Andriamihajarivo, T.H., P.P. Lowry II & G.E. Schatz (2016). Endemic families of Madagascar. XIV. A new restricted range species of Pentachlaena H. Perrier (Sarcolaenaceae) from central Madagascar. Candollea 71: 167–172. In English, English and French abstracts.

Pentachlaena vestita Andriam., Lowry & G.E. Schatz (Sarcolaenaceae) is described as a new species from open, frequently burned vegetation on quartzite substrate on Mt. Ambatolahinanahary in central Madagascar. It can be distinguished from Pentachlaena latifolia H. Perrier, which it most closely resembles, by several foliar characters including leaf size and venation, and especially by the presence of a dense stellate-strigose indument on the inflorescences, flowers, and fruits, and which almost totally obscures the abaxial leaf surface. A description of the new species is accompanied by a line drawing and photos taken in the field, along with a preliminary assessment of its risk of extinction following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, which indicates a status of “Endangered”.

Sonké, B. & O. Lachenaud (2016). Two new of Oxyanthus DC. (Rubiaceae) from Central Africa. Candollea 71: 173–180. In English, English and French abstracts.

Two new Rubiaceae species from Central Africa, Oxyanthus doucetii Sonké & O. Lachenaud and Oxyanthus lewisii Sonké & O. Lachenaud, are described and illustrated. Oxyanthus doucetii is endemic to Cameroon and is closely related to Oxyanthus unilocularis Hiern, from which it differs in the minute calyx teeth, the stems with glabrous internodes, the dorsally glabrous stipules, the flower buds with a shorter head, and the corolla lobes not or hardly acute at apex. Oxyanthus lewisii is sparsely distributed from Cameroon to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and is characterised by narrow fusiform fruits, glabrous stems, and leaves lacking domatia but sparsely pubescent on the nerves beneath. Both new species are assessed as “Vulnerable” according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Berry, P.E., B. Van Ee, K. Kainulainen & H. Razafindraibe (2016). Croton aleuritoides P.E. Berry (Euphorbiaceae), a distinctive new tree species from Montagne des Français in northern Madagascar. Candollea 71: 181–188. In English, English and French abstracts.

Croton aleuritoides P.E. Berry (Euphorbiaceae) is described from deciduous forests on tsingy limestone in the Antso River basin of Montagne des Français in northern Madagascar. This remarkable new species is distinguished by its arborescent habit; large, broadly ovate-cordate, deciduous leaves; adaxial epipetiolar glands; sparsely lepidote pubescence; elongate stipules; large seeds with a whitish fleshy covering when fresh; and cinerescent fruits that are indehiscent when dispersing from the tree and only dehiscing much later on the ground. It is remarkable that such a large tree from a relatively small massif close to the regional capital has gone undetected for so long. With its very limited area of occupancy and small population size, it should be considered an endangered species.

Snow, N. & M.W. Callmander (2016). Studies in Malagasy Eugenia (Myrtaceae) — V : Eugenia quadriphylla Snow & Callm., an unusual and rare new species from the northeast. Candollea 71 : 189–193. In English, English and French abstracts.

The new species Eugenia quadriphylla N. Snow & Callm. (Myrtaceae) is described from the Makira Protected Area in northeastern Madagascar. It is easily distinguished from its congeners on the island by its thickly quadrangular branchlets and four bullate leaves per node. The species also is atypical among the majority of Eugenia species in Madagascar by virtue of its basipetally splitting calyx lobes, a character that is, however, known elsewhere in the genus. A discussion on its morphology, a line drawing, a distribution map and a preliminary assessment of its conservation status following IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria is provided for the new species.

Ranjbar, M., N. Rahchamani & L. Gautier (2016). Scrophularia longiflora Benth. and S. nana Stiefelh. (Scrophulariaceae), two distinct species from Iran, confused under the name S. farinosa Boiss. Candollea 71: 195–203. In English, English abstract.

