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This paper considers the context for science contributing to policy development and explores some critical issues that should inform science advocacy and influence with policy makers. The paper argues that the key challenges are at least as much in educating conservation scientists and science communicators about society and policy making as they are in educating society and policy makers about science. The importance of developing processes to ensure that scientists and science communicators invest in the development of relationships based on respect and understanding of their audience in both communities and amongst policy makers provides a critical first step. The objectives of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation acknowledge the importance of developing the capacities and public engagement necessary to implement the Strategy, including knowledge transfer and community capacity building. However, the development of targets to equip institutions and plant conservation professionals to explicitly address the barriers to influencing policy development through knowledge transfer and integration require further consideration.

The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) was the first such effort under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and had gone through a 3-year process to reach the level of maturity that enabled it to be approved by consensus by all Governments present at the key session in The Hague in April 2002. It provided a model for subsequent CBD workplans, with targets, and undoubtedly contributed to the 2010 target of reducing the rate of biodiversity loss. In the event, few of the targets were achieved, because of numerous constraints at both policy and implementation levels. Even so, the GSPC stands as an important milestone in the global effort to conserve biodiversity. However, few plant scientists can be satisfied that the essential steps are being taken to ensure the conservation of plants, although, of course, plant scientists are only one part of the complex effort that will be required. This paper offers some suggestions that might be worth consideration, building on the basic principle in politics that a strong constituency is necessary to victory. In other words, although plant scientists play a crucial role, plant conservation is too important to leave in their hands alone; far broader support is required, including from the private sector, agriculture, forestry, trade, economics, tourism and even the military. Although botanical science provides a solid foundation, other branches of science are also important, ranging from anthropology to zoology. The legal profession also has important contributions to make (as well as the ability to hamper progress – for example through using issues such as access and benefit sharing to limit the exchange of genetic materials for even noncommercial use). 2010 was the United Nations Year of Biodiversity, and the GSPC targets reached their due date. It therefore seems timely to add some additional perspectives to the effort to update the GSPC. This paper suggests ways to reach a far broader constituency, provides tools to those who are expected to achieve the targets, and suggests ways to build a strong international constituency to conserve the world's botanical wealth. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 166, 233–239.

This paper describes a new species, Orobanche iammonensis A.Pujadas & P.Fraga [section Orobanche L. grex Minores (Beck) Teryokhin] from the west coast of Minorca, Balearic Islands. The new species inhabits coastal rocky slopes and is parasitic on Anthemis maritima L. It is a small yellow plant characterized by a dense inflorescence with erecto-patent to subpatent pale yellow flowers and by eglandular and glandular hairs at the base of the corolla. The morphological features suggest a relationship of this new species to grex Minores, especially to O. litorea Guss., a plant distributed widely in the central Mediterranean. A complete description is given in this paper, including the diagnostic characteristics which allow the differentiation from O. litorea and other related taxa. Data on ecological and conservation status are also presented. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158, 722–729.

Floral morphological adaptations and composition of secretions aim to ensure reproductive success. Maxillariella is part of the largest subtribe of Orchidaceae, and Maxillariella spp. are important components of the orchid flora of the Neotropics. The aim of this paper was to provide a detailed study of the reproductive biology of three morphologically and geographically distinct species: M. sanguinea, M. variabilis and M. vulcanica. For many years, species in this group were considered rewardless, but several studies have revealed that lips of some species may secrete resins. However, most published research has mainly focused on investigating either micromorphology (SEM, TEM, histochemistry) or fragrance composition (GC–MS). In this study, we make the first attempt to investigate Maxillariella flowers in a more comparative manner by combining both aspects. In all investigated species we reported the presence of resins with lipids, sugars and/or proteins, suggesting a potential role as a food reward. Scant quantities of residues indicate that they are produced periodically in small quantities. Chemical analysis revealed significant differences between species, however, the presence of some compounds was constant. Cycloartenal and cycloartenol (main ingredients of resin and wax-like material in some Maxillariinae) were not been found.

Understanding vascular bundle systems in angiosperms is a challenge. On the one hand, the vascular tissue is extremely important in reconstructing the evolution and survivability of plants, but on the other hand, it forms a complicated three-dimensional system of controversially discussed phylogenetic and ontogenetic origin. To increase clarity, in this paper we briefly summarize histological, phylogenetic and molecular aspects of primary vascular bundle formation in angiosperms, adding histological data on early stages of vascular bundle formation, proposing a concept combining the different views and providing simplified illustrations to improve the understanding of primary vascular systems in angiosperms. Based on the auxin hypothesis, vascular bundle formation is stimulated by the development of leaf primordia. Provascular domains appear at the base of the leaf primordia and develop into two directions (leaf, internode). The low vs. high number of internodal bundles, their circular vs. scattered arrangement and the open vs. closed bundle construction in eudicots vs. monocots can be deduced to be due to processes below the shoot apical meristem. The most important processes distinguishing monocots from eudicots are the isolated bundle initiation outside the primary meristem, the enormous expansion of the leaf bases associated with a high number of vascular bundles and the early onset of primary thickening passively dislocating vascular bundles.

Nodes are interfaces between stems and leaves. Vascular bundles originate here and elongate into leaves and internodes. In Marantaceae, internodal bundles are highly diverse, including inverted bundles in the climbing genus Haumania. The objective of this paper is to characterize bundle forms, their position across the stem and their connection to leaves and short shoots in Haumania spp. and other unrelated African branch-angle climbers in the family (Hypselodelphys, Trachyphrynium). We question whether bundle inversion is a genus-specific trait in Haumania or related to the climbing growth form. Vascular bundles in internodes are scattered across the stem diameter in a characteristic pattern. Four (to five) bundle types follow each other in a centripetal order from highly sclerenchymatic ‘a’-bundles close to the epidermis to ‘d’-bundles in the centre with a low sclerenchyma proportion. Inverted bundles only appear in internodes of Haumania, making this trait a synapomorphy for the genus. The nodes show stem, leaf and short shoot bundles in a remarkably diverse pattern with partitioned phloem clusters and apparently augmented xylem elements. Our preliminary conclusion is that the inversion of bundles happens when leaf and short shoot traces join the main axis bundle layers.

In this commentary, we discuss evidence for the phylogenetic affiliations of Tortotubus protuberans, the subject of Martin Smith's 2016 paper in the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society entitled, ‘Cord-forming Palaeozoic fungi in terrestrial assemblages’. We agree that the fossilized, branching, somatic filaments probably represent fungal hyphae. We were not convinced by Smith's proposal that T. protuberans represents Dikarya, the clade of fungi that includes most modern moulds, yeasts and mushrooms. To justify classification, Smith relied on structures that are analogous between T. protuberans and modern fungi, and argued ‘that Dikarya can produce the range of morphologies expressed by T. protuberans’. We review available information about homologies of the characteristics of T. protuberans, including mycelial cords, retrograde growth, septal pores and ornamented hyphae. Retrograde growth in T. protuberans is intriguing from an evolutionary developmental point of view, but it differs sufficiently in fine detail when compared with growth patterns in croziers or clamp connections of Dikarya, so that homologies are unclear. Tortotubus protuberans is an important fossil form, but we suggest taking a step back and relating it to the distribution of character evolution through the fungal phylogeny rather than to derived characters of modern taxa.

