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Aim: Flower traits are critical to the mutualistic networks that underpin ecosystem function. However, the broad‐scale drivers of flower traits are unclear. Using the megadiverse islands of Malesia, we test three hypotheses: (1) Flower size, openness and colourfulness (i.e. the trend from white to colourful flowers) will decrease with increasing temperature, but not with increasing precipitation seasonality. (2) Flower size, openness and colourfulness will increase with island area, and decrease with isolation. (3) Models parameterised by climate, rather than non‐climatic island characteristics will have the greatest predictive capacity as climate affects both pollinator communities and energetic/physiological constraints upon flower traits. Location: Fourteen Malesian islands. Taxon: Angiosperms. Methods: We applied Bayesian phylogenetic models of occurrence for >2500 species in 400 m elevation bands, across islands, as a function of flower trait interactions with either climatic variables or islands characteristics. We compare predictive capacity of models based on climate versus island characteristics using Leave One Out‐Cross Validation. Results: All six flower traits examined varied with at least temperature, precipitation seasonality, island area and isolation. Flowers are larger in cold environments. The lowland tropics are mostly inhabited by white flowered species. At cold high elevations, red and pink flowered species are more frequent whereas green and purple flowered species increase in the drought‐prone seasonally dry tropics. Flower openness declined with precipitation seasonality and increased with isolation. Models parameterised by climate performed best for perianth length, red and white flowers, whereas pink flowers and flower openness were better predicted using island characteristics. Main Conclusions: There are relationships between flower traits and climatic gradients within Malesia. However, island characteristics have also left a legacy upon current flower trait distributions. These island biogeographical impacts are likely key for the eco‐evolutionary drivers of flower traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Lasjia griseifolia Utteridge & Brambach, a member of the Proteaceae, is described and illustrated as a new species from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The new species is similar to L. erecta, also from Sulawesi, and morphological differences between the taxa are discussed; a line illustration and detailed notes on the conservation status are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melothria L. (Cucurbitaceae) is a Neotropical genus of wild cucumber comprising 12 species. The only species that occurs in Malesia is M. pendula L., which has been recorded in Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, mainland Sumatra, the Philippines, Sulawesi, and Bali. During our botanical excursions in Bangka and West Java from 2020 to 2022, we discovered naturalized populations of M. pendula. Our findings reveal that M. pendula has an extensive distribution in Sumatra and is a newly recorded wild cucumber in Java. We present a morphological description, photographs, and a brief discussion.

Summary: Infraspecific names and combinations are provided for 19 variants of Elaeocarpus L. in the Flora Malesiana region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Bulbophyllum,B. barcelonae and B. pelseri are described here from the Pantabangan‐Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve, Luzon Island, Philippines. Bulbophyllum barcelonae resembles B. charisae, but differs by having smaller vegetative parts, ovate petals with a rounded apex, and a labellum with two ridges that are strongly angled outwards the adaxial surface, rounded proximal crests, and a canaliculate abaxial surface. Bulbophyllum pelseri resembles B. aureobrunneum but differs by having caducous sheath covering the pseudobulbs, punctulate leaf surface, shorter leaves, absence of transverse callus in median portion of labellum, median portion with short, rounded ridge, rounded apex, and triangular stelidia. These discoveries increase to 207, the known species of Bulbophyllum in the Philippines. An Abstract in Philipino can be found in the Supporting information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Ormocarpum P.Beauv. is revised for Malesia and the Pacific region. Several new species (O. fijiense Arbainsyah, O. neocaledonicum Arbainsyah, O. philippinense Arbainsyah, O. sculptilium Arbainsyah, O. smitsii Arbainsyah, O. vanuatense Arbainsyah) are described. A key to the species of Malesia and the Pacific is presented. Diphaca cochinchinensis Lour. is lectotypified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impatiens bungeilang Mustaqim is described here as a species new to science based on plants collected from the northern Gayo Plateau, northern Sumatra. A detailed description, notes on distribution, ecology, phenology, notes, and color photographs are provided. According to the IUCN Red List Criteria, this species is here considered Critically Endangered due to its small geographic range and heavily fragmented as well as degraded habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Xenolepis are described and illustrated from Papua New Guinea: X. neoguineana Brown & Miller, n. sp., and X. slipihalo Brown & Miller, n. sp. All specimens examined were collected as larvae, most from Syzygium spp. (Myrtaceae), but a few from Garcinia (Clusiaceae), Ziziphus (Rhamnaceae), Amyema (Loranthaceae), and Gomphandra (Stemonuraceae), which represent the first reported food plants for Xenolepis. The new species bring to seven the number of described species in the genus. We also present DNA barcodes, host plants, and an illustration of the male genitalia of an undescribed species from New Guinea, but refrain from naming it owing to the paucity and poor quality of the specimens. Available descriptions and illustrations indicate that Xenolepis, as presently defined, comprises two distinct species groups that are superficially disparate but possess very similar male genitalia.

