A new endemic species of Epipactis (Orchidaceae) from north-east Portugal

A new species, Epipactis duriensis Bernardos, D. Tyteca, Revuelta & Amich is described and illustrated from north-east Portugal. Notes on its distribution, ecology, karyology, micromorphology and taxonomic relationships are presented as well as molecular data based on ITS analysis. A list of diagnostic differences between E. duriensis and the closely related species E. lusitanica and E. tremolsii is provided.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 145 , 239–249.     

A new species of Estinnophyton from the Lower Devonian Posongchong Formation, Yunnan, China; its phylogenetic and palaeophytogeographical significance

A new species of early vascular land plant, Estinnophyton yunnanense , is described from the Lower Devonian (upper Pragian) Posongchong Formation at Zhichang village, Gumu Town, Wenshan District, Yunnan Province, China. This plant possesses aerial stems with isotomous branching. The leaves are slender, once- or twice-bifurcated, and arranged in low spirals or pseudowhorls. Fertile leaves are morphologically identical to the vegetative ones, clustered on the axis, forming a loose strobilus-like structure. There are three to six fertile leaves in each gyre. Two ovoid-elongate sporangia are singly attached to the adaxial surface each subtended by a recurved stalk, either at the base of each segment in a once-bifurcate fertile leaf or below the points of successive divisions in a twice-bifurcate fertile leaf. Estinnophyton yunnanense differs from two other species described previously from Europe, E .  gracile and E .  wahnbachense , mainly in possessing two single stalked sporangia on each fertile leaf rather than two pairs of sporangia, as well as in the dimensions of its leaves. In view of the complex taxonomy and nomenclature surrounding the type material of Estinnophyton , we considered possible emendation of the generic diagnosis based on the new Chinese material. Following comparison with typical members of the Protolepidodendrales and other taxa, Estinnophyton is considered to have had a closer affinity with primitive sphenopsids than the protolepidodendralean lycopsids. A comparison between Chinese and European floras containing Estinnophyton indicates that South China and Western Europe had floristic elements in common although they were in different phytogeographical units during the Early Devonian epoch.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 201–216.     

Epidendrum caparaoense (Orchidaceae), a new species from Minas Gerais, Brazil

A new species of Orchidaceae, Epidendrum caparaoense W.Forst. & V.C.Souza, is described and illustrated. This species is known only from the type locality, Caparaó National Park, in Minas Gerais State, where it grows on low tree trunks in gallery forests, at approximately 1300 m. The taxon is distinct from the other species of the genus by its laterally compressed stems, a long tubular spathaceous bract at the base of the inflorescence, a labellum with the free portion three-lobed and the clinandrium with an entire margin. It is considered similar to E. geniculatum and E. hololeucum .  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 155 , 157–159.     

A new species of Ceratozamia (Zamiaceae) from Tabasco and Chiapas, Mexico

Ceratozamia becerrae sp. nov. is described and illustrated. This species from Tabasco and Chiapas has affinity with C. miqueliana H. Wendl. from Veracruz and Chiapas, but differs in morphology and habit of leaves, leaflets, male and female strobili and trunk. Ceratozamia becerrae is considered part of the C. miqueliana species complex that includes C. miqueliana, C. euryphyllidia Vázq.Torres, Sabato & Stevenson and C. zoquorum Pérez-Farrera, Vovides & Iglesias. The geographical range of this species complex is southern Veracruz, Tabasco and northern Chiapas in tropical rain forests.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 123–128.     

Three new species of Galipea (Rutaceae, Galipeinae) from Brazil

Three new species of Galipea (Rutaceae, Galipeinae) are described and illustrated. Galipea carinata Pirani sp. nov. is known from the pluvial tropical forest in southern Espírito Santo State, eastern Brazil, and its main diagnostic features are the urceolate and conspicuously keeled calyx, the relatively short (14–16 mm) corolla tube, the long pedunculate, divaricate and loosely branched inflorescence, with few flowers crowded on tip of side branchlets, and the chartaceous leaflets, with lateral veins very prominent on both sides of the blade. Galipea revoluta Pirani sp. nov. is probably endemic to the coastal hygrophyllous Atlantic Forest in southern Bahia, eastern Brazil, and is very distinct by its mostly unifoliolate leaves, with a leathery, shiny lamina that is thickened and usually revolute at margin, by its calyx with large glands only at the base, and median nerve on each sepal. Galipea congestiflora Pirani sp. nov. is from forests on terra firme (non-inundated vegetation) of eastern Amazonia, most of them from the State of Pará, some others from eastern Maranhão and north of Tocantins. It is characterized mainly by 3-foliolate, chartaceous and dull leaves; a dense, corymbiform thyrsoid (partial inflorescences very short, crowded on top of the peduncle), which is smaller than the leaves; relatively large capsules (the largest in the genus) with an acute rim at the tip of each valve, and by the marmorate surface of the seeds. A brief discussion on the relationships of the new taxa to other species of Galipea is provided.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 144, 365–373.     

Isoetes fluitans sp. nov.: the identity of Spanish plants of 'I. longissimum'

Recent revision of North African specimens of Isoetes velata A. Braun and the closely related taxon I. longissimum Bory, together with Spanish material conventionally designated I. longissimum , suggests that the Spanish specimens constitute a new species, I. fluitans . This is described and illustrated. The North African taxon I. longissimum is probably not specifically distinct from I. velata .  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 231–236.     

