• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.226-233
• /
• 2010

An intensive study of the embryology of Gymnospermium microrrhynchum was conducted to provide information regarding a discussion of the phylogenetic relationships of the genus, which is yet unstudied. Our results indicated that Gymnospermium is similar to other genera of Berberidaceae in terms of its embryological features. Nevertheless, newly reported and unique features are the well-developed endothelium and the undifferentiated seed coat type. Until the study of Gymnospermium, it may have been considered to be closer to Caulophyllum and Leontice in the tribe Leonticeae. These three genera share many morphological features as well as molecular similarities, by which they are kept in the same tribe, Leonticeae. However, very little detailed embryological data regarding these genera have been published thus far. Gymnospermium was characterized according to the basic type of anther wall formation as well as its glandular tapetum, successive cytokinesis in the microspore mother cell, two-celled mature pollen grains, anatropous and crassinucellate ovules with a nucellar cap, well-developed endothelium, its Polygonum type of embryo sac formation, its nuclear type of endosperm formation, and its undifferentiated seed coat type. In comparison with Nandina, there are many differences, such as the dehiscence of the anther, the cytokinesis in the microspore mother cells, the shape of the megaspore dyad, and the seed characteristics. Although we had no available detailed embryological information regarding Caulophyllum and Leontice, which are genera that are more closely related to Gymnospermium, we could deduce from the phylogenetic relationship that Gymnospermium, Caulophyllum, and Leontice are more closely related to each other than other genera of Berberidaceae on the basis of the seed characteristics.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
• /
• v.20 no.1 s.26
• /
• pp.39-50
• /
• 2006

Jeonjangri site of Geochang area is located in the Geochang Basin, and lies on the river terrace of upstream part of Hwang River. Fluvial deposits are well distributed at the northern and southern walls of trench 2(district 2) in the Jeonjangri archeological site. This study aims to interpret the occurrences of fluvial sedimentary deposits on the basis of grain size analysis and palynological analysis in the representative sections of Jeongjangri site. The sedimentary profile shows that the upper units are typified by paleosols with soil wedge formed at about $25,000{\sim}30,000yr$ B.P, and the lower units are characterized by reddish brown muddy sands, organic muds and sand/gravel downwards in the profile. Particularly palynological study on the organic muds of southern wall section showed a result that lower unit is dominant with grass vegetation, and upper unit with Alnus-Quercus-Pinus vegetation. The former is interpreted to be formed at $60,000{\sim}50,000yr$ B.P (stadial), while the latter at $80,000{\sim}70,000yr$ B.P. In general broad-leaved/coniferous mixed forests are mostly dominant in Jeongjangri site and the climate was presumed to be cool temperate at that time.