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ABSTRACTTmesipteris alticolais described here as a new fern species endemic to New Caledonia's Grande Terre. It is a fifth species of Tmesipterisfor the territory, and the second endemic. The obovate leaves and conic synangia of T. alticoladistinguish it morphologically from all other species of Tmesipteris. Phylogenetic analyses of chloroplast DNA sequences support its distinctiveness, and indicate it is most closely related to T. truncataand T. vieillardiiamong the sampled species. Tmesipteris alticolais known from only four mountainous locations, all with ultramafic substrates in Province Sud, at elevations of 1200 m–1500 m, where it grows terrestrially or as a low epiphyte, seemingly mostly on ridges or around summits within short-statured cloud forest. We propose a provisional IUCN conservation status of Near Threatened for T. alticolabecause of its limited known occurrences. Tmesipteris alticolaadds to a slew of fern species that have been recently newly described, reinstated, or recorded in New Caledonia.

ABSTRACTSix fern species are newly reported or substantiated as indigenous to New Caledonia: Davallia sessilifolia, Dicranopteris caudata, Dryopteris arborescens, Pteris terminalis, Trichomanes atrovirens, and T. kurzii. This is the first record of Dryopterisfor New Caledonia. Our findings are based on extensive fieldwork, inspection of specimens in relevant herbaria including type material, comparisons with authoritative references, and phylogenetic analyses of chloroplast DNA sequences. The global and New Caledonian distribution, morphological diagnosis, and conservation status are given for each species. Davallia sessilifolia, Dryopteris arborescens, Pteris terminalis, and Trichomanes atrovirensare provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered or Endangered in New Caledonia, because they have few populations that are each of limited size, and some are also threatened by fire or introduced deer and pigs. While Dicranopteris caudataoccurs in open habitats, the others are largely confined to humid habitats at high elevation, or to the wetter forested valleys of north-east Grande Terre. These are the most likely habitats in which to find more populations of these species, but also other new species records and new endemic ferns. Alongside the recent description of several new endemic species, the addition of so many non-endemic indigenous species to a fern and lycophyte flora of approximately 300 species is an indication that considerable work remains to be done in documenting these plants in New Caledonia.

ABSTRACTThe electronic Flora of New Zealand – Ferns and Lycophytesincludes 466 basionyms relevant to the New Zealand flora. These names are typified by 281 lectotypes, 4 neotypes, 1 conserved type, 4 names for which a designation has not been made, and 25 for which a type could not be located. The remaining 151 basionyms have been considered in initial editions of the Floraas having holotypes. However, 37 of these require lectotypification in order to comply with the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, as well as suggestions for “best practice”. This is either because the full extent of original material was not considered, or had not been located, or because specimens that had been cited by other authors as holotypes and isotypes are, in reality, often syntypes from which a lectotype must be chosen. 21 of these 37 lectotypes have been inadvertently designated by earlier authors, and a further 16 are designated here for the first time. Lectotypes are being chosen where possible for all names at specific and subspecific rank, for which no holotype was designated by the original author, in order to fix the application of the name concerned. Justification for the choice is provided in each case. This article is a contribution towards clarifying the taxonomic and nomenclatural status of New Zealand plants for the plant names database (Ngā Tipu Aotearoa) and the electronic Flora of New Zealand.

ABSTRACTBlechnum opacumis a small forest fern indigenous to New Caledonia and Vanuatu. After examining the considerable morphological variation in New Caledonian populations, along with phylogenetic analysis of chloroplast DNA sequences, we conclude that B. deplancheishould be reinstated for some of the plants in New Caledonia. Blechnum deplancheiis readily recognisable, with pinnatisect fronds that are usually larger, pinnae that are numerous and oblong, and with the distal lamina segments reduced in size. Based on two chloroplast loci, the three sampled populations of B. deplancheicomprised a distinct and well-supported lineage. The genetic and morphological distinctiveness of B. deplancheiwas maintained over a reasonably large area, including areas of broad sympatry with B. opacum. Blechnum deplancheiis largely confined to the mountains in southern Grande Terre, in areas underlain by ultramafic substrates. It generally occurs at higher elevations, and is assessed with a conservation status of Near Threatened. Even with the recognition of B. deplanchei, B. opacumremains a variable species. A few plants are morphologically intermediate. We provisionally retain them in B. opacum, but they require further investigation. The morphologically intermediate samples in the phylogenetic analyses were the most distantly related among the ingroup, contributing to the paraphyly of B. opacumwith respect to B. deplanchei. The morphologically intermediate plants are unlikely to be first generation hybrids or allopolyploids, given their genetic distinctiveness, the regularity and comparable size of their spores, and because some occur far to the north of the distribution of B. deplanchei; furthermore, Vanuatu plants have a similar morphology. It is possible that they may simply be unusually large plants of B. opacum, or a distinct, third species. Resolving their status requires genetic analysis of additional samples from northern Grande Terre and Vanuatu. With the circumscription adopted here, we assess B. opacumas Least Concern.

