Search Results (101)

Allium aralii Balos, Köse & Sonay sp. nov. (Amaryllidaceae, sect. Codonoprasum) is described as a new species from southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye. The species is morphologically distinguished from its closest relatives—A. euphraticum, A. turcicum subsp. turcicum, A. turcicum subsp. fusciflorum, and A. yilandaghense—by a unique combination of characters: blackish outer bulb tunics, semi-cylindrical solid leaves exceeding the inflorescence, an extremely long persistent two-valved spathe (4.5–28.0 cm), a lax hemispherical inflorescence (3–4 cm diam., 10–70 flowers), a goblet-shaped perigon with dentate inner tepals, exserted bicolored stamens (white at base and apex, purple in the middle), a reticulate-foveate ovary, and verrucate seed ornamentation with undulate anticlinal walls. Seed micromorphology examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) further supports species delimitation. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ITS and chloroplast matK sequences place A. aralii within a well-supported clade containing A. turcicum and allied species, corresponding to the eastern Mediterranean lineage of sect. Codonoprasum. ITS genetic distances between A. aralii and its morphologically closest relatives range 0.0632, falling within the typical interspecific range for Allium. The species is known from a single locality in Bozova district (Şanlıurfa) with fewer than 100 mature individuals and is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN criteria. This discovery highlights southeastern Anatolia as an underexplored center of Allium diversification and underscores the importance of integrative taxonomy for species delimitation within this taxonomically complex group. Full article

Bessera elegans (Asparagaceae) is an endemic Mexican species that is traditionally valued for ornamental purposes and locally reported medicinal uses, yet it remains largely underexplored from phytochemical and biological perspectives. The identification of bioactive secondary metabolites from under-investigated plant species is a key step toward developing plant-derived compounds with potential biotechnological applications. Therefore, in this context, we compile and critically analyze the available information on the botany, phytochemistry, and reported cytotoxic and insecticidal activities of B. elegans. Phytochemical studies, mainly focused on the bulbs, have led to the isolation of steroidal glycosides, homoisoflavonoids, flavonoids, and norlignans. Several of these compounds exhibit cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines, including leukemia and lung adenocarcinoma models. More recent investigations of flower extracts have revealed additional classes of secondary metabolites and preliminary insecticidal activity, highlighting the species’ chemical diversity. Although the current biological evidence remains limited, the reported cytotoxic and insecticidal effects provide a biochemical basis supporting the relevance of B. elegans as a potential source of plant-derived bioactive compounds. This review highlights existing knowledge gaps and emphasizes the need for further phytochemical and biological studies to support future biotechnological applications of metabolites from underexplored endemic plant species. Full article

Modern botanical gardens are essential for conservation, research, education, and recreation. However, recreating habitats with extreme edaphic conditions, such as the Iberian gypsum steppes (priority habitat 1520), poses a significant challenge due to the severe physicochemical constraints of gypsisols. This work aimed to present and evaluate a biomimetic protocol for establishing two gypsum botanical gardens in the southeast Iberian Peninsula, one on a university campus and one at a mining concession, to fulfil all four prototypical functions. The design was biomimetic, replicating the floristic (Gypsophiletalia scrublands) and edaphic characteristics of natural gypsum areas. Crucially, gypsum-milling waste (fines) from the mining operation was repurposed as the main substrate to create the artificial gypsisols. Physicochemical analyses confirmed this strategy effectively replicated the key chemical properties of natural gypsisols, including high CaSO₄ concentration, pH, and electrical conductivity, although the artificial soils displayed the low carbon and nitrogen content typical of disturbed gypsum soils. The gardens successfully fulfilled their conservation role by maintaining populations of endemic and threatened gypsophilous species, which flowered and set fruit. The industrial garden validated a research function by serving as a platform for the successful translocation of threatened Narcissus tortifolius bulbs. This project validates a replicable, biomimetic technical protocol that transforms a mining residue into a functional substrate for conservation. The dual model (academic/industrial) maximizes the botanical garden’s functions, offering an effective and highly visible strategy for conserving gypsum biodiversity and countering the social undervaluation of these extreme ecosystems. Full article

Lilies (Lilium spp.) are highly valued in China for their edible and medicinal properties; however, bitterness in certain varieties limits consumer acceptance. Although historically attributed to colchicine, the presence of alkaloids in lilies remains a subject of debate. This research screened five lily species for colchicine and its 15 biosynthetic precursors, using Gloriosa superba and Colchicum autumnale as positive controls. While detected in the controls, none were detected in any tissues (bulbs, roots, stems, flowers, and leaves) of the five lilies. A comparative analysis of five lily varieties—Longyahong, Lanzhou, Lilium lancifolium, Longya, and Guiyanghong—revealed that Longyahong exhibited the strongest bitterness, which was localized exclusively in the bulb peels. Based on comparative LC-MS profiling between bitter and non-bitter varieties, three high-abundance compounds were selected for isolation and subsequent sensory evaluation. Two monomeric compounds were isolated and confirmed via chromatographic methods as the primary bitter components. This study provides compelling chemical and biochemical evidence of the presence of colchicine in the examined lilies. By identifying two specific bitter components in Longyahong bulb peels, these findings refute the long-standing misconception regarding colchicine in lilies and provide a chemical foundation for improving the palatability and commercial value of bitter lily varieties. Full article