A new species of Nigella (Ranunculaceae) from Turkey

Nigella turcica a new species endemic to north-eastern Turkey is described and illustrated. Morphological differences between the species and the closely related species, N. sativa , are discussed and the IUCN threatened category is proposed. A distribution map of the new species and its related taxon is given.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 251–255.     

A new species of Hybanthus (Violaceae) from north-eastern Brazil

A new species of Hybanthus (Violaceae) from north-eastern Brazil is described and illustrated. Hybanthus verrucosus Paula-Souza is endemic to 'caatingas' of Bahia and Alagoas states and is very distinct from all other Brazilian species of the genus, for its anterior petal, which is covered with small wart-like outgrowths. Other distinctive characteristics of the new species and its relationship with a closely related species ( H. atropurpureus (A.St.-Hil.) Taub.) are discussed.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 141 , 503–506.     

A new species of Encephalartos (Zamiaceae) in Sudan

Encephalartos mackenziei Newton is described as a new cycad species occurring in south-east Sudan. It is characterized by its branching at the base to produce up to ten trunks per plant and by its broad leaflets, as well as some details of the cone scales. The population is large and widespread, and the presence of small seedlings indicates successful regeneration.  © The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 140 , 187–192.     

A new Spanish species of Tragopogon (Asteraceae: Lactuceae)

Tragopogon cazorlanum (Asteraceae: Lactuceae) is proposed as a new Spanish species with distribution restricted to the Baetic mountains (south-eastern Spain). Its morphological, palynological, chromosomal, biogeographical and ecological features are discussed, as well as its main relationships and differences with reference to other Spanish species of the genus.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 505–511.     

A new species in the genus Dioon (Zamiaceae) from north-central Oaxaca, Mexico

Dioon argenteum sp. nov. (Zamiaceae) is described from northern Oaxaca, México. Flat leaves, and persistently tomentose, slightly imbricate leaflets with marginal prickles characterize this species. The specific epithet argenteum was chosen to describe the silver appearance of the persistent tomentum covering the new leaves. D. argenteum appears to have affinities with D. purpusii and D. califanoi.   © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 141 , 471–476.     

A new species of Silene (Caryophyllaceae) from east Anatolia, Turkey

Silene bitlisensis O.Tugay & Ertugrul from the Green Line Afforestation Zone (B9: Bitlis Province) is a new species described and illustrated here. It is closely related to S. caramanica Boiss. & Heldr. var. ilarslanii Aytaç & Dural, from which it mainly differs in its habit, leaf, and floral features.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 156 , 463–466.     

The lichenicolous Opegrapha species (Roccellaceae, Ascomycota) with 3-septate ascospores on Pertusaria and Ochrolechia

The Opegrapha species with 3-septate ascospores growing on Pertusaria and Ochrolechia are revised. Two species are recognized: Opegrapha anomea (of which O. pertusariae , O. quaternella , O. wetmorei and possibly Leciographa weissii are considered to be synonyms), and O. blakii Ertz & Diederich sp. nov. described from a sterile lichen with an Ochrolechia -like thallus, known from Ecuador and Venezuela. Opegrapha anomea and several related lichenicolous species with roundish or irregular, often multilocular ascomata are morphologically intermediate between Opegrapha and Plectocarpon , and might represent a distinct genus.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 144, 235−241.     

A new species of Centaurea (sect. Phalolepis, Compositae: Cardueae) from eastern Peloponnisos, Greece

A new species of Centaurea L. , Centaurea leonidia Kalpoutz. & Constantin. , from two localities west and south-west of the town of Leonidio in eastern Peloponnisos, Greece, is described and illustrated. It belongs to C . sect. Phalolepis , and taxonomically its closest relatives are C. heldreichii Halácsy , a very localized species from south-west Sterea Ellas (Greece) and, surprisingly, C. niederi Heldr., which belongs to sect. Acrolophus. The new species is currently known from two populations of less than 100 individuals each, growing on almost inaccessible cliffs close to the convent of Agios Nikolaos Sintzas (St. Nicolas of Sintza) and the slopes of Poundes summit. Several other Greek endemic species are found in the same areas. Centaurea leonidia is scientifically important as it belongs to a small group of taxa, which, although they are members of sect. Phalolepis , have close allies in sect. Acrolophus. The chromosome number of C. leonidia , 2 n  = 18, counted in root tips, is also reported and illustrated.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 375–383.     

A new species of Viola (Violaceae) from south-west Turkey

Viola dirimliensis Blaxland is described as a new annual species from south-west Turkey, belonging to section Melanium Gingins. It was found growing only on serpentinite, in two adjacent locations in Mula vilayet, west of Antalya, at altitudes of 1500–1690 m. The locations were typical serpentinite barrens, almost bare of vegetation, with some plants of Muscari macrocarpum , and a few trees of Pinus nigra var. caramanica . The Viola is named after the type location, the Dermil Pass or Dirimli Geçidi, where the tiny plants were growing between the rocks on south-facing slopes. Their distinct golden-yellow flowers are unlike any of the other small annual Viola species found in Turkey.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 145 , 505–509.     

A new species of Clivia (Amaryllidaceae) endemic to the Pondoland Centre of Endemism, South Africa

Clivia robusta B.G. Murray, Ran, de Lange, Hammett, Truter et Swanevelder sp. nov. (Amaryllidaceae) is a tubular, pendulous-flowered Clivia species, restricted to the Pondoland Centre of Endemism, South Africa. The unique morphology, distribution, karyotype and molecular fingerprint distinguish it from all other pendulous-flowered species in the genus.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 369–374.