and distinctly pendulous fruits due the of the bending of the peduncles.

Decoctions of Randia nilotica Stapf. (Rubiaceae) have been used in the Nigerian traditional medicine for the management of epilepsy, anxiety, depression and psychosis for many years and their efficacies are widely acclaimed among the rural communities of Northern Nigeria.The aim of this study is to establish whether the saponins present in R. nilotica are responsible for its acclaimed beneficial effects in Nigerian traditional medicine.The behavioural properties of the saponin-rich fraction (SFRN) of R. nilotica stem bark were studied on hole-board, diazepam-induced sleep, rota-rod and beam-walking in mice. The anticonvulsant properties of SFRN were also examined on maximal electroshock, pentylenetetrazole- and strychnine-induced seizures in mice.The intraperitoneal LD₅₀ of SFRN in mice and rats were estimated to be 11.1 and 70.7 mg/kg, respectively. SFRN significantly prolonged the duration of diazepam-induced sleep; diminished head dip counts in the hole-board test and protected mice against maximal electroshock seizures. SFRN failed to protect mice against pentylenetetrazole- and strychnine-induced seizures; and had no effect on motor coordination on the rota-rod treadmill at the doses tested. SFRN significantly decreased the number of foot slips in the beam-walking assay in mice with no effect on time to reach the goal box.This study provides evidence of the psychopharmacological effects of SFRN, thus supporting further development of the psychoactive components as remedies for epilepsy.

India has rich plant diversity. The people in India are using these plants for medicinal purposes. This practice is common in other developing countries also. The drugs obtained from Different of plants are used in various traditional as well as modern Practices .The present investigation is aimed at investigating the in vitro Successive solvent extract viz., petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol, and water extracts of stem bark of Randia uliginosa. was evaluated for antibacterial activity, against four important bacterial strains S. aureus Escherichia coli, Lacto bacillus, and Enterococcus fecalis by agar-well diffusion method. All the solvent extract showed significant activity against all the tested bacteria, The antibacterial activity is more significant in solvent extracts compared to aqueous extract indicating that the active principle responsible for antibacterial activity is more soluble in organic solvents Comparison of the inhibitory activity of the extracts with the antibiotics Gentamicin revealed that methanol extracts of Randia uliginosa was significantly higher than that of the antibiotics tested. The results suggest that Randia uliginosa. Can be used as a medicament for oral infection

Three new species belonging to the genus of Randia are recognised and described by the authors of the paper. The R. colimensis is an endemic of the Volcano Colima and surroundings, vicarious of R. xalapensis Mart. et Gal. largely distributed in the Sierra Madre Oriental from Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi to Tabasco and Chiapas. R. dionisi and R. similis are strict endemics of Oaxaca, related vicarious species of R. laevigatoides Borhidi and R. loniceroides Dwyer et Lorence, respectively.

Banda Aceh as an urban area tends to have a high air temperature than its rural surroundings. A simple way to cool Banda Aceh city is by planting urban vegetation such as home gardens or parks. In addition to aesthetics, urban vegetation plays an important role as a reducer of air pollution, oxygen producer, and reducer of the heat of the environment. To create an ideal combination of plants, knowledge about the ability of plants to absorb solar radiation heat is necessary. In this study, some types of flowers commonly grown by communities around the house, such as Michelia Champaka, Saraca Asoka, Oliander, Adenium, Codiaeum Variegatum, Jas Minum Sambac, Pisonia Alba, Variegata, Apium Graveolens, Elephantopus Scaber, Randia, Cordylin.Sp, Hibiscus Rosasinensis, Agave, Lili, Amarilis, and Sesamum Indicum, were examined. The expected benefit of this research is to provide information for people, especially in Banda Aceh, on the ability of each plant relationship in absorbing heat for thermal comfort in resid...

