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This study addresses the complex taxonomy and distribution of the genus Portulaca L. (Portulacaceae) within the Balkans, focusing on the often-debated species composition and distribution patterns in the P. oleracea aggregate. Our research aims to resolve this ambiguity by addressing two key questions: 1) Which Portulaca taxa are present in the Balkans, and 2) What is the current distribution of these taxa here? To achieve this, we conducted literature reviews, seed collection, species identification using micromorphological characteristics, and distribution analysis. Our findings reveal the presence of four distinct species in the Balkans: P. oleracea agg., P. grandiflora, P. pilosa and P. umbraticola. Additionally, within the P. oleracea complex, twelve microspecies have been identified, primarily differentiated based on seed micromorphology. Besides, five species (P. daninii, P. granulato-stellulata, P. rausii, P. sardoa, and P. trituberculata) have been documented in Montenegro, and one species (P. nitida) – in Slovenia for the first time. This study provides a valuable contribution to the botanical knowledge of the Balkan Peninsula, offering the recommendations for future studies of the P. oleracea complex for the solution of the taxonomic puzzle in this aggregate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The art of drying plants has a long tradition. It was already known in the Middle Ages as a form of documenting flora. It began to develop more intensively in Europe in the 16th century. This method of documenting plant collections quickly gained recognition among scientists. Its role and importance has changed throughout historical periods. The current study presents a short history and resources of Polish and European herbaria against the background of world data. It primarily focuses on indicating their contemporary importance in research in plant taxonomy and geography, as well as on the current situation of herbaria and problems identified using the example of Polish herbaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Salvia sect. Angulatae and S. sect. Nobiles are among the sections of Salvia L. (Lamiaceae) with most of their Brazilian species represented in the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado domains, which are important regions of species richness for the genus. After extensive evaluation of the literature, populations in situ and specimens in herbaria, including nomenclatural types, we identified a requirement for taxonomic and nomenclatural changes in S. arenaria and S. sellowiana, and for updated identification keys and taxonomic notes for the other members of these sections, particularly S. rivularis in S. sect. Nobiles. Two names are synonymised, Salvia articulata = S. sellowiana and S. itatiaiensis = S. arenaria and notes on the nomenclature and morphology of these species are provided. A first-step lectotypification (S. arenaria var. sellowii) and a second-step lectotypification (S. itatiaiensis) are also presented, as well as detailed descriptions for S. arenaria and S. sellowiana and preliminary conservation status assessments for both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The art of drying plants has a long tradition. It was already known in the Middle Ages as a form of documenting flora. It began to develop more intensively in Europe in the 16th century. This method of documenting plant collections quickly gained recognition among scientists. Its role and importance has changed throughout historical periods. The current study presents a short history and resources of Polish and European herbaria against the background of world data. It primarily focuses on indicating their contemporary importance in research in plant taxonomy and geography, as well as on the current situation of herbaria and problems identified using the example of Polish herbaria.

Groups with morphological stasis are an interesting framework to address putative cryptic species that may be hidden behind traditional taxonomic treatments, particularly when distribution ranges suggest disjunct and environmentally heterogeneous biogeographic patterns. New hypotheses of delimitation of evolutionary independent units can lead to the identification of different biogeographic processes, laying the foundation to investigate their historical and ecological significance. Jasione is a plant genus with a distribution centered in the Mediterranean basin, characterized by significant morphological stasis. Within the western Mediterranean J. gr. crispa species complex, J. sessiliflora s.l. and allied taxa form a distinct group, occupying environmentally diverse regions. At least two ploidy levels, diploid and tetraploid, are known to occur in the group. The internal variability is assessed with phylogenetic