A new species of Microcharis (Leguminosae) from Somalia

The new species Microcharis omissa , from the sandstone escarpment near Yasoomman in central Somalia, is described. This apparently narrow endemic is closely related to M. sessilis in north-eastem Somalia.     

Expansion of Crabbea (Acanthaceae) and the description of two new species from Somalia

Crabbea is expanded to include the monotypic Golaea and Acanthostelma , both endemic in northern Somalia. The new combinations C. migiurtina (= Golaea migiurtina ) and C. thymifolia (= Acanthostelma thymifolium ) are made and the names are lectotypified. The new species C. pinnatifida and C. albolutea , both endemic in Somalia, are described and illustrated.     

A new spiny Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) species from northeast Somalia

A small succulent, spiny Euphorbia is described as a new species, E. patentispina , endemic to Somalia, with a limited distribution in the northeast region of Bari. Its relationship to other species of the same group—those producing subsessile capsules and a single spine from each spine shield—occurring in northern Somalia is discussed.     

Four new species of Jatropha (Éuphorbiaceae) from Somalia

The following new species, all related to the Somali endemic Jatropha nogalensis in/. sect. Spinosa subsect. Spinosae , are described and illustrated: J. humifusa (coastal dunes of central Somalia), J. inaequispina (north-central Somalia, on limestone), and J. collina and J. spinosissima (both rocky ground in north-eastern Somalia). A hybrid between J. humifusa and the rather distantly related J. pelargoniifolia is reported.     

A new arborescent Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) from northern Somalia

Euphorbia spissa, sp. nov., a tree known from a single population on a rocky limestone slope in northern Somalia, is described and illustrated. The species is compared with the widespread E. tirucalli, as well as with E. cameronii and E. bariensis (endemics in Somalia), E. arbuscula (endemic on Socotra), and E. uzmuk (endemic in northern Yemen).     

Basananthe aciphylla (Passifloraceae), a new species from Somalia

The new species Basananthe aciphylla , a thorny shrublet from central Somalia, is described and illustrated. Its closest relative is the likewise spinescent NE African endemic B. berberoides .     

Trachyandra triquetra (Asphodelaceae), a new species from the Horn of Africa

The new species Trachyandra triquetra , from shady limestone rocks in north-eastem Somalia, is described and illustrated. This apparently narrow endemic is the only member of this mainly South African genus in eastern and north-eastem tropical Africa except for the widespread T. saltii .     

New herbaceous and woody species of Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) from Somalia

A small prostrate herb, Euphorbia salsicola , a woody shrublet with curious tubers, E. scatorhiza , and a small tree with decorative bracts, E. thulinii , are described as new species of Euphorbia. Within subgenus Lyciopsis the morphological variability of E. cuneata in Somalia is discussed and a new subspecies cretacea is described. E. gypsophila , a closely related but distinct species found only on gypsum is also described as new, together with E. dunensis , a shrublet from the coastal dunes and E. tripartita , another shrub in the same subgenus related to E. matabelensis. As far as present records show, all the new taxa are endemic in Somalia.     

Two new Neogaillonia species (Rubiaceae, tribe Paederieae) from Somalia

Two new species of Neogaillonia, N. somaliensis and N. calcicola , both endemic to NE Somalia, are described. Palynological data are given for both species. Relationships to other taxa of Neogaillonia and the "Gaillonia complex" are discussed.     

Potential plant genetic resources of the New Zealand flora

New Zealand harbours a highly endemic flora of some 2000 species of vascular plants, but except for numerous ornamentals, only four indigenous plants are cultivated for the production of fibre (Phormium tenax, pharmaceutical properties (Solanum laciniatum andS. aviculare), and as a vegetable (Tetragonia tetragonioides). Another 15 native species are relatives of common commercial plants and are considered potential genetic resources. Of the six early Polynesian plant introductions to New Zealand, only the kumara (sweet potato) is still of some economic importance today.     

New species of Euphorbia subgenus Tirucalli (Euphorbiaceae) from Somalia and Oman

A small shrub, Euphorbia bariensis related to E. arbuscula , a sturdy shrub, E. pachyclada related to E. consobrina and E. nubica , and one with conspicuous bracts, E. papilionum related to E. cameronii , are described as distinctive new endemic-species from northeast Somalia. A new endemic, E. dhofarensis related to E. larica , is also described from the Dhofar region of Oman.     

番杏Actin基因片段的克隆及生物信息学分析

本实验为研究番杏(Tetragonia tetragonioides)功能基因表达模式提供内参基因,根据登录在NCBI上植物的Actin基因的保守区域设计简并性引物,通过RT-PCR克隆获得番杏的Actin基因片段,将该片段连接于载体pGEM-T后进行测序,并将该基因序列通过生物信息学软件进行分析。结果显示,克隆所得基因片段大小为598 bp,编码198个氨基酸;该序列与登录在NCBI上的其他植物的Actin基因的核苷酸序列的同源性最大可达86%以上,编码蛋白的氨基酸序列同源性在88%以上。结果表明,本研究克隆所得的基因序列为番杏Actin基因片段。该基因命名为TtActin1,在Gen Bank的登录号为MH33308。     

New pair-spined species of Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) from Somalia

Eighteen new species of Euphorbia subgenus Euphorbia are described and their relationships discussed. All are endemic to Somalia, with limited distributions in the northern Regions. One, E. phillipsioides , has been identified mistakenly for some time as E. phillipsiae , which is shown to be conspecific with E. golisana. E. xylacantha , considered by N. E. Brown to be synonymous with E. monacantha , is reinstated as a distinct but variable species.     

