Australian Journal of Botany

Australian Journal of Botany is an international journal for the publication of original research and reviews in plant science with relevance to Southern Hemisphere ecosystems including ecology and ecophysiology, conservation biology and biodiversity, forest biology and management, cell and molecular biology, palaeobotany, reproductive biology and genetics, mycology and pathology and structure and development. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Dick Williams

Current Issue

Australian Journal of Botany

Volume 65 Number 5 2017

BT17019Going nowhere fast: a review of seed dispersal in eucalypts

Trevor H. Booth

pp. 401-410

This paper considers how far natural stands of eucalypt species are likely to be able to disperse in the period to 2085. Although rare long-distance events cannot be ruled out, the most likely dispersal distances are about 70–140 m. However, limitations such as inadequate remnant stands and extensive agricultural developments may reduce actual migration rates below even this modest potential.

BT17019 Abstract | BT17019 Full Text | BT17019PDF (407 KB)

BT16257Influence of auxin and phenolic accumulation on the patterns of cell differentiation in distinct gall morphotypes on Piptadenia gonoacantha (Fabaceae)

Cibele Souza Bedetti, Gracielle Pereira Bragança and Rosy Mary dos Santos Isaias

pp. 411-420

The accumulation of IAA–phenolics was compartmentalised on the basis of gall morphotypes on Piptadenia gonoacantha. The sites of accumulation coincided with the most hypertrophied regions, i.e., the cells of superior and lateral inferior cortices in the lenticular galls, and throughout the outer cortex in the globoid galls, which influenced on the determination of the lenticular and globoid shapes.

BT17048Thermogenesis and developmental progression of Macrozamia macleayi pollen cones

R. B. Roemer, D. Booth, L. I. Terry and G. H. Walter

pp. 421-430

The thermal activity of Macrozamia macleayi Miq. (family Zamiaceae) pollen cones changes with developmental stage in a manner similar to Cycas micronesica K.D. Hill (family Cycadaceae) pollen cones, suggesting a conserved physiological response across cycad families. The Macrozamia macleayi cones use carbohydrates, but not lipids, to fuel their large dehiscence stage thermogenic events, during which evaporation rates increase considerably.

BT16231Relationship between nitrogen resorption and leaf size in the aroid vine Rhodospatha oblongata (Araceae)

André Mantovani, Dulce Mantuano and Eduardo Arcoverde de Mattos

pp. 431-437

Although leaves of Rhodospatha oblongata increased 35 times in area and 50% in vein density, the N concentration was always around 2–3% in green leaves and 1–2% in senescent leaves. Consequently, increase in vein density or in the amount of leaf N content were not the main constraining factors to leaf nitrogen resorption.

BT17051Reproductive size thresholds and seedling survival in Acacia harpophylla (Mimosaceae)

John M. Dwyer

pp. 438-445

The capacity of Acacia harpophylla (brigalow) to resprout on cleared land is well documented, but its ability to recruit new individuals sexually is poorly understood because such reproduction events are rare. This study, undertaken following widespread flowering in late 2007, recorded very high initial densities of germinated seedlings (46 000 seedlings ha^–1 on average), but less than 1% were estimated to survive the first year. Given the dramatic over-clearing of brigalow, such ecological knowledge is crucial for managing remaining populations.

BT17054Nickel effect on root-meristem cell division in Plantago lanceolata (Plantaginaceae) seedlings

Dolja Pavlova

pp. 446-452

Plantago lanceolata is a variable species growing on different soils but is not abundant on serpentines. Nickel effect on root-cell division is the reason for the low percentage of divided cells, high percentage of abnormalities, and variation of karyotype morphology. Unsuccessful distribution of the species on serpentine soils is related to its poor adaptation to stress conditions provided by the elevated metal concentrations in the soils.

BT17089Aeluropus littoralis maintains adequate gas exchange, pigment composition and phenolic contents under combined effects of salinity and phosphorus deficiency

Ons Talbi Zribi, Kamel Hessini, Najla Trabelsi, Fethia Zribi, Abdelwahed Hamdi, Riadh Ksouri and Chedly Abdelly

pp. 453-462

The ability of Aeluropus littoralis to cope with both phosphorus (P) deficiency and high salt stresses is a result of several mechanisms mainly involved in the conservation of the integrity of the photosynthetic apparatus. Secondary metabolites – mainly phenolic compounds and carotenoids – play an important role in the protection of A. littoralis plants against oxidative damage under combined high salinity and P deficiency stresses.

