Search

Background and aims – During the 1970s, a comprehensive survey of moist forest areas across Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands was carried out, from Nyanga in the north to Chirinda Forest in the south. All tree stems 8 cm diameter or greater in both canopy and sub-canopy layers were measured in 176 quarter-hectare plots, and plots were then classified into 12 altitude-related forest types. The aim of the present study is to categorise the woody species recorded in these plots in terms of their chorological status. The findings are compared to similar analyses from moist forests across Malawi.Material and methods – All tree species recorded during the initial survey were listed and placed into 12 described chorological (phytogeographical) categories based on their continental distribution. Their occurrence across the 12 previously described forest types is given. Key results and conclusions – A total of 211 tree species was recorded from 176 plots. Most species (86, or 40.8%) are Afromontane endemics or near-endemics, while 48 species (22.7%) are Guineo-Congolian linking, 31 (14.7%) are Eastern endemic or near-endemics, and 16 (7.6%) are sub-Afromontane endemics or near-endemics. The remainder comprise African linking and Zambezian species. This shows that species of the moist forests of eastern Zimbabwe form a complex phytogeographical mix. While Afromontane species dominate at high altitudes, Guineo-Congolian and Eastern species become more common at lower altitudes. In terms of proportions of chorological categories, results were found to be similar to those from forest studies in Malawi.

The oldest representatives of Cymodoceaceae supposedly arose in the tropical waters of East Gondwana inCretaceous and later settled along the World Ocean by various tracks, the most important of which passed along the southern coast of Eurasian continental masses and reached the waters of modern Atlantic. More advanced genera Cymodocea,Syringodium originated in these areas and moved “back” to the waters of the Indian Ocean and the southwestern Pacific.

Aspects of the floristics and phytogeography of species of Kalanchoe Adans. (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae) in the Waterberg, Limpopo province, northern South Africa, are discussed. In 2001 the Waterberg, which covers an area of 654,033ha (1,616,150.74 acres), was recognised as a Biosphere Reserve. It is shown that after eastern southern Africa (KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, eastern Limpopo, South Africa; Eswatini (formerly) Swaziland; southern Mozambique), the Waterberg has the most diverse Kalanchoe flora in southern Africa. A floristic synopsis of, and an identification key to, the kalanchoes of the Waterberg is presented. All the species are described and illustrated.

The phytogeographic and floristic connections of the “Montes de Maria” (MM: north of Colombia) were analyzed through Geographic Information Systems, at worldwide, Neotropical and in Colombia scales in order to determine its geographical origin and floristic affinities. We estimated that genera are mostly of the Neotropical (74%) and Nearctic (26%) origin. At the Neotropical level, MM is located at the Pacific dominion and shares species with the Mesoamerican dominion. In addition, shares species with the Chaquena, Antilles subregions, and the South American and Mexican transition zones. At the regional level, the MM is located between Guajira and Magdalena provinces, although is floristically more similar to Guajira province. MM shape a floristic unit together with other fragments of dry forest in the Colombian Caribbean, which is highly related to dry forests of the inter-Andean valleys. In addition, the floristic origin of MM is associated to dry flora of Mesoamerica, nonetheless it was also influenced by the Amazonian and the Sabana province.

The United States is currently home to five native cycad species. We provide a discussion on these five cycad species to illuminate how evolutionary and geopolitical processes influence phytogeography and published checklists of threatened plants. The number of threatened species in need of protection within any given country is a product of speciation that is contingent with evolutionary processes. However, this number may change instantaneously along with shifting of geopolitical boundaries brought about by armed conflict between rival states and multilateral negotiations. There are five contemporary cycad species within the United States, and the various historical bilateral and multilateral agreements that have generated this list are reviewed. Three of these five cycad species are threatened and in need of urgent protection. A discussion on the history of United States cycads as a microcosm of worldwide conservation issues is presented, with a focus on how federal conservation endeavors of individual nations may influence the world’s biodiversity crisis.

The Fagaceae family is currently widespread throughout tropical and temperate regions of South America and the Northern Hemisphere, especially East Asia, and has likely been so since the Eocene, according to fossil records. In China, Fagaceae fossils are rare in the lowest latitudes of South China. Here, we describe 12 species in 5 genera of Fagaceae (i.e. Berryophyllum, Castaneophyllum, Quercus, Castanopsis and Lithocarpus) based on leaf morphology and trichomes. These fossils are recovered from the Changchang Formation of Changchang Basin, Hainan Island, South China, indicating that Fagaceae has been distributed in these tropical low latitudes since the Eocene. Given that our fossils are closely related to the tropical and subtropical extant species, we speculate that Fagaceae lineages have likely diverged since the Eocene and that each extant lineage, such as Quercus sect. Cyclobalanopsis, became highly differentiated no later than middle Eocene. Based on the current living conditions of the extant species, we further speculate that the climate of Hainan Island was warm and wet during the middle Eocene, suitable for the growth and differentiation of the family.

