A taxonomic revision and nomenclatural update for Paspalum L., group Caespitosa are presented. The group Caespitosa consists of perennial species, usually rhizomatous, with culms simple, erect, inflorescences terminal, pauci-racemose, and spikelets mostly ellipsoid to ovoid or obovoid. It is distributed from the southern United States to northeastern Argentina, with several taxa concentrated in the Caribbean Islands. We recognize 13 species and three varieties (i.e., Paspalum acutifolium León, P. albidulum Henrard, P. bakeri Hack., P. blodgettii Chapm., P. caespitosum Flüggé, P. chacoense Parodi, P. divergens Döll, P. galapageium Chase var. galapageium, P. galapageium var. minoratum Chase, P. galapageium var. redundans (Chase) Delfini & Zuloaga, P. indecorum Mez, P. laxum Lam., P. ligulare Nees, P. molle Poir., and P. redondense Swallen), and designate lectotypes for three names. We propose a new synonym for P. ligulare and a new variety for P. galapageium, and provide updates on inferential lectotypifications (for seven names) and on inferential neotypification (for P. caespitosum var. longifolium). We then comment on four situations of uncertainty, and present new geographic analyses of the species. Illustrations, a key for the species, and additional comments on morphology of the group Caespitosa are also included.

Este trabajo presenta una revisión taxonómica y actualización nomenclatural para el grupo Caespitosa de Paspalum L. Los taxones de Caespitosa se caracterizan por su hábito mayormente cespitoso, generalmente con rizomas, cañas simples, erectas, inflorescencias terminales, pauciracemosas y espiguillas en su mayoría elipsoides a ovoides u obovoides. El grupo se distribuye desde el sur de los Estados Unidos de América hasta el noreste de la Argentina, con varias especies concentradas en las islas del Caribe. Un total de 13 especies y tres variedades son reconocidas en el grupo (i.e., Paspalum acutifolium León, P. albidulum Henrard, P. bakeri Hack., P. blodgettii Chapm., P. caespitosum Flüggé, P. chacoense Parodi, P. divergens Döll, P. galapageium Chase var. galapageium, P. galapageium var. minoratum Chase, P. galapageium var. redundans (Chase) Delfini & Zuloaga, P. indecorum Mez, P. laxum Lam., P. ligulare Nees, P. molle Poir. y P. redondense Swallen), se han designados lectotipos para tres nombres, se propone una nueva sinonimia para P. ligulare y una nueva variedad para P. galapageium, se presentan actualizaciones sobre lectotipificaciones inferenciales (para siete nombres) y sobre una neotipificación inferencial (para P. caespitosum var. longifolium), comentarios sobre cuatro situaciones de incerteza y se presenta un nuevo análisis geográfico de las especies. También se incluye una clave de las especies, ilustraciones y comentarios adicionales sobre la morfología del grupo Caespitosa.

The history and connections of the flora of south-central/southwestern (SC/SW) North America have been studied and summarized in biogeographic regionalization. However, some studies show contrasting delineations of the SC/SW North American provinces that could be better determined using quantitative methods. We aimed to find spatial patterns of a set of plants in the SC/SW United States by conducting endemicity analysis (EA) on different scales. We first built a dataset with 81,965 specimen point records of 400 species from 174 genera and 61 families of angiosperms and two genera of gymnosperms using digitized specimen data from iDigBio. We then performed EA at four different scales to identify the areas of endemism (AoEs).

We obtained 28 AoEs with different cell sizes by selecting each AoE under the grid size that yielded the highest number of high-scoring species. The study region split into two significant centers of accumulation of nested or partially overlapping AoEs: the SW and SC consensus areas. In these parts of the Nearctic region, many genera/clades, among those in the dataset, showed a geographic split into western and eastern clades. The split corresponded to an environmental and physical barrier known as Cochise Filter Barrier. The Sonora–Mojave arid center, parts of South Texas, and the Chihuahuan Desert harbor basally branching taxa of several genera and even families, based on the observations of some species, which allowed identification of the AoEs.