Randia hispida K. Schum (Rubiaceae) is a medicinal plant used by the Ijaws of the Niger Delta area in the southern part of Nigeria for the treatment of inflammation and pyrexia. The plant was extracted sequentially using n-hexane, dichloromethane and 70% methanol. Acute toxicity tests of the extracts were carried out using Lorkes method [1] and LD50 of the extracts were determined for n-hexane (866.02 mg/Kg), dichloromethane (1620.19 mg/kg) and methanolic extracts (2371.7 mg/kg). The anti-inflammatory studies were carried out using xylene-induced ear oedema in mice [2, 3] and egg albumin-induced paw oedema in rats [4]. The extracts were screened at various doses; n-hexane (86.60, 173.21, and 259.81 mg/kg), dichloromethane (162.02, 324.04 and 486.06 mg/kg), and methanolic extracts (237.17, 474.34 and 711.51 mg/kg). The dichloromethane and methanolic extracts displayed equal potency at all the doses used, inhibiting induced edema at 33%, 50% and 67%, the maximum dose showed equal potency with the standard drug dexamethasone (4 mg/kg) which inhibited 67% of xylene -induced inflammation, n-hexane extract gave the least inhibition. On egg albumin induced inflammation in rats, dichloromethane extract showed maximum inhibition of 80.3%, followed by n-hexane 44.9% and methanol extract 35.4%, while the standard drug acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg/kg gave 55.6% inhibition of inflammation. Fractionation of the dichloromethane extract over silica gel column chromatography and purification using sephadex LH-20 led to the isolation of two triterpenoids: lupenol and an a triterpene acid [5], the structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic techniques. References: 1. Lorke, D (1993). A new approach to Practical acute toxicity testing. Arch. of Toxicol 54,275 – 287; 2. Abimboal, S; Femi Samuel et al (2013). Journ of Ethnopharmacol 149,191 – 194; 3 Henriques; MG et al, (1997). Mouse paw edema, a new model for inflammation. Braz Journ of Med, boil. Res. 20,243 – 249; 4. Nunez Guillen et al (1997) Journ of Pharmacog 35,99 – 101; 5. Shashi Mahato and Sucharita Sen (1997) Advances in Triterpenoid Research 1990 – 1994. Phytochem 44(5), 1185 – 1236

Randia brevituba is a new species of the Paranean region of Argentina and Paraguay. It differs from the closest species, R. ferox, which is sympatric, in having short corolla tubes of 4.7‐5.4 mm in the pistillate flowers and 2.8‐7.9 mm in the staminate flowers, calyx lobes varying in shape and size in the same pistillate flower, and globose fruits 14‐17 mm long (versus corolla tubes of 25.0‐27.0 and 22.6‐34.0 mm long, respectively, calyx lobes equal in shape and size, and fruit 3‐5 cm and ovoid, ellipsoid or subglobose in R. ferox). We also discuss the taxonomic concept and geographic distribution of Randia armata, and conclude that it is markedly different from R. brevituba and the other species in the Southern Cone studied here, and moreover, that it does not occur in the Southern Cone. We provide a taxonomic key to distinguish the new species from other species of Randia in the Southern Cone of America. Fil: Judkevich, Marina Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; Argentina Fil: Salas, Roberto Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; Argentina Fil: Keller, Hector Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; Argentina

Three new spiny species of the genus Randia (Gardenieae, Rubiaceae) were collected in the dry areas of the states Oaxaca and Michoacan, named R. hypoleuca, in Puebla (R. pueblensis) and in Veracruz (R. veracruzana) living in dry thickets and dry deciduous forests. Randia alvarocamposii is a new name for replacing the older homonym R. horrida 2007. With these new species Randia is represented by 52 species in the flora of Mexico.

We studied wood and bark anatomy of six (Deppea, Hamelia, Hoffmannia, Omiltemia, Pinarophyllon, and Plocaniophyllon) of the seven genera of the tribe Hamelieae sensu Robbrecht, and Syringantha with as main purposes to determine if there are characters that support the boundaries of the Hamelieae, to evaluate the status of Syringantha as a member of the Hamelieae, and to evaluate the taxonomic position of Hamelieae within the subfamilies Rubioideae or Cinchonoideae. In addition, we studied for comparative purposes representative species of Psychotria (Psychotrieae, Rubioideae), Exostema, and Hintonia (Portlandia group, Cinchonoideae), Randia (Gardenieae, Ixoroideae), and Bouvardia (incertae sedis). Bark of most genera studied had a single periderm, while a rhytidome was observed in Exostema and few species of Psychotria. The mineral inclusions allowed recognizing related genera, for example, raphides in Hamelieae and Psychotria, prisms in Exostema, and druses in Randia. Members of Hamelieae showed wood type II, distinctive by the occurrence of libriform septate fibres, vessels in radial multiples of 2–6 vessels (80–90%, vessel grouping index 1.79–2.74), and diffuse apotracheal parenchyma. Syringantha shares with members of Hamelieae the presence of an endodermis, raphides in the bark, and wood type II. The combination of other wood characters mainly lend quantitative support to the taxonomic delimitation of some genera within Hamelieae. Raphides and wood type II supported a close relationship between Hamelieae and Hillieae within Cinchonoideae; characters that distinguish them from the other members of Cinchonoideae. Our results suggest independent origins of wood type II within the Rubiaceae. In addition, vessel density and diameter are discussed as possible adaptations to the different forest types where members of Hamelieae occur.

