Polypsecadium apolobamba Al-Shehbaz & A. Fuentes (Brassicaceae), a new species from Bolivia, is described and illustrated. It is readily distinguished from the other Bolivian species P. harmsianum (Muschler) O. E. Schulz by having uniseriate seeds, pilose leaves, and longer fruits, and from P. rusbyi (Britton) Al-Shehbaz by having shorter non-torulose fruits, smaller petals, and shorter and curved fruiting pedicels.

The combinations Hibiscus moscheutos L. subsp. lasiocarpos (Cavanilles) O. J. Blanchard, H. clypeatus L. subsp. cryptocarpos (A. Richard) O. J. Blanchard, and H. clypeatus subsp. membranaceus (Cavanilles) O. J. Blanchard are validated for a central North American plant taxon, a Cuban plant taxon, and a Bahamian plant taxon, respectively. The name H. grandiflorus Michaux is lectotypified. A new name, Kosteletzkya semota O. J. Blanchard, is established for the West African K. stellata Hutchinson & Dalziel, a later homonym. The neotype of the Philippine endemic K. batacensis (Blanco) Fernández-Villar is changed. Two well-known species, K. virginica (L.) C. Presl ex A. Gray of eastern North America and K. pentacarpos (L.) Ledebour of Eurasia, are synonymized under the latter name.

Impatiens rupestris K. M. Liu & X. Z. Cai, a new species of Balsaminaceae from Hunan Province in southern China, is described and illustrated. An identification key to the new species and its relatives is provided. Impatiens rupestris differs from I. polyneura K. M. Liu in its lamina base widely cuneate or ± rounded, the lateral veins in 11 to 16 pairs, the dorsal petal widely obovate, and the lower lobes of the lateral united petals connate into obovate lamella. It is distinct from I. obesa Hooker f. in its lamina elliptic or ovate-oblong, lateral united petals stipitate, upper corolla lobes widely obovate or suborbicular, lower corolla lobes connate into obovate lamella, and seeds with tuberculate testa.

An undescribed species of Lophiaris Rafinesque (Orchidaceae, Cymbidieae, Oncidiinae) was detected while conducting a phylogenetic study of Trichocentrum Poeppig & Endlicher s.l. Lophiaris sierracaracolensis Cetzal & Balam is described from Sierra Caracol in the Central Depression of Chiapas, on the Pacific slopes of Mexico. The new species is illustrated, and its affinities are discussed. The novelty is related to L. straminea (Bateman ex Lindley) Braem, but the labellum isthmus is broader (to 3 mm wide), the claw of the dorsal sepal is very short (1.5 mm long) and wide, and the callus is 8-partite (vs. 5-partite in L. straminea).

A new species of alkali grass, Puccinellia banksiensis Consaul from Banks Island, Northwest Territories, in the Canadian Arctic, is described and illustrated. This diploid species is most similar to the Russian and Alaskan tetraploid P. hauptiana (Trinius ex V. I. Krecznetowicz) Kitagawa, from which it differs by having dense panicles with erect branches and palea keels with curly hairs in the proximal half; to the Siberian species P. neglecta (Tzvelev) Bubnova, which is larger with less dense inflorescences and wider leaves; and to the circumpolar hexaploid P. angustata (R. Br.) E. L. Rand & Redfield, from which it differs by having smaller spikelets and florets. It differs from other Puccinellia Parlatore species on Banks Island and the northern coast of Alaska by having lemmas shorter than 2.7 mm with scabrous apical margins and anthers shorter than 0.9 mm. Although morphology suggests a close relationship with P. angustata, P. hauptiana, and P. neglecta, genetic evidence suggests it is a distinct species. It is local and rare, and grows in low-elevation, Dryas L.–dominated tundra beside coastal lakes.

Magnolia vazquezii Cruz Durán & K. Vega (Magnoliaceae) is described as a new species from the state of Guerrero, Mexico. It has been collected only in cloud forest in the state of Guerrero and appears similar to M. schiedeana Schlechtendal, but differs in its red stipules, pubescent bracts, pubescent and longer peduncles, longer and different-shaped petals, and an oblong gynoecium with erect stigmas. The new taxon is illustrated and a dichotomous key distinguishes it from related taxa.

