Goniopteris ×tico, a new hybrid fern from La Selva Biological Station in Heredia Province, Costa Rica, is described based on morphology and analysis of target-capture DNA sequence data. The hybrid co-occurs with its two putative progenitors, Goniopteris mollis and Goniopteris nicaraguensis, and is readily recognizable by its intermediate leaf dissection and venation. It is also intermediate in pinnae size and shape, and presents irregularly lobed pinnae. Despite the broad overlap in the geographic distribution of its parental taxa, Goniopteris ×tico is only known from two collections from a single area of the La Selva Biological Station, highlighting the importance of close observation of ferns from even well-collected areas.

Taxonomy of Smilax in the Neotropics is poorly known with many undescribed species, unresolved synonymy, and regional treatments with conflicting taxon concepts. This issue is amplified in the Guiana Shield, which has arguably received the least amount of taxonomic research in Smilax. Here, we investigate multiple specimens from Tafelberg, Suriname that we hypothesized to represent an undescribed species. We used univariate and multivariate morphometrics to analyze linear measurements and leaf outlines to test if and how Tafelberg specimens differ from those of morphologically similar species in the Guiana Shield, Smilax lasseriana and S. maypurensis. We used a genome skimming approach to sequence and assemble plastomes, which also allowed us to extract plastid loci previously employed in Sanger-based studies and place the putative new species in a phylogeny with expanded taxon sampling. We recovered the Smilax from Tafelberg as more closely related to species with ranges centered in eastern Brazil than to its morphologically hypothesized congeners, S. lasseriana and S. maypurensis. We describe this new species as Smilax tafelbergensis with detailed morphological comparisons to similar taxa, a distribution map, and illustration.

Brachystele morronei, a new orchid species recently discovered in the central-eastern region of Argentina, is described and illustrated. It is the first known species with nonresupinate flowers of the Pelexia clade, constituting a very distinctive member of the group. The phylogenetic position of the new taxon was inferred from nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS) and two plastid DNA regions (matK and trnLF). The combined nuclear and plastid data analyses using Bayesian and parsimony-based methods revealed that B. morronei is closely related to B. camporum. The geographic distribution and a conservation assessment of the new species are presented. Morphological differences among sympatric Brachystele species are described.

During the first author's doctoral research, in part developed at the New York Botanical Garden and guided by William Wayt Thomas, several new species of Rhynchospora were discovered when revising NY herbarium specimens. In this study, we describe and name one of these species as Rhynchospora waytii, in honor of this renowned sedge specialist and friend. Rhynchospora waytii is closely related to R. nanuzae but displays distinguishing characteristics such as broader leaves, inconspicuous rhizomes, and larger spikelets and stylopodia. It also exhibits a peculiar disjunct distribution, occurring in Brazil and Argentina, which is explored here with models of geographical range evolution and suitable area of occupancy. Our analysis suggests that suitable habitats have historically existed along the Atlantic coast, extending to the La Plata estuary, near the location where the Argentinian specimens were collected.

Previous studies on the genus Argyrolobium (Genisteae, Fabaceae) in southern Africa recognized a group of species defined by a suffrutescent habit, monomorphic flowers and leaves, and the plants not turning black when dried as ‘section A. transvaalense.’ A formal rank was never published for this group. Here a taxonomic study of this group is conducted, including comprehensive descriptions and a key to the species, nomenclature, typifications, diagnostic characters, and geographical distribution. Based on an assessment of morphological characters, two groups can be recognised: 1) the A. robustum group that comprises four species with a herbaceous habit with up to 55-flowered inflorescences, flowers drying black or turning black when damaged, keel petals lacking pockets, and staminal sheaths fully open above, and 2) the A. transvaalense group comprising five species with a suffruticose habit with up to 24-flowered inflorescences, flowers becoming discoloured (darker coloured or brown) when dried, keel petals with pockets except in A. megarhizum, and staminal sheaths variously fused into a closed tube.