The true mangrove genus Camptostemon ( Malvaceae ) is becoming increasingly rare. This genus can be found in the Philippines, Borneo, Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. Confusion remains over the taxonomic status of Camptostemon aruensis , endemic to Aru Islands, Indonesia. Therefore, a taxonomic revision is presented. Morphological characteristics, distribution maps, an identification key, and photographs of the species are provided. Based on type and type-locality specimens from the Aru Islands, C. aruensis is found to morphologically match C. schultzii . Camptostemon aruensis is a synonym of C. schultzii . Therefore, Camptostemon consists of two species, C. philippinensis (from the Philippines, Borneo, and Sulawesi), and C. schultzii (from Maluku, Indonesian Papua, Papua New Guinea, and northern Australia). Camptostemon philippinensis and C. schultzii are found in different geographic areas and do not share the same island.

The lianescent genus Tinospora Miers in Singapore is revised. Four species are recognised, two of which are newly described. Tinospora krispura I.M.Turner sp. nov. is known from Christmas Island and Singapore. Tinospora singapura I.M.Turner sp. nov. is known only from Singapore. Two new lectotypifications are included, one at the second step.

Recent fieldwork in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, resulted in the collection of an endemic new species of Ardisia, described here as Ardisia recurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge. The species is a member of subgenus (§) Crispardisia on account of its vascularised glands (bacterial nodules) on the leaf margin and the terminal inflorescence on a specialised lateral branch subtended by a normal leaf (rather than a reduced bract-like leaf). Ardisia recurvipetala is unique amongst all members of §Crispardisia by having leaf margins with both vascularised glands and pustule-like structures and can be further distinguished from other Peninsular Malaysian members of this subgenus by the lamina raised between the leaf venation giving a somewhat bullate appearance, unbranched inflorescences, brownish-red pedicels and recurved corolla lobes, each with a creamy-white apex and a small pink patch at the base. Ardisia recurvipetala is known only from a single location in Terengganu and its conservation status is assessed as Data Deficient (DD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of polymorphism in the Calamus javensis complex has been examined by various techniques in several publications. A wide range of morphological variation was identified during these studies. Characters showing high variation were leaf sheath and ocrea morphology, number and arrangement of leaflets, length and arrangement of the rachillas. All names used in the complex are here regarded as synonyms of C. javensis except C. tenompokensis, which is retained as a distinct species. One variety is recognized, C. javensis var. polyphyllus (including C. acuminatus). Using morphological characters, we recognized 11 informal (often not monophyletic) forms within C. javensis var. javensis. Here we present identification keys, descriptions and notes of all recognisable forms, varieties and species included in the Calamus javensis complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nepenthes limiana, a pitcher plant from the northern Titiwangsa Range of Peninsular Malaysia, is described as new. It is the northernmost known species of the recently defined N. macfarlanei group, whose members are characterised by the presence of conspicuous hairs on the lower surface of the lid. It differs from other members of this group in exhibiting adaptations to seasonal drought in the form of thickened roots and narrow laminae that are reminiscent of those produced by the pyrophytic Nepenthes of Indochina and northernmost Malaysia. Coupled with the presence of decurrent leaf bases, which are not present in any other N. macfarlanei group species but which are present in the pyrophytic Nepenthes, these characters could indicate either morphological convergence or an as yet uncharacterised relationship between N. limiana and the Nepenthes species of Indochina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a Commentary on Prohaska et al. (2023), 240: 2513–2529. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The true mangrove genus Camptostemon (Malvaceae) is becoming increasingly rare. This genus can be found in the Philippines, Borneo, Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. Confusion remains over the taxonomic status of Camptostemon aruensis, endemic to Aru Islands, Indonesia. Therefore, a taxonomic revision is presented. Morphological characteristics, distribution maps, an identification key, and photographs of the species are provided. Based on type and type-locality specimens from the Aru Islands, C. aruensis is found to morphologically match C. schultzii. Camptostemon aruensis is a synonym of C. schultzii. Therefore, Camptostemon consists of two species, C. philippinensis (from the Philippines, Borneo, and Sulawesi), and C. schultzii (from Maluku, Indonesian Papua, Papua New Guinea, and northern Australia). Camptostemon philippinensis and C. schultzii are found in different geographic areas and do