Wild Grasses

This thesis identified and mapped the inhabiting grasses and vines found in Talim Island, Navotas, Cardona, Rizal. The research intended to provide basic information about the plants seen in the area of study. As an output of this study, a map which shows the distribution of the grasses and vines and a catalog which features the taxonomic classification, botanical descriptions, uses and geographic coordinates of identified plants in the locality were included.

The researchers conducted a botanical survey using the traditional method of identification of plant species; they utilized the global positioning system (GPS) to record the accurate geographic coordinates where the different species were found within trails. The gathered data were overlaid with digitalized map using the Auto Computer-Aided Design (AutoCAD) software application.

The research findings showed that there were 22 species identified found in barangay Navotas, Talim Island in the altitude range of 59 to 87 meters above sea level. 18 species of which were grasses and 4 were vines belonging to 6 families and 22 genera. The most commonly distributed grasses and vines were Bambusa spinosa Roxb (Kawayang-tinik), found in 14° 25' 12.5'' to 14° 24' 52.74" longitude and 121° 13' 26.9'' to 121° 13' 32" latitude, and Antigonon leptopus (Cadena de Amor), found in 14° 24' 40.82'' to 14° 24' 40.82'' longitude and 121° 13' 29.2" to 121° 13' 34.6" latitude, respectively.

Polyploidy and symbiotic Epichloë fungal endophytes are common and heritable characteristics that can facilitate environmental range expansion in grasses. Here we examined geographic patterns of polyploidy and the frequency of fungal endophyte colonized plants in 29 Festuca rubra L. populations from eight geographic sites across latitudes from Spain to northernmost Finland and Greenland. Ploidy seemed to be positively and negatively correlated with latitude and productivity, respectively. However, the correlations were nonlinear; 84% of the plants were hexaploids (2n = 6x = 42), and the positive correlation between ploidy level and latitude is the result of only four populations skewing the data. In the southernmost end of the gradient 86% of the plants were tetraploids (2n = 4x = 28), whereas in the northernmost end of the gradient one population had only octoploid plants (2n = 8x = 56). Endophytes were detected in 22 out of the 29 populations. Endophyte frequencies varied among geographic sites, and populations and habitats within geographic sites irrespective of ploidy, latitude or productivity. The highest overall endophyte frequencies were found in the southernmost end of the gradient, Spain, where 69% of plants harbored endophytes. In northern Finland, endophytes were detected in 30% of grasses but endophyte frequencies varied among populations from 0% to 75%, being higher in meadows compared to riverbanks. The endophytes were detected in 36%, 30% and 27% of the plants in Faroe Islands, Iceland and Switzerland, respectively. Practically all examined plants collected from southern Finland and Greenland were endophyte-free, whereas in other geographic sites endophyte frequencies were highly variable among populations. Common to all populations with high endophyte frequencies is heavy vertebrate grazing. We propose that the detected endophyte frequencies and ploidy levels mirror past distribution history of F. rubra after the last glaciation period, and local adaptations to past or prevailing selection forces such as vertebrate grazing.

The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) was established by the Conference of Parties in 2002 to decrease the loss of plant diversity, reduce poverty and contribute to sustainable development. To achieve this overarching goal, the GSPC has established a series of targets, one of which is to ensure that plant diversity is well understood, so that it can be effectively conserved and used in a sustainable manner. Brazil hosts more than 46,000 species of plants, algae and fungi, representing one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, and playing a key role in the GSPC. To meet the GSPC goals of Target 1 and facilitate access to plant diversity, Brazil committed to preparing the List of Species of the Brazilian Flora (2008-2015) and the Brazilian Flora 2020 (2016-present). Managing all the information associated with such great biodiversity has proven to be an extremely challenging task. Here, we synthesize the history of these projects, focusing on the multidisciplinary and...

For the robust identification of weeds of taxonomically complex families like Poaceae, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM) are of significant implications. In this study, SEM and LM methods were used by investigating 12 Pakistani weedy grass species as an example for foliar epidermal micromorphological characters for its role in the identification of grasses species. Qualitative and quantitative foliar micromorphological variations in stomatal type, number, guard cells, subsidiary cells, silica bodies and trichomes were studied. Significant variation was observed in both qualitative and quantitative features and based on this diversity in epidermal characters, a key was drawn to delimitate the species. Variations in stomata, silica bodies (SiO2·nH2O), macrohairs, microhairs, hooks, papillae, prickles, and other epidermal structures were used in establishing the taxonomic key. The data were also statistically evaluated by determining its mean, standard deviation, variance, the coefficient of variance, and standard error. Foliar epidermal characters such as silica bodies shape and trichomes were taxonomically more useful than stomatal types, subsidiary, and guard cells. SEM and LM micromorphological characters were of substantial importance in the delimitation of closely related species.

The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) was established by the Conference of Parties in 2002 to decrease the loss of plant diversity, reduce poverty and contribute to sustainable development. To achieve this overarching goal, the GSPC has established a series of targets, one of which is to ensure that plant diversity is well understood, so that it can be effectively conserved and used in a sustainable manner. Brazil hosts more than 46,000 species of plants, algae and fungi, representing one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, and playing a key role in the GSPC. To meet the GSPC goals of Target 1 and facilitate access to plant diversity, Brazil committed to preparing the List of Species of the Brazilian Flora (2008-2015) and the Brazilian Flora 2020 (2016-present). Managing all the information associated with such great biodiversity has proven to be an extremely challenging task. Here, we synthesize the history of these projects, focusing on the multidisciplinary and...