Callmander, M.W., R. Razakamalala, I. Luino, R.L. Andriamarisoa & S. BUERKI (2020). Novelties from the Northern Mountains Complex of Madagascar V: A new threatened Pandanus (Pandanaceae) from the Kalobinono massif. Candollea 75: 99–105. In English, English and French abstracts.

A new species of Pandanus Parkinson (Pandanaceae) endemic to Madagascar is described as Pandanus kalobinonensis Callm., Razakamal. & Luino and illustrations are provided. The new species is restricted to the north-western lowland moist evergreen forests of the Kalobinono massif. Pandanus kalobinonensis can easily be morphologically distinguished from other members of the genus by its small solitary globose syncarp borne on a short peduncle, monocarpellate drupes, and single spiniform stigma with an adaxial stigmatic groove. Despite the occurrence of both collections within limits of the newly designated Galoko-Kalobonino Protected Area, the new species is preliminary assessed as “Endangered” [EN] using the IUCN Red List Criteria.

Harries, H.C.†, L. Pignotti & R.M. Baldini (2020). Unraveling the taxonomic identity of Cocos nucifera f. palmyrensis (Arecaceae: Cocoseae). Candollea 75: 25–30. In English, English abstract.

The main traits of the rich equatorial vegetation covering the remote coral atoll Palmyra in North Pacific Ocean, where groves of Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae) currently dominate on other formations, are here summoned. Way and timing of human activities in historical and more recent times, which possibly altered the original vegetation, are also briefly reviewed. The unusually large size of Palmyra coconut fruits had astonished the American botanist Joseph Francis Rock (1884–1962) who sent four fruits to the renowned Florentine palm specialist Odoardo Beccari (1843–1920). Beccari described the material and validly published it in 1916 as Cocos nucifera f. palmyrensis Becc. Part of the original material was retrieved at FI. One of the two coconut fruits still kept at FI is here designated as lectotype of the Beccari name, which is here elevated to the rank of variety, reflecting better than form current concepts for isolated island populations. Palmyra Atoll with its coconuts played a part in the age-old dispute on the geographical origin of Cocos nucifera. This taxon was cited by Beccari and by Emilio Chiovenda (1871–1941) as a support to their hypotheses of an Asian origin of the species. The significance of these dated interpretations in the light of currently available information is here briefly discussed.

Received: October 16, 2019; Accepted: February 4, 2020; First published online: March 24, 2020

Hopkins, H.C.F. & Y. Pillon (2020). Virotia azurea (Proteaceae: Macadamieae), a striking new species endemic to New Caledonia and notes on V. francii and V. leptophylla. In English, English and French abstracts. Candollea 75: 89–98.

Virotia azurea H.C. Hopkins & Pillon (Proteaceae), the seventh species in the endemic genus Virotia L.A.S. Johnson & B.G. Briggs from New Caledonia is described and illustrated. A distribution map and preliminary conservation assessment are provided. This new species occurs principally on non-ultramafic substrates in a restricted area of central Grande Terre. It has relatively long narrow leaves, often with distally undulate-sinuate or bluntly toothed margins and a pointed apex, plus blue flowers and laterally flattened, markedly beaked fruits containing seeds with blue to mauve cotyledons. Its characters are compared with those of other species of Virotia and a key to species is provided. A handful of specimens previously identified as Virotia francii (Guillaumin) P.H. Weston & A.R. Mast are determinated mostly as Virotia leptophylla (Guillaumin) L.A.S. Johnson & B.G. Briggs and other species; the former is now confined to ultramafic substrates in southern Grande Terre and the latter is more widespread, principally occurring on non-ultramafic substrates though occasionally found on ultramafic ones in the south of the island as well.

Jacquemoud, F. & D. Jordan (2020). Androsace albimontana (Primulaceae): a new species from the Alps (France, Switzerland, Italy) to be distinguished from A. pubescens. Candollea 75: 149–155. In French, English and French abstracts.

A new alpine species of the genus Androsace L. (Primulaceae), Androsace albimontana D. Jord. & Jacquemoud is described. Specimens attributed to the new taxon were until now considered by floras as being part of the high morphological and ecological variability of Androsace pubescens DC. (bi- to trifurcate vs simple trichomes, corolla mostly pink to rarely white vs white; acid, siliceous vs alkaline, calcareous substrate), a chasmophytic species growing exclusively on limestone cliffs. Morphology, habitat and ecology of the new taxon were determined in the siliceous mountain ranges of Aiguilles Rouges and Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie, France), and in Valais (Switzerland). Data from Italy (Monte Rosa, Valle d'Aosta, Piemonte) only provided by floras or botanical literature, will have to be subject of further field and herbarium studies. Distribution data are given, relationships with other species of Androsace subsect. Aretia (L.) Kress and the putative origin of the new taxon are discussed.

Lachenaud, O., L. Zemagho & B. Sonké (2020). A synopsis of the Sabicea floribunda group (Rubiaceae) from Central Africa, including three new species. Candollea 75: 115–143. In English, English and French abstracts.