Lilium is one of the most valuable cut flowers in the world. Today, due to the global water crisis, the agricultural challenge is to modify cultivation patterns to reduce water requirements by plants. This research was conducted to optimize soilless cultivation systems and nutritional demands to improve morpho-physiological parameters of Oriental × Trumpet (Orienpet; OT) hybrid lily. Four soilless cultivation systems (aeroponic, ultrasonic, hydroponic in pots, and hydroponic in containers) were evaluated using three nutrient solutions (NS1, NS2, NS3), considering two variables: the ratio of ammonium to total nitrogen (0.1, 0.15, and 0.2) and the ratio of calcium to total cations (0.3, 0.5, and 0.7). A factorial experiment was used, arranged as a randomized complete block design. Plants grown in the hydroponic (pot) system treated with nutrient solution NS1 showed favorable and consistent results. Additionally, results revealed that the amount of malondialdehyde and, accordingly, the aging process were lower in the bulbs treated by NS3. Therefore, in addition to NS1, NS3 is also recommended for lily cultivation in the hydroponic (pot) system. Considering that photosynthetic performance improved with increasing ammonium in the nutrient solution of the ultrasonic system, it seems that the lily is an ammonium-feeding plant. However, this issue requires further evaluation. Full article

This study examines the morphological growth and metabolic responses of two Camassia leichtlinii cultivars, ‘Alba’ and ‘Caerulea’, cultivated under three contrasting systems: open field, outdoor pots, and greenhouse (indoor pots). Morphological parameters, including leaf number, scape development, and bulb biometric traits, were assessed over two consecutive growth seasons. Parallel GC–MS metabolite profiling identified 38 major compounds encompassing sugars, fatty acids, amino acids, and organic acids. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering (HCA) effectively discriminated samples by cultivation condition, cultivar, and plant maturity. Environmental factors accounted for the largest share of metabolic variation (61%), followed by genotype (28%) and plant age (6%). The cultivar ‘Caerulea’ exhibited greater biomass accumulation and broader metabolic variability under greenhouse conditions, while ‘Alba’ maintained consistently high sucrose and glutamine levels across environments. Notably, the greenhouse environment, although strongly promoting primary metabolite accumulation, suppressed scape initiation and flowering in both cultivars, indicating a trade-off between metabolic enhancement and reproductive development under controlled conditions. These findings highlight differential adaptive strategies among Camassia cultivars and provide molecular insights into their carbohydrate metabolism, environmental responsiveness, and potential nutritional and phytochemical applications under diverse horticultural conditions. Full article

Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.), a short-day plant commonly cultivated as a cut flower, depends on proper lighting management to obtain long stems and higher commercial value. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effect of modifying the light spectrum through the installation of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and the use of colored shade nets on the production and quality of Canada goldenrod stems. The treatments used were colored shade nets and different LED lighting treatments. Production per plant and productivity per square meter were determined. Twenty stems were selected and evaluated for: stem length; inflorescence length and width; number of floral ramets per inflorescence; number of leaves; stem base diameter (mm); and fresh stem biomass (g). Canada goldenrod plants require an extension of the light period with artificial lighting to produce higher-quality stems, regardless of whether the bulbs emit red or white light. The use of nets with 50% red and white shading promoted higher production and elongation of Canada goldenrod stems, with a production that reached up to 4.2 floral stems per plant and 100.3 floral stems per square meter using the red shade net and white LED. These floral stems were of high commercial standard, with a length of up to 81.35 cm with the red shade net and red LED, and were 31 cm in diameter for the inflorescences, approximately, under black or white shade nets and white or red LEDs. More robust floral stems with greater biomass were observed using any shade net color and LED lamps. Full article

Lily (Lilium spp.) is a perennial ornamental plant valued for its striking ornamental value and the edible and medicinal properties of its bulbs. Compared to other lilies, Oriental lilies are characterized by their large flowers and strong fragrance, making them one of the most popular types of lilies on the market. It is important to identify optimal parts of lily bulbs for rapid propagation of tissue culture seedlings. In this study, bulb scales of the Oriental lily ‘Pacific Ocean’ were used to explore the optimal parts for the tissue culture bulb induction. After 30 days of inoculation of lily scales in the induction medium, our results showed that Middle Central regions of the Inner layer scales (MCI) had the highest induction rate of 90.27 % among all regions from all layers of scales. In scales of all layers, the basal parts had the best longitudinal induction effects, followed by the middle and apical parts. Among all layers, the inner layers also had the lowest rates of contaminations. When taking both induction rate and contamination rate into account, MCI also represents the best choice among all compared parts. In summary, our results formed a practical guide for large-scale propagation of Oriental lily using tissue culture seedlings. Full article

