Search results for "Zygophyllaceae"
showing 5 items of 5 documents
A combination of dichogamy and herkogamy mediates reproductive success in the desert shrub Zygophyllum fabago
2020
Abstract Zygophyllum fabago is a species within the arid-adapted family Zygophyllaceae. The species is characterized by the co-occurrence of dichogamy and herkogamy. In order to understand the effect of these two complementary anti-selfing mechanisms in reproductive success, we conducted a detailed study of floral biology in Z. fabago. Our results indicated an incomplete separation of the female and male phases which is referred to as partial dichogamy. We found two floral morphs with distinct stigma position: the Central-morph (C-morph) and the Lateral-morph (L-morph). The stigma-stamen distance in the L-morph was significantly larger than in the C-morph in early, mid, and late male stages…
Evolution of leaf anatomy in arid environments – A case study in southern African Tetraena and Roepera (Zygophyllaceae)
2015
The dry biomes of southern Africa (Desert, Nama Karoo and Succulent Karoo) are home to a rich and diverse xerophytic flora. This flora includes two morphologically diverse clades of Zygophyllaceae, Tetraena and Roepera (Zygophylloideae), which inhabit some of the most arid habitats in the region. Using a plastid phylogeny of Zygophylloideae we assess whether the evolution of putatively adaptive traits (leaf shape, vasculature, mode of water storage and photosynthetic type: C3 versus C4) coincides with the successful colonisation of environments with different drought regimes within southern Africa. Our results show general niche conservatism within arid habitats in Tetraena, but niche shift…
Nectar protection in arid-adapted flowers of Zygophyllaceae-Zygophylloideae
2018
Abstract The survival of plants in arid areas depends on efficient adaptation to extreme environments. The protection against nectar loss is an important challenge for flowers in arid environments. Flowers of arid-adapted Zygophyllaceae subfamily Zygophylloideae are characterized by a peculiar structure called staminal scales (SS). The special arrangement of SS around the perigynous disc nectary (DN) suggests their adaptive function for protection against nectar loss. We aim to test the protective function of SS and to understand the synorganised evolution of SS and DN in relation to nectar protection. We, first, manipulate flowers by removal of SS in two representatives of Zygophylloideae.…
Variation in leaf anatomical traits relates to the evolution of C4 photosynthesis in Tribuloideae (Zygophyllaceae)
2019
Abstract Tribuloideae (Zygophyllaceae, Zygophyllales) is a warm-climate clade of mostly creeping herbs with an uncertain number of C4 species from at least two genera, raising the possibility of multiple C4 origins within this lineage. To delineate C3 and C4 distributions within Tribuloideae, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis using four genetic markers from 78 accessions of Tribuloideae. δ13C values from 68 Tribuloideae members detected 42 C4 species in the genera Kallstroemia, Tribulopis and Tribulus, and no C4 in Balanites, Neoluederitzia, and Sisyndite. All Kallstroemia are C4, while Tribulopis and Tribulus include C3 species. Two independent C4 origins are supported, one in Tribulus …
Quality and Efficacy of Tribulus terrestris as an Ingredient for Dermatological Formulations
2013
Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae) is an annual plant commonly known as Puncture vine. It is dramatically gaining interest as a rich source of saponins. T. terrestris is a promising ingredient for many industries and recent patents on dermatological applications support the use of this plant for cosmetics and hygiene. Nonetheless problems arise in the selection of the material to be used. The extracts of different origins may differ substantially. Natural speciation processes normally influence ‘variations’ in wild-crafted medicinal plants. The genus Tribulus is emblematic. Taxonomic status of T. terrestris is complicated by the wide geographical distribution leading to high levels of…