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A special‐purpose Committee on DNA Sequences as Types was established at the XIX International Botanical Congress (IBC) in Shenzhen, China, in 2017, with a mandate to report to the XX IBC in Madrid in 2024 with recommendations on a preferred course of action with respect to potential amendments of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants to allow DNA sequences as types. This is the first in an expected series of papers from the Special‐purpose Committee on this issue. We set out the background to the establishment of the Committee, explore key issues around typification that are pertinent to the question of DNA sequences as types, enumerate pros and cons of allowing DNA sequences as types, and foreshadow options for future discussion and potential recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The internet has opened new opportunities for the distribution of systematic information. Advantages such as immediate worldwide distribution, affordable presentation of color illustrations, ease of updating the information, and low cost all suggest that the web is an ideal medium for the publication of taxonomic keys, descriptions, illustrations, and catalogues. Using examples from on-line interactive keys published on the web and the interactive key projects developed at the USDA ARS Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory (SBML), this paper presents important points to be considered in developing online interactive keys. These include the use of standard internet protocols, emphasis on images, and easy maintenance by scientists without intervention of IT staff. An additional technical point is that morphological data should be external to the key program. As a result, when data are changed or replaced, the system will automatically be updated. In addition, these data can be used for applications outside of the key. While the potential usefulness of internet keys and other on-line systematic information may be obvious, there are hurdles that must be overcome before there is any significant proliferation of on-line keys. Systematists must embrace the internet as a desirable publishing option, peer review and institutional reward systems must recognize the significance of non-paper publication, and systematists need to incorporate structured procedures for data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(272-273) Add a new Note to Article 41 and amend Recommendation 41A.2 to clarify what is and what is not allowed as a page reference for a basionym or replaced synonym citation Sometimes PDF documents do not have page numbers included on the pages of the article but, instead, page numbers are automatically generated as part of the electronic PDF format. The citation of a DOI or URL to the web page on which the electronic paper appears is not sufficient for page indication even if the entire publication is coextensive with the protologue.". [Extracted from the article]

Big genera represent a significant proportion of the world's plants. However, comprehensive taxonomic and evolutionary studies of these genera are often complicated by their size and geographic spread. This paper explores the challenges faced in classifying these megadiverse plant groups consequent to the existing tension between diagnosability and increasing levels of resolution from molecular sequence data. We use recent examples from across angiosperms to illustrate how monophyly, diagnosability and completeness interplay with each other in attempts to classify several big genera and, specifically, the genus Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae). Ipomoea and the tribe Ipomoeeae have been the object of recent taxonomic and phylogenetic studies that highlight the limitations of previous attempts to classify the group, and show that the smaller segregate genera traditionally recognised in Ipomoeeae are nested within Ipomoea and are neither monophyletic nor diagnosable. We argue that existing classifications must be abandoned, and that recognising an expanded Ipomoea that incorporates all segregate genera of the Ipomoeeae is the most appropriate solution as it reconciles the properties of monophyly, diagnosability and completeness, and favours nomenclatural stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative morphology was for many years the main source of information for systematic studies. As a result of the molecular revolution in evolutionary botanical research in the early 1990s, we can now rely on a system of classification based primarily or exclusively on DNA. Nevertheless, we would like to emphasise the importance of morphology in this era of molecular phylogenetics. We argue that comparative morphology, using the latest technologies and developmental studies, is a modern and important scientific discipline that is essential to better understand evolution of the angiosperms and many other taxa. This paper also offers a guideline for emerging morphologists and phylogeneticists aiming to include morphology in their research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nomenclatural type of the Linnaean name Sibthorpia africana (Plantaginaceae, Sibthorpieae) is discussed and revised. An illustration published by Shaw in 1738 is selected as the lectotype of the name. Sibthorpia balearica is another name in this group, published by Knoche in 1922, and treated in this paper as a heterotypic synonym of the Linnaean name. This name had previously been lectotypified by Hedberg in 1955 from a specimen kept at K. This typification is narrowed to a single specimen by a "second‐step" lectotypification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent proposals to amend the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (the Code) to allow the rejection of names that honour historical individuals who committed crimes against humanity has sparked a counter‐reaction that we believe misrepresents both the intent and mechanism of the proposals. In this short paper we point out errors and fallacious reasoning in this counter‐reaction, and again make the case that an open, balanced, modest, structured, and defensible way to deal with this issue is now, through sensible and reasonable proposals to amend the Code, within the grasp of the taxonomic and nomenclatural community. Adopting these proposals would represent a small but significant contribution to helping address some egregious historical wrongs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some fossil seed cones from the European Neogene identified to the genus Cathaya and published as a fossil‐species, Cathaya vanderburghii, are shown not to belong to Cathaya. In this paper, fossil C. vanderburghii is transferred to Nothotsuga and recombined as Nothotsuga vanderburghii comb. nov. An amended diagnosis and detailed description of N. vanderburghii are given. The fossil cones are characterised by ovoid to conical shape, rhombic to suborbicular and auriculate scales, and slightly exserted ligulate‐spathulate bracts with dentate margin and acute apex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous books and papers have been written about the life and work of the famous Leiden physician and botanist professor Herman Boerhaave (1668–1738). However, none of these publications mentions what has happened to his botanical collections. A set of loose herbarium sheets with labels