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Agave AGAVACEAE
Abstract
A diagnostic description of the genus is given with special emphasis on the occurrence of succulence amongst its species. The geographical distribution is outlined, together with a selection of important literature, and an explanation of the etymology of the name. This is followed by a short summary of its position in the phylogeny of the family and of the past and present classification in a phylogenetic context. The succulent features present amongst the species of the genus are shortly explained as to morphology and anatomy.
This is followed by a synoptical treatment of the species (all succulent) of the genus, complete with typification details, full synonymy, geographical and ecological data, a diagnostic description, and, where applicable, notes on phylogenetic placement and relationships, as well as economic and/or horticultural importance.
Los agaves son plantas de importancia biocultural para los mexicanos, tienen una larga historia de interacción con los humanos, además de ser consideradas plantas clave de los ambientes en donde crecen. Actualmente, muchos de sus usos antiguos siguen vigentes, reportándose más de 100 diferentes, que se agrupan en 22 categorías, donde las bebidas destiladas son económicamente importantes, existiendo otros usos que cobran auge, como es el jarabe de aguamiel. Este estudio tiene como objetivo describir los sistemas productivos en donde se mantienen los agaves que son empleados para la extracción de savia o aguamiel para la producción de jarabe de aguamiel, así como realizar una caracterización de las variedades tradicionales de agaves que allí se mantienen. El estudio se llevó a cabo en cinco municipios del estado de Hidalgo, considerando un total 12 localidades. En cada uno de los sitios de muestreo se realizaron visitas de prospección y se seleccionaron ocho sistemas productivos, en los cuales se realizó la evaluación etnobotánica con recorridos temáticos, entrevistas abiertas y semiestructuradas, se caracterizaron morfológicamente las variedades tradicionales de agaves y se realizaron análisis genéticos con el uso de 10 microsatélites de núcleo. Los sistemas productivos que se registraron fueron los metepantles, los ñuta, las magueyeras y magueyes en cerca viva o linderos que limitan espacios productivos. En estos sistemas productivos se observó que se mantienen 28 variedades tradicionales de agaves pulqueros, las cuales pertenecen a cuatro especies de agaves. También se encontró que los sistemas productivos de metepantle en La Gaspareña (Singuilucan, Hidalgo) y los sistemas de producción Ñu´ta del Cardonal fueron los más agrobiodiversos. Estas regiones a su vez se diferencian por las variedades preferidas para sus labores, siendo el Manso en la zona de la Altiplanicie Pulquera y la variedad Xaminí es la favorita en el Valle del Mezquital. La diversidad genética osciló entre 0.020 a 0.200, estos valores están en el rango de lo reportado para otras variedades en el estado de Hidalgo y México. La agrobiodiversidad de los agaves usados en esta actividad, junto con la diversidad que se encuentra en los espacios productivos y los conocimientos de manejadores, hacen de la producción de jarabe de aguamiel en el estado de Hidalgo una actividad que mantiene elevada diversidad biológica y cultural; sin embargo, hay que alertar acerca de ciertas acciones, como la instalación de diversos monocultivos que pueden conllevar a consecuencias negativas.
Citas
Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from different species of agaves. In the state of Durango (Mexico) mezcal production depends on Agave durangensis or “maguey cenizo”. This process of distillation of fermented juices, regulated since 1994, remains artisanal, supporting the economy of several families in the state, although, recently, several companies have emerged with industrial processes. Due to the increase in both national and international mezcal demand, natural populations of this species are threatened as well as their ecosystem in which a balanced plant-human interaction has been established for centuries. In this work, the genetic diversity and structure of four A. durangensis populations in the most important mezcal producing municipalities of Durango, are analysed with 10 nuclear simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci. Results show high heterozygosity levels in equilibrium and no defined structure between populations, which could be reflecting the conservation status of these population before the Mezcal Denomination of Origin was established.
This chapter explores the taxonomy and ethnobotany of Agave species from diverse mountain regions of Mexico, and a complete list of the useful Agaves from Mexico
Spines are key plant modifications developed to deal against herbivores; however, its physical structure and chemical composition have been little explored in plant species. Here, we took advantage of high-throughput chromatography to characterize chemical composition of Agave fourcroydes Lem. spines, a species traditionally used for fiber extraction. Analyses of structural carbohydrate showed that spines have lower cellulose content than leaf fibers (52 and 72%, respectively) but contain more than 2-fold the hemicellulose and 1.5-fold pectin. Xylose and galacturonic acid were enriched in spines compared to fibers. The total lignin content in spines was 1.5-fold higher than those found in fibers, with elevated levels of syringyl (S) and guaiacyl (G) subunits but similar S/G ratios within tissues. Metabolomic profiling based on accurate mass spectrometry revealed the presence of phenolic compounds including quercetin, kaempferol, (+)-catechin, and (−)-epicatechin in A. fourcroydes spines, which were also detected in situ in spines tissues and could be implicated in the color of these plants' structures. Abundance of (+)-catechins could also explain proanthocyanidins found in spines. Agave spines may become a plant model to obtain more insights about cellulose and lignin interactions and condensed tannin deposition, which is valuable knowledge for the bioenergy industry and development of naturally dyed fibers, respectively.
