Molecular Phylogeny of the Lardizabalaceae Based on TrnL-F Sequences and Combined Chloroplast Data

The molecular phylogeny of the Lardizabalaceae is reconstructed based on chloroplast trn L_F sequences alone and combined trn L_F and rbc L sequences. The phylogenetic topologies agree well with Qin's and Takhtajan's tribal classification in both analyses. Decaisneae and Sinofranchetieae are basal clades in the phylogenetic trees and external to all other taxa in the family. Lardizabaleae consisting of Boquila and Lardizabala are well supported in both trn L_F (100%) analysis and trn L_F and rbc L combined analysis (99%). Tribe Akebieae are strongly supported by a bootstrap value of 100% in both trn L_F analysis and trn L_F and rbc L combined analysis. However, the new genus Archakebia is nested within the genus Akebia in the trn L_F trees. In the combined trees, Archakebia is sister to Akebia with high bootstrap support. The inter_relationships among three closely related genera Parvatia , Holboellia and Stauntonia are still problematic. P. brunoniana ssp. elliptica is sister to H. latifolia in both analyses with low bootstrap support. H. parviflora is nested within the Stauntonia and sister to S. cavalerieana . Therefore, these three genera of tribe Akebieae may not be monophylytic and their generic boundary and delimitation need to be further studied, by exploring more molecular data, together with more morphological characters.

Cambial Variations of Three Lianoid Genera, <i>Akebia, Stauntonia</i>, and Sabia (Lardizabalaceae and Sabiaceae), in Taiwan

Descriptions of the cambial variants of the lianoids in two families, Lardizabalaceae and Sabiaceae, were lacking in Taiwan. This study aimed to diagnose the stem characteristics of seven lianoid species from these two families to update existing knowledge. Specifically, the transverse sections of fresh stems were diagnosed to generate a key. The results showed that all seven species develop one of ten cambial variant types, viz. axial vascular elements in segments. Of these species, Sabia swinhoei Hemsley, Stauntonia obovata Hemsley, and S. obovatifoliola Hayata formed secondary rays. The thick and successive periderm was apparent in Stauntonia obovata and S. obovatifoliola at older stem. The sclerenchyma ring was continuous or discontinuous in two genera (Akebia and Stauntonia), but was absent in Sabia. Four diagnostic features could be used to distinguish Lardizabalaceae and Sabiaceae;namely, the periderm, cortical sclerenchyma, vessel arrangement, and cortex ducts. The cambial variations documented for these seven lianoid species in Taiwan update existing information, facilitating comparisons between Lardizabalaceae and Sabiaceae.

Two New Triterpenoid Saponins from Akebia quinata （Thunb.） Decne.

Two new triterpenoid saponins, hederagenin 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-（1→〉2）-α-L-arabinopyranoside named akeboside La （compound 1）, oleanolic acid 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-（1→〉2）-β-D-glucopyranoside named akeboside Lb （compound 2）, along with five known saponins, oleanolic acid 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-（1→〉2）-α-L- arabinopyranoside （compound 3）, hederagenin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-（1→〉2）-α-L-arabinopyranoside （compound 4）, oleanolic acid 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-（1→〉3）-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-（1→〉2）-α-L-arabinopyranoside （compound 5）, 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-（1→〉2）-α-L-arabinopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-（1→〉4）-α-D- glucopyranosyl-（1→〉6）-β-D-glucopyranoside （compound 6）, 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-（1→〉2）-α-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin 28-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-（1→〉4）-β-D-glucopyranosyl-（1→〉6）-β-D-glucopyranoside （compound 7） were isolated from the n-butanol part of the 80% ethanol extracts of the dried stems of Akebia quinata （Thunb.） Decne. Compound 5 was isolated from plants of genus Akebia for the first time. The structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data.