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Some amendments of our knowledge of the taxonomically complex genus Limonium (Plumbaginaceae) in Crete, Greece are presented, based on field work and morphological study of herbarium specimens, including types. The circumscriptions of the closely related Cretan endemics L. cornarianum and L. hierapetrae are clarified. The former species is actually restricted to the type population in Moni Kapsa (SE Crete) and a newly found population in Pacheia Ammos (NE Crete). The latter species comprises populations in SE Crete that extend from Moni Kapsa to Dermatos, and also includes the populations previously assigned to L. chrisianum and L. minoicum that are found to be conspecific. Limonium artelariae from SE Crete, similar and related to L. cornarianum and L. hierapetrae, is described as a new species. It is rather unique among Greek Limonium species for its height (up to 110 cm tall) and its large, broadly spathulate leaves. Limonium cythereum previously known from the islands of Kythira and Antikythira is newly recorded for Crete, represented by two populations in NW Crete. The report of L. fragile from Crete is found to be erroneous, based on misidentified material of L. virgatum. All accepted taxa are described, and their types, chromosome number or ploidy level, distribution and ecology are also indicated. Photographs, distribution maps and an identification key are added to facilitate further identification. Citation: Koutroumpa K. 2024: Limonium artelariae (Plumbaginaceae), a new endemic species and further taxonomic and floristic notes on the genus in the island of Crete. – Willdenowia 54: 65–79 Version of record first published online on 13 March 2024 ahead of inclusion in April 2024 issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cynanchum pingtaoi S.Jin Zeng, G.D.Tang & Miao Liao, sp. nov. (Apocynaceae) from Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular evidence. Its deeply cordate to reniform leaves and campanulate, large flowers show that it is a member of former Raphistemma Wall., which has been included in Cynanchum L.. It is different from all former Raphistemma species by the broadly ovate corolla lobes, purple-red corolla and connivent corona tip slightly exceeding the corolla throat. Meanwhile, Cynanchum longhushanense G.D.Tang & Miao Liao, nom. nov. is proposed as replacement name for Raphistemma brevipedunculatum Y.Wan, which was considered a synonym of Cynanchum hooperianum (Blume) Liede & Khanum but is here reinstated as a distinct species because of significant morphological differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The velvet-leaf hibiscus, Hibiscus krichauffianus F.Muell. (Malvaceae subfamily Malvoideae), is predominantly associated with sand dunes in the Australian arid zone but the name is presently also applied to plants occurring in different habitats on the southern edge of the range, and in disjunct locations in Western Australia and eastern Queensland. We investigated the morphological and environmental variation within H. krichauffianus throughout the geographic range. As a result, we have identified two new species, H. verecundus McLay & Albr. and H. calcareus McLay & Albr.; coined a phrase name, H. sp. Belele (D.W.Goodall 3417) for a putative new taxon; and recircumscribed H. krichauffianus. We also assessed material collected when the protologue of H. krichauffianus was published in the late 1850s and selected a lectotype from the original material identified. The velvet-leaf hibiscus, Hibiscus krichauffianus. Our investigation of the Australian arid zone specialist Hibiscus krichauffianus resulted in the discovery of two new species, H. verecundus and H. calcareus , both of which are described here. We also recircumscribe and lectotypify H. krichauffianus, and raise a phrase name entity. Distribution maps, figures, a table of morphological differences and a key are provided to identify these species. (Image credit: Dave Albrecht.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An account of the genus Acanthus in Greece is presented. Descriptions of the species with notes on ecology and geographical distribution, illustrations, maps and a key to the taxa are provided. Acanthus greuterianus is reduced to synonymy of A. caroli-alexandri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the preparation of the treatment of the genus Lippia for the Flora do Brasil 2020 online project, dozens of names were found in need of typification or typification clarifications. In this context, lectotypes are designated for 18 names (L. asperrima, L. cordata, L. dracocephaloides, L. elliptica, L. florida, L. glabrescens, L. hederifolia, L. herbacea, L. hermannioides, L. hirta, L. iodophylla, L. maximiliani, L. microcephala, L. oxycnemis, L. primulina var. goyazensis, L. pseudothea, L. reticulata, and L. rhodocnemis), and a second-step lectotypification is made for L. aristata. A neotype is proposed for L. corymbosa, whereas the erroneous application of the term "holotype" is corrected to lectotype for the names L. pumila and L. turnerifolia. Furthermore, supporting information for the holotype of L. gardneriana is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citharexylum L. belongs to the recently circumscribed tribe Citharexyleae of the Verbenaceae, along with Rehdera Moldenke. It comprises around 50 to 60 species of trees and shrubs growing in the Neotropics. A complete