tools, viz. GMYC and ASAP, for species delimitation. The results are compared with other lines of evidence, including morphology and cytology. The fitting of distribution patterns of the inferred entities to chorological subprovinces is also used as a biogeographical and environmental framework to test the species hypothesis. Despite the scarcity of diagnostic morphological characters in the group, phylogenetic delimitation supports the description of at least one cryptic species, a narrow endemic in the NE Iberian Peninsula. Moreover, the results support the segregation of a thermophilic group of populations in eastern Iberia from J. sessiliflora. Ploidy variation from a wide geographical survey supports the systematic rearrangement suggested by species delimitation. Taxonomic reorganization in J. sessiliflora s.l. would allow ecological interpretations of distribution patterns in great accordance with biogeographical regionalization at the subprovince level, supporting geobotanical boundaries as a framework to interpret species ecological coherence of cryptic lineages. These results suggest that species differentiation, together with geographic isolation and polyploidization, is associated with adaptation to different environments, shifting from more to less thermophilic conditions. Thus, the recognition of concealed evolutionary entities is essential to correctly interpret biogeographical patterns in regions with a complex geologic and evolutionary history, such as the Mediterranean basin, and biogeographical units emerge as biologically sound frameworks to test the species hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The caliscelid tribe Augilini Baker is recorded for the first time from African continent after Polychornum centroafricanum sp. n. described and illustrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, collected in 1948. This is first representative of the genus Polychornum Gnezdilov, 2021 from the Afrotropical Region. Global distribution and host plants of the species of the tribe Augilini are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past decade has seen an observable loss of plant biodiversity which can be attributed to changing climate conditions, destroying ecosystems to create farmlands and continuous selective breeding for limited traits. This loss of biodiversity poses a significant bottleneck to plant biologists across the globe working on sustainable solutions to address the current barriers of agricultural productivity. Plant genetic resources centers or genebanks that conserve plant germplasm can majorly contribute towards addressing this problem. Second only to soybean, Brassica remains the largest oil-seed crop and is cultivated across 124 countries, and FAO estimates for a combined gross production values of broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, mustard and rape seeds stands at a staggering 67.5 billion US dollars during the year 2020. With such a global status, wide variety of uses and more recently, growing importance in the health food sector, the conservation of diverse genetic resources of Brassica appeals for higher priority. Here we review the current status of Brassica conservation across plant genebanks. At present, at least 81,752 accessions of Brassica are recorded to be conserved in 148 holding institutes spread across only 81 countries. Several aspects that need to be addressed to improve proper conservation of the Brassica diversity was well as dissemination of germplasm are discussed. Primarily, the number of accessions conserved across countries and the diversity of Brassica taxa most countries has been highly limited which may lead to biodiversity loss in the longer run. Moreover, several practical challenges in Brassica germplasm conservation especially with respect to taxonomic authorities have been discussed. The current review identifies and highlights areas for progress in Brassica conservation, which include but are not limited to, distribution of conserved Brassica biodiversity, challenges faced by conservation biologists, conservation methods, technical hurdles and future avenues for research in diverse Brassica species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eleven angiosperm plant species are added to the flora of New Mexico that were revealed through herbarium curation associated with a project to digitize and unify the two herbaria of New Mexico State University (NMC & NMCR) and through ongoing field work. One, Dimorphocarpa candicans, is restored to the state's flora, after it was earlier placed into synonymy with D. wislizeni, a close but morphologically distinct relative. The current IUCN Redlist conservation status of endangered (EN) for Gossypium thurberi should be revisited given its newly discovered range extension into southwestern New Mexico. New county-level