Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 10:15:46 -0800 From: j sullivan <jsulliva@Eclipse.net> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg164$foo@default> Subject: Greetings, questions and comment
Hello all! Just subscribed, so this is my first posting. I've been
interested in cps for many years and have a modest corner of my library
devoted to the subject (5 volumes on cps, many more of plant
biochemistry, classification, etc.). I live in NJ and am very involved
with the cactus & succulent hobby at the moment and plan to erect a
greenhouse this spring. I think this would be a great chance to study cp
biology.
I am a chemist and have always been interested in the interelationship
between between chemicals and living things, as in chemical
communications between species. Not being current on the cp literature,
could anyone comment on the presence (or lack) of chemical attractants
in cps, such as aromatic plant volatiles, nectars, etc.? Lit. references
would be appreciated, if available.
I'm also curious about the apparently ongoing debate concerning the
taxonomic and nomenclaturial implications of anthocyanin + and - forms
of the same plant. Isn't this sort of thing usually considered a sport
or result of inbreeding resulting in an apparently stable but inducable
genetic trait? The biosynthesis of the anthocyanins is catalyzed by only
a few enzymes (and hence a few genes, perhaps under the overall control
of a single gene). Anthocyanin production can also be affected by
environmental factors by as much as 50% (see Ref. p. 382). It has been
demonstrated that anthocyanins can be produced in tissue culture,
another field of interest of mine. I would be interested in learning of
references where these non-pigmented plants have been studied in tissue
culture under more controlled conditions than they might get in the
field. Quoting the reference (p. 387), "One of the most striking
examples is the is Machaeranthera gracilis, which produces relatively
large amounts (usually 3% dry weight) of the 3-glucoside and
3-rutinoside of cyanidin in cultured cells. It is remarkable that the
plant from which these cultures are derived shows no signs of
anthocyanine colour in normal growth."
REF: Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology, New Series, vol. 8, "Secondary
Plant Products," ed. Bell & Chartwood (Springer 1980)
I would also like to hear from cp enthusiasts in the NYC-Phila.
metroplex area. (I live midway between the two).
Jack
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