Friends without benefits: Extensive cytotype sympatry and polyploid persistence in an African geophyte.

PREMISE: Polyploidy is a major factor in plant adaptation and speciation. Multiple mechanisms contribute to autopolyploid frequency within populations, but uncertainties remain regarding mechanisms that facilitate polyploid establishment and persistence. Here we aimed to document and predict cytotype distributions of Oxalis obliquifolia Steud. ex A. Rich. across Gauteng, South Africa, and test for evidence of possible mechanisms, including morphological, phenological, and reproductive traits, that may potentially facilitate polyploid persistence. METHODS: Over 320 O. obliquifolia plants from 25 sites were cytotyped using flow cytometry, and DNA ploidy was confirmed using meiotic chromosome squashes. Cytotypes were mapped and correlations with abiotic variables assessed using ordinations. To assess morphological and phenological associations with cytotype, we grew multiple cytotypes in a common garden, measured phenotypic traits and compared them using linear models and discriminant analyses. Intercytotype reproductive isolation was assessed using crossing experiments, and AMOVAs based on ITS DNA sequences tested for cytogeographic structure. RESULTS: Six cytotypes were identified, and most sites had multiple cytotypes. Abiotic variables were not predictive of cytotype distribution. A clear gigas effect was present. Differences in flower size and phenology suggested pollinator interactions could play a role in polyploid persistence. Intercytotype crosses produced seed at low frequency. DNA data suggested diploids and polyploids were largely reproductively isolated in situ, and polyploidization events were not frequent enough to explain high cytotype sympatry. CONCLUSIONS: Diploids and polyploids are behaving as separate species, despite little observable niche differentiation and non-zero potential intercytotype seed set. Tests on biotic interactions and intercytotype F1 fitness may provide insights into diploid and polyploid coexistence.

Inconsistent expression of the gigas effect in polyploid Oxalis.

PREMISE: It is well-known that whole genome duplication (WGD) has played a significant role in the evolution of plants. The best-known phenotypic effect of WGD is the gigas effect, or the enlargement of polyploid plant traits. WGD is often linked with increased weediness, which could be a result of fitness advantages conferred by the gigas effect. As a result, the gigas effect could potentially explain polyploid persistence and abundance. We test whether a gigas effect is present in the polyploid-rich geophyte Oxalis, at both organ and cellular scales. METHODS: We measured traits in conspecific diploid and polyploid accessions of 24 species across the genus. In addition, we measured the same and additional traits in 20 populations of the weedy and highly ploidy-variable species Oxalis purpurea L., including measures of clonality and selfing as a proxy for weediness. Ploidy level was determined using flow cytometry. RESULTS: We found substantial variation and no consistent ploidy-related size difference, both between and within species, and across traits. Oxalis purpurea polyploids did, however, produce significantly more underground biomass and more bulbils than diploids, consistent with a potential role of WGD in the weediness of this species. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a more nuanced role for the gigas effect, at least in Oxalis. It may be temporary, short-lived, and inconsistently expressed and retained on evolutionary time scales, but in the short term can contribute to lineage success via increased vegetative reproduction.

Anti-Obesity Evaluation of Averrhoa carambola L. Leaves and Assessment of Its Polyphenols as Potential α-Glucosidase Inhibitors.

Averrhoa carambola L. is reported for its anti-obese and anti-diabetic activities. The present study aimed to investigate its aqueous methanol leaf extract (CLL) in vivo anti-obese activity along with the isolation and identification of bioactive compounds and their in vitro α-glucosidase inhibition assessment. CLL improved all obesity complications and exhibited significant activity in an obese rat model. Fourteen compounds, including four flavone glycosides (1-4) and ten dihydrochalcone glycosides (5-12), were isolated and identified using spectroscopic techniques. New compounds identified in planta included (1) apigenin 6-C-(2-deoxy-ß-D-galactopyranoside)-7-O-ß-D-quinovopyranoside, (8) phloretin 3'-C-(2-O-(E)-cinnamoyl-3-O-ß-D-fucopyranosyl-4-O-acetyl)-ß-D-fucopyranosyl-6'-O-ß-D fucopyranosyl-(1/2)-α-L arabinofuranoside, (11a) phloretin3'-C-(2-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl-3-O-ß-D-fucosyl-4-O-acetyl)-ß-D-fucosyl-6'-O-(2-O-ß-D-fucosyl)-α-L-arabinofuranoside, (11b) phloretin3'-C-(2-O-(Z)-p-coumaroyl-3-O-ß-D-fucosyl-4-O-acetyl)-ß-D-fucosyl-6'-O-(2-O-ß-D-fucosyl)-α-L-arabinofuranoside. Carambolaside M (5), carambolaside Ia (6), carambolaside J (7), carambolaside I (9), carambolaside P (10a), carambolaside O (10b), and carambolaside Q (12), which are reported for the first time from A. carambola L. leaves, whereas luteolin 6-C-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-ß-D-fucopyranoside (2), apigenin 6-C-ß-D-galactopyranoside (3), and apigenin 6-C-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-ß-L-fucopyranoside (4) are isolated for the first time from Family. Oxalidaceae. In vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity revealed the potential efficacy of flavone glycosides, viz., 1, 2, 3, and 4 as antidiabetic agents. In contrast, dihydrochalcone glycosides (5-11) showed weak activity, except for compound 12, which showed relatively strong activity.

