Ethiopian mistletoes: new species and combinations

Preparatory to the publication of the Flora of Ethiopia, the following new species and combinations are made: Loranthaceae: Plicosepalus robustus Wiens & Polh., P. ogadenensis M. Gilbert, P. acaciae (Zucc.) Wiens & Polh., P. meridianus (Danser) Wiens & Polh.; Oncocalyx angularis M. Gilbert, O. fischeri (Engl.) M. Gilbert, O. glabratus (Engl.) M. Gilbert, O. ugogensis (Engl.) Wiens & Polh., 0. schimperi (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) M. Gilbert, O. ghikae (Volkens & Schweinfurth) M. Gilbert, O. kelleri (Engl.) M. Gilbert; Erianthemum aethiopicum Balle ex Wiens & Polh.; Englerina woodfordioides (Schweinfurth) Balle ex M. Gilbert; Phragmanthera ahhallensis (Engl.) M. Gilbert, P. erythraea (Sprague) M. Gilbert, P. macrosolen (Steud. ex A. Rich.) M. Gilbert, P. regularis (Steud. ex Sprague) M. Gilbert, P. sarertaensis (Hutch. & Bruce) M. Gilbert, P. usuiensis (Oliver) M. Gilbert. Viscaceae: Viscum triflorum DC. ssp. nervosum (A. Rich.) M. Gilbert.     

The genus Asteriscus (Asteraceae-Inuleae)

Asteriscus Mill. is a genus belonging to the Inula -group of the Asteraceae-Inuleae. It is here delimited to contain three species, A. maritimus (L.) Less., A. hierochunticus (Michon) Wikl. (generally known as A. pygmaeus (DC.) Coss & Dur.) and A. spinosus (L.) Sch. Bip. (generally known as Pallenis spinosa (L.) Cass.), growing largely in the Mediterranean and N African regions. The morphology, phytogeography, phylogeny and systematic position of all three species are discussed and a cladogram of the genus is presented.     

A Taxonomic Revision on Genus Aristolochia Subgenus Pararistolochia

Aristolochia Subgen. Pararistolochia ( Hutch. & Dalz. ) O. C. Schmidt, a smallest one among so far known three subgenera in the genus, often treated as a separate genus, is composed of only nine species from Tropical Africa (8 species)and Tropical Asia ( l species). This work deals mainly with the system and taxonomic treatment as well as distribution based on the herbarium materials form British Museum (Natural History) (BM), National Botanical Garden of Belgium(BR), Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew(K) and Laboratoire de Phanerogamie of Paris(P). Three sections in the subgenus are described as new by the number of anthers and its arrangement. Also two names, Pararistolochia zenkeri (Engl.) Hutch. & Dalz. and P. macrocarpa (Duch.) Poncy var. soyauxiana(Oliv. )Poncy, are reduced to synonyms of A. macrocarpa Duch.; andone name, A. preussii Engl., is reduced to a synonym of A. promissa Mast.     

Two new species of Lessingianthus (Vernonieae, Asteraceae) from the Brazilian highlands

Two additional species of Lessingianthus , L. bakerianus and L. lanuginosus , from the campo cerrado vegetation of central Brazil, are described and illustrated. The first species is characterized by the presence of capitula arranged in groups, nine to 12 florets per head, leaves sessile, oblong to ovate leaf blades with the lower surface densely lanate, sparsely villous on the main veins. It has certain resemblance to L. syncephalus (Sch. Bip. ex Baker) H. Rob. and L. brevipetiolatus (Sch. Bip. ex Baker) H. Rob., which present petiolate leaves and leaf blades lanceolate, cuneate or attenuate at the base. L. lanuginosus is superficially similar to L. buddleiifolius (Mart. ex DC.) H. Rob., but differs in having smooth stems, woolly indumentum, smaller heads and the largest leaves disposed at the middle of the stem.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 150 , 487–493.     

A new species of Achillea (Asteraceae: Anthemideae) from south-east Peloponnisos, Greece

A new species of Achillea L., Achillea occulta Constantin. & Kalpoutz., from the summit area of Mount Koulochera in south-east Peloponnisos, Greece, is described and illustrated. It belongs to A . sect. Ptarmica and further, to a small group of taxa known under the illegitimate sectional name 'Anthemoideae'. In Greece, A. occulta has no close allies. The taxonomically related taxa, i.e. A. barrelieri (Ten.) Sch. Bip., A. mucronulata Bertol., A. oxyloba (DC.) Sch. Bip. and A. schurii Sch. Bip. are found in the Italian Peninsula, the Alps and the Carpathians. Phytogeographically, the finding of a species with such taxonomic connections in south-east Greece was unexpected. The new species grows in semi-shade, often hidden in suitable limestone rock hollows and the foot of rocks, together with several other Greek endemics. Its chromosome number of 2 n  = 18, counted in root tips, is also reported and illustrated.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 147 , 249–256.     