In Jalisco, several liquors are extracted from plants of the genus Agave L. Tequila is the most important of these, because of its large national and international market. It is a major Mexican export product. In order to produce the various tequilas, the juices of Agave tequilana Weber are fermented, distilled, and prepared in various forms. The principal plantations are located between 20 °30' and 21°n orth latitude and 102 °30' and 104° west longitude and cover 16,000 hectares of dry-farmed lands with a warm temperate, semi-arid climatic regime. Over 50% of the factories are located in the Tequila region of Jalisco; these account for 80% of the world production. Tequila Industry 65
Se presenta un listado florístico de las Orquídeas de México (A-L) dando nombres aceptados, sinónimos tanto nomenclaturales como taxonómicos, información de los tipos y distribución en México por estados
A new species named Agave garciaruizii is described and illustrated here. A. garciaruizii is endemic to tropical dry forest in the Itzícuaro and Apupátaro river canyons in the Chorros del Varal State Reserve, at the southern border of the states of Jalisco and Michoacán, México. It belongs to the subgenus Littaea and to the Marginatae species group and is morphologically related to A. angustiarum and A. impressa, but differs from these species in some features of leaves, inflorescences and infructescences. Its conservation status was assessed as Endangered (EN). Additionally, morphological evidence was provided in support of A. arcedianoensis as a species distinct from A. angustiarum. A key to morphologically and geographically closely related species in the Marginatae group is presented. Resumen Se describe e ilustra una especie nueva llamada Agave garciaruizii. A. garciaruizii es endémica del bosque seco tropical en los cañones de los ríos Itzícuaro y Apupátaro en la Reserva Estatal Chorros del Varal, en el límite sur de los estados de Jalisco y Michoacán, México. Pertenece al subgénero Littaea y al grupo de especies Marginatae. La especie propuesta está relacionada morfológicamente con A. angustiarum y A. impressa, pero difiere de estas especies en algunas características de las hojas, inflorescencias e infructescencias. Su estado de conservación fue evaluado como En Peligro (EN). Además, se proporcionó evidencia morfológica en apoyo de A. arcedianoensis como una especie distinta de A. angustiarum. Se presenta una clave para las especies relacionadas morfológicamente y geográficamente en el grupo Marginatae.
Agave tequilana Weber (Rigidae, Agavaceae), blue agave, is a native Mexican plant that has been associated with tequila since the 17th century. The tequila industry has matured over time and now has a geographical indication (Denominación de Origen; DOT). The tequila industry has grown substantially in the last 15 years (19.82% annual increase between 1995 and 2008), resulting in an increase in agave production and associated residue (leaves) and bagasse that can be used for second-generation biofuels. At a time when the biofuel industry is undergoing unprecedented changes, with diversified demand and predictions of increased competitiveness, this paper presents a review of agave landraces that have been affected by tequila production but may be beneficial for a biofuel industry. Conventional botanical studies have revealed domestication syndromes in races related to blue agave ('azul listado', 'sigüín' and 'pata de mula') specifically for production of fructans in the plant core as would be expected in mezcal agaves (including those used for tequila). Some others, such as the 'moraleño' and 'bermejo' cultivars (Sisalanae) show domestication syndrome only in the fibers, while others, such as 'chato,' A. americana L. subtilis (Americanae) show domestication syndrome in fructans and fibers and 'zopilote,' A. rhodacantha (Rigidae) a relatively low domestication syndrome. No specimens of the cultivars named 'mano larga', 'mano anchaque' and 'cucharo' were found in the Tequila Region of Origin (Western Mexico). The genetic resources from landraces ignored by the tequila industry may be valuable for both ethanol production and conservation.
An updated infrageneric classification is provided for the genus Agave L. s.l., therefore including A. subg. Manfreda, i.e., the genera Manfreda Salisb., Polianthes L., and Prochnyanthes S.Watson (Asparagaceae: Agavoideae / Agavaceae), with emphasis on the rank of section. Nomenclatural assessments are provided for (1) all unranked infrageneric ‘group’ names introduced by Trelease (1913) for the Caribbean region, by (2) Gentry (1982) for continental North America, and (3) for all infrageneric taxa at sectional rank hitherto published in Agave by Salm-Dyck, Engelmann, Berger, Ullrich, Webb & Starr, Starr & Webb, and Hochstätter. We also show that Jacobi did not publish names at the rank of section. In addition, a revised infrageneric classification of Agave s.l. is provided, including new combinations and new names mainly at the rank of section, especially for those unranked group names used by Trelease (1913) and Gentry (1982) for which no corresponding formal name at sectional rank is available. Three new combinations are made in Agave for species recently described in Manfreda and Polianthes.
Resum Presentem cites de 34 plantes aŀlòctones trobades a Catalunya i al País Valencià fruit principalment del treball de camp dut a terme en aquests territoris. Com a novetats, en citem dues per a Europa-Agave albomarginata i Euryops chrysanthemoides × E. pectinatus-, cinc per a la península Ibèrica-Opuntia chlorotica, Ptelea trifoliata, Rosa multiflora, Siphonostylis unguicularis i Solandra maxima-, vuit per a Catalunya-Aspidistra elatior, Echinopsis oxygona, Mammillaria elongata, Morus kagayamae, Paraserianthes lophantha, Proboscidea louisianica, Tara spinosa i Vachellia caven-, i vuit per a les diferents províncies catalanes: per a Barcelona, Malephora purpureocrocea, Oenothera lindheimeri, Solanum pseudocapsicum, Tecomaria capensis i Tipuana tipu; per a Girona, Bouteloua dactyloides; per a Lleida, Erythrostemon gilliesii; i, per a Tarragona, Agave lophantha. Tot i no ésser novetats, també aportem noves observacions de plantes poc ci-tades. La majoria de les espècies són presents al territori de forma ocasional (tot i que en alguns casos estan plenament naturalitzades), i en general hi són com a conseqüència d'activitats principalment de jardineria.