not share the same island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pittosporum (Pittosporaceae, Apiales), an attractive genus of horticulturally important trees and shrubs, is revised for Malesia (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Timor-Leste) and Papuasia (Papua Barat (Indonesia), Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands). In this report, 52 species are recognised, including many species reinstated from synonymy. Three taxa are raised to species rank (P. owenstanleyense, P. patelliplacenta and P. purpurascens), one is a new combination in Pittosporum (P. impressum), and four new species are described: P. sulawesiense, P. isolatum, P. schoddei and P. sogeriense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: The spurge family Euphorbiaceae is prominent in tropical rainforests worldwide, particularly in Asia. There is little consensus on the biogeographic origins of the family or its principal lineages. No confirmed spurge macrofossils have come from Gondwana. Methods: We describe the first Gondwanan macrofossils of Euphorbiaceae, represented by two infructescences and associated peltate leaves from the early Eocene (52 Myr ago [Ma]) Laguna del Hunco site in Chubut, Argentina. Results: The infructescences are panicles bearing tiny, pedicellate, spineless capsular fruits with two locules, two axile lenticular seeds, and two unbranched, plumose stigmas. The fossils' character combination only occurs today in some species of the Macaranga‐Mallotus clade (MMC; Euphorbiaceae), a widespread Old‐World understory group often thought to have tropical Asian origins. The associated leaves are consistent with extant Macaranga. Conclusions: The new fossils are the oldest known for the MMC, demonstrating its Gondwanan history and marking its divergence by at least 52 Ma. This discovery makes an Asian origin of the MMC unlikely because immense oceanic distances separated Asia and South America 52 Ma. The only other MMC reproductive fossils so far known are also from the southern hemisphere (early Miocene, southern New Zealand), far from the Asian tropics. The MMC, along with many other Gondwanan survivors, most likely entered Asia during the Neogene Sahul‐Sunda collision. Our discovery adds to a substantial series of well‐dated, well‐preserved fossils from one undersampled region, Patagonia, that have changed our understanding of plant biogeographic history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seventy-two morphological characters and three ecological characteristics were measured to assess variation and phylogenetic relationships among twelve species and three infraspecific taxa of the genus Spathoglottis from Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. The morphological analyses divided Spathoglottis into two main groups based on the colours of the flower: Purple-Flowered Spathoglottis and Yellow-Flowered Spathoglottis. Species within the two groupings were further classified based on the size of the plants (Large/Dwarf Purple Spathoglottis and Large/Dwarf Yellow Spathoglottis) and the shapes of the labellum (spathulate, bilobulate or narrow/thread–like). The selected morphological characters appeared to support the taxonomic boundaries between two mostly debated taxa in the genus, S. aurea and S. microchilina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new dwarf species of Diplacrum are described from tropical Australia: Diplacrum blakei K.L.Wilson & R.L.Barrett and D. latzii K.L.Wilson & R.L.Barrett. Diplacrum is the only genus in Cyperaceae tribe Bisboeckelereae occurring in Australia. Historically, it has been confused with Scleria (Tribe Sclerieae). Descriptions are provided for all four Australian species, as well as a generic description and a key to Australian and three additional Malesian and South-East Asian species. Brief comments are made about the species in Africa, the tropical Americas and India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Syrrhopodon wallisii Müll.Hal. [≡ Mitthyridium wallisii (Müll.Hal.) H.Rob.], whose primary type material in B was destroyed during the Second World War, is lectotypified from among surviving original material, and its controversial interrelationship with its close relative M. crassum (Broth.) H.Rob. is investigated. Nomenclatural and taxonomic investigation was carried out with reference to bryological literature and herbarium material, including type specimens. It involved the microscopic investigation and analysis of leaf morphology in both historical and recent collections. Mitthyridium wallisii is lectotypified with a specimen in the herbarium of E. Hampe (BM000662478). Based on morphological evidence, the Malesian moss taxa M. wallisii and M. crassum are likely to be distinct entities with the status of species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A species of Nepenthes endemic to Peninsular Malaysia and distinctive for its extremely developed lid hairs is described and illustrated. Nepenthes berbulu is a highland species known only from a handful of peaks in the Titiwangsa Range. It is classified here within the recently defined N. macfarlanei group, for which a dichotomous key is provided. The description of this taxon brings the total number of Nepenthes