Ongoing research on the taxonomically complex genus Cheilanthes (Pteridaceae; Cheilanthoideae) has resulted in the identification of a new species from Loja Province in Ecuador, Cheilanthes ecuadorensis, described and illustrated herein. Originally collected in 1988 and identified as C. cf. rufopunctata, C. ecuadorensis is clearly distinct from that species in having pubescent adaxial blade surfaces and narrow, poorly-differentiated false indusia (rather than the glabrous adaxial surfaces and wide false indusia of C. rufopunctata). Among the South American species currently included in Cheilanthes, C. ecuadorensis is superficially most similar to C. pilosa. However, our molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that C. ecuadorensis is sister to C. micropteris, the morphologically disparate generitype of Cheilanthes. Here we examine the phylogenetic relationships, morphology, cytogenetics, and geography of these four South American Cheilanthes species in a study that, once again, highlights the importance of herbaria in the process of new species discovery.

Family- and genus-level circumscription of ferns in the suborder Aspleniineae (eupolypods II) has long been controversial, due in part to confusion about the relationship among the families Aspleniaceae and Athyriaceae. Recent studies have demonstrated that character states traditionally used to infer a close relationship between these two families are either symplesiomorphic or homoplastic, and re-examination of numerous taxa has led to the recircumscription of several clades, and the description of several new families and genera. In light of these findings, we re-evaluated the taxonomic affinities of Diplazium praestans, a little-known fern from western Amazonia that is morphologically disparate to the remainder of Neotropical Diplazium. Using sequence data from three chloroplast markers and analysis of eight morphological characters, we demonstrate that Diplazium praestans was erroneously placed in that genus and instead is a Hymenasplenium. We place it in a phylogenetic context, reassess its morphology in light of our findings, evaluate its conservation status under IUCN criteria, and provide a new combination: Hymenasplenium praestans. We also provide an updated key to the Neotropical species of Hymenasplenium and discuss unresolved taxonomic problems in the genus.

During a taxonomic and phylogenetic study of Xylopia from the Amazon River basin, South America, we examined collections from the Brazilian states of Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, and Tocantins that resembled Xylopia nitida by some characteristics of the leaves, but differed consistently from the latter in a number of floral and fruit characters. On the basis of these specimens we describe here a new species, Xylopia maasiana. The new species is a small to medium-sized tree encountered mostly in riparian habitats across the southern Brazilian Amazon and in some transition areas between the Amazon forest and cerrado biomes in Central Brazil. In addition to the detailed description, we include a preliminary assessment of conservation status, taxonomic comments, illustrations, a distribution map of the new species, and comparison with X. nitida.

Persea psammophila, a new species of Lauraceae collected near the border between the states of Bahia, municipality of Maiquinique, and Minas Gerais, municipality of Jordânia, Brazil, is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to Persea subg. Eriodaphne. It is distinguished from other Neotropical Persea species by the treelet habit in combination with sparsely pubescent twigs, elliptic to mainly obovate leaves, adaxially glabrous, abaxially sparsely pubescent and papillose, sparsely pubescent inflorescences, pubescent, relatively small flowers, and floral parts smaller than congeneric species in the Atlantic rainforest. Its putative relationships within the genus are discussed. Illustrations and comments on micromorphological and anatomical features of leaves of this new species are provided, comparing them to those of congeners.

A new species of Alophia (Tigridieae, Iridaceae), only known from the Brazilian Amazon, is here described and illustrated. Alophia graniticola was found growing over granite outcrops in the Serra dos Carajás mountain range, Pará state, Northern Brazil, inside or at the edges of dry deciduous forests. This is the third native species of Alophia registered in Brazil, differing from the other species of the genus by the anthers with an incurved apex, an unprecedented feature in the genus. An identification key for all Alophia species is also provided.