written by Boerhaave is known to be present at Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden. Furthermore, two bound herbaria attributed to Boerhaave are known to exist. The first, a four‐volume herbarium makes part of the Sloane Herbarium (Natural History Museum, London). The second is a voluminous one‐volume herbal at Copenhagen (Natural History Museum Denmark). Another single‐volume herbarium, traditionally referred to as the "Herbarium of Boerhaave", at Leiden (Naturalis) is discussed here as well. Are these true Boerhaave herbaria made by Boerhaave personally, or have these herbaria at least formed part of his private collection? Where could other herbaria of his be found, and what has happened to the herbaria that were auctioned together with his library after his death? These are the questions this paper will try to answer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The name Problematospermum has been used for Mesozoic age fossil seeds with a tuft of hairs at one end, the systematic affinity of which is uncertain. The generic name and names of two species were introduced by Turutanova‐Ketova but not validated in her 1930 publication. Paleobotanists have evidently been unaware of this because Turutanova‐Ketova is consistently cited as the authority for the names. Krassilov inadvertently validated the generic name Problematospermum and species name P. ovale in 1973, so the authority should be cited as "Turut.‐Ket. ex Krassilov". This paper clarifies the nomenclatural problems surrounding these names. An additional problem is that the type specimen indicated by Krassilov is missing. A neotype is designated here to replace the missing type for P. ovale. The generic diagnosis for Problematospermum is amended to clarify contradictory interpretations in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oceanic island floras often exhibit remarkable concentrations of endemic diversity, provide spectacular examples of rapid evolutionary radiations and harbour floras under significant threat due to anthropogenic pressures. They have attracted the interest of biologists for centuries, but their floras continue to yield new taxa and, at a global scale, the extent of their plant diversity remains imperfectly known. Both natural characteristics and historical factors have shaped the development of knowledge of island floras. In this paper, we investigate the approach of Richard Thomas Lowe (1802–1874), to documenting the flora of Madeira island in the North Atlantic. Lowe collected abundantly in Madeira between 1826 and 1873, resulting in several works on Madeira's flora, published from the 1830s. At a time when taxonomic research on island floras was often based on limited collections made during brief expeditions, Lowe's research on the flora, spanning almost half a century, was exceptional. In this study, 2579 herbarium specimens collected by Lowe were georeferenced and used to investigate temporal, spatial and taxonomic patterns in Lowe's collecting activities. We also examine the distribution of specimens by Lowe to other botanists. Some biases are evident in Lowe's collecting efforts, with steep slopes under‐sampled and coastal sites over‐sampled. These reflect constraints imposed by topography and transport links. These limitations aside, Lowe's work on the Madeiran flora was conducted in a systematic manner, resulting in a comprehensive study of the entire flora. His approach was distinctly modern: he gathered and studied all available information in herbaria and in the published and unpublished writings from earlier visitors; his initial fieldwork was conducted widely to gain knowledge of all habitats and their floras; later fieldwork focussed on less‐explored and most promising areas; duplicates were sent to other botanists, facilitating taxonomic exchanges on critical taxa; and his later fieldwork focussed on plant groups where taxonomic problems had been detected. As a result of Lowe's sustained and systematic approach, he is the single most prolific contributor to the study of Madeira's endemic flora. His approach is a model to documenting island floras still relevant today. Areas poorly sampled by Lowe were areas that were difficult to access, which also protected them from anthropic destructive activities and allowed them to serve as refuges for endemic flora. Those areas deserve particular attention in efforts to complete the survey of Madeira's plant diversity, using technological advancements such as drones to prospect areas that are otherwise still largely inaccessible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lachenalia (Asparagaceae; Scilloideae; Hyacintheae) is a large and morphologically diverse genus of more than 140 bulbous species endemic to southern Africa. Previous attempts to infer a well‐resolved and robustly supported phylogeny of Lachenalia using Sanger sequencing of candidate loci and/or morphological characters have been largely unsuccessful. Consequently, the current infrageneric classification is artificial, and there is a need to explore alternative avenues to produce a phylogenetic classification. In this paper, we present a novel phylogenetic hypothesis for Lachenalia inferred using maximum likelihood and coalescent‐based species tree estimation (ASTRAL) as applied to 378 hybrid‐enrichment loci. Our tree is well resolved and well supported, providing strong support for a monophyletic radiation of the genus in southern Africa and a solid foundation for a revised infrageneric classification. The well‐supported placement of L. isopetala Jacq. as sister to Lachenalia + Massonia supports the establishment of a new monotypic genus, Pseudolachenalia, to accommodate this species. Conversely, the inclusion of species previously classified as Polyxena within the Lachenalia clade supports the transfer of these species to Lachenalia. Within Lachenalia, the delimitation of subgenera and sections is complicated by the highly imbalanced character of the phylogeny and by the high levels of homoplasy shown by most morphological characters traditionally used to delimit species in this group. Nonetheless, we propose an infrageneric taxonomy comprising 10 morphologically distinct, monophyletic sections. The largest of these, L. sect. Lachenalia, is further divided into 13 more‐or‐less diagnosable, monophyletic subsections. Keys to the sections of Lachenalia, and to the subsections of L. sect. Lachenalia, are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three generations of the Wendland family, Johann Christoph Wendland (1755–1828), Heinrich Ludolph Wendland (1792–1869) and Hermann Wendland (1825–1903), were outstanding court gardeners at the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen (Hanover, Germany). The "Wendlands" not only enriched the botanical diversity of the gardens through plants obtained in exchange, purchased or collected during their own journeys, but they also achieved a good scientific reputation by publications on diverse botanical themes including the description of new taxa. Moreover, there exists a herbarium of approximately 16,600 plant specimens related to these gardens, the Wendlands and their publications. Numerous papers dealing with the Wendlands and the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen have been published. The Herrenhausen Herbarium, however, also known as the Wendland Herbarium, which was donated to the University of