We provide here records of 34 non-native plants found in Catalonia and the Valencian Country, mainly as a result of recent field research. The following taxa are cited as new at different scales: two in Europe-Agave albomarginata and Euryops chrysanthemoides × E. pectinatus-, five in the Iberian Peninsula-Opuntia chlorotica, Ptelea trifoliata, Rosa multiflora, Siphonostylis unguicularis and Solan-dra maxima-, eight in Catalonia-Aspidistra elatior, Echinopsis oxygona, Mammillaria elongata, Morus kagayamae, Paraserianthes lophantha, Proboscidea louisianica, Tara spinosa and Vachellia caven-, five in the province of Barcelona Malephora purpureocrocea, Oenothera lindheimeri, Solanum pseudocapsicum, Tecomaria capensis and Tipuana tipu; and one in the provinces of Girona, Lleida and Tarragona-Bouteloua dactyloides, Erythrostemon gilliesii, and Agave lophantha, respectively. Data of some other plants not new for these regions but scarcely cited are also provided. Although most of the species are casual, for a few cases they are naturalized, mostly being originally introduced for horticultural purposes.
Antecedentes y Objetivos:
El género Agave está conformado por 159 especies, es el octavo más diverso de la flora mexicana. En este trabajo se describen cuatro especies nuevas para la ciencia, resultado de la exploración de áreas poco conocidas desde un punto de vista botánico en el sur de México.
Métodos:
Como resultado de trabajo de campo y de herbario en los estados de Guerrero, Oaxaca y Puebla, se encontraron poblaciones de agaves cuyas características morfológicas no corresponden con especies descritas con anterioridad, por lo que después de un análisis morfológico y una revisión bibliográfica se describen formalmente. El estado de conservación se evaluó con base en los criterios de la NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 y el método propuesto por la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza.
Resultados clave:
Se describen e ilustran Agave lyobaa, del subgénero Agave grupo Ditepalae, y tres especies del subgénero Littaea, A. gypsicola del grupo Choritepalae y A. quiotepecensis y A. megalodonta del grupo Marginatae. Para cada una se proporciona información sobre su distribución, hábitat, fenología, posibles relaciones morfológicas con otras especies del género y usos. Según los criterios de la NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, las cuatro especies se proponen en la categoría amenazada (A). De acuerdo con el método propuesto por la IUCN, las dos primeras especies se encuentran en la categoría En Peligro (EN) y las dos últimas como Casi Amenazada (NT).
Conclusiones:
Se describen cuatro especies endémicas de México, distribuidas en los estados de Guerrero, Oaxaca y Puebla; todas ellas con poblaciones vulnerables que requieren acciones prioritarias de conservación.
Further field work in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) yielded new records of escaped cacti. Opuntia elatior, O. engelmannii, O. phaeacantha, O. stricta, Oreocereus pseudofossulatus, Pilosocereus polygonus, Trichocereus cuzcoensis and T. pachanoi are reported for the first time from Gran Canaria. A spontaneous hybrid between two invasive species (O. ficus-indica and O. robusta) was recorded in two localities. Several of these taxa appear to be firmly established while others are considered casuals, at least at present. Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica – a species formerly considered doubtful in the Canary Islands – is confirmed from Gran Canaria. New records are presented for three recently detected, naturalized or invasive species: Cylindropuntia bigelovii, C. prolifera and Opuntia lindheimeri. All newly detected taxa are illustrated and a key for the identification of the opuntioid species reliably recorded so far in the Canary Islands is presented.
The pollen of Agave angustifolia Haw., A. fourcroydes Lem., A. sisalana Perrine and Manfreda maculata (Regel) Rose, occurring in the Yucatan Peninsula have been studied, with special emphasis on A. angustifolia. Observations were made with light and scanning microscopy. Considerable variation in apertures was found that included: anasulcate, tricotomosulcate, "horse shoe" type and disulcate. Ornamentation is basically the same among the species. The pollen of Agave and Manfreda -are very similar suggesting they are closely related.
We show the distribution of the Agavaceae and Nolinaceae families in the Americas and in Mexico. For Mexico we determined the existence of 402 taxa of which 342 belong to the genera Agave, Beschorneria, Furcraea, Hesperaloii, Manfreda, Polianthes, Prochnyanthes and Yucca in the Agavaceae family, while 60 are from the genera Beaucarnea, Calibanus, Dasylirion and Nolina from the Nolinaceae family. We also show an updated list of the species from both families arranged alphabetically. For each taxon we describe their distribution by state and by floristic provinces. The richest states are Oaxaca with 63 taxa, Durango with 52, Puebla with 50, San Luis Potosí and Sonora with 47 and Chihuahua with 45. The floristic provinces with higher number of taxa are: The Meridional Sierras, the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Central Mexico Highlands. At the moment,' for Mexico, five regional floras have been finished that study the Agavaceae and Nolinaceae at different levels. The genera Agave, Beaucarnea, Beschorneria, Manfreda and Prochnyan.thes have had recent taxonomic treatments; others like Dasylirion, Furcraea and Polianthes are in different stages of development, while Calibanus, Hesperaloii, Nolina, Yucca and several groups of Agave require an update. We review data on the representation of the taxa in two of the main herbaria in México (ENCB and MEXU), which comprise 220 species, backed by 3,593 vouchers, with an average of 16.3 vouchers per taxon. Nevertheless it is necessary to increase the collection for herbarium and botanical gardens, to not only to back up floristic and taxonomic research, but also to support research in ecology, ethnobotany, conservation biology, etc. These actions will allow us to have a better knowledge of the biology of the Agavaceae and Nolinaceae.
In this paper an updated list of the 43 Caribbean taxa of Agave, plus nine taxa only know as cultivated plants is given. A comparative study of the main species is done using their most important morphological characters; this allows to separate 12 native species that are different and representative, in such a way that is possible to join the rest of the related species. Aspects of the relationships among the Caribbean species and their continental relatives are discussed. illustrative drawings, tables and a map with the distribution of the taxa are also given.
