A new subspecies and new combinations in Comarostaphylis (Ericaceae)

Comarostaphylis spinulosa subsp.glandulifera is described from the mountains of Oaxaca and Puebla, Mexico. Four new combinations inComarostaphylis are also made:C. arbutoides subsp.costaricensis, C. discolor subsp.rupestris, C. polifolia subsp.minor, andC. spinulosa.Arctostaphylos glabrata, A. rupestris, andA. spinulosa are lectotypified and the status ofC. polifolia is discussed.     

A new name and new combinations in Campomanesia and Pimenta (Myrtaceae)

One new name is proposed and eleven new combinations are made inCampomanesia andPimenta. Lectotypes are selected forC. eugenioides var.desertorum, C. phaea, andP. racemosa var.hispaniolensis, var.ouza, and var.terebinthina.     

Mycopteris,a new neotropical genus of grammitid ferns (Polypodiaceae)

Mycopteris, a new genus of grammitid ferns, is described and combinations are made for the species that belong to it. Mycopteris is diagnosed by castaneous rhizome scales with turgid cells, usually pectinate laminae, blackish petioles and rachises, blackish pinna costae and veins, reddish setae, cretaceous hydathodes, glabrous sporangia, and the presence of Acrospermum ascomes. It is entirely neotropical, ranging from Mexico east into the West Indies and south to Bolivia. Mycopteris is one of two genera of grammitid ferns that are consistently associated with Acrospermum, an epibiotic ascomycete that produces black clavate fruiting bodies. Seventeen species of Mycopteris are recognized here, including one new species (M. longipilosa) and one elevated from the rank of variety to species (M. costaricensis). The following additional combinations are made here: M. alsopteris, M. amphidasyon, M. attenuatissima, M. cretata, M. grata, M. leucolepis, M. leucostica, M. longicaulis, M. pirrensis, M. praeceps, M. semihirsuta, M. steyermarkii, M. subtilis, M. taxifolia, and M. zeledoniana. Lectotypes are chosen for Ctenopteris leucosticta, Polypodium amphidasyon, and Polypodium pectinatum var. hispidum. For each accepted species, full synonymy and geographical range are provided. Taxonomic discussion is provided for species not widely recognized in previous treatments.     

Revision of Plerandra (Araliaceae). I. A synopsis of the genus with an expanded circumscription and a new infrageneric classification

Phylogenetic studies have demonstrated that Schefflera, the largest genus of Araliaceae, is grossly polyphyletic, comprising five distinct clades within the family. In an effort to establish monophyletic genera among the elements that currently comprise Schefflera, the genus Plerandra is expanded to encompass all of the members of one of these clades. In this synoptical revision, a new infrageneric classification is presented (along with a key) in which six subgenera are recognized. Four of these subgenera are newly described (Plerandra subgenera Canacoschefflera, Costatae, Gabriellarum, and Veilloniorum) and a fifth represents a new combination (Plerandra subg. Dizygotheca). A total of 33 species (one with two subspecies) are accepted, one of which is newly described (P. veilloniorum), and 22 new combinations are made (P. actinostigma, P. baillonii, P. cabalionii, P. costata, P. crassipes, P. elegantissima, P. elongata, P. emiliana, P. gabriellae, P. leptophylla, P. nono, P. osyana, P. osyana subsp. toto, P. pachyphylla, P. pancheri, P. plerandroides, P. polydactylis, P. reginae, P. seemanniana, P. tannae, P. vanuatua, P. veitchii). Neotypes are provided for six accepted names and one heterotypic synonym, and lectotypes are designated for 13 accepted names and 16 heterotypic synonyms. For each accepted species, full synonymy is provided along with geographic range and notes.     

A new series and three new species of Passiflora subgenus Astrophea from the Guianas

A new series,Passiflora ser.Carneae, and three new species are described inPassiflora subg.Astrophea:P. ascidia from Guyana and Venezuelan Guayana;P. balbis from Guyana, Venzuelan Guayana, and Amazonian Brazil; andP. saulensis from central French Guiana. A key to the 19 Guiana species ofPassiflora subg.Astrophea is provided.     

Two new mimosaceous trees from the American Tropics

Piptadenia (sect.Pityrocarpa)leucoxylon is described from the lower Orinoco basin in Venezuela, andPithecellobium (sect.Samanea)foederale from Distrito Federal, Brazil. Figures, diagnoses, and discussion of kinship are presented for each.     

Four new species of genus Cordia (Cordiaceae, Boraginales) from Brazil

We describe four new species of Cordia (Cordiaceae) from Brazil: Cordia fusca, C. glabrifolia, C. restingae, and C. tarodae. These are illustrated, and data on habitat, phenology, and distribution are provided.     

