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Premise of research. Dichanthelium extends from Canada to Argentina and is most species rich in eastern North America. These C3 panicoid grasses, which are mixed mating and flower two or three times per year, displaying different vegetative growth forms over that time, are renowned for their taxonomic complexity. Thus, there are drastically differing taxonomic treatments; however, no well-sampled phylogenetic perspective is yet available to further explore relationships among species or species complexes. Methodology. We developed the first broadly sampled phylogeny of Dichanthelium , covering the entire range of the genus, but with a focus on the species-rich eastern North American distribution. We sampled 72 taxa (290 accessions), including all currently recognized taxa in the recent Flora of North America treatment. Our dataset consisted of the plastid locus rpl32-trnL and the nuclear loci internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) and was analyzed using maximum likelihood. We calibrated our phylogeny to test the divergence time of the North American clade and likewise used ITS data to explore putative hybridization. Pivotal results. South American species of Dichanthelium formed a grade of successive sisters to the North American clade, which we recovered as originating in the late Miocene–early Pliocene. We recovered 27 subclades, most of these representing species complexes or morphologically similar species. Numerous taxa were resolved outside of their putative species groups and are apparently morphologically cryptic species. We show several cases of putative hybridization in eastern North American and Hawaiian species. Conclusions. Our phylogeny provides a foundation for understanding this taxonomically complicated group of grasses, which will need detailed future studies into species complexes to provide greater taxonomic resolution and understanding of biological processes driving the evolution and diversification of the clade. This should include further study of autogamy and its evolutionary consequences in North American taxa. We propose an adjusted taxonomic treatment of specific members of the genus based mostly on our phylogenetic results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although plastid genome (plastome) structure is highly conserved across most seed plants, investigations during the past two decades have revealed several disparately related lineages that experienced substantial rearrangements. Most plastomes contain a large inverted repeat and two single-copy regions, and a few dispersed repeats; however, the plastomes of some taxa harbour long repeat sequences (>300 bp). These long repeats make it challenging to assemble complete plastomes using short-read data, leading to misassemblies and consensus sequences with spurious rearrangements. Single-molecule, long-read sequencing has the potential to overcome these challenges, yet there is no consensus on the most effective method for accurately assembling plastomes using long-read data. We generated a pipeline, plastid Genome Assembly Using Long-read data (ptGAUL), to address the problem of plastome assembly using long-read data from Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) or Pacific Biosciences platforms. We demonstrated the efficacy of the ptGAUL pipeline using 16 published long-read data sets. We showed that ptGAUL quickly produces accurate and unbiased assemblies using only ~50× coverage of plastome data. Additionally, we deployed ptGAUL to assemble four new Juncus (Juncaceae) plastomes using ONT long reads. Our results revealed many long repeats and rearrangements in Juncus plastomes compared with basal lineages of Poales. The ptGAUL pipeline is available on GitHub: https://github.com/Bean061/ptgaul.

Abstract Background The plastid is the photosynthetic organelle in plant cell, and the plastid genomes (plastomes) are generally conserved in evolution. As one of the most economically and ecologically important order of angiosperms, Poales was previously documented to exhibit great plastomic variation as an order of photoautotrophic plants. Results We acquired 93 plastomes, representing all the 16 families and 5 major clades of Poales to reveal the extent of their variation and evolutionary pattern. Extensive variation including the largest one in monocots with 225,293 bp in size, heterogeneous GC content, and a wide variety of gene duplication and loss were revealed. Moreover, rare occurrences of three inverted repeat (IR) copies in angiosperms and one IR loss were observed, accompanied by short IR (sIR) and small direct repeat (DR). Widespread structural heteroplasmy, diversified inversions, and unusual genomic rearrangements all appeared in Poales, occasionally within a single species. Extensive repeats in the plastomes were found to be positively correlated with the observed inversions and rearrangements. The variation all showed a “small-large-moderate” trend along the evolution of Poales, as well as for the sequence substitution rate. Finally, we found some positively selected genes, mainly in C4 lineages, while the closely related lineages of those experiencing gene loss tended to have undergone more relaxed purifying selection. Conclusions The variation of plastomes in Poales may be related to its successful diversification into diverse habitats and multiple photosynthetic pathway transitions. Our order-scale analyses revealed unusual evolutionary scenarios for plastomes in the photoautotrophic order of Poales and provided new insights into the plastome evolution in angiosperms as a whole.

