Genipa

Abstract: Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequences of the rps16 intron and the trnL (UAA)-F(GAA) intergenic spacer were obtained from 59 species, to evaluate phylogenetic relationships among members of the Gardenieae, Rubiaceae. The results indicate that Gardenieae is polyphyletic and that genera included in the subtribe Diplosporinae should be transferred to the Coffeeae and Octotropideae. The Octotropideae tribe may also be polyphyletic. It is also demonstrated that the tribe Pavetteae is polyphyletic. In addition, the present data support a basal position for the disputed genus Bertiera within the Coffeeae clade. Of the informal groups proposed by Robbrecht & Puff within the Gardenieae, the Alibertia group is strongly supported, and is estimated to also include Ibetralia, Genipa aff. williamsii, and one undescribed taxon. However, Genipa americana was not part of this clade suggesting that Genipa is polyphyletic. The Tetrad group is not supported, and character optimisations suggest that pollen released in tetrads may have arisen three times. Most of these genera appear in the same clade as the three neotropical genera Sphinctanthus, Rosenbergiodendron, and Tocoyena, all of which bear pollen in monads. Atractogyne, Mitriostigma, and Oxyanthus form the second group with pollen in tetrads, whereas Gardenia is embedded in a third group. Massularia, with polyads, occurs either singly on a large polytomy or at the base of the Atractocarpus-Porterandia-Trukia clade.

Abstract: Genipa americana L. is a tropical tree belonging to Rubiaceae family, providing fruit that are consumed in natura and is being increasingly explored as raw material to liquor, wine, soft drink and also the use of white wood for making various products. The seeds drying this species can be made using natural and or artificial methods. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of natural drying, in different periods and ambient, in the physiological quality of Genipa americana seeds. Seeds were submitted to the determination of moisture content after processing and drying of each period (0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144 and 168 hours). To evaluate the effects of ambient (laboratory and greenhouse) and drying periods were performed the following tests: emergence in greenhouse, emergence speed index, seedling length and dry weight. Drying seed genipa can be done in a greenhouse (temperature of 33°C with relative humidity of 70%) for 24 hours or laboratory environment (temperature of 28°C with relative humidity of 75%) for 48 hours without compromising the physiological quality.

Abstract: Genipatriol (1), a new 2α,3β-dihydroxylated cycloartane triterpene, was isolated from the aerial parts of Genipa spruceana. The structure of genipatriol was determined by a combination of spectrosc...

Abstract: Agouticarpa, a new genus of the informal Alibertia group (Rubiaceae), is described and illustrated. It comprises six species, and occurs from Costa Rica to Bolivia. Three species are here described as new: Agouticarpa grandistipula, A. hirsuta, and A. velutina. Additionally, three new combinations are made: A. curvifolia and A. williamsii (previously in Genipa) and A. isernii (previously in Alibertia). Agouticarpa is characterized by being dioecious, having elliptic to obovate, membranaceous stipules, male flowers in a branched dichasial or thyrse-like inflorescence, a poorly developed cup-shaped calyx, pollen grains with 3–7 apertures, and large globose fruits.