Primulina duanensis sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from Guangxi,China

A new species of Gesneriaceae, Primulina duanensis Fang Wen & S. L. Huang is described and illustrated from Guangxi, China. It differs from P. ronganensis (D. Fang & Y. G. Wei) Mich. Möller & A. Weber in having broadly lanceolate bracts, being 1–3‐flowered and possessing hairs on the upper part of the anthers where connected with the filaments; from P. sclerophylla (W. T. Wang) Yan Liu in having narrowly ovate to ovate leaf blade, leaf blade margin interrupted shallowly crenate, broadly lanceolate bracts, being 1–3‐flowered and possessing hairs on the upper part of the anthers where connected with the filaments; from P. shouchengensis (Z. Y. Li) Z. Y. Li in having narrowly ovate to ovate leaf blade, leaf blade margin interrupted shallowly crenate, broadly lanceolate bracts and possessing hairs on the upper part of the anthers where connected with the filaments.     

Two new species of Linaria section Linaria (Scrophulariaceae‐Antirrhineae) from Iran

Linaria azerbaijanensis and Linaria shahroudensis are described as new species from the Azerbaijan and Semnan provinces of Iran, respectively, belong to section Linaria.The new species are compared to their closest relative Linaria lineolata. Linaria azerbaijanensis differs from L. lineolata in having shorter bracts, a shorter corolla, shorter spur and smaller capsules and a different microsculpturing pattern of the testa cells. Linaria shahroudensis differs from L. lineolata in having shorter stems, shorter calyx‐lobes, a longer spur, a smaller capsule and a different microsculpturing pattern of the testa cells. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 734–742.     

Checklist and one new species of Bromeliaceae from Pico do Itambé, Minas Gerais,Brazil

A checklist of the 11 genera and 16 species of Bromeliaceae from the Parque Estadual do Pico do Itambé in Santo Antônio do Itambé and Serra Azul de Minas, Minas Gerais, south‐eastern Brazil, is presented. Bromelioideae is the most diverse subfamily and is concentrated in forested areas. Tillandsioideae and Pitcairnioideae are most abundant in elevated areas of campo rupestre vegetation. Vriesea medusa Versieux, a new night‐blooming species belonging to section Xiphion (E.Morren) E.Morren ex Mez, was found in the area and is described and illustrated. It appears to be an endemic species distinguished from Vriesea nanuzae Leme by a combination of the usually larger dimensions in the rosette, the curved inflorescence which has lateral peduncles bearing up to five sterile bracts, the larger number of flowers, floral bracts and sepals that become dark purplish‐brown towards the apex and the coloration of the leaves. Dyckia glandulosa L.B.Sm. & Reitz and Vriesea densiflora Mez, previously poorly known, were rediscovered and are depicted in their habitat for the first time. Vriesea procera var. tenuis L.B.Sm. is a new record for the state. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 709–715.     

Two new species of Mussaenda (Rubiaceae) from Panay Island,Philippines

Two new species of Mussaenda (Rubiaceae) from Aklan, Panay, Philippines are described and illustrated. Mussaenda ustii sp. nov. is distinct by its long pedicel (up to 7 mm), yellow with white margins corolla lobes forming a star and recurved stigma lobes which are always semi‐ or distinctly exserted in long‐styled morphs. Mussaenda viridiflora sp. nov. is characterized by its white, sweet‐scented corolla lobes, which are green tinged on the median ridges and bases, and strongly reflexed calyx lobes. A discussion of the relationships of the new taxa to closely related Philippine Mussaenda is provided. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 87–92.     

A new species of Paraboea (Gesneriaceae) from a karst cave in Guangxi,China, and observations on variations in flower and inflorescence architecture

A new species of Gesneriaceae, Paraboea trisepala W.H.Chen & Y.M.Shui, from a karst cave in Guangxi, China is described and illustrated. The new species differs from other species of Paraboea by its three‐lobed calyx. Variation in flower and inflorescence architecture was observed under cultivation. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 681–688.     