species recognised from Peninsular Malaysia to eighteen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species limits in Piper spp. have been unstable, with specimens often assigned to different species by different botanists. Using a strongly supported clade of Asian Piper section Muldera, I investigated species boundaries in the eight Malay Peninsula species using morphological, anatomical and molecular approaches. I assessed morphological variation using principal component analysis (PCA) and a model-based clustering method. Herbarium specimens and samples collected in the field were examined, and the latter were also used to examine variation in vegetative anatomy. Potential evidence of reciprocal monophyly of species came from the molecular phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ITS and g3pdh and plastid trnL-F. Morphological analyses did not lend support for any of the hypothesized species from the Malay Peninsula. Nuclear phylogenetic trees supported a combination of Piper schizonephros, Piper polygynum and Piper maingayi as a single species that might also have a distinct distribution of calcium oxalate crystals in the mesophyll of the leaf and a prominently raised leaf midrib raise. Nevertheless, shared characters between this species and some, but not all, of the other morphogroups, and paraphyly of other morphogroups in the phylogenetic analyses, might suggest hybridization or lateral gene transfer among species of the section Muldera. In-depth population studies coupled with examination of morphological variation for all species of the section Muldera, including those from outside the Malay Peninsula, are necessary to disentangle the species limits and ultimately the evolutionary history in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge regarding genome size allows us to infer relationships between taxa, address questions related to systematics and contribute to biodiversity studies. However, currently, less than 3% of described Pteridophyta species have genome size estimates reported in databases, and only around one third of these are tropical species, although the tropics are home of 86% of their diversity. The region of Timor-Leste, included in one of the 25 hotspots of biodiversity, is considered one of the richest areas of the world in terms of pteridophyte species. Nonetheless, research focused on this territory’s biodiversity and phylogenetic resources is lacking. This study presents novel 2C-values for 15 species of ferns collected in Timor-Leste, using the flow cytometry analysis. Furthermore, one species of lycophyte, Palhinhaea cernua (L.) Vasc. & Franco, was also studied and the 2C value estimated compared with a previous report. Estimates ranged from 10.45 pg in Selliguea feei Bory to 29.7 pg in Microsorum punctatum (L.) Copel. Using Leitch’s classification, all taxa analyzed are considered to have medium-size genomes. The data was compared with previous reports for similar species. These are the first 2C-values for two families and 7 genera of ferns, increasing the number of pteridophytes with reported C-values from 292 to 307.

Dual effects of spatial distance and environment shape archipelagic floras. In Malesia, there are multiple environmental stressors associated with increasing uplands, drought, and metal‐rich ultramafic soils. Here, we examine the contrasting impacts of multifactorial environmental stress and spatial distance upon Lamiaceae species distributions. We used a phylogenetic generalized mixed effects model of species occurrence across Malesia's taxonomic database working group areas from Peninsular Malaysia to New Guinea. Predictor variables were environmental stress, spatial distance between areas and two trait principal component axes responsible for increasing fruit and leaf size and a negative correlation between flower size and plant height. We found that Lamiaceae species with smaller fruits and leaves are more likely to tolerate environmental stress and become widely distributed across megadiverse Malesian islands. How global species distribution and diversification are shaped by multifactorial environmental stress requires further examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Dual effects of spatial distance and environment shape archipelagic floras. In Malesia, there are multiple environmental stressors associated with increasing uplands, drought, and metal‐rich ultramafic soils. Here, we examine the contrasting impacts of multifactorial environmental stress and spatial distance upon Lamiaceae species distributions. We used a phylogenetic generalized mixed effects model of species occurrence across Malesia's taxonomic database working group areas from Peninsular Malaysia to New Guinea. Predictor variables were environmental stress, spatial distance between areas and two trait principal component axes responsible for increasing fruit and leaf size and a negative correlation between flower size and plant height. We found that Lamiaceae species with smaller fruits and leaves are more likely to tolerate environmental stress and become widely distributed across megadiverse Malesian islands. How global species distribution and diversification are shaped by multifactorial environmental stress requires further examination.