Assessment of vegetation structure and human impacts in the protected area of Alédjo (Togo)

Protected areas constitute strategy for biodiversity conservation. Unfortunately, these sanctuaries of biodiversity are submitted to a high human pressure in Togo. This study carried out in the Alédjo protected area, aimed to make an analysis of various forms of human footprints and their impact on its plant resources. Methodological approach was based on forest inventory completed by inquiries. Ninety‐four wooded species belonging to 35 families were counted. Floristic data analysis showed that seven species: Isoberlinia doka Craib & Stapf, Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalz., Berlinia grandiflora (Vahl) Hutch. & Dalz., Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir., Zanha golungensis Hiern, Khaya senegalensis (Desv.) A. Juss., Pentadesma butyracea Sabine was prominent. Five vegetation types were identified: riparian forests, dry forests, open forests, savanna woodlands, tree/shrub savannas with variable structural characteristics. The diversity indices in these plant communities are well significant and indicate a good distribution of species in the area. Several human activities such as fuel wood, fruits and medicinal plants gathering, carbonization, pasture were found within the protected area. Local authorities and associations are involved in the management of the protected area, but the participation of local populations needs to be improved.     

Photosynthetic electron transport rate (ETR) in the littoral herb Launaea sarmentosa known as mole crab in Thailand

Photosynthesis Research - Launaea sarmentosa (Willd.) Sch. Bip ex Kunze (Asteracaeae) is a littoral sand dune herb found in the Indian Ocean region, used as a folk medicine and as a savory...     

海南兰科植物新资料

报道了中国兰科Orchidaceae植物一新记录属和3个中国新记录种及5个海南新记录种。其中小囊兰属Micropera Lindl．、红花小囊兰Microperapoilanei（Guill.）Garay、疏花羊耳蒜Liparis sparsiflora Aver.和美丽云叶兰Nephelaphyllum pulchrum Bl.为中国新记录;平卧曲唇兰Panisea cavalerei Schltr．、云南曲唇兰Panisea yunnanensis S．C．Chen＆Z．H．Tsi、束花石斛Dendrobium chrysanthum Wallichex Lindl．、滇南翻唇兰Hetaeria rubens （Lindl．）Benth．ex J．D．Hook．f和毛叶芋兰Nervilia plicata（Andrews）Schltr．为海南新记录种。     

A Study on the Genus Melocalamus Benth. (Bambusoideae) from China

Melocalamus Benth. consists of five species. Through a comprehensive study of history, morphology, and all specimens available, the authors confirm the occurrence in China of M. compactiflorus (Kurz.) Benth. et Hook f., the type of the genus, and two species, M. scandens Hsueh ct Hui, M. fimbriatus Hsueh et Hui, are described as new. A key to speciesis provided.     

棒花羊蹄甲和薯叶藤的学名订正

分布于云南西双版纳的棒花羊蹄甲Bauhinia claviflora L. Chen和海南的薯叶藤B. dioscoreifolia L. Chen长期被认为是国产特有种植物,实际上分别是广泛分布的缅甸羊蹄甲B. nervosa (Wall. ex Benth.) Baker和牛蹄麻B. khasiana Baker。作者依命名法予以归并。     

Fruit structure and generic delimitation of Athanasia (Asteraceae-Anthemideae) and related South African genera

Within South African Asteraceae-Anthemideae there is a group of genera containing furanosesquiterpenes rather than the common polyacetylenes. Of these genera, Asaemia (Harv.) Ham. ex Benth. & Hook., Athanasia L., Eumorphia DC., Gymno-pcnfzia Benth., Phymaspermum Less. and Sfilpnophyfon Less. have been investigated morphologically especially with respect to fruit structure. As a result of the investigations Stilpnophyton has been reduced to synonomy under Athanasia L. emend. Källersjö (with 36 spp.) and five species of Athanasia , together with Phaeocephalus S. Moore., are placed in the revived genus Hymenolepis Cass. (with 7 spp.). Brachymerk DC. and four misplaced species of Aihanasia are included in Phymaspermum Less. emend. Källersjö (with 17 spp.). Nine other misplaced species of Athanasia and one Pentzia Thunb. species have been described as a new genus Inulanihera Källersjö (with 10 spp.), a group without furanosesquiterpenes. The two monotypic genera Asaemia and Gymnopentzia , and Eumorphia (with 6 spp.) remain unchanged. The interrelationships of the genera possessing furanosesquiterpenes are shown in a cladogram. There are 25 new combinations in Afhanasia, Znulanthera, Hymenolepis and Phymaspermum .     

