Acta Botanica Gallica, 2014, 161 (1)

Sommaire
:: E. DODINET
Editorial
Editorial
Paru dans Acta Botanica Gallica, 2014, 161 (1), pp. 1-5. Anglais
 
:: ANONYME
List of reviewers
Paru dans Acta Botanica Gallica, 2014, 161 (1), pp. 7-9. Anglais
 
:: A. CORNILLE, P. GLADIEUX & T. GIRAUD
News of the Société Botanique de France PhD research abstract Diversification of the genus Malus
Paru dans Acta Botanica Gallica, 2014, 161 (1), pp. 11-11. Anglais
Abstract

Despite its economic, cultural and historical importance, few studies have investigated the evolutionary history of the domesticated apple (Malus domestica) as well as those of its wild relatives. Using new population genetic approaches (approximate Bayesian computation) with microsatellites and nuclear sequences, this thesis aimed to unravel, at different evolutionary scales (phylogeography, speciation, domestication), the natural and artificial diversification processes at play in the Malus genus. Research focused on the four wild apple species distributed across Eurasia [Malus orientalis (Caucasus), Malus sieversii (Central Asia), Malus sylvestris (Europe) and Malus baccata (Siberia)] and on the single domesticated apple species in the genus, Malus domestica. The thesis was divided into four parts: (1) domestication history of the cultivated apple, from its origin in Central Asia to Europe, (2) post-glacial recolonization history of the European crabapple (M. sylvestris), (3) the history of speciation among the five Malus species, (4) crop-to-wild gene flow and dispersal capacities of the closest wild relative species (M. sylvestris, M. sieversii and M. orientalis). By investigating artificial diversification, we found evidence of unique processes of domestication in this fruit tree, with no bottleneck and with extensive post-domestication introgressions by a wild species (M. sylvestris) other than the ancestral progenitor (M. sieversii). Natural diversification patterns (phylogeography, speciation and population structure) revealed large effective population sizes, high dispersal capacities and weak spatial genetic structures. This thesis also revealed high levels of interspecific hybridizations, and a particularly high level of crop-to-wild gene flow in Europe and Central Asia. This study extended our knowledge of population structures for the wild species that contributed to the cultivated apple genome, as well as the extent of hybridization rates. This work is essential for the conservation of wild apple populations, the maintenance of the integrity of wild species facing fragmentation and future breeding programmes concerning the domesticated apple.

 
:: KISHORE S. RAJPUT, VIDYA S. PATIL & KARUMACHI S. RAO
Multiple cambia and secondary xylem of Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br. (Convolvulaceae)
Paru dans Acta Botanica Gallica, 2014, 161 (1), pp. 13-19. Anglais
Abstract

Structure of secondary xylem and pattern of secondary thickening in climbing species are different from those in self-supporting plants. In many climbing species, stem diameter increases by forming more than one ring of cambium (referred to as multiple/successive cambia), while their secondary xylem usually contains abundant parenchyma, large vessels and wide rays. In beach morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br., Convolvulaceae), stem thickness increases by forming multiple rings of cambia. After a short period of normal secondary growth, the first successive cambium ensues from the pericyclic parenchyma. Thereafter, subsequent cambial rings originate from parenchyma cells produced initially by the previous cambium. In stems that are 15–20 mm thick, parenchymal cells produced by the initial activity of the previous cambia become meristematic and form small arcs of functionally inverse cambia that produce secondary xylem centrifugally and secondary phloem centripetally. Unequal production of secondary xylem by these cambia gives the stem various shapes other than cylindrical. Besides successive cambia, some cambial variants also develop in the stem which are: (1) irregularly distributed patches of thin-walled xylem parenchyma becoming meristematic and differentiating into interxylary phloem islands; (2) xylem ray cells acquiring meristematic character and behaving like cambium (referred to as ray cambium); and (3) in thick stems, internal cambium deriving from marginal pith cells, which are functionally bidirectional and producing secondary xylem centripetally and phloem centrifugally. Structure and development of successive cambia, ray cambia and internal cambium are discussed here.