Populations of Carex sect. Rhynchocystis (Cyperaceae) from the Macaronesian archipelagos (Azores and Madeira) have traditionally been treated either as a variety of the widely distributed Western Palearctic C. pendula, or directly synonymized under it. However, recent phylogenetic studies have shown that Azorean populations of C. pendula display a certain degree of differentiation from mainland plants, while the phylogenetic relationships of Madeiran populations remain unclear. Here we perform an integrated systematic study focused on the Macaronesian populations of Carex sect. Rhynchocystis to elucidate their phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic status. We reconstructed a molecular phylogeny based on five DNA regions and conducted a multivariate morphological analysis. Divergence time estimates show that the Macaronesian populations can be traced back to a Plio-Pleistocene origin. Our results suggest that these island populations of C. pendula are better treated as two distinct species within Carex sect. Rhynchocystis (i.e. C. leviosa from the Azores and C. sequeirae from Madeira). We provide morphological characters to differentiate the new species from C. pendula s. s., detailed descriptions of the three taxa, a revised key for the entire section, as well as detailed analytical drawings of the two newly described species. We also perform a critical evaluation of the taxonomic diversity of Carex in the Azores and Madeira. Finally, we informally assessed the conservation status of the new species at a global scale under IUCN categories and criteria, resulting in the proposal of the categories Least Concern for C. leviosa and Critically Endangered for C. sequeirae.

Reinterpreting the morphology of two taxa proposed by Victoria C. Hollowell in the 1980s and not formally published, we describe here three new species of Eremitis, a Neotropical genus of herbaceous bamboos (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Olyreae), which is endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Two of them, Eremitis grandiflora and E. paucifolia, are endemic to Espírito Santo state. Eremitis victoriae occurs in southern Espírito Santo and has also been documented for southern Bahia. Eremitis grandiflora is similar to the smallest species of the genus, but can be differentiated by its decumbent culms with scale-like leaf blades and its longer gynecandrous whorls. Eremitis paucifolia is characterized by its leafy culms with a reduced number of leaves [5–6(–7)] compared to other species of the genus. Eremitis victoriae is distinguished from the congeneric species mainly by its abaxially glaucous leaf blades. Here, we provide an identification key to all described species of Eremitis that occur in Espírito Santo, as well as a map with their geographical distribution. All three new species are illustrated with both line drawings and photographic images, and an informal assessment of their conservation status is presented.

Rhipidocladum is the fourth most speciose genus in the bamboo subtribe Arthrostylidiinae. The species in this genus have a wide geographical distribution from North America (Mexico) to South America (Argentina). In Mexico, there are five Rhipidocladum species, two of which are endemic. During a recent review of herbaria, we found some specimens of Rhipidocladum from Guerrero, Jalisco, and Nayarit that do not fit morphologically with any of the five Rhipidocladum species presently known in Mexico nor any other species in the genus. Here we describe and illustrate Rhipidocladum barbinode, a new species endemic to Mexico. We additionally provide an updated morphological key to the Rhipidocladum species of Mexico.

Mimosa is a species-rich genus with about 600 species distributed mainly in the Neotropics. Mimosa is especially diverse in the Cerrado where the genus shows high levels of endemism, but it is also represented in the Caatinga (the Brazilian seasonally dry vegetations). Four new species are described here, M. emaensis and M. sevilhae from the Cerrado, M. afranioi from the Caatinga, and M. robsonii from the Atlantic domain. We assessed their informal conservation status and two species would likely be categorized as Endangered (EN), one as Vulnerable (VU) to extinction, and one as Data Deficient (DD).

A new species of the genus Senna from the Atlantic Forest of Paraíba State, Brazil, is described and illustrated based on a field collection, traditional taxonomic methodologies, and the analysis of Senna collections at RB and the main herbaria in northeastern Brazil. Morphologically, Senna pluribracteata is related to a group of four species of Senna sect. Chamaefistula ser. Bacillares: S. macranthera, S. pinheiroi, S. rizzinii, and S. rugosa, although S. pluribracteata has a set of distinctive anatomical characters that differentiate it: two extrafloral nectaries between leaflets in the rachis; large and conspicuous elliptic bracts 7.0–9.0 mm long along the inflorescence peduncle; the epidermis on the abaxial surface is conspicuously and compactly papillose; the rounded leaflet margins have palisade parenchyma near the apex; the mesophyll is dorsiventral with a single layer of palisade parenchyma, with isodiametric cells occupying approximately 60% of that structure; the petiole has a somewhat pentagonal shape and is planar adaxially; the rachis is obdeltoid and planar adaxially. Morphological and leaf anatomical descriptions, and a key to identifying the seven species of Senna ser. Bacillares found in Paraíba State are provided. The morphological and anatomical affinities of S. pluribracteata and its allied taxa are discussed.

