Trollius , a genus in the Ranunculaceae family, has significant medicinal and ornamental value. It is widely distributed in China with 16 different species accepted. However, due to the lack of enough samples and information sites, the molecular phylogenetic relationships of Trollius have been unresolved till now. Here we sequenced, assembled and annotated the plastomes of 16 Trollius species to investigate their genomic characteristics, inverted repeat (IR) boundaries, sequence repeats, and hypervariable loci. In addition, the phylogenetic relationships of this genus was reconstructed based on the whole plastomes and the protein-coding sequences data-sets. The plastomes of Trollius ranged between 159,597 bp and 160,202 bp in length, and contained 113 unique genes, including 79 protein coding, 30 tRNA, and 4 rRNA. The IR boundaries were relatively conserved within the genus Trollius . 959 simple sequence repeats and 657 long sequence repeats were detected in the Trollius plastomes. We identified 12 highly polymorphic loci (Pi > 0.0115) that can be used as plastid markers in molecular identification and phylogenetic investigation of the genus. Besides, Trollius was a monophyletic group with the earliest divergence clade being Trollius lilacinus Bunge, and the remaining species were divided into two strongly-supported clades. The phylogeny in our study supported the traditional classification systems based on the color of sepal, but not the previous classification system based on the types and relative lengths of the nectaries, and distribution. The genomic resources provided in our study can be used in the taxonomy of the genus Trollius , promoting the development and utilization of this genus.

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Peltate organs, such as the prey-capturing traps of carnivorous plants and nectary-bearing petals of ranunculaceous species, are widespread in nature and have intrigued and perplexed scientists for centuries. Shifts in the expression domains of adaxial/abaxial genes have been shown to control leaf peltation in some carnivorous plants, yet the mechanisms underlying the generation of other peltate organs remain unclear. Here, we show that formation of various peltate ranunculaceous petals was also caused by shifts in the expression domains of adaxial/abaxial genes, followed by differentiated regional growth sculpting the margins and/or other parts of the organs. By inducing parameters to specify the time, position, and degree of the shifts and growth, we further propose a generalized modeling system, through which various unifacial, bifacial, and peltate organs can be simulated. These results demonstrate the existence of a hierarchical morphospace system and pave the way to understand the mechanisms underlying plant organ diversification.

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Adonis amurensis Regel et Radde is an important cardiac folk medicinal plant which endemic to Northeast Asia. We determined the first complete chloroplast genome of A. amurensis using genome skimming approach. The cp genome was 157,032 bp long, with a large single-copy region (LSC) of 86,218 bp and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,212 bp separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 26,301 bp. It encodes 129 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. We also reconstructed the phylogeny of Adonideae and Isopyreae using maximum likelihood (ML) method, including our data and previously reported cp genomes of related taxa. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that A. amurensis is close related with Adonis sutchuenensis .

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The genus Adonis L. (Ranunculaceae), native to Europe and Asia, comprises 32 annual or perennial herbaceous species. Due to their cardiac-enhancing effects, Adonis spp. have long been used in European and Chinese folk medicine. These plants have been widely investigated since the late 19th century, when the cardiovascular activity of Adonis vernalis L. was noted in Europe. The present paper provides a review of the phytochemistry, biological activities and toxicology in order to highlight the future prospects of the genus. More than 120 chemical compounds have been isolated, with the most important components being cardiac glycosides as well as flavones, carotenoids, coumarins and other structural types. Plants of the genus, especially A. vernalis L. and A. amurensis Regel & Radde, their extracts and their active constituents possess broad pharmacological properties, including cardiovascular, antiangiogenic, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and acaricidal activities, and exhibit both diuretic effects and effects on the central nervous system. However, most plants within the 32 species have not been comprehensively studied, and further clinical evaluation of their cardiovascular activity and toxicity should be conducted after addressing the problem of the rapidly decreasing resources. This review provides new insight into the genus and lays a solid foundation for further development of Adonis .

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Background and aims Ranunculaceae has a prominent phylogenetic position in Ranunculales which appears at the base of eudicots. The aims of the present paper are to reveal the features of ovule morphogenesis in different taxa and gain a better understanding of the systematics of Ranunculaceae. Methods Flowers of 17 species from three subfamilies, nine tribes and 16 genera of Ranunculaceae, at successive developmental stages, were collected in the wild and studied with a scanning electron microscope. Key results The integuments in the unitegmic ovules in Helleborus, Ranunculus and Oxygraphis, as well as the inner integuments in the bitegmic genera, initiate annularly and eventually become cup-shaped. However, the integuments in the unitegmic ovules in Anemone and Clematis, as well as the outer integuments in the bitegmic genera, arise semi-annularly and eventually become hood-shaped. Different kinds of appendages appear on the ovules during development. In Coptis of subfamily Coptidoideae, a wrap-shaped appendage arises outside the ovule and envelopes the ovule entirely. In the genera of subfamily Thalictroideae and tribe Anemoneae of subfamily Ranunculoideae, appendages appear on the placenta, the funicle or both. In tribe Helleboreae of subfamily Ranunculoideae, an alary appendage is initiated where the integument and the funicle join and becomes hood-shaped. Conclusions Ovule morphogenesis characteristics are significant in classification at the levels of subfamilies and tribes. The initiation patterns of the integuments and the development of appendages show diversity in Ranunculaceae. The present observations suggest that the bitegmic, hood-shaped outer integument and endostomic micropyle are primitive while the unitegmic, cupular-shaped outer integument and bistomic micropyle are derivative.

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