Effect of plant origin and phenological stage on the allelopathic activity of the invasive species Oxalis pes-caprae.

PREMISE: Invasion processes involve several mechanisms, some of which have received little attention. Allelopathy has been invoked as an invasion driver according to the novel weapon hypothesis (NWH), and polyploidization can also be an important factor for invasion success. However, very few studies have addressed both topics together. We analyzed the allelopathic effect of the polyploid Oxalis pes-caprae, an invader in mediterranean-climate areas worldwide, from different origins and ploidy levels (native: South Africa; invaded: Chile, Australia, California, and the Mediterranean Basin) on Lactuca sativa as a model species. METHODS: We measured seed germination, initial plant height, and aboveground and belowground biomass of Lactuca grown in field soil mixed with Oxalis material and with or without activated carbon in a common garden experiment. We performed the experiment twice, when Oxalis was vigorous and when senescent. RESULTS: Vigorous plants of Oxalis tended to reduce Lactuca germination, but both vigorous and senescent Oxalis plants increased Lactuca biomass, probably due to an increase in nutrients provided by plant material. The highest increase in Lactuca traits occurred with Oxalis plants from the Iberian Peninsula. Allelopathy only happened when Oxalis was senescent and was especially strong with plants from Chile. CONCLUSIONS: Although we did not find broad evidence for the NWH considering all areas together, we reported differences in the allelopathic potential of Oxalis plants depending on their origin. These results highlight the independent evolution of invasiveness traits in distant introduced ranges and the importance of the invaders' origin when testing hypotheses about invasion drivers.

Nutrient and Sensory Metabolites Profiling of Averrhoa Carambola L. (Starfruit) in the Context of Its Origin and Ripening Stage by GC/MS and Chemometric Analysis.

Averrhoa carambola L. is a tropical tree with edible fruit that grows at different climatic conditions. Despite its nutritive value and reported health benefits, it is a controversial fruit owing to its rich oxalate content. The present study aimed at investigating aroma and nutrient primary metabolites distribution in A. carambola fruits grown in Indonesia, Malaysia (its endemic origin) versus Egypt, and at different ripening stages. Two techniques were employed to assess volatile and non-volatile metabolites including headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) joined with gas chromatography coupled with mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) and GC-MS post silylation, respectively. Twenty-four volatiles were detected, with esters amounting for the major class of volatiles in Egyptian fruit at ca. 66%, with methyl caproate as the major component, distinguishing it from other origins. In contrast, aldehydes predominated tropically grown fruits with the ether myristicin found exclusively in these. Primary metabolites profiling led to the identification of 117 metabolites viz. sugars, polyols and organic acids. Fructose (38-48%) and glucose (21-25%) predominated sugar compositions in ripe fruits, whereas sorbitol was the major sugar alcohol (2.4-10.5%) in ripe fruits as well. Oxalic acid, an anti-nutrient with potential health risks, was the major organic acid detected in all the studied fruits (1.7-2.7%), except the Malaysian one (0.07%). It increases upon fruit ripening, including considerable amounts of volatile oxalate esters detected via SPME, and which must not be omitted in total oxalate determinations for safety assessments.

Oxalis seeds from the Cape Flora have a spectrum of germination strategies.

