[Macroscopic and microscopic identification of Mongolian medicine Potentilla glabra].

OBJECTIVE: To provide the identification basis for Mongolian medicine Potentilla glabra. METHODS: Macroscopic and microscopic identification were applied to observe macroscopic, histological, superficial, and powder characteristics of its stems and leaves. RESULTS: The following characteristics were observed: The cork layer sandwiched with sclerenchyma ring which was main composed of fibers, accompanied by stone cells and large cell layer; Catheter with fiber existed in xylem; Beaded thickened anticlinal wall in leaf epidermal cell; Stomatal infinitive; Small clusters of calcium oxalate crystal and different type of leaf transverse section. CONCLUSION: These characteristics can provide evidences for the identification and quality control of Potentilla glabra.

Developmental plasticity, morphological variation and evolvability: a multilevel analysis of morphometric integration in the shape of compound leaves.

The structure of compound leaves provides flexibility for morphological change by variation in the shapes, sizes and arrangement of leaflets. Here, we conduct a multilevel analysis of shape variation in compound leaves to explore the developmental plasticity and evolutionary potential that are the basis of diversification in leaf shape. We use the methods of geometric morphometrics to study the shapes of individual leaflets and whole leaves in 20 taxa of Potentilla (sensu lato). A newly developed test based on the bootstrap approach suggests that uncertainty in the molecular phylogeny precludes firm conclusions whether there is a phylogenetic signal in the data on leaf shape. For variation among taxa, variation within taxa, as well as fluctuating asymmetry, there is evidence of strong morphological integration. The patterns of variation are similar across all three levels, suggesting that integration within taxa may act as a constraint on evolutionary change.

Genotype-density interactions in a clonal, rosette-forming plant: cost of increased height growth?

Background and Aims Game theoretical models predict that plants growing in dense stands invest so much biomass in height growth that it trades-off with investment in other organs such as the leaves, leading to decreased plant production. Using the stoloniferous plant Potentilla reptans, we tested the hypothesis that genotypes investing more in the petioles in response to increased density show a greater decrease in total plant mass. We also tested whether a greater increase in mother ramet investment would lead to a greater decrease in investment in vegetative propagation. Methods To uncouple costs and benefits of investments in petioles, ten genotypes that were known to differ in their response to shading signals were grown in monogenotypic stands at two different densities. Key Results Genotypes differed in their increase in petiole investment in response to an increase in density, but not in their decrease in total plant mass or root mass. Total lamina area per plant did not differ significantly between the densities, nor did the mass invested in the laminae per unit of total plant mass. Genotypes differed considerably in the change in vegetation height and petiole investment, but this was not significantly negatively correlated with the change in total plant mass. The genotypes did differ in the change of mass investment in the mother ramet: a greater increase in investment in the mother ramet was correlated to a greater decrease in vegetative propagation. Conclusions While a greater increase in height investment did not lead to a greater decrease in biomass production, it did lead to a decrease in vegetative propagation. This ability to change allocation towards the mother ramets may imply that competition within a stand of stoloniferous plants does not necessarily result in lower total biomass production due to increased height investment.

[Microscopic identification of homonym drugs of "Baitouweng" by digital imaging technique].

AIM: To identify the commercial drugs collected from 11 different areas with name of "Baitouweng", in order to understand the homonym status of Baitouweng in markets. METHODS: Based on macroscopic identification, we further studied the microscopic structures of the collected samples by digital imaging technique. RESULTS: Nine species belong to 4 different families have been found out from the commercial drugs of "Baitouweng". There are the roots of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel (recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia with name "Baitouweng"), P. cernua (Thunb.) Bercht et Opiz, P. turczaninovii Kryl. et Serg., P. dahurica (Fisch.) Spreng., Anemone tomentosa (Maxim.) Pei, Rhaponticum uniflorum (L.) DC. and the herbs of Potentilla chinensis Ser., Po. discolor Beg. and Polycarpaea corymbosa Lam.. CONCLUSION: The original plants of the crude drug "Baitouweng" were still promiscuous in the market because there are different medicinal usages in different areas resulting in the phenomenon of homonym for Baitouweng. Otherwise, the digital photographs offered by the paper visually reflected the main microscopic characteristics of the commercial "Baitouweng", can be used for the identification of the above drugs.