Scheuchzeria palustris, the only member of Scheuchzeriaceae, is unique among Alismatales in several characters, including flower-subtending bracts with conspicuous laminas and pollen dispersed in permanent dyads. Earlier studies revealed unidirectional flower development in some monocots with massive flower-subtending bracts, but not in Scheuchzeria. Permanent pollen or spore dyads are extremely rare among extant land plants and in no case have they been studied developmentally. The paper provides new data on flower development and the first description of pollen development in Scheuchzeria. Flowers are arranged in a closed raceme. Development of lateral flowers is unidirectional, with delayed initiation of abaxial tepals and stamens. Flowers are often trimerous and pentacyclic, but numerous deviations from this groundplan are observed. Dyad development is investigated from microspore mother cells to mature pollen and their germination by electron microscopy and cytochemical methods. Meiosis is successive. Tetrads are irregular (42%), tetragonal (35%), decussate (13%), linear (7%) and T-shaped (3%). During the tetrad period, the microspores are surrounded by a callose special wall of different thickness. Disintegration of tetrads into two dyads takes place along the plane of the first cytokinesis, where the thickness of the callose wall is maximal. Pollen grains are held together in the dyads due to a simple fusion of tectal layers, this fusion takes place at the late tetrad period. Developmental data did not reveal any possible aperture sites in Scheuchzeria. This favours the hypothesis of complete loss and subsequent regain of apertures in the course of evolution of the ‘tepaloid clade’ of Alismatales.

Understanding pollen germination is of great importance for breeding and conservation. We present a protocol for evaluating culture media for germination of pollen of Elaeis guineensis. Samples were collected in the municipality of Nilo Pecanha (State of Bahia, Brazil). A solution of aniline blue in lactophenol was used to determine viability of pollen grains. Two alternative culture media to evaluate germination rates of pollen grains were tested: M1, Brewbaker and Kwack medium; and M2, BCa medium, with addition of boron and calcium. Both media were used with 20% sucrose at pH 6.5. The pollen grains were dried at room temperature in silica gel for 4 h and later placed on slides containing culture media, kept in a Petri dish with filter paper wetted with distilled water and stored in chamber at 30 °C for 24 h. The greatest viability rate was 94% for fresh pollen grains. Highest germination rates were 26 and 64% for M1 and M2, respectively. There was no positive correlation between viability and germination for either M1 or M2 (Pearson's and Spearman's correlation, respectively). Dried pollen on BCa medium (M2) is useful for in vitro germination experiments of E. guineensis given appropriate concentration of sucrose and ions, pH, temperature and incubation time and in the absence of light.

Fosterella (Bromeliaceae) comprises 31 species with rosulate leaves and mostly small, whitish flowers. Previous karyological studies were restricted to chromosome counts. In the present study, chromosomal variation in Fosterella was analysed using CMA3/DAPI staining and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using 45S and 5S rDNA probes, generating data for nine taxa with either 2n = 50 or 100 chromosomes. A single chromosome pair containing one CMA+/DAPI− band was identified in all diploid species. In the tetraploid Fosterella hatschbachii one pair had a CMA+/DAPI− band, whereas the other tetraploid studied, Fosterella yuvinkae, had two pairs with proximal bands. The presence of two CMA+/DAPI− pairs in F. yuvinkae may indicate a recent polyploidization event. This paper also reports the application of FISH in Bromeliaceae. FISH using 45S rDNA as the probe revealed one pair of terminal sites in most species and a co-localization with CMA+/DAPI− bands in all analysed species. The 5S rDNA sites were terminal in the tetraploid F. hatschbachii and proximal in all other species studied. Our data indicate that Fosterella species have little heterochromatin and it is largely restricted to the vicinity of the nucleolus organizer region. The data also indicate that hybridization (sometimes associated with polyploidy) has probably played an important role in the evolution of Fosterella.

SUMMARY From a consideration of the problems of plant-distribution, the writer is led to regard the history of the Angiosperms as resolving itself into two principal eras:— The era that witnessed the rise of the great families, a period of relatively uniform conditions.The era that witnessed the differentiation of these family types in response to the differentiation of the climatic and other conditions. It is argued that conclusions drawn from the prevailing influences now in operation could only be applied to the differentiation of the ancient family types–that is to say, to the second era in plant-history. It is not possible, so it is held, to apply a theory based on the present to an age of other things, other ways, and other conditions. Only the hypothesis that finds its guide to the past in the abnormalities of the present can be of service to us in the interpretation of times so different. The subject is introduced by a reference to two papers, contributed to the ‘Journal of the Linnean Society,’ which have an important bearing on the subject, the one by Bentham on the Compositæ, the other by Huxley on the Gentians. Then follows a statement of the differentiation hypothesis which involves the differentiation of primitive world-ranging types in response to the progressive differentiation of their originally uniform conditions. Allusion is then made to the dilemma into which all theorists fall when they come to handle the larger groups, the very persistence of which in our own age depends on the stability of their essential characters. If stable now, why so unstable then? We are thus forced to the conclusion that in the distant era that witnessed the deployment of the Angiosperms instability prevailed. It was an age of mutations, free and unchecked, and an age of uniformity of conditions, the mutability decreasing and the modifications becoming more and more fixed with progressive differentiation of conditions, an explanation suggested by a perusal of the accounts by Dr. Willis of his prolonged investigation on the Podostemaceæ. The distribution of families is then treated statistically; and it is shown that whilst they largely ignore the cleavage of the land into two great masses diverging from the north, they respond in a marked degree to the differentiation of the climatic zones. Behind their disregard for the present arrangement of continents and oceans lies the story of the first era, and behind their ready response to climatic differentiation lies the story of the second era. In the circumstance that the response made to the bi-cleavage of the land-mass is absent or small with the larger groups and becomes greater and greater as we go down the differentiating scale until it attains its maximum in the species, is recognised the contrast of conditions between the pre-differentiation era and the era when differentiation reigned supreme. It is held that there is a method here disclosed that could only arise by the family differentiating into the tribes, the tribe into the genera, and the genus into the species, since the opposite method of commencing with the species would produce chaos. The paper ends with the application of the statistical treatment to the larger groups behind the families, and it is shown that whilst the Dicotyledons display a much greater tendency to detachment from the tropics than the Monocotyledons, the Sympetalæ stand foremost in this respect amongst all the groups of the Dicotyledons. It may be added that there is a large amount of material in the ten tables which from considerations of space could not be discussed. These data have therefore to tell their own story

Of the 480 species of Euphorbia subgenus Esula, c. 290 occur in the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian regions. Turkey and Iran are the most species-rich countries in Asia with 83 and 74 species, respectively. Following our previous paper on annual species of Iranian Euphorbia, we studied the quantitative and qualitative macro- and micromorphological traits of seeds and capsules of 47 perennial species, including E. ferdowsiana sp. nov., E. sulphurea sp. nov. and E. glareosa, as a first report from Iran. A key for all Iranian perennial Euphorbia spp. based on seed and capsule morphology is provided. The phylogenetic relationships of Iranian species based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) nuclear and ndhF plastid regions are updated and used for the characterization of the synapomorphies of each clade. Capsule shape, seed shape, seed surface and shape of the caruncle have been found to be homoplastic, whereas the presence or absence of granulate elements on seed surfaces represents a phylogenetically important trait for section delimitation. The capsule surface is synapomorphic for several sections, including Helioscopia (tuberculate-verrucose), Myrsiniteae (vesiculate) and Esula (granulate), and seed shape is synapomorphic for sections Helioscopia (ellipsoidal), Myrsiniteae (ovoid-quadrangular) and Herpetorrhizae (pseudo-hexahedral). Reversals have also taken place in some features, including capsule surface (E. mazandaranica, E. altissima) and seed shape (E. densa, E. aleppica). It seems that ecarunculate seeds are plesiomorphic in sections Helioscopia (E. eriophora) and Herpetorrhizae (E. consanguinea and E. turczaninowii). © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 00, 000–000.