Lasiocarpus is a genus of bisexual, dioecious, or trioecious shrubs or small trees of Malpighiaceae endemic to the seasonally dry tropical forests of the Pacific slopes of Mexico. In this paper the monophyly of this genus is tested using a molecular phylogeny based on three plastid (ndhF, matK, rbcL) and a single nuclear (PHYC) markers that were newly sequenced for the three currently accepted species in this genus, along with representative taxa from the main phylogenetic groups previously recognized in Malpighiaceae. The three species of Lasiocarpus were retrieved in a well supported clade corroborating the monophyly of this genus. A taxonomic treatment of this genus is presented. Lasiocarpus ovalifolius is synonymized with L. salicifolius, and a new species, Lasiocarpus andersoniorum, endemic to Southern Mexico, is proposed. It is morphologically distinguished by characters such as axillary inflorescences, reflexed sepals, petals with crenate margin and strigose indumentum, large styles, and 2-lobed stigmas. The taxonomic revision includes morphological descriptions and distribution maps for the three accepted species of Lasiocarpus.

A new species of Clusia (sect. Phloianthera) from the Amazon is described and illustrated. Species belonging to the sect. Phloianthera occur mainly in southeastern Brazil and Clusia nascimentojuniorii is the fourth species of the section found and registered in the Amazon region. We provide here a table with the major differences between Clusia nascimentojuniorii and similar species in sect. Phloianthera, as well as an identification key for species from the Amazon, and a distribution map for the new species.

Conchocarpus is the largest genus of Galipeinae (tribe Galipeeae), which is the most diverse group of Neotropical Rutaceae, with ca. 50 species. Recent phylogenetic analyses support a recircumscription of Conchocarpus to accommodate the species of Almeidea, a taxon from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest and Bolivia whose synapomorphy is the possession of pantocolporate pollen grains. Four species are recognized here: C. albiflorus, C. coeruleus, C. hendrixii, and C. ruber. A taxonomic revision of this group of four species of Conchocarpus is provided, with updates of their nomenclature, morphology, circumscription, geographic distribution, and preliminary conservation status, as well as a key to the species and illustrations. Conchocarpus limae and C. lilacinus are consigned to the synonymy of C. ruber.

Dwarf mistletoes are a lineage of morphologically-reduced stem parasites inhabiting Pinaceae and Cupressaceae throughout the northern hemisphere and equatorial East Africa. Though diagnosable by a suite of morphological traits, phylogenetic knowledge of species relationships has been limited to studies employing either comprehensive taxonomic sampling of one or two genes, or more sequence data from a limited number of individuals. We used data from genome skimming to assemble 3kb of the nuclear ribosomal cistron and up to 45kb of the plastome to clarify the phylogenetic root of the genus, monophyly of species, and relationships among infraspecific taxa. Genomic differentiation among terminal taxa was variable; however, we found strong support for reciprocally monophyletic New World and Old World lineages, congruent nrDNA and plastome topologies at the species level and below, and monophyly of most taxonomic sections and species. Plastome gene content was stable across the genus with minimal pseudogenization or loss, as in other hemiparasites, with the notable exception of cemA. These findings form the basis of our re-evaluation of historical biogeographical hypotheses, species- and subspecies-level taxonomy, and plastome evolution in Arceuthobium. More broadly, this work provides a foundation for future clade-focused comparative and biosystematics studies of Arceuthobium.

The genus Loranthus (Loranthaceae) consists of ca. nine Old World species distributed from eastern Asia to Europe. Loranthus, the type of the family, has had a complex taxonomic history that continues today, partly because most mistletoes in the family have resided in this genus. For this reason, there are over 1800 Loranthus species names, the vast majority of which are synonyms for mistletoes in other genera. The present work sampled representatives of nine species considered bona fide members of the genus. Using complete plastome sequences, nuclear ribosomal DNA, and mitochondrial 26S rDNA, phylogenetic gene trees were generated to assess interspecific relationships. The Loranthus plastomes ranged in size from 121 to 125 kb and exhibited the quadripartite structure seen in most Santalales. These plastomes have lost or pseudogenized 24 genes, including all of the NADH dehydrogenase complex, thus reducing the genomes to ca. 90 functional genes. Cladistic analyses of morphological characters were conducted and these trees compared to the molecular trees, thus informing which taxonomic characters best define clades and characterize species within the genus. Two major clades in Loranthus were identified. The Europaeus clade includes the deciduous species L. europaeus, L. grewingkii, L. lambertianus, and L. tanakae mostly distributed above 30° N latitude. The Odoratus clade, mostly distributed below 30° N latitude, included L. guizhouensis, L. kaoi, L. odoratus, and L. pseudo-odoratus. The latter four species are genetically closely related, show percurrent (vs. pseudo-dichotomous) branching, and have evergreen leaves. Unisexual flowers have apparently evolved independently in each of the two clades. Future work should focus upon the species delimitation in the Odoratus clade and whether hybridization is occurring among any members.