The authors revise the material associated with Scrophularia farinosa Boiss. (Scrophulariaceae) and its synonyms according to “Flora Iranica”. Two distinct taxa emerge, which differ in terms of morphology, anatomy, distribution and ecology and both deserve recognition at species level. Scrophularia longiflora Benth. is an earlier synonym of Scrophularia farinosa, and is reinstated as the valid name for this species based on priority principle. Scrophularia nana Stiefelh. which was synonymized with Scrophularia farinosa, is resurrected as a separated species. We provide a key to differentiate between the two species as well as detailed descriptions with illustrations and a distribution map. Additionally, lectotypes are designated for Scrophularia farinosa and Scrophularia nana.

Wahlert, G.A. (2016). Novelties from the Northern Mountains Complex of Madagascar IV : A new Rinorea Aubl. (Violaceae) of restricted range from the Galoko and Kalabinono massifs. Candollea 71: 205–210. In English, English and French abstracts.

Rinorea callmanderi Wahlert (Violaceae), a new species from northwestern Madagascar, is described and illustrated. This new species was discovered during an intensive floristic inventory in the botanically unexplored Kalabinono and Galoko massifs. Based on morphological and molecular evidence, the new species is placed in Rinorea subsection Verticillatae Engl., the most species-rich group of Rinorea Aubl. in Madagascar. Rinorea callmanderi is morphologically most similar to Rinorea mutica (Tul.) Baill. by its opposite-leaved phyllotaxy and condensed, subsessile cymose inflorescence, but differs by the shape and size of the leaf, the pattern of pubescence on the inner surface of the petal, and the presence of dorsal and ventral anther connective scales. The new species is described and provided with line drawings, a distribution map, a discussion on its morphology, and a preliminary conservation assessment using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Snow, N.,J. Munzinger & M.W. Callmander (2016). Novitates neocaledonicae V: Eugenia plurinervia N. Snow, Munzinger & Callm. (Myrtaceae), a new threatened species with distinct leaves. Candollea 71: 211–215. In English, English and French abstracts.

The new species Eugenia plurinervia N. Snow, Munzinger & Callm. (Myrtaceae) is proposed for New Caledonia. It is easily diagnosed from other Eugenia L. species by its typically three prominent palmately radiating secondary veins arising from each side of the midvein near the base (or lower third) of the leaf, and densely its punctate blades. The new species is only known from c. 660 individuals at a single location in north-western main island Grande Terre and assigned a preliminary conservation status of “Critically Endangered” following IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Buerki, S., T. Gallaher, T. Booth, G. Brewer, F. Forest, J.T. Pereira & M.W. Callmander (2016). Biogeography and evolution of the screw-pine genus Benstonea Callm & Buerki (Pandanaceae). Candollea 71: 217–229. In English, English abstract.

This study investigates the biogeography, evolution and systematics of Benstonea Callm. & Buerki (Pandanaceae) based on six plastid DNA regions and 54 specimens representing 36 species (60% of species generic diversity). Our maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic inferences support the monophyly of Benstonea and its close relationship with the speciose Pandanus Parkinson. Benstonea is subdivided into three clades exhibiting contrasting species diversities. Clades I and II have seven species each, whereas most of the species diversity occurs in clade III with 21 species. None of the sections defined by Stone in Pandanus subgenus Acrostigma (Kurz) B.C. Stone (now Benstonea) are retrieved monophyletic by our analyses. Biogeographical inference supports the origin of Benstonea on the Sunda shelf during the Miocene and shows several subsequent exchanges between Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. Species in Indochina and the Indian continent originated in Peninsular Malaysia and all belong to clade I. Wallacea was colonized at least twice from Borneo sometimes during the Miocene and no back-dispersals were inferred. The Sunda shelf was colonized once, most likely from Halmahera. Finally, our analyses suggest that the Fijian endemic Benstonea thurstonii (C.H. Wright) Callm. & Buerki dispersed from either Australia or New Guinea during the Pleistocene.

Applequist, W.L. (2016). A reconsideration of the infrageneric classification of Homalium Jacq. (Salicaceae). Candollea 71: 231–256. In English, English and French abstracts.

