UNLABELLED • PREMISE OF THE STUDY Whole genome duplication (WGD) and specific polyploidy events marked turning points for angiosperm genome structure and evolution. Therefore, cytogenetic studies of polyploidy-prone groups such as the tropical Malvaceae and plant formations such as as the Brazilian Cerrado have gained further importance. We present new chromosome counts for Cerrado Bombacoide...

The correct name for the Cuban species of Trichospermum Bl. (Malvaceae: Grewioideae) also found in Mexico and Central America is Trichospermum lessertianum (Hochr.) Dorr, comb. n. The name Trichospermum mexicanum (DC.) Baill., incorrectly applied to this Cuban species, should be restricted to a species endemic to western and southern Mexico.

INTRODUCTION Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L., Malvaceae) is a warm season annual fiber crop closely related to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L., Malvaceae) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L., Malvaceae) that can be successfully produced in a large portion of the United States, particularly in the southern states. As the commercial use of kenaf continues to diversify from its historical role as a co...

Background Although many new species to science have been discovered from thousands of specimens resulting from botanical inventories to support conservation management in Cameroon in recent years, additional species remain to be formally evaluated taxonomically and described. These include species from genera which have been taxonomically neglected for many decades in Africa, such as Microcos....

Abundant, many-flowered plants represent reliable and rich food sources for animal pollinators, and may even sustain guilds of specialized pollinators. Contrastingly, rare plants need alternative strategies to ensure pollinators' visitation and faithfulness. Flower mimicry, i.e. the sharing of a similar flower colour and display pattern by different plant species, is a means by which a rare spe...

Isolation of high quality RNA and DNA from plants especially cotton (Gossypium hirsutum; family Malvaceae) is notoriously difficult. This problem has been attributed to high content of phenolic terpenoids and tannins present in cotton cells (Katterman, and Shattuck, 1983). These compounds bind to RNA and DNA upon cell lysis and cannot be removed by conventional extraction procedures. Such RNA i...