The genus Agave sensu lato contains ca. 211 described species, many of which are considered keystone species because of their ecological dominance and the quantity of resources they provide with their massive, nectar-rich inflorescences. The large diversity of Agave species has been hypothesized as being related to their reproductive strategy (predominantly monocarpic) and diverse pollinators (e.g., bats, hummingbirds, hawkmoths). In particular, Agave species provide resources that a few genera of nectar feeding bats from the subfamily Glosophaginae are dependent upon. To explore a possible coevolutionary relationship between Agave and the bat species that pollinate them, we calibrated molecular phylogenies of both groups and looked for a correlation in their dates of divergence. One coding and two non-coding regions of the chloroplast genome were sequenced from 49 species of the Agavoideae (Asparagaceae), and the mitochondrial gene Cyt-b and nuclear coding gene RAG2 were either sequenced or obtained from gene bank for 120 Phyllostomid bats. Results from the analyses indicate that Agave sensu lato is a young genus (estimated crown age 2.7–8.5/stem age 4.6–12.3 Ma), with an increasing diversification rate, and the highest speciation rate among Agavoideae’s clades. The origin of the Glossophaginae bats (stem age 20.3–23.5 Ma) occurred prior to the stem age of Agave sensu lato, while the origin of the current pollinators of Agave species, members of the genera Glossophaga, Leptonycteris, Anoura, Choeronyscus, Musonycteris and Choeronycteris, was estimated to be around 6.3–16.2 Ma, overlapping with the stem age of Agave sensu lato, supporting the hypothesis of diffuse coevolution.
Link to the full-text: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1YRKb3m3nMuJlM
Antecedentes y Objetivos:
En la porción central del estado de Veracruz existe una región semiárida, en los municipios Acultzingo y Maltrata, que forma parte del Parque Nacional Cañón del Río Blanco. Esa zona había permanecido inexplorada desde el punto de vista botánico, por lo que no estaba registrada en la literatura contemporánea. El objetivo de esta investigación es contribuir al conocimiento de la flora y vegetación de esta región, a través de un análisis florístico y una descripción de las comunidades vegetales.
Métodos:
Se realizaron colectas periódicas de la flora entre agosto 2012 y julio 2014. Se revisaron los herbarios CORU y MEXU, así como la serie Flora de Veracruz para obtener los registros históricos en el área de estudio. Para determinar los taxones compartidos entre esta región semiárida y el Valle de Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, se realizó una matriz de presencia-ausencia y se elaboró un cuadro que los resume.
Resultados clave:
En total se colectaron 604 especímenes de herbario, se obtuvieron 45 registros de la revisión de CORU, 280 de MEXU y 80 de la revisión de la serie Flora de Veracruz, para un total de 1009 registros. Estos registros comprenden 87 familias, 248 géneros y 390 taxones; las familias mejor representadas son Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Apocynaceae, Cactaceae, Asparagaceae, Boraginaceae, Bromeliaceae, Orchidaceae y Verbenaceae. Se reportan 33 especies como nuevos registros para Veracruz y 43 especies incluidas en categorías de riesgo según normas nacionales e internacionales. Se describen tres asociaciones vegetales que integran al matorral xerófilo de esta área.
Conclusiones:
Existen 63 especies compartidas entre la región semiárida de Acultzingo-Maltrata y el Valle de Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, confirmándose así las relaciones florísticas entre estas dos grandes regiones, por lo que se propone se denomine “Valle de Acultzingo-Tehuacán-Cuicatlán”, abarcando los estados de Veracruz, Puebla y Oaxaca.
Antecedentes y Objetivos:
Polianthes es un género endémico de México conformado por 19 especies, incluida la que aquí se describe. Durante la revisión sistemática del género se efectuó una exploración botánica por toda su área de distribución geográfica conocida, descubriéndose varias especies nuevas, algunas ya fueron descritas y publicadas. Aquí se describe e ilustra P. venustuliflora, endémica del estado de Michoacán, la cual se diferencia de P. montana y P. platyphylla.
Métodos:
Se revisaron especímenes de Polianthes recolectados en el norte de Michoacán, provenientes de diferentes herbarios nacionales y dos extranjeros, con características morfológicas diferentes a las especies ya descritas. Asimismo, se realizó una exploración botánica por la zona indicada, para preparar ejemplares de herbario, en los cuales se evaluaron caracteres vegetativos y reproductivos que permitieron separar a Polianthes venustuliflora de especies morfológicamente similares. La categoría de riesgo se evaluó con base en el método propuesto por la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza.
Resultados clave:
Se describe e ilustra Polianthes venustuliflora, una especie nueva del estado de Michoacán, México, la cual se relaciona morfológicamente con P. montana y P. platyphylla, y difiere de éstas por presentar 3 a 7 hojas en la roseta, a veces 9, hojas de 12 a 35, rara vez 40 cm de largo, con margen papiloso a regularmente denticulado; largo de la inflorescencia de 24 a 68 cm y número de nudos florales de 3 a 7. Se le asigna la categoría de riesgo en Peligro Crítico (CR).
Conclusiones:
Polianthes venustuliflora es endémica del norte de Michoacán. De acuerdo con el criterio B de la IUCN se considera una especie en Peligro Crítico (CR).
Agave potatorum reproduces mainly through seeds is widely collected for the mezcal production, and there is currently a marked decrease in their wild populations. Therefore, to contribute to its sustainable use, it is important to characterize the morphology of its seeds and to know their germinative characteristics.
Research question: Do the year and the collection site have an effect on the size, color, viability and germination capacity of Agave potatorum seeds?
Species studied : Agave potatorum Zucc.
Study site and period of research: Seeds of Agave potatorum were collected in Oaxaca, Mexico: Miahuatlán (MIAH), in 2014; Coixtlahuaca (COIX), in 2015; and Zaachila (ZAA), in 2015 and 2016.