Homalium Jacq. (Salicaceae) is widespread in tropical regions and includes considerable diversity in floral morphology. Its modern infrageneric classification is complex, including two subgenera and nine sections. Morphological variation within the genus is described, and an emended classification including ten sections is proposed. Subgenera have been defined by stamen number : subg. Homalium has stamens in fascicles of two to 12, while subg. Blackwellia (Benth.) Warb. has one stamen per petal. These subgenera are not natural groups; since the relationships of some sections are uncertain, recognition of subgenera may not be of value and is not upheld here. Sect. Eumyriantheia Warb. is polyphyletic; it is herein restricted to Malagasy species, while sect. Polyanthera Warb. is revived for fasciculate-stamened species from Asia to the Pacific region. Also, three Malagasy species formerly placed within sect. Blackwellia Benth. (Homalium brachystylis (Tul.) Baill., Homalium longistaminum H. Perrier, and Homalium planiflorum (Boivin ex Tul.) Baill.) are transferred to sect. Odontolobus Warb. Several problematic species are individually discussed.

Callmander, M.W. & S. Buerki (2016). Two new threatened species of Benstonea Callm. & Buerki (Pandanaceae) from Sabah (Borneo, Malaysia). Candollea 71: 257–263. In English, English abstract.

Two new species of Benstonea Callm. & Buerki (Pandanaceae) are described from Sabah (Borneo, Malaysia). Benstonea fortuita Callm. & Buerki is only known from a small patch of forest in the southern tip of Crocker Range in the southwest of the state. It is diagnosed by its subacaulescent habit, its leaves abruptly attenuate at the apex and narrowing towards the base, and its solitary globose syncarp on a short peduncle. Benstonea serpentinica Callm. & Buerki is endemic to the ultramafic substrate of Mt. Silam in eastern part of the state ; it is diagnosed by its lateral plurisyncarpic infructescence, its peduncle covered with prophylls at base, and its stout acuminate style. Discussions on the morphological and molecular phylogenetic affinities of the new species are provided. Finally, both new species are assessed as “Critically Endangered” following IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Schmidt, M., E. Mbayngone, Y. Bachmann, K. Hahn, G. Zizka & A. Thiombiano (2016). The impact of land use on species composition and habitat structure in Sudanian savannas — A modelling study in protected areas and agricultural lands of southeastern Burkina Faso. Candollea 71: 265–274. In English, English abstract.

Sudanian Savannas are under high agricultural pressure and are therefore changing rapidly. Due to high population densities and an increasing need for food and cash crops, the mosaic of traditional agroforestry systems, fallows and savanna is being transformed into intensively used croplands and savannas only remain in protected areas. The focus of this study is to characterize the differences in plant diversity and composition between protected areas and surrounding agricultural lands and to identify areas most important for plant conservation. Building on observation and collection records, we modelled distributions of individual plant species and summarized these. We mapped the species richness of vascular plants in general, of woody plants, graminoids and forbs, the share of weeds and the average size of grasses and trees and calculated means for the reserves and outside areas. Distinct differences between protected areas and agricultural lands have been found in the richness of herbs (both forbs and graminoids) and weeds as well as in the size of grasses: Woody species seem to be less affected by human impact in the agricultural lands concerning both species richness and plant size. Weeds are playing an important role in the higher species richness of the agricultural lands.

Jongkind, C.C.H. (2016). Maesobotrya liberica Jongkind (Phyllanthaceae), a new forest species from Liberia. Candollea 71 : 275–279. In English, English abstract. DOI:  http://dx.doi.org/10.15553/c2016v712a12

A new species of Maesobotrya Benth. (Phyllanthaceae) from the evergreen forest of Liberia is described. It is the second Maesobotrya Benth. species in western Africa (Upper Guinea). It resembles Maesobotrya pauciflora Pax and Maesobotrya oligantha O. Lachenaud & Breteler from west-central Africa (Lower Guinea) by its male and its female inflorescences that are both small and axillary. Illustrations are provided along with a distribution map. A preliminary assessment of its risk of extinction following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria results in a status of “Endangered”.