Narcissus species have been cultivated for centuries around the world and are mainly used as cut flowers. Although the bulbs of these species have been widely examined as sources of alkaloids and biological activity, the leaves have been understudied. In the present study alkaloid fractions of leaves from Narcissus pseudonarcissus cv. Carlton and N. poeticus L. were evaluated for inhibitory activity against seed germination of Lolium perenne L. and Trifolium pratense L. Separately, the metabolic profiles from seedlings of the target species were analyzed after treatment with a lycorine solution. The composition of methanolic extracts from seedlings and alkaloid fractions of Narcissus leaves were determined using GC/MS. The N. pseudonarcissus alkaloid fraction was more active than that of N. poeticus. Complete inhibitory activity of the alkaloid fraction was established at a concentration of 1 or 2 mg/mL, depending on the target species. Lycoramine and galanthine were identified as the main alkaloids of N. pseudonarcissus. 8-O-Demethylmaritidine, maritidine and homolycorine were found to be the predominant alkaloids of N. poeticus. Increased accumulation of some amino acids, saccharides and polyols, indicating protein synthesis inhibition, was the most common response of target species seedlings treated with 0.17 µM lycorine. The results showed the promising potential of alkaloid fractions from the leaves of Narcissus species as seed germination inhibitors. The study contributes to full utilization of the resources of these species and presents, to our knowledge, for the first time data on changes in the metabolic profiles of L. perenne and T. pratense seedlings after treatment with lycorine. Full article

The current study investigates the chemical profiling, antioxidant activities, and enzyme inhibitory and cytotoxic potential of the water and methanolic extracts of different parts (flower, leaf, and bulb) of Muscari armeniacum. Chemical profiling was performed using UHPLC-MS/MS. At the same time, different in vitro assays were employed to support the results for antioxidant potential, such as DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, metal chelation, and PBD, along with the measurement of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Enzyme inhibition was investigated for cholinesterase (AChE and BChE), α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase enzymes. Additionally, the relative expression of NRF2, HMOX1, and YGS was evaluated by qPCR. LC-MS/MS analysis indicated the presence of some significant compounds, including apigenin, muscaroside, hyacinthacine A, B, and C, and luteolin. According to the results, the highest TPC and TFC were obtained with both extracts of the leaves, followed by the water extract (flower) and methanolic extract of the bulb. In contrast, the methanolic extract from the bulb exhibited the highest antioxidant potential using DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, and FRAP, followed by the extracts of leaves. In contrast, the leaf extracts had the highest values for the PBD assay and maximum chelation ability compared to other tested extracts. According to the enzyme inhibition studies, the methanolic extract from the bulb appeared to be the most potent inhibitor for all the tested enzymes, with the highest values obtained for AChE (1.96 ± 0.05), BChE (2.19 ± 0.33), α-amylase (0.56 ± 0.02), α-glucosidase (2.32 ± 0.01), and tyrosinase (57.19 ± 0.87). Interestingly, the water extract from the bulb did not inhibit most of the tested enzymes. The relative expression of NRF2 based on qPCR analysis was considerably greater in the flower methanol extract compared to the other extracts (p < 0.05). The relative expression of HMOX1 was stable in all the extracts, whereas YGS expression remained stable in all the treatments and had no statistical differences. The current results indicate that the components of M. armeniacum (leaves, flowers, and bulb) may be a useful source of natural bioactive compounds that are effective against oxidative stress-related conditions, including hyperglycemia, skin disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. Complementary in silico approaches, including molecular docking, dynamics simulations, and transcription factor (TF) network analysis for NFE2L2, supported the experimental findings and suggested possible multi-target interactions for the selected compounds. Full article

Bulb rot is one of the most destructive diseases of tulip (Tulipa gesneriana L.). In November 2022, rotten tulip bulbs and terminal buds were found in Songjiang District, Shanghai, China. Fungal isolates were isolated from the rotten bulbs and identified as Fusarium based on colony morphology and ITS sequences. Further analyses of tef1, rpb1, and rpb2 barcoding sequences and conidial micromorphology identified the Fusarium isolates as F. annulatum. The pathogenicity of the F. annulatum isolates was verified with Koch’s postulates. This is the first report of F. annulatum causing bulb rot disease of tulip. Full article

