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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1970

A hummingbird-pollinated species of boraginaceae in the Arizona flora.

Marcomeria viridiflora (Boraginaceae) is pollinated by broad-tailed and rufous hummingbirds in the White Mountains of Arizona. This is the first hummingbird-pollinated member of the family Boraginaceae to be recorded in western North America. It provides one more example of a predominantly beepollinated plant group that has given rise to one or a few exceptional species of hummingbird flowers in western North America.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Molecular evidence for the age, origin, and evolutionary history of the American desert plant genus Tiquilia (Boraginaceae).

Although the deserts of North America are of very recent origin, their characteristic arid-adapted endemic plant lineages have been suggested to be much older. Earlier researchers have hypothesized that the ancestors of many of these modern desert lineages first adapted to aridity in highly localized arid or semi-arid sites as early as the late Cretaceous or early Tertiary, and that these lineages subsequently spread and diversified as global climate became increasingly arid during the Cenozoic. No study has explicitly examined these hypotheses for any North American arid-adapted plant group. The current paper tests these hypotheses using the genus Tiquilia (Boraginaceae), a diverse North American desert plant group. A strongly supported phylogeny of the genus is estimated using combined sequence data from three chloroplast markers (matK, ndhF, and rps16) and two nuclear markers (ITS and waxy). Ages of divergence events within the genus are estimated using penalized likelihood and a molecular clock approach on the ndhF tree for Tiquilia and representative outgroups, including most of the major lineages of Boraginales. The dating analysis suggests that the stem lineage of Tiquilia split from its nearest extant relative in the Paleocene or Eocene ( approximately 59-48 Ma). This was followed by a relatively long period before the first divergence in the crown group near the Eocene/Oligocene boundary ( approximately 33-29 Ma), shortly after the greatest Cenozoic episode of rapid aridification. Divergence of seven major lineages of Tiquilia is dated to the early-to-mid Miocene ( approximately 23-13 Ma). Several major lineages show a marked increase in diversification concomitant with the onset of more widespread semi-arid and then arid conditions beginning in the late Miocene ( approximately 7 Ma). This sequence of divergence events in Tiquilia agrees well with earlier researchers' ideas concerning North American desert flora assembly.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Occurrence and characterization of oils rich in gamma-linolenic acid (III): the taxonomical value of the fatty acids in Echium (Boraginaceae).

Fourteen species of the genus Echium (Fam. Boraginaceae) collected in the Macaronesia were surveyed in a search for high levels of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3omega6) in the seed oil. High amounts of this fatty acid were found in all of them, ranging from 18.85% (E. pitardii var. pitardii) to 27.42% (E. gentianoides) on total seed fatty acids. The GLA content related to total seed weight was also significant, ranging from 1.26% (E. handiense) to 8.22% (E. gentianoides). In addition, considerable amounts of stearidonic acid (SA, 18:4omega3) were detected, ranging from 3.78% (E. bonnetii var. bonnetii) to 8.81% (E. pininana) on total fatty acids. Besides all the perennial species, the four herbaceous Echium taxa endemic to the Macaronesia also showed high GLA percentages. This is in contrast to the low GLA level found in continental Echium species, all of them bearing an herbaceous habit. These results are in good agreement with the available genetic data and show the ability of GLA to discriminate between Macaronesian and continental Echium species. The analysis of five other Macaronesian species belonging to plant families rich in GLA are also reported.

Boraginaceae↗
PubMed2006

Gamma-linolenic acid from Cape Verdian Boraginaceae.

The distribution of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) was studied in the seed oil of six Cape Verdian Boraginaceae. The GLA ranges from trace levels in the three Heliotropum surveyed to 22.2% on saponifiable oil in Echium stenosiphon. All Echium species had GLA percentages in their seed oil around 20%. Echium seeds yield saponifiable oil from 15.8% (E. stenosiphon) to 17.3% (E. hypertropicum).