distribution records are provided for a total of 16 taxa. Crepis tectorum, one of the species added to the flora of New Mexico, is likewise documented for Colorado, where it occurs in three counties. All of the plants added to the floras pertain to species that are either native or introduced with the potential to spread and become naturalized in the landscape. A putative introgressive population is also reported for New Mexico between Quercus turbinella and Q. laceyi, the latter otherwise unknown in the state. For all new records, full citations of specimen vouchers are provided to document the extended distributional ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presented work is the first comprehensive study on the desmids of mountainous areas of the Gorce region in Poland. The Gorce Mts flora of the order Desmidiales comprises 20 genera and 247 species. The most diverse genera in the Gorce Mts are Cosmarium with 99 taxa, Closterium with 39 taxa, Staurastrum with 38 taxa and Euastrum with 17 taxa. All reported taxa are described and documented by original hand drawings and microphotographs. Environmental data with geographical coordinates are included for all studied sites. Among the recorded taxa, eight (Actinotaenium borgeanum, Actinotaenium gelidum, Actinotaenium perminutum, Cosmarium alpestre, Cosmarium dispersum, Cosmarium paragranatoides, Closterium sublaterale, Staurastrum pyramidatum) are new for the Polish flora. An important factor affecting the biodiversity of desmids in the Gorce area is human activity. In typically anthropogenic habitats, which in the study area include roads and paths, 157 species were found (63.7% of the Gorce desmid flora). Many montane species, such as Closterium pusillum and Cosmarium decedens, associated with wet moss on rocks, had secondary habitats there. A group of 21 species found only in anthropogenic habitats can be considered anthropophytes of the studied area. There are also semi-natural habitats in the form of meadows that persist only due to human activity. The situation is similar to that of vascular plants. Clearings used until the 1980s showed significantly higher species richness than clearings where grazing has been abandoned for a long time. Overall, human activity has contributed to an increase of desmid species diversity in the Gorce region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native and endemic plants are considered valuable genetic reserves of each region and are of special importance due to having favorable morphological traits, resistance to pests and diseases, and adaptability to ecological conditions. This research was carried out with the aim of providing a floristic list and identifying the biological and soil characteristics of medicinal plants in Langarud city. After collection of medicinal plants during the growing season of 2021-2022 and their identification using different references, the geographical distribution of certain plant species and their biological forms were determined. Soil samples were also taken from the surface horizon of habitats and their characteristics including soil texture, soil reaction, electrical conductivity and organic carbon percentage were measured. 78 species of medicinal plants belonging to 42 families and 72 plant genera were identified. Of these, Asteraceae is the largest family with 10 species. Also, Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Apiaceae and Poaceae families are the next large families with eight, five, five, four and three species, respectively. Aspleniaceae, Brassicaceae, Malvaceae, Hypericaceae, Lythraceae, Onagraceae and Urticaceae consist of two species. Other identified families include one species. The highest percentage of life form and chorological type of the identified medicinal plant species in the region are Hemicryptophyte (He) and Polyregional (PL) elements, respectively. Also, assessment of the characteristics of the habitats of these plants in the height range of -15 to 325 meters above see levels (m.a.s.l.) showed the uniformity of the soil texture in the medium to light class, electrical conductivity less than 1 dS/m, soil reaction acidic and good organic matter content. The habitat of many of these species is in the hilly and mountainous areas, in addition to lowlands and plains and around paddy fields. Presentation of the list of medicinal plants as the genetic treasury of the region, determining their habitat and local and medicinal uses are among the practical results of this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1298 plant samples were collected during our research carried out between 2012 and 2016 to determine the Flora of Göynük and its surroundings (Karlıova/Bingöl). By identifying these samples in the field, a total of 685 taxa (497 species, 123 subspecies, and 65 varieties) belonging to 65 families