Over the past decades, biodiversity conservation in China has achieved a number of successes. However, due to inadequate conservation policies, poor implementation and lack of financial support, these conservation achievements are not sufficient to protect China’s high level of plant species diversity. One of the most important is that there is no clear concept of which wild species should rec...
There are only two endemic species of Poncirus (Rutaceae) in China, P. trifoliate and P. polyandra. P. trifoliate was originated in central China. P. polyandra, which is endemic to Yunnan Province, was first found in Fumin County in 1984. It is a precious breeding germplasm resource of citrus as its fruits are a medical substitute of fructus aurantii, so it’s named as "Anti-tussive tree" by th...
Mushrooms of Boletaceae are with important economic and ecological values. Many species in this fungal family are famous edible mushrooms, while some others are poisonous. Ecologically, most species in this group are ectomycorrhizal fungi. However, the systematics of Boletaceae has been problematic due to its wide distribution range, phenotypic plasticity and complicated evolutionary history.
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Although alpine areas are generally characterized by low temperatures, high solar radiation, strong winds, cloudiness, frequent precipitation, low levels of insect abundance and activity and etc., it harbours high biodiversity. Thus, how these plants reproduce successfully in hostile environmental conditions is the topic of evolutionary biology. Plants in these areas frequently exhibit highly s...
Desiccation-sensitive recalcitrant seeds and fruits are killed by the loss of even moderate quantities of water. Consequently, minimizing the rate of water loss may be an important ecological factor and evolutionary driver by reducing the risk of mortality during post-dispersal dry-spells. For recalcitrant fruits of a range of Quercus species, prolonged drying times have been observed previousl...
Species of Taxus are very important economic plants and resources for isolation of anti-cancer drug “Taxol”. Because of excessive harvesting and commercial over-exploitation for the production of anti-cancer drugs, up to 90% of natural yew populations disappeared along the HKH over the last few decades. Despite the availability of several studies to clarify taxonomic problems on the highly th...
Transcriptome sequencing can be used to determine gene sequences and transcript abundance in non-model species, and the advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has greatly decreased the cost and time required for this process. Transcriptome data are especially desirable in bamboo species, as certain members constitute an ecologically, economically and culturally important group ...
Floral nectar is normally a clear liquid and an important source of food for animal pollinators. However, so far nearly 70 plants have been documented to have unusual colored nectar, which is caused by pigmented secondary metabolites but their precise chemistry is poorly investigated and their ecological functions largely unconfirmed.
Leucosceptrum canum Smith, a large tree belonging to the...
The monotypic Saniculiphyllum, comprising the single species S. guangxiense C.Y. Wu & T.C. Ku, is a clonal aquatic herb clinging to the wet rocks or stone in brooks in southeast Yunnan Province and Northwest of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
