Short communication: Leaf architecture of 35 species of Dipterocarpaceae cultivated in Forest Area with Special Purposes in Carita, Banten, Indonesia

MeinataA, Na’iem M, Adriyanti DT, Syahbudin A. 2021. Short communication: Leaf architecture of 35 species of Dipterocarpaceae cultivated in Forest Area with Special Purposes in Carita, Banten, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 2952-2960. Dipterocarpaceae is a major commercial timber characterized by high unbranched bole, paired stipules, and winged fruit. The identification process in the family becomes problematic, in cases where the generative organ is absent. Therefore, a new approach needs to be established to address any misidentification leading to improper utilization. This study aims to determine the leaf architecture in 35 species of Dipterocarpaceae cultivated in Forest Area with Special Purposes (KHDTK) Carita, Banten, Indonesia. The ten leaf samples collected were the third and fourth leaves from terminal shoots of a single tree of each species. Subsequently, the data were observed and measured based on the 17 morphological characters. Each character was then scored and analyzed using multivariate analyses cluster to determine the relationship between species. Dipterocarpaceae generally has pinnate leaf category, geniculate petiole, and entire margin. Furthermore, the phenon line in the dendrogram is cut at 0.695 similarity level to establish meaningful interpretation. The 35 species observed were grouped into 4 major clusters. Small leaf group, inconsistent tertiary vein pattern group, symmetrical leaves with cordate base leaf group, and other groups that do not resemble mentioned characters. The key determination comprised 34 couplets with three characters repeated due to limited descriptors.

Ethylene-dependent effects on generative organ abscission of Lupinus luteus

The abscission of certain organs from the plant is part of the fulfilment of its developmental programs. The separation process occurs in a specialized abscission zone usually formed at the base of detached organ. The changing level of phytohormones, particularly ethylene, is the element responsible for coordinating anatomical and physiological transformation that accompanies organ abscission. The application of ethylene (ET) on <em>Lupinus luteus</em> stimulates flower abortion. However, the treatment with 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) – direct ET precursor – does not cause such a strong physiological response. In turn, when applied on the pedicels both ET biosynthesis (2-aminoethoxyvinylglycine; AVG) and action (norbornadiene; NBD) inhibitors reversed the stimulatory effect of ET on generative organ separation. In order to determine ET role in the flower abscission process in <em>L. luteus</em>, we identified the sequences coding for synthase (<em>LlACS</em>) and oxidase (<em>LlACO</em>) of ACC and measured their expression levels. Abscission zone activation is accompanied by a considerable increase both in <em>LlACS</em> and <em>LlACO</em> cDNAs and also ACC content, which is specifically localized in the dividing cells at the base of the flower being detached. Obtained results suggest that ET is a strong stimulator of flower abortion in <em>L. luteus</em>.

The Effect of Salt-Processed Psoralea corylifolia on Generative Organ Targeting

Psoralen and isopsoralen are two isomers and main effective components within Psoralea corylifolia. In order to investigate the salt-processing effect on tissue distribution characters of psoralen and isopsoralen, a sensitive and accurate ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric (UHPLC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous determination of the 2 components in rats’ tissues after administration of the extracts that came from either crude or salt-processed Psoralea corylifolia L. Data displayed that both areas under the curve (AUC) of psoralen and isopsoralen from salt-processed scurfpea fruit group were significantly increased compared with that of the crude herb group, especially in heart (p<0.05), ovary, and testes (p<0.001). Though the RE and RCmax of psoralen and isopsoralen in all of the investigated organs were over 1.0, generative organs kept the maximum value. The experiment manifested that salt-processing of scurfpea fruit can increase the distribution of psoralen and isopsoralen to generative organs, heart and spleen, and the distribution of psoralen and isopsoralen to generative organs is significantly higher compared to heart and spleen (p<0.01). Results indicate that salt-processing of scurfpea fruit can significantly increase the distribution of psoralen and isopsoralen to generative organs.

The Sufi, His Headdress and Its Significance

Etymologically Sufi, as an Arabic word, means woolen-clad. This is unsuitable in designating a devotee who tries to have union with God. When the word is taken to Chinese it means (my) master-and-father, my Guru. There are at least nine more words used in addressing the Sufi or speaking of him, all of Chinese origin. This leaves no word specially used for the sufi which is not derived from Chinese. Next comes a rite special to the sufis, its is whirling-dancing. It has no precedence in traditional Islam. On the contrary "Dancing in ancient China was a powerful means of seeking divine will, and producing ecstasy for calling down spirits from the invisible word". Thus sufism would be an adaptation from Chinese Shamanism. The headdress, rather than the dress covering the body, is special to the sufis; it is a long hat made to resemble the male generative organ. In ancient times this organ was sanctified and, as sacred object, its emblem formed the headdress of male and female deities. Even sages were buried with emblem of the male organ on their heads. The earlier form of Hindu Trinity was called Trai-Linga-Ishwara, where Linga literally neans the male organ but semantically connotes creative power. To understand creation man had projected Birth as Creation when the male organ of reproduction was sublimated as power of creation. The prehistoric word was Chhiu, meaning phallus. This was pronounced as Shiu or Shew and later became Shiva, who was Phallus-god. In Greece Hermes was Phallus-god. With Shiva there was the Trinity Trai-Linga-Ishwara; Hermes was correspondingly called Tris-Majestis. The headdress, originally formed to resemble the male organ of reproduction underwent modifications. It grew in length while the top, from being round became flat. In this form it could be used without a cloth wrapped round to support it on the head. This was again unique and used only by the Sufis. Its past took it to emblem of male generative organ but in all stages represented creative power.