Fossil fruits of Symplocos (Ericales: Symplocaceae) are here recognized from the Pliocene of Guasca, Colombia, based on specimens formerly attributed to Cordia (Cordiaceae, Boraginales). Symplocos vera (Berry) comb. nov. is represented by 19 lignitized fruits. The fossils are recognized as belonging to Symplocos primarily by their woody endocarps that are apically truncate and that possess 3 to 5 apical germination pores and locules, and a central vascular canal extending the length of the endocarp. In several key characters they are highly congruent with the endocarps of the extant Neotropical clade S. ser. Symplocos. Some of the extant species in the series are variably 3- to 5-locular; 4-locular endocarps are otherwise rare in Symplocos, and 5-locular endocarps appear to be unique to this series. Symplocos vera is the only specifically named record of fossil Symplocos fruits with accessible voucher specimens from South America. The younger Neogene age of the fossils relative to those attributed to S. ser. Symplocos from the late Eocene of Texas, along with a report of Colombian fossil endocarps from the middle Miocene, supports the North America to South America migration inferred for this clade from molecular phylogenetic data.

Gonolobus espejoi, a new species from Veracruz, Mexico, is described and illustrated. The new taxon shares characteristics with G. albiflorus and G. spiranthus such as the presence of a stipitate gynostegium, but differs from these species by having campanulate corolla, corolla lobes with two lateral purple calluses with the right margin ciliate, oblong-spatulate anther appendages, and a cotyliform style apex. A comparative table and a distribution map of the new taxon and the morphologically similar species is provided.

A new species of Galianthe from the west coast of Colombia and Ecuador that has fruits with indehiscent mericarps is described and illustrated. Galianthe holmneielsenii is most similar to Borreria ocymifolia and G. spicata, but differs in floral, fruit, and seed traits. An illustration of the diagnostic characters, a distribution map, information about the conservation status of the new species, and a key to the Galianthe species in Colombia and Ecuador are provided.

Three new species of Justicia (Acanthaceae), J. montealegrensis, J. multiglandulosa, and J. paraensis from the Brazilian Amazon, discovered during the preparation of a taxonomic treatment of genus for the state of Pará, are herein described and illustrated. Their geographic distribution, habitat, preliminary conservation status, taxonomic comments, line drawings, photo plates, and comparison of diagnostic morphological characters with those of similar taxa are also provided.

We continue the taxonomic reevaluation of Aphyllon sect. Aphyllon by describing a widespread species throughout western North America previously recognized within a polyphyletic A. fasciculatum. To support our description and revised key, we analyzed fifteen continuous and discrete characters sampled from 186 herbarium specimens and iNaturalist observations representing the geographic and host ranges. Principal component and multiple correspondence analyses reveal clear variation in floral characters. Discriminant analyses show that three aspects of floral color, corolla lobe tip shape, the calyx cup to calyx lobe ratio, calyx lobe length, and degree of bend in the corolla tube are useful distinguishing features, but not diagnostic in every case.

A new Schizanthus species from northern Chile is described and illustrated. Schizanthus nutantiflorus was discovered based on recent collections made during unusual rain events in the Atacama Desert in 2015. The new species is distinguished morphologically from other Schizanthus species from northern Chile by its short corolla tube, with a distinct upper lip arrangement and colour, having the longest lower lip, and downward-facing flowers. Additionally, the reinstatement of Schizanthus fallax is proposed. By using both nDNA and cpDNA, phylogenetic relationships among all species of Schizanthus were investigated. Molecular and field observations, as well as an exhaustive morphological revision of fresh material and herbarium specimens, supports the segregation of Schizanthus with short corolla tubes from northern Chile into three species. We propose that, in order to fully understand both the taxonomy and evolution of Schizanthus, an integrative framework encompassing molecular, ecological, and morphological data should be carried out. Information on distribution, habitat, informal conservation status, as well as taxonomic notes and illustrations are provided. In addition, an updated key for the species of Schizanthus from northern Chile is given.

