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Aspects of the nomenclature and classification of the subtribe Strumariinae are corrected and emended as follows: Hessea subgenus Myophila (Snijman) Snijman and Strumaria subgenus Carpolyza (Salisb.) Snijman are described, and Strumaria section Gemmaria (Salisb.) Snijman is validated; the correct author citations for several names in Strumaria that were invalidly published by Jacquin are established; and a complete infrageneric synopsis for the actinomorphic-flowered taxa of subtribe Strumariinae is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ledebouria sect. Resnova is revised. • Five species are recognised. • Ledebouria hardyi is described as new. • All taxa are described and fully illustrated. • A new subtribal classification is presented for Massonieae. The species in Ledebouria sect. Resnova are revised, with an identification key, full nomenclature, descriptions, ecological notes, and illustrations. Sect. Resnova is defined by its deeply campanulate flowers with tepals shortly connate basally and erect throughout or spreading distally; biseriate stamens with white, filiform filaments; sessile or subsessile ovary; and diagnostic seeds, obliquely obovoid with an inflated and invaginated raphe, and a finely puberulous-echinulate testa. Five species are recognised, divided between the monotypic ser. Lachenalioides , diagnosed by larger flowers with multi-nerved tepals, and ser. Resnova , with smaller flowers and uni-nerved tepals. Species in ser. Resnova are distinguished primarily by the presence or absence of hairs on one or both surfaces of the leaves, and by the presence or absence of a pseudopetiole. The new species Ledebouria hardyi J.C.Manning is described for a collection of plants from near Burgersfort in Limpopo with mostly solitary, markedly pseudopetiolate foliage. The species in sect. Resnova are geographically and ecologically separated by altitude and climate. A revised subtribal classification is provided for Massonieae, based on available phylogenetic hypotheses. Three subtribes are recognised: the monotypic Merwillineae is described for the genus Merwilla and is diagnosed by its white ovary and beige seeds; the genus Schizocarphus is transferred to join Ledebouria in Ledebouriinae, which is weakly diagnosed by the development of multiple inflorescences in some species and a flexuous scape; and Lachenaliinae is included within Massoniinae, which comprises all remaining genera in the tribe and is diagnosed by its few to many subglobose seeds per locule and often tunicated bulbs. This classification replaces existing hypotheses, which are inconsistent with available morphological and phylogenetic data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monotypic genus Bryomorphe Harv. is found to be homotypic with Klenzea lycopodioides Sch.Bip., which is considered to be a later synonym of Dolichothrix ericoides (Lam.) Hilliard & Burtt, and Bryomorphe is thus a synonym of Dolichothrix. The new genus Muscosomorphe J.C.Manning is proposed to accommodate the species previously included in Bryomorphe as B. aretioides (Turcz) Druce, along with the new combination M. aretioides (Turcz) J.C.Manning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new combinations Colchicum burchellii (Baker) J.C.Manning & Vinn. and C. burchellii subsp. pulchrum (Schltr. & K.Krause) J.C.Manning & Vinn. are provided for the taxa currently known respectively under the names C. coloratum subsp. burchellii (Baker) J.C.Manning & Vinn. and C. coloratum J.C.Manning & Vinn., nom superfl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correct author citations for several names in the genera Drimia (Hyacinthaceae) and Eriospermum (Ruscaceae) that were invalidly published by N.J. Jacquin are provided. The later validation dates for these names do not have implications for their nomenclatural priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Tecophilaeaceae (27 species distributed in eight genera) have a disjunct distribution in California, Chile and southern and tropical mainland Africa. Moreover, although the family mainly occurs in arid ecosystems, it has colonized three Mediterranean-type ecosystems. In this study, the spatio-temporal history of the family is examined using DNA sequence data from six plastid regions. Methods Modern methods in divergence time estimation (BEAST), diversification (LTT and GeoSSE) and biogeography (LAGRANGE) are applied to infer the evolutionary history of Tecophilaeaceae. To take into account dating and phylogenetic uncertainty, the biogeographical inferences were run over a set of dated Bayesian trees and the analyses were constrained according to palaeogeographical evidence. Key Results The analyses showed that the current distribution and diversification of the family were influenced primarily by the break up of Gondwana, separating the family into two main clades, and the establishment of a Mediterranean climate in Chile, coinciding with the radiation of Conanthera. Finally, unlike many other groups, no shifts in diversification rates were observed associated with the dispersals in the Cape region of South Africa. Conclusions Although modest in size, Tecophilaeaceae have a complex spatio-temporal history. The family is now most diverse in arid ecosystems in southern Africa, but is expected to have originated in sub-tropical Africa. It has subsequently colonized Mediterranean-type ecosystems in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, but well before the onset of the Mediterranean climate in these regions. Only one lineage, genus Conanthera, has apparently diversified to any extent under the impetus of a Mediterranean climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invalidly published name Massonia sect. Whiteheadia (Harv.) J.C.Manning is validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Gnidia linearifolia (Wikstr.) B.Peterson group is revised. • Five species are recognized: G. linearifolia (Wikstr.) B.Peterson , G. nana (L.f.) Wikstr. , G. penicillata Licht. ex Meisn., G. scabrida Meisn. and G. tomentosa L. • All taxa are described and fully illustrated. • Distribution maps are provided. • Gnidia penicillata and Gnidia scabrida are lectotypified. A taxonomic revision of the Gnidia linearifolia group (Thymelaeaceae: Thymelaeoideae) is presented. Species in this group are diagnosed by punctate leaves that are ciliate when young, a densely hairy hypanthium, and petaloid scales with a basal callus. We recognize five species: G. linearifolia (Wikstr.) B.Peterson , G. nana (L.f.) Wikstr. , G. penicillata Licht. ex Meisn., G. scabrida Meisn. and G. tomentosa L. This account includes descriptions, complete nomenclature and typification, illustrations, geographical distribution, and a key to the species. A lectotype is designated for Gnidia scabrida and Gnidia penicillata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Ongoing systematic studies in the African flora necessitate periodic nomenclatural adjustments and corrections. Objectives To effect requisite nomenclatural changes. Method Relevant literature was surveyed and requisite nomenclatural transfers provided. Results The new combination Sesamum byngianum Christenh. proposed for Josephinia africana Vatke is superfluous as an available synonym exists. Conclusions The new combination Sesamum rosaceum (Engl.) J.C. Manning & Magee is also provided for Josephinia africana Vatke. Three new sectional combinations are provided to accommodate the species previously placed in Ceratotheca Endl., Josephinia Vent. and Dicerocaryum Bojer in the current infrageneric classification of Sesamum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic revision is presented for the two geophytic species of Othonna L. (Asteraceae: Senecioneae: Othonninae) distinguished by a condensed caudex without evident internodes. These species are morphologically and phylogenetically distinct from the remaining geophytic species. This account includes descriptions, complete nomenclature and typification, illustrations and geographical distribution. We recognise the following two species: O. auriculifolia with radiate capitula and mature pappus 3–25 mm long, and O. taraxacoides (DC.) Sch. Bip. with disciform capitula and mature pappus 3–8 mm long. Both species are vegetatively variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]