This paper presents a taxonomic revision of the Sabicea floribunda K. Schum. group (Rubiaceae). Eight species are recognised, of which three are newly described: Sabicea couteronii O. Lachenaud, Zemagho & Sonké (Cameroon, Gabon and Republic of Congo), Sabicea dichrosepala O. Lachenaud, Zemagho & Sonké and Sabicea rubiginosa O. Lachenaud, Zemagho & Sonké (both endemic to Gabon). One subspecies is also described: Sabicea sanguinosa subsp. viridis O. Lachenaud, Zemagho & Sonké and two varieties: Sabicea floribunda var. anisostegia O. Lachenaud, Zemagho & Sonké and Sabicea floribunda var. paludosa O. Lachenaud, Zemagho & Sonké. Lectotypes are selected for Sabicea floribunda var. paucinervis Wernham, Sabicea nobilis R.D. Good, Sabicea segregata Hiern and Sabicea henningsiana Büttner. All species are illustrated with photographs, and the three new ones also with line drawings; distribution maps and IUCN conservation status assessments are also presented for all taxa.

Lack, H.W. (2020). Theodor Kotschy in Iran, 1841–1843. Botanical collections and an early printed vegetation profile. Candollea 75: 31–43. In English, English abstract.

In 1841–1843 Theodor Kotschy travelled extensively in Iran and collected vast amounts of plant specimens. Edmond Boissier undertook the determinations of the material and validated numerous names new to science, often exclusively based on Kotschy's specimens. Subsequently Rudolf Friedrich Hohenacker arranged for the distribution of this material in two exsiccata series, which are today available for consultation in numerous herbaria. Kotschy's unknown botanical field book kept in the archive of the Herbarium Haussknecht in Jena is analysed for the first time and so is an exceedingly rare, printed vegetation profile published by Hohenacker in 1846, which summarizes Kotschy's pertinent sketches done in the field in southwestern Iran in 1842. Both documents are set into the context of their time and are shown to echo earlier works by Alexander von Humboldt done in tropical America. In addition, extensive information on Kotschy's travels in Iran is presented from Ludwig Ritter von Köchel's report as well as from archival material kept in the Herbarium Haussknecht and the Naturhistorisches Museum in Vienna.

Received: November 2, 2019; Accepted: February 4, 2020; First published online: March 24, 2020

Lowry II, P.P., M.W. Callmander & R. Spichiger (2020). Polysciadis (Araliaceae) species nova e Madagascaria in honorem Luciani Bernardii felsinei nominata. Candollea 75: 107–114. In English, English and French abstracts.

Polyscias bernardiana Lowry & Callm., an easily recognized new species from east-central Madagascar, including the Ambatovy mine site and several protected areas, is described in honor of Luciano Bernardi (1920–2001), a 20th century explorer-naturalist who has contributed more to our knowledge of Indian Ocean Araliaceae than any other botanist. This new species most closely resembles Polyscias duplicata (Thouars ex Baill.) Lowry & G.M. Plunkett from Madagascar and the Comoro Islands in forming monocaulous trees with a terminal cluster of large leaves surrounding a globose inflorescence, and in having flowers and fruits with 8–10(–12) carpels and styles, but differs in having an articulated pedicel (vs. unarticulated in P. duplicata) and lacking auxiliary leaflets (vs. a second leaflet often inserted in the axil of the main leaflets in P. duplicata). Polyscias bernardiana is illustrated by line drawings and color photos, and a risk of extinction assessment is provided based on the IUCN Red List criteria, which indicates a conservation status of “Least Concern”.

Mathieu, G. (2020). Peperomia leptostachya (Piperaceae) revived. Candollea 75: 45–49. In English, English abstract.

For about forty-five years a far too heterogenous concept of Peperomia blanda (Jacq.) Kunth has been adopted. A strong plea is made to apply the name Peperomia leptostachya Hook. & Arn. for a species with a wide distribution in the paleotropics and to limit the use of the name Peperomia blanda to a neotropical species from northern Venezuela. Several new synonyms of Peperomia leptostachya are presented.

Received: January 15, 2020; Accepted: February 7, 2020; First published online: March 24, 2020

Mathieu, G. (2020). Endemic Peperomia (Piperaceae) novelties from eastern Madagascar. Candollea 75: 75–82. In English, English and French-abstracts.

Three endemic Peperomia Ruiz & Pav. species (Piperaceae) from the eastern Malagasy rainforests are presented as new to science. They are described, illustrated, compared with presumed closest relatives and their conservation status assessments are provided. Peperomia irrasa G. Mathieu seems to be restricted to the Anjanaharibe massif, while Peperomia robusta G. Mathieu is reported from the National Park of Zahamena to the Loky-Manambato Protected Area (Daraina). Peperomia variilimba G. Mathieu is an apparently common species occurring from the Tsaratanana massif to Analamazaotra. These novelties bring the number of accepted Peperomia species on Madagascar to 42.