Methods: For the seeds, we analyzed four physical descriptors, five color coordinates, and nine germination variables. We used a completely randomized design with four replications (100 seeds). An analysis of variance, a comparison of means, and a linear correlation analysis were performed.
Results: We found that the ZAA16 seeds showed the highest values ( P < 0.05) for weight and size, and for the luminosity coordinate (L*, 15.2). Color coordinate values revealed a black color of the seeds, which significantly diminished in luminosity with seeds age and varied with their origin. The coordinate L* was correlated significantly with the total dry weight of seedlings and seed volume.
Conclusions: Agave potatorum seeds significantly changed their physical dimensions and germination capacity according to their origin. The luminosity of the black color of seeds decreased with seed age and was correlated with seed volume and seedling total dry weight.</p
Mexico is considered an exceptional area for floristic diversity and endemisms. There is a great concern because several anthropogenic activities and factors are impeding its conservation on the conservation of the mexican flora. In this paper, we present a list of endemic flora to the State of San Luis Potosí and adjacent regions. A total of 336 taxa with restricted distribution were recorded, 61 exclusive to the state. The families with more endemisms were: Compositae, Cactaceae, Crassulaceae, Asparagaceae, and Lamiaceae. The genera with more species were: Mammillaria, Turbinicarpus, Coryphanta, Salvia, Pinguicula, Sedum and Zephyranthes. The municipalities with the most endemism were: Guadalcázar, Rioverde, San Luis Potosí, Zaragoza, Villa Juárez, Xilitla, and Ciudad del Maíz. Queretaro is the state with shares more endemism whit San Luis Potosí. A total of 66 species are in some risk category both national and internationals laws. Floristic exploration in the state is still incomplete, and every year new species are described for the region. This information is useful to highlight zones that represent hotspots for the conservation of Mexican flora.
Manfreda santana-michelii es una especie presente en la ecotoníaa entre el bosque de pino-encino y la vegetación sabanoide en el extremo norte de la Sierra Madre del Sur, al oeste de México. Por su morfología se relaciona a M. involuta y M. singuliflora pero
difiere de ellas en el desarrollo de hojas con márgenes denticulados, inflorescencias racemosas, flores geminadas y pediceladas en cada nodo floral, tubo del perigonio tubular, ascendente y recto, y filamentos del androceo de 0,3–0,5 cm de longitud e incertos justo en la base de los lóbulos del perigonio. En el artículo, además de
presentar ilustraciones y fotografías de especie y taxones relacionados, se incluye una clave para la identificación de Manfreda en el occidente de México.
The Yucatan Peninsula as biogeographic province consists of the Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan, a more natural area also includes the northern regions of Belize, and Guatemala, and it is known as the Yucatan Peninsula Biotic Province. This province has karst geology, low surface hydrography, elevations below 350 meters, and a gradient of precipitation that allows the formation of different plant associations and the deciduous forest, semideciduous forest, and the evergreen forest are the most commons ones. The floristic information of this region is constantly updated. In the present work, this process is exemplified through an update for the endemic vascular flora and the recognition of new records from the last floristic checklist of the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula (Carnevali et al., 2010). Likewise, the application of a density index of botanical collection (IDCB, number of botanical collections /area) has been proposed, as a tool to evaluate the state of floristic knowledge by country, state or other administrative political unit. For example, a previous estimation for the Yucatan state yielded an index of 159 samples/km2. This parameter was calculated for the entire region and the three states. In general, the floristic knowledge of the region is still in progress (new species, and new records), the state best collected is Yucatan, followed by Quintana Roo and Campeche. These last two states require more botanical collections, especially outside the area of influence of roads and populated centers.
Agave colorata is a paniculate agave distributed along the migratory route of the nectar-feeding bat Leptonycteris yerbabuenae. In this paper, we evaluate the importance of nectar-feeding bats in the reproduction of A. colorata in a population in Sonora, Mexico, and describe the germination consequences of self-pollination. We estimated abundance using five plots and set pollination treatments to evaluate the importance of bats. We recorded 14.8 ± 6.8 plants/400 m2, with a bimodal size distribution. Flowers are protandrous and visited mainly (> 20 visits/plant/30 min) by L. yerbabuenae. Pollination exclusion experiments showed that flowers excluded from diurnal visitors had maximum fruit set values (0.49 ± 0.42), while the autonomous self-pollination treatment had the lowest value (0.03 ± 0.06). Similarly, the greatest number of viable seeds per fruit was recorded in the diurnal exclusion treatment, while the greatest number of empty seeds was observed in the self-pollination treatment. Fruit set values among untreated plants varied from 32 to 54%, with a mean value of 41.8%. Seeds derived from self-pollination had a narrower window of opportunity for germination compared to seeds derived from nocturnal pollination. Self-pollinated seeds had lower germination, rate of germination or lag time in response to light, osmotic potential and heat shock treatments, compared to other pollination treatments, revealing an inbreeding cost. Overall, our results show that L. yerbabuenae is the likely major pollinator of the studied A. colorata population. However, under pollinator limitation A. colorata may produce seeds by autonomous self-pollination, at a cost expressed as lower germination.
New records are presented for non-native succulents from Alicante province (Spain). Agave lurida, Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica, Opuntia engelmannii var. linguiformis and O. microdasys ‘Rufida’ are probably reported for the first time from Alicante, whereas the presence of Mortolopuntia schickendantzii and Opuntia dillenii are confirmed. Trichocereus bridgesii is cited for the first time in the wild in Spain.
Keys to species and species descriptions of agaves from Durango and surronding areas area given.
