Eight clones of repetitive DNA were isolated from Crocus vernus Hill. The genomic organization of the clones was analyzed by in situ hybridization to C. vernus and Southern hybridization to a range of Crocus and other species. Seven clones were used for in situ hybridization. Sequence analysis showed that all eight clones were nonhomologous, and thus represented eight different sequence-familie...

A unique mannose-binding lectin, highly specific for terminal Man(alpha1,3)Man groups, was isolated from bulbs of crocus (Crocus vernus All.). The lectin failed to bind to a mannose affinity column and was purified by simple gel permeation chromatography (Sephacryl S200). The purified lectin, obtained in crystalline form, had a molecular mass of 44 kDa on gel filtration and showed a single pept...

Among the different species of Crocus, only C. sativus has been extensively studied for the composition and the biological properties of its styles, since these constitute the well-known spice saffron, which is widely used in the Mediterranean, Indian and Chinese diet. With high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and UV/vis spectroscopy, the presence of hydrophilic carotenoids in the styl...

The structure and physical properties of a snowpack and their temporal evolution may be simulated using meteorological data and a snow metamorphism model. Such an approach may meet limitations related to potential divergences and accumulated errors, to a limited spatial resolution, to wind or topography-induced local modulations of the physical properties of a snow cover, etc. Exogenous data ar...

Wetlands are among the most fragile habitats on Earth and have often undergone major environmental changes. As a study case in this context, present work aims at increasing floristic knowledge of reclaimed land now turned into an agricultural lowland with scarce patches natural habitats. The area is named Piana di Rosia, it located southern Tuscany (Italy). compiled checklist consists 451 speci...

The discovery of well-preserved frescoes at Akrotiri on Thera has vastly expanded our awareness of the importance of color in Aegean Bronze Age costumes (C. Doumas, The WallPaintings of Thera, 1992, for good illustrations). Yellow dye, derived from saffron crocus, is particularly important in women's clothing at different stages in life, and some of these garments are further embellished with e...