A new species of Calea belonging to sect. Meyeria is described and named as an in memoriam tribute to Vicki Ann Funk (1947–2019), who dedicated her career to plant systematics, specially focusing on the Compositae. Calea funkiana resembles Calea triantha, but is distinguished by the slightly branched habit, apically acute leaves, glabrous ray florets, and, mainly, the villose indumentum of stems, leaves, peduncle, and outer phyllaries. The new species is described and illustrated, its geographic distribution is mapped, and its taxonomic affinities are discussed. Additionally, a key for the species of Calea from Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil, is provided.

Lychnocephalus cipoensis, L. grazielae, and L. jolyanus, three new species from the Cerrado of the Brazilian Central Plateau, are hereby described and illustrated. Lychnocephalus is characterized by its tomentose to densely lanate branches, heads organized in third order syncephalia and inner pappus series with twisted setae and narrowed apex. These new species are microendemic in the campos rupestres of Serra do Cipó, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, and were previously misidentified as other species of the genus. However, they are distinguished by their habit, leaf arrangement, leaf shape and size, presence or absence of petiole, number of florets per head, and number of pappus series, among other characteristics discussed here. These new species are described and illustrated, their affinities discussed, and a key to all species of Lychnocephalus is provided.

Pectis comprises about 90 species distributed in North America, Mexico, the Caribbean, South and Central America, and the Pacific Islands. In Brazil, the genus is represented by 14 species that mainly occur in the Cerrado and five species that are endemic to the Caatinga domain. During field expeditions to the Lajedo de Soledade archaeological site, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, a new species of Pectis was found on rocky outcrops (lajedos) in the Caatinga. Pectis loiolae sp. nov. grows on limestone rocks in sedimentary substrate and is recognized by its prostrate habit with ascending branches terminating in a solitary capitulum, apex of the involucral bracts rounded, apiculate, and green becoming vinaceous in the apical 1/3, corolla of ray flowers (5) with abaxial surface vinaceous and adaxial white, disk flowers 8–10, and presence of stylopodium in the disk flowers. A morphological description, illustration, distribution map, habitat, conservation status, and a key for all Brazilian Pectis species are presented herein.

Piptolepis is an endemic genus of the Brazilian Central Plateau. It comprises 13 species, almost all of them microendemic and poorly collected. They are shrubs, subshrubs, or treelets, with leaves displayed in a typical pad-like sheath, the heads are solitary or organized in a pseudoglomerule, or rarely a syncephalium (second-order inflorescence), with weakly imbricate phyllaries. As a preliminary result of an ongoing taxonomic revision of Piptolepis, we hereby report three new species. P. corymbosa is similar to P. leptospermoides, while P. pilosa resembles P. ericoides, and Piptolepis procumbens is similar to P. campestris. These new species are described and illustrated, their taxonomic affinities are discussed, and the informal conservation status for each is assessed.

All Viburnum species produce drupes with a hardened endocarp surrounding a single seed. Endocarp form varies greatly within Viburnum, and differences in shape have long been used to distinguish major subclades. Here we trace the evolution of Viburnum endocarp shape using morphometric analyses and phylogenies for 115 Viburnum species. Endocarp measurements were obtained from fruits sampled from herbarium specimens and from field collections, and shapes were analyzed using elliptical Fourier analysis. We infer that the first viburnums had flattened and grooved endocarps. Subsequently, there were multiple losses of grooving in conjunction with shifts to both highly flattened and nearly round endocarps. In several clades the parallel evolution of a derived endocarp shape was accompanied by changes in a suite of other fruit traits, yielding distinctive fruit syndromes likely related to bird dispersal. However, in other clades endocarp shapes similar to the ancestral form have been retained while other fruit traits (color, amount of flesh, nutritional content) have diverged. We quantify cases of parallel evolution in endocarp shape that cut across recognized fruit syndromes such as red, carbohydrate-rich fruits with flattened endocarps or blue, lipid-rich fruits with round endocarps. Our analyses now invite studies of function and the selective factors that have yielded the distinctive suites of fruit and seed traits that distinguish the major Viburnum lineages.