The present study surveyed the flora of the Jebel Fayfa region, South-West Saudi Arabia to analyze four elements of the vegetation: floristic diversity, life form, lifespan, and phytogeographical affinities. A total of 341 species of vascular plants were recorded belonging to 240 genera in 70 families, of which 101 species distributed among 40 families were considered as new additions to the flora of Jabal Fayfa. Six species are considered endemic to the study area while 27 are endangered. The most represented families were Fabaceae, Asteraceae, and Poaceae. The flora of Jabal Fayfa exhibited a high degree of monotypism. A total of 20 families (28.57%) were represented by a single species, and 180 genera (75.00%) were monotypic. The recorded flora consists of 70.09% perennials and 29.91% annuals. Phanerophytes and therophytes were the most frequent lifeforms. Phytogeographical analysis revealed that the biregional elements of the Saharo-Arabian/Sudano-Zambezian chorotype are the most dominant chorotypes (35.48%), forming two-thirds of the floristic structure in Jabal Fayfa. The new additions to the local flora of the region indicate that the Jabal Fayfa region and the country need further thorough botanical exploration and documentation which would help in adding several species to the flora of Saudi Arabia.

Seven plant genera are regarded as endemic to Jamaica [Dendrocousinsia (seven species, Euphorbiaceae), Jacmaia (one species, Asteraceae), Odontocline (six species, Asteraceae), Portlandia (six spec...

Background . Agave sisalana is a cultigen from Mexico. In 1833 it was brought to Florida by Henry Perrine as an experimental crop. From there it was introduced to tropical Africa and Asia in the late 19 th Century, where it became established as a fiber crop. Paradoxically, in the Yucatan it meanwhile evanesced from its already scanty presence. Because material was collected from cultivated stock in Chiapas in the 1950s and a neotype from there was selected in 1988, it was assumed to have originated in Chiapas. Questions. Did A. sisalana originate in the Yucatan Peninsula following Perrine (1838a, 1938b) rather than from Chiapas sensu Gentry (1988)? Studied species. Agave sisalana (sisal), one of the strongest natural fibers in the world and a commercially important crop. Study site and dates. Live plants were located in the Yucatan between 2013–2017. Methods. We document historical and current presences of A. sisalana in the Yucatan Peninsula following three lines of evidence: 1) overlooked records and reports in literature; 2) herbarium specimens; and 3) presence of extant populations. Results. Eleven localities in the Yucatan Peninsula still have extant populations of sisal. We uncovered herbarium specimens from the region, including an original specimen by Perrine, from Campeche, which is selected as the lectotype for the name, superseding the neotype from Chiapas. Conclusion . We demonstrate the continued presence of Agave sisalana in the Yucatan Peninsula, even though it has now become rare. It is most likely that the crop was first domesticated there.

We conducted a floristic survey of “Cerrado” sensu stricto on Quartzipsamment soils in the northeastern state of Goias, Brazil, in Terra Ronca State Park (PETeR). In addition, we analysed phytogeographical aspects to investigate the floristic relationships between “Cerrado” and the Amazon, Atlantic Forest and “Caatinga” biomes. Furthermore, we assessed the shrub–tree flora similarity with other sites having the same type of physiognomy and soil class. We collected species along three 5 km × 60 m (90 ha) transects and recorded 278 species. Erythroxylum loefgrenii Diogo, Eugenia blanchetiana O.Berg and Martianthus stachydifolius (Epling) Harley & J.F.B.Pastore were listed as new records for the “Cerrado” (Brazilian savanna), and thirteen species were newly recorded for the state of Goias. Approximately, 28% of the species are endemic to the “Cerrado”, and 72% are shared with other Brazilian biomes. The shrub–tree layer of the “Cerrado” shares more species with the “Caatinga”, which shows the transitional aspects and affinities of the local flora with this biome. The high similarity between the woody flora of PETeR and “Cerrado” sensu stricto on Quartzipsamment soil sites in Bahia and northern Minas Gerais state associated with the occurrence of floristic elements that considered typical of the north–northeast portion of the “Cerrado” phytogeographical province reinforces the inclusion of the northeast region of Goias in this floristic province. The protected area in the Vao do Parana region represents only 3.3% of the total area of the region and 6% of the remaining natural vegetation in the area. Considering that the studied region holds an important flora and at the same time presents strong anthropogenic pressure from the occupation of agribusiness, it would be extremely important to prioritize conservation strategies to maintain the remaining natural vegetation in the northeastern portion of the “Cerrado”.

