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Sixty new or updated records of plants species are reported from the Sultanate of Oman, as a result of fieldwork and research undertaken. Five taxa represent new records for Arabia, twenty-seven taxa are new records for Oman, and twenty-eight records represent an extended distribution within Oman. Some previously doubtful records are confirmed. Brief comments are given on the phytogeography, taxonomy and ecology of the taxa. Most new records have been collected in mountainous areas, either in southern Oman or in northern Oman, mainly in areas that previously were botanically poorly known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Begonia sect. Bracteibegonia , B. curvifolia Ardi and B. ocellata Ardi, are described from West Sumatra, Indonesia. The species are endemic to Sumatra and belong to the IUCN category Data Deficient. A modified identification key to all 11 species of Begonia sect. Bracteibegonia in Sumatra is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Roscoea is described and illustrated. Roscoea megalantha Tosh.Yoshida & R.Yangzom occurs in the Eastern Zone of Bhutan and neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh in India. A distribution map and an IUCN conservation assessment are given. A key to the three species of Roscoea found in Bhutan is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lectotypes are designated for eight names in Eriocaulon in tropical Asia, namely E. alatum, E. hamiltonianum, E. hookerianum, E. infirmum, E. lanigerum, E. nautiliforme, E. nigrum and E. ubonense. Additional information on the lectotype of Eriocaulon quinquangulare is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Donella Pierre ex Baill. is here reinstated and Austrogambeya Aubrév. is, for the first time, placed in synonymy based on the findings of recent combined molecular and morphological studies. Seventeen species are recognised, two of which, Donella ranirisonii L.Gaut. & Mackinder and D. humbertii Capuron ex Mackinder & L.Gaut., from Madagascar, are described here for the first time. The flowers of Donella ambrensis and D. delphinensis are described here for the first time, as are the fruits of D. guereliana. Two keys, to the species of Madagascar and tropical Africa, respectively, are presented. Ten species are endemic to Madagascar, six species are endemic to tropical Africa and one, Donella lanceolata, occurs from Madagascar to the Solomon Islands. For each species, the accepted name with synonymy is given, followed by a morphological description. Geographical range and details of habitat are provided, with taxonomic and/or nomenclatural notes as appropriate. Distribution maps are presented for all species, and preliminary conservation assessments are made. Five species qualify for a category of Threat, and three further species are assessed as Near Threatened. An index to species and a list of exsiccatae are included. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two new names and one new combination are created in the artificial Cynoglossum montanum group (Boraginaceae – Cynoglosseae): Cynoglossum natolicum (Bornm.) Sutorý and Cynoglossum brandii Sutorý from the Eastern Mediterranean, and Cynoglossum maghrebicum Sutorý from Morocco and Algeria. All taxa are discussed, their lectotypes are designated and their distributions are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The island of Folegandros, located between the Milos and Santorini archipelagos in the southern Kiklades (Greece), constitutes together with Ios and Sikinos the south-central part of the phytogeographical region of the Kiklades. Its flora consists of 474 taxa, 47 of which are under statutory protection, 40 are Greek endemics and 145 are reported here for the first time. We show that Folegandros has the highest percentage of Greek endemics in the phytogeographical area of the Kiklades. The known distribution of the endemic Muscari cycladicum subsp. cycladicum is expanded, being reported for the first time outside the South Aegean Volcanic Arc. The floristic cross-correlation between Folegandros and other parts of the phytogeographical region of the Kiklades by means of Sørensen’s index revealed that its phytogeographical affinities are stronger to Anafi Island than to any other part of the Kiklades. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Facchinia Rchb. (Alsinoideae–Caryophyllaceae), earlier found not to be part of Minuartia s.str., is here revised. The genus contains seven species, one of which has two subspecies. Seven new combinations are made: Facchinia cerastiifolia (Ramond ex DC.) Dillenb. & Kadereit, F. cherlerioides (Sieber) Dillenb. & Kadereit, F. cherlerioides subsp. aretioides (Port. ex J.Gay) Dillenb. & Kadereit, F. grignensis (Rchb.) Dillenb. & Kadereit, F. herniarioides (Rion) Dillenb. & Kadereit, F. rupestris (Scop.) Dillenb. & Kadereit, and F. valentina (Pau) Dillenb. & Kadereit. Keys to Minuartia s.str., the Old World segregate genera of Minuartia s.l., and to the species and subspecies of Facchinia are provided. All taxa are described and mapped, and some are illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This work synthesises information about plant diversity of 37 sites of coastal and inland swamp forests of southeast and southern Brazil and investigates floristic similarities and differences among them. Swamp forests often show low species richness, diversity and evenness, which are associated with the selective character of oxygen deprivation caused by soil waterlogging. However, our results pointed out some degree of site-level variation (Sobs = 5 to 110; Sjack1 = 6 to 151; H′ = 0.82 to 3.98; J′ = 0.51 to 0.87) related to local ecological