A moss from the puna of Urmiri, Department of La Paz in Bolivia, is described and illustrated as the new species Syntrichia boliviana. This species is characterized by its keeled and lanceolate leaves with bistratose to tristratose laminae, plane or weakly recurved bordered margins, acute apex, dorsal surface costal cells in the upper third like those of the lamina, and costa ending a few cells below the apex, sporophytes with a short seta, and a peristome membrane hardly projecting above the urn. Detailed light and scanning electron microscope photographs of the main characters are presented. The principal characters that separate this from similar species are briefly discussed. Syntrichia napoana, previously only known from Ecuador, is reported from Bolivia. A key to the species of Syntrichia in Bolivia is provided.

A comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus Dasymaschalon (Annonaceae) in Thailand is presented. Twelve species are recognized, including five that are newly described and one new nomenclatural combination, viz. D. acuminatum sp. nov., D. angustifolium sp. nov., D. dasymaschalum, D. echinatum sp. nov., D. filipes, D. glaucum, D. grandiflorum sp. nov., D. lomentaceum, D. macrocalyx, D. obtusipetalum sp. nov., D. sootepense, and D. wallichii comb. nov. Previous taxonomic confusion regarding the relationship between Dasymaschalon and Desmos is discussed. The most significant diagnostic difference between the two genera is the number and arrangement of petals: Dasymaschalon species have only three petals (homologous with the outer whorl of other Annonaceae) that are apically connivent to form an enclosed pollination chamber, whereas Desmos species have two whorls of three petals which are basally constricted and apically free.

The coastal lowland rain forests of eastern Africa are well known for their high levels of plant endemism. A new genus of Annonaceae, Mwasumbia, is described from Tanzania, underscoring this high biodiversity and represented by a single species, Mwasumbia alba. The new genus presents several morphological characters suggesting a close relationship to two other African genera, Greenwayodendron and Polyceratocarpus. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian molecular phylogenetic analyses based on two plastid markers, rbcL and the trnLtrnF region, strongly support the close relationship of these three genera to one another as well as to two other African genera, Annickia and Piptostigma. Together these five genera form a moderately supported clade within the so-called short-branch clade of Annonaceae. A detailed morphological and palynological comparison between Mwasumbia and the four other genera shows that this new genus exhibits a combination of features unique within this group: intermediate tertiary leaf venation, exclusively bisexual flowers, slightly imbricate sepals, valvate petals, outer and inner petals equal in length, numerous stamens, four carpels, few and uniseriate ovules, few and sessile monocarps, and verrucate sulculate pollen grains. Phylogenetic analyses also suggest the genus Piptostigma, as currently circumscribed, to be paraphyletic. An IUCN conservation status of VU D2 is proposed, reflecting the narrow distribution of the single species.

Phylogenetic relationships among the 16 series within Iris section Limniris were reconstructed based on chloroplast sequence data using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. Section Limniris is polyphyletic as currently delineated because series Spuriae, Foetidissimae, Syriacae, Longipetalae, Vernae, Unguiculares, and some elements of Tenuifoliae are placed outside of the core group of Limniris species. The most inclusive monophyletic clade of Limniris species includes the series Californicae, Sibiricae, Laevigatae, Tripetalae, Prismaticae, Ensatae, Ruthenicae, Hexagonae, and Chinenses, and I. songarica. Within the core Limniris clade series Sibiricae, Tripetalae, and Chinenses are polyphyletic whereas Laevigatae is paraphyletic. With one exception, species within the core Limniris group are distributed in either Asia or North America, with a few Asian species extending into Europe and for the most widespread species, Iris pseudacorus (series Laevigatae), into northern Africa with naturalized populations in North America. The one exception is I. setosa with a native range that includes both eastern Asia and North America.