This paper and this issue attempt to address how when and why the phenomenal c. 100000 species of seed plants in tropical America (the Neotropics) arose. It is increasingly clear that an approach focusing on individual major biomes rather than a single aggregate view is useful because of evidence for differing diversification histories among biomes. Phylogenetic evidence suggests that Neotropical scale diversification patterns are structured more ecologically than geographically with a key role for phylogenetic niche or biome conservatism. Lower geographical structure reflects the fact that long distance dispersal inferred from dated phylogenetic trees has overcome many supposed dispersal barriers. Overall high rates of species turnover as inferred from palaeontological and molecular data have been the hallmark of plant evolutionary dynamics in the Neotropics throughout the Cenozoic with most extant species diversity post dating the Mid to Late Miocene perhaps reflecting the conjunction of both global climatic changes and geological upheavals such as the Neogene uplift of the tropical Andes. Future studies of Neotropical diversification will be facilitated by taxonomically and genetically better sampled phylogenetic analyses their integration with palaeontological geological and ecological data and improved methods to estimate biogeographic history and diversification dynamics at different spatial and temporal scales. Future biome focused approaches would benefit greatly from better delimitation and mapping of Neotropical biomes.

This paper and this issue attempt to address how, when and why the phenomenal c. 100,000 species of seed plants in tropical America (the Neotropics) arose. It is increasingly clear that an approach focusing on individual major biomes rather than a single aggregate view is useful because of evidence for differing diversification histories among biomes. Phylogenetic evidence suggests that Neotropical-scale diversification patterns are structured more ecologically than geographically, with a key role for phylogenetic niche or biome conservatism. Lower geographical structure reflects the fact that long-distance dispersal, inferred from dated phylogenetic trees, has overcome many supposed dispersal barriers. Overall, high rates of species turnover as inferred from palaeontological and molecular data have been the hallmark of plant evolutionary dynamics in the Neotropics throughout the Cenozoic, with most extant species diversity post-dating the Mid- to Late Miocene, perhaps reflecting the conjunction of both global climatic changes and geological upheavals such as the Neogene uplift of the tropical Andes. Future studies of Neotropical diversification will be facilitated by taxonomically and genetically better sampled phylogenetic analyses, their integration with palaeontological, geological and ecological data, and improved methods to estimate biogeographic history and diversification dynamics at different spatial and temporal scales. Future biome-focused approaches would benefit greatly from better delimitation and mapping of Neotropical biomes. (c) 2012 The Linnean Society of London

It is important that taxonomic knowledge is disseminated by those who possess it. This can be carried out via online databases, printed publications or training in taxonomic practice. For Annonaceae, the online database AnnonBase includes all published names of Annonaceae at any rank worldwide. Recently, an updated index to genera, species and infraspecific taxa of Neotropical Annonaceae was published in hard copy. This manuscript contains a concise update to the Bibliography of Annonaceae published by the late E. A. Mennega in 1993. Since his publication, much work has been carried out on systematics and evolution of Annonaceae, with the advent of molecular phylogenetics providing an additional stimulus. Here, however, we concentrate only on taxonomic papers focusing specifically on the description and circumscription of taxa (e.g. revisions, monographs, floras, checklists, descriptions of new species or phylogenetic studies that show monophyly/polyphyly/paraphyly of genera). The index should provide an easy entrance into the most important taxonomic literature on Annonaceae from 1900 onwards for the trained and untrained taxonomist with an interest in Annonaceae. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 169, 41–73.

Kielmeyera coriacea is widely known as one of the most peculiar species of the Cerrado, a savanna-like vegetation of Central Brazil, and it has been the subject of several studies, some including a pharmacological focus. Together with related taxa, it is usually treated as the ‘K. coriacea complex’. The genus was revised approximately 30 years ago. However, the revision could not clarify the situation of this complex, and the problematic taxonomic circumscription raises doubts about various scientific studies on plants identified as K. coriacea. In the present paper, we use a multidisciplinary approach in an attempt to understand the species complex and the causes of the current taxonomic confusion better and to provide diagnostic characters to support correct identifications in the group. A genetic population approach was applied using microsatellite markers. Macromorphological, anatomical and micromorphological characters with diagnostic power were investigated in fresh plant material and herbarium specimens. The molecular analysis supports the circumscription of two species in the complex, but they were found to share various morphological and anatomical characters, and hybrid individuals were more similar to K. coriacea than to K. grandiflora. The most powerful diagnostic characters found were: the colour of fresh leaves, the prominence of the inter-secondary veins in fresh leaves, the presence and distribution of phenolic compounds evidenced by formalin–ferrous sulphate staining and the micromorphological pattern of epicuticular structures on the surfaces of leaves related to the colour of the fresh leaves. In spite of occasional hybridization, at least two species should be recognized in the K. coriacea complex. The surest way to identify these species is with fresh material. To identify herbarium materials confidently, anatomical or micromorphological observations are helpful. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 168, 101–115.

A new international initiative for plant conservation was first called for as a resolution of the International Botanical Congress in 1999. The natural home for such an initiative was considered to be the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the CBD agreed to consider a Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) at its 5th meeting in 2000. It was proposed that the GSPC could provide an innovative model approach for target setting within the CBD and, prior to COP5, a series of inter-sessional papers on proposed targets and their justification were developed by plant conservation experts. Key factors that ensured the adoption of the GSPC by the CBD in 2002 included: (1) ensuring that prior to and during COP5, key Parties in each region were supportive of the Strategy; (2) setting targets at the global level and not attempting to impose these nationally; and (3) the offer by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) to support a GSPC position in the CBD Secretariat for 3 years, which provided a clear indication of the support for the GSPC from non-governmental organizations (NGO).

In this paper, existing relevant Ethiopian government biodiversity-related policies and strategies, and mandates of various institutions prior to GSPC targets, are reviewed. Response to whether or not institutions responded to GSPC targets as the result of new policies or rebranded their work to fit within the context of existing policies and adjust their outcomes to fit into the GSPC targets is provided. The Ethiopian national report of 2009 submitted to the Convention of Biological Diversity Secretariat is reviewed and gaps analysed. The policies of the Federal government (and implementing institutions) post-GSPC so far have had only a limited impact on science, but research institutions have aligned their outputs to fit with the GSPC targets. Suggestions, conclusions and recommendations are made in order to work effectively towards the realization of the GSPC targets beyond 2010 in Ethiopia. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 166, 310–325.