conditions. Two major phytogeographical patterns emerged from our work: the strong influence of the neighbouring non-flooded vegetation on the flora of swamp forests and its high spatial heterogeneity. At least 85.9% of the 518 species sampled are found in neighbouring non-flooded vegetation. A correspondence analysis consistently separated swamp forests of the coastal plain from those of the plateau. A Mantel test indicated a significant correlation between floristic and geographical distances among sites (r = 0.45; p = 0.001), and highlighted the main effect of regional-scale changes in the flora of swamp forests. We conclude that swamp forests of southeast and southern Brazil cannot be considered a distinguishable floristic unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pleistocene Arc Theory (PAT) suggests that present-day disjunct fragments of dry forests in central tropical South America give evidence of a previously more continuous distribution during the Pleistocene that has been disrupted by dry-cold vs. humid-warm climatic cycles. This Arc extends from NE Brazil to NE Argentina and eastern Paraguay, through the Chiquitanía to NW Argentina and SW Bolivia and into the dry inter-Andean valleys in Peru and Ecuador, with intrusions into the Great Chaco. Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (SDTFs) are floristically and physiognomically dominated by woody legumes, mostly deciduous in the dry season. In the last two decades field collection and research on legume taxa has greatly increased, with a significant number of taxonomic revisions and molecular phylogenetic studies, together with some paleoclimatic modelling studies. The evidence accumulated in the last 23 years has confirmed the integrity of the Chaco and Caatingas phytogeographical provinces, with an impressive and increasing level of botanical endemism discovered. The PAT pattern has also been supported, specifically through the mapping of five selected woody Leguminosae species (Anadenanthera colubrina, Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Pterogyne nitens, Amburana cearensis and Piptadenia viridiflora). The pre-existing nuclei of South American SDTF (Caatingas, Misiones and Piedmont) are now increased to four with the postulation of the Chiquitanía Nucleus in south-eastern Bolivia and bordering Paraguay. Some new endemisms are compiled from recent literature and mapped for the Misiones and Chiquitanía nuclei. The need for more botanical collections and further taxonomic, phylogenetic and demographic studies of South American legumes is emphasised. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Recent floristic study of the island of Limnos (NE Aegean, Greece) has resulted in the addition of 69 new plant taxa. As a result the flora of the island now comprises 750 taxa. New alien species such as Erigeron sumatrensis, Erigeron canadensis, Symphyotrichum squamatum, Amaranthus retroflexus and Amaranthus blitoides nowadays colonise thousands of hectares of fertile ground and present the highest rates of invasion. Ecological factors such as soil texture, high winds and human intervention, in combination with their seed dispersal mode and genetic background, may explain their successful establishment and impressive abundance especially in the eastern part of the island. Among the new records of indigenous plants are some interesting taxa from a phytogeographical point of view, such as Bupleurum euboeum and the Greek endemic Polygonum icaricum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The island of Kimolos, located in the western Kiklades in Greece, constitutes together with Milos, Polyaegos, Anafi and the Santorini island group the central part of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc. The flora of Kimolos consists of 443 taxa, 70 of which are under a statute of protection, 30 are Greek endemics and 225 are reported here for the first time. We show that Kimolos has the highest percentage of Greek endemics in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc. The known distribution of the endemics Sedum eriocarpum subsp. eriocarpum and Anthemis rigida subsp. liguliflora is expanded, being reported for the first time for the phytogeographical region of the Kiklades. The floristic cross-correlation between Kimolos and other parts of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc by means of Sørensen’s index revealed that its phytogeographical affinities are somewhat stronger to Anafi than to neighbouring Milos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Musa argentii Gogoi & Borah (Musaceae), a new species, is described and illustrated from Lohit District, Arunachal Pradesh, India based on observed morphological characteristics in the field. Its distribution and habitat are described, and a key to the species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty new or updated records of plant species are reported from the Sultanate of Oman, as a result of field work and herbarium research. Four taxa represent new records for Arabia, 26 are new records for Oman, and 30 represent an extended distribution within Oman. Some previously doubtful records are confirmed. Brief comments are given on the phytogeography and ecology of the taxa. Most new records have been made in mountainous areas, either in southern or northern Oman, mostly in areas that previously were botanically very poorly known or unexplored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Convolvulus (Convolvulaceae), C. excelsus R.R.Mill and C. infantispinosus R.R.Mill, are described from Saudi Arabia. Convolvulus excelsus, an exceptionally tall species, has affinities with C. erinaceus Ledeb. but is phytogeographically disjunct from that and other allied species. Two