Systematics of the Burmannia coelestis complex (Burmanniaceae)

Patterns of morphological variation in the Burmannia coelestis species complex are investigated, and three distinct species recognized. Burmannia coelestis sensu stricto (widespread in Asia, extending from eastern Nepal and Assam to New Guinea and northern Australia) possesses outer perianth lobes with conspicuous double margins running the entire lengths of the lobes. The name B. chinensis is revived for specimens from north-eastern India, southern China, northern Indochina and northern Thailand which possess outer perianth lobes with single margins or short double margins. A new species, B. filamentosa , is described from Guangdong province, China; it is distinctive in possessing narrow triangular outer and inner perianth lobes, and stamens with prominent filaments.     

Burmannia larseniana (Burmanniaceae): a new species from Thailand

A new semi-mycotrophic species, Burmannia larseniana , is described from northern Thailand. The species is related to B. pusilla , a species widely distributed in Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, India and Sri Lanka, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by its succulent stem, single-veined leaf, and the outer perianth lobes with double margins that encircle the inner perianth lobes. The ecological preferences of the species are also discussed.     

Phylogenetic reconstruction of Burmannia L. (Burmanniaceae): a preliminary study

Preliminary cladistic analyses of the genus Burmannia were performed using different outgroups. Although results from different analyses were inconsistent in some aspects, some clades were found in both analyses, suggesting the specific relationships among species in these clades are well-solved. Of the two sections recognized by Jonker, sect. Foliosa is probably a monophyletic group, while sect. Burmannia is not. If the loss of chlorophyll is considered to be an irreversibleprocess, holo-mycoheterotrophism has very likely emerged only once in the tribe Burmannieae.     

水玉簪属系统发育重建的初步研究

以白玉簪科和兰科的代表种类分别作为外类群对水玉簪属进行了初步的分支分析。虽然运用不 同外类群进行分支分析产生的结果并不完全一致,但它们均显示了属内一些稳定“支”的结构及其种间关系。分支分析还表明：水玉簪属的两个组中,Foliosa组极可能是一个单系类群,而水玉簪组则是一并系类群。如果叶绿素的丧失是一个不可逆的进化过程,水玉簪族中全菌物异养习性的获得只出现过一 次。     

Isotopic evidence of partial mycoheterotrophy in Burmannia coelestis (Burmanniaceae)

The Burmanniaceae contain several lineages of achlorophyllous mycoheterotrophic plants that associate with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Here we investigate the isotopic profile of a green and potentially mycoheterotrophic plant in situ, Burmannia coelestis, and associated reference plants. We generated δ ¹³C and δ ¹⁵N stable isotope profiles for five populations of B. coelestis. Burmannia coelestis was significantly enriched in ¹³C relative to surrounding C₃ reference plants and significantly depleted in ¹³C relative to C₄ reference plants. No significant differences were detected in ¹⁵N enrichment between B. coelestis and reference plants. The isotopic profiles measured are suggestive of partial mycoheterotrophy in B. coelestis. Within the genus Burmannia transitions to full mycoheterotrophy have occurred numerous times, suggesting that some green Burmannia species are likely to be partially mycoheterotrophic but in many conditions this mode of nutrition may only be detectable using natural abundance stable isotopic methods, such as when associated with C₄ mycorrhizal plants.     

High mycorrhizal specificity in the mycoheterotrophic Burmannia nepalensis and B. itoana (Burmanniaceae)

Mycorrhizal fungi of mycoheterotrophic Burmannia nepalensis and B. itoana were identified by molecular identification methods based on fungal SSU nrDNA region. In B. nepalensis, RFLP patterns and sequences from all root samples from 14 individuals were identical. A single fungal sequence was also obtained from B. itoana roots from three individuals. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the fungal sequences from these two species are included in Glomeraceae (former Glomus group A). Our results indicate that the two Burmannia species are associated with narrow phylogenetic ranges of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.     

Reproductive biology of a mycoheterotrophic species, Burmannia wallichii (Burmanniaceae)

The breeding system of a mycoheterotrophic species, Bumannia wallichii (Miers) Hook. f. (Burmanniaceae), is assessed using field observations, floral anatomy, pollen histochemistry and isozyme electrophoresis. The structure of the flower effectively prevents pollinators from accessing the stamens, and no pollinators were observed visiting natural populations in Hong Kong. The pollen is starch-rich but lipid-poor. Analysis of isozyme variation revealed a small proportion of polymorphic loci, a low level of total heterozygosity ( H _T= 0.1972), and a very high overall fixation index of populations ( F _IT= 0.6602). These results strongly suggest that B. wallichii is predominantly self-pollinated. The coefficient of gene differentiation ( G _ST) is low (0.05), although it is suggested that this is due to genetic homogenization of populations consonant with the formation of numerous tiny 'diaspora' seeds that are wind dispersed.     

Rhus neoglutinosa sp. nov. (Anacardiaceae) and Teclea borenensis sp. nov. (Rutaceae) from Ethiopia.

Two new species, Rhus neoglutinosa M. Gilbert (Anacardiaceae) and Teclea borenensis M. Gilbert (Rutaceae) are described in preparation for the forthcoming Flora of Ethiopia.     

Zingiberanamalayanum sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae) from India

Zingiber anamalayanum (Zingiberaceae), a new species from the southern western Ghats, India is described and illustrated. A phenetic analyses to assess the similarity indices and the uniqueness of the new species have been performed. A diagnostic key to Zingiber spp. in south India is provided.     