Solanum tuberosum, the cultivated potato of world commerce, is a primary food crop worldwide. Wild and cultivated potatoes form the germplasm base for international breeding efforts to improve potato in the face of a variety of disease, environmental and agronomic constraints. A series of national and international genebanks collect, characterize and distribute germplasm to stimulate and aid potato improvement. A knowledge of potato taxonomy and evolution guides collecting efforts, genebank operations and breeding. Past taxonomic treatments of wild and cultivated potato have differed tremendously among authors with regard to both the number of species recognized and the hypotheses of their interrelationships. In total, there are 494 epithets for wild and 626 epithets for cultivated taxa, including names not validly published. Recent classifications, however, recognize only about 100 wild species and four cultivated species. This paper compiles, for the first time, the epithets associated with all taxa of cultivated potato (many of which have appeared only in the Russian literature), places them in synonymy and provides lectotype designations for all names validly published where possible. We also summarize the history of differing taxonomic concepts in cultivated potato, and provide keys and descriptions for the four cultivated species. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 165, 107-155.

Isolated ovules occur in many fossil plant assemblages, where they provide important insights into seed-plant diversity and evolution. However, in many cases, the ovules cannot be attributed to individual groups of seed plants, restricting systematic and evolutionary assessments that can be made from otherwise well-characterized fossil taxa. In the present paper, we describe a new kind of ovule discovered in tuffaceous sediments from the Permian-aged Xuanwei Formation in Guizhou Province, China. This ovule has 180° rotational symmetry and an integument comprising a variably thick sarcotesta, a uniformly thick sclerotesta and a uniformly thin endotesta. The nucellus is attached to the integument at least basally and contains a collapsed seed megaspore; a nucellar apex is absent. Both the integument and nucellus are vascularized by paired bundles in the major plane of the ovule; the integumentary bundles are considerably larger than the nucellar bundles and the nucellar bundles emerge from a conical vascular pad. Generation of a three-dimensional reconstruction based on serial peels revealed the gross morphology and organization of the ovule and highlighted the presence of features consistent with cardiocarpalean-type ovules (ovule shape, histological features of the integument) and also features more typical of lagenostomalean- and trigonocarpalean-type ovules (large integumentary bundles, presence of nucellar bundles). To assess the affinity and evolutionary significance of the ovule, it has been included in a cladistic matrix of cardiocarpalean-, lagenostomalean- and trigonocarpalean-type ovules. Results place the ovule within the cardiocarpalean group of ovules known to have been produced by several plant groups, including cordaitean coniferophytes, pteridosperms and Palaeozoic conifers. The cladistic topology supports generic level distinction of the present species, requiring the establishment of Muricosperma guizhouensis Seyfullah & J.Hilton gen. & sp. nov. Lagenostomalean ovules produced by hydrasperman pteridosperms form a basal paraphyletic grade, whereas trigonocarpalean ovules produced by medullosan pteridosperms form a monophyletic group in which Stephanospermum is paraphyletic with respect to Rhynchosperma and Pachytesta. The results also place the Mississippian ovule Mitrospermum bulbosum apart from all of the Pennsylvanian species of Mitrospermum that form a strongly supported clade. Consequently, M. bulbosum is transferred to the new genus Whitaddera Seyfullah & J.Hilton as W. bulbosa (Long) Seyfullah & J.Hilton. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 164, 84–108.

Strong geographical isolation within the distribution of a species may result in differentiated lineages exhibiting conspicuous phenotypic differences. In the present paper, we investigate whether plastid and phenotypic variation is geographically structured within the Olea europaea complex in Macaronesia, which comprises three subspecies separated by oceanic barriers: maroccana (south-west Morocco), guanchica (Canary Islands) and cerasiformis (Madeira archipelago). Plastid variation showed a significant pattern of geographical structure (NST > GST = 0.56), because of the lack of shared haplotypes among subspecies and the presence of a single and private haplotype in the eastern Canary Islands. Such a clear molecular structure, however, was not reflected in a congruent pattern of phenotypic differentiation among taxa in leaf morpho-functional traits. Despite the substantial genetic differentiation observed between the subspecies from Madeira and the Canary Islands, they displayed both higher leaf size (leaf area) and specific leaf area (leaf surface area-to-mass ratio) than their continental counterparts, probably as a result of oceanic conditions in subtropical environments. Unlike most of the plant groups previously studied in the Macaronesian region, the lineages of Olea illustrate how low phenotypic differentiation can be also related to a clear molecular differentiation in oceanic island enclaves. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 162, 54–63.

Darwin's book, The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species, has stimulated an extraordinary amount of original research since its publication in 1877. In his book, Darwin focused primarily on heterostylous reproductive systems in flowering plants, in which two or three reproductive morphs with reciprocal placement of anthers and stigmas occur in populations. These morphs are usually self-incompatible and cross-incompatible with individuals possessing the same reproductive morph. Many of the papers on heterostyly published since Forms of Flowers appeared have focused on the questions raised by Darwin about the evolution and function of heterostyly. Darwin's hypothesis that heterostyly promotes cross-pollination between different morphs has been largely substantiated, despite the difficulties in finding the ideal experimental system to address this question. Heterostyly is now known to occur in many more plant families than at the time Forms of Flowers was published and, as expected, the heterostylous syndrome is now defined more broadly than in Darwin's time. The origin of heterostyly remains an area of active research, with hypotheses stressing either the evolution of heteromorphic self-incompatibility as the first step in the evolution of this reproductive system or, alternatively, the evolution of the reciprocal features of floral morphology. Phylogenetic approaches, combined with studies on the physiological and molecular genetic basis of heterostyly, offer promise in helping to resolve questions about the origin of heterostyly. There is no doubt that heterostyly has evolved on multiple occasions and that self-incompatibility associated with heterostyly is unrelated to the more common multi-allelic self-incompatibility systems found in monomorphic species. Further progress in understanding conditions favouring evolution of heterostyly will depend on an increased understanding of the relation between the reciprocal morphological features of the breeding system and the nature of self-incompatibility. Almost a century and a half after the appearance of The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species, heterostyly remains an active area of research. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160, 249–261.

The dispersal unit of many Ericaceae comprises an ovoid drupe with a woody indehiscent endocarp, and diaspores of this type are notoriously difficult to germinate for most members of this widely distributed family. Within the biodiverse south-west of Western Australia, more than 200 drupaceous species of Ericaceae have been described, more than 50 of which are considered to be rare and threatened, requiring significant conservation action in the near future. In this paper, we investigate the germination ecology of the common Australian endemic, Astroloma xerophyllum, as a proxy for closely related threatened taxa, focusing on the ex situ and in situ germination requirements of seeds and indehiscent endocarps. Each endocarp possessed up to seven locules and means of 2.0–3.4 seeds per endocarp from the two collections used in this study. Seeds were up to 2.74 mm in length and 100% viable. Embryos were linear, differentiated and approximately 1.3 mm in length. Seeds within endocarps imbibed water to 28%, whereas excised seeds became hydrated to 44%. Fifty-five per cent of seeds extracted from endocarps germinated on water agar alone and 100% germinated when presoaked in gibberellic acid. Seeds remaining inside intact endocarps failed to germinate unless treated with a germination promoter and incubated for more than 20 weeks. Rapid germination of seeds in intact endocarps was promoted by soaking endocarps in gibberellic acid and incubating them in 100% O2. Embryos grew substantially in length within seeds prior to germination, and thus seeds have morphophysiological dormancy. Seeds under natural conditions required several seasons to germinate to any degree.

