Transcriptome Analysis of Mixed Tissues from Epimedium brevicornum Collected from Four Distinct Regions in Gansu Province (PRJCA043474)
To systematically evaluate the potential drivers of local environmental variation on the adaptive differentiation of Epimedium brevicornum, this study established a sampling system covering typical ecological gradients within its natural distribution range in south-central Gansu Province, China, from July to August 2024. Four sampling sites with significant ecological heterogeneity were selected, located at the western margin of the Loess Plateau (Hezheng County, Linxia Prefecture, HZ, 2250 m; Qilihe District, Lanzhou City, QLH, 2416 m), the mountainous hills of southeastern Gansu (Qinzhou District, Tianshui City, TS, 1598 m), and the Qinba Mountains (Wudu District, Longnan City, WD, 1736 m). These sites represent a continuous ecological transition from arid temperate to montane humid climates, providing an ideal platform for analyzing local adaptation in complex mountainous environments. At each site, four healthy E. brevicornum individuals with robust growth, complete phenotypic traits, and no signs of disease or pest damage were randomly selected, and root, stem, and leaf tissues were collected separately.