Thulin, M. & S.G. Razafimandimbison (2016). Ormocarpopsis anosyana Thulin & Razafim. (Fabaceae), a new species from southern Madagascar and its phylogenetic position. Candollea 71 : 281–286. In English, English and French abstracts. DOI:  http://dx.doi.org/10.15553/c2016v712a13

Ormocarpopsis anosyana Thulin & Razafim. (Fabaceae), a new species from the Anosy Region of south-eastern Madagascar, is described and illustrated. According to phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences, the new species is, with strong support, sister to Ormocarpopsis mandrarensis Dumaz-le-Grand, another species confined to southeastern Madagascar. Ormocarpopsis anosyana differs markedly from Ormocarpopsis mandrarensis by its generally smaller leaflets with the secondary and tertiary venation drying more or less blackish beneath, by its shorter hypanthium, by its smaller calyx with the lowest tooth about as long as the others, by its wing-petals that are much longer than the keel, by its glabrous ovary, and by its slightly articulated fruits. Ormocarpopsis anosyana is known only from two collections from a single patch of spiny dry forest east of Imonty. It is assigned a preliminary conservation status as “Endangered”.

Gautier, L., O. Lachenaud, X. Van der Burgt & D. Kenfack (2016). Five new species of Englerophytum K. Krause (Sapotaceae) from central Africa. Candollea 71 ≥ : 287–305. In English, English and French abstracts.

Five new species of Englerophytum K. Krause (Sapotaceae) are described : Englerophytum paludosum L. Gaut., Burgt & O. Lachenaud, Englerophytum gigantifolium O. Lachenaud & L. Gaut., Englerophytum libenii O. Lachenaud & L. Gaut., Englerophytum sylverianum Kenfack & L. Gaut., and Englerophytum ferrugineum L. Gaut. & O. Lachenaud. All five species are illustrated with line drawings and three of them with field photos. Distribution maps are also provided, and a preliminary extinction risk assessment according to IUCN Categories and Criteria is carried out : Englerophytum paludosum is assessed as “Least Concern”, Englerophytum sylverianum as “Vulnerable”, Englerophytum libenii and Englerophytum ferrugineum as “Endangered”, and Englerophytum gigantifolium as “Critically Endangered”.

Ferrer-Gallego, P.P. (2016). Lectotypification of Rhus cotinus L., replaced synonym of Cotinus coggygria Scop. (Anacardiaceae). Candollea 71: 307–309.

The lectotypification of Rhus cotinus L., replaced synonym of Cotinus coggygria Scop. (Anacardiaceae) is discussed. The designation of the nomenclatural type is based on an assessment of Linnaeus's original material. A specimen from the Clifford Herbarium at BM is designated as lectotype.

Ramella, L. (2016). Nomenclature, typifications and new synonymes in the family Amaranthaceae of the Flora of Paraguay. Candollea 71: 311–326. In Spanish, English and Spanish abstracts. DOI:  http://dx.doi.org/10.15553/c2016v712a16

Two nomenclatural novelties are validated: Alternanthera paronychioides subsp. chacoensis (Morong) Pedersen and Alternanthera paronychioides subsp. pilosa (Moq.) Pedersen. Seventeen lectotypes are designated: Alternanthera adscendens Suess., Alternanthera philoxeroides f. angustifolia Suess., Alternanthera philoxeroides var. lancifolia Chodat, Gomphrena celosioides var. aureiflora Stuchlík, Gomphrena celosioides f. suberecta Stuchlík, Gomphrena decumbens var. albiflora Stuchlík, Gomphrena decumbens var. aureiflora Stuchlík, Gomphrena decumbens var. roseiflora Stuchlík, Gomphrena regeliana f. grandifolia Chodat, Pfaffia brachiata Chodat, Pfaffia iresinoides var. angustifolia O. Stützer, Pfaffia luzuliflora var. paniculata O. Stützer, Pfaffia luzuliflora subsp. squarrosa O. Stützer, Pfaffia luzuliflora f. virgata O. Stützer, Pfaffia stenophylla var. basilignosa Chodat, Pfaffia tenuis N. E. Br. and Telanthera brasiliana f. capitata Chodat. Holzhammers' lectotypification of Gomphrena pulchella var. ecristata Chodat is corrected. Two neotypes are designated: Mogiphanes aquatica D. Parodi and Telanthera philoxeroides var. linearifolia Chodat. Fourteen new synonymes in the genera Alternanthera Forssk., Froelichia Moench, Gomphrena L. and Pfaffia Mart. are published. Eleven invalid and 11 dubious names are listed.

