Allometric relationships between leaf and bulb traits of Fritillaria przewalskii Maxim. grown at different altitudes.

Plants adapt to high altitudes by adjusting the characteristics of their above and underground organs. Identifying the species-specific plant traits changed in response to altitude is essential for understanding ecophysiological processes at the ecosystem level. Multiple studies analyzed the effects of altitude on above and underground organ traits in different species. Yet, little is known about those responses in the alpine Fritillaria przewalskii Maxim. (Liliaceae). F. przewalskii is a perennial medicinal plant with meager annual growth and vanishing wild populations. We analyzed leaf and bulb functional traits, and their allometric relationships in F. przewalskii plants grown at three altitudes: 3000, 2700, and 2400 m. Leaf thickness, leaf biomass, leaf biomass allocation, and the aboveground:underground ratio increased significantly with increasing altitude. Conversely, bulb allocation decreased at higher altitudes. The altitude influenced the allometric growth trajectories of specific leaf and bulb traits: higher altitudes led to thicker and broader leaves and changed the shape of the bulbs from more circular, which is ideal (at 2700 m), to more elongated (at 3000 m). Those variations had remarkable ecological significance. Hence, bulb biomass is the largest at 2700 m of altitude for which their vertical and longitudinal ratio is unaffected. which is economically favorable. Our findings show that F. przewalskii has a notable potential of growth and morphological plasticity along the altitude gradient and that 2700 m might be ideal for developing its artificial cultivation.

[Pharmacognostical study on cultivated Fritillaria taipaiensis].

OBJECTIVE: To study on the pharmacognostical characteristics of cultivated Fritillaria taipaiensis for providing basis for further development and research. METHODS: Botanical, macroscopic and microscopic identifications, and determination of the content of extract, total saponins and total alkaloids were carried out. RESULTS: Because of various growing years, cultivated Fritillaria taipaiensis had diffferent properties,in addition to tip slightly resembling songbei's tip "embracing the moon", there were greatly different characteristics in the rest of specifications comparing with the traditional Fritillaria cirrhosa. Some were shallow conical or cylindrical, some had slightly rough surface,and some bases were constricted, bitter in taste. There were great differences in its extract and total alkaloids con-tent,and no obvious differences in the content of total saponins. CONCLUSION: The experimental results show that the extract,total saponins and total alkaloids content are not positively correlated or relevant with the current classification of Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus. To consider the medicinal appearance diameter and length, the grade classification should be based on different application requirements, and combined with the evaluation of active ingredients.

[Karyotype and pollen morphology of main Fritillaria thunbergii cultivars].

OBJECTIVE: To study the differences in pollen morphology and karyotype among main Fritillari thunbergii cultivars. METHOD: Pollen morphologies of three F. thunbergii cultivars were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the chromosome numbers and karyotypes were studied by applying traditional squash technique. RESULT: The pollen shape of F. thunbergii (Xiaye) was ovoid, while those of the other F. thunbergii (Kuanye, Duozi) were oblong. There were significant differences in mesh ridge width, mesh size among three F. thunbergii cultivars. The karyotype formula ofthree cultivars were as follows: F. thunbergii (Xiaye) was 2n =2x =3m +1sm + 8st(2SAT) + 12t(4SAT), F. thunbergii (Kuanye) was 2n = 2x =2m + 2sm + 10st(2SAT) + 10t (2SAT), F. thunbergii (Duozi) was 2n =2x = 24 =2m +2sm +5st(2SAT) +15t(4SAT). The three cultivars of karyotype belonged to 3B; There were the heterozygosity of homologous chromosome in both F. thunbergii (Xiaye) and F. thunbergii (Duozi). CONCLUSION: The genetic diversity of F. thunbergii is very rich, which could enhance the adaptability, and lay the foundations for new variety selection of F. thunbergii.

[Progress of taxonomic study on Fritillaria (Liliaceae) medicinal plant].

In this review, we described the taxonomic study of the Fritillaria medicinal plant in the recent years. The taxonomic study of the Fritillaria medicinal plant was carried out from three main aspects: the traditional morphological character, the characteristic constituents of the plant and genotyping and species identification of Fritillaria by DNA chips. By comparison, we concluded that the DNA chip technology can provide a rapid, high throughput for genotyping and quality assurance of the plant species verification. It is the most prosperous method of species identification of the plant.

[A review on the study of hubeibeimu].

Hubeibeimu has been used with a long history. Now as one of the major sources of Beimu, it contains 10 steroid alkaloids, 2 diterpenes and 3 diterpenoid dimers. Has bronchial smooth muscles relaxation, antitussive, expectoant and antiasthmatic activities, with very low toxicity. Modern research is in accordance with the traditional experiences of TCM, and Hubeibeimu has been recorded in the latest Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2000 ed.), which is worthy of further development.

[Herbological study for the Beimu categorical Chinese medicine on the original plants].

This article reports the herbological study of "Beimu" categorical Chinese medicine on the original plants. The result showed that the medicinal "Beimu" before "Weijin" period is "Jia Beimu" (Bolbostemma paniculatum); "Nenbei" daynasty began to used "Zhe Beimu" (Fritillaria thunbergii), but "Jia Beimu" and "Hubei Beimu" (F. hupehensis) occupied an important position continuously; Last phase of "Ming" dynasty began to used the "Zhe Beimu" and "Chuan Beimu" (F. cirrhosa, F. unibracteato, F. przewalskii and F. delavayi) for "Beimu" greatly. The "Zhe Beimu" from Xiangshan, Zhejiang Province, is named "Xiang Beimu" and others are named "Tu Beimu" and the "Chuan Beimu" included the "Yi Beimu" (F. walujuewii and F. pallidiflora) continuously. So that, authors suggested that the contemporary documents such as Chinese Pharmcopoeia must recover the name "Beimu" to change the name "Tu Beimu" so as to avoid chaos with the "Tu Beimu" of the herbological documents; "Hubei Beimu" may take the place of "Zhe Beimu" but don't substitue for "Chuan Beimu"; "Yi Beimu" may be merged into "Chuan Beimu" to gear to actual circumstances and history; "Ping Beimu" to take the place of "Chuan Beimu" is not foundation from herbological documents.

[Pharmacognostical study of Chinese drug ningxia beimu].

This paper deals with the macroscopic, microscopic and chemical characteristics of the bulbs of Fritillaria taipaiensis var. ningxiaensis. This crude drug could be distinguished by shape, size, hilum and striations of the sample grains.