A new species of the genusLotus (Fabaceae) in North Africa

A new species,Lotus digii, has been found in Morocco growing on the coastal sandy soils. Further localities are from Algeria and Egypt. It should be expected also in Libya.     

A new name and a new species in MexicanRuellia (Acanthaceae)

Based on pollen and floral morphology,Blechum grandiflorum is transferred toRuellia, and the nameR. mirandana is proposed for this species. A new species,Ruellia tuxtlensis, is described which is distinguishable fromR. mirandana by its longer spike and elliptic bracts. It is presently known only from the lowlands of Veracruz, Mexico.     

On the Lichen generaPlacocarpus andPlacidiopsis (Verrucariaceae)

Verrucaria schaereri (Fr.)Nyl. is accorded generic status asPlacocarpus Trev. emend.O. Breuss. The main differences between the two genera concern the thallus anatomy and the spores which are halonate inPlacocarpus. The following new combinations are proposed:Placocarpus schaereri (Fr.)O. Breuss andPlacidiopsis cinerascens (Nyl.)O. Breuss.     

The perennial taxa ofCrucianella (Rubiaceae) in SW. Asia and their eco-geographical differentiation

The perennial taxa ofCrucianella in Asia form a coherent group, apparently diploid (x = 11) and outbreeding throughout, and should be placed into sect.Roseae. This Irano-Turanian group has its centre of diversity in the mountain systems south of the Caspian Sea and reaches with outposts NE. and E. Anatolia, NE. Iraq, S. Iran and C. Asia. Four species and 13 subspecies (within the polymorphicC. gilanica) are recognized, described (partly as new), and illustrated (Figs. 1–6). Conspectus, keys and distribution maps (Figs. 7 and 8) as well as plesio- and apomorphic character states and data on size of areas are provided (Table 1). There is an obvious correlation between more plesiomorphic taxa with smaller areas in the distribution centre of the group, and more apomorphic taxa with larger areas towards its periphery (Fig. 9). These findings are linked to a working hypothesis on the evolution of the group.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of his 90th birthday.     

Catapyrenium (Verrucariaceae) species from South America

13 species of the lichen genusCatapyrenium are reported from South America. Five species (C. analogicum, C. andicolum, C. exaratum, C. lachneoides, andC. podolepis) are described as new. A key to the species known from South America is presented. Remarks on taxonomy, ecology and distribution of the species are given.Studies on the lichen genusCatapyrenium (Verrucariaceae) III. For second part seeBreuss (1991).     

Recherches Cytotaxonomiques et Cytogéographiques surMinuartia sect.Sabulina en Turquie (Caryophyllaceae)

25 populations from Turkey and one of Syria belonging to theSabulina section of the genusMinuartia have been karyologically examined. New chromosome numbers have been recorded forM. mesogitana andM. hybrida subsp.turcica, and a new variety was found in theM. hybrida complex. The origin of the taxa with n = 23 and n = 35 is discussed.

     

A new species ofLiparis (Orchidaceae) from India

Liparis indiraii spec. nova from India is close toL. alata A. Rich. andL. atropurpurea Lindl.     

Chlorosphaeropsis epidemica,spec. nova,eine neue Grünalge mit endophytischer Lebensweise

The new parasitic algaChlorosphaeropsis epidemica is a member of theChlorosarcinales and lives endophytically in the leaf-tissue ofPotamogeton species. It forms stacks of cells and appears in great numbers, especially in dying leaf-blades. Sexual reproduction is described for the first time in this genus. Apart from its endophytic way of life,Chl. epidemica is characterized by mononuclear cells with a parietal chloroplast of irregular thickness and with a few perforations, sometimes of complicated reticulate shape, and with 1–5 pyrenoids. The usually sphaerical gametes (respectively zoospores) are provided with two equal flagella, a parietal plastid, one pyrenoid and one stigma. In connection with the asexual reproduction the terms vegetative division and desmoschisis are critically discussed.

     

Alchemilla austriaca,spec. nova,(Rosaceae) — eine neue Art aus den Ostalpen

Alchemilla austriaca is a new species which belongs to the group ofA. demissa, A. frigens, A. longana, A. longiuscula, A. semisecta, andA. sinuata. The holotype specimen as well as leaf and flower details are illustrated (Figs. 1–3). A complete character analysis is given, differences and similarities of allied species are presented in two tables, and the position of the group within the genus is discussed.A. austriaca so far is known only from the Austrian Alps and mainly from the central ranges (distribution map: Fig. 4). Its wet subalpine and alpine habitats are characterized by species lists.