The Parque Estadual da Serra do Papagaio (PESP) harbors some unusual fragments of mixed needle-broadleaved forest (MNF) of Minas Gerais state. This study aims to analyze the floristic composition and geographic distribution of the genera represented in the MNF of the PESP. Collections of fertile specimens of vascular plants (excluding epiphytes) were conducted monthly (March 2012-June 2013) in the alluvial and slope areas of MNF in the PESP, in altitudes ranging from 1,650-2,000 m above sea level. The genera were classified into seven phytogeographic groups that were delimited according to their current diversity centers available in the literature. We recorded 310 species belonging to 168 genera and 82 families of vascular plants. The richest families were Asteraceae (49 species), Melastomataceae (33 species) and Rubiaceae (16 species). We observed the presence of species often found in montane and high montane forests of southeastern region, besides of temperate genera, showing that low temperatures caused by high altitude influence the floristic composition of the area. The high richness found denotes the importance of altitude areas for diversity in Atlantic Forest and highlights the biogeographic importance of the region for presenting an unusual phytophysiognomy in the state with endemic and endangered species. Resumo O Parque Estadual da Serra do Papagaio (PESP) possui fragmentos incomuns de Floresta Mista Lati-aciculifoliada (MNF) do estado de Minas Gerais. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram analisar os aspectos florísticos e a distribuição geográfica dos gêneros presentes na MNF do PESP. Foram realizadas coletas mensais (de março de 2012 a junho de 2013) de exemplares férteis (excluindo-se as epífitas) nas áreas de MNF aluvial e de encosta do PESP, com altitudes entre 1.650-2.000 m. Os gêneros foram classificados em sete grupos fitogeográficos de acordo com seu centro de diversidade disponível na literatura. Foram registradas 310 espécies pertencentes a 168 gêneros e 82 famílias de plantas vasculares, sendo as famílias mais ricas: Asteraceae (49 espécies), Melastomataceae (33 espécies) e Rubiaceae (16 espécies). Foi observado a presença de espécies frequentes na floresta montana e alto-montana da Região Sudeste do Brasil, além de gêneros de origem temperada, mostrando que a baixa temperatura causada pela altitude influencia na composição florística da área. A elevada riqueza encontrada denota a importância das áreas de altitude para a diversidade da Floresta Atlântica e evidencia a importância biogeográfica da região por apresentar um fitofisionomia incomum no estado e com espécies endêmicas e ameaçadas.

Rhabdodendraceae is recorded for the first time in the vascular flora of Colombia and the upper Rio Negro basin, based on collections of Rhabdodendron amazonicum from the upper Cuyari river, Guiania department, Colombia, and the upper Isana (Icana) river, Amazonas state, Brazil, respectively. These two localities extend considerably the northwesternly distribution of this taxon inside the Amazon Basin. Notes about the phytogeography (e.g. insights as to why this species has not yet been found between Manaus and the confluence of the Guainia and Casiquiare rivers), the habitats of R. amazonicum, and an updated overview of the known specimens using a geographic distribution map of this taxon is also included. The discovery of this family in the upper Rio Negro region, demonstrates the value of field work through alliances between private initiatives and the Kuripaco nation.

The territorial expansion of Amazonian religions that make ritual use of Ayahuasca / Hoasca, in Rondônia, has been associated to the maintenance of forested areas and recovery of degraded areas associated with the cultivation of Banisteriopsis caapi [(SpruceexGriseb.) CV Morton] and Psychotria viridis (Ruiz & Pav.) in agroforestry systems (SAFs). The present research had as objective to carry out the floristic survey and to analyze the composition and structure of the arboreal component of the forest fragments and agroforestry of territorial areas of União do Vegetal, one of the Hoasca religious matrices, in each phytoecological region of its comprehension in Rondônia. For this, non-probabilistic samples were performed on 08 rural properties in the delimited territory. In the selected areas, disjoint plots of 50 x 20 m (0.1 ha) were plotted, totaling 23 plots and 2.3 ha of area sampled, and then phytosociological parameters were calculated in the FITOPAC 2.1 application. Floristic surveys and phytosociological parameters presented satisfactory results regarding the conservation of phytodiversity in these areas according to the phytoecological region in which they are found. The occurrence of species in the Near Threatened and Vulnerable (VU) status by RedList shows the importance of these territories to conservation. In the case of samples in cultivated areas of the ritual species, these results were superior to other Agroforestry Systems, and in 75% of the samples better than the own areas of forest destined to the Legal Reserve of the same property. The territorial expansion of Amazonian religions that make ritual use of Ayahuasca / Hoasca, in Rondônia, has been associated to the maintenance of forested areas and recovery of degraded areas associated with the cultivation of Banisteriopsis caapi [(SpruceexGriseb.) CV Morton] and Psychotria viridis (Ruiz & Pav.) in agroforestry systems (SAFs). The present research had as objective to carry out the floristic survey and to analyze the composition and structure of the arboreal component of the forest fragments and agroforestry of territorial areas of União do Vegetal, one of the Hoasca religious matrices, in each phytoecological region of its comprehension in Rondônia. For this, non-probabilistic samples were performed on 08 rural properties in the delimited territory. In the selected areas, disjoint plots of 50 x 20 m (0.1 ha) were plotted, totaling 23 plots and 2.3 ha of area sampled, and then phytosociological parameters were calculated in the FITOPAC 2.1 application. Floristic surveys and phytosociological parameters presented satisfactory results regarding the conservation of phytodiversity in these areas according to the phytoecological region in which they are found. The occurrence of species in the Near Threatened and Vulnerable (VU) status by RedList shows the importance of these territories to conservation. In the case of samples in cultivated areas of the ritual species, these results were superior to other Agroforestry Systems, and in 75% of the samples better than the own areas of forest destined to the Legal Reserve of the same property.

