Study On Taxonomic Characters And Variation Patterns Of 3 Species Of Berberis L.(Berberidaceae)in Western Sichuan

Variation patterns of the characters leaves,flowers and fruits of 3 species of Berberis,B.verruculosa,B.× baoxingensis and B.dictyophylla were investigated by means of field survey,and population sampling,in Baoxing and Kangding counties,Sichuan Province from November 2013 to November 2015,in combination with study of specimens and statistical analysis.The taxonomic characteristics of these 3 species were also observed.The results were showed as below:1.Some important taxonomic characters of B.verruculosa were revised.The number of spinescent teeth on the leaf margin was 1-11 with average of 3.72 ± 1.33,among 330 leaves sampled from 17 individuals.Among 10 individuals,the inflorescences were solitary or 2-4 fascicled,with average of 1.45 ± 0.69 flowers.The number of ovules was 2-7 in 170 ovaries with average of 4.17 ± 0.86.The above characters were different from the description of Flora of China "leaves margin 2-4-spinose-serrate on each side","flower solitary" and "ovules 4-6" respectively.Furthermore,fruit color and seed numbers of B vcrruculosa were supplemented for Flora of China.Fruits are purplish black,among 150 ripe fruits sampled from 8 individuals,seed numbers per fruit varied from 1 to 7 with average of 3.07 ± 1.59.2.B.× baoxingensis was a new hybridization between B.verruculosa and B.sanguinea.This new species resembles B.verruculosa in the raised colummar lenticels on branches,but differs in longer leaves with length of 1.1?5.1 cm,mean±SD is 2.8±0.79 cm,leaves almost epruinose on the abaxial surface,the outermost purplish red sepals and epruinose berries.B.× baoxingensis shares the similarity of biocolored flowers with B.sanguinea,but differs in wider leaves with width of 0.3?1.4 cm,mean ± SD is 1.79 ± 0.22 cm,the brownish yellow,raised columnar lenticels on branches.The coefficients of variation in main taxonomic characters of B.× baoxingensis are relatively stable,which are usually lower than 0.10 in sepal number,and in the size of innermost sepals,and petals and stamen length.3.Some important taxonomic characters of B.dictyophylla were revised.Among 250 leaves sampled from 13 individuals,119 leaves were found bearing 1-12 spinescent teeth on leaves margin,with average of 1.89 ± 2.67.Flowers were solitary or 2-3 fascicled.The apex is emarginate in 202 petals from 7 individuals.The variation range of ovule numbers in 105 ovaries was 3-7.The above characters were different from the description of Flora of China "leaves margin entire","flower solitary","petals apex entire" and "ovules 3-4"respectively.Furthermore,seed numbers of B.dictyophylla were absent in Flora of China,the present result showed that seed numbers were 1-6 in 60 fruits with average of 2.81 ?1.36.4.Pollen morphology of B.verruculosa,B.× baoxingensis and B.dictyophylla was observed under light microscope and scanning electron microscope,the latter two species were reported for the first time.The results were shown as below:the shape of pollen grains was spheroidal,42.13?60.93 ?m in polar axis with average of 50.48 ± 4.95 ?m,40.63-56.74 ?m in equatorial axis with average of 47.4 ± 4.04 ?m.Spiraperturate apertures were found in all 3 species,apertures 1.32?3.85 ?m width with average of 2.21 ± 0.56 ?m.Pollen apertures protruded like carinate,surrounded with granules.Exine ornamentation punctate,1.56?2.98 pm thick with average of 2.14 ± 0.29 ?m.High similarity was shown in pollen morphology among the 3 species.5.Chromosome numbers of B.dictyophylla and B.verruculosa were reported for the first time in China,both were diploid,2n=28.6.It was the first time to study the characteristics of seed germination of B.dictyophylla and B.verruculosa.The result showed that in the condition of dark,20?(12 h)/25?(12 h),humidity level of 70%,and with medical gauze as the substrate,seed germination rate of B.verruculosa was 64%,it began to germinate after a time lag of 14 d,germination duration was 20 d.Seed germination rate of B.dictyophylla was 61%,it began to germinate after a time lag of 16 d,germination duration was 41 d.Seedling leaves of B.verruculosa obovate,leathery,abaxially pruinose,with 5-6 spinescent teeth on leaf margin.Seedling leaves of B.dictyophylla nearly circular,thickly papery,abaxially pruinose,with 5-6 spinescent teeth on leaf margin.It was difficult to identify the species by observing leaf characteristics in seedling stage in both species.