Phenotypic characterization and seed-micromorphology diversity of the threatened terrestrial orchids: implications for conservation

Vafaee, Yavar; Mohammadi, Ghane; Nazari, Farzad; Fatahi, Mozhgan; Kaki, Aboubakr; Gholami, Soheila; Ghorbani, Abdolbaset; Khadivi, Ali

doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2020.11.010

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Ghorbani et al [ 163 , 164 ] listed non-disruptive collection as a compromise to meet Salep request, with the possibility of introducing local bans in the case of substantial population decline. However, levels of sustainable harvesting are still under scientific debate, especially because there is, in general, an increasing demand of Salep made by the rising middle-class among developing countries, with a major request of exportation to Western nations (with Germany leading) that has been linked to illegal collection [ 27 , 81 , 163 , 164 , 269 ]. Kreziou et al [ 24 ] noticed that there had been a change in the utilization of Dactylorhiza species from previous reports, and they hypothesized that this was caused by the increased rarity of the more desired Anacamptis and Ophrys following overharvesting.…”

Section: Conservation Concerns and Actionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional, Therapeutic Uses and Phytochemistry of Terrestrial European Orchids and Implications for Conservation

Bazzicalupo

Calevo

Smeriglio

et al. 2023

Plants

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Orchidaceae family accounts for about 28,000 species, and most of them are mentioned in the folk medicine of nations around the world. The use of terrestrial orchids in European and Mediterranean regions has been reported since ancient times, but little information is available on their medicinal properties, as well as on their phytochemicals and biological activities. However, plant collection for human use is still listed as one of the main threats for terrestrial orchids, alongside other menacing factors such as wrong habitat management and disturbance to symbionts, such as pollinators and mycorrhizal fungi. Therefore, the primary aim of this review was to resume and discuss available information regarding the past and current popular uses of European orchids. We then grouped phytochemical data to evaluate the presence of bioactive compounds of pharmacological relevance, and we discussed whether these could support the therapeutic employment of the different organs. Finally, we briefly debated the sustainability of orchid utilizations, considering the different threatening factors and conservation actions including plant propagation methods.

show abstract

Section: Conservation Concerns and Actionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional, Therapeutic Uses and Phytochemistry of Terrestrial European Orchids and Implications for Conservation

Bazzicalupo

Calevo

Smeriglio

et al. 2023

Plants

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…We also observed some intraspecific variation in capsule size (Figure 2). These differences could reflect species-specific adaptations to their natural environment [23,28] related to capsule position, or could be a result of differences in resource availability to plants when developing the capsules (the seed capsules were produced in the same location at the same time, and the collected capsules were positioned in the same location on different plants; however, the plants grew outdoors, where many factors were not controlled). Other factors, such as intra-plant competition, may also have contributed to the observed differences (i.e., competition between individuals of the same species for resources, edge effects).…”

Section: Seed Capsule Morphologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed Morphology of Three Neotropical Orchid Species of the Lycaste Genus

Pinto

McGill

Jayanthi

et al. 2023

Seeds

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Neotropical orchids are vulnerable to extinction due to overharvesting, habitat destruction and climate change. However, a basic understanding of orchid seed biology to support conservation efforts is still lacking for most species. Seed morphology is linked to plant adaptation and evolution, influencing seed dispersal, dormancy, longevity, and germination, which are valuable traits for conservation. In this study, we characterized and compared the morphological traits of seed capsules (size, shape, and colour) and seeds (seed and embryo shape and size and internal airspace volume) for three epiphytic Neotropical orchid species of the genus Lycaste native to Guatemala: L. cochleata, L. lasioglossa, and L. virginalis. The three species show qualitative similarities in seed capsule colour and appearance and in seed morphology (i.e., scobiform oval-shaped seeds and prolate-spheroid embryos). All species have small-sized seeds (length of L. cochleata: 210 µm, L. lasioglossa: 230 µm, and L. virginalis: 260 µm), with proportionally large embryos (length of L. cochleata: 140 µm, L. lasioglossa: 120 µm, and L. virginalis: 150 µm) and an internal air-space volume that occupies less than half of the seed (L. cochleata: 17%, L. lasioglossa: 42%, and L. virginalis: 30%). This finding is consistent with previous reports for other epiphytic orchid species, which typically have lower air volumes than terrestrial orchids. These differences are likely a result of evolutionary changes associated with different habits and may influence seed dispersal. We also found some significant differences in seed morphology between the studied species, but their taxonomic, biological, and ecological relevance remain to be elucidated. More comparative studies, including on other Lycaste species with different habits, are needed to explore relationships between seed morphology, taxonomy, biology, and ecology in this genus to support its conservation.

show abstract

“…Orchid seeds are tiny, comprising a pluricellular embryo enclosed in a thin layer of dead cells, which make up the testa [1]. Testa cells show a set of characteristics that have been observed under light and scanning electron microscopes, providing qualitative and quantitative data used to describe the seeds' morphology [2][3][4][5][6]. Previous studies on seed micromorphology have demonstrated the taxonomic value of several traits [7][8][9], and emphasize its strong correlation with molecular phylogenies [4,[10][11][12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed Morphology, Life Form and Distribution in Three Bromheadia Species (Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae)

Ortúñez

Gamarra

2023

Diversity

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The seed morphology of three species belonging to the genus Bromheadia was analyzed under light and scanning electron microscopy. The seeds of B. cecieliae and B. truncata were studied for the first time. Differences in the qualitative and quantitative characteristics between the terrestrial B. finlaysoniana and the epiphytes B. cecieliae and B. truncata were observed, which were in concordance with the life form. Due to the variability of the seed shapes, a new methodology is proposed to analyze the distance between the embryo and the testa cells, with the aim of demonstrating the presence of air space within the seed. The method is compared to previous formulae used to measure free air space. Furthermore, a new measurement, the angle in twisted testa cells of epiphytic orchids, is proposed, to evaluate the degree of torsion in medial cells. Although the wide distribution of B. finlaysoniana could be related to the great buoyancy of their seeds in contrast to the limited distribution of B. cecieliae, we consider that environmental factors are more influential than the buoyancy of seeds when understanding the distribution of these taxa. Future studies on seeds morphology in orchid genera with terrestrial and epiphytic taxa will provide new insights into this research.

show abstract

Phenotypic characterization and seed-micromorphology diversity of the threatened terrestrial orchids: implications for conservation

Cited by 9 publications

References 29 publications

Traditional, Therapeutic Uses and Phytochemistry of Terrestrial European Orchids and Implications for Conservation

Traditional, Therapeutic Uses and Phytochemistry of Terrestrial European Orchids and Implications for Conservation

Seed Morphology of Three Neotropical Orchid Species of the Lycaste Genus

Seed Morphology, Life Form and Distribution in Three Bromheadia Species (Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About