8-O-methyldioncophyllinol B and revised structures of other 7,6'-coupled naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids from Triphyophyllum peltatum (Dioncophyllaceae)

The isolation and structural elucidation of a new naphthylisoquinoline alkaloid, 8-O-methyldioncophyllinol B, from Triphyophyllum peltatum (Hutch. et Dalz.) Airy Shaw (Dioncophyllaceae) is described, together with the revised structures of other 'B-type' compounds previously misidentified as dioncophylline D, dioncophyllinol D, and 8-O-methyldioncophylline D. All of the presently described structures are 7,6'-coupled and thus have to be addressed as 'B-type' naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids. This is in contrast to the initially defined 'D-type' structures, which are 7,8'-coupled as confirmed by a total synthesis of dioncophylline D. Some of these natural and synthetic naphthylisoquinolines were found to display good in vitro antiplasmodial activities.     

A note on Mimosa invisa C. Martius ex Colla and M. Invisa C. Martius (Mimosaceae)

Mimosa invisa C. Martius (1837) is not, as long supposed, a superfluous duplication ofM. invisa C. Martius ex Colla (1834), but a heterotypic posterior homonym and therefore illegitimate.Mimosa invisa C. Martius ex Colla is the earliest valid name forM. rhodostachya (Benth.) Benth. (1875). The correct name forM. invisa C. Martius isM. diplotricha C. Wright ex Sauvalle (1868).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Striga magnibracteata</Emphasis> (Orobanchaceae) a new species from Guinée and Mali

Striga magnibracteata Eb. Fisch. & I. Darbysh. is newly described from the Guinean savannas of eastern Guinée and southwestern Mali. Its affinity to S. klingii (Engl.) Skan, S. dalzielii Hutch. and S. macrantha (Benth.) Benth. is discussed and its conservation status is assessed.     

Revision of Lactuca L. and Two New Genera of Tribe Lactuceae (Compositae) on the Mainland of Asia (Cont.)