Three new species of Ziziphus (Rhamnaceae) from Maharashtra, India, Z. bhandarii, Z. naikii, and Z. bhansalii are described here. These species occur in isolated fragments of the Deccan thorn scrub forest ecoregion on the Deccan plateau. Their placement in Ziziphus is confirmed by molecular analyses combining nrITS and trnL-F spacer regions. Given this phylogeny is the most robust to date of Ziziphus, a previously proposed intrageneric classification was tested, and the classification was not supported suggesting a need for additional investigations in this genus. The new species are most closely related to three Indian species, Z. horrida, Z. xylopyrus, and Z. caracutta, respectively, which are morphologically similar and sympatric, and are distinguishable from known species based on several vegetative and reproductive characteristics presented here. A diagnostic key to the Ziziphus species known to occur in Maharashtra is provided.

Three new species of the Neotropical genus Marcetia are described and illustrated: Marcetia barbadensis, Marcetia minima, and Marcetia serratifolia. The three species are known from small isolated populations in mountains of the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. The recognition of Marcetia barbadensis and Marcetia serratifolia is confirmed with an updated molecular phylogeny of the tribe Marcetieae (based on ETS, ITS, accD-psaI, atpF-atpH, trnS-trnG, psbK-psbL, ndhF and rbcL), and by morphological and morphometric studies. In turn, the recognition of Marcetia minima, a new species known only from the type gathering collected about 30 yr ago, is based on analyses of leaf and anther connective shape, as well as linear measurements of vegetative and reproductive structures. Based on the new phylogenetic hypothesis for Marcetieae, we reconstructed the evolution of habit and petal color in the tribe, and showed that prostrate plants and white flowers evolved repeatedly from ancestors with an erect habit and pink to magenta petals. We also provide notes on the intergeneric relationships and phylogeny of Marcetia and evaluate the generic placement of the recently described Acisanthera saxatilis.

The new species Microlicia arenaria, M. dentisepala, and M. membranacea are described from the Diamantina Plateau, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Microlicia arenaria is a cespitose subshrub with xylopodium, fastigiate branches, forming clumps, sessile leaves, linear lamina, and hypanthium and sepals covered with golden spherical glands. In addition, it has dimorphic and bicolored stamens with tetrasporangiate anthers. Microlicia dentisepala has a subshrub or shrub habit, is erect and much branched, and its leaves are small, varnished in appearance, with both surfaces covered with spherical glands. The sepals are triangular to narrowly lanceolate and shorter than the length of the hypanthium, with a tooth aspect. Microlicia membranacea is a subshrub with petiolate leaves, lamina of membranous consistency and suprabasal venation, with prominent secondary veins. The branch, leaf, hypanthium, and sepals are covered with glandular trichomes, and the cylindrical hypanthium is slightly contracted at the apex. Microlicia arenaria and M. dentisepala exhibit some anatomical features common to Microlicia, such as amphistomatic leaves, short-stalked glandular trichomes in depressions on the leaf surface, compact mesophyll, phenolic compounds in the subepidermal layer, idioblasts with druses in the mesophyll, and collateral vascular bundles. Microlicia membranacea stands out by its hypostomatic leaves and a thin mesophyll formed by only three to four cell layers, conditions possibly related to a shaded environment. Following the criteria of the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), we preliminarily assess the conservation status of the species Microlicia arenaria as Endangered (EN), Microlicia dentisepala as Critically Endangered (CR), and Microlicia membranacea as Data Deficient (DD). We provide descriptions of the new species, along with field images, detailed illustrations, and comparisons with related species. Data on geographic distribution and habitat are also presented.