Morphometric analysis and taxonomic revision of the Vriesea paraibica complex (Bromeliaceae)

The species related to Vriesea paraibica (Bromeliaceae, Tillandsioideae) have controversial taxonomic limits. For several decades, this group has been identified in herbarium collections as V. × morreniana, an artificial hybrid that does not grow in natural habitats. The aim of this study was to assess the morphological variation in the V. paraibica complex through morphometric analyses of natural populations. Two sets of analyses were performed: the first involved six natural populations (G1) and the second was carried out on taxa that emerged from the first analysis, but using material from herbarium collections (G2). Univariate ANOVA was used, as well as discriminant analysis of 16 morphometric variables in G1 and 18 in G2. The results of the analyses of the two groups were similar and led to the selection of diagnostic traits of four species. Lengths of the lower and median floral bracts were significant for the separation of red and yellow floral bracts. Vriesea paraibica and V. interrogatoria have red bracts; these two species are differentiated by the widths of the lower and median portions of the inflorescence and by scape length. These structures are larger in the former and smaller in the latter. Of the species with yellow floral bracts, V. eltoniana is distinguished by longer leaf blades and scapes and V. flava is characterized by its shorter sepal lengths. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 163–181.     

A new species of Behuria Cham. (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) from Brazil

Behuria comosa Tavares, Baumgratz & Goldenberg is a new species from Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, Brazil. It can be recognized by the branch nodes, sinuses of the leaf margins and domatia comose, leaves and inflorescence axes frequently three‐whorled, flowers five(–six)‐merous, calyx lobes broadly triangular and with the apex laterally flattened, and petals glabrous, thickly apiculate. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 489–492.     

A new species of Halocnemum M.Bieb. (Amaranthaceae) from southern Turkey

Halocnemum yurdakulolii Yaprak is described as the second species of the previously monotypic genus Halocnemum. The species is endemic to the Göksu Delta in southern Turkey. The main morphological characteristics that separate H. yurdakulolii from H. strobilaceum (Pall.) M.Bieb. are growth form and spike morphology. Apart from these morphological differences, the species show a clear genetic differentiation. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 716–721.     

Two species of Haskinsia Grierson & Banks (Lycopsida) from the Middle Devonian of Xinjiang,China, and consideration of their palaeogeographical significance

Two species of the Devonian herbaceous lycopsid Haskinsia Grierson & Banks, H. hastata Berry & Edwards and H. sagittata Edwards & Benedetto, are reported from the Hujiersite Formation (Givetian–Middle Devonian), Xinjiang, north‐west China. Both species were first described from Venezuela. Haskinsia hastata from Xinjiang has hastate leaves with toothed margins, and a pair of basal narrow lateral segments which curve distally. It is assigned to a new subspecies because of the toothed margins which cannot be demonstrated in Venezuelan material. The scar of the sporangium stalk is observed for the first time in specimens of H. sagittata, on the leaves of which a possible ligule structure is also shown. On the basis of our observations on both Xinjiang and Venezuelan specimens, the diagnosis of Haskinsia is enlarged to accommodate plants whose lamina has entire or toothed margins. The palaeophytogeography of the genus, otherwise known from South and North America, is discussed. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157 , 633–644.     

The bracts of the alpine ‘glasshouse’ plant Rheum alexandrae (Polygonaceae) enhance reproductive fitness of its pollinating seed‐consuming mutualist

Environmental conditions are known to affect the reproductive fitness of insects, as do host plants. Although the highly specialized bracts of Himalayan ‘glasshouse’ plants are thought to be an adaptive morphology that allows the plant to reproduce in harsh alpine environments, little information appears to exist concerning the benefit of these bracts for the pollinating insects. In this study, we examine whether the semi‐translucent bracts of Rheum alexandrae, a giant herb endemic to the alpine zone of the Hengduan Mountains in south‐western China, enhance the reproductive fitness of its pollinator. Rheum alexandrae depends mainly on mutualistic seed‐consuming Bradysia flies for pollination. Bracts increased interior temperature on sunny days, acted as a buffer against fluctuating air humidity, greatly decreased the intensities of ultraviolet B/C radiation and provided shelter from strong winds. Bract removal significantly decreased adult oviposition and offspring performance of pollinators during flowering and fruiting, respectively. Our results indicate that the bracts of R. alexandrae enhance the reproductive fitness of its pollinating seed‐consuming mutualist in alpine environments, which may be attributed to the positive effects of the bracts on the interior microenvironment. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 179 , 349–359.     