taxonomic revision of Citharexylum in South America is here provided for the first time. Thirty taxa are present in South America, 27 of these are endemic, and three of them also grow in Central America. Detailed morphological descriptions are given for each taxon, as well as a key for their identification; illustrations, photographs, or iconography; updated synonymy; geographic distribution maps and ecological notes; list of selected specimens; and discussion about the relationship among closely related taxa. A new status, C. poeppigii Walp. var. anomalum (Moldenke) N. O'Leary, and a new combination, C. dentatum D. Don var. canescens (Moldenke) N. O'Leary, are proposed. Thirty-five new synonyms are suggested, and lectotypes are designated for C. fruticosum L. var. brittonii (Moldenke) I. E. Méndez, C. laurifolium Hayek, and Rauvolfia spinosa Cav. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an analysis of plastomes to assess relationships among the seven genera of tribe Myoporeae (Scrophulariaceae). Sampling included individuals from type species for all seven genera included in Myoporeae (Bontia, Calamphoreus, Diocirea, Eremophila, Glycocystis, Myoporum, Pentacoelium), one additional species of the large genus Eremophila, one representative of the sister tribe Leucophylleae (Leucophyllum), and the previously published plastome of Scrophularia takesimensis as an outgroup. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses based on > 7000 variable nucleotide positions. Maximum parsimony analysis produced a single tree with the same topology as the Bayesian consensus tree, and all nodes were fully resolved with 100% bootstrap support and 1.0 Bayesian posterior probability. Tribe Myoporeae was supported as monophyletic and sister to Leucophylleae. Two lineages are identified within Myoporeae; one containing the Australian endemic genera Calamphoreus, Diocirea, Glycocystis and the type species of Eremophila (E. oppositifolia), the second containing species with distributions outside of Australia (Bontia, Myoporum, Pentacoelium) and a species of Eremophila (E. gibbifolia). Eremophila is thus supported as polyphyletic. The application of genome skimming and assembly of plastomes has resolved generic relationships in tribe Myoporeae and revealed variable regions of the genome that will be useful in further genetic study of the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic revision of Bouchea Cham. (Duranteae, Verbenaceae) is presented, updating the last formal revision of the genus by Moldenke from 1940, with a more comprehensive and profound study of herbarium material. The analyses of the morphological features support the recognition of 13 Bouchea species. A new combination is proposed for Stachytarpheta bifurca Benth. (≡ B. bifurca (Benth.) P. Moroni & N. O'Leary), and B. boyacana Moldenke var. glabrata Moldenke is elevated to the species rank. Eight taxa are here synonymized: B. inopinata Moldenke (= B. agrestis Schauer), B. prismatica (L.) Kuntze var. brevirostra Grenzeb. (= B. bifurca), B. beckii Moldenke (= B. boliviana (Kuntze) Moldenke), B. flabelliformis M. E. Jones (= B. dissecta S. Watson), B. prismatica var. laciniata Grenzeb. (= B. dissecta), S. kingii Moldenke (= B. nelsonii Grenzeb.), B. boyacana Moldenke (= B. prismatica), and B. spathulata Torr. var. longiflora Moldenke (= B. spathulata). Lectotypes are designated for the names B. incrassata Lange (second-step), B. rusbyi Moldenke (second-step), and S. laxiflora Turcz. Furthermore, B. boliviana is reported for the first time growing in Argentina, B. notabilis Moldenke in Ecuador, and B. rusbyi in Brazil and Peru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Australian genus of Orthotylini, Xasmasoma , gen. nov. is described, with 12 new included species: X. acuminatus , sp. nov., X. agana , sp. nov., X. carrollae , sp. nov., X. celiae , sp. nov., X. chamelaucieaphila , sp. nov., X. mareeba , sp. nov., X. mimae , sp. nov., X. mungallala , sp. nov., X. nillinghoo , sp. nov., X. schuhi , sp. nov., X. silveirae , sp. nov. and X. woodstocki , sp. nov. These species were analysed phylogenetically using 25 morphology-based characters and molecular alignments (COI , 16S , 18S and 28S ; 2096 base pairs), with the genus found to be monophyletic based on molecular, morphological and combined analyses. An analysis of host plant associations demonstrated no pattern of co-divergence and limited phylogenetic conservatism, aside from two subclades with respective Calytrix and Myrtaceae preferences. The biogeographic analysis revealed a south-western (South-west Interzone, Western Desert) area relationship, which is in distinction to the orthotyline genus Naranjakotta. The taxonomic component includes an identification key to species and diagnostic characters are illustrated, with detailed documentation of the male genitalia, and the genus uniquely possesses tile-like texture on the apex of the apophysis of the left paramere, and a single endosomal spicule. This paper documents the systematics of a new genus of orthotyline plant bugs, Xasmasoma , and the description of twelve new species. This further demonstrates the hyperdiversity of the family Miridae in Australia, and the biogeographic and host plant drivers of Xasmasoma diversification. The work provides the first molecular sequences of the Australian Orthotylini which corroborate the phylogenetic signal of the male genitalia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An updated inventory of the vascular flora alien to Italy, providing details on the occurrence at regional level, is presented. The checklist includes 1597 species, subspecies, and hybrids, distributed in 725 genera and 152 families; 2 taxa are lycophytes, 11 ferns and fern allies, 33 gymnosperms, and 1551 angiosperms. 