BT16252Adaptive strategy of tree communities on an environmental harshness hinterland inselberg in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Felipe de Carvalho Araujo, Carolina Njaime Mendes, Gabriela Gomes Pires, Gisele Cristina de Oliveira Menino, Marco Aurelio Leite Fontes and Rubens Manoel Dos Santos

pp. 463-470

Our research tested the hypotheses that environmental harshness enhances sprouting, a trait displayed by trees as an adaptive strategy to habitat persistence. Over the 5 years of the study, sprouting proved to be a strategy of persistence. Multi-stemmed trees have different dynamics compared to single-stemmed trees. Factors such as soil depth, may be the cause of sprouting in trees.

BT17043Regarding the structure and possible function of the columella in seed cones of Callitroideae (Cupressaceae): a morpho-anatomical approach

Veit Martin Dörken and Armin Jagel

pp. 471-484

Several callitroid Cupressaceae have a column-like structure – termed ‘columella’ – that are developed distally in the seed cones, which exclusively represents the prolonged tip of the cone axis. Thus, the distal three-part structure of Fitzroya represents a sterile whorl of cone scales that should not be termed columella. It is suggested that columellae that exceed the ovules, play a role in the pollination process, whereas prolonged, resinous columellae play a role in the chemical defence against pathogens.

Online Early

The peer-reviewed and edited version of record published online before inclusion in an issue

Published online 21 September 2017

BT16233Effects of selective thinning and residue removal on ground layer structure and diversity in a mixed pine–oak stand of the Qinling Mountains, China

Lin Hou, Shan Sun, Liyan Liang, Ge Liang and Luxi Jiang

Understorey is a key component of a forest ecosystem. Forest thinning may change the structure, diversity and cover of the understorey by reducing tree density and increasing gaps in the forest canopy. To achieve the highest richness, evenness and cover, a combination of selective thinning intensity and residue removal rate were suggested by applying a central composite design.

Published online 21 September 2017

BT17114The importance of travelling stock reserves for maintaining high-quality threatened temperate woodlands

Thea O'Loughlin, Luke S. O'Loughlin, Damian R. Michael, Jeffrey T. Wood, Helen P. Waudby, Phillip Falcke and David B. Lindenmayer

Travelling stock reserves (TSRs) are critically important for the conservation of temperate woodland communities that have otherwise been extensively cleared and degraded for agriculture. We compared the vegetation attributes of TSRs with remnants managed for agricultural production and found the former supported higher native plant species richness, more native ground cover and fewer exotic plants. Our results indicate that land tenure status of remnant woodlands generally influenced several vegetation attributes that are also important for native biodiversity.

BT17114 Abstract | BT17114 Full Text | BT17114PDF (507 KB)

Published online 19 September 2017

BT17081Pollinarium size as a hybridisation barrier between sympatric inter-compatible orchids

B. C. Vieira, L. M. Pansarin, M. E. P. Martucci, L. Gobbo-Neto and E. R. Pansarin

This work reports on the occurrence of natural hybridisation between three sympatric orchid species. The reproduction of the species was recorded based on morpho-anatomical, histochemical analyses and intra- and interspecific crosses. The relationship between co-occurring species was verified by floral morphometry and principal component analysis, and sequence divergence analyses. All data collected suggest that no gene flow is currently occurring, and that hybridisation has been avoided due to the incompatible pollinarium size between the sympatric species, which acts as a pre-mating barrier in the studied population.

Published online 14 September 2017

BT17036Seed dormancy and germination of three grassy woodland forbs required for diverse restoration

Gabrielle S. Vening, Lydia K. Guja, Peter G. Spooner and Jodi N. Price

Restoration is vital for the re-establishment of degraded communities, but success is often hindered by issues related to seed biology. We examined dormancy-alleviation and germination-promotion techniques for three common grassy woodland forbs required for diverse restoration. Scarification of the seed produced the highest germination for Dianella longifolia and Stackhousia monogyna, whereas germination of Dianella revoluta requires further examination. This information can advance methods to propagate these species from seed and contribute to greater understorey diversity in grassy woodland restoration.

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

BT17045, Accepted 15 September 2017

Flower development in species of Croton (Euphorbiaceae) and its implications for floral morphological diversity in the genus

Karina Gagliardi, Inês Cordeiro and Diego Demarco

BT17045Abstract

BT16239, Accepted 13 September 2017

Morphoanatomical characteristics of leaves of Anacardium othonianum Rizz. seedlings subjected to different nitrogen doses under hydroponic conditions

Layara Bessa, Marialva Moreira, Fabiano Silva, Luciana Vitorino, Cassia Rodrigues and Sabastião Filho

BT16239Abstract

BT17068, Accepted 31 August 2017

Seed viability of early maturing alpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis R.T. Baker subsp. delegatensis) in the Australian Alps, southeastern Australia, and its implications for management under changing fire regimes

Michael Doherty, A Gill, Geoff Cary and Mike Austin

BT17068Abstract

Australian Journal of Botany

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Australian Journal of Botany

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