PREMISE: Seed germination strategy has profound ecological and evolutionary consequences, with transitions between germination strategies receiving renewed recent attention. Oxalis from the Cape Flora, South Africa, has seeds with two contrasting germination strategies: orthodox and recalcitrant. The morphological gulf between these strategies (and potential intermediate morphologies) has been poorly quantified, with questions regarding their ecological function and evolution. We reconsidered this binary classification, emphasizing potential intermediate states. METHODS: Seed physiological traits were used to assign strategies to 64 Oxalis species. We tested for morphological/phenological signal corresponding to defined strategies with cluster, principal component, K-means clustering and discriminant analyses. RESULTS: We showed that an intermediate germination strategy does exist among Cape Oxalis, with two possible morphological groups within each strategy. These could reflect a continuum of germination states, where an ancestral orthodox strategy evolved toward a maximally recalcitrant peak, with a mosaic of intermediate states reflected in extant taxa. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental factors may affect germination strategy and distribution throughout the Cape because recalcitrant and intermediate species are confined to the winter rainfall region. They occupy specialized niches and may face adverse impacts under predicted climate change (hotter and drier winters), meriting focused future conservation.

Oxalisxishuiensis (Oxalidaceae), a new species from Danxia landforms in Guizhou, China.

Oxalisxishuiensis, a new species of Oxalidaceae from Danxia landforms of Xishui County, Guizhou, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to O.wulingensis by the two lateral leaflets arranged at about 180° angle and oblong pink petals with lilac veins, but clearly differs from the latter by leaflets almost as long as wide, obliquely obcordate lateral leaflets, shorter peduncles, longer capsule (1.2-1.5 cm vs. 0.5-0.7 cm) and alveolate seeds.

Comparative analysis of plastomes in Oxalidaceae: Phylogenetic relationships and potential molecular markers.

The wood sorrel family, Oxalidaceae, is mainly composed of annual or perennial herbs, a few shrubs, and trees distributed from temperate to tropical zones. Members of Oxalidaceae are of high medicinal, ornamental, and economic value. Despite the rich diversity and value of Oxalidaceae, few molecular markers or plastomes are available for phylogenetic analysis of the family. Here, we reported four new whole plastomes of Oxalidaceae and compared them with plastomes of three species in the family, as well as the plastome of Rourea microphylla in the closely related family Connaraceae. The eight plastomes ranged in length from 150,673 bp (Biophytum sensitivum) to 156,609 bp (R. microphylla). Genome annotations revealed a total of 129-131 genes, including 83-84 protein-coding genes, eight rRNA genes, 37 tRNA genes, and two to three pseudogenes. Comparative analyses showed that the plastomes of these species have minor variations at the gene level. The smaller plastomes of herbs B. sensitivum and three Oxalis species are associated with variations in IR region sizes, intergenic region variation, and gene or intron loss. We identified sequences with high variation that may serve as molecular markers in taxonomic studies of Oxalidaceae. The phylogenetic trees of selected superrosid representatives based on 76 protein-coding genes corroborated the Oxalidaceae position in Oxalidales and supported it as a sister to Connaraceae. Our research also supported the monophyly of the COM (Celastrales, Oxalidales, and Malpighiales) clade.

Complete Chloroplast Genome Characterization of Oxalis Corniculata and Its Comparison with Related Species from Family Oxalidaceae.

Oxalis corniculata L. (family Oxalidaceae) is a small creeper wood sorrel plant that grows well in moist climates. Despite being medicinally important, little is known about the genomics of this species. Here, we determined the complete chloroplast genome sequence of O. corniculata for the first time and compared it with other members of family Oxalidaceae. The genome was 152,189 bp in size and comprised of a pair of 25,387 bp inverted repeats (IR) that separated a large 83,427 bp single copy region (LSC) and a small 16,990 bp single copy region (SSC). The chloroplast genome of O. corniculata contains 131 genes with 83 protein coding genes, 40 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The analysis revealed 46 microsatellites, of which 6 were present in coding sequences (CDS) regions, 34 in the LSC, 8 in the SSC, and 2 in the single IR region. Twelve palindromic repeats, 30 forward repeats, and 32 tandem repeats were also detected. Chloroplast genome comparisons revealed an overall high degree of sequence similarity between O. corniculata and O. drummondii and some divergence in the intergenic spacers of related species in Oxalidaceae. Furthermore, the seven most divergent genes (ccsA, clpP, rps8, rps15, rpl22, matK, and ycf1) among genomes were observed. Phylogenomic characterization on the basis of 60 shared genes revealed that O. corniculata is closely related to O. drummondii. The complete O. corniculata genome sequenced in the present study is a valuable resource for investigating the population and evolutionary genetics of family Oxalidaceae and can be used to identify related species.

Dihydrochalcone C-glycosides from Averrhoa carambola leaves.

