This study examined whether recruitment of Sorbus aucuparia under conspecifics and heterospecifics differs in: (i) seed-bank longevity, (ii) seedling emergence rate, (iii) seedling survival rate, and (iv) density-dependent mortality. I studied the first three cohorts of seedlings that emerged after the 2009 mast year using pairs of plots located under conspecific and heterospecific (Norway spruce, Picea abies) trees. The interannual pattern of seedling emergence did not follow the fruit production pattern. In 2010 and 2011, there was no difference in the density of emerged seedlings among the plots under rowans and under spruces. Survival of the 2010 and 2011 seedling cohorts was higher under spruces than under rowans. Under either tree species seedling survival was not correlated with the density of emerged seedlings. The survival pattern of rowan seedlings in subalpine spruce forest seems to follow the Janzen-Connell model in temperate forest.

Atraphaxis radkanensis Tavakkoli, Kaz. Osaloo & Mozaff. (Polygonaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from NE Iran. Atraphaxis radkanensis is very similar to A. seravschanica, and both of them are placed in the section Tragopyrum. Atraphaxis radkanensis is characterized by oblong-ovate leaves, a puberulent indumentum on both surfaces of the leaves and twigs, a mostly terminal inflorescence, as well as by small-sized achenes.

A new species, Gastrodia takeshimensis Suetsugu (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae, Gastrodieae) from Takeshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, is described and illustrated. Its elongated corolla tube suggests a close affinity to G. nipponica, but it is easily distinguished from G. nipponica by its narrower and enclosed perianth tube, a lip that is joined with the perianth tube without any appendage, and a taller inflorescence during the flowering period.

Bupleurum baimaense X.G. Ma & X.J. He sp. nova (Apiaceae) is proposed here based on morphological characters and chromosome number (2n = 12). The material of this species has thus far been treated in China as B. dalhousieanum. However, B. baimaense has no branches or lateral umbels on stems, whereas B.dalhousieanum has branches and lateral umbels on the distal part of stems. Bupleurum baimaense is most similar to B. commelynoideum, but differs mainly by its stems usually being decumbent and numerous. Bupleurum baimaense is known from northwest Yunnan (Deqin) and southeast Tibet (Zayul) in China.

Schistidium ignatovae C. Feng, X.L. Bai, J. Kou & W. Li (Grimmiaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Sichuan Province, China. It closely resembles S. trichodon, but differs by the green to yellow-green plants; slightly flexuose, broadly and long-decurrent, denticulate leaf hair-point; narrower perichaetial leaves that have frequently narrowly recurved margins to 1/2–2/3 way up the leaf; shorter peristome teeth; and larger spores. The relationships of this new species with other species of Schistidium are discussed.

A taxonomic validation of Ponthieva micromystax Kraenzl. ex Szlach. & Kolan. is presented together with the description of the second species of Ocampoa, O. kraenzliana Szlach. & Kolan. Specimens of both novelties were found in the Colombian collection of Lehmann and both were labeled by Friedrich Kränzlin as Ponthieva micromystax.

For the preparation of a revised and updated Index of Thelypteridaceae contemporary names for all species and hybrids in the family are essentially required. Following the recent generic concept in Thelypteridaceae new names are proposed for 18 hybrids.

A new species Allophylus exappendiculatus Somner, Ferrucci & Frazão (Sapindaceae) from a remnant fragment of seasonal semideciduous forest in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is here described and illustrated. It can be distinguished from other known species of Allophylus by the simple axillary thyrses closely arranged at the base of young shoots, and by the petals without appendages or rarely with vestigial ones. It is here compared with its putative closest relatives A. edulis and A. puberulus. In addition, the micromorphological characters of the pollen grains are described. Allophylus exappendiculatus is a narrow endemic currently known from six collections from the municipalities of Engenheiro Paulo de Frontin, Itaguaí and Santa Maria Madalena.

Sobralia quadricolor Endrés & Rchb. f. ex Szlach., Kolan. & Baranow sp. nova (Orchidaceae) is described and illustrated. It was discovered by A. R. Endrés and H. G. Reichenbach, but they did not publish the description but just attached a note and illustration to the type specimen. Based on our observations and on the documentation prepared by Endrés and Reichenbach, we here describe S. quadricolor as a new species to validate the name. It is a member of the Sobralia-leucoxantha complex, resembling especially S. blancoi, but differs in the shape of the staminodes and in the colour of the lip.

Phellinopsis was recently erected for P. conchata, the generic type, and P. occidentalis. Later on P. junipericola and P. resupinata were described as new species. In this study, more specimens of Phellinopsis were examined and a phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences was carried out. Phellinopsis helwingiae L.W. Zhou & W.M. Qin sp. nova is described and illustrated from Sichuan Province, southwest China as the fifth species in this genus. In addition, information on the hosts of P. junipericola is elaborated.

Aristolochia huanjiangensis (Aristolochiaceae), a new species from limestone areas in Guangxi, southern China, is described and illustrated. It is compared with the two most similar species A. scytophylla and A. fangchi.

A new species, Scorzonera pacis Guzel, Kayikci & S. Yildiz (Asteraceae) from Hatay Province, South Anatolia is described. It is a very distinct species with its saw-toothed, winged achenes. SEM micrographs of the achenes, notes on the habitat and distribution, and a comparison with its morphologically closest species are provided.

New taxa in Crocus are described from Turkey: C. chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus var.bicoloraceus F. Candan & N. Özhatay var. nov. and C. chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus var. atroviolaceus F. Candan & N. Özhatay var. nov.; C. chrysanthus subsp. punctatus F. Candan & N. Özhatay subsp. nov., C. chrysanthus subsp. kesercioglui F. Candan & N. Özhatay subsp. nov. and C. chrysanthus subsp. sipyleus F. Candan & N. Özhatay subsp. nov. A new classification of the species is based mainly on the colour of flowers and anthers, type of pollen grains, seed surface ornamentation, and chromosome numbers.