and 305 genera were identified. Of the 685 identified taxa, 3 are members of Pteridophyta and 682 are members of Spermatophyta division. All of the Spermatophyta member taxa are in the subdivision Angiospermae. Of the Angiospermae members, 568 are Dicotyledones and 114 are Monocotyledones class members. It was determined that 40 of the detected taxa were new records for B8 square and 61 (8.9%) were endemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four shrub species, including the newly described Pachystegia hesperia Heenan & Molloy, are recognised in Pachystegia Cheeseman, a genus endemic to southern Marlborough and northern Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand. Pachystegia hesperia is distinguished by its compact and low statured growth habit, obovate to elliptic-oblong leaves with the adaxial surface reticulate with distinctive primary and secondary veins, a short peduncle and narrow capitula, smaller and fewer ray petals and fewer disc florets. It was previously known by the tagnames P. "B" or P. "Lowry". Pachystegia hesperia has a western and inland distribution comprising Lowry Peaks Range, Amuri Range, and southern parts of Inland and Seaward Kaikōura Ranges. The previously recognised P. insignis (Hook.f.) Cheeseman, P. minor (Cheeseman) Molloy and P. rufa Molloy are retained. Pachystegia insignis has the most widespread distribution and includes plants referred to the tagnames P. "A" or P. "Coast" and is naturally variable in leaf shape, capitula diameter and the presence and number of leafy bracts on the peduncle. Pachystegia minor is restricted to coastal and lowland habitats between Puhi Puhi and Waiau Toa / Clarence Rivers and includes plants from Ōhau Point (Marlborough) previously known by the tagname P. "C var. ii" or P. "Ōhau Point". It is distinguished by rhomboid to obovate leaves, narrow capitula and in having the fewest florets. Pachystegia rufa is distinguished by reddish trichomes on the leaves, stems and infloresences and has a restricted distribution in Haldon Hills, Marlborough. The widespread P. insignis hybridises with P. minor and P. rufa. Typification, distribution, habitats and conservation status are presented for each species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we provide a new analysis on strict-endemic vascular plant taxa of Algeria and discuss their taxonomic diversity, geographical distribution and conservation status, based on a large literature review and our own field observations. Overall, 248 taxa (species, subspecies and varieties) are currently considered as Algerian endemics, from 41 families and 128 genera. They constitute about 6.3% of the total known flora of Algeria. The northern floristic regions are richer in endemic species: K1, K2, AS3, C1+C2 and O1 are by far the richest floristic regions for strict-endemic taxa, highlighting the importance of their mountain ranges. Most (59%) of the endemic plants have a narrow geographical distribution range (range-restricted). An overview of the IUCN conservation status of the Algerian endemics indicates that only 16 taxa (6.4%) are evaluated, out of which 5.6% of the taxa are threatened. Overall, 44% of the Algerian endemics are legally protected and 43% are included in the protected areas network. Finally, we focus on the shortfalls of knowledge that could orient further research on endemism data in Algeria. They concern taxonomic, chorological or conservation figures and above all the actual presence of the endemic species. It is, therefore, urgent to carry out targeted field expeditions in order to find and re-collect these species, most of which are strictly localized and have probably never been searched or found for 60 years to over a century. Citation: Meddour R Sahar O & Jur S 2023: New anal sis of the endemic vascular lants of Al eria their diversit distribution pattern and conservation status. – Willdenowia 53: 25–43. Version of record first published online on 21 March 2023 ahead of inclusion in April 2023 issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halimocnemis commixta is recorded as a new species for the flora of Iran from Pistacia vera woodland remnants in NE Iran. It grows on open salty soils with several typical halophytic plants. The new species record is illustrated and compared with the closely related species. It can be distinguished from H. gamocarpa by its clustered flowers and irregularly horned fruits and differs from H. pilosa by its entirely short and adpressed hairs. We provide some additional notes on the distribution, ecology, and conservation status of the newly recorded species.