Boraginaceae↗
PubMed2004

Molecular systematics of Boraginaceae tribe Boragineae based on ITS1 and trnL sequences, with special reference to Anchusa s.l.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Boragineae is one of the main tribes of Boraginaceae, but delimitation and intergeneric classification of this group are unclear and have not yet been studied using DNA sequences. In particular, phylogenetic relationships in Anchusa s.l. still need to be elucidated in order to assess its taxonomic boundaries with respect to the controversial segregate genera Hormuzakia, Gastrocotyle, Phyllocara and Cynoglottis. METHODS: Phylogenetic relationships among 51 taxa of tribe Boragineae were investigated by comparative sequencing of the trnL(UAA) intron of the plastid genome and of the ITS1 region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA. Exemplar taxa from 16 genera of Boragineae and all subgenera of Anchusa s.l. were included, along with two selected outgroups from tribes Lithospermeae and Cynoglosseae. KEY RESULTS: Phylogenies generated by maximum parsimony and combined ITS1-trnL sequences support the monophyly of the tribe and a split into two clades, Pentaglottis and the remainder of Boragineae. The latter contains two large monophyletic groups. The first consists of three moderately to well-supported branches, Borago-Symphytum, Pulmonaria-Nonea and Brunnera. In the Pulmonaria-Nonea subclade, the rare endemic Paraskevia cesatiana is sister to Pulmonaria, and Nonea appears to be paraphyletic with respect to Elizaldia. The second main group corresponds to the well-supported clade of Anchusa s.l., with the megaphyllic, polyploid herb Trachystemon orientalis as sister taxon, although with low support. Anchusa s.l. is highly paraphyletic to its segregate genera and falls into four subclades: (1) Phyllocara, Hormuzakia, Anchusa subgenus Buglossum and A. subgenus Buglossoides; (2) Gastrocotyle; (3) A. subgenus Buglossellum and Cynoglottis; and (4) A. subgenus Anchusa, Lycopsis and Anchusella. All species of Anchusa subg. Anchusa, including the South African A. capensis, are included in a single unresolved clade. Anchusa subgenus Limbata is also included here despite marked divergence in floral morphology. The low nucleotide variation of ITS1 suggests a recent partly adaptive radiation within this group. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular data show that nine of the usually accepted genera of the Boragineae consisting of two or more species are monophyletic: Anchusella, Borago, Brunnera, Cynoglottis, Gastrocotyle, Hormuzakia, Nonea, Pulmonaria and Symphytum. In addition, the tribe includes the four monotypic genera Paraskevia, Pentaglottis, Phyllocara and Trachystemon. The morphologically well-characterized segregate genera in Anchusa s.l. are all confirmed by DNA sequences and should be definitively accepted. Most of the traditionally recognized subgenera of Anchusa are also supported as monophyletic groups by both nuclear and plastid sequence data. In order to bring taxonomy in line with phylogeny, the institution of new, independent generic entities for subgenera Buglossum, Buglossellum and Buglossoides and a narrower but more natural concept of Anchusa are advocated.

Boraginaceae↗
PubMed2005

Formation and structure of food bodies in Cordia nodosa (Boraginaceae).

Cordia nodosa Lamark (Boraginaceae) is a myrmecophyte (i.e., plants housing ants in hollow structures) that provisions associated ants with food bodies (FBs) produced 24 h a day. Distributed over all the young parts of the plants, they induce ants to forage continually and so to protect the plants. Metabolites are stored in the inner cells of C. nodosa FBs as they form. In addition the peripheral cells have an extrafloral nectary-like function and secrete a substance that covers the FBs. The amalgam of these two functions, distinct in other known cases, is discussed taking into account the origin of FBs and extrafloral nectaries.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1983

Nuclear crystalloids in sieve elements of Boraginaceae: a protein digestion study.

Nuclear crystalloids have been found in sieve elements of several Boraginaceae. Nuclei of differentiating sieve elements of Echium and other genera except Amsinckia contain one or more crystalloids composed of thin rods densely packed in parallel arrangement. After the nuclei disintegrate in the maturing sieve element the crystalloids are released into the cell lumen where they persist intact. In Amsinckia the crystalloid consists of two components: a dense component, similar to the crystalloid in the other genera and a loosely arranged paracrystalline component. The proteinaceous nature of the nuclear crystalloids and their possible similarity to P-protein was investigated by enzyme digestion techniques. Three proteolytic enzymes were employed in this study: protease, pepsin and trypsin. Successful digestion of the dense crystalloid in both Echium and Amsinckia was obtained with each enzyme tested. P-protein plugging the sieve plate pores was also digested. The loose component in Amsinckia and the aggregated and dispersed P-protein were not affected by the enzyme digestion procedures. These results seemed to indicate that the density or compactness of the proteinaceous inclusions may play a role in the differential response.

Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed2001

Selective seed abortion increases offspring survival in Cynoglossum officinale (Boraginaceae).

Selective embryo abortion is one of the evolutionary explanations for the surplus of ovules found in many plant species. To manipulate the level of embryo abortion, we removed ovules and applied nutrients to plants of Cynoglossum officinale (Boraginaceae) after they started to flower. From these two treatments and a control series, seeds were collected, germinated, and transplanted in the field to assess the quality of the resulting offspring. Nutrient addition did not increase the number of seeds per flower significantly. Fewer embryos were aborted in the ovule removal treatment. The seeds produced in the ovule removal treatment had a significantly greater mass and significantly lower survival than the offspring from the control group. This difference in survival indicates that offspring of lower quality are selectively aborted in the control group. Offspring from the nutrient addition treatment survived longer. The offspring of the treatments did not differ significantly from the control group in growth. Simple mathematical calculations, based on the differences in offspring quality that we found, indicate that the selective abortion hypothesis can be an important factor explaining the advantage of the "surplus production" of ovules.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

The origins and evolution of the genus Myosotis L. (Boraginaceae).

Although morphologically well defined, the phylogeny and taxonomy of Myosotis has been uncertain. In particular it has been unclear whether the genus had a Northern Hemisphere or Australasian origin. However, separate analyses of the ITS and the 3' region of matK, as well as a combined analysis of ITS, 3' matK, the psbA-trnA spacer, and 3' ndhF regions indicate that several distinct lineages exist within Myosotis and strongly support a Northern Hemisphere origin for the genus. Further, the observed transoceanic distributions and levels of genetic divergence between lineages indicate that long distance dispersal has been important for establishing the current geographic range expansion of Myosotis. Our molecular data also suggest that the diversification of Australasian Myosotis has occurred since the late Tertiary and is largely due to radiation within and from New Zealand. This inference is consistent with the findings of recent phylogenetic studies on other New Zealand alpine genera. Our results highlight the important role played by late Tertiary and Quaternary climate change in explaining current floristic diversity. The genetic relationships reported here also suggest that the current infrageneric taxonomy of Myosotis does not fully reflect the evolution of the genus.

3' Flanking Region↗
PubMed2001

Evidence for local outbreeding depression in the Mediterranean island endemic Anchusa crispa Viv. (Boraginaceae).

In this study we examined the relative effects of inbreeding and outbreeding on offspring fitness over two generations in Anchusa crispa Viv., a rare species which on Corsica (France) occurs in small populations composed of patches of few individuals. Self- and outcross-pollinations were carried out in a single population and F(1) progeny grown to flowering. Plants grown from selfing and outcrossing were then selfed or outcrossed to produce F(2) individuals in four combinations of pollination treatments over two generations, i.e. self + self, self + outcross, outcross + self and outcross + outcross. In the F(1) generation, selfed progeny had a significantly greater number of cymes per plant than outcrossed progeny (P=0.006). Plants from two generations of selfing had fewer seeds per fruit (P=0.06) but a significantly greater survival rate (P < 0.001) and a greater number of cymes (P=0.06) than those from two generations of outcrossing. Selfed F(2) from outcrossed F(1) had a significantly greater number of cymes (P < 0.01) than outcrossed F(2) from outcrossed F(1). In the comparison between selfed and outcrossed F(2) from selfed F(1) the former had a significantly greater survival rate (P < 0.001), but the latter significantly more flowers per cyme (P < 0.05). Together, these results indicate that outbreeding depression may occur on a very local scale within populations of this rare endemic species, with important implications for the conservation of rare plants.

Boraginaceae↗
PubMed2006

Comparative study of lipids in mature seeds of six Cordia species (family Boraginaceae) collected in different regions of Brazil.

The oil content, FA, and lipid class composition of the mature seeds of six Cordia species were analyzed. Mature seeds of each species were collected in their natural habitat from 2002 to 2004. The total lipid content varied from 1.9% to 13.2%, there being significant differences between the results found in different years for each species and between the species analyzed. The contents of FFA varied from 2.0% to 7.9% of total lipids. Neutral lipids (NL) were the largest class, making up between 89.6% and 96.4% of the total lipids; the phospholipids (PL) were the second largest class (3.0% to 8.9% of the total lipids), and the glycolipids (GL) were the smallest class (0.6 to 3.4%). The presence of GLA was determined in each class of lipids; it is predominant in the NL. Levels of GLA ranged from 1.2% to 6.8% of total seed FA. This is, to our knowledge the first study of lipid composition in seeds of species of Cordia from Brazil.