 
:: JING ZHOU, WEN-CAI WANG, XUN GONG & ZHEN-WEN LIU
Leaf epidermal morphology in Peucedanum L. (Umbelliferae)
Paru dans Acta Botanica Gallica, 2014, 161 (1), pp. 21-31. Anglais
Abstract

Leaf epidermal characters of 21 species representing four sections of Peucedanum (Apiaceae) were investigated using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The stomata were anisocytic, anomocytic or staurocytic and existed on the abaxial epidermis in all the species examined, and on both surfaces in 12 species. The leaf epidermal cells were usually irregular or polygonal in shape, with anticlinal walls straight to arched, repand or sinuous. Under scanning electron microscopy, the inner margin of the outer stomatal rim was nearly smooth or sinuolate to erose, and the cuticular membrane of the leaf epidermis was striate, ridged, wrinkled or smooth. Few epidermal characters were relatively constant at section level, indicating that the traditional subdivision system for Peucedanum might be unnatural, and needs to be adjusted. Evidence from leaf epidermis, like that from molecular data, suggests that P. terebinthaceum should be separated from Peucedanum. Furthermore, results from epidermal analysis also suggest that P. wulongense should be treated in the same section with P. dissolutum, whereas P. violaceum should be transferred to section Elegantia.

 
:: M. ADIKO, S. BOUTTIER, T. ABOUA OKPEKON, S. LAMBERT, L. AKE-ASSI, B. J. KABLAN & P. CHAMPY
Phytothérapie traditionnelle des conjonctivites en milieu urbain ivoirien : enquête sur les deux marchés aux plantes médicinales d’Abidjan
Traditional phytotherapy of conjunctivitis in Ivor coast urban areas : survey on two medicinal plant markets in Abidjan
Paru dans Acta Botanica Gallica, 2014, 161 (1), pp. 33-45. Français
Résumé

Une enquête ethnobotanique semi-dirigée, focalisée sur le traitement traditionnel des ophtalmies, a été menée auprès de 17 vendeuses de plantes médicinales, issues d’ethnies diverses, installées sur les marchés d’Adjamé et d’Abobo, communes du District d’Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire). Les pathologies oculaires prises en charge sont notamment les conjonctivites telles que le koko ou l’apollo. Les vendeuses citent chacune, en moyenne, l’emploi de cinq plantes utilisées dans ces affections. 44 drogues végétales issues de 36 plantes appartenant à 26 familles botaniques ont été recensées et identifiées. Leur emploi se fait à l’état sec ou frais, sous forme de décoction ou de jus exprimé, pour instillation ou bain oculaire et parfois lavage du visage. Les espèces les plus citées sont Ocimum gratissimum L. (Lamiaceae), Dissotis rotundifolia (Sm.) Triana (Melastomataceae) et Kalanchoe crenata (Andrews) Haw. (Crassulaceae). Les plantes ont été récoltées et l’activité antibactérienne d’extraits aqueux et méthanoliques préparés à partir des drogues végétales sèches a été évaluée vis-à-vis de six espèces bactériennes couramment responsables d’infections oculaires. Les résultats de ce criblage ne montrent pas de corrélation avec la fréquence de citation des espèces.