It was our plan to present the distribution in Cuba for each taxon province by province, but so far this could be implemented only for some of the taxa: those of the families (or subfamilies) for which treatments have already been published in the Flora de la República de Cuba, plus a few for which we found specialists willing to provide the partly unpublished relevant information: Asclepiadoideae (Sigrid Liede-Schumann), onvolvulaceae (Hermann Manitz), Gesneriaceae (John Clark), Lamiaceae (Isidro Méndez Santos), Magnoliaceae (Alejandro Palmarola Bejerano), Malpighiaceae (Pedro
González Gutiérrez), Orchidaceae (Alelí Morales Martínez), Oxalidaceae (Rosalina Berazaín Iturralde), Solanaceae (Victor Fuentes Fiallo†), Zygophyllaceae (Delhy Albert Puentes), and the genus Polystichum of Dryopteridaceae (Renier Morejón Hernández), who therefore sign as co-authors for the respective families.
The present, second edition of the Checklist differs from the first one in several details and some substantial respects. Data for the families recently published in vol. 22 of the Flora de la República de Cuba have been included, as well as those of which the treatments are being prepared for the forthcoming vol. 23 of the Flora. Moreover we have incorporated data that appear in various works published during the last year, or published earlier but previously overlooked.
The most conspicuous new item of the current edition is the addition, at the end, of a checklist of Cuban Pteridophytes. This novel Checklist is based principally on Sánchez’s (2017) recently published list of ferns and “lycophytes” of Cuba. In the classification and nomenclature here adopted, we chose however to follow a different model: the one proposed in the modern and well documented “linear sequence of extant families and genera of lycophytes and ferns” of Christenhusz & al. (2011). That classification has been proposed as an international standard for use in, e. g., books, checklists, Floras, herbaria, living collections, and spore banks: the same use that our Checklist, by implication, is
destined to serve. We deviate from the precepts of Christenhusz & al. (2011) in a single instance: we do not accept the three satellite genera of Thelypteris of these
authors.
We shall welcome information on any error or omission from the users’ side. Please send your comments, suitably documented, directly to: w.greuter@bgbm.org and/or r.rankin@bgbm.org.
Se hace una revisión de la riqueza de plantas vasculares que habitan en el estado de Guanajuato, México, tomando como referencia la base de datos del herbario IEBIEBIEB y la literatura especializada existente. Se registran 182 familias, 904 géneros y 2774 especies, incluyendo 41 variedades y 10 subespecies, por lo que la riqueza florística de Guanajuato se considera moderadamente alta, comparada con la de otros estados de México. Las Angiospermas o plantas con flores son las más abundantes en el estado y están representadas por 161 familias, 860 géneros y 2631 especies; le siguen las Pteridofitas con 17 familias, 38 géneros y 125 especies y finalmente las Gimnospermas con 4 familias, 6 géneros y 18 especies. Se proporciona la lista de especies ordenada alfabéticamente por familias. Dentro de las Angiospermas, las familias mejor representadas son Compositae con 119 géneros y 465 especies, Gramineae con 83 géneros y 250 especies y Leguminosae con 58 géneros y 188 especies. Entre los géneros más diversos destacan Euphorbia (45 spp.), Solanum (43 spp.), Salvia (42 spp.), Mammillaria (35 spp.), Muhlenbergia (34 spp.) y Eupatorium (33 spp.). Se analizan en forma general los patrones de repartición de las plantas destacando aquellas distribuidas en el desierto Chihuahuense, las propias de la Sierra Madre Oriental y las del Eje Volcánico Transversal, aunque también se reconocen otras procedencias. Del total de especies 35 se encuentran en la Norma Oficial Mexicana como amenazadas o con protección especial, y sólo Mammillaria herrerae se considera en peligro de extinción. Aunque son pocas las especies de Guanajuato registradas hasta ahora en la Norma Mexicana, esto no significa que el grueso de la flora estatal se encuentre en óptimas condiciones por el avanzado grado de degradación de las comunidades vegetales. Se propone establecer programas de estudio y monitoreo permanentes para elaborar un diagnóstico más detallado de la situación de la flora local; sobre todo de las plantas raras o endémicas, con distribución restringida a Guanajuato y alguno de los estados vecinos.
Polifreda ‘Lindstrom’ was developed at the University of Arkansas to increase the range of perennials available to horticulture in the American South. The cultivar was selected from 14 viable seedlings produced by crossing Manfreda virginica (L.) Salisb. ex Rose (male) and Polianthes tuberosa L. (female) via controlled pollination. Specimens have been grown at the University of Arkansas Agricultural Research Station in Fayetteville, Arkansas (USDA Zone 6b) since 2005 and propagated by either division or micropropagation. Desirable characters inherited from P. tuberosa include two flowers per node, a pleasant fragrance, and heat and drought tolerance. Characteristics resembling M. virginica include finely-denticulate leaf margins, a scapose raceme inflorescence type, and tolerance of winter temperatures as low as −25C (−11F). The intergeneric hybrid represents the first cultivar of the nothogenus × Polifreda. The cultivar epithet ‘Lindstrom’ was chosen to honor the contribution to horticulture of the late Jon T. Lindstrom, who was the instigator of the breeding program and a former associate professor at the University of Arkansas. It is proposed that × Polifreda ‘Lindstrom’ would be suited to either perennial borders or rock gardens, situated in full sun or partial shade.