Background: The plastid is the photosynthetic organelle in plant cell, and the plastid genomes (plastomes) are generally conserved in evolution. As one of the most economically and ecologically important order of angiosperms, Poales was previously documented to exhibit great plastomic variation as an order of photoautotrophic plants. Results: We acquired 93 plastomes, representing all the 16 families and 5 major clades of Poales to reveal the extent of their variation and evolutionary pattern. Extensive variation including the largest one in monocots with 225,293 bp in size, heterogeneous GC content, and a wide variety of gene duplication and loss were revealed. Moreover, rare occurrences of three inverted repeat (IR) copies in angiosperms and one IR loss were observed, accompanied by short IR (sIR) and small direct repeat (DR). Widespread structural heteroplasmy, diversified inversions, and unusual genomic rearrangements all appeared in Poales, occasionally within a single species. Extensive repeats in the plastomes were found to be positively correlated with the observed inversions and rearrangements. The variation all showed a "small-large-moderate" trend along the evolution of Poales, as well as for the sequence substitution rate. Finally, we found some positively selected genes, mainly in C4 lineages, while the closely related lineages of those experiencing gene loss tended to have undergone more relaxed purifying selection. Conclusions: The variation of plastomes in Poales may be related to its successful diversification into diverse habitats and multiple photosynthetic pathway transitions. Our order-scale analyses revealed unusual evolutionary scenarios for plastomes in the photoautotrophic order of Poales and provided new insights into the plastome evolution in angiosperms as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serra do Padre Ângelo, a quartzitic massif in eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil, was nicknamed "Land of Giants" due to the gigantism observed in some plant species found in its campos rupestres. During fieldwork for the floristic inventory of this Serra, a small Eriocaulaceae species was collected. Initially it was believed to be a new species, but a thorough revision of names and type specimens revealed that it was conspecific with Paepalanthus minimus. This taxon was known only from the type specimen collected over 100 years ago and more than 200 km distant from the new collections. It had been overlooked in previous studies dealing with the family in Brazil, which could be explained by its diminutive size and the poor conditions of the type specimen. Here we present the implications of this rediscovery, including the combination of P. minimus in Giuliettia, a genus recently proposed based on general habit, inflorescence and seed morphology. We also present information on distribution and ecology and briefly discuss the biogeographical pattern that could explain this rediscovery far away from the previous record. Considering its likely local extinction at the type locality and threats to the quality of its remaining habitat, the species is preliminarily assessed as Critically Endangered. This highlights the urgent need for conservation actions to protect Serra do Padre Ângelo and its unique biodiversity. Citation: Andrino C. O., Rocha L. H. & Gonella P. M. 2024: A tiny rediscovery in the Land of Giants: a new combination in Giuliettia (Eriocaulaceae, Poales) and other implications of finding Paepalanthus minimus again. – Willdenowia 54: 81–93. Version of record first published online on 11 April 2024 ahead of inclusion in April 2024 issue. A Serra do Padre Ângelo, um maciço quartzítico no leste de Minas Gerais, Brasil, foi apelidada de "Terra de Gigantes" devido ao gigantismo observado em algumas espécies de plantas encontradas em seus campos rupestres. Durante o trabalho de campo para o inventário florístico desta Serra, uma pequena espécie de Eriocaulaceae foi coletada. Inicialmente, acreditava-se ser uma nova espécie, mas uma revisão minuciosa dos nomes e espécimes tipo revelou que ela era na verdade conspecífica com Paepalanthus minimus. Esse táxon era conhecido apenas pelo espécime tipo, coletado há mais de 100 anos e a mais de 200 km das novas coletas, tendo passado despercebido em estudos anteriores sobre a família no Brasil, o que pode ser explicado pelo seu tamanho diminuto e pelas condições precárias do espécime tipo. Aqui, apresentamos as implicações dessa redescoberta, incluindo a combinação de P. minimus em Giuliettia, um gênero recentemente proposto, com base em seu hábito geral, morfologia da inflorescência e da semente. Também fornecemos informações sobre a distribuição e ecologia, e discutimos brevemente o padrão biogeográfico que poderia explicar essa redescoberta tão distante do registro anterior. Considerando sua provável extinção local na localidade tipo e as ameaças à qualidade de seu habitat remanescente, a espécie é preliminarmente avaliada como Criticamente em Perigo. Isso destaca a necessidade urgente de ações de conservação para proteger a Serra do Padre Ângelo e sua biodiversidade única. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As a result of botanical explorations carried out for the project Bromeliaceae of Mexico, we collected plants of the genus Hechtia within the Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve, in Xochipala, municipality of Tlaquiltenango, Morelos, Mexico. However, this plant does not resemble any known species. Question: Do the Hechtia populations in Xochipala correspond to an undescribed taxon? Studied species: Species of Hechtia previously reported from Morelos and all the taxa with greater morphological similarity to the new proposed taxon. Study site and date: Xochipala, municipality of Tlaquiltenango, Morelos, Mexico, 2023. Methods: Our research involved field work, review of herbarium specimens, protologues, and type material of all the species of Hechtia distributed in Morelos, in the neighboring states of Puebla and Guerrero, and of the most morphologically similar taxa. Results: After a careful and detailed review of the living material and herbarium specimens, we conclude that those plants belong to an undescribed taxon that we propose here. A morphological description, images, and a distribution map of Hechtia cerrostlatilpae are included, as well as an identification key and a list of examined specimens of all Hechtia species known from the state of Morelos. Conclusions: The discovery of a new species of Hechtia in Xochipala, Morelos, Mexico increases the plant diversity of Morelos, particularly at the Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve. Hechtia cerrostlatilpae presents unique vegetative and floral characters that allow its recognition as a new species within the genus.