New or noteworthy species of Leguminosae in NE tropical Africa

The following new species are described: Chamaecrista dunensis (Somalia), Acacia densispina (Somalia), A. flagellaris (Somalia), Tephrosia karkarensis (Somalia), T. scopulata (Somalia), Indigofera ancistrocarpa (Kenya), I. curvirostrata (Ethiopia), I. hiranensis (Somalia), I. karinensis (Somalia), I. kucharii (Somalia), I. nugalensis (Somalia), I. pellucida (Kenya, Somalia), I. sabulosa (Ethiopia, Somalia), I. sessilis (Somalia), I. ienuirostris (Somalia), Rhynchosia megalocalyx (Somalia), Crotalaria allophylla (Somalia), C. intricata (Somalia), C. warfae (Somalia), and Coronilla somalensis (Somalia). 2n = 22 is reported in Tephrosia karkarensis. Cassia somalensis, Acacia puccioniana, Sophora somalensis , and Crotalaria sennii are reduced to synonyms of respectively Senna hookeriana, Dichrostachys kirkii, Millettia usaramensis and Crotalaria boranica subsp. trichocarpa . Thirty-seven taxa are reported from Somalia for the first time, including Ptycholobium biflorum , known previously only from Southern Africa. Crotalaria pieropoda , known previously only from Socotra, is reported from Somalia and Oman. Neptunia oleracea and Vatovaea pseudolablab are new generic records for respectively Ethiopia and Oman. The fruits of Indigofera boranica are described. Vigna somaliensis and an allied species are discussed. Rhynchosia gansole is lectotypified and its flowers and fruits are described.     

Eight new species and a new record of Indigofera and Microcharis (Leguminosae-Indigofereae) from Somalia

The following new species are described: Indigofera bayensis (south-west Somalia, on sand or gravel in Acacia-Commiphora bushland), I. gypsacea (central and south-west Somalia, on gypsum), I. karkarensis (north-east Somalia, on limestone), I. lamellata (south-west Somalia, on and around granitic outcrops), I. lughensis (south-west Somalia, on gypsum), I. phymatodea (south-west Somalia, on granitic outcrops), I. scopiformis (central Somalia, on sand in Acacia-Commiphora bushland), and Microcharis nematophylla (central Somalia, on sand in Acacia-Commiphora bushland). Indigofera pseudointricata , previously known only from Socotra, is reported also from Somalia.     

New endemic species of Aneilema and Commelina (Commelinaceae) from Somalia

Three new, endemic species of Commelinaceae from central and southern Somalia are described. Aneilema trispermum is unique in the genus in having capsules with three one-seeded locules. The annual, buff-orange-flowered Commelina arenicola differs from the annual C. subulata Roth and related perennials in having a capsule with an indehiscent dorsal locule. Commelina frutescens has a unique shrubby habit.     

Section of tropical taxonomy: Seven new species and one new record of Polygala (Polygalaceae) from Somalia

The following new species are described: Polygala gypsophila (northern, central and southern Somalia, on gypsum), P. bariensis (northern Somalia, on limestone), P. hamarensis (coastal dunes near Mogadishu), P. argentea (central Somalia, on limestone near coast), P. gawenensis (central Somalia, on limestone), P. effusa (central Somalia and eastern Ethiopia, on sand), P. citrina (southern Somalia, on granitic outcrops). P. meonantha is reported for the first time from Somalia.     

Ten new species of Commiphora (Burseraceae) from Somalia

The following new species are described: Commiphora arenaria from bushland on sand in south-central Somalia, C. gardoensis from limestone slopes in the Qardho area in north-eastem Somalia, C. stellatopubescens from bushland on limestone outcrops or stony ground in the Hiiraan Region in south-central Somalia, C. spinulosa from limestone rocks on the escarpment along the Gulf of Aden in northeastern Somalia, C. lobatospathulata from bushland on sand in central and south-central Somalia, C. quercifoliola from bushland on shallow soil over limestone near Eil in north-eastem Somalia, C. chiovendana from bushland in northern and central Somalia, C. multifoliolata from limestone hills and ridges in south-westem Somalia, C. murraywatsonii from limestone outcrops near Hobyo in central Somalia, and C. kucharii from bushland on shallow soils over limestone in central and southern Somalia.     

Seven new species of Pavonia (Malvaceae) from the Horn of Africa

Pavonia friisii , sp. nov., from south-eastern Ethiopia and south-central and southern Somalia, P. nigrescens , sp. nov., from south-central and southern Somalia, P. matteiana , sp. nov., from south-central Somalia, P. longipilosa , sp. nov., from eastern Ethiopia, P. rotundifolia , sp. nov., from eastern Ethiopia and northern and central Somalia, P. marginata , sp. nov., from central Somalia, and P. paucibracteata , sp. nov., from central Somalia, are described and illustrated.     

Notes on Convolvulus, Astripomoea, Ipomoea and Merremia (Convolvulaceae) from the Horn of Africa

The six new species Convolvulus scopulatus, a shrub from gypseous semidesert coastal plains in northern Somalia, Astripomoea procera, a woody climber in Acacia-Commiphora bushland on sand in south-central Somalia, Ipomoea hiranensis, a prostrate or climbing shrublet in Acacia-Commiphora bushland in rocky places on sandstone in south-central Somalia, Ipomoea galhareriana, a woody climber in bushland on sand in central Somalia, Ipomoea pogonantha, a woody climber in bushland usually on red soil over limestone in eastern and southern Ethiopia, southern Somalia and northern Kenya, and Ipomoea corrugata, a herb with trailing stems in bushland on sandy soil in south-central Somalia, are described, and illustrations are provided for most of them. The new combinations Ipomoea ovatolanceolata (= I. adenoides var. ovatolanceolata) and Merremia obtusa (= M. ampelophylla subsp. obtusa) are made, and a new synonymy is provided for M. ampelophylla. Merremia ellenbeckii is neotypified and M. lobata is placed in synonymy.