Having mixed extremely various patterns of achenes for a long time in the genus Lactuca L., especially showed in the classification of it on the mainland of Asia, Lactuca L., the primary unnatural genus, becomes more nuclear in its limit. The present paper makes a revision to attempt providing a clear cline between Lactuca L. and its relative genera. On my opinion, only plants, represented by Lactuca sativa L., which have ovoid capitulum during its fruiting, numerous (7-25), yellow ligular florets and longitudinal 1-10 ribs or striae on each side of achenes, acute into filiform beak at its apex, should be defined as Lactuca L. In view of the present concept of Lactuca L., another group of plants, embodied by Lactuca indica L., having its broadening, thin winged-margin of, 1-3 striae on each side of achenes, black, dorsi-ventral compressed, acute into thick and short beak at its apex, evidently, should not be placed into Lactuca L., but be regarded as genus, i.e. Pterocypsela Shih, gen. nov. Pterocypsela Shih distributes in Eastern and southern Asia, where Lactuca L. does not occur. In China there is all of species, seven species, of Pterocypsela Shih. They are P. raddeana (Maxim.) Shih, P. indica (L.) Shih, P. elata (Hemsl.) Shih P. lacciniata (Houtt.) Shih, P. triangulata (Maxim.) Shih, P. sonchus (Lévl.) Shih and P. formosana (Maxim.) Shih, But in Mediterranean regions and Middle and Western Asia mainly distributes Lactu ca L., in which there are only seven species from western China, Xijiang autonomic district. They are L. dolichophylla Kitam., L. sativa L., L. altaica Fisch. et Mey., L. serriola Torner, L. dissecta Don, L. auriculata DC. and L. undulata Ledb. With the combination of violet-purple ligular florets non-ovoid capitulum during its fruiting, a little thick achenes, acuminate into longer. or short beak at its apex and 4-6 ribs on each side of it, Mulgedium tataricum (L.) DC. is evidently different from Lactuca sativa L. with combination of ovoid capitulum during its fruiting, yellow ligular florets and compres sed achenes, acute into filiform beak at its apex. There seems to be no point in refusing Mu lgedium Cass. as a genus. Strictly speak, Mulgedium Cass. seems to be reminiscent of Para prenanthes Chang (see bellow) without beak at the apex of its achenes. In Hengduan moun tains and mountain range of Himalayas M. tataricum (L.) DC. discoveries its relative par tners. They are M. bracteatum (Mook. f. ex. C. B. Clarke) Shih, M. lessertianum (Wall. ex C. B. Clarke) DC., M. monocephalum (Chang) Shih, M. umbrosum (Dunn) Shih, M. meridionale Shih and M. polypodifolium (Franch.) Shih. Having broadering and thickening margin and 4-7 striae on each side of achenes, grey, dorsi-ventral compressed, truncate and beakless at its apex, Lactuca sibirica (L.) Benth. ex Maxim. (Sonchus sibiricus L.) is not only different from Lactuca sativa L. with the combination of yellow ligular florets and filiform beak at apex of its achenes, but also from the genus Mulgedium Cass. with beak at apex of its achenes. Therefore, Lagedium Sojak, established by J. Sojak (1961), should be restored. It should be point out that Lagedium Sojak is monotypic genus excluding Mulgedium tataricum (L.) DC. with beak at the apex of its achenes, non-marginated. Lagedium Sojak widely distributes in temperate and frigid zone ofvnorthern hemisphere. In our country, Lagedium sibiricum (L.) Sojak, sole species of the genus, restricts its northeast region. Paraprenanthes Chang, the new genus, established by Ch. Ch. Chang (1950) based on Lactuca sororia Miq. and Lactuca yunnanensis Franch. seems to be a distinct genus. This genus is characterized by 4-6 ribs on each side of achenes, black, fusiform, a little thick and beakless at its apex. Besides above-mentioned two species, assigned by Chang, in forest of tropic and subtropic zones on the mainland of Asia there are many species with same structure in achenes like L. sororia Miq. and L. yunnanensis Franch. The genus Paraprenanthes Chang seems to be reminiscants of Mulgedium Cass. and Lagedium Sojak, but differs from the former in its beakless achenes, from the later in its non-marginated achenes and 4-6 ribs on each side of it. In our country, there are all species of the genus known in the tropic and subtropic zones on the mainland of Asia. They are P. sororia (Miq.) Shih, P. yunnanensis (Franch.) Shih, P. longiloba Ling et Shih, sp. nov., P. heptontha Shih et D. J. Liou, sp. nov., P. prenanthoides (Hemsl.) Shih, P. pilipes (Migo) Shih, P. thirionii (Lévl.) Shih, P. sylvicola Shih., sp. nov., P. multiformis Shih, sp. nov., P. auriculiformis Shih, sp. nov. and P. sagittiformis Shih, sp. nov.     

中国算盘子属(叶下珠科)一些种的分类学处理

算盘子属(Glochidion J.R.G.Forst.)是叶下珠科(Phyllanthaceae)叶下珠族(Phyllantheae)中一个分类极为困难的类群。基于广泛野外考察与馆藏标本查阅,对中国该属部分物种进行分类学处理。其中,长柱算盘子[G.khasicum(Müll.Arg.)Hook.f.]与倒卵叶算盘子(G.obovatum SieboldZucc.)在中国的分布予以排除,菲岛算盘子[G.philippicum(Cav.)C.B.Rob.]在中国被发现仅分布于台湾地区;G.bodinieri H.Lév.,G.pseudo-obscurum var.glabrum Pamp.与G.pseudo-obscurum var.lanceolatum Pamp.这三个名称被处理为湖北算盘子(G.wilsonii Hutch.)的新异名;G.vaniotii H.Lév.被排除在算盘子属外,并接受为芸香科臭常春(Orixa japonica Thunb.)的异名。另外,对G.khasicum(Müll.Arg.)Hook.f.,G.obovatum SieboldZucc.,G.philippicum(Cav.)C.B.Rob.,G.pseudo-obscurum var.lanceolatum Pamp.及G.wilsonii Hutch.这五个名称进行了后选模式的指定。     

木犀属新资料(Ⅱ)

运用经典分类方法,在对木犀属进行系统研究的基础上,归并了总状桂花Osmanthus racemosus X.H.Song,将其作为厚叶木犀O.marginatus(Champ.ex Benth.)Hemsl.var.pachyphyllus(H.T.Chang)R.L.Lu的一个新异名;将大果桂花O.macrocarpus P.Y.Bai转移到野桂花O.yunnanensis(Franchet)P.S.Green下作为其异名,从而给出了木犀属的两个新异名。