Göttingen in 1969, was so far neither digitized nor revised. Here, we describe the history and the current digitization of this herbarium, which includes specimens collected between 1780 and 1857. It consists of three major parts: the Herrenhausen Herbarium arranged according to the Linnaean System (13,035 specimens), the palm collection (1069 specimens) and smaller collections (specimens collected by Hermann Wendland in Central America, collections of Carl Hoffmann from Costa Rica and a part of Jakob Friedrich Ehrhart's herbarium, who was a student of Linnaeus; approximately 2500 specimens). The systematic digitization of this historical herbarium as a whole revealed a seemingly unconventional arrangement of the specimens, which we explain here for the correct interpretation of collection data. Furthermore, and despite the meagre information on the herbarium labels, we were able to identify 260 specimens from a trip of Heinrich Ludolph Wendland to Switzerland in 1820. By comparing the specimen labels with entries in his diary and travel report, we were able to retrace detailed information on localities and dates, providing historical biodiversity information. Also, the historical identification of these specimens was revised. A list of collectors represented in the Herrenhausen Herbarium is provided, which includes famous names such as Linnaeus and his students Afzelius, Bergius, Ehrhart, Schreber, and Thunberg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

William Jack's Appendix. Descriptions of Malayan plants, by William Jack. No. 3 was a paper printed in Bencoolen, Sumatra, that included the original descriptions of Nepenthes ampullaria, N. rafflesiana, Rafflesia titan and Stagmaria verniciflua. The Appendix was not included in the Bencoolen journal Malayan Miscellanies, but it was circulated to eminent botanists, partly with the intention of establishing priority for Jack's new names. We argue that the Appendix was effectively published with distribution dating from May 1821. This takes the date of publication of the two Nepenthes species back by 15 years and makes them the earliest names to be validated for Malesian species in the genus. The Linnaean binomial Gluta renghas is among three names typified here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The typification of names validated in a paper of 1803 concerning the plants encountered on a journey through what is now Tamil Nadu in southern India is reviewed. A number of name changes are necessitated. Psilotrichum patulum becomes the correct name for P. elliotii, Euphorbia glaucescens is the correct name for E. corrigioloides, Oldenlandia pusilla is the correct name for O. attenuata and Kohautia attenuata is the correct name for K. aspera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of "scientific reductionism", with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Derris has been one of the most complex genera in the Millettioid s.str. group. Phylogenetic studies have resulted in the transfer of some species into Aganope and Brachypterum to ensure the monophyly of Derris s.str. However, the Chinese endemic species Derris yunnanensis was not included in these phylogenies. Compared to the other monophyletic genera of the Millettioid s.str. group, this species has received special attention due to its distinctive morphological characters. This paper aims to provide evidence that supports recognition of D. yunnanensis as a separate monospecific genus based on morphology and molecular data including complete chloroplast genome and nuclear ITS/5.8S as well as trnK‐matK, trnL‐F IGS, and psbA‐trnH IGS chloroplast DNA sequences. Derris yunnanensis is consistently recovered in a clade as sister to the genus Antheroporum. The species differs from the other genera of the Millettioid s.str. group by having a pseudoraceme with 6–10 flowers per brachyblast, abaxially puberulent standard, conspicuous calyx teeth with the upper 2 connate and the lowermost distinctly longer than the others, a yellowish‐brown puberulent pod having an adaxial suture with a 1–2 mm wide wing, and ovules 3–6 per ovary. Hence, a new genus Ohashia is proposed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salicornia (Chenopodiaceae) with ca. 25–30 annual, hyperhalophytic succulent species is a taxonomically difficult sub‐cosmopolitan genus. The taxonomic complexity arose from succulent shoots causing a lack of taxonomically useful characters, scarcity and variability of characters, and poor genetic differentiation. The Irano‐Turanian region, a major center for several lineages of chenopod diversification, is also an important diversity center and more likely the center of origin of annual Salicornia. This paper presents long‐term comprehensive morpho‐molecular and cytological studies of the genus in Iran, as the most species‐rich country in the Irano‐Turanian region. We originally generated 250 sequences of one nuclear (ETS) and two plastid markers (atpB‐rbcL spacer, intron rpl16). We analyzed a global ETS dataset including 257 sequences of putative 28 taxa using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analysis. In order to evaluate the application of plastid data in species taxonomy in annual Salicornia, we performed numerical morphological analysis (principal component analysis and agglomerative hierarchical clustering) of 186 Iranian accessions using 18 characters. Our results (1) confirm the efficiency of plastid sequences comparing to ETS sequences for clarifying species‐level phylogeny of Salicornia; (2) identify the S. persica clade as a monophyletic Irano‐Turanian endemic lineage; (3) recognize nine origins of the Irano‐Turanian Salicornia based on nuclear ETS sequences; (4) approve the monophyly of tetraploid species using plastid sequences; (5) provide a synopsis and diagnostic key for 10 Iranian taxa of Salicornia; (6) describe S. turanica sp. nov.; (7) classify S. iranica at infraspecific level (S. iranica subsp. iranica, S. iranica subsp. rudshurensis comb. nov., S. iranica subsp. sinus‐persica comb. & stat. nov.); (8) suggest three informal taxa to be studied in the future; and (9) discuss the threatened status of Salicornia‐dominated ecosystems in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within tribe Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae), the Australasian clade is one of the four major clades. In Australia, the Gnaphalieae account for 488 species or approximately half of the native Asteraceae, encompassing wide ecological and morphological diversity including shrubs, everlasting paper daisies, cudweeds, alpine cushion plants, and ephemeral herbs in the arid zone. The evolution of the Australasian clade is still poorly understood. The most detailed previous infratribal classification of Gnaphalieae has recently been revised, resulting in the recognition of two subtribes, with all Australian species placed in subtribe Gnaphaliinae. The most comprehensive previous phylogeny of Australian Gnaphalieae used high‐copy ribosomal and chloroplast markers but showed limited resolution and branch support. We used conserved ortholog set data produced with sequence capture and 53 chloroplast genes to infer nuclear and chloroplast likelihood phylogenies for Australian Gnaphalieae, generating data for at least one species each from 80 of the 86 native genera. Four major clades were resolved: the Euchiton clade of cudweed‐like and alpine