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Variation or constancy in the chromosome number, within taxa of different categories, proves to be important characters for taxonomic groupings. To expand the current knowledge on somatic chromosome numbers of South Korean vascular plants, chromosome counts were made for 36 species (27 genera of 16 families). New chromosome numbers compared to previous studies were counted in Sedum oryzifolium, Cinnamomum japonicum, Lysimachia clethroides, and Chrysosplenium flagelliferum, respectively. Among studied species, the diploids prevail. In addition, Eupatorium lindleyanum, L. clethroides, and Lysimachia mauritiana showed polyploidy.

A taxonomic revision of Korean Ligustrum species is presented based on critical observations of wild populations and herbarium specimens. Species delimitations were re-evaluated on the basis of morphological characters, such as plant height, texture and shape of leaf, shape of inflorescence, shape of drupe and seed, and texture of endocarp. From the results, L. leucanthum (= L. acutissimum), being recorded in Korea, is excluded from the Korean flora because it comes from misidentifications of the herbarium specimen, whose identity is L. obtusifolium. We also treated L.obtusifolium subsp. suave and L. obtusifolium subsp. microphyllum as synonyms of L.obtusifolium. Ligustrum quihoui var. latifolium is placed into synonym of L. quihoui. In addition, the record of L. ovalifolium from Korea has proved to be a misidentification of herbarium specimens, the correct identity of which is L. salicinum. Consequently, we recognized the following six Ligustrum species in Korea: L. japonicum, L. lucidum, L. quihoui, L. salicinum, L. foliosum, and L. obtusifolium. Photographs and a key to six species of Ligustrum were provided in addition to complete descriptions including information on nomenclatural types, synonyms, and taxonomic notes.

Field surveys were conducted in the northern part of Mongolia in 2017 and 2018. Vascular plants floristic data are based on collections from the study area, and more than 800 new collections are made in this study. In total, 289 taxa (8 subspecies and 6 variates) were identified, representing 173 genera from 60 families of vascular plants. The families most diverse in species were Rosaceae with 28 taxa, followed by Ranunculaceae (25 taxa), Asteraceae (19 taxa), and Fabaceae (19 taxa). The largest genera were Salix with 11 species, followed by Viola (9 species) and Carex (9 species). Thirty-seven taxa are newly recorded for Mongolian Dauria (8), Khangai (8), Khentei (4) and Khuvsgul (17) regions. Several threatened species were found in the field area. We provide photographs and distribution maps for species of Cypripedium (C. calceolus L., C. guttatum Sw., C. macranthos Sw., and C. ventricosum Sw.). In addition, Campanula cervicaria was newly recorded for the flora of Mongolia. Keywords: Campanula, Cypripedium, New records, Northern Mongolia, Plant diversity

A floristic study of Eastern Mongolian Steppes has been conducted during the growing season of 2014 and continued in 2017, when we focused more on the Numrug Strictly Protected Area. Major objectives of this study were to assess floristic diversity of Eastern Mongolian Steppes and to review the conservation status of some endangered, rare, and very rare species. A total of 488 taxa of vascular plants, which belong to 254 genera of 75 families, including three endemic and 16 subendemic species were sampled. Among these were three endangered, three vulnerable, five near threatened, 16 very rare, and 39 rare species. Remarkably, Myriophyllum sibiricum and Typha latifolia are newly recorded for the flora of Mongolia. Moreover, new distribution records of some species were noted in four phytogeographical regions of Eastern Mongolia, such as Foothills of Great Khingan (30), East Mongolia (12), Mongolian Dauria (11), and Middle Khalkha (3). Finally, we assessed regional conservation status of the five species (two endangered and three vulnerable) from the East Mongolia using the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List criteria and categories. Keywords: Conservation status, Floral diversity, New records, Numrug SPA

The Munkhkhairkhan mountain area is a unique highland ecosystem with a diverse regional alpine flora. This mountain habitat is located at the overlap of different floristic regions: on its western side KazakhstanâTuran flora is dominating, and on the eastern side East Asian flora is observed. It is known that the whole area has a large number of endemics and rare plant species, because of its specific, harsh habitat conditions. Therefore, the flora of different habitats in the Munkhkhairkhan mountain needs to be investigated and properly protected. Munkhkhairkhan National Park has been founded in 2006, and our survey concentrated on the protected area as well as the surrounding areas of the mountains. All recorded species in this study were based on the collected voucher specimens. Conservation status for remarkable species was also reviewed based on the literature. As a result, we recorded 40 families, 150 genera, and 267 species of vascular plants, including four endemic and 34 subendemic species and 15 species' new distribution notes. Around the Munkhkhairkhan mountain, 16 very rare, 21 rare, eight endangered, and two near threatened species are growing, indicating the high conservation value of this area and the necessity for research. Keywords: Conservation status, Mongolia, Munkhkhairkhan national park, Vascular flora