Para Darwin, el análisis del proceso de domesticación de plantas y animales fue fundamental en el desarrollo de su teoría sobre la diversificación de los seres vivos, y en la actualidad el estudio de la domesticación sigue siendo objeto de investigación de distintas disciplinas, dirigidas a entender la biología evolutiva. El proceso continuo de selección artificial por seres humanos, puede determinar diferencias morfológicas, fisiológicas, reproductivas y genéticas entre las plantas y animales que crecen en hábitats silvestres y aquellas que han sido cultivadas o criadas en áreas antrópicas. Las tendencias en la diferenciación morfo-fisiológica y genética han sido documentadas en decenas de especies domesticadas y sus parientes silvestres, entre ellas plantas suculentas económicamente importantes como opuntias, cactáceas columnares y agaves. Dos especies de agave que han sido y siguen siendo de mucha importancia para las sociedades humanas del centro de México son Agave inaequidens y A. hookeri, las cuales se encuentran coexistiendo en algunas áreas, particularmente del estado de Michoacán. Estas especies eran antiguamente usadas para consumirse como alimento, así como para obtener su savia o agua miel, o para producir fibras y pulque y, más recientemente, mezcal. Agave inaequidens es conocido como "maguey bruto" por las propiedades cáusticas de sus tejidos, debido a la presencia de saponinas y cristales de oxalato de calcio. Esta especie se encuentra en un gradiente de manejo con poblaciones silvestres, manejadas in situ y cultivadas. Por su parte, A. hookeri es conocido como "maguey manso" pues carece de las propiedades cáusticas referidas y sólo hay registro de plantas en condiciones de cultivo como cercas vivas. Algunos botánicos especialistas en el estudio taxonómico de Agave han argumentado que se trata de dos especies muy cercanamente relacionadas morfológicamente y que A. inaequidens es el ancestro más probable de A. hookeri. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar las consecuencias que ha tenido el proceso de domesticación en términos morfológicos y genéticos de las dos especies mencionadas, así como esclarecer las relaciones de similitud entre ellas. Se plantearon como hipótesis: (1) que la diferenciación morfológica y genética dentro y entre especies está relacionada con la intensidad de manejo, y (2) que ambas especies son parte de un mismo complejo taxonómico, siendo A. hookeri el taxón representativo de la mayor intensidad de manejo. Para cumplir con los objetivos y probar las hipótesis referidas, se analizaron 19 poblaciones en la región noroccidental del estado de Michoacán, 16 de A. inaequidens y tres de A. hookeri. Se evaluaron los propósitos y formas de manejo a través de entrevistas a manejadores de ambas especies, se realizaron mediciones de un total de 41 variables morfológicas, 25 vegetativas y 16 reproductivas, y se efectuaron estudios de genética de poblaciones empleando como marcadores moleculares 10 microsatélites de núcleo. Estos análisis permitieron comparar rasgos morfológicos, reproductivos y genéticos entre poblaciones bajo distintas condiciones de manejo y entre las especies.
Hoy en día, los magueyes de A. inaequidens se usan principalmente para la extracción de mezcal y su consumo como alimento, mientras que A. hookeri se usa para producir pulque y como cerca viva. Para A. inaequidens, la gente distingue ocho variedades con base en los colores y las formas de las hojas. Los individuos en poblaciones cultivadas son de mayor longitud (148 ± 2.96) que aquellos de poblaciones silvestres (126 ± 3.62). En el caso de A. hookeri, las plantas son de mayor tamaño (196 ± 5.003) que las plantas de A. inaequidens y la mayor similitud fue con individuos cultivados y manejados de A. inaequidens principalmente de la región más occidental del área de distribución (Sahuayo). La diversidad genética de ambas especies es en general elevada (Rango de HE = 0.496-0.733) comparada con otras especies estudiadas con el mismo marcador utilizado en este estudio (Rango de HE = 0.340-0.659). No se identificaron diferencias significativas en los valores de HE entre poblaciones silvestres, manejadas y cultivadas de A. inaequidens, pero sí entre los valores de NA (A. inaequidens: Silvestre 7.600 ± 0.593; cultivada 7.357 ± 0.156; manejada in situ 7.757 ± 0.285; A. hookeri: 3.600 ± 0.400) y NE (A. inaequidens: Silvestre 4.396 ± 0.303; cultivada 4.230 ± 0.133; manejada in situ 4.178 ± 0.248; A. hookeri: 2.2870 ± 0.1430). Nuestros resultados indican que existe un elevado flujo de genes entre los individuos de las poblaciones de distintas categorías de manejo, incluso entre ambas especies (Rango de Nm = 0-29), lo que se explica en parte por la dinámica de cultivo de los productores de mezcal que mueven propágulos entre poblaciones y áreas, así como por la polinización, la cual se lleva a cabo principalmente por murciélagos. Agave hookeri se ubica en el extremo del gradiente de manejo. Esta especie exhibió características claras de síndrome de domesticación, como fueron mayor tamaño de la planta y menor irritabilidad de sus tejidos, exclusivamente se encuentra bajo cultivo, lo que indica que aunque puede haber propagación sexual, el éxito de las plantas resultantes depende del manejo humano. Mientras que para A. inaequidens es posible encontrar indicios de domesticación incipiente en las poblaciones cultivadas. Encontramos evidencia morfológica y genética que pone de manifiesto la similitud entre las dos especies, pero aún hace falta mayor información que permita arribar a conclusiones definitivas. Esta investigación contribuye al conocimiento de la enorme diversidad morfológica y genética de estas especies, además de que arroja información que puede ser empleada en estrategias de manejo y conservación de estos recursos genéticos.
The study of evolutionary history allows us to examine diversification, selection and domestication processes. Mexico belongs to Mesoamerica, one of the world's most important centers of origin and diversification of plants. One of the plants that has sustained its peoples for over 10,000 years is the agave (Agave sp.). Mexico is the center of diversity of the genus, with 75% of the species. Two agave products, tequila and mezcal, are of great economic and biocultural importance for Mexico. The description of genetic diversity and the identification of the wild relatives of the agave species used to produce these emblematic beverages is fundamental information for their production and conservation. Previous studies have proposed wild populations of A. angustifolia in Jalisco as possible wild relatives of blue agave or tequila (Agave tequilana). We use microsatellite (eight loci) to study the genetic diversity and the relationships between wild populations of A. angustifolia and traditional cultivars of the Agave species utilized in the production of tequila and mezcal in Jalisco. The studied taxa present intermediate genetic variation, with the exception of A. tequilana “Azul” which had the same genotype. A Structure analysis indicates that the “Azul” is closely related to A. angustifolia mainly to wild populations from southern Jalisco. Agave rhodacantha and the cultivars of A. tequilana (“Sigüin” and “Chato”) form a group separate from Agave angustifolia y A. tequilana “Azul”.
