Cyrtomiumadenotrichum (Dryopteridaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China.

Cyrtomiumadenotrichum Y. Nong & R.H. Jiang (Dryopteridaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. This new species is similar to C.nephrolepioides (Christ) Copel., C.obliquum Ching & K. H. Shing ex K. H. Shing, C.sinningense Ching & K. H. Shing ex K. H. Shing and C.calcis Liang Zhang, N.T.Lu & Li Bing Zhang in having erect rhizomes, dense, leathery lamina and rounded sori, but it can be easily distinguishable by its stipe sparsely glandular, base obvious oblique, basiscopic base truncate, acroscopic base auriculate or ovate.

Walsuraguangxiensis (Meliaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China.

Walsuraguangxiensis (Meliaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, is here described and illustrated. The new species is easily distinguishable from the other two Chinese members of the genus by its petals being pale yellow, filaments being connate into tubes above the middle, the berry being oval and glabrous. An identification key of Walsura for 17 species is also provided.

Comparative authentication of Semiliquidambar cathayensis and its substituted species via macroscopic and microscopic features.

Objective: Ban Fenghe recorded in the Quality Standard of Yao Medicine of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Volume 1) is derived from the dried stems and leaves of Semiliquidambar cathayensis. It is usually confused with medicinal herbs from Pterospermum heterophyllum and Dendropanax dentiger. However, they are very different in chemical composition, and should not be used as the same drug. To ensure their safety and efficacy, a method based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics was developed to distinguish them. Methods: A total of 14 batches of Ban Fenghe samples from three species were collected from different producing areas in China. The macroscopic characteristics were examined by observing external traits. The tissue structures of transverse sections of stems and leaves, the leaf epidermis, and the powder were observed microscopically. Results: The branchlets and leaf surfaces of S. cathayensis and P. heterophyllum were hairy, especially the lower leaf surfaces of P. heterophyllum were densely covered with hairs, but those of D. dentiger were hairless. The pericyclic fibers of S. cathayensis stems were intermittently distributed in a circular shape and accompanied by stone cells, whereas those of P. heterophyllum and D. dentiger were bundled without stone cells. So stone cells and hairs were present in S. cathayensis powder, stone cells were not found in P. heterophyllum and D. dentiger powder, and hairs were not present in D. dentiger powder. The distribution sites, sizes and types of secretory tissues of these three species were also different in transverse sections of stems and leaves. Stomata on the lower epidermis of S. cathayensis leaves were paracytic, whereas those of P. heterophyllum and D. dentiger were anomocytic. Conclusion: Ban Fenghe drugs derived from S. cathayensis could readily be distinguished from those of P. heterophyllum and D. dentiger by macroscopic and microscopic features.

DNA-functionalized photonic crystal microspheres for multiplex detection of toxic metal ions.

A novel type of suspension array for multiplex detection of heavy metal ions with photonic crystal hydrogel microspheres was reported. The photonic crystal hydrogel microspheres have close-packed photonic crystal particles as their encoding units and ssDNA-functionalized hydrogel as the sensing units. The developed microspheres were successfully applied in multiplex detection of heavy metal ions.

Development of microsatellite markers in Ilex kaushue (Aquifoliaceae), a medicinal plant species.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Microsatellite markers were developed for Ilex kaushue (Aquifoliaceae), a medicinal plant with extremely small wild populations that exists in fragmented habitats, to assess and protect its genetic diversity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using 454 GS FLX Titanium sequencing, 16 microsatellite primer sets were isolated and characterized. Fifteen of these markers were polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to nine across 22 individuals from both cultivated and wild populations. The observed and expected heterozygosity in these two populations ranged from 0.000 to 1.000 and from 0.000 to 0.785, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These markers will be useful in studies on genetic diversity of I. kaushue.