The Mediterranean Basin is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, harboring 25,000 plant species, of which 60% are endemic. Some of them have narrow distributions, such as Euphorbia orphanidis, which is only known from alpine screes on Mt. Parnassos in Greece. Its exact distribution in this mountain was, however, poorly known, and its phylogenetic origin was also unclear. We performed extensive field work in Mt. Parnassos and could register E. orphanidis only in five patches of limestone screes in the eastern part of this mountain range, emphasizing its very narrow distribution, which is likely limited by topography influencing water availability as indicated by environmental modeling. We also registered 31 accompanying species and thus characterized its habitat. Using nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and plastid ndhF-trnL and trnT-trnF sequences, we show that it belongs to E. sect. Patellares, despite not having connate raylet leaves typical for this section, and not to E. sect. Pithyusa as previously suggested. The relationships among the species of E. sect. Patellares are poorly resolved, suggesting their simultaneous divergence that dated to the late Pliocene, which coincided with the establishment of the Mediterranean climate. The relative genome size of E. orphanidis is in the range of that for the other members of E. sect. Patellares, suggesting that it is diploid. Finally, we performed multivariate morphological analyses to generate a comprehensive description of E. orphanidis. Based on its narrow distribution and the anticipated negative impact of global warming, we consider this species endangered. Our study demonstrates how microrelief can limit the distribution of plants in topographically heterogeneous mountain environments and likely plays an important, yet neglected, role in shaping the distribution patterns of plants in the Mediterranean Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sinosenecio minshanicus (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), a new species from south-eastern Gansu (Wenxian and Zhugqu counties) and northern Sichuan (Pingwu county), China, is described and illustrated. This species is similar to S. rotundifolius, a species locally endemic to Songpan county in northern Sichuan, in having a scapigerous habit, orbicular leaves and solitary capitula, but differs by the presence (vs. absence) of stolons and by having thinner rhizomes (ca. 2 mm vs. more than 5 mm in diameter), stems proximally sparsely fulvous arachnoid or glabrescent (vs. densely sericeous-villous) and obscure (vs. conspicuous) main veins on adaxial surface of leaves. The chromosome number of the new species is reported to be 2n = 60. Colour photographs of living plants in the wild and a distribution map are provided for the new species and S. rotundifolius. The geographical distribution of S. rotundifolius is also corrected, with the previous record of this species from south-eastern Gansu (Wenxian county) actually referring to S. minshanicus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The timely and geographical resolutions, as well as the quantity and taxon concepts of records on the occurrence of plants near national borders is often ambiguous. This is due to the regional focus and different approaches of the contributing national and regional databases and networks of the neighbouring countries. Careful data transformation between national data providers is essential for understanding distribution patterns and its dynamics for organisms in areas along the national borders. Sharing occurrence data through the international data aggregator Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) is also complicated and has to consider that the underlying taxonomic concept and geographic information system of each single GBIF dataset might be different. In addition, some regional data providers have a restrictive (non-cc) licensing policy which does not allow data publication via the GBIF network. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate new ways to make data fit for use for a better and comprehensive understanding of the Flora of the Bohemian Forest. New information In this paper, we present a bilateral technical interoperability solution for vascular plant occurrence data for the area between the Czech Republic and Bavaria. We describe the initial state of data providers in both countries and the factual and technical challenges in finding a sustainable concept to establish mutual data sharing. The resulting solution for a functional infrastructure and an agreed data pipeline is described in a step-by-step approach. The new distributed infrastructure allows botanists and other stakeholders from both countries to work within the cross-border context of historical and current plants' distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent bryological research in Portugal has revealed the occurrence of a little-known segregate of the Riccia sorocarpa group, representing the first record for mainland Portugal and the Azores of Riccia