A synopsis of Chamaeangis (Orchidaceae) with a taxonomic key to the genus is provided. Twelve taxa are recognized. Detailed examination of the specimens revealed two novelties: Chamaeangis spiralis from Nigeria and Cameroon, and Chamaeangis lecomtei var. tenuicalcar, a new variety from Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Gabon. Chamaeangis auciflora is shown to be synonymous with Chamaeangis letouzeyi, which is here redescribed in detail. Chamaeangis thomensis is neotypified, and Chamaeangis lecomtei var. lecomtei is lectotypified. Chamaeangis gracilis is treated as an excluded species. Several new country records of Chamaeangis are provided.

According to previous molecular study, the Carex tenera group sensu lato consists of C. tenera s. l. and C. normalis in one clade and C. festucacea, C. oronensis, and C. tincta in a sister clade. We found that Carex tincta, clarified by thorough review of herbarium materials, has a much narrower geographic range than previously thought, centering on Maine (U. S. A.), adjacent states, and adjacent portions of Canada with rare scattered occurrences to western Lake Superior. Carex tenera has traditionally been thought to consist of two varieties: the transcontinental variety tenera and the upper Midwest (U. S. A.) variety echinodes. In light of ecological and chromosomal differences, AFLP genetic distances, and morphological analysis the latter should be recognized as a distinct species, Carex echinodes comb. et stat. nov. Carex echinodes and narrow-leaved forms of C. normalis can be challenging to differentiate morphologically, but widest leaf width, inflorescence internode length, peduncle diameter, and growth habit separate the two taxa. New chromosome numbers are reported, with those of C. tenera (n = 24 2III, 26, 27, 28) having a lower range than either those of C. echinodes (n = 37, 38, 39) or C. normalis (n = 34, 35, 36).

A phylogenetic analysis was performed on 67 species of Digitaria belonging to four subgenera and 26 of the 32 sections recognized in Henrard's monograph. The analysis was based on 113 discrete and six continuous morphological characters. In the resulting topologies the genus Digitaria was monophyletic. In spite of the low support for most groupings, several clades were recovered. The subdivision of Digitaria in the four subgenera proposed by Henrard was not supported since the large subgenus Digitaria appears as a paraphyletic assemblage within which the other three subgenera are nested. Nevertheless, the monophyly of some of Henrard's sections was supported. This is the first approach to the phylogeny of Digitaria.

Physeterostemon thomasii is described from the southern Bahian Atlantic forest of Brazil. It differs from the other two species of the genus by the paleaceous trichomes on young stems and petioles, and by the strongly bullate/foveolate leaves. A phylogenetic analysis with all three species, based on rbcL and nahF DNA sequence data, showed that Physeterostemon forms a monophyletic group, sister to Eriocnema fulva, and this clade is placed in a polytomy at the base of the tribe Miconieae sensu stricto. However, there is no resolution within Physeterostemon, thus the phylogenetic relationships of the three species cannot be established.

Kanakomyrtus (Myrtaceae) is a newly described genus endemic to New Caledonia. Kanakomyrtus myrtopsidoides, the generic type, is transferred from Eugenia. Five new species are described: K. mcphersonii, K. revoluta, K. dawsoniana, K. prominens, and K. longtpetiolata. The genus occurs in forests at elevations between 500–1,600 m on the relatively mesic windward side of the Grande Terre. It is distinct from other baccate genera of Myrtaceae by a combination of linear stylar lobes, densely glandular stamens and stigmas, and a short but densely hoary indumentum that is brownish when dry. The thinly membranous partitions that partially extend between the seeds of some species suggest a close relationship to Archirhodomyrtus and some species traditionally placed in Rhodomyrtus. and Octamyrtus. Four of the six species have unisexual flowers, but much additional field work is needed to assess the reproductive biology of the genus. Following IUCN guidelines, four species are proposed as either Endangered or Critically Endangered, whereas the remaining species are considered Vulnerable and of Low Concern. Species descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps, and keys to species of the genus and related taxa of baccate Myrtaceae from New Caledonia are included.