Haematoxylum sousanum Cruz Durán & J. Jiménez Ramírez, a new species (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae) from the high Balsas basin from southern Mexico, is described and illustrated. It appears similar to H. brasiletto H. Karsten, but differs in presenting paripinnate or bi-imparipinnate leaves, flowers in panicles, floral parts different in form, falcate fruits, and distinct phenology.

A new species of the Cape endemic genus Hermas L. is described. Hermas proterantha B. J. de Villiers is a very distinct new species endemic to Piquetberg Mountain in Western Cape province. It is the only deciduous Hermas species and has thinly textured, deeply lobed (pinnatipartite) leaves that wither in summer.

During preparation of a treatment of Acanthaceae for the Flora of China, it was determined that Pararuellia alata H. P. Tsui from Yunnan, China, was not validly published because the herbarium in which the type is conserved was not specified. The name is herein validated with the herbarium now specified. The species can be distinguished from other Chinese Pararuellia Bremekamp by its winged inflorescence rachis.

In preparation for the forthcoming Flora of China, volume 3, the new combination Ctenitis dianguiensis (W. M. Chu & H. G. Zhou) S. Y. Dong based on Ataxipteris dianguiensis W. M. Chu & H. G. Zhou (Pteridophyta, Dryopteriaceae) is proposed. In addition, seven scientific names synonymize to C. subglandulosa (Hance) Ching, of which three are new: C. maolanensis P. S. Wang, C. membranifolia Ching & Chu H. Wang, and C. yunnanensis Ching & Chu H. Wang.

The new species Salvia yukoyukparum Fernández Alonso (Labiatae) is described and illustrated; it is endemic to the Serranía of Perijá, Colombia, and is assigned to Salvia sect. Tomentellae (Epling) Epling, a section not previously recorded from Colombia. Its known distribution and conservation status is commented upon, and the possible affinities of this species are discussed. A key for the South American species of Salvia sect. Tomentellae is presented.

A new milkweed from the eastern and western cordilleras of Mexico is described and illustrated. Asclepias elegantula Fishbein is distinguished from other diminutive, linear-leaved species of the genus in montane Mexico by the claret-striped petals (unique in American Asclepias L.) and by the combination of very small flowers with corona segments (hoods) that are sharply deflexed from the staminal column, deeply pouched, and bear a grooved, internal appendage (horn) confluent with the dorsal margin of each hood. The species is known from only two sites with different substrates, one each in the Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Madre Occidental. The remarkable disjunction may be indicative of extreme rarity or the low likelihood of observing this relatively inconspicuous milkweed.

During taxonomic revision of the genus Hortia Vandelli (Rutaceae), it was necessary to lectotypify the name H. megaphylla Taubert because of the destruction of the holotype at B during World War II. This name is also formally synonymized under H. longifolia Spruce ex Engler. The author attribution is changed for H. longifolia Spruce ex Engler, crediting Spruce rather than Bentham.

Musa itinerans Cheesman (Musaceae) is dispersed across continental Southeast Asia from Northeast India to Vietnam and the adjacent islands, with only two previously described varieties. Its intraspecific taxa have not been comprehensively investigated. In this study, M. itinerans is morphologically circumscribed based on field studies in southern China. Four varieties are described as new: M. itinerans var. chinensis Häkkinen, M. itinerans var. guangdongensis Häkkinen, M. itinerans var. lechangensis Häkkinen, and M. itinerans var. xishuangbannaensis Häkkinen. We propose a new rank for M. itinerans subsp. annamica R. V. Valmayor, L. D. Danh & Häkkinen as M. itinerans var. annamica (R. V. Valmayor, L. D. Danh & Häkkinen) Häkkinen. A ^table for the distinguishing characteristics is provided for these varieties and for M. itinerans var. itinerans Cheesman. All of these studies are based on morphological characteristics observed in the field in China during 2005 and 2006, in various herbaria, and in the literature on Musaceae.

Lectotypification is provided here for Sambucus chinensis Lindley (Caprifoliaceae), and the rare, new variety, S. chinensis var. pinnatilobatus G. W. Hu, from Hunan province in China, is described and illustrated from two populations. It differs from S. chinensis var. chinensis in leaflet shape, fruit and pyrene size, and the adaxial epidermis of the leaf blades. The new variety's leaflets on imparipinnate leaves are pinnatipartite or pinnatisect and some leaflet lobes are irregularly pinnatilobate; fruit diameters range from 3.3–3.8 mm (average 3.5 mm); pyrene lengths range from 1.5–1.9 mm (average 1.7 mm); and the epidermal cells of the adaxial leaf surface are irregularly shaped, with sinuous or sinuate anticlinal walls. In comparison, the autonymic variety's leaflets on imparipinnate leaves are not lobed and have serrate margins; fruit diameters range from 4.0–4.8 mm (average 4.3 mm); pyrene lengths range from 2.1–2.5 mm (average 2.2 mm); and the epidermal cells of the adaxial leaf surface are polygonal, with straight or arched anticlinal walls. A chromosome number of 2n = 36 is reported for the new variety.