Ten undescribed dihydrochalcone C-glycosides, carambolasides R1‒R3, S1, S2, T1‒T3, 3-hydroxycarambolaside T1, and 3-hydroxycarambolaside P were isolated along with carambolasides I and P from the leaves of Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Among them, carambolasides P, T1, T2, and I with contents of 22.78, 14.39, 4.93, and 1.87 mg g-1 dry wt., respectively, were shown to be abundant in the leaves by HPLC analysis. All the compounds showed more potent ABTS radical cation scavenging activity than l-ascorbic acid. 3-Hydroxycarambolaside T1 and 3-hydroxycarambolaside P also demonstrated moderate DPPH radical scavenging activity. Further, carambolaside R3, 3-hydroxycarambolaside T1, and 3-hydroxycarambolaside P exhibited weak in vitro porcine pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity.

Biological evaluation of some important medicinal plants from Poonch valley, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, antifungal, cytotoxic and phytotoxic activities of three important medicinal plants of Poonch valley, Azad Kashmir Pakistan. METHODS: Phytochemicals were investigated for both qualitative (phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins) and quantitative (total phenolic and flavonoid contents) analysis of plant extracts prepared in ethanol, ethyl acetate and benzene. Moreover, antioxidant potential was investigated by screening botanical extracts against 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging assay, phosphomolybdenum and total reducing power assay. While, disc diffusion method was used for determination of antifungal potential of all extracts against four pathogenic strains. Furthermore, brine shrimp cytotoxicity assay was conducted for cytotoxic potential and radish seed germination assay was carried out for estimation of allelopathic potential of plant extracts. RESULTS: Phytochemical evaluation showed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins in almost all plants. In addition to significant antioxidant potential, Rubia cordifolia (ethanolic extract) revealed highest amount of phenolics and flavonoids. The said plant also exhibited good cytotoxic activity. Among plant extracts highest antifungal activity and allelopathic potential was recorded by Oxalis latifolia (ethyl acetate extract). Ethanol and ethyl acetate were observed to be the best choice of solvents. The best solvents-based results were obtained by Ethanol followed by Ethyl acetate and Benzene. CONCLUSION: For further studies, Rubia cordifolia and Oxalis latifolia are the most promising medicinal plants of Poonch valley, Azad Kashmir Pakistan at molecular level in order to isolate the compounds concerning with pronounced activities.

Antiradical and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity Evaluations of Averrhoa bilimbi L. Leaves and Tentative Identification of Bioactive Constituents through LC-QTOF-MS/MS and Molecular Docking Approach.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the antiradical and xanthine oxidase inhibitory effects of Averrhoa bilimbi leaves. Hence, crude methanolic leaves extract and its resultant fractions, namely hexane, chloroform, and n-butanol were evaluated for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effect and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. The active constituents were tentatively identified through LC-QTOF-MS/MS and molecular docking approaches. The n-butanol fraction of A. bilimbi crude methanolic leaves extract displayed significant DPPH radical scavenging effect with IC50 (4.14 ± 0.21 µg/mL) (p < 0.05), as well as xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity with IC50 (64.84 ± 3.93 µg/mL) (p < 0.05). Afzelechin 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside and cucumerin A were tentatively identified as possible metabolites that contribute to the antioxidant activity of the n-butanol fraction.

Flavonoids isolated from the fresh sweet fruit of Averrhoa carambola, commonly known as star fruit.

Thirteen flavonoids were isolated from the fresh sweet fruit of Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae), commonly known as star fruit, and their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. 8-Carboxymethyl-(+)-epicatechin methyl ester, pinobanksin 3-O-ß-d-glucoside, and carambolasides M-Q were undescribed structures. (+)-Epicatechin, aromadendrin 3-O-ß-d-glucoside, helicioside A, taxifolin 3'-O-ß-d-glucoside, galangin 3-O-rutinoside, and isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside were reported from this species for the first time. Pinobanksin 3-O-ß-d-glucoside and carambolasides M-Q showed more potent 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation scavenging activity (IC50 = 5.3-2.3 µM) than l-ascorbic acid (10.5 µM). Further, (+)-epicatechin, pinobanksin 3-O-ß-d-glucoside, isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside, and carambolasides O-Q exhibited weak porcine pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity.

Protective effect of ethyl acetate fraction of Biophytum sensitivum extract against sodium oxalate-induced urolithiasis in rats.

