Search results for "botany"

Composition and biological activities of the essential oil from a Sicilian accession of Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl

2019

Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl. (Fam. Apiaceae), is an orophilous species of eastern Mediterranean and western Asia which possesses several biological properties, which are worthy of exploitation in different fields. With the aim to provide new insights into the phytochemistry and pharmacology of this species, a local accession growing in Sicily (South Italy) was investigated as well. Notably, the P. ferulacea essential oil chemical composition and the antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cytotoxic activities have been studied. This analysis allowed to identify a new chemotype and to report good biological results for this oil. © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & F…

Structural analysis of oleanane-type saponins from the roots of Wisteria frutescens

2016

Typification of Dioscorea communis and its synonym Tamus communis var. subtriloba (Dioscoreaceae)

2016

The typification of Dioscorea communis (≡ Tamus communis, Dioscoreaceae) is discussed. The designation of the nomenclatural type is based on the consultation of Linnaeus’s original material preserved at LINN, the Clifford Herbarium at BM, the Herbarium Joachim Burser at UPS, and the literature cited in the protologue. The name is lectotypified using a herbarium sheet preserved at LINN. A lectotype is also selected for the name Tamus communis var. subtriloba, from a specimen preserved at the Gussone’s herbarium at NAP.

Dithiodiketopiperazine derivatives from endophytic fungi Trichoderma harzianum and Epicoccum nigrum

2021

A new epidithiodiketopiperazine (ETP), pretrichodermamide G (1), along with three known (epi)dithiodiketopiparazines (2-4) were isolated from cultures of Trichoderma harzianum and Epicoccum nigrum, endophytic fungi associated with medicinal plants Zingiber officinale and Salix sp., respectively. The structure of the new compound (1) was established on the basis of spectroscopic data, including 1D/2D NMR and HRESIMS. The isolated compounds were investigated for their antifungal, antibacterial and cytotoxic potential against a panel of microorganisms and cell lines. Pretrichodermamide A (2) displayed antimicrobial activity towards the plant pathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis and the human path…

Effects of Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis essential oils on Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

2013

Laboratory trials were carried out to characterize Rosmarinus officinal and Salvia officinalis essential oils and to evaluate their pesticidal activities against Tetranychus urticae. Slide-dip and leaf-disk bioassays were employed to study the mortality caused by these plant oils on two-spotted spiders. Different dilutions of both essential oils (0.10-0.25%, v/v) caused acute contact toxicity, although the sage extract showed greater acaricidal activity than rosemary oil. Mortality rates of 95-100% were observed at all the sage oil dosages and when rosemary emulsions contained at least 0.20% of essential oil. In the residual contact experiments (leaf-disk assays), 0.15-0.25% of sage oil or …

Thilachium madagascariense (Capparaceae), a new species from eastern Madagascar with a key to the species of the genus

2021

SummaryThilachium madagascariense Fici, a small tree characterised by 1-foliolate leaves with articulate petioles, leaf blades elliptic or narrowly obovate with base attenuate and apex acuminate, flowers in groups of 2 – 3 at the top of lateral twigs and a high number of stamens, is described and illustrated from forest habitats of eastern Madagascar. The new species is similar to T. laurifolium Baker, a species endemic to central and eastern Madagascar, differing in the longer leaves with acuminate apex, flowers conferted at the top of lateral twigs, shorter pedicels, higher number of stamens and shorter gynophore. Its affinities are discussed and an updated key is provided for all the spe…

A peculiar new Orthotrichum species (Orthotrichaceae, Bryopsida) from central Argentina

2007

A new epiphytic Orthotrichum species (Orthotrichum spiculatum F. Lara, Garilleti & Mazimpaka sp. nov.) is described from the sierra of Cordoba (Argentina). The new species has most of the characteristics of subgenus Pulchella (Schimp.) Vitt, but it is unique because of having eight exostome teeth pairs and 16 broad, strongly papillose endostome segments. Additionally, its upper leaves have green, acuminate, dentate–spiculate apices. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 155, 477–482.

Fungal root endophyte associations of plants endemic to the Pamir Alay Mountains of Central Asia.

2011

The fungal root endophyte associations of 16 species from 12 families of plants endemic to the Pamir Alay Mountains of Central Asia are presented. The plants and soil samples were collected in Zeravshan and Hissar ranges within the central Pamir Alay mountain system. Colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was found in 15 plant species; in 8 species it was of the Arum type and in 4 of the Paris type, while 3 taxa revealed intermediate arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) morphology. AMF colonization was found to be absent only in Matthiola integrifolia, the representative of the Brassicaceae family. The AM status and morphology are reported for the first time for all the species analyzed a…

Feeding strategy of the sacoglossan opisthobranch Oxynoe olivacea on the tropical green alga Caulerpa taxifolia.

2007

The feeding behaviour of the shelled sacoglossan Oxynoe olivacea was investigated to better understand the role and importance of this species in influencing encroachments of the alien alga Caulerpa taxifolia in the Mediterranean sea. We tested whether this slug preferred, as preliminary field observations suggested, an aggregative feeding behaviour and which part of the algal thallus, phylloid vs rhizoid, it preferred. Results showed that O. olivacea fed in groups and actively selected phylloid. This outcome poses important questions regarding the possibility that this species, fragmenting the alga thallus, could enhance dispersion and regeneration of C. taxifolia.

Phytotoxic effects of Lantana camara, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eriocephalus africanus essential oils in weeds of Mediterranean summer crops

2009

Abstract The essential oil composition of Lantana camara , Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eriocephalus africanus was analyzed by means of GC and GC–MS and bioassayed in order to determine their activity against Amaranthus hybridus and Portulaca oleracea . E. camaldulensis essential oil, with spathulenol as the main compound, was the most effective, completely inhibiting germination and seedling growth on both weeds. The essential oil of E. africanus , rich in artemisia ketone, showed activity similar to that of E. camaldulensis on A. hybridus , but it was not so effective against P. oleracea , and L. camara essential oil, with high percentages in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, also showed higher…