Odonellia,a new genus of Convolvulaceae from tropical America

A new genus of Convolvulaceae is described to accommodate two species previously included withinJacquemontia. A discussion is given of generic limits in the family, and a taxonomic treatment of the new genusOdonellia is presented.     

Periglandula, a new fungal genus within the Clavicipitaceae and its association with Convolvulaceae

We describe two newly discovered fungi living on the adaxial leaf surface of plants belonging to the Convolvulaceae, Ipomoea asarifolia and Turbina corymbosa. The fungi apparently are epibionts because hyphae were never observed to penetrate epidermal cells or stomata of their respective host plants, and most remarkably are intimately associated with secretory glands on the leaf surface. Hyphae and structures resembling chlamydospores and synnemata (but lacking conidia), formed by both fungal species are phenotypically nearly indistinguishable after in vitro growth or when examined in vivo on the leaf surface. Phylogenetic trees based on aligned DNA sequences from nuclear genes for β-tubulin (tubB) and RNA Polymerase II subunit 1 (rpbA), and the mitochondrial gene for ATP synthase F0 subunit A (atp6), grouped the fungal species in a clade within the Clavicipitaceae. Clavicipitaceous fungi isolated from the two different plant species could be distinguished by their atp6 and rpbA sequences, and nuclear genes for γ-actin (actG), translation elongation factor 1-α (tefA), and 4-(γ,γ-dimethylallyl)tryptophan synthase (dmaW), the determinant step in ergoline (i.e. ergot) alkaloid biosynthesis. Based on these findings we propose a new fungal genus, Periglandula, gen. nov., and describe two new species, Periglandula ipomoeae sp. nov., from host plant I. asarifolia, and Periglandula turbinae sp. nov., from T. corymbosa.     

Taiwanoporia, a new aphyllophoralean genus

A new genus, Taiwanoporia, is proposed to accommodate a new species, T. amylospora, recently collected in Taiwan. This species has a monomitic hyphal system with simple septa, and amyloid, hyaline, smooth, subglobose basidiospores.     

Bactrodesmiastrum,a new genus of lignicolousHyphomycetes

A new genusBactrodesmiastrum Hol.-Jech. is established for a fungus of dematiaceous hyphomycetes collected on decaying wood ofFagus sylvatica in Czechoslovakia. The only species,B. obscurum Hol.-Jech. is described and illustrated.     

Maracanthus,a new genus of Loranthaceae

A new genus of small-flowered Loranthaceae,Maracanthus, is described from northernmost Colombia and adjacent Venezuela.Maracanthus has indeterminate, spicate inflorescences with decussate, sessile flowers, each bracteolate. It is most closely related toOryctanthus but differs in being functionally dioecious, in having smooth pollen grains, and in lacking the stellate fiber bundles characteristic ofOryctanthus leaves. There are two species,M. chlamydatus (Rizzini) Kuijt (the type species), andM. pedunculatus Kuijt, a new species.     

Paraleptodontium,a new genus of Pottiaceae

Abstract

A morphological and histochemical study of Leptodontium recurvifolium (Tayl.) Lindb., recently transferred to the genus Bryoerythrophyllum, and possible allies, shows that it constitutes a separate, new genus which is described as Paraleptodontium Long, gen. nov.     

Kearnemalvastrum,a new genus of Malvaceae

Reevaluation of the generic limits ofMalvastrum A. Gray requires the transfer of several species. Among these,M. lacteum (Ait.) Garcke andM. subtriflorum (Lag.) Hemsley of Central America and Colombia form a natural alliance differing fromMalvastrum in morphological, cytological, and ecological characteristics and are recognized as a new genus,Kearnemalvastrum. The affinities ofKearnemalvastrum within the tribe Malveae are uncertain. Despite the fact thatK. lacteum andK. subtriflorum occupy similar ecological situations, are fully interfertile, and apparently hybridize to some degree in nature, they do maintain their identity and, therefore, are recognized as species.     

Erythrogymnotheca,a new genus of Eurotiales

Erythrogymnotheca, a new genus of the Eurotiales, is proposed. The genus, based on the single speciesE. paucispora, is characterized by non-ostiolate ascomata with a telaperidium composed of an envelope of yellowish or reddish, branched, thin-walled hyphae, 1–2(-4)-spored asci, one-celled, subglobose to broadly ellipsoidal, thick-walled ascospores with spines, and the absence of an anamorph. The ascomatal initials ofE. paucispora are long clavate to vermiform, and reminiscent of those ofTalaromyces flavus.     

Calymperastrum,a new genus of Pottiaceae

Abstract

Annual growth rate and spore and capsule production was studied in 50 colonies of the epixylic hepatic, Ptilidium pulcherrimum in northern Sweden. Radial growth rate was independent of colony size but varied from year to year (mean value 5.2 mm year^?1, range 3.5–6.3 mm year^?1). Size at first sporophyte production was estimated to be 68 cm² and the age of first reproduction was estimated to be about 9 years. It was estimated that antheridia were formed the third year. No correlation between growth rates and reproduction was observed. Capsule density as well as capsule and spore production increased significantly with increased colony size. Differences between years in spore and capsule production (up to six-fold) were observed. The mean number of spores per capsule was 27 400 but significant differences between colonies (range from 18 000 to 44 000) were observed.     

Cuscuta taimensis (Convolvulaceae,Cuscuteae), a new species from South America

A new species of Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae: Cuscuteae) from South America is described, illustrated, and studied under light and scanning electron microscopy. Cuscuta taimensis is similar to Cuscuta racemosa, but differs in having oblong to elliptic calyx lobes and a circumscissile capsule.     

Triuridopsis,a new monotypic genus inTriuridaceae

The new monotypic genusTriuridopsis from Peru is described. A key to the genera ofTriuridaceae worldwide is given.     

Ipomoea sawyeri (Convolvulaceae), a new species from Peru

Ipomoea sawyeri shows no obvious relationship with any other species in Peru. It shares the persistent, foliose bract condition with the Ecuadorian speciesI. harlingii, and the BrazilianI. echinocalyx, and is probably allied with them.     

Caucasalia, a new genus of theAsteraceae, Senecioneae

The new genusCaucasalia is described. Four species are included, previously referred toSenecio, Cacalia, Cineraria, Pojarkovia orAdenostyles. The latter genus may be the closest relative, being similar in habit and chromosome number, but different in floret colour and style morphology. The new genus is centered in the Caucasus mountains, with extensions into Anatolia.Dedicated to emer. Univ.-Prof. DrFriedrich Ehrendorfer on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Sessilanthera,a new genus of American iridaceae

A new genus is proposed for plants heretofore included in Nemastylis latifolia Weatherby. Sessilanthera is related to Tigridia, Rigidella, and Fosteria in tribe Tigrideae.