Nomenclatural notes and typification of nine names related to Jasminum (Oleaceae).

Lectotypes are designated here for the following nine validly published names: Jasminumalongense, J.anodontum, J.eberhardtii, J.harmandianum, J.lang, J.laxiflorum, J.pierreanum, J.rufohirtum, and J.sinense. Jasminumlang is reinstated as a distinct species.

Plastome analysis unveils Inverted Repeat (IR) expansion and positive selection in Sea Lavenders (Limonium, Plumbaginaceae, Limonioideae, Limonieae).

The genus Limonium, commonly known as Sea Lavenders, is one of the most species-rich genera of the family Plumbaginaceae. In this study, two new plastomes for the genus Limonium, viz. L. tetragonum and L. bicolor, were sequenced and compared to available Limonium plastomes, viz. L. aureum and L. tenellum, to understand the gene content and structural variations within the family. The loss of the rpl16 intron and pseudogenisation of rpl23 was observed. This study reports, for the first time, expansion of the IRs to include the ycf1 gene in Limonium plastomes, incongruent with previous studies. Two positively selected genes, viz. ndhF and ycf2, were identified. Furthermore, putative barcodes are proposed for the genus, based on the nucleotide diversity of four Limonium plastomes.

Capparis kbangensis (Capparaceae), a new species from central Vietnam.

Capparis kbangensis Sy & D.V. Hai, a new species from Kbang District, Gia Lai Province, Vietnam, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to Capparis versicolor but differs by several characters such as emarginate leaf apex, hairy margin of sepals, smaller fruits, and fewer seeds per fruit. Its ecology and conservation status are provided along with a taxonomic key to the closely allied species.

Plastome comparison and evolution within the tribes of Plantaginaceae: Insights from an Asian gypsyweed.

In spite of availability of several plastomes representing different tribes of Plantaginaceae, sparse attempts have been made to understand the plastome structure, evolution, and phylogenomics. In the present study, we have made an effort to understand the gene content and plastome evolution in the family Plantaginaceae using the newly generated plastome sequence of Veronica ovata subsp. kiusiana, a taxon native to SE Asia. In the first-ever attempt, plastomes of seven out of 10 tribes of Plantaginaceae have been compared to understand the evolution across the tribes of Plantaginaceae. The size of the plastome of V. ovata subsp. kiusiana is 152,249 bp, showing a typical quadripartite structure containing LSC, SSC, and two IRs with the sizes of 83,187, 17,704, and 25,679 respectively. The plastome comparison revealed the unique deletions in ycf2 and ndhF genes of members of different tribes, and also revealed high nucleotide variable hotspots. The study also revealed six highly variable genes and intergenic spacer viz. rps16, rps15-ycf1, ccsA-ndhD, ndhC-trnV, petN-psbM, and ycf1-trnN as potential DNA barcodes for the genus Veronica. The phylogenomic study revealed the sister relationship between V. ovata subsp. kiusiana and V. persica and also suggested the tentative placement of seven tribes in the family Plantaginaceae.

Understanding evolution in Poales: Insights from Eriocaulaceae plastome.

In this study, we report the plastome of Eriocaulon decemflorum (Eriocaulaceae) and make an effort to understand the genome evolution, structural rearrangements and gene content of the order Poales by comparing it with other available plastomes. The size of complete E. decemflorum plastome is 151,671 bp with an LSC (81,477bp), SSC (17,180bp) and a pair of IRs (26,507 bp). The plastome exhibits GC content of 35.8% and 134 protein-coding genes with 19 genes duplicated in the IR region. The Eriocaulaceae plastome is characterized by the presence of accD, ycf1 and ycf2 genes and presence of introns in clpP and rpoC1 genes which have been lost in the Graminid plastomes. Phylogenomic analysis based on 81 protein-coding genes placed Eriocaulaceae sister to Mayacaceae. The present study enhances our understanding of the evolution of Poales by analyzing the plastome data from the order.

Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by local Van Kieu ethnic people of Bac Huong Hoa nature reserve, Vietnam.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The ethnobotanical survey was carried out in the Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve (BHHNR), Vietnam. The Van Kieu ethnic group, the inhabitant of Nature Reserve, is rich in knowledge about the medicinal plants found in the Nature Reserve. However, their knowledge is less documented. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was conducted to document the use of medicinal plants, plant parts used, mode of preparation and delivery by the ethnic group of Van Kieu. The study also aimed at comparing the information generated by this study with the previously published Dictionary of Vietnam Medicinal plants (DVM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The information was collected through semi-structured and unstructured interviews. The interviews were conducted from April 2016 to March 2017. The number of informants involved in the survey was 93 belonging to age group of 20-81. Species Use-Reports (UR) were analyzed to determine the plant importance in the local and the Informant Consensus Factor (FIC). Local plant uses were listed and compared with the previously published data from Vietnam. RESULTS: Comprehensively 355 Use-Reports were documented in this study. A total of 111 medicinal plant species belonging to 102 genera and 46 families were reported. Out of 46 families, Euphorbiaceae (10 species), Compositae and Leguminosae (9 species each), Apocynaceae (7 species), Rutaceae and Rubiaceae (5 species each) were the dominant families. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part (43.1%) in the preparation of medicines. The most frequent preparation method was decoction (49%) while the oral route of administration (51%) was the most commonly mentioned mode of administration. Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob., Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC., Psidium guajava L. and Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirveng. were shown to be the most useful plants as indicated by their relatively high UR. Eight medicinal plants (7.21%) used by Van Kieu ethnic people have not been previously reported in DVM. CONCLUSION: The Van Kieu ethnic group holds valuable knowledge about uses of medicinal plant resources which is inherited through generations however this knowledge was not documented. The study highlights the need for documenting and publicizing the traditional medicinal knowledge which will provide basic data for further research and conservation.