Abstract

A semi-directed ethnobotanic survey of the traditional treatment of ophthalmic diseases was conducted among the medicinal plant retailers in the markets of Adjamé and Abobo, in the District of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire). Seventeen female informers from five ethnic groups (mostly Baoulé and Malinké), aged from 20 to 60 years (mean 39.1 years) were interviewed about their knowledge of eye diseases. ‘Conjunctivitis’ and ‘redness of the eye’ were frequently cited, sometimes with a precise traditional definition of the ailment (‘koko’, possibly corresponding to allergic conjunctivitis; ‘apollo’, for viral conjunctivitis). Phytotherapy is largely used to treat these specific ailments and symptoms of conjunctivitis: each informer cited an average of five plant species, with no obvious differences related to ethnic origin. Overall, 44 plant parts from 36 species, belonging to 26 botanical families, among which six were from the Fabaceae, were cited. These plants were mostly Fabids and Malvids, in contrast with those used in Europe. Disparate phytotherapeutic uses were found (19 plants, i.e. 54%, were cited only once), but consensus existed for several species, the most cited being Ocimum gratissimum (Lamiaceae; 14 citations, 82% of informers), Dissotis rotundifolia (Melastomataceae; 11 citations), Kalanchoe crenata (Crassulaceae; eight citations), Desmodium adscendens (Fabaceae; five citations), Combretum paniculatum (Combretaceae), Manotes longiflora (Connaraceae), Adenia lobata (Passifloraceae) and Phyllanthus muellerianus (Phyllanthaceae) - all four citations each. Several of these plants had been inventoried in the 1970s, have convergent uses in neighbouring countries [e.g. O. gratissimum, Nauclea latifolia (Rubiaceae)], and/or constitute ‘classical’ plants of the Ivorian popular pharmacopoeia [Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae), Abrus precatorius (Fabaceae), O. gratissimum, Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Rutaceae)]. Interestingly, their main traditional therapeutic indications, as softeners in sore throats or for antiseptic purposes, can be regarded as evocative of the uses inventoried here. Leaves are used in 64.0% of cases. Roots and flowers are poorly (4.4%) and never cited, respectively. Direct use of latex or of sap was mentioned three times (3.7%). Half of the uses of leaves are performed in a fresh form, as expressed juice. Decoction is, however, the main mode of preparation (56%), the extracts being kept for 3–5 days. These traditional herbal drugs are used as ocular instillations or as an eye bath, and less frequently for face wash hypothesized that uses of plants in conjunctivitis could be linked to antiseptic potential, in order to treat the infectious condition, to prevent infection of the injured eye, or to allow conservation of traditional preparations. To test this hypothesis, all plants were harvested in their natural habitats. Aqueous and methanol extracts of dried material were screened for antimicrobial activity, by dilution in solid culture medium, against six bacterial species responsible for ocular infections (Gram-negative bacilli: Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Gram-positive cocci: Enterococcus hirae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis). 52.3% of the extracts and 88.8% of plants inhibited bacterial growth of at least one strain (2 mg/ml, 48 h). Seven extracts were active against all bacteria [methanol extracts of Hibiscus asper (Malvaceae), Hoslundia opposita (Lamiaceae), O. gratissimum, S. mombin, Vitellaria paradoxa (Sapotaceae) and Z. zanthoxyloides (bark); aqueous extracts of Piliostigma thonningii (Fabaceae) and S. mombin]. However, there was no correlation between the displayed spectra and the frequencies of citation, except for O. gratissimum, a readily available species for which the antibacterial potential and safety have been largely studied. In contrast, some poorly cited species are known, or can be suspected, to be toxic, as reported in the literature. From a general point of view, investigation of the benefit/risk ratio of these widespread ocular traditional practices

 
:: P. MARINO, G. CASTIGLIA, G. BAZAN, G. DOMINA & R. GUARINO
Tertiary relict laurophyll vegetation in the Madonie mountains (Sicily)
Paru dans Acta Botanica Gallica, 2014, 161 (1), pp. 47-61. Anglais
Abstract

Laurel woodlands in the Madonie mountains (Sicily) are characterized by the presence of Laurus nobilis, Rhamnus lojaconoi and Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris. The results of a phytosociological study are presented, and a new endemic association, Rhamno lojaconoi–Lauretum nobilis, is described. Present Mediterranean laurel communities are the result of an adaptive response by Tertiary laurel forest to the peculiar microclimatic conditions that characterize the refugia where they persist. These refugia have been recently considered as a priority habitat under the Directive 92/43/EEC, and their plant communities are very vulnerable. Protection measures of the studied laurel populations are necessary, with particular reference to the bulking up of R. lojaconoi through in situ and ex situ propagation. A multivariate analysis of 63 relevés from all the Sicilian laurel communities described so far and additional 65 relevés from all over southern Europe and the Mediterranean basin bears out the autonomy of the new association, showing at the same time some floristic affinities between Sicilian, southern Italian, Spanish and Iberian associations. Their syntaxonomic treatment is discussed.