Eryngium L. incluye ca. 250 especies y se encuentra en todos los continentes, excepto en la Antártida. Las especies del género que habitan Chile son en su mayoría endémicas de ese país y están filogenéticamente más relacionadas con especies de la costa oeste de Estados Unidos de América y de Australia. Existen estudios taxonómicos en prensa o en preparación para los linajes norteamericanos y australianos de Eryngium. Sin embargo, las especies de Eryngium de Chile no han sido revisadas taxonómicamente desde hace más de un siglo. Por otra parte, muchas de las especies endémicas de Chile presentan distribuciones restringidas, por lo que merecen particular atención para evaluar si se encuentran en alguna categoría de amenaza para desarrollar políticas de conservación. El objetivo de este estudio es realizar una revisión taxonómica de todas las especies de Eryngium que crecen en Chile, incluyendo un análisis de su estado de conservación. Para ello, se analizó la morfología vegetativa y reproductiva, y la distribución geográfica y hábitat de unos 750 ejemplares de herbario. Además, se evaluaron los estados de conservación de las especies de acuerdo con las categorías y criterios de la Lista Roja de la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza. En total, se reconocieron 17 especies de Eryngium que habitan Chile, de las cuales 15 son endémicas de dicho país y dos crecen también en la Argentina. Se proporciona una clave para el reconocimiento de las especies. Para cada una ellas se presentan una lista de los sinónimos aceptados, su descripción morfológica, ilustración, mapa de distribución, hábitats, fenología, nombres vernáculos y usos. Se proponen seis sinónimos nuevos (Eryngium polyrhizum Clos y todas las variedades de E. depressum Hook. & Arn. pasan a la sinonimia de E. depressum, E. amethystinodes Kuntze pasa a la sinonimia de E. rostratum Cav., E. delarocheanum H. Wolff pasa a la sinonimia de E. paniculatum Cav. & Dombey ex F. Delaroche), y se analizan y resuelven problemas nomenclaturales, incluyendo la tipificación de 23 nombres. Se rectifican los rangos de distribución de seis especies (Eryngium anomalum Hook. & Arn., E. coquimbanum Phil. ex Urb., E. depressum, E. humifusum Clos, E. pulchellum Phil. y E. rostratum). Cerca del 60% de las especies de Eryngium que habitan Chile se encuentran en alguna categoría de amenaza, la mayoría en peligro crítico, por lo que deberían ser objetivos especiales para la conservación.

Eryngium L. comprises ca. 250 species and is distributed in every continent, except Antarctica. The species of the genus that inhabit Chile are mostly endemic to that country and are phylogenetically closely related to species from the west coast of the United States of America and Australia. Taxonomic studies of the North American and Australian lineages of Eryngium are in press or in preparation. However, the Eryngium species from Chile have not been revised taxonomically for more than a century. Moreover, many of the species of the genus endemic to Chile show restricted distributions and, therefore, deserve particular attention to evaluate if they are in any category of threat in order to develop conservation policies. The objective of this study is to perform a taxonomic revision of the species of Eryngium from Chile, including an analysis of their conservation status. For this purpose, the vegetative and reproductive morphology and the geographic distribution and habitat of ca. 750 herbarium specimens were analyzed. In addition, the conservation status of the species was evaluated following the Red List categories and criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In total, 17 species of Eryngium were recognized in Chile, of which 15 are endemic to that country and two also grow in Argentina. A key for the recognition of species is provided. For each species, a list of accepted synonyms, a morphological description, illustration, distribution map, habitats, phenology, and vernacular names are presented. Six new synonyms are proposed (Eryngium polyrhizum Clos and all varieties of E. depressum Hook. & Arn. are synonymized with E. depressum, E. amethystinodes Kuntze is synonymized with E. rostratum Cav., and E. delarocheanum H. Wolff is synonymized with E. paniculatum Cav. & Dombey ex F. Delaroche), and nomenclature problems were analyzed and resolved, including the typification of 23 names. The distribution ranges of six species (Eryngium anomalum Hook. & Arn., E. coquimbanum Phil. ex Urb., E. depressum, E. humifusum Clos, E. pulchellum Phil., and E. rostratum) are rectified. Aproximately 60% of the Eryngium species from Chile belong to a category of threat, and most of them are critically endangered, so they should be special targets for conservation.

Based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence, the New World clade of Polygala L. is here recognized as the genus Senega Spach, with three subgenera: the typical Senega, Clinclinia (DC.) J. F. B. Pastore & Agust. Martinez, and Monninopsis (S. F. Blake) J. F. B. Pastore & J. R. Abbott. The subgenera Clinclinia and Monninopsis are based on previous infrageneric delimitations of Chodat and Blake. The subgenus Senega is further divided into 16 sections, with seven new sections designated here: Cleistogamae J. F. B. Pastore & J. R. Abbott, Cruciatae J. F. B. Pastore & J. R. Abbott, Cuspidatae J. F. B. Pastore, Exiguae J. F. B. Pastore, Revolutae J. F. B. Pastore, Sanguineae J. F. B. Pastore & J. R. Abbott, and Verticillatae J. F. B. Pastore & J. R. Abbott. Keys are provided for the subgenera of Senega and also for the sections of Senega subg. Senega.