Abstract The Serra do Caraça, located in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, hosts a remarkable biological diversity, comprising rare and endemic plant species. Several naturalists have visited the area since the XIX century and made important botanical collections, many of these established as type specimens to describe different taxa, including Eriocaulaceae (Poales) species and varieties. This work provides a floristic treatment of Eriocaulaceae from Serra do Caraça, presenting species descriptions, distribution map, photographs, identification key, and notes on phenology and distribution. Thirty-three species were recorded in five genera, and Paepalanthus is the most numerous with 21 species, followed by Leiothrix (6 spp.), Syngonanthus (3 spp.), Comanthera (2 spp.), and Eriocaulon (1 sp.). Notable, among those are four species endemic to the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, one micro-endemic to the Serra do Caraça, and 16 endemic to Minas Gerais state. Five new synonyms are proposed. Eighteen taxa have type materials described to Serra do Caraça, corresponding to 12 species, five varieties, and one forma.

Extensins (EXTs), a class of hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein with multiple Ser-Pro3–5 motifs, are known to play roles in cell wall reinforcement and environmental responses. EXTs with repetitive Tyr-X-Tyr (YXY) motifs for crosslinking are referred as crosslinking EXTs. Our comprehensive study spanned 194 algal and plant species, categorizing EXTs into seven subfamilies: classical extensins (EXT I and II), arabinogalactan-protein extensins (AGP-EXTs), proline-rich extensin-like receptor kinases (PERKs), leucine-rich repeat extensins (LRX I and II), formin homology (FH) domain-containing extensins (FH-EXTs), proline-rich, arabinogalactan proteins, conserved cysteines (PAC) domain-containing extensins (PAC I and II), and eight-cysteine motif (8CM)-containing extensins (8CM-EXTs). In the examined dataset, EXTs were detected ubiquitously in plants but infrequently in algae, except for one Coccomyxa and four Chlamydomonadales species. No crosslinking EXTs were found in Poales or certain Zingiberales species. Notably, the previously uncharacterized EXT II, PAC II, and liverwort-specific 8CM-EXTs were found to be crosslinking EXTs. EXT II, featuring repetitive YY motifs instead of the conventional YXY motif, was exclusively identified in Solanaceae. Furthermore, tandem genes encoding distinctive 8CM-EXTs specifically expressed in the germinating spores of Marchantia polymorpha. This updated classification of EXT types allows us to propose a plausible evolutionary history of EXT genes during the course of plant evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds and aims -- The genus Hechtia (sensu lato) is distributed from the southern United States to northern Central America and includes 95 species. Recent botanical explorations, carried out in the Colima and Jalisco states in search of H. reticulata, led to the discovery of two new species. The aims of this work were to complete the morphological description of H. reticulata and describe these two new species. Material and methods -- This study was based on fieldwork and on the revision of literature, protologues, type material, and herbarium specimens. The specimens collected were prepared for storage in the herbarium, analysed, measured, and descriptions were made; measurements were taken from dried specimens. Due to their morphological similarities and the closeness of their populations, the proposed species are compared with H. reticulata. Key results -- We propose two new species of Hechtia for Mexico (H. costalegrensis and H. pacifica); an epitype and a complete description of H. reticulata are also provided. The diagnostic characters and morphological affinities of the new species are discussed, including complete morphological descriptions and images; a comparative table is presented, showing the morphological differences between the new species and H. reticulata. A distribution map of the taxa described here and of H. reticulata is included, as well as an identification key and a list of examined specimens of all Hechtia species known to date from Colima and Jalisco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study aimed to recognize the biogeographic patterns, richness, and diversity levels of the Brazilian endemic genus Orthophytum and identify their biotic components through a parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE), to better understand the evolutionary history of this group and develop strategies for the conservation of its species. We prepared a database for the 54 currently known species of Orthophytum, including their geographical locations as obtained from digital databases of the principal herbaria of Brazil, Europe, and the USA. A parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) was used to delimit the areas of endemism based on two grids’ sizes (1º x 1º and 2º × 2º). The majority rule consensus tree resulting from the PAE indicated three areas of endemism with high bootstrap, diversity, and richness indices: the northern portion of the Espinhaço Range, the southern portion of the Espinhaço Range, and the central portion of the Atlantic Forest. The recognition of those distribution patterns reveals a high number of microendemic species, which is discussed here.

