Polygonatum, A pictorial guide

[julian]

I'm just watching from the sidelines... DNA evidence will be most interesting. Thanks for the link to your paper - is a revision of the genus imminent?

[Afloden]

Imminent?!!! Its a ways off, but I'll be publishing changes as I go -- species group by group. DNA so far lends some support to species groups, but nothing at the species level that is well supported. Trying to get ITS to work without fungal contamination. So far I have one marker that amplifies well and I would like to add in about 5-6 more at minimum.

 For instance the kingianum group seems well supported as do the punctatum types. The other alternate species come out as a large group and then there is the mess of verticillatum and cirrhifolium types. Lots of work to do. Cytology is a part of it and ecology as well as some pollination studies. Some of them are self-fertile and these are usually the higher base chromosome species; x=13=15 (and x=16 Heteropolygonatum!).

 Also working on Heteropolygonatum and Disporopsis. So far Disporopsis species seem to have some significant differences and ITS amplifies well.

[Afloden]

To all who might have an interest I have a small website devoted to Polygonatum, Disporopsis, and Heteropolygonatum. It currently has less images than this thread, but those present on it are different. It has links to type specimens, some data of my own, a few maps, links to some papers, and it will be added to as work progresses.

 https://sites.google.com/site/polygonatae/

 Enjoy!

[bulborum]

Great job Aron
still a lot to do
keep us informed

Roland

[manicbotanic]

fascinating stuff Aaron..
hope all is well.
sean.

[julian]

Excellent! Look forward to seeing how it develops.

[Afloden]

Thus far, the limited chloroplast DNA only supports clades. Very few of the species within clades have any support. Still struggling with nuclear DNA amplification... At least morphology works well!

 But, maybe someone can help me with the origin of Disporopsis pernyi "Bill Baker"? I know that Bill Baker picked it up in a bird market somewhere in China - my guess would be in Kunming or in western Guizhou. Maybe an older paper catalog someone might have, or someone who knew Bill Baker might know more information? I have a second clone of this same plant from a forumist who collected it near Baoshan, Yunnan.

 Aaron

[David Nicholson]

Oh dear, my lack of a scientific education. One of these I'll have to learn more.

[bulborum]

Our surprise (probably wrong-named ) Polygonatum oppositifolium starts growing again
maybe this year we find the correct name

Roland

[Afloden]

Roland,

 I am still unsure what to call this plant. Jeffrey had it as "sp. B" (I think) in his revision in 1980. His concept was based off of a single collection by Wilson in Sichuan. I think I have this from Chen Yi finally and a specimen from someone here on the forum. I have DNA extracted, but no sequences yet.

 Aaron

[bulborum]

I have one in a pot for you but forgot to send it
same as P. odoratum collected in the dunes in Holland
to see the different with the Japanese one
Help me remember in November or do you want them in the green
I have time in two weeks after my last show

Roland

[Maggi Young]

There is a Chinese species  looking for a name here : https://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=12411.0     

[Afloden]

Time to raise the dead!

 Here is Polygonatum franchetii in Guizhou a few days ago, sadly not in flower, but the bracts enveloping each young flower are definitive.

 Please send images of whatever you have in flower. I'll ID them if you need.

 Aaron

[bulborum]

Polygonatum nodosum Red leaf selections

[bulborum]

Polygonatum nodosum Red leaf selection