Foliar Anatomy of Three Native Species of Tillandsia L. from the Atacama Desert, Chile.

In the extreme north of Chile, the genus Tillandsia L. (Bromeliaceae) is represented by three native species, T. marconae Till & Vitek and T. landbeckii Phil., both of terrestrial atmospheric habit, and T. virescens Ruiz & Pav. of saxicolous habit. There is little information on the foliar structures that allow its establishment in arid environments. Therefore, we studied the leaf anatomy of each of these terrestrial and saxicolous atmospheric species from different altitudinal levels (1000 and 3000 m) in the Arica and Parinacota regions of the Atacama Desert. All populations are monospecific. The study considered scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and the fingernail polish technique. The surface distribution of stomata and trichomes of the species is described. The studied species presented hypostomatic leaves, with anomocytic stomata and peltate trichomes on the abaxial and adaxial sides. Trichomes are formed by a central disc of four equal-sized empty cells, surrounded by a peripheral series of several concentric rings, the innermost of eight, the second of sixteen and the outermost of multiple elongated cells, one cell thick, that form the flexible asymmetric wings. The number of wing cells varies according to the species. Trichomes are evenly arranged in long lanceolate leaf blades with smooth margins.

Etnobotánica y territorio en el pastal de Mulluri (Norte de Chile): las enseñanzas del pastoreo aymara / Ethnobotany and territory in Mulluri ́s pasture (Northern Chile): the teachings of aymara pastoralism

A partir de un trabajo etnográfico centrado en las memorias territoriales de la comunidad aymara de Mulluri (Región de Arica y Parinacota, Norte de Chile) se propone que el pastoreo, un modo de vida tradicional de origen prehispánico, tiñe fuertemente la percepción del espacio de sus habitantes y la clasificación que elaboran en relación al mundo de las plantas. Se realizaron entrevistas y observación participante guiadas por un enfoque etnobotánico y espacial orientado a relevar sistemas clasificatorios y manejos ganaderos. Se analizaron las categorías "cordillera", "costa" y "valle" usadas por los comuneros para nombrar las distintas regiones geográficas o pisos ecológicos de la gradiente occidental andina, definidas por ellos a partir de variables climáticas, ecológicas, simbólicas y prácticas. Simultáneamente, al interior de estas macro regiones los comuneros reconocen zonas específicas según las asociaciones botánicas existentes. Éstas fueron conceptualizadas por los comuneros como "etapas de pasto", coincidiendo con los pisos vegetacionales definidos por la botánica. En relación a las plantas, se registraron categorías genéricas de acuerdo a sus formas de crecimiento ("pastos del champeal", "pajas" o wichu, t ́olas, "montes", "pastos de lluvia" y otros) así como nomenclaturas específicas por especie.

From an ethnographic work focused on the territorial memories of the Aymara community of Mulluri (Region of Arica and Parinacota, Northern Chile) it is proposed that pastoralism, as a traditional way of life of prehispanic origin, strongly colors the perception and systematic of space and of the world of plants. Interviews and participant observation were conducted guided by an ethnobotanical and spatial approach aimed at relieving classification systems and livestock management. The categories "cordillera", "costa" and "valle" used by the comuneros were analyzed to name the different geographical regions or ecological zones of the western Andean gradient, which are defined by them from climatic, ecological, symbolic and practice variables. Simultaneously, within these macro-regions the comuneros recognize specific zones according to the existing botanical associations. These were conceptualized by the comuneros as "pasture stages", coinciding fully with the vegetational areas defined by botany. In relation to the plants, generic categories were registered according to their growth forms ("pastos del champeal", "pajas" o wichu, t ́olas, "montes", "pastos de lluvia", among others) as well as specific nomenclatures by species.

Active metabolites from Dunalia spinosa resinous exudates.

Dunalia spinosa, a plant used in folk medicine for toothaches, breathing problems and cleansing wounds, was found active as antimicrobial and antioxidant. A new (E)-aurone rutinoside (dunaurone) has been isolated from the aerial parts of the plant, and its structure was determined by spectroscopic means. Lupeol, beta-sitosterol, scopoletin, quercetin and withaferin A were also found. All the extracts exhibited strong antimicrobial activity while dunaurone showed only weak antimicrobial inhibition against Klebsiella pneumoniae; in addition it presented a significant free radical scavenging activity.

Diterpenoids from Calceolaria inamoena.

Four 9-epi-ent-labdanes were isolated from the aerial parts of Calceolaria inamoena. Their structures, 2beta-hydroxy-9-epi-ent-labda8(17)-13(E)dien-15-oic acid, 2beta-hydroxy-9-epi-ent-labda8(17)-13(Z)dien-15-oic acid, 2beta-hydroxy-9-epi-ent-labda8(17)-13(E)dien-15-al and 2beta-hydroxy-9-epi-ent-labda-8(17)-13(Z)dien-15-al, were established by spectroscopic methods including by analysis of 2 dimensional heteronuclear correlation experiments 1H/13C (normal and long range), and NOE and gs-sel-1D-NOESY and TOCSY of their methyl ester or acetyl derivatives.

Antibacterial diterpenoids from Fabiana densa var. ramulosa.

A biologically monitored fractionation of the resinous exudate of Fabiana densa Remy var. ramulosa Wedd. led to the isolation of the two new diterpenes: ent-beyer-15-en-18-O-succinate and ent-beyer-15-en-18-O-oxalate as the unique compounds responsible for the observed antibacterial activity of this extract. Their structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy.

Methyl psilalate: a new antimicrobial metabolite from Psila boliviensis.

Psila boliviensis (Wedd.) Cabr. yielded a new phenylpropanoid, named methyl psilalate. The structure was established by means of standard spectroscopic techniques. The microbiological evaluation of the compound revealed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.