Demographic variation of gender expression among four natural populations and one cultivated in a monoecious species, Schisandra chinensis (Schisandraceae), was studied over three consecutive years in a bid to clarify its sexual system and to better understand reproductive strategies in monoecious plants. We found that gender expression was more variable in the natural populations than in the cultivated one. In the natural populations, plant size was positively correlated with flower production (total, male and female) but not with the female ratio, whereas shade intensity was negatively correlated with the female ratio. In the cultivated population, plant age was positively correlated with flower production and the female ratio within an age range. Hence, gender expression and reproductive output in Schisandra chinensis was found to be age-dependent. The female ratio varied with age; young and old plants had lower female ratios. Our study confirmed the sexual system in the species to be monoecy as opposed to dioecy, and supported the hypothesis that monoecious plants can regulate gender expression by altering quantities of pistillate and staminate flowers at the individual plant level to maximize fitness.

The aim of this study was to evaluate Syagrus romanzoffiana (Arecaceae) (1) reproductive phenology, (2) seed dispersal and (3) seed predation in a highly fragmented landscape. Over a 24-month period, we recorded flowering and fruiting events, proportions of fallen fruit infested by insects, as well as seed dispersal and seed predation by squirrels. Overall flowering and fruiting intensities varied among months; flowering being significantly greater in January and March 2008, and fruiting in April–June and August-September 2008. There were no differences between the first and second years in the flowering and fruiting percentages, flowering and fruiting duration, their peaks or synchrony. The squirrels spent same amounts of time dispersing and eating the seeds. Additionally, there were no statistical differences among the fragments in the numbers of squirrel visits, seeds dispersed or eaten by squirrels, or in the time spent by squirrels on eating or dispersing the seeds. Seed predation rates by insects or percentage of fruits with eggs were not influenced by fruit density, size or weight. Syagrus romanzoffiana can be characterized as a robust secondary species, recommended for restoration programs in fragmented landscapes.

Lectotypes for Lonicera periclymenum L., L. pyrenaica L. and L. xylosteum L. are designated from original material conserved in BM (Clifford Herbarium), LINN (Linnaean Herbarium) and UPS-BURSER (Joachim Burser Herbarium).

A new species of Grimmia (Grimmiaceae), G. ulaandamana J. Munoz, C. Feng, X.L. Bai & J. Kou, from several localities in China, is described and illustrated. It is distinguished from all congeners in having 2–4(5)-stratose and V-shaped lamina, semi-terete to terete costa consisting of almost homogeneous cells and with four guide cells at mid-leaf, and a long plication in lower part on one or both sides of the leaf.

Centaurea orumiehensis Ranjbar & Negaresh sp. nova (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated from western Azerbaijan Province, NW Iran. The characters that distinguish it from the morphologically closest species are given. In addition, C. zangulensis Ranjbar & Negaresh stat. & nom. nov. is proposed to replace C. elegantissima Bornm. var. albiflora Bornm.

Seventy specimens from 14 populations of Onobrychis altissima (Fabaceae) were collected from their natural habitats in Iran. In order to assess the genetic variation, we carried out genomic fingerprinting using inter-simple sequence repeat PCR (ISSR). We identified a population which is distinguishable from all other populations genetically as well as morphologically by several unique characters, most notably by having the keels longer than standards (rarely in other members of sect. Onobrychis in Iran), wings ± large and pods with four to five very short teeth on the crest. We describe this taxon as Onobrychis chaldoranensis Toluei, Ranjbar & Wink sp. nova (sect. Onobrychis).

Argostemma glabra Joongku Lee, T.B. Tran & R.K. Choudhary, a new species of Rubiaceae from Khanh Hoa Province of Vietnam is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to A. apiculatum, but differs in its creeping habit, 4–6 flowered inflorescence, bigger and triangular bracts, smaller peduncle, bigger and broadly triangular calyx lobes, and non-apiculate and smaller corolla. Color photographs, a line drawing and a taxonomic key are provided to facilitate identification.

Campylocentrum christensonii Szlach. & Kolan. and C. cuyuniae Szlach. & Kolan. (Orchidaceaea) are described as new species based on examination of herbarium material. The new taxa are also illustrated. A dichotomous key to the species of Campylocentrum reported from the Guianas is provided. A new combination, Campylocentrum weigeltii (Rchb.f.) Szlach. & Kolan., is proposed.

Dichoropetalum schottii is a species that lives at low to medium altitudes in the southern European mountain ranges, from the Balkans (N Greece) to the Pyrenees. Its legal protection status is not homogeneous along its distribution range, as only some of its edge populations, in the Pyrenees, are protected. Here, by means of allozyme electrophoresis, we examine the genetic variability of populations representing four different regions within its distribution area (Pyrenees, Maritime Alps, Karst Plateau in the SW Slovenia—NE Italy border region, and Pindus Mountains in Greece). The species as a whole exhibits relatively high levels of genetic diversity, partly due to the occurrence of several duplications among the loci surveyed. Genetic differentiation among populations and regions was low, which could be interpreted as the result of recent allopatric fragmentation. We conclude that the species as a whole is not threatened, and that the currently protected populations are, paradoxically, the least valuable from the genetic point of view.

Ochyrella ortiziana Szlach., Lamczyk & Baranow sp. nova (Orchidaceae, Spiranthoideae) is described and illustrated from Colombia, implying the first record of the genus for the country. Notes concerning the morphologically closest siblings of O. ortiziana are provided. A key for determination of all species in the genus is presented.