ABSTRACTThe fern genus Lastreopsishas been recently re-circumscribed to include about 19 species. It occurs from southern Asia through the Pacific to the Neotropics, with Australasia having the most species. We here describe a new species endemic to New Caledonia’s Grande Terre, L. abscondita. Morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analyses of chloroplast DNA sequences show that L. absconditaresembles and is closely related to L. vieillardii, also endemic to New Caledonia. From L. vieillardii, L. absconditadiffers most noticeably in being much scalier, particularly on its rachis and costae, and in having larger scales, and larger, more-divided fronds. Chloroplast DNA sequences distinguish samples of L. absconditaas a clade, but indicate there is substantial genetic variation within the narrowed circumscription of L. vieillardiisuch that it is paraphyletic; this should be further investigated. Lastreopsis absconditais known from only two sites, both at high elevation on non-ultramafic substrates on Grande Terre. We propose an IUCN conservation status of Vulnerable for L. abscondita, particularly because of the small number of sites and limited area of occupancy. The specific epithet alludes to the fact that this large fern, with fronds over 1.5 m long, has been overlooked until now. This is another indication that the ferns of New Caledonia warrant further study, with more discoveries likely to be made.

ABSTRACTNotogrammitis(Polypodiaceae) is a medium-sized genus of ferns in New Zealand with 11 indigenous species. Lectotypes are chosen here for the basionyms Asplenium angustifoliumJacq., Grammitis humilisHombr. and G. rigidaHombr., but no type material has been found for Grammitis australisvar. alpinaS.Jones or G. australisvar. villosaHook.f., and the types for these names remain undesignated. In Blechnum, a lectotype is designated for Lomaria colensoiHook.f. and a second-step lectotypification made for Stegania fluviatilisR.Br. Lectotypes are being chosen where possible for all names at specific and subspecific rank, for which no holotype was designated by the original author, in order to fix the application of the name concerned. Justification for the choice is provided in each case. This article is a contribution towards clarifying the taxonomic and nomenclatural status of New Zealand plants for the plant names database (Ngā Tipu Aotearoa) and the electronic Flora of New Zealand.

ABSTRACTPteridaceaeis a large family of ferns in New Zealand with six genera, 15 indigenous species and 11 naturalised species. Eleven lectotypes are designated for basionyms relevant to New Zealand – Adiantum affinevar. heterophyllumColenso, A. cunninghamiiHook., A. pullumColenso, A. trapeziformeG.Forst., A. trigonumLabill., Cheilanthes sieberivar. deltoideaJ.B.Armstr., C. kirkiiJ.B.Armstr., Pteris affinisA.Rich., P. macilentaA.Rich., P. macilentavar. saxatilisCarse, and P. pendulaColenso. No type material has been found for the indigenous taxon Adiantum affinevar. chathamicumField, and the type for this name remains undesignated. Lectotypes are being chosen where possible for all names at specific and subspecific rank, for which no holotype was designated by the original author, in order to fix the application of the name concerned. Justification for the choice is provided in each case. This article is a contribution towards clarifying the taxonomic and nomenclatural status of New Zealand plants for the plant names database (Ngā Tipu Aotearoa) and the electronic Flora of New Zealand.

ABSTRACTPhlegmariurus variusis an Australasian species of lycophyte that has long been recognised as morphologically and ecologically variable. A recent study reported incongruence between morphological and genetic variation within New Zealand samples. However, a reappraisal and repeat of the genetic analyses of chloroplast DNA sequence data, and a more detailed examination of morphological variation, strongly supports the recognition of two species that are sympatric in New Zealand. The combination Phlegmariurus billardierei(Spring) Brownsey & Perrie is made here for plants with distinct strobili. The other species, Phlegmariurus varius(R.Br.) A.R.Field & Bostock sensu stricto, has comparatively indistinct strobili, and remains morphologically and ecologically variable even after the segregation of P. billardierei. Phlegmariurus variusis indigenous to both Australia and New Zealand, while P. billardiereiis the only species of Lycopodiaceae endemic to New Zealand.

ABSTRACTRecent treatments have recognised seven species indigenous to New Zealand in the fern genus Adiantum.Most of these species display dimorphism with respect to the presence or absence of hairs on the abaxial pinna surfaces, or the nature of the hairs themselves. Taxonomic treatment of these dimorphisms has not been consistent, with variation sometimes treated at the specific or varietal levels, or not recognised at all. Morphological variation in the pinna hair characters of all indigenous species is examined here, and the taxonomic significance of the variation reassessed to bring a consistent approach to classification in New Zealand Adiantum. It is concluded that glabrous and hairy variants should not be given taxonomic recognition, but should be considered dimorphisms within those species that are distinguished on the basis of other morphological characters. As a consequence, A. viridescensis reduced to synonymy with A. fulvum, since the two cannot be distinguished by any character other than the glabrous or hairy nature of the pinnae.