157 taxa are archaeophytes and 1440 neophytes. The alien taxa currently established in Italy are 791 (570 naturalized and 221 invasive), while 705 taxa are casual aliens, 4 are not assessed, 7 are of unknown regional distribution, 47 have not been confirmed in recent times, 3 are considered extinct or possibly extinct in the country, and 40 are doubtfully occurring in Italy. This checklist allows to establish an up-to-date number (9792) of taxa constituting the whole (native and alien) Italian flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a quantitative and general description of the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden herbarium (RB) dataset. Created over a century ago, the RB currently comprises ca. 750,000 mounted specimens, with a strong representation of Brazilian flora, mainly from the Atlantic and Amazon forests. Nearly 100% of these specimens have been entered into the database and imaged and, at present, about 17% have been geo-referenced. This data paper is focused exclusively on RB's exsiccatae collection of land plants and algae, which is currently increasing by about twenty to thirty thousand specimens per year thanks to fieldwork, exchange and donations. Since 2005, many national and international projects have been implemented, improving the quality and accessibility of the collection. The most important facilitating factor in this process was the creation of the institutional system for plants collection and management, named JABOT. Since the RB is continuously growing, the dataset is updated weekly on SiBBr and GBIF portals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campanula raddeana Trautv. (Campanulaceae), based on samples collected from Çıldır (A9 Ardahan), and Galatella cretica Gand. (Asteraceae), based on samples collected from Marmaris (C1 Muğla), were recorded as new findings for the Flora of Turkey. In addition, Silene samia Melzh. & Christod. (Caryophyllaceae) was confirmed in Turkey based on samples from four localities in southwest Anatolia. Detailed descriptions, locality information, and distribution maps of the cited taxa were also given in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Angiosperm Phylogeny Group ( APG) started with ordinal relationships for angiosperm families and later came to concentrate more on issues surrounding family delimitation, generally taking a conservative approach (favouring lumping over splitting when choices were otherwise fairly evenly balanced). The history of the APG approach to classification is elaborated here, and long-term trends in taxon size are also discussed. Twenty-three questions relating to family delimitation of angiosperms (21) and ferns (two) were identified, and an open, web-based survey was conducted to determine which solutions were preferred by the botanical community. There were a total of 441 responses from 42 countries. The full survey results are presented and discussed. In general, among respondents, there was a good balance between lumping and splitting, although a much smaller percentage self-identified as splitters. Recommendations to APG for a set of specific family delimitation issues in angiosperms and ferns are made. We followed the majority vote in all but four cases and recommended ten splitting and 13 lumping options. We found that decisions were made by respondents on a case-by-case basis. Many respondents favoured lumping as a means of gaining stability by leaving circumscription issues at the lower taxonomic levels, which are of more concern to specialists (i.e. at subfamilial and tribal levels). We estimate that APG IV will not differ substantially from APG III. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 178, 501-528. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flora and fauna of Arabia, particularly southern Yemen, has recently attracted the interest of many authors. In this study, the genus Heliotropium L. (Boraginaceae) is taxonomically revised in southern Yemen. Ten species are recognized. Nomenclature, typification, representative specimens and a diagnostic key to all species are provided, along with their distribution in southern Yemen. The taxonomically most valuable characters in the genus are those of flowers (calyx, corolla, androecium and gynoecium) and nutlets, and those characters are thoroughly investigated and discussed. Both light and scanning microscopy are used in the investigation. Papillate anther apices (brush-like) were recognized in some species. Connate anthers and deep or shallow ventral circular depressions on the nutlets were found to be useful in distinguishing members of H. sect. Orthostachys (viz. H. strigosum, H. rariflorum and H. ovalifolium), while winged nutlets were found only in H. pterocarpum. The length and hairiness of the style and stigma also proved to be taxonomically useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The angiosperm family Boraginaceae includes ca. 1600 species distributed among ca. 110 genera. Some floral features are constant within the family, but many vegetative, floral, pollen, and nutlet traits vary. Utilizing 224 species of Boraginaceae and related taxa, five matrices were constructed with various combinations of morphological characters, three chloroplast DNA regions, and one nuclear ribosomal DNA region. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted for these matrices, and patterns of character evolution were examined. Boraginaceae is resolved as monophyletic, with Wellstedia as its sister. Codon is sister to Boraginaceae + Wellstedia. Although most of the investigated morphological characters have a low consistency index, particular character states are synapomorphies for large clades in each of the tribes of the family. In Boraginaceae, the breeding system heterostyly evolved at least 12 times, which is the largest number of origins resolved in any family; therefore Boraginaceae can serve as a model for the evolution and development of heterostyly. Nutlet ornamentation is most diverse in Cynoglosseae and Trichodesmeae, while pollen and floral features are most variable in Boragineae and Lithospermeae. Phylogenetic relationships and patterns of character evolution identified in the present study set the stage for future work creating an updated taxonomic system of Boraginaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onosma atila- ocakii sp. nova [Boraginaceae, Sect. Asterotricha (Boiss.) Gürke] is described and illustrated as a new species. It grows in a steppe on magnesite rocks in Eskişehir province (Central Anatolia, Turkey). Its description, photographs, and an identification key including related species ( O. roussaei DC. and O. aucheriana DC.) are given. Diagnostic morphological and palynological characters of closely related species are compared and discussed. The characteristic features of indumentum and pollen structure are studied using a light microscope. The new species distinctly differs from related species because of its setose and adpressed retrorse–pilose indumentum, 2–3 rows of setules on foliar tubercles, 10–14 mm white petals and 2.1–2.6 × 1.7–2 mm dark brown nutlets. The International Union for Conservation of Nature threat category and observations on the ecology of the populations are noted. The distribution map of this new species and closely related species in Turkey is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seven Australasian genera of blister beetles (Coleoptera : Meloidae : Nemognathinae) are reviewed. Included are a key to genera, generic synopses and descriptions of two new genera of Nemognathini, Australozonitis and Pulchrazonitis, as well as a new monotypic tribe Palaestrini, which features a bauplan of male genitalia unique not only to the subfamily Nemognathinae but to the entire family. The genus Palaestra is redefined to include several Australasian, Asian and African species previously assigned to Zonitis. Exceptional variation of male genitalia encountered in the Palaestrini challenges current subfamily definitions, which are partly based on male genitalic structure and correlated sexual behaviour. Generic synopses include synonyms, type species, number of species, geographic distribution, significant references on taxonomy, life history and morphology, and additional notes. Forty-six new combinations are proposed for species previously in Zonitis. Distribution and relationship of tribes within the Nemognathinae, as well as the biogeography of the Australasian Meloidae are outlined and discussed. Blister beetles (Meloidae) are an outstanding and diverse component of Australasian fauna, still virtually ignored by entomologists. This study focusses on the identification and characterisation of higher taxa occurring in the area, relating them to the worldwide blister beetle fauna. The morphological uniqueness of some groups led to the redefinition of genera and the description of new taxa, including a new tribe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A revision of the genus Premna is presented for the Flora Malesiana region. A key, descriptions, notes on ecology, distribution, local uses and names and conservation status are given for all 14 species occurring in the Flora Malesiana area. One new species, Premna clavata de Kok, is described. Four names are lectotypified, one neotypified and 71 names are placed into synonymy for the first time. Three names are treated as doubtful and four are excluded from the present definition of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new species of the lace bug genus Lasiacantha are described herein, L. adamah n. sp., L. caneriverensis n. sp., L. meedo n. sp., L. ningaloo n. sp. and L. spinosa n. sp., bringing the current number of Australian Lasiacantha species to 24. All new species of Lasiacantha are from the Carnarvon and Pilbara bioregions of Western Australia, where previously only one species was known. Further, half the Australian Lasiacantha species now known are from Western Australia. One of the new species, L. spinosa, has also been found in inland southern Queensland. This work also contains new collection and host plant records for L. pilbara Cassis and Symonds, corrections to the larval morphology of L. aureolus Cassis and Symonds and L. luritja Cassis and Symonds, a revised key to all representatives of Australian Lasiacantha, and a discussion of Lasiacantha host associations. Also provided are photos and mapped distributions of the new species and some habitat and host plant photos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The distributions of many