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The origin of Oxalis corniculata L.

ABSTRACT: Background:Oxalis corniculata L. is a weed with a world-wide distribution and unknown origin. Though it belongs to a section of the genus from South America, the evidence that this species came from there is weak. Methods:We reviewed the evidence for the origin of O. corniculata using herbarium specimens, historic literature and archaeobotanical research. We also summarized ethnobotanical literature to understand where this species is most used by humans as a medicine. Results:Despite numerous claims that it is native to Europe there is no strong evidence that O. corniculata occurred in Europe before the 15th century. Nor is there reliable evidence that it occurred in North or South America before the 19th century. However, there is direct archaeobotanical evidence of it occurring in south-east Asia at least 5,000 years ago. There is also evidence from historic literature and archaeobotany that it reached Polynesia before European expeditions explored these islands. Examination of the traditional use of O. corniculata demonstrates that is most widely used as a medicine in south-east Asia, which, while circumstantial, also points to a long association with human culture in this area. Discussion:The most likely origin for O. corniculata is south-east Asia. This is consistent with a largely circum-Pacific distribution of section Corniculatae of Oxalis. Nevertheless, it is likely that O. corniculata spread to Europe and perhaps Polynesia before the advent of the modern era through trade routes at that time.

SUBMITTER: Groom QJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6377598 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The origin of <i>Oxalis corniculata</i> L.

Groom Quentin J QJ Van der Straeten Jan J Hoste Ivan I

PeerJ 20190213

<h4>Background</h4><i>Oxalis corniculata</i> L. is a weed with a world-wide distribution and unknown origin. Though it belongs to a section of the genus from South America, the evidence that this species came from there is weak.<h4>Methods</h4>We reviewed the evidence for the origin of <i>O. corniculata</i> using herbarium specimens, historic literature and archaeobotanical research. We also summarized ethnobotanical literature to understand where this species is most used by humans as a medicin ...[more]

PMID: 30783568

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Project description:The distributions of endophytic bacteria in Alopecurus aequalis Sobol and Oxalis corniculata L. grown in soils contaminated with different levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated with polymerase chain reaction followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technology (PCR-DGGE) and cultivation methods. Twelve types of PAHs, at concentrations varying from 0.16 to 180 mg·kg(-1), were observed in the roots and shoots of the two plants. The total PAH concentrations in Alopecurus aequalis Sobol obtained from three different PAH-contaminated stations were 184, 197, and 304 mg·kg(-1), and the total PAH concentrations in Oxalis corniculata L. were 251, 346, and 600 mg·kg(-1), respectively. The PCR-DGGE results showed that the endophytic bacterial communities in the roots and shoots of the two plants were quite different, although most bacteria belonged to Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. A total of 68 endophytic bacterial strains were isolated from different tissues of the two plants and classified into three phyla: Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. In both plants, Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were the dominant cultivable populations. With an increase in the PAH pollution level, the diversity and distribution of endophytic bacteria in the two plants changed correspondingly, and the number of cultivable endophytic bacterial strains decreased rapidly. Testing of the isolated endophytic bacteria for tolerance to each type of PAH showed that most isolates could grow well on Luria-Bertani media in the presence of different PAHs, and some isolates were able to grow rapidly on a mineral salt medium with a single PAH as the sole carbon and energy source, indicating that these strains may have the potential to degrade PAHs in plants. This research provides the first insight into the characteristics of endophytic bacterial populations under different PAH pollution levels and provides a species resource for the isolation of PAH-degrading endophytic bacteria.

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The origin of Oxalis corniculata L.

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The origin of <i>Oxalis corniculata</i> L.

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