The distribution boundaries of the two birch species communities: Stone-birch (Betula ermanii Cham.) and White birch (Betula platyphylla Sukacz) forests have been firstly reliably established for the North of the Koryak Region. The remote sensing data, aerial observations, original relevés, and itinerary research data were used. A map of the Stone-birch and White-birch forests allocation in the mainland part of the Koryak Region was compiled. It was shown that Stone-birch groves were found in relatively warmer and wetter areas adjacent to the Bering Sea coast. They occupy Southern and South-Eastern slopes of the Koryak Upland spurs; whereas White birch forests are common in the continental districts. They are found in the valleys of the rivers Penzhina, Talovka, Belaya, Oklan, Apukvayam, on the Penzhinskiy Ridge slopes. Stone-birch forests do not occur North of 62° northern latitude, do not overcome the boggy depression of Parapolsky Dale, and do not occur to the West of 167° 30’ eastern longitude. The natural phytogeographical boundary between the areas of the two birch formations are the Southern and South-Eastern spurs of the Koryak Upland.

Leptodermis riparia Parker (Rubiaceae) is rediscovered after a gap of 90 years from its Type locality in eastern part of Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya. In addition, we recorded two new localities of this species in the state. All the three populations were found along stream courses especially on rocky substrates rich in limestone. The Type locality for this species was devastated due to severe floods of 2013. In this article, we have presented description, habitat characteristics, phytogeography and conservation status of L. riparia in the Western Himalaya.

Mahmoodi M., Maassoumi A. A. & Noroozi J.: A new alpine species and a new record of Astragalus sect. Stereothrix (Fabaceae) from Iran, with comments on the phytogeography of the section. — Willdenowia 43: 263–270. December 2013. — ISSN 0511-9618; © 2013 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. Stable URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3372/wi.43.43205 Astragalus issatissensis, a new species of A. sect. Stereothrix (Fabaceae), is described and illustrated from the alpine zone of Shirkuh mountain, Yazd province, in C Iran. It is compared with its presumed closest relative, A. bavanatensis. Furthermore, A. hakkariensis, also in A. sect. Stereothrix, is recorded for the first time from West Azerbaijan province in NW Iran. An updated list of species of A. sect. Stereothrix is presented, distribution maps of all species are given and the distribution patterns in the section are discussed.

International Association for Vegetation Science Aims: The herb–shrub flora has been widely neglected in science and conservation policy throughout the world, so that this biodiversity component remains largely unknown. The objective of this study was to elucidate the spatial patterns of species richness and phytogeographic regions of the Cerrado herb–shrub flora, and to estimate the percentage of areas with high species richness that is still covered by natural vegetation and is located in protected areas or priority areas for conservation. Location: Central Brazil and surrounding territories. Methods: To estimate the pattern of species richness we produced species distribution models (SDMs) for 5362 species using botanical records combined with 17 least correlated environmental variables. All SDMs were tested against a bias-corrected null model and the 5039 significant SDMs were stacked to generate the pattern of botanical richness. The resulting presence–absence matrix was subjected to a partitioning around medoids (PAM) cluster analysis to delineate phytogeographic regions. Results: The pattern of species richness indicated that highest levels of richness are in the central–south and west parts of the Cerrado. The study recognized two floristically distinct clusters at the core of the Cerrado region, and seven additional regions that share floristic elements with the two core clusters. Many areas with high levels of modelled species richness are located outside protected and priority areas for conservation. Conclusions: We recognized patterns of regional variation, reflected in the phytogeographic division. Furthermore, we show that the current protected areas in Brazil do not effectively protect high richness areas of the herb–shrub flora.