Chloroplast genomes are a source of information successfully used in various fields of plant genetics, including molecular species identification. However, recent studies indicate an extremely low level of interspecific variability in the plastomes of some taxonomic groups of plants, including the genus Stipa L., which is a representative of the grass family. In this study we aimed to analyze the level of chloroplast genome diversity within particular genera as well as the effectiveness of identifying plant species in the Poaceae family and the other representatives of Poales order. Analysis of complete plastid genome alignments created for 96 genera comprising 793 species and 1707 specimens obtained from the GenBank database allowed defining and categorizing molecular diagnostic characters distinguishing the analyzed species from the other representatives of the genus. The results also demonstrate which species do not have any species-specific mutations, thereby they cannot be identified on the basis of differences between the complete chloroplast genomes. Our research showed a huge diversity of the analyzed species in terms of the number of molecular diagnostic characters and indicated which genera pose a particular challenge in terms of molecular species identification. The results show that a very low level of genetic diversity between plastomes is not uncommon in Poales. This is the first extensive research on super-barcoding that tests this method on a large data set and illustrates its effectiveness against the background of phylogenetic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastid molecular phylogenies that broadly sampled angiosperm lineages imply that carnivorous plants evolved at least 11 times independently in 13 families and 6 orders. Within and between these clades, the different prey capture strategies involving flypaper and pitfall structures arose in parallel with the subsequent evolution of snap traps and suction bladders. Attempts to discern the deep ontological history of carnivorous structures using multigene phylogenies have provided a plastid-level picture of sister relationships at the family level. Here, we present a molecular phylogeny of the angiosperms based on nuclear target sequence capture data (Angiosperms-353 probe set), assembled by the Kew Plant Trees of Life initiative, which aims to complete the tree of life for plants. This phylogeny encompasses all carnivorous and protocarnivorous families, although certain genera such as Philcoxia (Plantaginaceae) are excluded. This study offers a novel nuclear gene-based overview of relationships within and between carnivorous families and genera. Consistent with previous broadly sampled studies, we found that most carnivorous families are not affiliated with any single family. Instead, they emerge as sister groups to large clades comprising multiple non-carnivorous families. Additionally, we explore recent genomic studies across various carnivorous clades that examine the evolution of the carnivorous syndrome in relation to whole-genome duplication, subgenome dominance, small-scale gene duplication, and convergent evolution. Furthermore, we discuss insights into genome size evolution through the lens of carnivorous plant genomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a genome assembly from an individual specimen of Luzula sylvatica (great wood-rush; Tracheophyta; Magnoliopsida; Poales; Juncaceae). The genome sequence is 444.5 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial and plastid genome assemblies have lengths of 633.36 kilobases and 201.32 kilobases in length, respectively.

Chloroplast genomes are a source of information successfully used in various fields of plant genetics, including molecular species identification. However, recent studies indicate an extremely low level of interspecific variability in the plastomes of some taxonomic groups of plants, including the genus Stipa L., which is a representative of the grass family. In this study we aimed to analyze the level of chloroplast genome diversity within particular genera as well as the effectiveness of identifying plant species in the Poaceae family and the other representatives of Poales order. Analysis of complete plastid genome alignments created for 96 genera comprising 793 species and 1707 specimens obtained from the GenBank database allowed defining and categorizing molecular diagnostic characters distinguishing the analyzed species from the other representatives of the genus. The results also demonstrate which species do not have any species-specific mutations, thereby they cannot be identified on the basis of differences between the complete chloroplast genomes. Our research showed a huge diversity of the analyzed species in terms of the number of molecular diagnostic characters and indicated which genera pose a particular challenge in terms of molecular species identification. The results show that a very low level of genetic diversity between plastomes is not uncommon in Poales. This is the first extensive research on super-barcoding that tests this method on a large data set and illustrates its effectiveness against the background of phylogenetic relationships.