The morphologically variable genus Archidendron is the second largest mimosoid legume genus from the Indomalayan-Australasian region, yet it has not been well represented in phylogenetic studies. Phylogenies that have included multiple representatives of Archidendron suggest it may not be monophyletic, and the same applies to Archidendropsis, another understudied genus of the Archidendron clade. The most comprehensive phylogeny of Archidendron and Archidendropsis to date is presented, based on four nuclear markers (ITS, ETS, SHMT and RBPCO). Exemplars from all genera of the wider Archidendron clade are sampled, including representatives of all series within Archidendron and the two subgenera of Archidendropsis. Our results confirm that Archidendron and Archidendropsis are not monophyletic. Within Archidendron, only one series (ser. Ptenopae) is resolved as monophyletic and species of Archidendron are divided into two primarily geographic lineages. One clade is distributed in western Malesia and mainland Asia and includes most representatives of series Clypeariae, while the other is mostly restricted to eastern Malesia and Australia and includes representatives of the seven other series plus two samples of series Clypeariae. No taxonomic changes are made for Archidendron due to the high level of topological uncertainty and the lack of discrete macromorphological characters separating these two lineages. Each of the two subgenera of Archidendropsis is monophyletic but they are not closely related. A new genus endemic to Queensland (Australia), Heliodendron Gill.K. Br. & Bayly, gen. nov., is described for the former Archidendropsis subg. Basaltica, and combinations for its three species are proposed: Heliodendron basalticum (F. Muell.) Gill.K. Br. & Bayly, comb. nov., Heliodendron thozetianum (F. Muell.) Gill.K. Br. & Bayly, comb. nov., and Heliodendron xanthoxylon (C.T. White & W.D. Francis) Gill.K. Br. & Bayly, comb. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ardisia whitmorei Julius & Utteridge, sp. nov. (Primulaceae-Myrsinoideae), a member of Ardisia subgenus Stylardisia on account of the style protruding from the closed petals prior to anthesis, is herein described and illustrated as a new species. This new species is easily distinguished by the combination of the inflorescences with a slender rachis branched to two orders, the corolla lobes are abaxially glabrous with usually up to only two gland-dots near the apex and the brochidrodromous secondary veins with double loops near the margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seventy-two morphological characters and three ecological characteristics were measured to assess variation and phylogenetic relationships among twelve species and three infraspecific taxa of the genus Spathoglottis from Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. The morphological analyses divided Spathoglottis into two main groups based on the colours of the flower: Purple-Flowered Spathoglottis and Yellow-Flowered Spathoglottis. Species within the two groupings were further classified based on the size of the plants (Large/Dwarf Purple Spathoglottis and Large/Dwarf Yellow Spathoglottis) and the shapes of the labellum (spathulate, bilobulate or narrow/thread–like). The selected morphological characters appeared to support the taxonomic boundaries between two mostly debated taxa in the genus, S. aurea and S. microchilina.