Original scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations are presented for stems of Brasenia schreberi and Cabomba caroliniana of Cabombaceae and three species of Trithuria of Hydatellaceae. End walls of stem tracheids of Brasenia have the same peculiar microstructure that we have reported in Barclaya, Euryale, Nuphar, Nymphaea (including Ondinea) and Victoria of Nymphaeaceae. This feature unites Cabombaceae with Nymphaeaceae. The minute rhomboidal crystals on the surfaces of stellate parenchyma cells of Brasenia reported by Solereder (1906. Oxford: University Press), but not noticed since, are figured. They are like the minute crystals of the often-mentioned astrosclereids of Nymphaeaceae. Neither of these two features has been observed in Hydatellaceae. If the absence of these two features can be confirmed, the reason may be more related to ecology, development, habit and anatomical organization than to degree of phylogenetic relationship as shown by molecular studies. Anatomical observations on the stem anatomy of Trithuria are offered on the basis of paraffin sections prepared for a paper by Cheadle & Kosakai (1975. American Journal of Botany62: 1017–1026); that study is notable for a discrepancy between an illustration of a specialized vessel element on the one hand and tabular data indicating long scalariform perforation plates on the other. Long scalariform perforation plates are mostly found in scalariformly pitted vessels of monocots, whereas the tracheary elements of Trithuria mostly have helical or annular thickenings. We were unable to demonstrate the presence of vessels in Hydatellaceae. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159, 572–582.

The Flora of Syria, Palestine and Sinai, a pioneer Flora of the region, was published in 1896 by George Edward Post (1838–1909). Lesser known are his series of Diagnoses plantarum novarum orientalium, published in the Journal of the Linnean Society Botany, and 10 papers, Plantae Postianae, which appeared in Swiss journals from 1890 to 1900. A greatly expanded second edition of the Flora was prepared by John Edward Dinsmore and published in Beirut in 1932 and 1933. Post's plant collection is part of the Post Herbarium (BEI), with about 63 000 specimens, that has been well maintained, despite civil war and inadequate staffing. This work involves the identification of around 150 types in BEI and BM, and improvement of the accessibility of the specimens. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159, 315–321.

This paper reports 24 newly discovered specimens of 21 species made by Charles Darwin in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Uruguay while on the 1831–1836 voyage of HMS Beagle. They have been found in Cambridge University Herbarium and the herbaria of the Missouri Botanical Garden, Natural History Museum, London, New York Botanical Garden and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, since the earlier publications of Porter. Included are type specimens of Calceolaria darwinii (isotype; = C. uniflora), Cuscuta gymnocarpa (holotype and isotypes), C. sandwichiana var. mimosae (isolectotypes = C. gymnocarpa), Ephedra frustillata (lectotype and isolectotypes), Ourisia breviflora (isolectotype), Polypodium paleaceum (syntype?; = Ctenitis sloanei) and Urera gaudichaudiana (holotype; = Laportea aestuans). © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159, 12–18.

Unlike other tribes of Gentianaceae, Exaceae have so far received little attention regarding their karyological evolution. Indeed, only 35 chromosome number counts (19 species) have been referenced to date, representing only a negligible fraction of the tribal diversity. In this paper, we performed an intensive chromosome count on material collected in the field (South and central Africa, plus Madagascar), encompassing 155 populations and c. 60 species from four genera of Exaceae, including Exacum, Ornichia, Sebaea and Tachiadenus. Fifty nine species (14 Exacum, one Ornichia, 42 Sebaea and two Tachiadenus) were examined for the first time, revealing a broad set of chromosome numbers (2n = 18, 28, 32, 36, 42, 56) and the occurrence of polyploid systems within Exacum and Sebaea. These results allow us to postulate x = 7, 8 or 9 as possible base chromosome numbers for Exaceae and emphasize the importance of both dysploidy and polyploidy processes in the evolution of the tribe. Finally, chromosome numbers appear to be associated to some morphological or geographical traits, suggesting new systematic combinations and likely active speciation patterns in the group. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158, 556–566.

Plants that are heterozygous for complex translocation from a small threatened population of Allium roylei Stearn from the Bani region of Jammu province (India) were analysed for karyotypic details. Somatic complements of all the plants analysed revealed heteromorphicity in one to three pairs of chromosomes. In addition, inter-individual differences were observed regarding the presence or absence of one of the two nucleolar chromosomes, the positions that different heteromorphic chromosomal pairs occupy in the karyoidiograms and the extent of differences in various chromosomal pairs. The present paper records for the first time structural chromosomal polymorhism in A. roylei and highlights the probable mechanisms underlying the origin and establishment of this polymorphism. The extensive karyotypic variability seems to have originated through repeated interchanges involving a number of non-homologous chromosomes. These anamolies are tolerated because there is no loss or gain of genes and, in addition, vegetative propagation is an efficient means of perpetuating the species. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158, 242–248.

This paper presents the mitotic chromosome numbers of 18 species of Bromeliaceae. The diploid number 2n = 50 was observed in Aechmea comata, A. caudata, A. correia-araujoi, A. recurvata, A. marauensis, A. bicolor, A. pineliana, Hohenbergia catingae, H. blanchetti, Alcantarea imperialis, Al. nahoumi, Neoregelia tenebrosa, Nidularium lyman-smithii, N. scheremetiewii, N. innocentii var. innocentii, and N. innocentii × Neoregelia johannis hybrid, whereas 2n = 34 was observed in Cryptanthus maritimus and C. warren-loosei. All of the determinations presented in this study are previously unpublished, except A. comata and H. catingae. These results confirm x = 25 as the basic number for the family and x = 17 as a secondary basic number probably generated by decreasing dysploidy. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158, 189–193.

Lactoridaceae are a monotypic family confined to Masatierra Island, Juan Fernández Archipelago, in the Pacific Ocean. It grows in the understorey of a subtropical montane rain forest. Lactoridaceae most probably originated in southern South Africa in the Cretaceous, with the oldest records in the Turonian-Campanian, and reached its widest palaeogeographical distribution by the Maastrichtian, extending into Australia, India, Antarctica, and North and South America. In this paper, we report a new fossil find of lactoridaceous tetrads from the early Miocene of eastern Patagonia, southern South America. This record is the youngest and geographically one of the closest to the extant Lactoris distribution area. Patagonian fossil material shows greater similarities to extant L. fernandeziana Phil. than to any other described morphotaxon. The family may have migrated into South America, either via Africa (through the Atlantic Ocean) or Antarctica, by the Maastrichtian, growing in eastern Patagonia up to the early Miocene. Arid conditions established in this region by the middle-late Miocene onwards would have determined the restriction of forests to the western lands. Lactoridaceae may have followed a similar migration pattern towards the Pacific coast of South America. The shifting of Lactoridaceae towards Masatierra Island would have occurred in the last 4 Myr by long-distance dispersal events (perhaps by birds). Fil: Gamerro, Juan Carlos. No especifíca; Fil: Barreda, Viviana Dora. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina

A revision of the genus Tecoma in Bolivia based on the author's herbarium research and extensive field observations is presented. Species delimitation is re-evaluated, resulting in the recognition of only four species, one of which, T. beckii J. R. I. Wood, is described as new. Tecoma sambucifolia is treated as var. sambucifolia (Kunth) J. R. I. Wood of the widespread and variable T. stans (L.) Juss., as it can only be distinguished on the basis of minor morphological characters and is not as geographically restricted as has been supposed. Tecoma fulva (Cav.) D. Don is treated as a variable species extending from central Peru to Chile and northern Argentina with six subspecies: ssp. fulva, ssp. guarume (A. DC.) J. R. I. Wood, ssp. tanaeciiflora (Kranzlin) J. R. I. Wood, ssp. arequipensis (Sprague) J. R. I. Wood, ssp. garrocha (Hieron.) J. R. I. Wood, and ssp. altoandina J. R. I. Wood, the latter described as new. The differences between T. tenuiflora (A. DC.) Fabris and the Peruvian T. rosifolia Kunth are discussed. Hybrids are formally recognized in the genus for the first time, and the implications for the accepted corolla morphology and pollination syndromes are discussed. Maps illustrate the geographical distributions of the species. All taxa discussed in the paper are illustrated. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 156, 143–172.

Spondias L. comprises at least nine Neotropical species, including the widely cultivated S. monbim and S. tuberosa. Umbu-caja, a putative hybrid between these two species, is also grown. In this paper, the karyotypes of five Spondias species and Umbu-caja were analysed for evidence of this hybridization. Chromosome banding with chromomycin A3 and the distribution of 5S and 45S rDNA sites were used to characterize the plants, also genomic in situ hybridization using nuclear DNA from both putative parents and the hybrid as probes. All material presented the same chromosome number (2n = 32) and morphology, but differed in the number and distribution of bands. Spondias monbim and S. tuberosa, the supposed relatives of Umbu-caja, displayed similar banding patterns, with five to six chromosome pairs having terminal bands, whereas Umbu-caja exhibited bands on both members of nine chromosome pairs. The three other species, S. venulosa, S. cytherea and S. purpurea, showed less closely related karyotypes, with bands in 12–18 chromosome pairs. In situ hybridization with 5S and 45S rDNA probes revealed one site of each probe per haploid chromosome complement in all material. However, in S. tuberosa, the location of 5S rDNA was different from the other species and found no counterpart in Umbu-caja. Several tests with total DNA from S. mombin and S. tuberosa against metaphase chromosomes of Umbu-caja failed to differentiate the individual genomes in the hybrid. From the chromosome banding and the distribution of rDNA sites, as well as from the genomic in situ hybridization, it seems clear that Umbu-caja is related closely to S. monbim and S. tuberosa, but it is karyotypically homozygous and distinct from theses other species. Karyotypically, the three other investigated species were related less closely to Umbu-caja. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 155, 541–547.

Mediterranean shrub species are described as having phenology, habitus, reproductive biology and anatomical alterations in certain tissues, allowing their survival during the dry season and protecting them from herbivory. Anatomical and chemical analyses were conducted in 1-year-old branches of Cistus ladanifer L. in order to investigate the role played by shoot structure in the adaptive strategies of this species in the Mediterranean environment. Results showed that both xylem and pith underwent lignification. Pith parenchyma cells had thickened walls, higher lignin content than xylem and different monomer composition. Xylem presented features aiding safe water transport. A large accumulation of phenolic substances was found in xylem, pith and cortical parenchyma. Observations reported in this paper suggest the occurrence of adaptive strategies in 1-year-old branches of C. ladanifer whose structural features: (1) allow mechanical reinforcement of tissues to withstand drought without suffering permanent damage; (2) favour safety rather than efficiency in water transport; (3) defend the plants from animal predation and pathogens by accumulating phenolics in various tissues, and (4) protect inner tissues against UV-B radiation through deposition of phenolic compounds in cortical layers. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 155, 361–371.

This paper presents a systematic revision of Gagea Salisb. in Iran, which is a genus of bulbous perennials widely distributed in alpine and subalpine regions across Eurasia and North Africa. The plants of many Gagea species grow in seasonally moist soils with a high percentage of clay. These studies are based on extensive field work and study of herbarium specimens in all herbaria of Iran and the most important in the United Kingdom. In all, nearly 2000 specimens have been studied. Complete synonymy, descriptions, notes on taxonomy, geographical distribution, conservation status, habitats of species and an enumeration of selected material studied is given for each species. A key for the identification of flowering specimens of the accepted species is provided. The largest mountain ranges of Iran, i.e. Alborz and Zagros, are important centres of diversity for Gagea. In Iran, there are 26 species of the genus, of which G. chanae Grossh. and G. commutata K.Koch are presented here as new records. We consider G. anonyma Rech.f., G. grey-wilsonii Rech.f., G. ova Stapf and G. tehranica Gand. to be synonymous with G. setifolia Baker, G. chlorantha (M.Bieb.) Schult. & Schult. f., G. stipitata Merckl. ex Bunge and G. reticulata (Pall.) Salisb., respectively. Gagea perpusilla Pascher is another new synonym of G. setifolia. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 154, 559–588

27 p., il, [EN] The genus Eckinops and the Xerantkemum complex have been related in our first molecular study of the tribe Cardueae. A survey of pollen morphology and ultrastmcture with electron microscopy was carried out in the present paper in al1 the genera belonging of these groups, ailowing to identify four pollen types. The exine pattern indicates that there are two pollen types in the genus Echinops (including Acantkolepis), although no differences have been found between sections in Eckinops. On the one hand, the annual species of Echinops and Acantkolepis orientalis show a pollen type that differs from that of perennial species of the former genus and on the other hand, the genera Ckardinia and Xerantkemum exhibit a distínct type of pollen to that of Amphoricarpos and Siebera. The interna1 structure of pollen is the same for al1 the genera. Only slight differences were observed in the tectum, but in al1 cases these concerned the anthemoid type. Statistically significant correlations between pollen size and the life cycle were found.

Minthostachys (Benth.) Spach (Labiatae) is a South American genus of aromatic shrubs frequently collected as a condiment, for the preparation of tea, or for medicinal purposes. Notoriously difficult species delimitation, conflicting taxonomic treatments of the past, and the lack of a revision with modern methods have hampered the understanding of this ecologically and economically interesting group. The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) study presented in this paper supplements field and morphological studies within the framework of a taxonomic and systematic revision. AFLP is found to be unsuitable for the reconstruction of the phylogeny of Minthostachys. Although, in some cases, morphologically well-defined species are also genetically distinct, extensive gene flow seems to occur between strikingly different species growing in the immediate vicinity and even between Minthostachys and Clinopodium (Xenopoma) vanum. Samples from the most complicated species, M. mollis, are genetically very heterogeneous and mostly fall into two clusters according to their geographical origin, exhibiting a high discrepancy with the pattern of morphological variation. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 153, 9–19.