Generic limits of the South American tribe Eudemeae are critically evaluated based on a thorough examination of morphology in light of the most extensive recent molecular phylogenetic studies using nuclear and plastid markers. As a result, only five genera (Alshehbazia Salariato & Zuloaga, Aschersoniodoxa Gilg & Muschl., Gongylis Theophr. ex Molinari & Sánchez Och., Onuris Phil., and Xerodraba Skottsb.) were monophyletic, whereas the others were not. This necessitated the recognition of the new genera Ancashia Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, Borealandea Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, and Stenodrabopsis Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga and merging of Brayopsis Gilg & Muschl. with the earlier-published Eudema Bonpl. The following 16 new combinations are proposed: Ancashia alpaminae (Gilg & Muschl.) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, A. gamosepala (Al-Shehbaz) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, A. polysperma (Al-Shehbaz, A. Cano & Trinidad) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, A. smithii (Al-Shehbaz) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, Borealandea colombiana (Al-Shehbaz) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, B. ecuadoriana (Al-Shehbaz) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, B. nubigena (Bonpl.) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, Eudema arequipa (Al-Shehbaz, A. Cano, M. A. Cueva & Salariato) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, E. calycinum (Desv.) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, E. chacasensis (Al-Shehbaz & A. Cano) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, E. cuscoensis (Al-Shehbaz, P. Gonzáles, A. Cano & Trinidad) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, E. limensis (Al-Shehbaz, Trinidad, A. Cano & P. Gonzáles) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, E. monimocalyx (O. E. Schulz) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, Stenodrabopsis imbricatifolia (Barnéoud) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, S. lagunae (O. E. Schulz) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga, and S. suffruticosa (Barnéoud) Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A. Cano & Zuloaga. Generic limits of Eudema are updated due to its union with the later-published Brayopsis. Finally, keys to the genera of Eudemeae and to species of Eudema and the new genera are presented.

We present a taxonomic revision of Serpocaulon A. R. Sm. (Polypodiaceae), a tropical American fern genus. Our work is based on a morphological analysis of 56 characters recorded from 2167 specimens deposited in 41 herbaria. Field trips were carried out in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru, where observations on the habit and habitat of several species were made. Digital images were also consulted. A total of 260 names were found and their nomenclatural types were studied, resulting in the lectotypification of 47 names (first-step 30, second-step 17 names). We recognize 37 species and five hybrids in Serpocaulon; one of the hybrids is given a new status (S. ×semipinnatifidum (Fée) A. R. Sm.) and another one is described (S. ×tabuleirense D. Sanín & Salino). Moreover, 19 names are newly synonymized, five species are excluded, 17 names are considered as of uncertain application, and five as nomina nuda. We document for 22 species a total of 62 chorological novelties in different countries. The elevational range of the genus is 0–4200 m. The Andes of Ecuador and Colombia are the main center of diversity and endemism; secondarily, the Atlantic Rain Forest of Brazil has five endemic species. We provide a taxonomic key, descriptions, discussions, local names, uses, illustrations, photographs of the plants in the field, microphotographs of the rhizome scales and the spores, and distribution maps of all species.

Although professionally better known for his work on North American cactus, grapes and wine formed the longer and arguably more culturally important thread of U.S. botanist George Engelmann's (1809–1884) career. Through new and comprehensive use of Engelmann's personal papers, letters, and informal daily correspondence housed at the Missouri Botanical Garden, this essay offers a reappraisal of the botanist's place in the history of grape science, the international wine industry, and the late 19th-century phylloxera crisis, as well as the use of wine in his medical practice in St. Louis. Engelmann's work on Vitis L. illustrates that he served as the hub of a wide wheel of scientific inquiry, positioning U.S. botanists as experts for prestigious international audiences. His contributions in three related arenas—botanical discovery and naming of Vitis species, service to the wine industry, and as a physician attending to St. Louis families' health by prescribing wine—were all crucial facets of U.S. national expansion. Like many other wine enthusiasts, Engelmann and his adopted countrymen were interested in defining U.S. viticulture and the nation itself as projects concerned with both wild, resilient native stock and cultivated refinement.