As part of the first author's Ph.D. studies, two new species of Faramea Aublet, F. atlantica J. G. Jardim & Zappi and F. bicolor J. G. Jardim & Zappi, are described from the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil. Both species are illustrated, and comments on their phenology, distribution, and conservation status are provided.

Goodyera dongchenii var. gongligongensis X. H. Jin & S. C. Chen (Orchidaceae) is described from Yunnan, China. It differs from the typical variety by having strongly white-reticulate leaves and lip up to 1 cm long.

Two new species of Psidium L. (Myrtaceae) from Bahia, Brazil, are described and illustrated. Both are compared with P. cattleyanum Sabine, a possible close relative and a species with which they might be confused. Both species differ from P. cattleyanum because of their longer peduncles (2–8(–13) mm in P. cattleyanum, 10–22 mm in P. ganevii Landrum & Funch, and 12–34 mm in P. bahianum Landrum & Funch), and because the tears in the calyx do not, or scarcely, penetrate the staminal ring (in P. cattleyanum they deeply penetrate the ring). The leaf length of P. cattleyanum (to 10 cm) is intermediate between P. ganevii (to 4 cm) and P. bahianum (to 14 cm). The leaves of P. bahianum differ from P. cattleyanum in usually being ovate (not obovate), arching along the midvein, and often enfolding longitudinally; its leaf apices are usually acuminate and, when the leaf is pressed flat, often turn to one side. Psidium ganevii differs also from P. cattleyanum in often having emarginated apices; the leaves are often widest at the middle (not above the middle).

Seven new combinations of species previously treated in Pleurothallis R. Brown (Orchidaceae, Pleurothallidinae) and found in the southernmost region of South America (the Southern Cone) are proposed: Anathallis bertoniensis (Hauman) Luer, A. kleinii (Pabst) Luer, A. liparanges (Reichenbach f.) Luer, A. rigidula (Cogniaux) Luer, Pabstiella dryadum (Schlechter) Luer, P. pellifeloidis (Barbosa Rodrigues) Luer, and P. piraquarensis (Hoehne) Luer. Lectotypes are selected for the following names: A. rigidula and P. pellifeloidis.

Three creeping Ecuadorian species of Peperomia Ruiz & Pavón are presented as new to science. Both P. parcipeltata G. Mathieu and P. sagittata G. Mathieu occur in northern Ecuador, while P. gracilispica G. Mathieu occurs in central Ecuador. The three species are considered as belonging to section Leptorhynchum Dahlstedt.

Varronia lantanifolia J. S. Miller & J. R. I. Wood (Cordiaceae) is described from dry forest areas of Bolivia. This new species can be distinguished from other South American species of Varronia P. Browne with capitate inflorescences by the combination of evenly serrate, ovate, petiolate leaves; white puberulent, deltate calyx lobes with 1–2 mm long filiform apices; and a 10–15 mm long funnelform corolla.

One new species for Polygalaceae from Brazil is described, illustrated, and compared with related species of Polygala L. subg. Hebeclada (Chodat) S. F. Blake. Polygala marquesiana J. F. B. Pastore & T. B. Cavalcanti is an attractive caespitose subshrub from the state of Goiás, occurring in the high-altitude areas of Serra Geral do Paranã in the central part of the Brazilian savannas.

Castelnavia noveloi C. T. Philbrick & C. P. Bove is distinguished from other species of Castelnavia Tulasne & Weddell (Podostemaceae) based on the production of stems arising perpendicular from the leaf petiole (petiolar stems) and the flattened rachis of the pinnate leaves. The new species is only known from rio Taquarussu, east of the town of Taquarussu, Tocantins, Brazil.