perennial species; the shrubby Cassinia clade; the predominantly perennial and eastern Australian Waitzia clade; and the predominantly ephemeral and western Australian to Eremaean Angianthus clade. The Cassinia, Waitzia, and Angianthus clades are largely congruent with "groups" in a previous morphological analysis and classification of Gnaphalieae. Analysis of ancestral ranges implied the temperate Southeast of Australia as the most likely area of origin for the Australian Gnaphalieae as a whole and for three of the four major clades. The Angianthus clade was implied to be ancestrally Eremaean, with a major secondary radiation originating in southwestern Australia. Our broadly sampled phylogeny provides a framework to inform sampling and design of future studies to test the circumscription of genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strictly speaking, all three taxa have a description but it seems undesirable that new taxa published under the same taxon in the same paper have the same description and suggests the statement was not intended to describe the taxa. If a descriptive statement indicates that an existing taxon differs from the new species because the existing one has yellow flowers, we do not know the colour of the flowers of the new taxon and therefore in our opinion this cannot be considered a description. A diagnosis of a taxon is a statement of that which in the opinion of its author distinguishes the taxon from B all b other taxa B being compared to it b .". [Extracted from the article]

In 1814, A.W. Roth received a herbarium collection of some 1500 plants from Benjamin Heyne. Most of these specimens came from southern India where Heyne had worked as a doctor and naturalist since 1792. Roth wrote up the material in his book Novae plantarum, which was published in 1821. However, he provided a manuscript copy to Roemer and Schultes, who were compiling an edition of Systema vegetabilium. Many of Roth's new names based on the Heyne material first appeared in the first six volumes of the Systema. In this paper, 411 names published in Novae plantarum are listed with their correct citation and typification. The typification of Roth's names is complicated by the loss of a high proportion of his personal herbarium in Berlin in 1943. Notable points include: Jasminum montanum Roth is the correct name for J. arborescens Roxb., Panicum pilosissimum Roth is the correct name for P. rudgei Roem. & Schult. and Euphorbia linearifolia Roth does not need to be replaced by E. deccanensis V.S.Raju. Many names are typified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compositae accounts for ca. 10% of all flowering plants, being found in nearly all types of habitats worldwide. The family is particularly diverse in markedly dry and seasonal habitats, raising questions about what processes led to diversification in these challenging environments. The presence of C4 and CAM metabolism in some Compositae taxa has been known since the 1970s, and although some of these taxa have been extensively studied, such as Flaveria, there has been no systematic effort in gathering and reviewing data about photosynthesis metabolism in the family in the last few decades. In the present paper, we gathered data from more than 50 articles, spanning several different methods, raising information on photosynthesis metabolism for more than 400 Compositae species. We also present newly acquired carbon isotope data for 66 species, mostly from previously unsampled tribes. We analyzed photosynthesis metabolism in the tribe Tageteae using a phylogeny and ancestral character reconstruction. C4 photosynthesis in Compositae is restricted to two tribes: Tageteae, where it had two independent origins, and Coreopsideae, where it seems to have arisen only once. CAM metabolism is found in succulent members of tribe Senecioneae, and in Astereae and Eupatorieae, with an unknown number of evolutionary origins. We discuss the evolutionary implications of the results and propose future directions for studying photosynthesis metabolism in the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbaria are important sources of information concerning biodiversity, climate change and ecology, migration and evolution of plants, and extinct or invasive species. The development of genetic sampling enables retrieval of genetic material even from historical records, extending potential uses of herbarium collections. However, the use of adhesives might be detrimental to dried plant specimens, contributing to their degradation on many levels. The use of the appropriate adhesive has always been the subject of discussion and one of the important issues concerning herbarium making. This paper discusses current practices of the use of adhesives in herbaria collections, regarding their long‐term quality in terms of aging behaviour and appropriateness for the use with herbarium material. Health and safety of herbarium staff are also addressed. Results of a survey consisting of open‐ended questions are presented, showing various approaches to the mounting of specimens and differences in assessing particular adhesives. The goal of the enquiry was to gather information about the most popular current practices of herbarium conservators. A list of adhesives extracted from an extensive review of herbarium‐related literature is also provided, including conservation treatment reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the genus I Pipturus i needs revision (Friis & al., l.c.; Brendler in Herbalgram 136: 32-42. 2022), the authors of the present paper consider that outright rejection of I U. fruticosa i L. f. under Art. The only original material of I U. fruticosa i that has been traced was collected by Thunberg in Java and has been designated as lectotype; it is conspecific with and antedates the name I U. argentea i G. Forst. [Extracted from the article]

The pantropical plant family Sapotaceae currently includes 65–70 genera. Two genera, Beauvisagea and Boerlagella, were described in 1890s using incomplete material from West New Guinea (Bird's Head Peninsula) and Sumatra, neither of which has been collected since. Their systematic position has long been regarded doubtful and Boerlagella was once placed in its own family, Boerlagellaceae. We show here how useful and important it can be to obtain small leaf fragments from type specimens that are up to 150 years old for molecular analysis aiming to determine their phylogenetic position and clarify their taxonomic status. We used nuclear ribosomal DNA (ETS, ITS) and the nuclear gene RPB2 from 170 terminals to estimate phylogenetic relationships in a Bayesian framework using BEAST. The old type material yielded full length sequences of ETS and ITS from both genera (less successful with RPB2), revealing that both are firmly placed in Planchonella. Boerlagella is placed in synonymy with Planchonella and its type is accepted as Planchonella spectabilis, a species from Sumatra that possibly has gone extinct due to deforestation. Beauvisagea from the Bird's Head Peninsula of western New Guinea is likewise regarded as a synonym of Planchonella and its type, accepted as P. pomifera, is conspecific with Pouteria doonsaf (currently circumscribed to include material of at least two different species), not Planchonella maclayana as earlier believed. Our study also included Planchonella suboppositifolia, an odd species with a character