As novas espécies Microlicia arenaria, M. dentisepala e M. membranacea são descritas para o Planalto de Diamantina, estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Microlicia arenaria é um subarbusto cespitoso com xilopódio, ramos fastigiados, formando touceiras, folha séssil, lâmina linear, ramo, hipanto e sépalas cobertos por glândulas esféricas douradas. Também apresenta estames dimórficos e bicolores com anteras tetrasporangiadas. Microlicia dentisepala apresenta hábito subarbustivo ou arbustivo, ereto e muito ramificado e suas folhas são pequenas, de aparência envernizada, com as duas faces cobertas por glândulas esféricas. As sépalas são triangulares a estreitamente lanceoladas e mais curtas que o comprimento do hipanto, semelhantes a pequenos dentes. Já Microlicia membranacea é um subarbusto com folhas pecioladas, lâmina de consistência membranácea e venação suprabasal, com as nervuras secundárias proeminentes. O ramo, folha, hipanto e sépalas são recobertos com tricomas glandulares e o hipanto cilíndrico é levemente contraído no ápice. Microlicia arenaria e M. dentisepala exibem algumas características anatômicas comuns em Microlicia, como folhas anfiestomâticas, tricomas glandulares de pedúnculo curto em depressões na superfície foliar, mesofilo compacto, células contendo compostos fenólicos na camada subepidérmica, idioblastos com drusas no mesofilo e feixes vasculares colaterais. Por outro lado, M. membranacea difere pelas folhas hipoestomáticas e um mesofilo fino, formado por apenas três a quatro camadas de células, condições possivelmente relacionadas ao ambiente sombreado. Seguindo os critérios da Lista Vermelha da União Internacional para a Conservação da Natureza (IUCN), avaliamos preliminarmente o estado de conservação das espécies Microlicia arenaria como Em Perigo (EN), Microlicia dentisepala como Criticamente em Perigo (CR) e Microlicia membranacea como Dados Insuficientes (DD). Fornecemos descrições das novas espécies, juntamente com imagens de campo, ilustrações detalhadas e comparações com espécies relacionadas. Também são apresentados dados sobre a distribuição geográfica e habitat.

A new species of Tacinga from semi-arid Eastern Brazil, Tacinga paiaia, is here described on the basis of material collected several years ago and cultivated at the Cactarium Guimarães Duque of the Instituto Nacional do Semiárido. A detailed description, original illustrations, distribution map, a taxonomic discussion for the new taxon, and a key to all known species of Tacinga are given. We also assessed the IUCN risk of extinction category for the new species. It is here preliminarily classified as Vulnerable to extinction due to its small population size and restricted distribution. Finally, we also report the presence of extrafloral nectaries in the pericarpel areoles of the new taxon.

Plants originally identified as Aphyllon ludovicianum that occur near Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, and Cuatro Ciénegas Bolson, Coahuila, Mexico, were found to not align with the protologue of that species, the close relative A. multiflorum, or any other species of Aphyllon. Following a detailed study of floral morphology, geographic range, host species, and phylogenetic position using dry herbarium specimens, field study, and georeferenced color photographs, we propose the new binomials Aphyllon spectabile for the plants from Nuevo Leon and Aphyllon gypsophilum for the plants from Coahuila, Mexico. These additions increase the taxonomic diversity of Aphyllon to 27 species plus ten additional subspecies. Gymnosperma glutinosum and two species of Xanthisma were reported for the first time as a host species for the genus Aphyllon. We also provide an updated key to Aphyllon in Mexico.

Resumen—Las plantas identificadas como Aphyllon ludovicianum y que ocurren cerca de Monterrey, Nuevo León y Cuatro Ciénegas Bolsón, Coahuila, México no se alineaban con el protólogo de A. ludovicianum, de A. multiflorum o de alguna otra especie de Aphyllon. La morfología floral, rango geográfico y la especie de planta hospedera fueron incluidas en esta comparación utilizando ejemplares de herbario y múltiples fotografías a color. Proponemos el nuevo binomio Aphyllon spectabile para las plantas de Nuevo León y Aphyllon gypsophilum para las plantas de Coahuila, llevando la total diversidad taxonómica a 27 especies de Aphyllon y 10 subespecies adicionales. Gymnosperma glutinosum y dos especies de Xanthisma son reportadas por primera vez como planta hospedera para el género Aphyllon. Se presenta una clave actualizada de Aphyllon en México.

Symphyotrichum (Asteraceae) is a well-circumscribed genus on the basis of morphological and molecular data, but species boundaries remain poorly understood. Here, the species delimitation of the contentious Symphyotrichum subulatum group (Symphyotrichum subg. Astropolium) is illuminated using morphometric, phylogenomic, and geographical analyses. Symphyotrichum mexicanum sp. nov., a new species endemic to central Mexico, is described and distinguished from Symphyotrichum expansum based on its morphometric attributes, phylogenetic placement, geographic range, and ecological specialization.