Identification of the Scientific Name of Curculigo Orchioides from Kon Ka Kinh National Park in Vietnam, using Morphological and DNA Barcode Methods

2025-04-03T22:49:52+00:00

Curculigo orchioides is a perennial plant widely used in traditional medicine for its kidney-tonifying, yang-strengthening, warming, dampness-drying, blood-stagnation-dispersing, paralysis-relieving, and tendon-strengthening effects. In Vietnam, there are 7–8 species of Curculigo, some of which are also called Curculigo orchioides but do not possess aphrodisiac properties. This study aims to avoid confusion and accurately identify the species of Curculigo orchioides collected from Kon Ka Kinh National Park using morphological and DNA barcoding methods.

Morphological observations focused on describing the stem, leaves, flowers, and fruits. The results showed that Curculigo orchioides hava a short stem covered by overlapping leaf sheaths, with a brown outer layer and a white inner layer. The leaves are sword-shaped with parallel veins, measuring 20–30 cm long and 2–2.5 cm in width. The flowers are yellow, arranged in clusters of 3–5 petals on a short axis at the leaf axils. The capsule fruit is elongated, measuring 1.5–5 cm in length and 0.5–1.1 mm in width, containing 1–4 seeds. The seeds are black, hard, and polyhedral.

DNA barcoding analysis revealed clear, intact DNA bands in electrophoresis images. The sequencing results of the rbcL gene segment showed 100% similarity (547/547 nucleotides) to Curculigo orchioides Gaertn., as recorded in the genetic database. Based on morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding, the scientific name of the Curculigo orchioides species found in Kon Ka Kinh National Park was identified as Curculigo orchioides Gaertn., belonging to the family Hypoxidaceae.

Alterations in the Low Molecular Weight Metabolome of Potamogeton perfoliatus L., One of the Key Species in Littoral Habitats of Lake Ladoga, Concerning Phytoplankton Development

2025-11-12T21:28:44+00:00

Perfoliate pondweed (Potamogeton perfoliatus L.) is one of the key species in plant associations in the coastal waters of Lake Ladoga. The chromatograph mass spectrometric study of the low molecular weight metabolome (LMWM) of this species growing in various littoral biotopes of Lake Ladoga, which differ in the degree of anthropogenic load and phytoplankton development, revealed the relationships between the LMWM of P. perfoliatus and the degree of anthropogenic disturbance of littoral biotopes, as well as the level of phytoplankton development and its composition. We noted a decrease in the content of low molecular weight organic compounds, as well as the absolute and relative content of fatty acids in the LMWM of P. perfoliatus, with increasing anthropogenic impact. The observed changes in LMWM of P. perfoliatus are a reflection of physiological processes that ensure the ecological and biochemical adaptation of the plant to changing environmental conditions, the deterioration of which as a result of excessive development of cyanobacteria is often associated with anthropogenic factors. Changes in the LMWM of P. perfoliatus can be used as diagnostic signs of deterioration of the lake environment in the coastal zone of Lake Ladoga. The anthropogenic factor decreases the stability and resistance of the aquatic ecosystem, making it more vulnerable to harmful algal blooms due to reduced synthesis of fatty acids by macrophytes.

Global Journal Of Botanical Science

Identification of the Scientific Name of Curculigo Orchioides from Kon Ka Kinh National Park in Vietnam, using Morphological and DNA Barcode Methods

Alterations in the Low Molecular Weight Metabolome of Potamogeton perfoliatus L., One of the Key Species in Littoral Habitats of Lake Ladoga, Concerning Phytoplankton Development