Scorzonera sensu lato (Asteraceae, Cichorieae) – taxonomic reassessment in the light of new molecular phylogenetic and carpological analyses

Abstract

Scorzonera comprises 180–190 species and belongs to the subtribe Scorzonerinae. Its circumscription has long been the subject of debate and available molecular phylogenetic analyses affirmed the polyphyly of Scorzonera in its wide sense. We provide a re-evaluation of Scorzonera and other related genera, based on carpological (including anatomical) and extended molecular phylogenetic analyses. We present, for the first time, a comprehensive sampling, including Scorzonera in its widest sense and all other genera recognised in the Scorzonerinae. We conducted phylogenetic analyses using Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses, based on sequences of the nuclear ribosomal ITS and of two plastid markers (partial rbcL and matK) and Maximum Parsimony for reconstructing the carpological character states at ancestral nodes. Achene characters, especially related to pericarp anatomy, such as general topography of the tissue types, disposition of the mechanical tissue and direction of its fibres, presence or absence of air cavities, provide, in certain cases, support for the phylogenetic lineages revealed. Confirming the polyphyly of Scorzonera, we propose a revised classification of the subtribe, accepting the genera Scorzonera (including four major clades: Scorzonera s. str., S. purpurea, S. albicaulis and Podospermum), Gelasia, Lipschitziagen. nov. (for the Scorzonera divaricata clade), Pseudopodospermum, Pterachaenia (also including Scorzonera codringtonii), Ramaliellagen. nov. (for the S. polyclada clade) and Takhtajaniantha. A key to the revised genera and a characterisation of the genera and major clades are provided.

Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Scorzonera Species

“…It is spread mostly in central and southern parts of Europe, Eurasia, and Africa in arid areas [ 1 , 2 ]. Numerous species are endemic to Anatolia (Turkey) [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ], Mongolia [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ], and China [ 16 , 17 , 18 ] The genus comprises approximately 180–190 species [ 19 ], including S. hispanica, whose roots are a valued vegetable, with the taste similar to asparagus [ 20 ], and S. tau-saghyz (a species of interest in terms of obtaining natural rubber) [ 21 ]. Several Scorzonera species are a source of feed for farming animals in arid regions [ 15 ].…”

“…Typically, plants within the Scorzonera genus are perennial herbs characterized by the presence of a caudex or tuber. Biennial plants or dwarf subshrubs are rare [ 19 ]. Plants within the genus Scorzonera are reported to contain flavonoids [ 12 , 13 , 22 , 23 , 24 ], phenolic acid derivatives [ 8 , 13 , 25 , 26 ], triterpenoids [ 18 , 23 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ], sesquiterpenoids [ 14 , 17 , 20 , 32 , 33 , 34 ], dihydroisocoumarins [ 7 , 35 , 36 , 37 ], and other bioactive compounds.…”

New chlorogenic acid derivatives and triterpenoids from Scorzonera aucheriana

“…The isolation of the compounds from natural sources and the clarification of their structures are extremely important in the scientific process as they have the potential to become a new drug active substance. Due to the potential of natural compounds to be exemplary molecules in active substance synthesis, studies in this field are considered to be inevitable for serving humanity Scorzonera L. species are known to be used in complementary medicine as consumed as a vegetable in the world and Turkey [1][2][3][4].…”

“…The genus Scorzonera L. is a member of tribe Cichorieae (Asteraceae), and it is represented by around 180-190 species in the worldwide [1][2]. The major center of diversity is in the arid and montanea Irano-Turanian region [3]. The genus is represented by perennial herbs often having a caudex or tuber under ground [2].…”

“…this research, the structure of one new and six known triterpenoids from the aerial parts of S. aucheriana were isolated by CC. A new triterpenoids was taraxasterol oleate(3), and knowns are; taraxasterol (4), taraxasterol acetate(5), ptiloepoxide (6), lupeol(7), lupeol acetate(8), and β-sitosterol(9). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by 1 H,13 C, APT and COSY spectra and by comparison of their data with the reported in the literature data.…”