Diospyros korupensis sp. nov. and Diospyros onanae sp. nov. (Ebenaceae) from Cameroon

Diospyros korupensis Gosline is described as a new species endemic to the Korup National Park in Cameroon and neighbouring areas on the slopes of Mt Cameroon. Diospyros onanae Gosline is described as a new species from the South and Southwest Regions of Cameroon allied to the poorly known D. soyauxii Gürke & K. Schum. ex. Gürke.     

Coffeatoshii sp. nov. (Rubiaceae) from Madagascar

A new species of Coffea from southern central Madagascar, C. toshii, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to C. buxifolia but differs due to its short, broad spreading habit (vs narrow habit), conspicuous domatia (vs inconspicuous), consistently red fruit (vs reddish purple to dull purple or red), longer fruiting pedicel (vs shorter), presence of bracts (vs absence) and occurrence at lower elevations (vs high elevation).     

Xiphion heracleanum sp. nov. (Iridaceae) from Morocco

As a part of the revision of Xiphion (Iris subg. Xiphion) for the ‘Flora Iberica’ project, some material collected in the 19th and 20th centuries in the Tangiers area (northern Morocco) was found impossible to assign to any of the known taxa in the genus. In part, they resembled X. junceum and X. rutherfordii, but showed a peculiar combination of vegetative and floral characters which to date is exclusive. Accordingly, the new species X. heracleanum Mart. Rodr. & M. B. Crespo is described for these plants, and evidence is reported to justify the adopted treatment. Relationships to other taxa in the genus are also discussed, and the new combination X. rutherfordii (Mart. Rodr., P. Vargas, M. Carine & Jury) Mart. Rodr. & M. B. Crespo comb. nov. is provided.     

Djinga cheekii sp. nov. (Podostemaceae) from Cameroon

A new species is added to the monotypic African genus Djinga. Djinga cheekii Ghogue, Huber & Rutish. (Podostemaceae) is described as a new species from Cameroon (Littoral Province) and its morphological affinities and conservation status are assessed. The main distinguishing characters are: stamens 2 (not 1 as in D. felicis), flower buds inside spathella strongly inclined (not only slightly inclined as in D. felicis), and stems lacking or only up to 6 mm long (not up to > 6 cm as in D. felicis). A molecular analysis revealed that D. cheekii is sister to D. felicis, and both together are sister to Ledermanniella linearifolia and L. pusilla which show completely inverted flower buds inside the spathella, as typical for the large and still artificial genus Ledermanniella.     

Salix kaptarae sp. nov. (Salicaceae) from Crete

A new species of willow from Crete, named Salix kaptarae Cambria, C. Brullo & Brullo, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, it shows close relationships with species belonging to the S. apennina group, mainly with respect to the leaf shape, and the hairy ovary, capsule and base of stamina filaments. Considerations on its ecology, leaf micro‐morphology and conservation status are also provided.     

Pseuderanthemum pubescens sp. nov. (Acanthaceae) from Thailand

Pseuderanthemum pubescens T. Choopan & P. J. Grote, a new species from southeastern Thailand is described and illustrated. It is distinguished from P. longistylum J. B. Imlay by leaves being pubescent instead of glabrous and by the corolla lobes being purple with reddish purple dots on all 5 lobes instead of dotted on lower lip only.     

Liparis rubescens sp. nov. (Orchidaceae) from Thailand

In the context of an ongoing revision of the orchid genus Liparis in Thailand, we describe and illustrate a new species under the name L. rubescens Tetsana, H. A. Pedersen & Sridith. Morphologically, it is particularly similar to L. dumaguetensis Ames from the Philippines, but it differs in the shape of the lateral sepals and in several characters of the labellum. Among the Liparis species already known from Thailand, L. atrosanguinea Ridl. bears a certain resemblance to the new species, but not so much as to make misidentifications likely. So far, L. rubescens is only known from Khao Nan National Park in the southern Thai province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, but we suggest that it should also be searched for in other parts of peninsular Thailand, southernmost Myanmar and Peninsular Malaysia.     

Hypericum scruglii sp. nov. (Guttiferae) from Sardinia

A new species of Hypericum (Guttiferae) from Sardinia, H. scruglii, is described and illustrated. It occurs on damp soil, near springs or streams with freshwater, where it grows with numerous hygrophytes. This diploid species (2n=16) belongs to the sect. Adenosepalum and is closely related to H. tomentosum, a species widespread in the west Mediterranean region.     

Vangueriopsis shimbaensis sp. nov. (Rubiaceae) from Kenya

A new species of Vangueriopsis from Kenya, V. shimbaensis, is described and illustrated. Notes on distribution, phenology and conservation are provided.     

Pternopetalum arunachalense sp. nov. (Apiaceae) from India

Pternopetalum arunachalense M. Bhaumik & P. Satyanar. is a new species from Arunachal Pradesh in India and is described and illustrated here. This new species is similar to P. trichomanifolium (Franch.) Hand.‐Mazz. by highly dissected, ternate 2–4‐pinnate leaves, ultimate segments linear and erect elongate styles but differs by generally smaller habit and scabrid mericarps with 1–2 vittae in each furrow and commissure.     

Cheirostylis seidenfadeniana sp. nov. (Orchidaceae) from India

Cheirostylis seidenfadeniana is described from Kerala in India. The new species appears to be related to C. parvifolia and shares some characteristics with C. thailandica and C. montana , but differs in floral characters.