 
:: V. KIMPOUNI, P. MBOU, E. APANI & M. MOTOM
Étude floristique des îlots forestiers naturels de la Patte d’Oie de Brazzaville, Congo
Floristic study of the natural statements of the Patte d’Oie forest of Brazzaville, Congo
Paru dans Acta Botanica Gallica, 2014, 161 (1), pp. 63-79. Français
Résumé

Lors de sa mise en réserve en 1938, la forêt de la Patte d’Oie couvrait une aire de 240 ha. La déforestation a isolé trois îlots totalisant 95 ha, soit moins de 39% de la superficie originelle, mais aucune étude approfondie n’a été menée, avant celle-ci, sur la flore forestière de la Patte d’Oie. L’inventaire de la flore des îlots forestiers révèle des écosystèmes pauciflores avec 79,5 ± 5,5 espèces par îlot ne formant qu’un seul groupe phytoécologique. La composition floristique est subidentique dans les trois îlots et elle est dominée par les espèces guinéo-congolaises (30 à 37,8%), notamment du subcentre d’endémisme du Bas-Guinéen (22 à 24%). La dominance des sarcochores révèle que le principal mode de dissémination est la sarcochorie (zoochorie). La diversité relative des familles varie de 0,5 à 19,4% dans les îlots forestiers et les plus représentées sont les Rubiaceae, les Fabaceae, les Euphorbiaceae et les Dioscoreaceae. La fréquence relative des taxons est comprise entre 0,5 et 2,7%, alors que la densité relative varie de 0,03 à 37,6%. Les espèces les plus abondantes sont Rothmannia octomera, Rhabdophyllum arnoldianum, Markhamia tomentosa, Caloncoba welwitschii et Chaetocarpus africanus. Au sein de cette flore, les phanérophytes sont prépondérantes devant les géophytes et les chaméphytes.

Abstract

Set as a reserve in 1938 by the general governor of French Equatorial Africa (AEF), the Patte d’Oie forest covered originally 240 ha of which deforestation now isolates three statements for a total area of 95 ha, thus less than 39% of the original area. Originally a perish-urban forest, it has now become intra-urban, and shelters three statements of natural forests, administrative buildings, plantations of Pinus sp. and Eucalyptus sp., an arboretum dedicated to the wet dense forests of the Congo Basin, the sporting and university installations and a zoological park. The Patte d’Oie forest and the four others which completely disappeared (the Tsiémé, the Corniche, the Glacière and the Tchad) from urban space, these four forest statements have not been the object of an in-depth study. Before this study, the phytoecological data on the three forest statements were partial and generalized from studies carried on less than 1000 m2. Moreover, they do not make any difference between the natural forest and the plantations. The floristic inventory of the forest statements reveals pauciflorous ecosystems (with 79.5 ± 5.5 species per statement) compared to the wet dense forests of the Congo Basin. The floristic composition is sub-identic in the three statements forest and it is dominated by the Guineo-Congolese species (30 to 37.8%), in particular those belonging to the endemism sub-centre of the Low-Guinean (22 to 24%). The predominance of the sarcochores indicates that the principal mode of dissemination is the sarcochory (zoochory). However, the proportion of the anemochores dominated by pterochores (6 to 19%) and the good representativeness of heliophilous species are obvious signals of the disturbance of these ecosystems. The relative diversity of the families varies from 0.5 to 19.4% in the forest statements; the most represented are Rubiaceae, Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Dioscoreaceae. The relative frequency of taxa varies between 0.5 and 2.7%, whereas the relative density varies from 0.03 to 37.6%. The most abundant species are Rothmannia octomera, Rhabdophyllum arnoldianum, Markhamia tomentosa, Caloncoba welwitschii and Chaetocarpus africanus. Within this flora, the phanerophytes are dominating over the geophytes and the chamephytes. Finally, from a phytoecological standpoint, the three stands fall within the same ecological group. The analysis of the underwood flora reveals that only introduced species are represented by large trees, whereas the indigenous woody flora is represented by the shrubby species (Bosqueiopsis gilletii, Dracaena arborea, Voacanga chalotiana, Strychnos variabilis, Millettia eetveldeana and Markhamia tomentosa). The relative frequencies and the densities indicate that, except for Markhamia tomentosa, all the ligneous species characterising these ecosystems are disseminated. The consequence, induced by this space distribution of the ligneous species, is an insufficient installation of sowings, thus a poor natural regeneration. Moreover, the immigrant taxa have a good representativeness, in general, in the underwood forest stands. By associating remarkably density and interspecific competition, these species should characterise in the future the three stands of the Patte d’Oie forest.