Two microphyllous Randia species have been collected and recognised in the southern semi-arid mountainous belt of the Oaxaca state. Randia pascualii is a vicarious species of R. canescens Greenm., R. brachysiphon is an extremely small flowered, hairy relative of the R. aculeata -complex.

Ramosmania (from Rodrigues Island, Mauritius), recently described by Tirvengadum & Verdcourt as a genus of uncertain position, is here shown to belong to the tribe Hypobathreae (subtr. Hypobathrinae). It is related to Morindopsis Hook. f. Two other rubiaceous genera previously placed in the tribe Gardenieae, viz. Para-genipa Baillon, from the Seychelles, and Nargedia Beddome, from Sri Lanka, are also shown to belong to the tribe Hypobathreae. Paragenipa cervorum Baillon being conspecific with Randia lancifolia, (Boj. ex Bak.) Hemsl. the new combination Paragenipa lancifolia is made. From the anatomical point of view, Paragenipa is interesting on account of its remarkable seed-coat (exotesta with several layers of fibres), unusual in most Rubiaceae. Nargedia is the first representative of the subtribe Lamprothamninae outside Africa.

Twenty extracts from plants from Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve, Morelos, Mexico were evaluated againstHaemonchus contortusinfective larvae in anin vitroassay. The plant species evaluated wereBursera copallifera,B. grandifolia,Lippia graveolens,Passiflora mexicana,Prosopis laevigata,Randia echinocarpaandUrtica dioica. The plants were separated into their parts and macerated with different solvents (n-hexane, acetone, ethanol and methanol). Anin vitroassay was used to evaluate the anthelmintic activity against unsheathed third stageH. contortusinfective larvae. The experiment was carried out in 24-well cell culture plates at room temperature with three replicates per treatment and using a concentration of 20 mg ml− 1. Ten 5 μl aliquots were taken from the corresponding wells and deposited on a slide for microscopical observation at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post-exposure. The evaluation criteria were based on the average numbers of live and/or dead larvae in the different treatments. Alive and dead larval numbers were statistically analysed through the ANOVA test (P>0.01). The Tukey test was used as a complementary tool to determine which treatment was different from the other treatments (P>0.05). The highest mortality was observed withP. laevigatahexanic extract from stem and leaves combined, which produced 51%, 81% and 86% larval mortality at 24, 48 and 72 h post-exposure, respectively. On the other hand,B. copalliferastem acetonic extract exhibited 18%, 59% and 66% nematicidal activity after 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure, respectively.

The present study was designed to evaluate the phytochemical, antimicrobial, antidiarroheal, anthelminthic activity of methanol, chloroform and petroleum ether extract of whole plant of Randia uliginosa Retz. (Family- Rubiaceae) by in vivo and in vitro test. Different crude extracts of Randia uliginosa Retz. have been shown to possess phytoconstituents including carbohydrates, alkaloid, glycosides, steroids, tannins and saponin. Concentration 50 mg/mL of methanol extract showed maximum anthelminthic activity which is comparable to the standard (Piperazine Citrate, 10 mg/mL). Methanol extract of R. uliginosa at a dose of 30 μL/disc showed maximum antimicrobial activity. Significant (p

RESUMO Uma nova espécie de Rubiaceae para a Floresta Atlântica do estado do Rio de Janeiro é descrita e ilustrada baseada em recentes coleções procedentes do Parque Nacional do Itatiaia.

Phylogenetic relationships among some Randia (Rubiaceae, Gardenieae) taxa were estimated based on sequence variation in the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and rps 16 intron (cpDNA). During the investigation of rpsl6 intron of 9 studied Central American Randia species, two well supported subclades were separated. Analysis of ITS data of 16 Randia species shows 3 major clades. A group of mainly lowland, South American Randia species is moderate supported (75%). Species from Mexico form a strongly supported (97%) clade, but the Central American and Mexican Randia species are low supported (58%). However the last two groups are well supported together (95%). The molecular delimination is well in line with the size of leaves combined with the texture of exocarp.