Previous studies on Abolboda pollen did not conduct statistical analyses of morphological data. Here, the pollen morphology of four Brazilian species and three varieties, represented by 13 herbarium specimens, is described. Pollen grains were treated by 60% lactic acetolysis, measured and photographed under light and scanning electron microscopy. A multivariate analysis was performed for the first time to find possible features that aid the specific and infraspecific delimitation within this genus. Abolboda is characterised by pollen grains in monads that are spheroidal, large to very large sized (59.9 µm [A. abbreviata] to 158.9 µm [A. pulchella]), inaperturate and atectate. The nexine is very thick. The spine shape and the width of its base have been considered specific and infraspecific diagnostic features; however, at present, they are not considered consistent characters with a systematic value. The combination of pollen size, nexine thickness, and dimensions of the sexine excrescences ('inverted funnelform shaped' spines, 'obconical shaped' spines, and baculum-like, pilum-like or verruca-like elements) are the most important characteristics at the species level and for grouping the varieties. This study presents informative morphological data useful for future phylogenetic optimisation and contributes to the systematics of the Abolboda genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent botanical explorations carried out in the Guerrero state for the project Bromeliaceae of Mexico led to the discovery of two new species, both endemic to Guerrero: Hechtia kruseana and H. rosamariae. The new taxa are compared with the morphologically similar: H. anarosae, H. caulescens, H. jaliscana and H. stenopetala. Hechtia kruseana differs from these by the diameter of the rosettes (50–60 cm) and by the length of the staminate and pistillate inflorescences (190–275 cm). Hechtia rosamariae differs from morphologically related species by the size of floral bracts (1.5–2.0 × 0.7–1.0 mm) and the length of the petals (3.0–3.2 mm) of staminate flowers; by the length (2.3–2.6 mm) and shape (ovate) of the sepals, and width of the petals (1.7–2.0 mm) of pistillate flowers. Morphological descriptions, images, and a map showing the distribution of the described taxa are included, as well as an identification key for all the species of Hechtia present in Guerrero. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cyperaceae is the third largest monocot family, with a global distribution. • The ligule is a structure with a considerable taxonomic value, notably in Poaceae. • 17 out of 24 tribes and 42 out of 95 genera have at least one ligulate species. • The contraligule is a unique structure in Cyperaceae. • Further studies will clarify aspects of ventral and dorsal ligules and contraligules. Cyperaceae is the second largest family of Poales, with approximately 5700 species distributed across 95 genera. The occurrence of the ligule, a membranous or ciliate structure located on the adaxial surface between the leaf sheath and leaf blade, is a characteristic that requires investigation, since in the few studies done on this structure in Cyperaceae, it is clear that there are genera that have a ligule. In this family, the presence of a contraligule is also described, a rare ligule-like structure that is more or less triangular on top of the sheath in the region opposite to the leaf blade. Thus, this study was carried out with the objective of understanding the presence and diversity of the ligule and contraligule in Cyperaceae, investigating whether they are uncommon structures or if they have received little importance in the literature. For this, a systematic survey was conducted in five databases, and 1/5 of the species in the family were investigated in herbaria, either in person or virtually. Studies that contained information regarding the absence or presence of ligules or contraligules in Cyperaceae at any taxonomic level were considered. Of the 24 Cyperaceae tribes, 17 had at least one species with a ligule. Of the 95 genera investigated, 42 had at least one species with a ligule. Contraligule was observed in 12 tribes and 20 genera. We noted that these two structures are absent in most species but still play important roles in the taxonomy of the groups in which they are present. Cyperaceae has many ligulate representatives, which disagrees with the classification of the family as eligulate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phylogenomic analysis of the so far phylogenetically unresolved subfamily Bromelioideae (Bromeliaceae) was performed to infer species relationships as the basis for future taxonomic treatment, stabilization of generic concept, and further analyses of evolution and biogeography of the subfamily. A target‐enrichment approach was chosen, using the Angiosperms353 v.4 kit RNA‐baits and including 86 Bromelioideae species representing previously identified major evolutionary lineages. Phylogenetic analyses were based on 125 target nuclear loci, assembled off‐target plastome as well as mitogenome reads. A Bromelioideae phylogeny with a mostly well‐resolved backbone is provided based on nuclear (194 kbp), plastome (109 kbp), and mitogenome data (34 kbp). For the nuclear markers, a coalescent‐based analysis of single‐locus gene trees was performed as well as a supermatrix analysis of concatenated gene alignments. Nuclear and plastome datasets provide well‐resolved trees, which showed only minor topological incongruences. The mitogenome tree is not sufficiently resolved. A total of 26 well‐supported clades were identified. The genera Aechmea, Canistrum, Hohenbergia, Neoregelia, and Quesnelia were revealed polyphyletic. In core Bromelioideae, Acanthostachys is sister to the remainder. Among the 26 recognized clades, 12 correspond with currently employed taxonomic concepts. Hence, the presented phylogenetic framework will serve as an important basis for future taxonomic revisions as well as to better understand the evolutionary drivers and processes in this exciting subfamily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typha lepechinii, a new species from European Russia, is described. In terms of the external morphology, it is similar to T. shuttleworthii but differs from the latter by the shape of female inflorescence, wider leaf blades and geographical distribution. Like T. shuttleworthii, T. lepechinii is clearly distinct from all other cattails of T. sect. Ebracteolatae due to its short male inflorescence that is 2–4 times shorter than the contiguous female inflorescence. The spatial disjunction of this new species from the main distribution range of predominantly European T. shuttleworthii is significant: T. lepechinii is an endemic of the outmost East of the Russian Plain, in particular, the regions of Middle and Southern Cis-Ural region (basin of the Middle and Lower Kama). In terms of the political administrative borders, this new cattail was found in the Udmurt Republic, the Republics of Tatarstan and Bashkortostan, the parts of the Russian Federation. From the elementary comparative molecular standpoint, T. lepechinii is different from its sister T. shuttleworthii due to four single nucleotide positions and two indels of the rpl32 gene and rpl32-trnL intergenic spacer (cpDNA). The new cattail is named after I. I. Lepechin (1737–1802)—a Russian scientist-encyclopedist whose primary botanical interest focused on the regions of Ural and Siberia.