This study aims to construct essential information on the pests attacking Cnidium officinale Makino, which is one of the most important medicinal plants in Korea and neighboring countries. Based on the current survey, a total of 12 species were identified, including three above-ground pests attacking flowers, leaves, and stems, as well as ten soil pests attacking roots. In the vertical distribution of damaged roots, the dominant species is bulb mite (Rhizoglyphus robini) followed by onion maggot (Delia antiqua). Based on this study and the previous literature, the total number of species of pests reported to attack C. officinale is 36, including 3 on flowers, 16 on leaves, 6 on stems, and 11 on roots. We also investigated and compiled a list of natural enemies based on all available information and the current study, totaling 14 species. Parasitus sp., Macrocheles glaber, and Smicroplectrus sp. were identified as candidate natural enemies of root pests. Full article

Lilium brownii var. viridulum (Longya lily) is a widely used medicinal and culinary plant in China that is valued for its potential applications and development opportunities. The bulbs of Longya lily contain a variety of active components; volatile oil, as one of the main biologically active compounds, has been widely studied, and the stems, leaves, and flowers of Longya lily are also rich in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and related pharmacological effects, but the horizontal comparison of different organs of lily plants is lacking. In order to promote the sustainable development of resources, the composition characteristics and differences of bulbs, stems, leaves, and flowers, as well as two crop management methods (bud-removal and non-bud-removal), were comprehensively studied by GC-IMS technology in this study. Additionally, multivariate statistical analyses were used to identify the key components responsible for the observed differences among the plant organs and treatments. The research identified a total of 93 volatile organic compounds in Longya lily samples, primarily consisting of aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, and esters. If the VOCs of Longya lily are to be used as raw materials, it is advisable to choose flowers and leaves with a higher concentration of these components for harvesting. Notably, bulbs that were non-bud-removal exhibited a greater total content of volatile flavor substances compared to those that were treated with bud removal, with hexanal-D and (E)-2-hexenal-D being the most prevalent volatile organic compounds. This study provided theoretical support for the harvesting parts and crop management methods of Longya lily based on volatile organic compounds and promoted the high-quality development of the Longya lily industry. Full article

Dormancy release is an important process for improving the quality of cut-flower lily production and promoting the factory production of lily bulbs. However, the regulatory mechanisms of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes during the dormancy release of lily remain elusive. Anatomy, transcriptomic, molecular biology, and transient transformation techniques involving subcellular localization were applied in our study. There were significant results showing that 0.1 mM riboflavin promoted dormancy release and floral bud differentiation and influenced the flowering time of the Lilium ‘Siberia’. Moreover, some differentially expressed miRNAs and their targets (miR395-y: LoAPS1, miR529-z: LoSPL14, miR396-y: LoCFDP1, miR1863-z: LoFBA3, miR399-y: LoDIT1, and miR11525-z: Lopgm) were identified and predicted. Exogenous riboflavin may activate primary metabolic processes and promote dormancy release in Lilium ‘Siberia’ bulbs. Furthermore, riboflavin upregulated genes related to the riboflavin pathway, H3K4me3 methylation, dormancy control, and the flowering pathway and downregulated dormancy maintenance genes. Moreover, riboflavin promoted endogenous riboflavin and acetyl-CoA accumulation. LoPurple acid phosphatase17 (LoPAP17), a pivotal gene of the riboflavin metabolism pathway, was subsequently cloned. LoPAP17 was most closely related to the orthologous genes of Acorus calamus, Asparagus officinalis, and Musa acuminata. The LoPAP17 protein was subcellularly located in the nucleus. Our study revealed that miRNAs and their target genes might regulate the primary metabolic pathway, promote the accumulation of endogenous riboflavin and acetyl-CoA, and affect protein acetylation during the riboflavin-promoted release of dormancy and flower bud differentiation in the Lilium Oriental hybrid ‘Siberia’. Full article

The lily is a globally popular cut flower, and managing dormancy in lily bulblets is essential for continuous, year-round production. While nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to influence seed dormancy and germination, its role in dormancy release in lilies was previously unconfirmed. In this study, we investigated the effects of NO on dormancy release in lily bulblets using SNP and c-PTIO. Results showed that SNP treatment promoted dormancy release, while c-PTIO inhibited it. Measurement of endogenous NO levels in the bulbs, along with enzyme activities of NOS-like and NR and gene expression levels of LoNOS-IP and LoNR, confirmed that NO plays a role in promoting dormancy release in lilies. To further elucidate the physiological mechanisms involved, we analyzed H₂O₂ levels, antioxidant enzyme activities, endogenous hormone levels, and carbohydrate metabolism in the bulbs. Findings demonstrated that NO facilitated dormancy release by increasing H₂O₂, gibberellins (GAs), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), zeatin riboside (ZR), reducing sugars, and by accelerating the metabolism of abscisic acid (ABA) and starch. This study provides a foundation for deeper investigation into the mechanisms underlying dormancy release in lily bulbs. Full article