Talinum

Abstract: 1 SUMMARY African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) are the cheapest and most readily available sources of important proteins, vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids in Ghana. This study was conducted to determine the nutritional values of the leaves of cocoyam (Kontomire) (Xanthosoma sagittifolia), water leaf “(Bokoboko)” ( Talinum triangulare), “ (Aleefu)” (Amaranth cruentus) and Moringa oleifera. Samples of the green leafy vegetables were obtained from the Centre for Biodiversity Utilization and Development (CBUD) farm at Prison Camp at Amanfrom in the Ashanti Region. The parameters determined were moisture, crude fiber, crude fat, protein, total carbohydrate, food energy and minerals (iron and phosphorus). The results showed they all had high moisture content ranging from 72.93 to 91.83% with Talinum sp. showing the highest percentage of moisture. The other characteristics like crude fiber ranged from1.00% to 10.40%, fat 1.33% to 3.19%, protein 4.46% to 6.60%, carbohydrate 1.05% to 13.50%, food energy 36.60Kcal/100g to 90.20Kcal/100g, iron 1.00mg/100g to 40.50mg/100g and phosphorus 74mg/100g to 81.90mg/100g. The results showed that no particular green leafy vegetable was superior to the others. It is therefore important to use any of the different varieties of leafy vegetables for food. It is recommended that similar investigations should be carried out on other indigenous leafy vegetables such as cowpea, baobab, kapok and cassava leaves

Abstract: Recent molecular and morphological systematic investigations revealed that the cacti are most closely related to Anacampseroteae, Portulaca and Talinum of the family Portulacaceae (ACPT clade of suborder Portulacineae). A combined analysis of ndhF, matK, and nad1 sequence data from the chloroplast and the mitochondrial genomes indicates that the tribe Anacampseroteae is the sister group of the family Cactaceae. This clade, together with Portulaca, is well characterized by the presence of axillary hairs or scales. Relationships within Anacampseroteae are characterized by a grade of five species of Grahamia s.l. from North and South America, and Grahamia australiana is found to be sister to the genera Anacampseros and Avonia. A comparison of vegetative characteristics indicates an evolutionary transition from woody subshrubs to dwarf perennial and highly succulent herbs during the diversification of Anacampseroteae. Available evidence from the present investigation as well as from previously published studies suggests that a revised classification of Portulacineae on the basis of inferred phylogenetic relationships might consist of a superfamily that includes Cactaceae and the three genera Anacampseros s.l. (including Avonia and Grahamia s.l.), Portulaca, and Talinum (including Talinella), either referred to three monogeneric families or to a paraphyletic family Portulacaceae*.

Abstract: High levels of variability in gas exchange characteristics and degree of CAM-cycling were found in the same and different individuals of Talinum calycinum Engelm. collected from rock outcrops in Missouri. Differences in CO(2) assimilation were mostly correlated with differences in shoot conductance to CO(2) not shoot internal CO(2) concentration. As found previously, CAM acid fluctuations were evident in well-watered plants exhibiting C(3) gas exchange patterns (CAM-cycling) and also in drought-stressed plants with stomata closed, or nearly so, day and night (CAM-idling). Drought stress also resulted in rapid stomatal closure, conserving water during droughts. Maximal CO(2) uptake rates occurred below 35 degrees C; higher temperatures induced decreases in CO(2) assimilation and conductance while shoot internal CO(2) concentrations remained similar. Plant water-use-efficiency was severely curtailed at temperatures above 30 degrees C. Tissue acid fluctuations were the result of changes in malic acid concentrations. Calculations of the amount of water potentially conserved by CAM-cycling yielded values of approximately 5 to 44% of daytime water loss. Thus, CAM-cycling may be an important adaptation minimizing water loss by perennial succulents growing in shallow soil on rock outcrops.

Abstract: The potential for Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) was investigated in the sandstone outcrop succulent Talinum calycinum in central Kansas. Field studies revealed CAM-like diurnal acid fluctuations in these plants. These fluctuations persisted under all moisture and temperature regimes in the laboratory. Despite this CAM-like acid metabolism, simultaneous gravimetric determinations of day- and nighttime transpiration rates indicated the presence of a C3 gas exchange pattern. Subsequent analyses of diurnal CO2 and H2O exchange patterns under well-watered conditions and after 3, 5, and 7 days of drought confirmed these findings, though low rates of nocturnal CO2 uptake were observed on the fifth night after continuous drought. Finally, the δ13C/12C value of this succulent, −27.8‰, emphasizes the insignificance of any nocturnal CO2 uptake in the lifelong accumulation of carbon in this species. Thus, it is proposed that T. calycinum is a C3 plant with some CAM characteristics, including the ability to re-fix respiratory CO2 at night under all moisture regimes, potentially resulting in a conservation of carbon, and occasionally to fix atmospheric CO2 at night. These findings may prove to be common among rock outcrop succulents.