Previous phylogenetic analyses of Orchidaceae subtribe Orchidinae resulted in the proposal to classify Coeloglossum viride (L.) Hartman within the genus Dactylorhiza in order to maintain its monophyly. In this paper, we report some results that contradict previous studies regarding the monophyly of the traditional Dactylorhiza and its phylogenetic relationship with Coeloglossum. Our results, which combine sequences of the internal and external transcribed spacers of the nuclear ribosomal DNA, support the monophyly of Dactylorhiza, with Coeloglossum being a sister clade. The position of C. viride in the phylogenetic tree, and the considerable morphological differences with respect to Dactylorhiza, incline us to retain both lineages as distinct genera.

The taxonomic position of western Asian members of Gentiana sect. Pneumonanthe has long been a matter of conflict. In this paper, the six western Asian species currently recognized as belonging to sect. Pneumonanthe (G. boissieri, G. calycina, G. freyniana, G. gelida, G. paradoxa, and G. septemfida) are compared and their relationships established using a morphological phylogenetic analysis. Seed testa and flower and leaf morphological characters were studied and 11 characters were selected for a cladistic analysis. Euro-Siberian and Far Eastern taxa of sect. Pneumonanthe (G. pneumonanthe and G. scabra) were used as outgroups. Our results suggest the presence of two morphologically distinct clades within the western Asian gentians: a Septemfida and a Gelida clade. G. calycina and G. freyniana show close affinities to G. boissieri and G. gelida, and are distinct from G. septemfida s.l. Biogeographical aspects of the two groups are discussed. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 152, 197–208.

The genera Camptosema, Galactia and Collaea are grouped in a complex with exomorphological similarities and different criteria have been adopted to circumscribe them. The neotropical genus Camptosema in its southern distribution is represented by four species of which only the type, C. rubicundum, shows the diagnostic features of the genus. The other three taxa, C. paraguariense, C. praeandinum and C. scarlatinum are related morphologically to Camptosema s.s., Galactia and Collaea. In the subtribe Diocleinae, Camptosema is characterized by n = 11 chromosomes and Galactia and Collaea by n = 10. The aim of this study was to analyse cytological characters with special emphasis on the species of uncertain taxonomy. The most relevant character is chromosome number, which in the conflicting species of Camptosema is the same as in Galactia and Collaea. In this paper the chromosome numbers of C. praeandinum (2n = 20), C. paraguariense (n = 10) and C. scarlatinum (n = 10) are reported for the first time. These results, together with the morphological affinity and the phylogenetic hypotheses of other authors, would be of use for revising the current circumscription of these species. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 152, 235–243.

This paper compiles and evaluates the ethnobotanical data currently available on wild plants traditionally used for human consumption in Spain. Forty-six ethnobotanical and ethnographical sources from Spain were reviewed, together with some original unpublished field data from several Spanish provinces. A total of 419 plant species belonging to 67 families was recorded. A list of species, plant parts used, localization and method of consumption, and harvesting time is presented. Of the seven different food categories considered, green vegetables were the largest group, followed by plants used to prepare beverages, wild fruits, and plants used for seasoning, sweets, preservatives, and other uses. Important species according to the number of reports include: Foeniculum vulgare, Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum, Origanum vulgare, Rubus ulmifolius, Silene vulgaris, Asparagus acutifolius, and Scolymus hispanicus. We studied data on the botanical families to which the plants in the different categories belonged, overlapping between groups and distribution of uses of the different species. Many wild food plants have also been used for medicinal purposes and some are considered to be poisonous. This review highlights the rich traditional knowledge on edible plants that has remained in rural Spain. Until recently, many wild plants were used as dietary supplements. However, most of this knowledge survives only in the memory of the elderly, and will probably disappear in a few decades. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 152, 27–71.

Lauraceae are relatively well-known embryologically and embryological data are available for 23 of about 50 genera. In this paper we present the embryology of Eusideroxylon, an unstudied and key genus within Cryptocaryeae, which are positioned basally in the evolution of Lauraceae, and discuss the evolution of embryological characters in the family. Based on comparisons of over 50 characters, it was found that Eusideroxylon is consistent with Aspidostemon, the core Cryptocaryeae (Beilschmiedia, Cryptocarya, Endiandra and Potameia), Caryodaphnopsis and Cassytha in having a glandular anther tapetum. The core Cryptocaryeae further agrees with both Caryodaphnopsis and Cassytha in having an embryo sac protruding from the nucellus. In light of the phylogenetic trees available, both the glandular tapetum and the embryo sac protruding from the nucellus have evolved as homoplasies in Lauraceae, once each in a clade of Cryptocaryeae, and the Caryodaphnopsis and Cassytha clade, respectively. Such character-state distributions suggest that it is better to place both Caryodapnopsis and Cassytha in the same clade as the core Cryptocaryeae. Embryologically, Eusideroxylon appears to have an intermediate state between Hypodaphnis, a genus positioned basal-most in the family, and the core Cryptocaryeae. Supplementary data on the anther and seed of Hypodaphnis are also provided. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 150, 187–201.

Internal secretory cells may be morphologically indistinguishable from their neighbours except for the presence of secreted material, or they may differ to such an extent that could be classified as secretory idioblasts. Several authors have reported the presence of glandular trichomes secreting essential oil in Verbenaceae, including Lantana. However, none have reported internal secretory cells. Anatomical and histochemical methods applied to Lantana camara leaves revealed the occurrence of internal secretory cells whose ontogenesis and chemical nature are described in this paper. According to leaf developmental analysis, L. camara secretory cells originated from the ground meristem, started to differentiate in the third node leaves, and were actively secreting in the fourth node leaves. The content of the secretory cells was of a lipidic nature, and a terpenoid essence of their secretion was also identified. Based upon differences in size and shape from neighbouring cells and on detection of nonvolatile terpenes, they were confirmed as true internal secretory idioblasts. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 148, 427–431.

A total of 391 lichens were written up in Smith's English Botany, of which 57 were new. All were illustrated by James Sowerby. The copyright dates are given, which should be accepted as those of publication. They range from 1793 until 1814, and paper watermarks show that reprintings occurred until c. 1818. The locations of the type specimens are given, many of which are part of the BM Botany Library, mounted together with Sowerby's original English Botany drawings, and therefore often overlooked. Their current taxonomic position is evaluated. Only 11 of the 57 new lichens have been placed in synonymy, which indicates that Smith was an excellent lichen taxonomist. Caloplaca borreri J.R.Laundon is a new name for Lepraria ochracea Turner & Borrer ex Sm., whilst Herteliana gagei (Sm.) J.R.Laundon is a new combination with priority over H. taylorii P.James, and Trapelia glebulosa (Sm.) J.R.Laundon replaces T. involuta (Taylor) Hertel. Species requiring author corrections are Caloplaca cerina (Hedw.) Th.Fr., Enterographa elaborata (Leight.) Coppins & P.James, Lecidella pulveracea (Florke ex Th.Fr.) P.Syd., and Parmelia borreri Turner. Lichen daedaleus Sm. pre-dates Lecidea sorediata Ach. by 4 years, but has been proposed for rejection in order to retain the established name Pyxine sorediata (Ach.) Mont. Eight names remain undetermined, chiefly fungi in Spiloma. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 147, 483–499.

