[Identification on three kinds of Diphylleia sinensis (I)].

OBJECTIVE: In order to provide reference for the development of quality standards and distinction of authenticity, some sources of Diphylleia sinensis Li. in the market were identified by sampling. METHODS: To identify the traits and microscopic features of six batches of Diphylleia sinensis Li. in the market. RESULTS: They were the dried rhizome of Diphylleia sinensis Li., Dysosma versipellis (Hance) M. Cheng and D. pleiantha (Hance) Woods. CONCLUSION: The differences in traits and microscopic features of them are obvious.

[Identification on three kinds of Diphylleia sinensis (II)].

OBJECTIVE: In order to provide reference for the development of quality standards and distinction of authenticity, some sources of Diphylleia sinensis Li. in the maket were identified by sampling. METHODS: The TLC of six batches of Diphylleia sinensis Li. in the market were identified. RESULTS: They were the dried rhizome of Diphylleia sinensis Li., Dysosma versipellis (Hance.) M. Cheng and D. pleiantha (Hance) Woods. According to the pharmaceutical characteristics, retrieval tables of identification on plants, traits, microscopic and TLC were established. CONCLUSION: It is simple and reliable to use TLC and retrieval table to identify three sources of Diphylleia sinensis Li.

Floral development of Berberidopsis corallina: a crucial link in the evolution of flowers in the core Eudicots.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: On the basis of molecular evidence Berberidopsidaceae have been linked with Aextoxicaceae in an order Berberidopsidales at the base of the core Eudicots. The floral development of Berberidopsis is central to the understanding of the evolution of floral configurations at the transition of the basal Eudicots to the core Eudicots. It lies at the transition of trimerous or dimerous, simplified apetalous forms into pentamerous, petaliferous flowers. METHODS: The floral ontogeny of Berberidopsis was studied with a scanning electron microscope. KEY RESULTS: Flowers are grouped in terminal racemes with variable development. The relationship between the number of tepals, stamens and carpels is more or less fixed and floral initiation follows a strict 2/5 phyllotaxis. Two bracteoles, 12 tepals, eight stamens and three carpels are initiated in a regular sequence. The number of stamens can be increased by a doubling of stamen positions. CONCLUSIONS: The floral ontogeny of Berberidopsis provides support for the shift in floral bauplan from the basal Eudicots to the core Eudicots as a transition of a spiral flower with a 2/5 phyllotaxis to pentamerous flowers with two perianth whorls, two stamen whorls and a single carpel whorl. The differentiation of sepals and petals from bracteotepals is discussed and a comparison is made with other Eudicots with a similar configuration and development. Depending on the resolution of the relationships among the basalmost core Eudicots it is suggested that Berberidopsis either represents a critical stage in the evolution of pentamerous flowers of major clades of Eudicots, or has a floral prototype that may be at the base of evolution of flowers of other core Eudicots. The distribution of a floral Bauplan in other clades of Eudicots similar to Berberidopsidales is discussed.

[The descriptions and microscopy identification of three allied species of Dysosma versipellis].

The descriptions, histological and microscopical characteristics of three allied species of Dysosma versipellis were described.