A taxonomic revision and biogeographic study of the genus Centrolobium (Leguminosae - Papilionoideae) is presented. Centrolobium includes important timber trees distributed disjunctly in seasonally dry tropical forests and rain forests in Central and South America, from Panama to south-eastern Brazil. It is characterized by large samaroid pods with a spiny seed case and an abundance of orange peltate glands covering the leaves and inflorescences. Taxonomic distinctions between some species of Centrolobium have been a source of confusion. Here, seven species are recognized: C. robustum, C. microchaete, C. tomentosum, C. ochroxylum, C. sclerophyllum, C. paraense, and C. yavizanum. Previously recognized varieties of C. paraense, C. paraense var. paraense and C. paraense var. orinocense, are not maintained. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer region of nuclear ribosomal DNA and the plastid matK gene and trnL-trnF intron and spacer support the monophyly of the genus. Different molecular dating methods indicate that the Centrolobium crown group and lineages found to the west and east of the Andes diverged before the Pleistocene. Divergences between species occurring east of the Andes, particularly in Bolivia and south-eastern Brazil are more recent, but nevertheless unlikely to be explained by Pleistocene climatic changes.

The phylogenetic relationships of Croton section Cyclostigma sensu Webster were examined using nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid spacer trnL-F sequences from 48 of the 63 species in the group, including members of the four recognized subsections and representing the group's full morphological and geographic range. The two gene phylogenies concurred that section Cyclostigma sensu Webster is polyphyletic, with its members appearing in nine different clades throughout Croton. The clade that retains the taxonomic type of the section and about half of the species sampled is redefined here as a reduced, monophyletic section Cyclostigma, and the remaining species are placed in other sections or informal clades. The ITS and chloroplast phylogenies are discordant regarding the position of the redefined section Cyclostigma suggesting that reticulate evolution might have played a role in the evolutionary history of this group. These results highlight that the tree habit has evolved on multiple occasions in Croton, and that there are other morphological characters that can effectively distinguish different tree lineages in the genus.

Recent phylogenetic analysis of the Old World species of Passiflora has indicated that two monotypic genera in the Passifloraceae, Hollrungia and Tetrapathea, are strongly supported as belonging to the genus Passiflora. Additionally, a new species from Australia was found to belong to the same clade as Hollrungia and Tetrapathea. Consequently, a taxonomic revision is presented here of Passiflora subgenus Tetrapathea including these three taxa. Tetrapathea tetrandra, the type of Passiflora subgenus Tetrapathea and historically recognized as both T. tetrandra and P. tetrandra, is formally accepted here as P. tetrandra. The single species of Hollrungia, H. aurantioides, is transferred to Passiflora subgenus Tetrapathea as Tetrapathea P. aurantioides. The new and so far unnamed species in Passiflora subgenus Tetrapathea from Australia is also described as P. kuranda sp. nov.

The genus Linum consists of over 180 species, the most famous being L. usitatissimum, the source of linen and linseed oil. The eight genera of Linaceae subf. Linoideae, of which Linum is the largest, exhibit a complex biogeographic distribution, inhabiting all continents except Antarctica. Numerous species in Linoideae are heterostylous, but the ancestral breeding system of the group has not been determined. We present phylogenetic analyses of 44 species representing all eight genera of subf. Linoideae and 37 species of Linum, with data from the chloroplast (ndhF, trnL-F, trnK 3′ intron) and the nuclear ITS, with Hugonia (Linaceae subf. Hugonioideae) as outgroup. Sequences of rbcL from 48 species of Linaceae, including five species from Hugonioideae and seven species from other families of Malpighiales, were analyzed independently. Our results suggest that Linaceae and subf. Linoideae are monophyletic, but Linum is not. Anisadenia, Reinwardtia, and Tirpitzia are found to be the basal members of Linoideae. The rest of the subfamily forms two major lineages: a blue-flowered clade (Linum sections Linum and Dasylinum) and a yellow-flowered clade (Linum sects. Linopsis, Syllinum, and Cathartolinum, and the genera Cliococca, Hesperolinon, Radiola, and Sclerolinon). Diversification of Linoideae may have begun 46–51 mya, probably in Southeast Asia. Linum appears to have arisen in Eurasia, from which it spread to Africa, North America, South America, and Australasia. Our analyses indicate that neither heterostyly nor homostyly can yet be confirmed as the ancestral state in Linoideae or Linaceae, but provide strong evidence that breeding system is evolutionarily labile in this group.