A new species of Astragalus L. (section Onobrychoidei DC.: Fabaceae) from Turkey

A new species of Astragalus L., A. trabzonicus (section Onobrychoidei DC.), is described and illustrated from north‐east Anatolia in Turkey. The diagnostic, pollen morphological, and chromosomal characteristics are discussed. A distribution map and conservation status are given. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157 , 741–747.     

Schizostachyum yalyense sp. nov. and S. ninhthuanense sp. nov. (Gramineae: Bambusoideae) from Vietnam

Two new species of Schizostachyum Nees (Poaceae: Bambusoideae): S. yalyense N. H. Xia, V. T. Tran et H. N. Nguyen and Schizostachyum ninhthuanense N. H. Xia, V. T. Tran et H. N. Nguyen (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) are described and illustrated from Vietnam. Schizostachyum yalyense is similar to S. lima (Blanco) Merrill, but differs by culm sheaths with a concave apex 4–5 cm wide and 1.0–1.5 cm deep, pseudospikelets clustered on the wholly leafless flowering branches, possession of 2 bracts and lodicules. Schizostachyum ninhthuanense is related to S. hainanense Merrill ex McClure, but differs by culm sheaths covered with white hairs and having white–brown hairs at the apex, ligule margin densely pale‐ciliate, pseudospikelets clustered on wholly leafless flowering branches, presence of 3 lodicules, two stigmas apically on the style and the third stigma branching off from one of the two other stigmas.     

Embryology of Hortonioideae and Monimioideae (Monimiaceae,Laurales): characteristics of the ‘lower’ monimioids

We investigated the embryology of the ‘lower’ monimioids, i.e. Monimioideae (Monimia, Palmeria and Peumus) and Hortonioideae (Hortonia), which are poorly described embryologically. Our results show that, contrary to what has been reported in the literature, ‘lower’ monimioids show very little variation in their embryological characters. Comparisons with Mollinedioideae (a large derived subfamily in Monimiaceae) and other families in Laurales show that the ‘lower’ monimioids are relatively consistent in sharing predominantly isobilateral tetrads of microspores and megaspores, a non‐specialized chalaza, and a mesotestal–endotestal seed coat (with tracheoidal cells of the meso‐ and endotesta). It is likely that, while the shared successive cytokinesis during meiosis of microspore mother cells supports the Monimiaceae–Hernandiaceae–Lauraceae clade obtained by molecular evidence, no synapomorphies exist to support a sister‐group relationship of Monimiaceae with Hernandiaceae or Lauraceae. Instead, the lack of hypostase in ovules and/or young seeds, the lack of endosperm in mature seeds and the amoeboid tapetum in the anther are likely synapomorphies of Hernandiaceae and Lauraceae. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 228–241.     

Tripleurospermum ziganaense (Asteraceae,Anthemideae), a new species from north‐east Anatolia,Turkey

A new species of Tripleurospermum Sch.Bip., Tripleurospermum ziganaense Inceer & Hay?rl?oglu‐Ayaz (Asteraceae, Anthemideae), is described and illustrated. The species grows in open places, on rocky slopes and on roadsides in north‐east Anatolia, Turkey. The diagnostic morphological characters that distinguish it from closely related taxa are discussed, and its conservation status is indicated. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 696–700.     

The confusing identity of Pternopetalum molle (Apiaceae)

The misapplication of the name Pternopetalum molle (Franch.) Hand.‐Mazz. has resulted in considerable taxonomic confusion in the genus, involving 11 names belonging to seven taxa (according to a recent treatment). A supplementary taxonomic revision of P. botrychioides (Dunn) Hand.‐Mazz., P. molle and P. vulgare (Dunn) Hand.‐Mazz. is presented, after a detailed examination of the morphological variation. Four new synonyms, P. longicaule var. humile R.H.Shan & F.T.Pu, P. molle var. dissectum R.H.Shan & F.T.Pu, P. radiatum (W.W.Smith) P.K.Mukherjee and P. trifoliatum R.H.Shan & F.T.Pu, are proposed. Pternopetalum delicatulum (H.Wolff) Hand.‐Mazz. should be reduced to P. botrychioides rather than P. radiatum. The previous taxonomic treatments of P. cuneifolium (H. Wolff) Hand.‐Mazz., P. cartilagineum C.Y.Wu ex R.H.Shan & F.T.Pu and P. molle var. crenulatum R.H.Shan & F.T.Pu are reinstated. A key and distribution maps are provided for the accepted species. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 274–295.     

