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Premise Despite intensive research, the pathways and driving forces behind the evolution of derived woodiness on oceanic islands remain obscure. The genus Daucus comprises mostly herbs (therophytes, hemicryptophytes) with few rosette treelets (chamaephytes) endemic to various Macaronesian archipelagos, suggesting their independent evolution. To elucidate the evolutionary pathways to derived woodiness, we examined phylogenetic relationships and the habit and secondary xylem evolution in Daucus and related taxa. Methods Sixty taxa were surveyed for molecular markers, life history, and habit traits. Twenty‐one species were considered for wood anatomical characters. A dated phylogeny was estimated using Bayesian methods. The evolution of selected traits was reconstructed using parsimony and maximum likelihood. Results Daucus dispersed independently to the Canary Islands (and subsequently to Madeira), Cape Verde, and the Azores in the late Miocene and Pleistocene. Life span, reproductive strategy, and life form were highly homoplastic; the ancestor of Daucus was probably a monocarpic, biennial hemicryptophyte. Rosette treelets evolved independently in the Canarian‐Madeiran lineage and in Cape Verde, the latter within the last 0.13 Myr. Treelets and hemicryptophytes did not differ in wood anatomy. Pervasive axial parenchyma in wood occurred more often in polycarpic rather than monocarpic species. Conclusions Life span and life form in Daucus are evolutionarily labile and may change independently of wood anatomy, which is related to plant reproductive strategy rather than to life form. Insular woodiness may evolve rapidly (as demonstrated in D. bischoffii), and in Daucus, it does not seem to be an adaptation to lower the risk of xylem embolism.

Background and aims – Chaerophyllum hirsutum represents a complex of taxa with varying treatments and ranks across floras. Using both morphometric and molecular markers, we assessed the robustness of C. hirsutum , C. elegans , C. villarsii , and C. villarsii var. cicutariiforme. Material and methods – Ten morphometric variables and two ratios were calculated. Based on the sequencing of six plastomes, the rps16 intron was selected as the more variable region and sequenced on a broader sampling. Additionally, we also sequenced the nrDNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) using Illumina technology to obtain intra-individual allelic diversity. Key results – Morphologically, the most easily differentiated taxon was C. elegans , especially using the number of subterminal umbels. The distinction between C. hirsutum and C. villarsii was rather clinal, but is mainly based on the degree of carpophore division. Finally, C. villarsii var. cicutariiforme was less easily distinguishable from the three others, but partly using the carpophore length and the total length of basal leaf blade. The cpDNA rps16 clearly distinguished C. elegans from the three other taxa of the complex, which rather showed a geographical pattern of cpDNA diversity. The nrDNA ITS2 partially distinguished C. villarsii from the other taxa, without distinction of C. elegans . Conclusions – The present study supports the species differentiation of C. elegans based on both morphology and chloroplast genome. Furthermore, C. villarsii var. villarsii and C. villarsii var. cicutariiforme could potentially be recognized as distinct varieties within C. hirsutum . This will need to be confirmed by future studies using a larger sampling size and more comprehensive markers, covering a broader portion of the nuclear genome.

Scandiceae subtribe Daucinae encompasses umbellifers that have fruits with prominent secondary ridges projecting into wings (former tribe Laserpitieae) or spines (former tribe Caucalideae pro parte). It comprises several economically or medicinally important genera including Cuminum, Daucus, Laser, Laserpitium and Thapsia among others. Recent molecular studies, based mostly on nrDNA ITS sequences, revealed that neither Daucus nor Laserpitium are monophyletic. To address issues of relationships and apply respective nomenclatural changes, we obtained additional ITS sequences as well as independent data from three plastid markers—rps16 intron, rpoC1 intron and rpoB-trnC intergenic spacer—for a comprehensive sample of the subtribe. We examined data for 260 accessions representing all genera of Daucinae and 81 of its ca. 93 species. Phylogenetic trees were estimated using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. The results indicate that former Laserpitieae constitute a paraphyletic grade at the base of the spiny-fruited members of Daucinae while traditionally delimited Daucus and Laserpitium are polyphyletic. To maintain a monophyletic Daucus, we suggest including the following genera and species into its synonymy: Agrocharis,Melanoselinum,Monizia,Pachyctenium,Pseudorlaya,Rouya, Tornabenea,Athamanta dellacellae and Cryptotaenia elegans. The species of Laserpitium occur in seven clades and only six species of the Laserpitium s.str. clade retain the generic name. Several species are transferred to Ekimia, Laser and Thapsia; additionally, a monospecific genus Siler is restored and a new genus, Silphiodaucus, is established. The inclusion of Ammodaucus into Thapsia suggested in an earlier study is not supported. The position of Laserpitium pseudomeum requires further study.

In the course of our study on the traditional medicines and foodstuffs used in Pakistan, we investigated the origin of Indian celery by using the analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence of nuclear rDNA and a phytochemical approach. We found that the source plant of the Indian celery containing coumarin derivatives such as seselin ( 1 ), bergapten ( 2 ) and isopimpinellin ( 3 ) was not common celery, Apium graveolens . Our results suggest the source plant is Seseli diffusum even though Indian workers reported that A. graveolens seeds contain the aforementioned compounds. In addition, a market survey of the Indian celery in Pakistan and related countries revealed that the Indian celery seeds in Pakistani markets are mainly composed of three species which have been confused in rural markets.

Lectotypes, neotypes and epitypes are designated by fifteen specialists for 99 Linnaean plant names belonging to the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). These newly proposed types support the current usage of the names concerned. Earlier but ineffective or supersedable type statements are discussed where appropriate.

A high level of biodiversity in a city goes hand in hand with diversity in types of plantings. In very natural spaces composed of several vegetation levels, a truly \"natural\" urban ecosystem can function and varied wildlife can flourish. More cultivated spaces are not devoid of value. Many horticultural species (e.g., conifers or many - branched shrubs) are often well adapted to the special climate of the city, and they shelter considerable wildlife. Tall trees, particularly if planted in belts, have a positive impact on the local climate and improve air quality. For example, Mulhouse benefits from the aquatic flora and fauna of the Coulee Verte de l'Ill: a real nature site in the city, for many Mulhouse residents it is also a place for walking, sports activities and contact with nature. Clearly, urban biological diversity provides very important educational support to schools. It enhances opportunities for wildlife observation, school plantings, and observation of different tree species; and students learn to distinguish between wild and cultivated plants, or to observe the relationship between insects and flowers, and so on. This support lessens the harmful effects of city life and sensitizes future generations to the attractions of a city that balances inorganic buildings and infrastructure with more or less organized and cultivated natural spaces. For more than 15 years now in Mulhouse, botany teacher trainees have explained the significance of vegetation in an urban setting to schoolchildren and the general public. At the national level, the Association francaise pour la conservation des especes vegetales (AFCEV) seeks to promote similar exchanges of technology and methodology. This organization brings together over 100 institutions and associations. It encourages exchanges between professionals who are acquainted with the latest technical advances and conservation problems, and local organizations that have field knowledge but not always the necessary methods. AFCEV gives little attention to the urban environment, but a similar working method would be useful to seat, around the same table, city technicians and biologists who understand well the living environment. Missing, too, are work principles, technical specifications, and directories of skills allowing decision makers and directors to calmly envisage the feasibility of enhancing biodiversity in an urban setting.