Evolution is driven by various mechanisms. A directional increase in the embryo to endosperm ratio is an evolutionary trend within the angiosperms. The endosperm constitutes a major portion of the seed volume in Poales and some dicots. However, in other dicots such as Arabidopsis and soybean, the endosperm proliferates early, followed by embryo growth to replace the endosperm. The Arabidopsis leucine-rich repeat receptor protein kinase AtHAIKU2 (AtIKU2) is a key regulator of early endosperm proliferation. In this study, we found that IKU2s from Brachypodium , rice, and soybean can complement the abnormal seed developmental phenotype of Atiku2 , while AtIKU2 also rescues the defective endosperm proliferation in the Brachypodium BdIKU2 knockout mutant seeds. AtIKU2 and soybean GmIKU2 are actively expressed a few days after fertilization. Thereafter, expression of AtIKU2 is suppressed by the FIS-PRC2 complex-mediated H3K27me3. The soybean GmIKU2 locus is also enriched with H3K27me3 marks. The histone methyltransferase AtMEA is unique to Brassicaceae, but one GmSWN in soybean plays a similar role in seed development as AtMEA. By contrast, the BdIKU2 and rice OsIKU2 loci are continuously expressed and are devoid of H3K27me3 marks. Taken together, these results suggest that IKU2 genes retain an ancestral function, but the duration of their expression that is controlled by PRC2-mediated epigenetic silencing contributes to silenced or persistent endosperm proliferation in different species. Our study reveals an epigenetic mechanism that drives the development of vastly different seed ontogenies. A directional increase in the embryo to endosperm ratio is an evolutionary trend within the angiosperms. Seeds of some angiosperms such as cereals are filled almost entirely by the endosperm, whereas seeds of other angiosperms such as Arabidopsis and soybean are completely dominated by the embryo and lack the endosperm. The conserved function but divergent epigenetic regulation of IKU2 has contributed to the development of two vastly different seed ontogenies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There are two ontogenetic pathways for achieving fleshiness in fruits of Bromelioideae. • B. antiacantha ´s mucilage channels are a new type of mucilage secretion in the family. • Fruit aliform projection and apical elongated placenta are unique features of A. strobilaceae. Capsule-type fruits are predominant in Bromeliaceae. However, the late divergent subfamily Bromelioideae generally presents fleshy fruits, which display a diverse range of morphologies even in related genera; however, there is almost no information regarding their anatomical and ontogenetic aspects. In this study we evaluate the fruit ontogeny of species from the major lineages of Bromelioideae, to better understand the possible paths in which fleshiness can be achieved in the subfamily. Flowers at pre-anthesis and anthesis, and fruits of Acanthostachys strobilacea, Billbergia pyramidalis , and Bromelia antiacantha were collected and processed with standard methods for analysis under light microscopy. Two basic ontogenetic pathways for achieving fleshiness were identified among the examined species. In the two former species, belonging to the core Bromelioideae, the pericarp development occurs solely through cell expansion and anticlinal cell division in the mesocarp. Conversely, in B. antiacantha , belonging to the tankless lineages, the pericarp development proceeds via both periclinal and anticlinal cell divisions of the outer and inner mesocarp. The analysis of fruit anatomy in the species included in this study highlights unprecedented traits of Bromelioideae fruits, such as the presence of the pericarp´s massive extra-carpellary portion in B. antiacantha , which contains many mucilage channels and fibrous tissue, and an intrusive septum in the carpellary portion, which acts as the main nutritive portion of the fruit. Additionally, in the present study, unique features of the ovary and the fruit, essential for characterizing the species were detailed, including the elongated placental tissue and the aliform projections of A. strobilacea. Our observations highlight distinct developmental processes to fleshy fruit formation in Bromelioideae. In this way, exploring the fruit ontogenetic diversity in Bromelioideae offers an exciting opportunity for future investigations. Besides, the unique fruit features identified bring out the importance of fruits as tools for genus delineation within this subfamily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The present study analyzes the diversity of Scleria in the state of Pará and presents taxonomic treatments for all recorded species. The analysis was based on extensive herbarium studies (CEN, HBRA, HCJS, HSTM, IAN, IBGE, INPA, MFS, MG, RB, and UB) and field expeditions to several municipalities of the state of Pará. Specimens were identified using relevant literature, protologues, and type specimens available online. We recognize 30 species of Scleria arranged in two subgenera and nine sections. Four species (i.e., Scleria arguta, S. burchellii, S. longigluma, and S. vaginata) represent new records for Pará, and a new species is proposed (i.e., Scleria sp.). An identification key, descriptions, illustrations, and comments on diagnostic characters, geographic distribution and habitat for all species are also provided.