New combinations in Lychnis L. (Caryophyllaceae) are proposed for the names of seven taxa occurring in the East and West African mountains. The taxa have previously been placed in Uebelinia Hochstetter, but recent molecular studies placed the group within Lychnis. The new combinations are: L. crassifolia (T. C. E. Fries) M. Popp, L. kigesiensis (R. D. Good) M. Popp, L. kigesiensis subsp. ragazziana (S. Ousted) M. Popp, L. kiwuensis (T. C. E. Fries) M. Popp, L. kiwuensis subsp. erlangeriana (S. Ousted) M. Popp, L. rotundifolia (Oliver) M. Popp, and L. scottii (Turrill) M. Popp.

A new species of Calceolaria L. (Calceolariaceae) from central Peru is described, illustrated, and compared with its closest relatives: Calceolaria oxapampensis Puppo of section Lehmannina Pennell. The new species occurs in primary forest between 2400 and 2800 m in Pasco department.

Cerastium L. (Caryophyllaceae), predominantly a Holarctic genus also extending to temperate and montane regions of the Southern Hemisphere, is confined in the tropical Andes of South America to non-forest, high-altitude habitats. Two species of Cerastium from the subgenus Eucerastium (Boissier) Pax, C. cuatrecasasii Sklenář from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia and C. wilhelmianum Sklenář from northern and central Ecuador, are described and illustrated. Cerastium cacananense Möschl is added to the list of the Peruvian species.

Ceratozamia decumbens (Zamiaceae, Cycadales) is newly described and illustrated. This species, endemic to Veracruz, has affinity with C. morettii Vázquez Torres & Vovides, but differs in leaf morphology and leaflet habit as well as in the microsporangiate and megasporangiate strobili and trunk. Ceratozamia decumbens is considered part of the C. latifolia species complex, which includes C. latifolia Miquel, C. microstrobila Vovides & J. D. Rees, C. huastecorum Avendaño, Vovides & Castillo-Campos, and C. morettii.

During preparation of the account of Bolbitidaceae for the Flora of China, it was noticed that specimens of Bolbitis Schott, collected from Hainan Island, China, differed from other known species in Bolbitidaceae. This species, Bolbitis changjiangensis F. G. Wang & F. W. Xing, is herein described and illustrated as new. Its affinities and differences with the related species are discussed. This new species differs from its congeners by having a short erect rhizome; lateral pinnae in two to four pairs, without spines in the sinuses; and dimorphic fertile leaves. SEM observation of the spores of the new species and B. subcordata (Copeland) Ching shows distinct difference in spore morphology.

Three species of farinose ferns traditionally included in the large, polymorphic genus Cheilanthes Swartz are transferred to the genus Notholaena R. Brown as N. aureolina Yatskievych & Arbeláez, N. jaliscana Yatskievych & Arbeláez, and N. ochracea (Hooker) Yatskievych & Arbeláez. Additionally, a Central American novelty is described as a new species, N. montielae Yatskievych & Arbeláez, with a type from Nicaragua.

One new subspecies and one new variety of Pedicularis L. from the Hengduan Mountains region in southwestern China are described. The main diagnostic features of the taxa are compared with closely related taxa, and distributions and morphological photos are provided. The new taxa are: Pedicularis gyrorhyncha subsp. glabrisepala H. Wang & W. B. Yu and P. siphonantha var. stictochila H. Wang & W. B. Yu.

A Clusia L. incense tree, Clusia pachamamae Zenteno-Ruíz & A. Fuentes (Clusiaceae), is described and illustrated. This new species from the montane Yungas forests of northwestern Bolivia differs clearly from other species of section Anandrogyne Planchon & Triana in having spicate short-pedunculate inflorescences with six to 16 sessile and decussate flowers. The species differs from various others to which it is morphologically close (and which also have sessile flowers) in the following ways: from C. tarmensis Engler by having 5- or rarely 6- (vs. always 6-)locular fruits and leaves with winged petioles 1.5–2.6 × 0.6–1.8 cm (vs. 0.4–0.8 × 0.2–0.3 cm); from C. peruviana Szyszylowicz by having obovate to rarely elliptic leaves more than 9 cm long (vs. elliptic and less than 9 cm), and a male inflorescence with six to 16 (vs. three to five) flowers; from C. cajamarcensis Engler by having flowers with five (vs. six) petals and a 5- or rarely 6- (vs. always 6-)locular ovary. This species exudes from its bark and branches a yellow resin that is collected and marketed by local villagers northwest of Bolivia where it is used traditionally for incense in Andean and Catholic rituals.