ABSTRACTBlechnaceae is a medium-sized family of ferns in New Zealand with one genus, 23 indigenous species, two naturalised species and two nothospecies. A new combination, Blechnum × digenum(Parris) Brownsey & Perrie, is made for the hybrid between Blechnum molle(Parris) Christenh. and B. parrisiaeChristenh. 11 lectotypes are chosen for basionyms relevant to New Zealand – Lomaria duraT. Moore, L. filiformisA. Cunn., L. membranaceaColenso ex Hook., L. nigraColenso, L. oligoneuronColenso, L. parvifoliaColenso, L. paucijugaColenso, L. pumilaRaoul, L. rotundifoliaColenso, Parablechnum procerumvar. acuminatumC. Presl, and Stegania proceravar. stipulosaA. Rich. No type material has been found for Blechnum capensevar. auriculatumDomin, B. capensevar. contractumDomin, B. capensevar. hookerianumDomin, Lomaria paleaceaPotts, or Lomaria pygmaeaColenso, and the types for these names remain undesignated. Lectotypes are being chosen where possible for all names at specific and subspecific rank, for which no holotype was designated by the original author, in order to fix the application of the name concerned. Justification for the choice is provided in each case. This article is a contribution towards clarifying the taxonomic and nomenclatural status of New Zealand plants for the plant names database (Ngā Tipu Aotearoa) and the electronic Flora of New Zealand.

ABSTRACTDryopteridaceae is a large family of ferns with 13 indigenous species in New Zealand, and Nephrolepidaceae a small family with two indigenous species. Five lectotypes are chosen for basionyms relevant to New Zealand – Aspidium cystostegiumHook., Nephrodium decompositumvar. pubescensHook., N. pentangulareColenso, Polypodium setosumG.Forst., and Polypodium silvaticumColenso. A neotype is designated for Nephrodium browniiDesv. No type material has been found for Aspidium coriaceumvar. acutidentatumA.Rich., and the type for this remains undesignated. Lectotypes or neotypes need to be chosen for all names at specific and infraspecific rank, for which no holotype was designated by the original author, in order to fix the application of the name concerned. Justification for the choice is provided in each case. This article is a contribution towards clarifying the taxonomic and nomenclatural status of New Zealand plants for the plant names database (Ngā Tipu Aotearoa) and the electronic Flora of New Zealand.

ABSTRACTWithin the Lycopodiopsida, Lycopodiaceae is a medium-sized family of lycophytes in New Zealand with five genera and 11 indigenous species, and Isoetaceae is a small family with one genus and two species. Fourteen lectotypes are chosen for basionyms relevant to New Zealand – Isoetes alpinaKirk, Lycopodium australianumHerter, L. billardiereiSpring, L. consimileColenso, L. curvifoliumColenso, L. distansColenso, L. drummondiiSpring, L. lessonianumA.Rich., L. novozealandicumColenso, L. sanguisorbaSpring, L. serpentinumKunze, L. variumvar. gracileKirk, L. variumvar. polarisKirk, and Phylloglossum drummondiiKunze. No type material has been found for Lycopodium decurrensColenso, and the type for this remains undesignated. Lectotypes need to be chosen for all names at specific and subspecific rank, for which no holotype was designated by the original author, in order to fix the application of the name concerned. Justification for the choice is provided in each case. This article is a contribution towards clarifying the taxonomic and nomenclatural status of New Zealand plants for the plant names database (Ngā Tipu Aotearoa) and the electronic Flora of New Zealand.

ABSTRACTThree tropical fern species previously treated in the Dennstaedtiaceae genus Hypolepiswere recently segregated in a new genus, Hiya, based on phylogenetic analysis of chloroplast DNA sequences and assessment of their morphology. That study specifically mentioned the uncertain placement of the Australasian species Hypolepis distans, which has long been regarded as anomalous within Hypolepis. Using phylogenetic analysis of rbcL and rpl16 sequences, along with morphological and cytological characters, we show that Hypolepis distansis best placed in Hiya, and make the new combination Hiya distans. However, this requires a significant adjustment in the morphological characterisation of Hiya. It can be recognised by the adaxial sulcus of the primary pinnae being confluent with the rachis, veins which reach the lamina margin at an indentation, and the primary pinnae arising at ± 90° from the rachis. It is also a significant ecological extension of Hiya, from the tropical highlands of Malesia and Central and South American to the lowlands of temperate Australasia.