combination in conflict with the current definition of the genus. Our results show that it is sister to a lineage comprising several genera, including Planchonella, and that it represents a distinct lineage constituting a monotypic genus that will be described in a subsequent paper. The most recent classification of subfamily Chrysophylloideae and the character combinations used to distinguish its constituent genera are supported, and our results confirm that taxa can reliably be assigned to a genus based on morphology alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gnaphalieae are one of the larger tribes of the daisy family Asteraceae (Compositae) with c. 2100 species in 178 genera, occurring globally across a wide range of temperate habitats. Recent years have seen considerable advances in our understanding of their phylogenetics and evolution, but there is no widely accepted, stable subtribal classification. The present paper summarises the taxonomic history and presents the various major clades that have been named informally in phylogenetic studies. We also provide the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data to date, including over 1000 species. Based on published studies and our new phylogenetic analyses, we suggest a subdivision of the tribe into two subtribes. These are a largely African‐endemic Relhaniinae (124 species in 11 genera) and a much enlarged Gnaphaliinae, the latter accounting for more than 90% of the species diversity (c. 2000 species in 167 genera). Although a finer division of Gnaphaliinae sensu amplo may be desirable, there are at present several obstacles to such a classification, in particular contradictory or ambiguous inferences of relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tribe Gochnatieae is restricted to America. A recent molecular study including over 60% of the species of the tribe was carried out to untangle evolutionary relationships among the taxa. Eight supported clades were recovered as monophyletic genera, while Gochnatia s.l. was revealed as paraphyletic and currently restricted to the Central Andes. Gochnatia rotundifolia was not included in this phylogeny since extracted DNA from few and old collections from Brazil was unusuable. Since Cabrera's treatment of Gochnatia s.l., this species has received special attention due to its distinct morphological characters when compared with the other monophyletic genera of Gochnatieae. Therefore, this paper aims to provide new evidence that supports Gochnatia rotundifolia to be described as a separate monospecific genus based on a morphological study and a maximum parsimony (MP) analysis. A total of 21 species were studied. The leaf venation was analysed using digital X‐ray capture (VIVA–Varian Image viewing & Aquisition). Seventeen morphological characters obtained from vegetative and floral parts of the plants were included in the data matrix. Our results reinforce the placement of Gochnatia rotundifolia within the tribe Gochnatieae. Gochnatia rotundifolia is consistently recovered in a clade as sister to the Cnicothamnus‐Richterago group. The species differs from the other genera of the tribe by an actinodromous basal leaf venation with three primary veins, and pappus elements composed by (50–)60–75 bristles, sometimes almost flat setae, arranged in 2 or 3 series, unequal in length. Our results support Gochnatia rotundifolia as the sole species Vickia rotundifolia comb. nov. in a new genus of Gochnatieae, Vickia gen. nov. The new genus is described, illustrated, and a generic identification key for the tribe Gochnatieae is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classification of the family Compositae (Asteraceae) has been much improved in the last decades by the application of molecular methods culminating in the recompilation published in 2009, Systematics, evolution, and biogeography of Compositae. Additional evidence of relationships has come from the use of high‐throughput sequencing methods. Our late colleague Vicki Ann Funk (1947–2019) was a pioneer in this line of research. Together with her team, she contributed to the achievement of a mature classification of the family, which she left outlined. In this paper, we contribute this classification including all of the recent advances at the subtribal level and review in depth all contributions to Compositae classification made since the 2009 compilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A conference paper about a proposal to replace the Division III of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, which was considered and voted upon by a Special Committee on By-Laws for the Nomenclature Section at the XVIII International Botanical Congress in Melbourne in 2011. It consists of provisions for governance of the Code, voting rules for the Section, and publications. Other provisions include the committees under the Section, membership and functions.

Challenges in the collection of vouchers, either because of the physical properties of the material (species difficult to collect or to press, e.g., palms, cycads, toxic plants, and cacti) or because drying may have a negative effect on taxonomic characters (e.g., colour), recommend the use of photographs to complement herbarium specimens. In a series of cases (enumerated in the present contribution), however, it may be impossible to collect material and, thus, photographs may be the only option to document the presence of a plant in a given locality. We propose in this paper some guidelines for the standardization of photographs intended for deposit in herbaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mazaceae, a recently proposed family in the Lamiales, contains three genera; Mazus, Lancea and Dodartia, yet the systematic position and the circumscription of the family have not been fully confirmed. This paper reports on an expanded analysis of the family that included most species of all three genera using five chloroplast DNA regions (matK, psbA‐trnH intergenic spacer, rbcL, rps16, trnL‐F intergenic spacer) and ITS of nrDNA to determine the phylogenetic placement of Mazaceae as well as the intrageneric relationships within the relatively large genus Mazus. The results support the recognition of the three genera (Mazus, Lancea, Dodartia), confirm the well‐supported monophyly of Mazaceae and show Lancea and Dodartia to be clustered together and sister to Mazus. The phylogenetic relationships within the Lamiales is highly congruent with previous molecular studies, with Mazaceae sister to a clade comprising Orobanchaceae, Phrymaceae and Paulowniaceae. Together they are sister to the rest of the families in the order. In Mazus, two major lineages were recognized, corresponding to the distribution ranges in Australia and Asia. Previous sectional treatments of Mazus are discussed in light of our molecular phylogenetic results. This study confirms the systematic position of Mazaceae within the Lamiales. The intrageneric relationships revealed in Mazus will provide evidence for further taxonomic studies of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The orchid flora of southern Africa is taxonomically well‐known, although the phylogenetic relationships within and between several emblematic genera remain poorly understood. A case in point are the morphologically related genera Bartholina (2 spp.)