Three new Brazilian species of chamaecrista moench (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae)

Chamaecrista (sect.Apoucouita) aspidiifolia Irwin & Barneby from Bahia,Ch. (sect.Absus) glischrodes Irwin & Barneby from Minas Gerais andCh. (sect.Absus)didyma Irwin & Barneby from Brazilian Amazonia are described, figured, and discussed in terms of affinity. Several incidental new combinations inChamaecrista are proposed.     

A new genus from Mexico: Dendrosida (Malvaceae)

Dendrosida, here described as new, comprises three taxa:D. batesii Fryxell,D. sharpiana (Miranda) Fryxell ssp.sharpiana, andD. sharpiana ssp.occidentalis Fryxell. The genus is interpreted as a primitive representative of the tribe Malveae, and its relationship to other genera of theAbutilon alliance is discussed. An analysis of mericarp morphology in relation to seed dissemination mechanisms indicates that theAbutilon alliance may be divided into an Abutiloid and a Sidoid group.Dendrosida is included in the latter.     

A new species,new combinations,and a new name in Acanthaceae from northern South America

A new species of Acanthaceae (Ruellia saülensis) is described and illustrated from French Guiana, and three new combinations (Justicia potarensis, J. flaviflora, andJ. tobagensis) and one new name (Justicia coppenamensis) are proposed. The new species is compared to its closest relative (Ruellia rubra), and a justification of the transfers is provided.     

Five new species of Solanum section Geminata (Solanaceae) from South America

Five new species of South AmericanSolanum are described:S. morii from French Guiana,S. superbum andS. tumescens from Bolivia,S. platycypellon from southern Bolivia and northern Argentina andS. gertii from southeastern Brazil. An illustration and distribution map for each species is provided and relationships to close relatives are discussed.     

Bryosedgwickia,a new synonym of Platygyriella (Hypnaceae)

Bryosedgwickia is considered a synonym ofPlatygyriella and the following transfers are proposed:P. aurea, P. aureoides, P. densa, P. fragilifolia, P. kirtikarii andP. pringlei. A key is provided to the accepted species ofPlatygyriella. Excluded species are treated asHondaella entodontea (C. Müll.) Buck andIsopterygium jamaicense (Bartr.) Buck.     

Two new genera of Indian Umbelliferae/Apiaceae

Two new monotypic genera are proposed:Karnataka, based uponSchultzia? benthamii C. B. Clarke (=K. benthamii) from southern Peninsular India andKedarnatha, based onK. sanctuarii, recently obtained from the Himalaya. Neither genus appears to be closely related to other apioid genera of our area.     

Five new species of calea (Compositae: Heliantheae) from planaltine Brazil

Described from the Planalto of Brazil are:Calea quadrifolia, C. heteropappa, andC. abbreviata of sectionMeyeria,C. intermedia of sectionLemmatium, andC. lutea of sectionCalea. The relationships of each are discussed and a key to the nearest relatives of each is provided. Additionally, all butC. intermedia are illustrated.     

Two new species of Hechtia (Bromeliaceae,Pitcairnioideae) from western Mexico

Hechtia glauca andHechtia iltisii are described as new and illustrated. Among the Bromeliaceae H. glauca is unusual in its glabrous, glaucous leaf surfaces. Inflorescence and floral dimorphisms are discussed forH. glauca andH. iltisii. A key to species ofHechtia from Novo-Galiciana and adjacent parts of Michoacan is included.     

Novae Gesneriaceae neotropicarum VI: five new Gesneriaceae from northwestern South America

Columnea chrysotricha, C. cuspidata (bothColumnea sect.Collandra), andGasteranthus recurvatus are described from Colombia;C. sulcata (Columnea sect.Collandra) from Ecuador and Colombia; andDrymonia anisophylla from the Amazonian lowland rain forests of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.     

Three new species and a new combination in Arracacia Bancroft (Umbelliferae/Apiaceae)

Three species ofArracacia—A. hintonii, A. colombiana, andA. tillettii—from Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela, respectively, are described as new, andCoulterophytum brevipes Coulter & Rose is transferred toArracacia asA. quadrifida, nom. nov. and comb. nov.     

Two new Brazilian species of Chamaecrista Moench (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae)

Chamaecrista (sect.Apoucouita) onusta Irwin & Barneby from coastal Bahia andCh. (sect.Absus) hatschbachii Irwin & Barneby from north-central Minas Gerais are described, figured and systematically characterized. Four new combinations inChamaecrista incidental to the discussion are proposed.     

A new species of Eucrosia and a new name in Stenomesson (Amaryllidaceae)

Eucrosia tubiflora is described from Peru, andEucrosia peruviana is transferred toStenomesson asS. campanulatum.