sorocarpa Bisch. subsp. erythrophora R.M.Schust. ex Konstant. & L.Söderstr. New data are presented on the taxonomy and phytogeography of this globally rare taxon. A revision of approximately 200 samples of Riccia sorocarpa s.l. from selected Portuguese herbaria, together with some recent field collections, was carried out, based on the results of light and scanning electron microscopy. Our findings confirm that Riccia sorocarpa subsp. erythrophora is a distinct subspecies, and show that morphological differences of the thallus, primarily the violet-red purple bases of the ventral scales, are the most important characters for its delimitation. Scanning electron micrographs of spores of this taxon are presented for the first time. Phytogeographically, our data significantly extend the known distribution of the subspecies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time in the Kruglaya Bay of the Black Sea, 25 taxa of Bacillariophyta from 17 genera were found, three of them were new for the Crimea and the Black Sea Halamphora tenerrima, Amphora tenuissima, and Navicula antonii. Marine (40%), coastalbrackish (32%) and boreal-tropical (32%), arctic-boreal-tropical (24%), boreal and cosmopolitan (20% and 16%, respectively) prevailed. The morphological characteristics of the species in the SEM (scanning electronic microscope) and LM (light microscope), as well as the occurrence, ecology, phytogeography, and general distribution in various regions of the World Ocean are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a list of the species, the host plants and distribution of eriophyoid mites on bamboo in the world. Seventy-two eriophyoid species from 32 genera, associated with bamboo species from 13 genera, are listed. Twelve of the reported species belong to Diptilomiopidae and 60 to Eriophyidae. Two new species of eriophyoid mites on bamboo from Yunnan and Hunan Provinces of China are described and illustrated: Calacarus bambusissp. nov. on Bambusa sp. (Poaceae) and Tetra tessellasp. nov. on Indocalamus tessellatus (Munro) Keng f. (Poaceae). Both species are vagrants on leaf surfaces, causing no apparent damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correct citation for Grevillea manglesii (Proteaceae) is G. manglesii Pépin (1838). A neotype is here selected from among historic collections, now at Paris (P). Should the minimal description provided by Pépin be successfully challenged as inadequate, the name would not change but the revised authority would be Grevillea manglesii (Graham) A.Baumann and N.Baumann (1843). The origins and complex taxonomic and horticultural history of G. manglesii and its synonyms Manglesia glabrata Lindl., Anadenia manglesii Graham, Grevillea manglesii Hort., Manglesia trilobata Hort. ex Ettingsh., and Manglesia cuneata Endl. are outlined and discussed, together with new insights discerned from James Mangles' unpublished Letter Books. The important role of Captain James Mangles R.N. to the botany and horticulture of Grevillea manglesii is reviewed and historical errors are corrected. Manglesia glabrata Lindl. is lectotypified. G. ornithopoda Meisn. is reinstated at specific rank and G. dissectifolia (McGill.) Olde is published as a new combination. Both are phenetically diagnosable without intergrades and occur in discrete populations that sometimes overlap the distribution of related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new rainforest tree species of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), Syzygium nusatenggaraense Sunarti & Y.W.Low is described here based on two collections from the Lesser Sunda Islands. This species is superficially similar to Syzygium arcanum P.S.Ashton, a Bornean endemic tree species, but differs in a suite of morphological characters and geographic distribution. The new species is illustrated, and description is here given. Satu spesies pohon hutan hujan baru dari suku jambu-jambuan atau Myrtaceae, Syzygium nusatenggaraense Sunarti & Y.W.Low diterbitkan disini berdasarkan kepada dua koleksi dari Kepulauan Nusa Tenggara. Spesies ini mirip dengan satu spesies pohon endemik Borneo Syzygium arcanum P.S.Ashton, tetapi berbeda dalam rangkaian karakter morfologi dan distribusi geografisnya. Spesies baru tersebut diilustrasikan dan deskripsi diberikan di sini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) is recognised for north-eastern Western Australia. A description of Utricularia baliboongarnang Baleeiro & R.W.Jobson is provided along with a new circumscription for the Northern Territory species U. singeriana F.Muell. to which it was previously assigned. We also provide comparison with U. hamiltonii F.E.Lloyd, a Northern Territory species for which U. baliboongarnang was recently found to be the phylogenetic sister, and the distantly related western Kimberley species U. byrneana R.W.Jobson & Baleeiro with which it shares a superficially similar corolla. Diagnostic features are illustrated, a taxonomic key containing related species from northern Australia is provided, and distribution, habitat, and conservation status are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifteen species of the moss genus Calymperes Sw. ex F.Weber are known from Australia. Each species is described and illustrated in detail, and a key to species and distribution maps are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flora of Mount Koz (Genç-Bingöl) and its surroundings was studied between 2019-2021. As a result of the identification of 1506 specimens collected from the area, 625 taxa (415 species, 147 subspecies, and 63 varieties) belonging to 289 genera and 68 families were identified. Two taxa of the determined plants are members of Pteridophyta and 623 taxa are members of Spermatophyta. of the Spermatophyta members, 621 taxa belong to Angiospermae and two taxa to Gymnospermae subdivisions. of the Angiospermae members, 498 taxa are in the Dicotyledones and 123 taxa Monocotyledones classes. 49 taxa of the plants identified in the study are endemic and the endemism rate is 7.84%. The phytogeographical region element distributions of the determined taxa are as follows: Irano-Turanian 192 (30.72%), Mediterranean 60 (9.60%), Euro-Siberian 49 (7.84%), and multi-regional or unknown phytogeographical region 324 (51.84%). The order of the first 10 families with the highest taxa number is as follows: Asteraceae (85), Poaceae (65), Fabaceae (52), Caryophyllaceae (38), Lamiaceae (38), Brassicaceae (34), Boraginaceae (29), Apiaceae (23), Rosaceae (20), and Plantaginaceae (13). The top 10 largest genera are respectively designated as Trifolium (14), Astragalus (13), Centaurea (11), Allium (10), Vicia (8), Galium (8), Ranunculus (8), Bromus (8), Veronica (8), and Silene (7). Life form evaluation of the determined taxa is as follows: 285 (45.60%) are hemicryptophytes, 178 (28.48%) therophytes, 83 (13.28%) cryptophytes, 37 (5.92%) chamaephytes, and 42 (6.72%) phanerophytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims - Numerous lineages in the Western Cape of South Africa show affinities with the floras of tropical Africa and Australasia. Isolepis subgenus Fluitantes, comprising seven to nine species, includes the broadly-defined I. fluitans, which occurs throughout Africa into Europe and Asia, as well as on both sides of the Indian Ocean. Thus, it is well suited for testing the generality of both the Cape-to-Cairo pattern of dispersal and transoceanic dispersal between southern Africa and Australasia. Material and methods - We inferred a dated population-level phylogeny based on new sequence data from the nuclear ITS and the chloroplast atpI-H gene regions. We constructed dispersal-extinction-cladogenesis models in Lagrange to infer ancestral areas and to compare the likelihoods of stepping-stone and long-distance modes of dispersal. Key results - The Fluitantes originated in the Cape about 7 million years ago (mya). They spread stepwise onto the mountains of East Africa and thence into Europe and the islands of the Indian Ocean, seemingly tracking their ancestral habitat. Australasia was colonised by a single long-distance dispersal event ca 3 mya. Incongruence between the plastid and nuclear gene trees was apparent for the Australasian taxa, I. crassiuscula, I. lenticularis, and I. producta, with their atpI-H sequences placing them with I. ludwigii in the Fluitantes and the ITS nrDNA resolving them in the Proliferae. Furthermore, two African taxa (I. graminoides, I. inyangensis) diagnosed on unique morphology are resolved as part of the widespread I. fluitans. Conclusion - This study supports and extends the northward migration model that accounts for the Cape element of the A fromontane flora. Australasia was colonised directly from southern Africa, perhaps assisted by wind or waterfowl. Despite ancient hybridization associated with dispersal, we recognise the three taxa in Australasia as distinct, but synonymise I. graminoides and I. inyangensis into the widespread I. fluitans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A floristic exploration was carried out of the epiphyllous bryophytes in Mount Tebu Forest Reserve, in the state of Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. Epiphyllous liverworts are reported for the first time from Terengganu. A total of 54 species from 18 genera and seven families of epiphyllous bryophytes were discovered, and of these, 43 liverworts are newly reported from Terengganu. The largest family is represented by Lejeuneaceae, with 44 species (81%) from 12 genera, and the largest genus is Cololejeunea, with 15 species (28%). Most of the species (43 spp., 69%) have an Indo-Pacific distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]