The methanolic whole plant extract of Biophytum sensitivum (gǎnyìng cǎo) has been found to possess antiurolithiatic effect. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antiurolithiatic effect of some fractions of methanolic whole plant extract of B. sensitivum (MBS) in rats as a step toward activity-directed isolation of antiurolithiatic component. The MBS was successively extracted with dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and water to obtain fractions. Sodium oxalate (70 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to rats for seven days to develop calcium oxalate urolithiasis. These rats were treated with two doses (20 and 40 mg/kg, p.o.) of the fractions, 1 h before sodium oxalate injections. Antiurolithiatic activity was assessed by estimating biochemical changes in urine, serum and kidney homogenate along with histological changes in kidney tissue. Sodium oxalate administration caused biochemical alterations in urine which was found to be prevented significantly by the ethyl acetate fraction. Supplementation with ethyl acetate fraction prevented the elevation of serum creatinine, uric acid and blood urea nitrogen levels. The elevated calcium, oxalate and phosphate levels in the kidney tissue homogenate of lithiatic rats were significantly reduced by the treatment with ethyl acetate fraction. The ethyl acetate fraction also caused significant decrease in lipid peroxidation activity, accumulation of calcium oxalate deposits and histological changes in the kidney tissue. The results showed that the antiurolithiatic component of the methanolic whole plant extract of the plant is contained in the ethyl acetate fraction. The effect is attributed to its diuretic, antioxidant, nephroprotective properties and effect on lowering the concentration of urinary stone-forming constituents.

Effects of Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae) juice mediated on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and its influence on regulatory protein expression in the injured kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Recently, many reports have shown that Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae) juice (EACJ) could reduce blood glucose in humans. However, its mechanisms have not been well explored; therefore, our study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of EACJ on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and renal injury in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Those mice were injected with STZ via the tail vein (120 mg/kg body weight) and were identified as diabetic mice when the level of blood glucose was ≥ 11.1 mmol/L. Those mice were intragastriced gavage with saline, EACJ (25, 50, 100 g/kg body weight/d) and metformin (320 mg/kg body weight/d) for 21 days. The fasting blood glucose (FBG), free fatty acids (FFA), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), Scr (CREA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly decreased, while the sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), Cyclic Adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and insulin were elevated. Diabetes-dependent alterations in the kidney, such as glomerular hypertrophy, thicken and tubular basement membrane, were improved after 21 days of EACJ treatment. Hyperglycemia, renal formation and the expressions of related proteins such as connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1) were markedly decreased by EACJ. These results indicate that EACJ treatment decrease hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and inhibit the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN), which may be linked to regulating several pharmacological targets for treating or preventing DN.

Complete plastome sequence of Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae).

In this study, we determined the complete plastome sequence of Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae) (NCBI acc. no. KX364202). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported complete plastome sequence from the order Oxalidales. The gene order and structure of the A. carambola plastome are collinear with the typical plastome of land plants. The complete plastome size is 155,965 bp in length and consists of a large single copy region of 87,217 bp and a small single copy region of 17,496 bp, which are separated by a pair of 25,626-bp-long inverted repeat regions. The overall A-T content of the plastome sequence is 61.2%. The plastome contains 111 genes, of which 77 are protein-coding genes, 30 are tRNA genes, and 4 are rRNA genes. Sixteen genes contain one intron and two genes have two introns. A total of 91 simple sequence loci were identified from the genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. carambola is a sister group of Euonymus japonicus with 100% bootstrap support.

The role of inbreeding depression and mating system in the evolution of heterostyly.

We investigated the role of morph-based differences in the expression of inbreeding depression in loss of the mid-styled morph from populations of tristylous Oxalis alpina. The extent of self-compatibility (SC) of reproductive morphs, the degree of self-fertilization, and the magnitude of inbreeding depression were investigated in three populations of O. alpina differing in their tristylous incompatibility relationships. All three populations exhibited significant inbreeding depression. In two populations with highly modified tristylous incompatibility, manifested as increased reciprocal compatibility between short- and long-styled morphs, substantial SC and self-fertilization of mid-styled morphs were detected, and expected to result in expression of inbreeding depression in the progeny of mid-styled morphs in the natural populations. In contrast, significant self-fertility of the mid-styled morph was absent from the population with typical tristylous incompatibility, and no self-fertilization could be detected. Although self-fertilization and expression of inbreeding depression should result in selection against the mid-styled morph in the later stages of the transition from tristyly to distyly, in O. alpina selection against the mid-styled morph in the early phases of the evolution of distyly is likely due to genic selection against mid-alleles associated with modified tristylous incompatibility, rather than expression of inbreeding depression.