Brazil↗
PubMed2006

Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and extracts of Cordia curassavica (Boraginaceae).

In traditional Mexican medicine Cordia curassavica (Jacq) Roemer & Schultes is used to treat gastrointestinal, respiratory and dermatological disorders in Zapotitlán de las Salinas, Puebla (México). The aim of this work was to investigate antimicrobial activity of the essential oil, obtained by using Clevenger distillation apparatus, and hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts from aerial parts of Cordia curassavica. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against 13 bacteria and five fungal strains. The oil and extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and five fungal strains. Sarcina lutea and Vibrio cholerae were the strains more sensitive to the essential oil effect (MIC=62 microg/mL) and Vibrio cholerae for the hexane extract (MIC=125 microg/mL). Rhyzoctonia solani was the strain more sensitive to the essential oil effect (IC(50)=180 microg/mL) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes for the hexane extract (IC(50)=230 microg/mL). The essential oil was examined by GC and GC-MS. A total 11 constituents representing 96.28% of the essential oil were identified: 4-methyl,4-ethenyl-3-(1-methyl ethenyl)-1-(1-methyl methanol)cyclohexane (37.34%), beta-eudesmol (19.21%), spathulenol (11.25%) and cadina 4(5), 10(14) diene (7.93%) were found to be the major components. The present study tends to confirm the use in the folk medicine of Cordia curassavica in gastrointestinal, respiratory and dermatological diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Rosmarinic acid, a new snake venom phospholipase A2 inhibitor from Cordia verbenacea (Boraginaceae): antiserum action potentiation and molecular interaction.

Many plants are used in traditional medicine as active agents against various effects induced by snakebite. The methanolic extract from Cordia verbenacea (Cv) significantly inhibited paw edema induced by Bothrops jararacussu snake venom and by its main basic phospholipase A2 homologs, namely bothropstoxins I and II (BthTXs). The active component was isolated by chromatography on Sephadex LH-20 and by RP-HPLC on a C18 column and identified as rosmarinic acid (Cv-RA). Rosmarinic acid is an ester of caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid [2-O-cafeoil-3-(3,4-di-hydroxy-phenyl)-R-lactic acid]. This is the first report of RA in the species C. verbenacea ('baleeira', 'whaler') and of its anti-inflammatory and antimyotoxic properties against snake venoms and isolated toxins. RA inhibited the edema and myotoxic activity induced by the basic PLA2s BthTX-I and BthTX-II. It was, however, less efficient to inhibit the PLA2 activity of BthTX-II and, still less, the PLA2 and edema-inducing activities of the acidic isoform BthA-I-PLA2 from the same venom, showing therefore a higher inhibitory activity upon basic PLA2s. RA also inhibited most of the myotoxic and partially the edema-inducing effects of both basic PLA2s, thus reinforcing the idea of dissociation between the catalytic and pharmacological domains. The pure compound potentiated the ability of the commercial equine polyvalent antivenom in neutralizing lethal and myotoxic effects of the crude venom and of isolated PLA2s in experimental models. CD data presented here suggest that, after binding, no significant conformation changes occur either in the Cv-RA or in the target PLA2. A possible model for the interaction of rosmarinic acid with Lys49-PLA2 BthTX-I is proposed.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Late-acting inbreeding depression in both male and female function of echium vulgare (Boraginaceae)

We present data on late-acting inbreeding depression in pollen performance, siring success and seed production in Echium vulgare. Pollen viability and rate of pollen-tube growth were both lower for pollen from plants derived from selfing than for pollen from plants derived from outcrossing. Pollen tube numbers within the styles did not differ for pollen from plants derived from selfing or outcrossing. A pollination experiment with two mixtures of pollen from plants derived from selfing or outcrossing, revealed a significant decline of 55% in siring success for pollen from plants derived from selfing. A second experiment with a complete diallel design revealed inbreeding depression for both siring success of the offspring (32.8%) and a decline in seed production of the offspring (34.8%-40.6%). In addition, results indicated a heritable component for seed number per flower. Offspring fitness, measured as seed production and siring ability, can be severely affected by late-acting inbreeding depression. Inbreeding depression values for male and female functions were not correlated. Both functions must therefore be considered when calculating inbreeding depression.

Journal Article↗