Paepalanthus is the second largest genus of Eriocaulaceae, with about one-third of the species recorded for the family, but it has not received a recent comprehensive taxonomic treatment. Detailed taxonomic studies show that many names currently in use are actually synonyms. In addition, it was necessary to lectotypify some names. Twenty-five synonyms, associated with 15 species and 10 varieties, and 18 lectotypifications in Paepalanthus are here presented, yielding a revised total of 395 species in the genus, 327 of which occur in Brazil. For each taxon treated here we provide taxonomic status, typification, synonymy, nomenclatural notes, comments, and distribution data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typha lepechinii, a new species from European Russia, is described. In terms of the external morphology, it is similar to T. shuttleworthii but differs from the latter by the shape of female inflorescence, wider leaf blades and geographical distribution. Like T. shuttleworthii, T. lepechinii is clearly distinct from all other cattails of T. sect. Ebracteolatae due to its short male inflorescence that is 2–4 times shorter than the contiguous female inflorescence. The spatial disjunction of this new species from the main distribution range of predominantly European T. shuttleworthii is significant: T. lepechinii is an endemic of the outmost East of the Russian Plain, in particular, the regions of Middle and Southern Cis-Ural region (basin of the Middle and Lower Kama). In terms of the political administrative borders, this new cattail was found in the Udmurt Republic, the Republics of Tatarstan and Bashkortostan, the parts of the Russian Federation. From the elementary comparative molecular standpoint, T. lepechinii is different from its sister T. shuttleworthii due to four single nucleotide positions and two indels of the rpl32 gene and rpl32-trnL intergenic spacer (cpDNA). The new cattail is named after I. I. Lepechin (1737–1802)—a Russian scientist-encyclopedist whose primary botanical interest focused on the regions of Ural and Siberia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A well-supported phylogeny and timeline were established for Poales. • Reveal the potential biological reasons underlying each of those controverial nodes. • Signals of ancient hybridization were detected at serveral controversial nodes. • Indentified 26 polyploid events throughout the evolution history of Poales. • The net diversification rate of Poales was increased following the K-Pg boundary. Poales, as one of the largest orders of angiosperm, holds crucial economic and ecological importance. Nevertheless, achieving a consensus topology has been challenging in previous studies due to limited molecular data and sparse taxon sampling. The uneven distribution of species diversity among families and the factors leading to elevated species richness in certain lineages have also been subjects of ongoing discussion and investigation. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive sampling, including representatives from all 14 families and 85 taxa of Poales, along with five additional outgroups. To reconstruct the phylogeny of Poales, we employed a combination of coalescent and concatenation methods on three nuclear gene sets (1093, 491, 143) and one plastid gene set (53), which were inferenced from genomic data. We also conducted phylogenetic hypothesis analyses to evaluate two major conflicting nodes detected in phylogenetic analyses. As a result, we successfully resolved the backbone of Poales and provided a timeline for its evolutionary history. We recovered the sister relationship between Typhaceae and Bromeliaceae as the earliest diverging families within Poales. The clade consisting of Ecdeiocoleaceae and Joinvilleaceae was recovered as the sister group of Poaceae. Within the xyrid clade, Mayacaceae and Erioaculaceae + Xyridaceae successively diverged along the backbone of Poales. The topology of [Aristidoideae, ((Micrairoideae, Panicoideae), (Arundinoideae, (Chloridoideae, Danthonioideae)))] within the PACMAD clade has received strong support from multiple findings. We also delved into the underlying biological factors that contributed to the conflicting nodes observed in the phylogenetic analysis. Apart from the uncertainty regarding the sister group of Poaceae caused by cytonuclear discordance, frequent hybridization and polyploidy may have contributed to other conflicting nodes. We identified 26 putative whole-genome duplication (WGD) events within Poales. However, apart from the σ-WGD and the ρ-WGD, we did not observe any potential polyploid events that could be directly linked to the species diversification in specific lineages. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the net diversification rate of Poales following the K-Pg boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

É apresentado o levantamento florístico de Haloragaceae, Hypoxidaceae e Typhaceae para o município de Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brasil. Foram encontradas as seguintes espécies: Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc., para Haloragaceae, Hypoxis decumbens L., para Hypoxidaceae e Typha angustifolia L., para Typhaceae. As três famílias foram consideradas novos registros para o município. O tratamento inclui descrição dos táxons, além de ilustrações de suas morfologias e distribuições geográficas, bem como comentários para as espécies.