new subspecies are also described: Convolvulus hystrix Vahl subsp. dhofarica R.R.Mill, from Oman, and C. oxyphyllus Boiss. subsp. sheilae R.R.Mill, from Saudi Arabia. Each novelty is given a provisional IUCN conservation assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new species Rhododendron mechukae A.A.Mao & A.Paul (Ericaceae) is described from India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Berberis (Berberidaceae) in Nepal is revised and 21 species are recognised. Two species, Berberis pendryi Bh.Adhikari and Berberis karnaliensis Bh.Adhikari, are newly described and 11 taxa are lectotypified. A key to species is provided and all species are fully described and illustrated, and their distributions within Nepal mapped. An IUCN conservation assessment is given for each species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Dorstenia, the second largest genus (105 species) within the Moraceae, is the only genus in the family with woody, herbaceous and succulent species. All but one species of Dorstenia are restricted to the Neotropics or Africa, and it is the only genus in the family with an almost equal transatlantic distribution. This work presents the first molecular phylogeny and the first evolutionary study to examine origin and diversification within the genus. We inferred the phylogeny with ITS sequence data using Bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches. We tracked the evolution of distinct morphological characters and tested for correlated evolution in multiple characters. Time and place of Dorstenia’s origin were estimated to test a post-Gondwanan versus a Gondwanan origin hypothesis using fossil calibrations, Bayesian molecular dating, and maximum likelihood-based ancestral range reconstructions. Our phylogenetic analysis supports the monophyly of Dorstenia; previous subgeneric classifications are polyphyletic and must be re-evaluated. Woody habit, phanerophytic life form, macrospermy, and lack of storage organs are ancestral traits found in African Dorstenia. Evolution of woodiness and macrospermy are correlated. Dorstenia appears to have originated in Africa, radiated into the Neotropics and subsequently re-colonised Africa. Whether or not the extant distribution is the result of vicariance or dispersal is equivocal. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Methana Peninsula (Saronic Gulf, Greece) constitutes the youngest and northwestern part of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc. The flora of the Methana Peninsula consists of 620 taxa, 101 of which are under some protection status, while 35 are Greek endemics and 380 are reported here for the first time. The study area has the highest percentage of endemism in the Saronic Gulf. Additionally, for some endemic taxa, their known distribution is expanded. These include Crocus sieberi subsp. atticus and Ophrys oestrifera subsp. leptomera, reported for the first time for the phytogeographical region of the Peloponnese; Campanula andrewsii subsp. hirsutula and Colchicum psaridis, reported for the first time for the North Peloponnese; and Trigonella rechingeri, reported for the first time from the Greek mainland. The floristic affinities between the study area and the large islands of the Saronic Gulf are examined by the application of Sørensen’s index to investigate the relationships between them. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study analysed phytogeographic patterns of several Atlantic Forest areas in southeastern Brazil, including forest areas in the Espinhaço Range, to identify species with congruent distribution patterns and possible environmental factors that might influence these. A total of 54 floristic surveys, predominantly from semideciduous woodland sites but also including some rainforest areas, were compared using UPGMA and DCA methods as well as Jaccard analyses. The former identified four main groupings: group 1 included forests located throughout the Espinhaço Range; group 2 was formed by forest areas in the Rio Jequitinhonha basin; group 3 was formed by three distinct subgroups, one (3.1) predominantly of forest areas pertaining to the Alto Rio Grande basin, another (3.2) of upland forests of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, and a third subgroup (3.3) of upland forests of the Serra da Mantiqueira; and group 4 encompassed forest areas in the Rio Doce, Rio Paraíba do Sul, Rio Itanhém and Rio Itapemirim basins. The prevailing relief in these basins has influenced rainfall and seasonality in these areas which, in turn, have exerted a major influence on the composition of the semideciduous forests. Geographic proximity and altitude, although important factors, play a minor role in the phytogeographic patterns analysed. Despite the floristic heterogeneity of the Espinhaço Range forests, there are physiognomic and floristic affinities among the forests within the campos rupestre vegetation. These are due to the high altitude and features of the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Vegetation analysis reveals that the Themeda quadrivalvis tall-grass savannah in Oman, southern Arabia, forms a clearly defined belt with strong edaphic and geomorphological characteristics. The newly described association Desmodio gangetico-Themedetum quadrivalvis ass. nov. is interpreted as an impoverished easternmost outlier of the East African savannah. