Intraspecific Floral Color Variation Of Epimedium And The Systematic Quality Evaluation Of E.acuminatum

Morphological variation,especially floral color variation,is of great significance to plant evolution and taxonomy.has important support for the development of ornamental plants.Based on the concept of "population",this study explored the variation of floral colors in the genus epimedium through a wide field survey,so as to provide a basis for classification,utilization and screening of germplasm resources.on this basis,the representative species of intra-species color variation were selected to further carry out quality evaluation and quality characteristics research,so as to lay a foundation for the exploration of resource utilization and quality formation mechanism of medicinal materials.Main research results are as follows:1.Five species of epimedium: E.acuminatum Franch,E.leptorrhizum Stearn,E.leptorrhizum Stearn,E.mikinorii Stearn and E.glandulosopilosum H.R.Liang,show abundant intraspecific polymorphism in floral color.Among them,E.acuminatum has the most prominent of floral color variation,6 of the 19 populations showed the floral color variation.Variation exists both between and within the population.the intraspecific color as a whole from light yellow,yellow,light purple,magenta,purple yellow to purple continuous variation.SCSS is the most special population,and the ratio of purple flower individuals to yellow flower individuals is about 2:1.The remaining populations were dominated by one color,and only a few individuals showed color variation.Results of correlation analysis of the color and habitat of 19 populations of epimedium showed that the color was negatively correlated with latitude(r=-0.512,P=0.021 < 0.05),but not significantly correlated with longitude(P > 0.05)and altitude(P > 0.05).In addition,these species showed abundant variation in rhizome type,number and arrangement of stem and leaf and other traits such as hair condition.These variations were not fully described in previous studies.In this study,morphological descriptions of five species of epimedium were supplemented and revised,and morphological annotations were provided for each species.2.Using high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC),Epimedium A,Epimedium B,Epimedium C,Icariin and their total polyglycosides(ABCI)as evaluation indexes,the quality of 17 populations of E.acuminatum(6 to 30 individuals per population)were systematically evaluated and their quality variation characteristics were analyzed.The contents of 18 populations of E.acuminatum from different habitats were significantly different,among which 7 populations(SCMT,SCQL,SCXH,SCSL,CQFL,SCHJ and SCCM)all had components lower than the detection limit,accounting for 41.48% of the total population.In the distribution among the four groups,epimedium C was the most important component,and there were significant differences among the four groups.According to the quality standard of icariin for herba epimedium medicinal materials,which should not be less than 0.5%,5 of the 18 populations of herba epimedium were up to the standard,accounting for 27.78% of the total population.With reference to the requirement that the ABCI were no less than 1.3%,10 of the 18 populations met the standard,accounting for 55.56% of the total population.Based on the data and conclusion of this study,considering the rational development and utilization of resources,E.acuminatum is suitable for introduction and cultivation in chongqing,guizhou and the surrounding areas,which can ensure the superiority and stability of its quality and quality.According to the results of correlation analysis between flower color and population content,the average contents of epimedium A,B,C,icariin and ABCI in yellow and purple epimedium populations were different to some degree,and the content of polyglycosides in purple epimedium population(2.93%)was nearly 0.77% higher than that in yellow epimedium population(2.16%).SCSS populations of individuals with yellow flowers and purple flowers were significantly different in the content of each component,and the content of each component of individuals with purple flowers was higher than that of individuals with yellow flowers.Based on the extensive field population survey,this study found that there were abundant variations in the floral color,rhizome,flower stem and leaf shapes of five species of epimedium.In this paper,the morphological characteristics of the variants are described and illustrated,and their morphological characteristics are supplemented or revised.Floral colour has been used as an important feature in the classification and identification of Epimedium,but this study suggests that the variation of floral and color characteristics may be widespread in Epimedium,and the application of floral and color characteristics in species identification should be cautious.At the same time,the study has important reference value for the collection,development and utilization of the following germplasm resources.The quality evaluation of E.acuminatum system showed that some of the populations were excellent,and a few were up to the standard of Pharmacopoeia.No significant correlation was found between quality and habitat and color variation.This study provides a basis for resource utilization and germplasm exhumation of E.acuminatum.