Negaresh, K. (2020). Lectotypification of Boissier's names Centaurea hyalolepis and C. laxa (Asteraceae, Cardueae). Candollea 75: 145–147. In English, English abstract.

Edmond Boissier (1810–1885) described several taxa in the genus Centaurea L. (Asteraceae), summarized in his Flora orientalis account. Lectotypes are designated here for the two names Centaurea hyalolepis Boiss. (sect. Calcitrapa DC.) and Centaurea laxa Boiss. & Hausskn. (sect. Ammocyanus Boiss.). Lectotypes are kept in the G-BOIS herbarium.

Received: February 27, 2019; Accepted: May 15, 2020; First published online: June 17, 2020

Randriarisoa, A., Y. Naciri & L. Gautier (2020). Labramia ambondrombeensis (Sapotaceae), a Critically Endangered new species from Madagascar. Candollea 75: 83–87. In English, English and French abstracts.

Timber of the family Sapotaceae are appreciated for their physical properties internationally as well as locally, which often put a serious pressure on species survival. Taxonomic efforts are badly needed before producing reliable conservation assessments for the Malagasy species. In the framework of the revision of three related Sapotaceae genera, all endemic from Madagascar and surrounding islands of the Western Indian Ocean, a new species of Labramia A. DC. has been identified. It is described and illustrated here. Labramia ambondrombeensis L. Gaut. & Randriarisoa is one of the two Labramia species that have relatively small leaves. It is compared to Labramia platanoides Capuron ex Aubrév., the other small-leaved species from which it differs in leaf shape, pedicel size and ovary cell number. Labramia ambondrombeensis is known from a single collection that comes from a littoral forest in the Northeastern coast of the island, lacking any legal protection and is preliminary assessed as “Critically Endangered” using the IUCN Red List Criteria.

Taylor, C.M. (2020). Overview of Psychotria in Madagascar (Rubiaceae, Psychotrieae), and of Bremekamp's foundational study of this group. Candollea 75: 51–70. In English, English abstract.

Psychotria L. (Rubiaceae, Psychotrieae) is a large pantropical genus that is one of the largest genera in Madagascar, with almost all of its species endemic to the island and an unusually wide range of morphological variation. Cornelis E.B. Bremekamp (1888–1984) presented a detailed taxonomic treatment for Madagascar and the Comores that classified 143 species in Psychotria and six segregate genera, and that has been influential in Rubiaceae systematics but also problematic. Molecular systematic studies have found Bremekamp's six genera nested within Psychotria, but did not study most of their unusual characters. Here his genera and their morphological features are studied in light of our current knowledge of Psychotria in Madagascar and overall understanding of this genus. Some unusual characters are detailed here for Malagasy Psychotria. A new name, Psychotria deflexiflora C.M. Taylor, is published as a legitimate name for Psychotria penduliflora Bremek.

Received: May 21, 2019; Accepted: February 7, 2020; First published online: March 24, 2020

Wassel, A.C. & W.L. Applequist (2020). A revision of Homalium sect. Nisa (Salicaceae) endemic to Madagascar. Candollea 75: 1–23. In English, English & French abstracts.

Homalium sect. Nisa (Noronha ex Thouars) Baill. is endemic to Madagascar and has included four recognized species. A new revisionary treatment of the section is presented and an identification key is provided. Eleven species are recognized, including eight that were formerly part of the Homalium nudiflorum (DC.) Baill. species complex. Four species and one subspecies are newly described: Homalium antilahimenae Wassel & Appleq., Homalium mandenense Wassel & Appleq., Homalium pachycladum Wassel & Appleq., Homalium tenue Wassel & Appleq., and Homalium stelliferum subsp. andapense Wassel & Appleq. Homalium ciliolatum (Sleumer) Wassel & Appleq. is newly recognized at species level and the new combination Homalium retusum (Blume) Wassel & Appleq. is further published. Four lectotypes are designated including a second step. Taxonomic novelties are provided with line drawings or scans of their holotypes. Risk of extinction assessments indicate that three taxa are “Endangered” and three “Vulnerable”. Occasional hybridization is observed. Some specimens are not classifiable and it is possible that other unrecognized species exist.

Atalahy, A.M., F. Rakotonasolo, S. Andriambololonera, M. Rabarimanarivo, H.L. Ranarijaona & S.G. Razafimandimbison (2020). A new name in the Malagasy tribe Vanguerieae (Rubiaceae). Candollea 75: 71–73. In French, English and French abstracts.

A variety of the Malagasy genus Canthium Lam. (Rubiaceae, Vanguerieae), Canthium perrieri var. louvelii Cavaco, is transferred to the genus Pyrostria Comm. ex Juss. because, like the typical variety already transferred in this genus, it shares its distinctive characters (inflorescences or solitary flowers involucrate). This taxon is further raised to species level, as it is morphologically distinct from Pyrostria perrieri (Cavaco) Razafim. et al. We provide the necessary new replacement name: Pyrostria orientalis A. Atalahy, Rakotanas. & Razafim., since the epithet louvelii is already occupied in Pyrostria.