南溪楼梯草,云南荨麻科一新种

该文描述了自云南东南部发现的荨麻科楼梯草属一新种,南溪楼梯草(Elatostema nanxiense)。此新种与田林楼梯草(E. tianlinense)相似,但其叶具三出脉,边缘具浅圆齿或小钝齿,雄总苞苞片较少,8枚,排成一层,背面有1～3条纵肋,只1枚在顶端具角状突起而与后者相区别。此外,此新种与盘托楼梯草系的广布种盘托楼梯草(E. dissectum)的区别在于其茎被糙伏毛,叶呈椭圆形,具三出脉,雄头状花序的花序梗较短,雄总苞苞片较少,呈宽卵形或横长方形,背面有1～3条纵肋,雄小苞片有缘毛。     

Petrocodon retroflexus sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from a karst cave in Guizhou,China

Petrocodon retroflexus Q. Zhang & J. Guo, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Guizhou, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to Petrocodon viridescens W. H. Chen, Mich. Möller & Y. M. Shui, but differs by its leaf blade being ovate, broadly ovate to elliptic, 8–20 × 5–15 cm and densely pilose on both surfaces, narrowly triangular, 9 mm long, densely pilose bracts, white corolla that is decurved near the middle, with adaxial lip shallowly 4‐partitioned and retroflexed, and pistil ca 1.3 cm long and densely pilose and glandular‐pilose.     

Species delimitation in Lippia section Goniostachyum (Verbenaceae) using the phylogenetic species concept

Lippia section Goniostachyum comprises plants distinguished by their numerous axillary florescences (three to six, sometimes up to nine) and tetrastichous floral bracts. Species of section Goniostachyum occur in the Neotropics, from Mexico to northern Argentina. Delimitation of the species grouped under Goniostachyum has remained unclear. Forty‐one names exist under this section, but only c. eight to ten names have been used frequently. To resolve the taxonomy of this group, a modified population aggregation analysis, based on the phylogenetic species concept, was employed. As a result, Goniostachyum is here circumscribed to only four species: L. grata, L. origanoides, L. sericea and L. stachyoides. These species are supported by different combinations of three characters of the 13 qualitative attributes analysed: canescent sericeous pubescence, frondose or frondose‐bracteose inflorescences and free or fused florescence apical bracts. Two varieties based on significant differences among quantitative characters are recognized: L. stachyoides var. stachyoides and L. stachyoides var. martiana comb. nov. Fifteen lectotypifications and four neotypifications are proposed. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 170 , 197–219.     

The utility of leaf flavonoids as taxonomic markers for some Malaysian species of the tribe Shoreae (Dipterocarpaceae)

A flavonoid survey was carried out on 45 taxa from the genera Shorea, Hopea, Parashorea, Neobalanocarpus, and Dryobalanops of the tribe Shoreae in the Dipterocarpaceae. The study showed significant chemotaxonomic differences in leaf flavonoid aglycone patterns and the presence of tannins in these taxa. The flavonoid patterns are useful in the delimitation of some taxa. For example, the genus Parashorea is distinguished by the universal presence of kaempferol 3‐methyl ether, and the monotypic genus Neobalanocarpus is unique in not producing ellagic and gallo tannins. The presence of chalcones and flavone C‐glycosides supports the separation of the genus Hopea into two sections, section Dryobalanoides and section Hopea in Ashton's classification, which is based on the type of venation. The flavonoid distributions in this study show that they can be very useful for differentiating between the Balau group in the genus Shorea and some scaly barked Hopea species, particularly H. helferi (lintah bukit), H. nutans (giam), and H. ferrea (malut). © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157 , 755–762.