Disterigma s. l. comprises 37 species of small shrubs found in Central and South America, mostly in cloud forests and páramos. The notion that the morphological circumscription of Disterigma s. l. is too wide and that it may not be a monophyletic group was supported by recent molecular evidence extracted from only a few species of Disterigma. This study addresses the monophyly and position of Disterigma s. l. within the complex blueberry tribe Vaccinieae through an intensive taxon sampling. Seventy-nine species are sampled, including 84% of the species of Disterigma s. l. and 13 genera of neotropical Vaccinieae. The parsimony analysis of nrITS and ndhF data reveal that Disterigma s. 1. is polyphyletic with three independent origins within Vaccinieae. The majority of the species form a well supported monophyletic group, Disterigma s. s., which is located within a large Andean clade; all Disterigma s. s. species share the presence of a differentiated pair of apical bracteoles. Segregated from Disterigma s. s., but also Andean in origin, is the novel Central Andes Segregated Disterigma clade, where D. bracteatum, D. pentandrum, D. rimbachii, and D. ulei are found. Also resolved outside of Disterigma s. s. is D. trimerum, a taxon of Mesoamerican origin.

The gentians (Gentianaceae, Asteridae) form a morphologically and ecologically diverse group of plants with interesting phytochemical and medicinal properties. The family contains six tribes, but phylogenetic relationships among the three more derived tribes (Gentianeae, Helieae, and Potalieae) are considered ambiguous. In an attempt to resolve alignment ambiguity and provide better scientific support for relationships, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA was aligned for several gentian sequences with reference to the ITS secondary structure proposed for Anvillen radiata (Asteraceae) using Dynalign. We present here the first secondary structure of ITS for Gentianaceae, which may guide alignment of ITS data in other asterids taxa. The study included 42 species, with representatives from tribes Chironieae, Gentianeae, Helieae, and Potalieae, and with the majority of species from Potalieae. Phylogenetic analyses based on secondary structure alignment using parsimony and Bayesian methods provided additional support for Gentianeae plus Helieae as the sister group to Potalieae. Prepusa (Helieae) showed ambivalent associations. Within tribe Potalieae, the subtribes Potaliinae and Lisianthiinae were supported as monophyletic. Bisgoeppertia (Chironieae) was placed unambiguously inside Lisianthius (Potalieae-Lisianthiinae) in all analyses. Neurotheca (Potalieae-Faroinae) was positioned as sister to Lisianthiinae, making subtribe Faroinae paraphyletic.

A new species of Matelea s.l. (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae, Asclepiadeae, Gonolobinae) is described from coastal Colombia: Matelea dugandii. The species belongs to the Ibatia species complex in Matelea s.l., but exhibits distinct differences in floral characters from previously known taxa, particularly in the terminal style-head appendage. An updated key to members of the complex in northern South America and the West Indies is provided, including M. cumanensis, M. fontana, M. maritima, M. pacifica, and M. rubra.

Panax sokpayensis, a new species from Sikkim Himalaya, India is described. The species was found growing in the submontane zone of West Sikkim in the habitats located between 1,700 m and 2,300 m altitudes. The localities, where the species grows, are forested habitats dominated by a Quercus-Acer vegetation in association with Viburnum erubescens, Daphne cannabina, Urtica parviflora, Gerardiana heterophylla, and several species of ferns. Morphological characters of this species are compared with other known species of Panax in Himalaya. The new species is distinct from its allies in having a robust habit, a large horizontal creeping rhizome with a single small globose tuber, oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic leaflets, long leafy bracts, and small black and red fruits. Panax sokpayensis is separated from the P. pseudoginseng and other species complexes in the genus. The difference between P. sokpayensis and its related Himalayan taxa are discussed. We also show that P. pseudoginseng was wrongly reported from the Indian Himalaya.