Plants

This study presents a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on four DNA regions (plastid matK, trnL-trnF, and rps16 and nuclear ribosomal ITS) for Ctenanthe, Saranthe and Stromanthe, encompassing nearly 70% of species in these genera. Given this extensive sampling, we assess the monophyly of these genera and evaluate whether key morphological traits can serve as diagnostic characters (synapomorphies). For the first time, we included Stromanthe bahiensis, an unusual species that differs from all congeneric species in its elongate petioles and relatively long, pendulous, hirsute synflorescences. Our findings reveal S. bahiensis as sister to the rest of the group. The evolution of key morphological traits (organization of the aerial shoot system, rachis flexuosity, spathe compactness and cymule type) were estimated to be complex, with none exhibiting consistent diagnostic utility. Given that these traits were among the main reasons S. bahiensis was described under Stromanthe, our ancestral state reconstruction, coupled with its phylogenetic position, justifies recognition of a new genus, Dolichopoda. Our findings suggest that morphological evolution in the group may have been shaped by convergence, parallelisms and reversals, which may partially explain the high morphological overlap observed among genera. This realignment not only resolves phylogenetic inconsistencies but also facilitates more accurate biogeographic and ecological inferences. Additionally, we transfer Ctenanthe dasycarpa to Stromanthe to make Ctenanthe and Stromanthe mutually monophyletic.

Astragalus species are characterized by rich active compounds, mainly polysaccharides, saponins, and polyphenols, with various important bioactivities, such as antioxidant, antitumor, anti-diabetes, antiviral, etc. In this study, the chemical profiles of ethanol, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane extracts from different parts (leaves, flowers, and roots) of two endemic Astragalus species growing in Türkiye, i.e., A. strictispinus and A. macrocephalus subsp. finitimus were determined, along with their antioxidant, anti-enzymatic, and antibacterial properties. According to the results, naringenin and apigenin were identified as two common phenolic compounds of both Astragalus species, while only ethanol extracts of the roots and leaves and ethyl acetate extracts of flowers of A. strictispinis exhibited a low level of antioxidant activity (5–16%). Moreover, AChE and BChE inhibitory activities were higher in the ethyl acetate extract of A. macrocephalus subsp. finitimus leaves, while all leaf extracts of the analyzed Astragalus species, except dichloromethane extract of A. strictispinus, exhibited antibacterial activity against S. aureus. In conclusion, this study provides detailed information that may serve as the scientific basis for the use of Astragalus species as sources of bioactive compounds with multiple functions in the nutraceutical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.

Growth regulatory factors (GRFs) are sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors that play pivotal roles in regulating plant growth and development, and in enhancing plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Although genome-wide structural and evolutionary studies have mapped and analyzed GRF genes in different plant species, knowledge of their characteristics and functions in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) remains limited. In this study, we used bioinformatics analyses and transgenic experiments to systematically analyze the structure and function of these genes. A total of 17 HaGRF genes were identified and classified into four distinct clades, with members of the same clade sharing conserved exon-intron structures and domain architectures. All HaGRFs were predicted to localize to the nucleus, which was experimentally verified for HaGRF2c, HaGRF3, and HaGRF8c. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated tissue-specific expression and stress-responsive profiles among the HaGRF genes. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that several HaGRF genes were significantly induced under polyethylene glycol and NaCl stress. Additionally, ectopic expression of HaGRF2c in Arabidopsis enhanced growth and conferred greater drought tolerance, supporting its dual functions in regulating growth and in adapting to stress. In summary, this research elucidates the evolutionary relationships, conserved structural characteristics, expression patterns, and roles of the HaGRF gene family in sunflowers. These findings not only deepen our understanding of the biological functions of GRF transcription factors in sunflowers but also provide valuable candidate genes for improving yield and stress resistance in H. annuus.