 
:: M. NOBIS, A. NOWAK, A. NOBIS, B. PASZKO, R. PIWOWARCZYK, S. NOWAK & V. PLÁŠEK
Contribution to the flora of Asian and European countries: new national and regional vascular plant records
Paru dans Acta Botanica Gallica, 2014, 161 (1), pp. 81-89. Anglais
Abstract

The paper presents new records for 10 vascular plant species from three Asian and four European countries. Of this number, three species (Panicum capillare, Stipa macroglossa, Tribulus longipetalus) are reported from Tajikistan, two (Calamagrostis emodensis, Calamagrostis lahulensis) from Myanmar, two (Euphorbia taurinensis, Origanum vulgare var. megastachyum) from Poland, one (Sagina apetala) from Uzbekistan, one (Orobanche ritro) from Ukraine and Russia, and one (Leontodon saxatilis) from the Czech Republic. Eight of these taxa are new to the flora of different Asian and European countries; and two, very rare but recently spreading species, namely Leontodon saxatilis and Euphorbia taurinensis, were reported from the Czech Republic and Poland, respectively. Four of the taxa presented (Euphorbia taurinensis, Panicum capillare, Sagina apetala and Tribulus longipetalus) should be regarded as alien to the studied areas, intensively spreading or even invasive, whereas the other six are native elements given for the first time from the countries. In each of the species, synonyms, the general distribution, habitat preferences and habitats occupied in the particular country, taxonomy with remarks on recognition and differentiating the species from the most similar occurring in particular country as well as a list of localities of examined species occurring in a given country, often far from the previously known areas, were presented. In the case of Stipa macroglossa a lectotype for the species was designated in the present paper. Illustrations for Stipa macroglossa and Orobanche ritro were also provided.

 
:: M. GHORBEL, S. MARGHALI, N. TRIFI-FARAH & N. CHTOUROU-GHORBEL
Phylogeny of Mediterranean Lathyrus species using Inter Simple Sequence Repeats markers
Paru dans Acta Botanica Gallica, 2014, 161 (1), pp. 91-98. Anglais
Abstract

The genus Lathyrus constitutes an important phytogenetic patrimony as a source of traditional foodstuffs in Tunisia. An Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) technique was employed to assess genetic diversity and relationships of seven Mediterranean species of the genus Lathyrus belonging to four sections (Lathyrus, Clymenum, Nissolia and Aphaca). The molecular characterization and fingerprint identification of 11 populations representing the Lathyrus species were conducted using 11 ISSR primers (seven 3’ anchored primers and four non-anchored primers). A total of 261 polymorphic markers have been successfully generated, ranging between 400 and 3000 base pairs, with a mean of 23.72 bands/primer. The percentage of polymorphic bands for these species was 98.12%. The ISSR technique was able to characterize and differentiate between the different studied genotypes of the Lathyrus species. Genetic distance within and between populations was estimated by calculating the similarity index. The similarity indices ranged from 0.251 to 0.741, with a mean of 0.386. Our data provide evidence of high molecular polymorphism, showing that both wild and cultivated species forms constitute an important pool of diversity. Despite the large distant geographical origin site, the accessions per species issued from different geographical origins are relatively related. Moreover, the genetic similarity tree showed that the two species L. sativus and L. cicera are similar showing that L. sativus may be derived from L. cicera, whereas the principal component analysis showed a clear divergence of the L. ochrus population belonging to section Clymenum from the other populations. Furthermore, L. ochrus appears to be closer to L. aphaca and L. nissolia than to the other studied species belonging to section Lathyrus.