Vaccinium paradoxum is described as a new species of blueberry from the lowland ultrabasic forest of Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Luzon Island, Philippines. It resembles V. halconense, but differs by having shorter inflorescences, fewer flowers per inflorescence, a glabrous inner surface of the corolla, absence of anther spurs, and a glabrous style. Vaccinium paradoxum is unique among the currently known blueberries in Malesia by the presence of sessile glands borne on the pedicel and predominantly near the centre or scattered on the calyx lobes. It is also the only known Philippine Vaccinium to inhabit lowland ultrabasic forest on sea cliffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species of Breynia are described for Malesia, B. longistyla from Borneo, B. papillosa from New Guinea, and B. suborbicularis from Sulawesi. They are primarily distinguished by characters of indumentum, leaves, and styles. Ten lectotypes and one neotype are designated, and one new synonym is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have identified four major clades within the fern genus Tectaria but none of them is supported by any morphological characters. Here we present an expanded phylogeny of Tectaria based on five plastid markers (atpB, ndhF + ndhF-trnN, rbcL, rps16-matK + matK, and trnL-F), with a particular focus on the species from Asia to the Solomon Islands. Our aims are to infer the systematic position of newly included species, providing insights to interspecific relationships of some species groups, and to determine the identity of some specimens with distinct morphology. As a result, three major clades and a total of 14 lineages are identified in Asia to the Solomon Islands. The 19 newly sampled species were well resolved in the phylogenetic tree, of which T. lobbii (representative of rare rheophytes in Tectaria) was confirmed as belonging in the T. angulata–T. vanikoroensis lineage. Four new species from the Solomon Islands, T. acrophoroides, T. glenniana, T. pallescens, and T. vanikoroensis, are recognized and described. Phylogenetic and morphological evidence suggests frequent hybridizations between T. crenata and T. decurrens from Malesia to the Solomon Islands, and between T. devexa and T. simonsii in mainland Asia and adjacent islands, which render the obscure species boundaries within the two groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The region of Tropical Southeast Asia and the Malay Archipelago is a very appealing area for research due to its outstanding biodiversity, being one of the most species‐rich areas in the world with high levels of endemism, and due to its complex geological history. The high number of species in tribe Dissochaeteae (Melastomataceae) and their tendency to narrow endemism make the tribe an ideal group for examining biogeographic patterns. We sampled 58 accessions spread over 42 accepted and two undescribed species of the Dissochaeteae. Two nuclear (ETS, ITS) and four chloroplast regions (ndhF, psbK‐psbL, rbcL, rpl16) were used for divergence time estimation and ancestral area reconstruction. Results from the molecular dating analysis suggest that the diversity of Dissochaeteae in the Southeast Asian region resulted from a South American ancestor in the late Eocene. The ancestor of the Dissochaeteae might have migrated from South America to Southeast Asia via North America and then entered Eurasia over the North Atlantic land bridge during the Eocene. The origin and early diversification of the Dissochaeteae in Southeast Asia dates back to the middle Oligocene, and most of the genera originated during the Miocene. Indochina and Borneo are most likely the area of origin for the most recent common ancestor of the Dissochaeteae and for many of the early diverging clades of some genera within Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Cissus L. in Malesia is revised, with key to the species given. A total of 23 species is recognized and described herein, including two introduced species, C. quadrangularis L. and C. verticillata (L.) Nicolson & Jarvis. Included are brief taxonomic discussions, description of general taxonomic characters, geographical distribution, ecology and habitats, vernacular names (if known) and other notes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identity of Asplenium nigrescens, A. lepturus, and A. militare is clarified. Diagnostic characteristics, distribution, and habitat information for each species are provided. A. nigrescens, A. lepturus, and A. militare are distinct species. Key and photos are provided for the identification of the species. The collections by de Vore and Hoover are discussed. [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]

In 1743, Georg Rumphius described a tree from the island of Seram in Herbarium Amboinense as Arbor Versicolor (now known as Eucalyptus deglupta Blume). Thus, the first European name for a species in the iconic Australian genus of Eucalyptus was coined decades before the British collected specimens in Australia, and before it was given its current name by a French botanist in 1789. The English translation of Rumphius' description (see Supplementary Material) also includes vernacular names for Eucalyptus deglupta —some of many names applied to this species as it occurs from New Britain to Mindanao in the Philippines. While neither Rumphius' name nor vernacular names for E. deglupta are recognised in current Western botanical nomenclature, the naming of Eucalyptus and other genera now recognised as Acacia, Casuarina and Melaleuca confirm the role of the eminent naturalist Rumphius in the history of Australian botany. Georg Rumphius described a tree from the island of Seram in Herbarium Amboinense (1741–50) as Arbor Versicolor. It is undoubtedly Eucalyptus deglupta and therefore a pre-Linnaean description of Eucalyptus long before it was 'discovered' by the British and described by the French in 1789. Rumphius also described species of other large Australian tree genera, Acacia, Casuarina and Melaleuca that have outlying species from Maluku (Moluccan