While the first Agaves of Arizona installment featured naturally occurring Agaves definitively placed in one subgenus (Agave) or the other (Littaea), our second installment continues with a venture into the somewhat more tenuous realm of naturally occurring hybrids and anthropogenic (literally, man-made) cultivars, in other words, the fun stuff! A peek back at Part I in vol. 89-6 might lend a sense of continuity, as reference is made to several taxa previously discussed. Please note that range maps exclusively represent sites we have personally visited and documented.
The names Agave gustaviana J.N.Haage & E.Schmidt and A. maximiliana Baker (Asparagaceae / Agavaceae) are typified in preparation of the conservation of A. maximiliana against A. gustaviana. For this purpose a specimen, “Agave maximiliana Hort. Kew Feb. 22nd 1881 N.E. Brown s.n.” (K000543880) kept at K is designated as neotype. Since Baker (1877), when he published the name A. maximiliana, cited the earlier A. gustaviana as a synonym of the former, both A. gustaviana and A. maximiliana have the same type. The name A. gustaviana was published in 1874, i.e., three years before A. maximiliana, and will have to be adopted for this economically important species, unless the conservation proposal is successful.
Several systems of classification have been proposed for the family Agavaceae. A distinctive bimodal karyotype and similarities of fruits and seeds strongly support close relationships among Yucca, Hesperaloë, Beschorneria, Furcraea, Agave, Manfreda, Polianthes, Prochnyanthes, and perhaps Hosta. However, Dasylirion, Beaucamea, Nolina, Calibanus, Dracaena, and Sansevieria differ in so many cytological and morphological features that many have concluded they should be excluded from Agavaceae and separated into two families, Nolinaceae and Dracaenaceae. Chloroplast DNA restriction site data support these separations and indicate that Nolinaceae and Dracaenaceae are very close to Convallariaceae (Maianthemum, Convallaria, Aspidistra, Liriope, etc.). In this paper we report the results of an ITS rDNA sequencing study of 40 taxa in Agavaceae sensu lato and related groups in the order Asparagales. Sequence alignments were optimized using the Consistency Index, Retention Index, and Rescaled Consistency Index to find the alignment that exhibited the least amount of homoplasy. The results of our study are congruent with the conclusions drawn from cytological, immunological, cpDNA, and rbcL studies, which support a narrow interpretation of Agavaceae and a close relationship among Convallariaceae, Dracaenaceae, and Nolinaceae. In addition, the ITS sequence data provide evidence for some interesting relationships within these families.
This work presents a statistical and numerical analysis of the patterns of morphological variation of the cultivated variants of henequén (Agave fourcroydes Lem.) presently found in the Mexican state of Yucatan and of the wild populations of A. angustifolia Haw., its putative progenitor. This is the first step in the study of the intrageneric genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships. The study indicated that: (1) There exists a significant discontinuation in morphological variation corresponding to the cultivated variants of traditionally recognized henequén: Sac Ki, Yaax Ki, and Kitam Ki, and to three possible ecotypes of A. angustifolia Haw.: Coastal Dunes, Tropical Deciduous Forest, and Tropical Subdeciduous Forest. (2) Sac Ki and Yaax Ki differ from wild populations in four syndromes of domestication: gigantism, greater fibrosity, less thorniness, and less reproductive capacity. The lower coefficient of variation of their characteristics compared with the wild populations suggests less genetic diversity. This fact, and the disappearance of four out of the seven variants existing early in this century, indicate a dramatic genetic erosion of this crop. (3) Kitam Ki is the cultivated variant more similar to wild ones. Differences with them suggest recent introduction and an artificial selection process with different direction and intensity than the other cultivated variants. (4) A tendency from more to less is observed for characteristics indicating degree of domestication: Sac Ki, Yaax Ki, and Kitam Ki. (5) The differences among the possible wild ecotypes may be associated with the soil conditions and precipitation.
Survival of seedlings of the common desert succulent, Agave deserti, required unusually wet years and the protection afforded by nurse plants or other shelters. The characteristics of seed germination and of seedlings showed that water stress in the seedling stage may be the most important factor affecting establishment. Leaves wilted irreversibly at an osmotic potential of −1.6 MPa (–16 bars). Survival of seedlings required the generation of enough biomass during the first wet season to survive drought periods when the water potential of the soil was below −1.6 MPa. Lengths of individual growing seasons and subsequent droughts were obtained from rainfall records for 1961 through 1978 for a site in the western Colorado desert. The length of the first major drought following germination apparently limited establishment of Agave deserti to only one year in the last 17. The favorable year, 1967, was consistent with the estimated year of germination of the six smallest Agave deserti observed in 1,500 m² at the field site.
In 1920, William Trelease published the name Agave panamana Trel. (Asparagaceae: Agavoideae / Agavaceae) based on material from Urava Island (Isla Urabá), Panama Bay, along the Pacific coast of Panama. This name is nowadays usually included in the synonymy of the very variable A. angustifolia Haw. [var. angustifolia]. A. panamana is here illustrated and its description comprehensively amplified to enable its comparison with A. angustifolia. Reference is made to the uses and considerable morphological variation found in A. angustifolia.