—also known as spider orchids—and Holothrix (ca. 46 spp.) (Orchidaceae: Orchidoideae: Orchidinae). In this paper, we reconstructed phylogenetic relationships for those two orchid genera. We sequenced one nuclear (ITS) and two plastid (trnL+trnL‐F, matK) DNA regions, for 62 accessions, representing 29 species (out of 48 species, 60%) of the Holothrix/Bartholina alliance. The concatenated matrix included 3507 molecular characters and was analyzed using maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference, and parsimony. Our results showed that Holothrix is paraphyletic, with Bartholina nested within Holothrix. We identified five monophyletic lineages, strongly supported by molecular data, and several morphological synapomorphies that will form the basis of a new infrageneric classification. Furthermore, the phylogenetic tree clarified the taxonomy of the Holothrix villosa species complex and showed that H. villosa var. condensata is best treated at the rank of species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1909, Ridley published Adelmeria characterized by its congested terminal inflorescence with large persistent floral bracts. All five species at some point placed in Adelmeria were synonymized in Alpinia by Loesener and subsequent authors. Several phylogenetic studies revealed that Alpinia is highly polyphyletic, suggesting that it should be split into several genera. In the present study, we sampled all five species initially placed in Adelmeria plus additional ones with a similar morphology. The combined analysis of the ITS and trnK/matK regions showed that these species formed a strongly supported monophyletic group inside the Alpinia eubractea clade of the tribe Alpinieae. Although not completely diagnostic, the following morphological characters separate Adelmeria from most of the species currently inside the Alpinia eubractea clade: bilobed ligules; congested inflorescences; utricular bracteoles; sessile flowers; crestless anthers; obovoid fruits. Considering this molecular and morphological evidence, the recognition of Adelmeria is highly justified. In this present paper, we reinstate the genus which is endemic to the Philippines and provide a comprehensive taxonomic revision including a discussion of the application of the name Elmeria. A key to nine species of Adelmeria, four of which (A. dicranochila, A. isarogensis, A. leonardoi, A. undulata) are new to science, is provided as well as full descriptions and preliminary conservation assessments. Interestingly, monoecy was observed in A. oblonga and reported for the first time for Adelmeria. Four lectotypes and one epitype are designated in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we provide a thorough overview of past attempts at infrageneric classification of the genus Curcuma (Zingiberaceae). As the recent results of phylogenetic analysis of the genus confirmed that previous infrageneric classifications are not tenable, we provide a revised circumscription of Curcuma with an outline of new infrageneric classification into three subgenera, C. subg. Curcuma, C. subg. Ecomatae and C. subg. Hitcheniopsis including lists of species to be included in each subgenus. Three previously recognized genera, Laosanthus, Smithatris and Stahlianthus, are sunk to Curcuma and two species previously recognized in the genus Hitchenia, H. caulina and H. glauca, are transferred/re–recognized to Curcuma. The previously proposed transfers of the monospecific genus Paracautleya, Hedychium scaposum (Kaempferia scaposa, Monolophus scaposus) and Kaempferia candida, to Curcuma are also confirmed. All connected nomenclatural innovations, corrections and outstanding typifications, inclusive those of infrageneric names, are effected in this paper. A list of excluded names originally described as members of Curcuma, but now accepted as members of other genera is also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we provide a thorough overview of past attempts at infrageneric classification of the genus Curcuma (Zingiberaceae). As the recent results of phylogenetic analysis of the genus confirmed that previous infrageneric classifications are not tenable, we provide a revised circumscription of Curcuma with an outline of new infrageneric classification into three subgenera, C. subg. Curcuma, C. subg. Ecomatae and C. subg. Hitcheniopsis including lists of species to be included in each subgenus. Three previously recognized genera, Laosanthus, Smithatris and Stahlianthus, are sunk to Curcuma and two species previously recognized in the genus Hitchenia, H. caulina and H. glauca, are transferred/re-recognized to Curcuma. The previously proposed transfers of the monospecific genus Paracautleya, Hedychium scaposum (Kaempferia scaposa, Monolophus scaposus) and Kaempferia Candida, to Curcuma are also confirmed. All connected nomenclatural innovations, corrections and outstanding typifications, inclusive those of infrageneric names, are effected in this paper. A list of excluded names originally described as members of Curcuma, but now accepted as members of other genera is also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a discussion and elaboration of a paper by Prenner & al. (2010), entitled " Floral formulae updated for routine inclusion in formal taxonomic descriptions". The aim of the Prenner paper was to promote the use of floral formulae in botany and to reach a consensus among botanists for best practice. An important purpose of floral formulae is to induce users to observe and describe flowers accurately. It is proposed that additional information on anther, ovule, style and stigma should be included. Also, only visible organs should be included in a formula and theoretical speculations should be illustrated with floral diagrams, which are complementary to formulae, unless there is good reason to include absent organs. We propose a universal, standardized method to accurately shorthand a description of a flower. The level of detail given in the formula can be highly flexible and depends on the intentions of the user. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper updates earlier reviews of polyploidy and reproductive biology in the Rosaceae, and does so with a focus on hybridization in relation to polyploidy and (facultative) gametophytic apomixis. Taking data mainly from tribe Maleae, it also seeks to point out evidence for a potential role for fertilization of infrequent unreduced gametes in diploid-diploid crosses in producing autopolyploids. Apomixis may originate in these autopolyploids, and spread as they cross with diploids and other polyploids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miconia is the largest genus restricted to the Neotropics, with about 1060 species, and one of the biggest in Mata Atlântica, with 115 species. As currently defined, Miconia is clearly polyphyletic with no clear boundaries to the other genera in the Miconieae. Moreover, the traditional infrageneric classification does not reflect the evolutionary history of the group, thus limiting its utility for identification and monographic purposes. Miconia sect. Chaenanthera and M. sect. Jucunda are two sections mostly restricted to Mata Atlântica that have previously been shown to belong to a single clade (Chaenanthera clade), despite being morphologically distinct from each other. In this paper, we provide a new phylogenetic hypothesis for the Chaenanthera clade with an expanded sampling of both taxa and molecular