This paper provides a general survey of the occurrence of diterpenes in the Asteraceae. Data on 4351 botanical occurrences were obtained from the literature. These were grouped by skeleton for each genus. Then, the genera were grouped by subtribes, which, in turn, were gathered in tribes, followed by subfamilies. In spite of the low number of species containing diterpenes, it was possible to describe some structural features of these compounds, i.e. the skeletal types in various taxa and the positions in some skeletons that are always oxidized or never undergo oxidation in some genera. Thus, it was verified that: in the subfamily Cichorioideae, only a few of the studied species possess diterpenes, wherein kaurane is the most frequent diterpene skeleton. In the Asteroideae, the presence of diterpenes is much greater than that in the Cichorioideae and Carduoideae. At tribal taxonomic level, for example, the Astereae produce labdanes and clerodanes; Heliantheae and Eupatorieae produce kauranes and labdanes, respectively; and Calenduleae produce pimaranes. Some taxonomic implications are presented. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 147, 291–308.

Aquaticus and Barbareifolius are two subgroups of Senecio aquaticus s. l. (Asteraceae) that have been recognized at various taxonomic levels in European taxonomic literature. In this paper we present the results of morphological studies on S. aquaticus s. l. in order to establish the taxonomic status of these two subgroups. Using multivariate morphometric techniques (discriminant analysis and principal component analysis), we examined the diagnostic potential of 60 macro-morphological characters and studied the delimitation of Aquaticus and Barbareifolius. Seven of the characters studied were included in the discriminant function of the stepwise discriminant analysis and are therefore considered to be the most reliable diagnostic characters of Aquaticus and Barbareifolius. Barbareifolius has, amongst other distinguishing traits, a more divaricate inflorescence than Aquaticus. Because both subgroups are distinct but overlapping clusters in multivariate morphometric space, and because clear differences in their geographical distribution are absent, we recommend the taxonomic status of variety to both groups. Following the rules of nomenclature, Aquaticus and Barbareifolius should therefore be named S. aquaticus Hill var. aquaticus and S. aquaticus Hill var. barbareifolius (Krock.) Wimm. & Grab. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 145, 489–498.

Wild intergeneric hybrids are recorded among six genera in the New Zealand Gnaphalieae, but little evidence sub- stantiating their identity has been published. In this paper we evaluate the identity of putative hybrids between two species of Gnaphalieae endemic to New Zealand, Anaphalioides bellidioides and Ewartia sinclairii. The two species are occasionally sympatric in the north-east of the South Island and wild putative hybrids are rarely encountered. To test the hybridity hypothesis, specimens from nine putative hybrids were collected from one site and analysed for 76 morphological characters. The putative hybrids possessed predominantly intermediate or parental character states in comparison with A. bellidioides and E. sinclairii. Extreme traits were less common and a single novel char- acter state was recorded in two hybrids only. Non-metric multidimensional scaling of dissimilarities derived from both continuous and discrete characters was strongly supportive of the hybridity hypothesis. Canonical discriminant analysis of the continuous characters was supportive for some putative hybrids only, in part reflecting the possession of extreme states in characters with high loadings. One of the putative hybrids was strongly indicated to be a back- cross with A. bellidioides. The taxonomic treatment of cross-compatible genera is discussed. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 145, 59-75. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: Asteraceae - biosystematics - character expression - Helichrysum fowerakeri - morphology - multivariate analysis - New Zealand flora.

An ethnobotanical study of the palms used by the Huaorani in the Yasuni National Park and Huaorani Ethnic Reserve in Amazonian Ecuador was carried out. In this inventory, 37 palm species were found; all were used by the Huaoranis. One hundred and ninety-one different uses were recorded in eight ethnobotanical categories. Most species (64.9%) were used for house construction and human food. More than half of the species were used for domestic utensils (59.4%) and hunting and fishing implements (54%). A comparison is made between these data and past studies for the other six indigenous communities from Amazonian Ecuador. This paper shows the highest diversity of useful palm species and the highest number of different uses ever recorded for an indigenous group in Amazonian Ecuador. The data combine quantitative and qualitative approaches. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 144, 149–159.

Pseudopollen is found on the labella of several species of Maxillaria and is formed by the fragmentation of uniseriate, multicellular, moniliform trichomes. The resultant component cells are rich in protein. Since flowers of pseudopollen-forming species generally lack nectar, it is probable that pseudopollen gradually replaced nectar as the pollinator reward. However, direct evidence for this hypothesis is lacking. The present paper examines the labellar micromorphology of five Brazilian species of Maxillaria assigned to the M. discolor alliance. The flowers of two of these species, namely M. violaceopunctata and M. villosa, produce both food hairs and a lipoidal, labellar secretion which is rich in aromatic amino acids. Moreover, in the case of M. violaceopunctata, the secretion was found to contain reducing sugars. This may represent an intermediate stage in the transition from nectar-producing to pseudopollen-forming flowers. SEM studies indicate how pseudopollen-forming, moniliform trichomes, such as those found in the Maxillaria grandiflora complex, may have evolved from simple, uniseriate, multicellular hairs. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 143, 151−158.

Karyological information on Iberian Ophrys species is very limited. This paper provides the haploid and diploid chromosome numbers of 11 taxa of sect. Pseudophrys and sect. Ophrys, both of which are well represented in the Iberian Peninsula, and two taxa from Tunisia. The first data on chromosome numbers for O. vasconica (2n = 72, 74), O. ficalhoana (2n = 36), O. picta (2n = 36), O. sphegifera (n = 18, 2n = 36, 38) and O. passionis (2n = 36) are also presented, confirming the stability of the chromosome number in Ophrys. In addition, populations of the group O. omegaifera (O. dyris and O. vasconica), together with tetraploidy, pentaploidy and the existence of aneuploid phenomena, are reported for the first time in Iberia. The basic diploid number is always 2n = 36. The karyotypes of several species were analysed. Evolutionary trends in Ophrys chromosomes are discussed. Taxonomic and phytogeographical details are provided on several species or groups of species from Iberia. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003,142, 395−406.

The evolutionary significance of the c. 1000-fold range of DNA C-values in angiosperms (1C = c. 0.1–127.4 pg) has often attracted interest. A recent analysis, which superimposed available C-value data onto the angiosperm phylogeny, that placed Ceratophyllaceae as the most basal angiosperm family led to the conclusion that ancestral angiosperms were characterized by small genomes (defined as 1C £ 3.5 pg). However, with the recent increase in DNA sequence data and large-scale phylogenetic analyses, strong support is now provided for Amborellaceae and/or Nymphaeaceae as the most basal angiosperm families, followed by Austrobaileyales (comprising Schisandraceae, Trimeniaceae and Austrobaileyaceae). Together these five families comprise the ANITA grade. The remaining basal angiosperm families (Ceratophyllaceae, Chloranthaceae and magnoliids), together with monocotyledons and eudicotyledons, form a strongly supported clade. A survey showed that C-value data were scarce in the basal angiosperm families, especially the ANITA grade. The present paper addresses these phylogenetic gaps by providing C-value estimates for each family in ANITA, together with C-values for species in Chloranthaceae, Ceratophyllaceae and a previously unrepresented family in the magnoliids, the Winteraceae. © The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2002, 140, 175–179.