Elaboração e caracterização físico-química de uma conserva acidificada de biri-biri (averrhoa bilimbi) / Elaboration and physico-chemical characterization of an acidified conserved Biri-Biri (Averrhoa bilimbi)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar uma conserva acidificada, utilizando como matéria-prima o biri- -biri (Averrhoa bilimbi), no estágio de maturação verde, visando obter um produto com maior vida de prateleira. A caracterização físico-química foi realizada por meio das análises de pH, acidez total e sólidos solúveis (ºBrix), avaliando esses atributos nos tempos 0, 8 ,15 e 30 dias. As metodologias utilizadas para as análises do estudo foram as preconizadas pelas Normas Analíticas do Instituto Adolfo Lutz. Os resultados obtidos para pH, nos tempos 0, 8,15 e 30 dias, foram de 1,91, 1,70, 2,27 e 3,30 respectivamente. No que se refere à acidez total, os valores encontrados foram, nos mesmos intervalos acima descritos, de 4,30%; 3,07%; 1,68% e 1,50% de ácido acético. Quanto aos teores de sólidos solúveis (ºBrix), os resultados foram: 3,30; 3,53; 3,46 e 3,33 ºBrix, nos tempos 0, 8,15 e 30 dias, respectivamente. Pelos resultados obtidos, observa-se que a conserva de biri-biri elaborada apresentou características físico-químicas conformes com o requerido pela legislação vigente, no que se refere aos valores de pH, podendo ser classificado como um produto de baixa acidez, mostrando-se como uma boa alternativa para o consumo e conservação dessa fruta, quando não encontrada in natura.(AU)

Oxalis simplicifolia (Oxalidaceae), an unusual new unifoliolate species from the Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia).

Oxalis simplicifolia Lorence & W. L. Wagner sp. nov., a new species from the Marquesas Islands (Ua Huka) is described and illustrated. It differs from the other Marquesas species, Oxalis gagneorum, in having simple, unifoliolate glabrous leaves, minutely glandular-puberulent calyx lobes, shorter corolla lobes, erect capsules, and smaller seeds. As its habitat is under serious threat from human impact, feral animals, and weeds, we conclude this new species should be added to the IUCN Red List as critically endangered (CR).

Morfologia de frutos, sementes e plântulas de Averrhoa bilimbi L. oriundas de dois estágios de maturação / Fruits, seeds and seedlings morphology of Averrhoa bilimbi L. derived from two stages of maturation

Este trabalho teve por objetivo descrever as características morfológicas de frutos, sementes e plântulas de Averrhoa bilimbi L. oriundas de frutos imaturos e maduros. Os frutos de A. bilimbi foram separados de acordo com a sua coloração em frutos imaturos e maduros. O registro das características morfológicas dos frutos, sementes e plântulas foram realizados por meio de ilustrações manuais, fotografias e descrições de todos os aspectos morfológicos. Para o estudo da morfologia da germinação e plântula, foram semeadas quatro repetições de 25 sementes sobre substrato papel mata-borrão e levadas ao germinador tipo B.O.D., regulado à temperatura constante de 30°C e regime de luz contínua. Os frutos tanto imaturos como maduros variaram apenas quanto ao tamanho, consistência e coloração, sendo as demais características comuns à espécie. As sementes dos frutos imaturos e maduros diferenciaram-se quanto à turgescência dos tecidos, assim como sua coloração, brilho e textura. A germinação é do tipo epígea e fanerocotiledonar, com início no sétimo dia e término no décimo quinto dia após semeadura, com a obtenção da plântula normal. .

This study aimed to describe the fruits, seeds and seedlings morphological characteristics of Averrhoa bilimbi L. immature and mature fruits. The A. bilimbi fruits were separated according to color in immature and mature fruits. The record of fruits, seeds and seedlings morphological characteristics were performed by means of manual illustrations, photographs and morphological aspects descriptions. To study the germination and seedling morphology were take four replications of 25 seeds sown on blotter paper substrate and brought to B.O.D. adjusted in constant temperature 30°C under continuous light. The immature and mature fruits varied only in size, consistency and color, and other characteristics were common to the species. The seeds of immature and mature fruits could distinguished regarding the tissues turgor, as well as its color, luster and texture. The germination is phanerocotylar and epigeal, commencing on the seventh day and ending on the fifteenth day after seeding by obtaining normal seedling.