Kainulainen, K., B. Van EE, P. Antilahimena, H. Razafindraibe & P.E.Berry (2016). New species and species reports of Croton L. (Euphorbiaceae) from the eastern forest corridor of Madagascar. Candollea 71: 327–356. In English, English and French abstracts.

Six species of Croton from the Moramanga District of the Alaotra-Mangoro Region of eastern Madagascar (Toamasina Prov.) are newly described here, five of which occur in the Ambatovy mining concession. A seventh new species is described from the Ankerana Forest in the Atsinanana Region, some 80 km to the northeast of the town of Moramanga, which is one of the offset areas intended to mitigate the deforestation incurred by the Ambatovy mining project. Of the new species, Croton ferricretus Kainul., B.W. van Ee & P.E. Berry is the one most closely associated with the ultramafic soils where nickel and cobalt is being extracted. Although it is locally common, it is only known from the mine concession. Croton enigmaticus P.E. Berry & B.W. van Ee is considerably less common on the mine concession but is also known from two other sites. Croton droguetioides Kainul. & Radcl.-Sm. is known from Ambatovy and three other areas in the Alaotra-Mangoro Region, and Croton radiatus P.E. Berry & Kainul. is known only from forests on the Ambatovy mining concession and from the area of Zahamena National Park. Croton indrisilvae Kainul., B.W. van Ee & P.E. Berry is a small-leaved species known only from Analamazaotra National Park, and Croton ankeranae Kainul. is another small-leaved species known so far only from Ankerana. Croton plurispicatus P.E. Berry, Kainul. & B.W. van Ee is a distinctive small tree known mainly from the Lakato and Vohibe forests in the southern part of the Ankeniheny-Zahamena Corridor and one other location east of Analamazaotra. Croton hypochalibaeus Baill. is reinstated from synonymy and is now known from the Ambatovy area as well as in several forest remnants within the “tampoketsa” vegetation on the high central plateau of Madagascar, and in canyons of Isalo National Park. An additional species (Croton lasiopyrus Baill.) is identified from the Moramanga area for the first time, but is not currently known from Ambatovy. Amended descriptions are provided for both Croton hypochalibaeus and Croton lasiopyrus, and lectotypes are designated.

Rakotondrainibe, F. & A. Jouy (2016). Revision of the genus Deparia Hook. & Grev. (Pteridophyta, Athyriaceae) from Madagascar: three new species, a new synonymy and putative hybrids. Candollea 71: 357–371. In French, French and English abstracts.

The first two revisions of the genus Deparia Hook. & Grev. for Madagascar (Dryopteris Adans. sensu Christensen in 1932 and Cornopteris Nakai sensu Tardieu-Blot in 1958) were based on a limited number of specimens. Errors of identification of collections at the level of genus (between Deparia and Diplazium Sw.) and species were numerous. In the process of updating the pteridophyte flora of Madagascar, a new revision of the Malagasy species of Deparia is presented. Six species are recognized, five of which are endemic and one, Deparia boryana (Willd.) M. Kato, is paleotropical. Three species, Deparia florensiae Rakotondr., Deparia longipilosa Rakotondr., and Deparia septentrionalis Rakotondr., are newly described. Deparia forsythii majoris (C. Chr.) M. Kato is placed in synonymy under Deparia parvisora (C. Chr.) M. Kato and putative hybrids are detected. An identification key to the Malagasy species of Deparia is provided, along with illustrations and complete descriptions for each of the species.

Phillipson, P.B. & M.W. Callmander (2016). Two varieties of Clerodendrum L. (Lamiaceae) from Madagascar raised to specific rank. Candollea 71: 373–377. In English, English and French abstracts.

The authors raise two varieties of Clerodendrum aucubifolium Baker to species rank, providing the new combination Clerodendrum giganteum (Moldenke) Phillipson & Callm. for one, and the replacement name Clerodendrum thouarsii Phillipson & Callm. for the other. The two species differ from typical Clerodendrum aucubifolium and other related species by their distinctive inflorescence structure and floral morphology, and from each other primarily by differences in leaf and bract shape and size.