New Caledonian taxa were reviewed in order to ascertain the main biogeographical connections with other areas. Location Global. Methods Panbiogeographical analysis. Results Twenty-four areas of endemism (tracks) involving New Caledonia and different areas of Gondwana, Tethys and the central Pacific were retrieved. Most are supported by taxa of lower and higher plants, and lower and higher animals. Main conclusions Although parts of New Caledonia were attached to Gondwana for some time in the mid-Cretaceous, most of the New Caledonian terranes formed as oceanic island arcs and sections of sea floor bearing seamounts. The flora and fauna have evolved and survived for tens of millions of years as metapopulations on ephemeral islands. Later, the biotas were juxtaposed and fused during terrane accretion. This process, together with the rifting of Gondwana, explains the biogeographical affinities of New Caledonia with parts of Gondwana, Tethys and the Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAimIn this study we compare the incidence of rarity within lineages between three floras: Australia, North America and New Zealand. MethodsWe used published data for absolute numbers of species and for numbers of rare species to ask three questions: 1. Do families have similar proportions of rare species in different floras? 2. Can proportions of rare species within families be interpreted with reference to biogeographic history of particular floras? and 3. Is the proportion of rare species consistent between families and genera within each flora? ResultsWithin families in each flora, genera usually had similar proportions of rare species; indicating processes determining rarity are in general not operating differentially within families. However, in comparisons within-family between floras, approximately 62% of comparisons showed significant differences in the proportion of rare species. Main conclusionsThese results imply that there are no general rules whereby the particular traits a family possesses are conducive to rarity wherever they occur. Rather, such attributes must exert influence conditionally, in conjunction with the biogeographical and competitive setting where speciation and extinction or persistence has occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The familiar limits of Verbenaceae are controversial, ranging from a sensu lato arrangement of seven subfamilies until a sharply defined sensu stricto group consisting of only some genera from subfam. Verbenoideae. Iridoid contents of genera belonging to Verbenaceae s. l. were examined through a cladistic analysis, using outgroup analysis to evaluate character polarity within the ingroup. The cladogram obtained shows the distribution of the species according to their iridoid content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological and cytological investigations were carried out in Stachys beckeana Dörfler & Hayek and S. recta L. subsp. sarajevensis sensu Hayek. These two taxa have the same morphological characteristics (shape and indumentum of leaves; morphology of sepals, petals and fruits) and both have 2n = 2x = 34 chromosomes. They cannot be considered as different taxa; S. beckeana Dörfler & Hayek is the valid name (synonyms: S. recta L. subsp. sarajevensis sensu Hayek, S. hayekii Malý, S. recta L. subsp. hayekii Malý). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The half-lives of leaves of 202 taxa of vascular plants were estimated mostly from the literature and ranged from 1 to 350 wk. The longevity of leaves in the plant group studied is in the order Pinophyta > pteridophyta >Liliatae > Magnoliatae, Substantial differences are evident between the superorders of flowering plants proposed by Dahlgren and the subclass proposed by Cronquist. The mean leaf half-life for families of Magnoliatae was shown to be inversely related to their Advancement Index. Length of life of leaves, therefore, appears to have taxonomic significance, with more primitive vascular plants tending to have longer-lived leaves than the more advanced. The ecological significance of leaf half-life is less clear, expect in that annual leaf fall is not necessarily associated with deciduousness. The capacity to shed individual leaves may give the angiosperms a flexibility in environmental response which allows them a competitive advantage over the gymnosperms except in the most stressful habitats [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A geographic and taxonomic overview of the non-indigenous plant species of Europe, based on the 'Flora Europaea' is given. The flora of Europe includes 1568 species which have either expanded their ranges within Europe under human influence (naturalized European species) or are of non-European origin (exotic species). The latter group consists of 580 species (37%) which form a diverse group in terms of their taxonomic composition and geographic origin. The exotics are represented by 113 families, of which the Compositae, Rosaceae and Gramineae are most important. The ratio of species to families is low. Most exotic species in Europe originate from the Americas and Asia. Countries of southern Europe have a higher relative number of exotics in their non-native flora than northern ones. The species-range size distribution differs between naturalized European and exotic species; the latter are on average more widespread than the naturalized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]