markers, in order to provide a base for future taxonomic studies. Given the incongruent patterns observed across different markers in our preliminary analyses, a phylogenetic network was also estimated for the group. The history of some morphological characters was reconstructed and the phylogenetic position of a few molecularly unsampled species was estimated based on their morphology. The Chaenanthera clade was corroborated with strong support, although resolution is still unsatisfactory for several relationships within the group. Individual flower-related characters do not reliably predict phylogenetic relationships in this group. Morphological diagnostic characters for above species taxa will demand character combinations and likely the inclusion of other sources of information. We also present the first line of evidence supporting the presence of reticulation shaping the history of the Chaenanthera clade. The concerted effect of incongruent signal, limited variability, incomplete lineage sorting and reticulation events, is certainly a major force driving the phylogenetic support recovered in our analyses, and likely in several other published trees across Melastomataceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "Relhania clade" is a relatively species-poor lineage that is sister to the remaining members of the paper daisy tribe Gnaphalieae. Although the monophyly of the Relhania clade is well established, previous molecular studies are based on fairly sparse sampling. Here, we explore clade membership and generic circumscription using plastid and nuclear DNA sequence data, and near-complete species-level sampling of all putative member genera. Two subclades are recovered within the Relhania clade: (i) clade I housing the genera Alatoseta, Athrixia, Pentatrichia and Phagnalon, all monophyletic as currently circumscribed; and (ii) clade II, containing the genera Antithirixia, Comborhiza, Oedera, Oreoleyesera, Relhania and Rosenia; the annual or otherwise "short-lived" genera Leysera, Nestlera and Rhynchopsidium; as well as a subclade in which the monospecific Arrowsmithia is embedded within Macowania. A new taxonomic treatment involving 12 new combinations is proposed for the two latter genera. Only demonstrably monophyletic and diagnosable genera are recognised, involving the erection of a novel monospecific genus, Fluminaria, to house Macowania pinifolia, and the transfer of the remaining members of Macowania to Arrowsmithia. Updated descriptions and keys are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blechnaceae is a worldwide family of leptosporangiate ferns composed of about 250 species. Most of the species in the family were recognised under a single large genus Blechnum until recently, when a new classification proposed the recognition of 24 genera. Given this new systematics of Blechnaceae, which largely resolves the genus-level relationships in the family, there is a need for phylogenetic research to investigate relationships within the majority of the newly proposed genera. In this paper, we unravel the phylogenetic relationships and the historical biogeography of the species of Lomaridium, a genus including most of the hemiepiphytic species in the Blechnaceae. Our sampling includes 11 species, which represents 85% of the diversity in the genus and which covers the entire geographic distribution of the group. We constructed two datasets with three plastid markers: one for phylogenetic analyses (maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference) with four outgroups from phylogenetically close genera (Brainea, Lomaria, Sadleria, Woodwardi); and a second for molecular dating and historical biogeographic analyses that included a larger set of outgroups so that we could accurately reconstruct ancestral events at the base of Lomaridium, under different models. We are able to recognize four highly supported lineages: L. contiguum and the L. schottii, L. attenuatum, and L. fragile clades. Our results date the origin of Lomaridium at some point during the Paleocene epoch, and the most likely geographic area for its origin is Australia plus tropical Central and South America. Several dispersal events are inferred, all of which are most likely long-distance dispersal events. From Australia, we infer a first dispersal event that brought the ancestor of the extant species L. contiguum to New Caledonia. In Central and South America, Lomaridium continued to diversify and colonized additional areas, including the Caribbean (L. binervatum), some Pacific islands (L. schottii), and Africa and Madagascar. While our goal in the current study was not to estimate the biogeographic or diversification history of all Blechnaceae, our analyses do suggest that the early history of the family was complex biogeographically, with extensive long-distance dispersal events. Lomaridium exemplifies this high dispersal capacity, as a genus with only a modest number of species that have reached far-flung regions of the globe via numerous long-distance dispersal events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae) are a cosmopolitan tribe with around 185 genera and 2000 species. The New World is one of the centers of diversity of the tribe with 24 genera and over 100 species, most of which form a clade called the Luciliagroup with 21 genera. However, the generic classification of the Luciliagroup has been controversial with no agreement on delimitation or circumscription of genera. Especially controversial has been the taxonomic value of achenial trichomes and molecular studies have shown equivocal results so far. The major aims of this paper are to provide a nearly complete phylogeny of the Luciliagroup at generic level and to discuss the evolutionary trends and taxonomic significance of achenial trichome morphology. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis of the New World Gnaphalieae with nrDNA (ETS, ITS) sequence data from a sampling of 18 genera of the Luciliagroup and utilized these results to examine morphological evolution of achenial trichome types and presence of apical myxogenic cells. Seven wellsupported subclades can be recognized within the Luciliagroup (L1-L7). These results support Brazilian and Andean Berroa, Facelis, Lucilia, and Micropsis forming a clade (L1), the inclusion of Chilean Lucilia under Belloa (L2), the monophyly of Stuckertiella + Gamochaeta + Gamochaetopsis (L3), Chevreulia + Cuatrecasasiella (L4) and Antennaria (L5) excluding Antennaria linearifolia, which is resolved in a monophyletic group together with Jalcophila, Loricaria and Mniodes (L6), and the recognition of Gnaphaliothamnus (L7) removed from Brazilian taxa of Chionolaena (L2). Ancestral character state reconstruction of achenial trichome morphology suggests that clades are homogeneous in terms of trichome type, but with exceptions that make it highly homoplastic. Conversely, our results suggest that the presence of myxogenic apical cells is less homoplastic and that closely related species tend to resemble each other more than expected under random variation. Keywords achenial trichome; Luciliagroup; morphology; nrDNA; phylogeny; South America [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original circumscription and nomenclatural history of Statice minuta are discussed. The taxon nowadays indicated by this name is endemic to the Baleares (Spain, western Mediterranean), but neither the lectotype nor the Linnaean protologue support this usage. The paper clarifies the origin of this mistake and preludes to a formal proposal to conserve the name with a conserved type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lactucinae or Lactuca alliance include approximately 200 species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere and Africa. They were not recognised as a separate lineage until the late 20th century and their circumscription is still not fully settled. The generic classification of no other group of the Cichorieae has faced as many controversies as the Lactuca alliance and competing taxonomies coexist. This paper provides the first molecular phylogeny of the subtribe on a global scale as a major step towards its revised systematics. The sampling includes almost 60% of the species-level diversity and spans all species groups. Two datasets were created, one including the nrDNA ITS region, the other five concatenated non-coding plastid DNA loci. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference were used to produce a robust phylogenetic backbone. The diversification and expansion of the Lactucinae in a geohistorical context was reconstructed by estimating the age of their lineages using relaxed molecular clock dating and by inferring the ancestral areas using Bayesian binary analysis. The redelimited monophyletic Lactucinae are composed of seven lineages that also include Prenanthes, which is confirmed to have a single species, P. purpurea. The positions of two further lineages shift between Lactucinae and Crepidinae in the nuclear and plastid DNA phylogenies. Incongruence between the phylogenies suggests events of ancient reticulation or incomplete lineage sorting in the formation of these latter two lineages and in two of the seven other Lactucinae lineages. The phylogenetic results show a dilemma for Lactucinae systematics: most generic concepts proposed to date are highly artificial but the resolved phylogenetic lineages do not constitute practicable taxonomic entities with our current knowledge. Diversification of the subtribe is inferred to have taken place since the Middle Miocene. Biogeographic analysis proposes that the clade originated in the mountains of the landmass mediating between the European and Asian continents and delimited in the south by the Tethys Sea and in the north by the Paratethys Sea. Several independent migrations have occurred into various parts of Asia, Europe, tropical Africa and North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper accounts for all the names published by A. Peter in his account of Convolvulaceae for Engler and Prantl's Die natürlichen Pflanzenfamilien. In total, 31 Peter names in Convolvulaceae, 22 new species and 9 new combinations, are resolved in this paper. The taxonomy, nomenclature, and relevant literature are discussed for each name. Lectotypes or neotypes are chosen for some names that have not previously been typified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent molecular studies reveal that Cyperus, the core genus of Cypereae (Cyperaceae), includes several segregate genera. This paper presents a survey of all published names of subdivisions of these segregate genera of Cyperus. It is the third paper in a series of papers on the nomenclature of names of genera and subdivisions of genera in Cypereae. Most names of subdivisions of genera in Cypereae were published in Kyllinga, Mariscus and Pycreus. Types are indicated, being designated where needed, and names are evaluated for their priority and legitimacy. The complex taxonomy of these genera resulted in the accumulation of 79 subdivisional names of which 20 are not validly piblished and two are illegitimate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the second in a series of papers on the nomenclature of the names of genera (Huygh & al., 2010) and subdivisions of genera in Cypereae (Cyperaceae). Here we present a survey of all published names of subdivisions of Cyperus, designate types where needed, and evaluate priority and legitimacy. Cyperus is the largest genus in Cypereae aid is the second-largest genus in the family. The high diversity in Cyperus and the complex relationships with its segregate genera resulted in the accumulation of more than 220 names of subdivisions in Cyperus of which 18 are not validly published and 33 are illegitimate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bark anatomy is an unappreciated discipline in plant systematics, despite its great potential to reveal systematically informative features. In this paper, main reasons for the lack of detailed bark anatomical data in many plant families are identified, including problems with sectioning, terminological issues, and difficulties in observation of dilated stems. We deal with these problems by focusing on two aspects: (1) compare, discuss and improve existing sectioning and maceration techniques using two species with soft and hard bark tissues; and (2) discuss the best way to collect stem bark samples. We hope that this paper will stimulate inclusion of bark anatomical data in future systematic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphological diversity and the presence of several convergent evolutionary lineages in the Cypereae tribe (Cyperaceae) have given rise to various conflicting classifications. These conflicts do not only arise in the delimitation of genera and their subdivisions, but also in the use of similar subdivisional names for different species groups and different names for similar species groups. This has resulted in the publication of approximately 350 names of genera and subdivi- sions of genera to accommodate the ca. 950 species in Cyperus and its segregate genera. This complex nomenclature has led to an accumulation of errors in the assessment of valid publication, priority and legitimacy, and in typification in almost all existing taxonomic treatments for the group. Renewed interest in the phylogeny and taxonomy of Cypereae reveals the need to evaluate the nomenclature of generic names and names of subdivisions of genera. In this paper, the first in a series of four papers, we present a survey of all generic names described in the Cyperus dade, designate types where needed, and evaluate priority and legitimacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous morphological and molecular studies indicate that Syngonanthus is polyphyletic. Syngonanihus sect. Syngonanthus and S. sect. Carphocephalus as well as Philodice cluster in a monophyletic dade and are included in Syngonanthus. Syngonanthus sect. Eulepis and S. sect. Thysanocephalus are also a monophyletic group that can be used to reestablish Comanthera with a new circumscription and two subgenera: Comanthera subg. Comanthera and C. subg. Thysanocephalus. Characterization of Comanthera and the necessary nomenclatural combinations are provided in this paper. The genus will now include 38 species, six varieties and four subspecies. Of the species, 34 are endemic to Brazil, occurring especially in the Espinhaco Range in Minas Gerais and Bahia. Three species extend from Brazil into other countries of northern South America and one is found only in Venezuela and Guyana. In this paper we also propose 43 new synonyms, 39 new combinations, one name change, three changes of status, eight lectotypifications and one neotypification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]