Islands), thereby cementing a deserved reputation in the history of Australian botany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighteen species of Decalobanthus are recognized in this concise revision of the genus. Two new combinations are made and one new name is proposed to accommodate a change in rank. The genus is centered in Southeast Asia and Malesia, with outlier species in the tropical Pacific and one species that reaches the Neotropics; a single wide-ranging species extends from eastern Tropical Africa and Madagascar in the west to the Hawaiian Islands in the east. Each species is provided with a diagnosis, summary of the species' ecology, compiled vernacular names, and uses. Distributions are mapped based on herbarium voucher specimens. Where appropriate, typifications and nomenclatural problems are explained and comments on morphological variation and the need for further study are highlighted. Selected species are illustrated with colour photos of living plants. An index of numbered collections examined is provided to aid in specimen identification and herbarium curation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dalechampia is a mainly South American genus of generally climbing shrubs with usually sharp stiff trichomes in some of the inflorescence parts. The bisexual inflorescences are very condensed and subtended by two, often showy, large bracts. The three pistillate flowers are separate from the staminate subinflorescence (both groups with their own bracts). The staminate subinflorescence contains groups of staminodial-like bractlets that provide resin for female bees or fragrance for male bees. In west Malesia (Sumatra and Java) one indigenous species is found, the climbing D. bidentata, and occasionally cultivars of the subshrub D. spathulata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A revision of Leptopus and Notoleptopus (Phyllanthaceae tribe Poranthereae) in Malesia is presented. Both genera are present with a single species in Malesia, L. australis and N. decasnei, respectively. Phylogenetically the two genera are distinct, but morphologically their differences are minimal. Nomenclature, descriptions, distributions and various notes are presented, just as a technical drawing of both species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ridsdalea philippinensis (Rubiaceae), a new species from the karst forest in El Nido (Palawan, Philippines), is described and illustrated. It is unique among Malesian Ridsdalea species in having a corolla tube that is distinctly inflated at the apex, a character state also displayed by R. sootepensis and R. thailandica from Laos and Thailand. Amongst others, R. philippinensis, however, differs from both of these species in having smaller flowers and anthers that do not emerge from the corolla tube. An updated key for Philippine Ridsdalea is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cayratia Juss. sect. Cayratia Suesseng. in Malesia is revised, with key to the species given. A total of 19 species are recognized and described herein, including one new C. ranauensis Latiff sp. nov., two new records for Malesia, C. emarginata C. L. Li ex Trias-Blasi & J. Parn. and C. lanceolata (C. L. Li) J. Wen & Z. D. Chen. Included here are brief taxonomic discussions, description of general taxonomic characters, distribution, habitats and ecology, vernacular names and other notes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The genus Thalictrum L. in New Guinea is revised based on morphological evidence. Full descriptions of the genus and the four taxa recognised are given. Two species are recognised: Thalictrum papuanum, widespread across New Guinea, and a new species described here; T. umbraticola, endemic to west New Guinea. Two new varieties are described: Thalictrum papuanum var. acutisegmentum and T. papuanum var. laticarpellum. One new synonym of Thalictrum papuanum var. papuanum is established: T. papuanum var. oranjense. Keys to the taxa and distribution maps, as well as preliminary conservation assessments, are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The genus Ziziphus (Rhamnaceae) is revised for Borneo. 13 species are recognised using morphological evidence, including three new endemic species: Ziziphus cuspidata, Z. domatiata and Z. puberula. Borneo is therefore the island with the greatest known diversity of Ziziphus species. The area surrounding Mount Kinabalu is particularly diverse, with nine species occurring in Ranau. Two new varieties of Z. borneensis are also described here, Z. borneensis var. ranggam and Z. borneensis var. velutina, five new synonyms are established, including the placement of Z. elmeri as a synonym of Colubrina beccariana. A taxonomic treatment, including a preliminary IUCN conservation status assessment, is presented for each species and variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent fieldwork in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, resulted in the collection of an endemic new species of Ardisia , described here as Ardisiarecurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge. The species is a member of subgenus (§) Crispardisia on account of its vascularised glands (bacterial nodules) on the leaf margin and the terminal inflorescence on a specialised lateral branch subtended by a normal leaf (rather than a reduced bract-like leaf). Ardisiarecurvipetala is unique amongst all members of § Crispardisia by having leaf margins with both vascularised glands and pustule-like structures and can be further distinguished from other Peninsular Malaysian members of this subgenus by the lamina raised between the leaf venation giving a somewhat bullate appearance, unbranched inflorescences, brownish-red pedicels and recurved corolla lobes, each with a creamy-white apex and a small pink patch at the base. Ardisiarecurvipetala is known only from a single location in Terengganu and its conservation status is assessed as Data Deficient (DD)., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Avelinah Julius, Mat Yunoh Siti-Munirah, Timothy M. A. Utteridge.)