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A vascular plant species list and description is provided for the San Pastor Savanna, an isolated area of savanna within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Belize. Of the 126 species recorded, 28 are new records for the Chiquibul Forest Reserve with one previously unrecorded for the country. The maintenance of the current vegetation classification under the Belize Ecosystems Map for the San Pastor Savanna is supported. The coarse-textured soils are typical for extremely seasonal climates with some evidence of prolonged inundation during wet periods and dry seasons affected by burning. Although clear floristic affinities exist with other local and regional savanna areas, the San Pastor Savanna has some unique features and its flora includes national endemics. Although it is currently protected as part of the Chiquibul Forest Reserve and this status should be maintained, its inaccessible location makes frequent monitoring by the Forest Department problematic. Through providing a source of water and a source of forage for horses, the San Pastor Savanna plays a pivotal role in supporting the illegal Chamaedorea (xaté) palm leaf harvesting industry. This activity has also adversely impacted local wildlife. Like the nearby Mountain Pine Ridge, the San Pastor Savanna has suffered intense pine beetle (Dendroctonus spp.) attack. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Study of additional collections of Selaginella chiquitana M.Kessler, A.R.Sm. & M.Lehnert shows it to be conspecific with S. arroyoana M.Kessler & A.R.Sm. The apparent relationships of Selaginella arroyoana, its ecology and conservation status are discussed more fully. Scanning electron micrographs of spores and a map of its distribution are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysoxylum middletonianum Takeuchi (Meliaceae) is described from previously unexplored habitats in the Southern Fold Mountains of Papua New Guinea. The new plant is the smallest Dysoxylum in eastern Malesia and one of only two species with whip infructescences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species delimitation in Scaphium (Sterculioideae, Malvaceae/Sterculiaceae) has been problematic and has led to confusion in identification of species. The genus was last revised in 1953 and at that time comprised four species. Since then five new species have been published. This revision of Scaphium recognises eight species, with other names being accounted for in synonymy or by exclusion from the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the 25 species presently named in Henckelia sect. Loxocarpus (Gesneriaceae), 10 occur in Peninsular Malaysia (with one species extending into Peninsular Thailand), 12 in Borneo, two in Sumatra and one in Lingga (Indonesia). One species from Peninsular Malaysia is excluded from the section. A key to species in Peninsular Malaysia is provided, together with descriptions and distributions. Three new species are described: Henckelia anthonysamyi Banka, H. sekayuensis Banka & Kiew and H. sericiflava Kiew & Banka. All Peninsular Malaysian species are endemic, many narrowly so - eight are presently known from just one or two localities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Stichoneuron (Stemonaceae) with five species is revised. Three new species are described: Stichoneuron calcicola Inthachub, S. halabalensis Inthachub, and S. bognerianum Duyfjes. A key to the species, distribution map and descriptions are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Gesneriaceaefrom Sulawesi, Agalmyla hilliardiaeD.J.Middleton & S.Scott in Agalmylasect. Exannularia, is described and illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solanumsection Regmandra(Solanaceae), a group of 11 species from the lomas of Chile and Peru, is revised. Two new species are described, Solanum indivisumWitasek ex J.R.Benn. and S. coquimbenseJ.R.Benn., and a new name, S. trinominumJ.R.Benn., is proposed for S. heterantherumWitasek ex Reiche. Two species, Solanum multifidumLam. and S. edmonstoneiHook.f., are endemic to Peru, seven species are endemic to Chile, and only two species are found in both countries. Descriptions, distribution maps and a key to the species are presented and several species illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The members of Anemone L. sect. Himalayicae (Ulbr.) Juz. (Ranunculaceae) are mainly distributed in the Himalaya of North India, Nepal and Bhutan and the neighbouring mountains of SW China at elevations between 1850 and 4800 m. Their taxonomy is re-evaluated on the basis of a critical morphological analysis of extensive herbarium material. The section is placed in Anemone subgen. Omalocarpus and differentiated into three new series: ser. Obtusilobae, ser. Trullifoliae and ser. Rupestres. A conspectus, keys to species, subspecies and varieties, descriptions of taxa, illustrations and distribution maps are presented. Eleven species with several infraspecific taxa are recognized and their synonymy, variability and relationships are discussed. In addition to the generally accepted species Anemone obtusiloba, A. trullifolia and A. rupestris, we recognize the following: A. polycarpa, A. rockii, A. geum and A. coelestina and four Chinese endemics, A. yulongshanica, A. patula, A. subpinnata and A. subindivisa. Anemone imbricata and A. fuscopurpurea are described but excluded from the section. The origins, morphological differentiations and eco-geographical radiations of Anemone sect. Himalayicae are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-three conifer species are currently recorded from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. All species are recorded from Vietnam but only six have been recorded from Cambodia and nine from Laos. Recent botanical surveys have recorded one additional species from Cambodia and seven from Laos. New distributions within those countries have also been recorded. This paper discusses those records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]