The Poales is one of the largest orders of flowering plants with significant economic and ecological values. Reconstructing the phylogeny of the Poales is important for understanding its evolutionary history that forms the basis for biological studies. However, due to sparse taxon sampling and limited molecular data, previous studies have resulted in a variety of contradictory topologies. In particular, there are three nodes surrounded by incongruence: the phylogenetic ambiguity near the root of the Poales tree, the sister family of Poaceae, and the delimitation of the xyrid clade. We conducted a comprehensive sampling and reconstructed the phylogenetic tree using plastid and mitochondrial genomic data from 91 to 66 taxa, respectively, representing all the 16 families of Poales. Our analyses support the finding of Bromeliaceae and Typhaceae as the earliest diverging groups within the Poales while having phylogenetic relationships with the polytomy. The clade of Ecdeiocoleaceae and Joinvilleaceae is recovered as the sister group of Poaceae. The three families, Mayacaceae, Eriocaulaceae, and Xyridaceae, of the xyrid assembly diverged successively along the backbone of the Poales phylogeny, and thus this assembly is paraphyletic. Surprisingly, we find substantial phylogenetic conflicts within the plastid genomes of the Poales, as well as among the plastid, mitochondrial, and nuclear data. These conflicts suggest that the Poales could have a complicated evolutionary history, such as rapid radiation and polyploidy, particularly allopolyploidy through hybridization. In sum, our study presents a new perspicacity into the complex phylogenetic relationships and the underlying phylogenetic conflicts within the Poales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Hechtia includes 91 species (with those described herein), 88 of them present in Mexico, and the entire genus is endemic to the region termed Megaméxico 3 by Rzedowski. With 21 species, the Mexican state of Puebla is the second most species rich. As a result of botanical exploration for the project Bromeliaceae of Mexico, we describe here seven new species, all endemic to Puebla: Hechtia anarosae, H. dasylirioides, H. espejoana, H. longissimifolia, H. microcarpa, H. minimiflora, and H. vicesphaeroblasta. The proposed species are compared with morphologically similar taxa (H. caulescens, H. ensifolia, H. flexilifolia, H. fragilis, H. podantha, and H. sphaeroblasta). Morphological descriptions, images, and a map with distributions of the described taxa are included, as well as an identification key and a list of specimens examined of all the species of Hechtia currently known from the state of Puebla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Eriocaulon (Eriocaulaceae) from the Brazilian Cerrado are described and illustrated. Eriocaulon benedictum, found in the Tocantins River Basin and Plate River Basin has a vegetative morphology similar to Eriocaulon aquatile and E. modestum due to the submerged life form with submerged leaves and long scapes surpassing the water column, but differs from both by the presence of a submerged stem with spiral leaves (vs. a rhizome with rosulate leaves), obtrullate floral bracts (vs. oblong floral bracts in E. aquatile or obovate in E. modestum), and band shaped projections on the seeds (vs. post shaped projections on E. modestum or projections absent in E. aquatile). Eriocaulon naviculum, found in the Araguaia River Basin, an emergent species, has a floral morphology similar to E. altogibbosum and E. gibbosum due to the presence of gibbous sepals in the pistillate flowers, but differs from both by the grey trichomes on the leaf sheath (vs. translucent trichomes in the latter species), slightly sinuous scapes (vs. straight scapes in the latter species), membranous, gibbous swelling in the sepals of the pistillate flowers (vs. incrassate gibbous swelling in the latter species), and seeds without projections with a rough lumen (vs. seeds without projections with a smooth lumen in E. gibbosum or seeds with band-like projections in E. altogibbosum). Detailed descriptions, including anatomical and seed data, illustrations, and maps of occurrence are presented for the new species, as are data on the ecology, geographic distribution, and risk assessments. An updated key for Eriocaulon species from the Tocantins-Araguaia River Basin is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Poales is one of the largest orders of flowering plants with significant economic and ecological values. Reconstructing the phylogeny of the Poales is important for understanding its evolutionary history that forms the basis for biological studies. However, due to sparse taxon sampling and limited molecular data, previous studies have resulted in a variety of contradictory topologies. In particular, there are three nodes surrounded by incongruence: the phylogenetic ambiguity near the root of the Poales tree, the sister family of Poaceae, and the delimitation of the xyrid clade. We conducted a comprehensive sampling and reconstructed the phylogenetic tree using plastid and mitochondrial genomic data from 91 to 66 taxa, respectively, representing all the 16 families of Poales. Our analyses support the finding of Bromeliaceae and Typhaceae as the earliest diverging groups within the Poales while having phylogenetic relationships with the polytomy. The clade of Ecdeiocoleaceae and Joinvilleaceae is recovered as the sister group of Poaceae. The three families, Mayacaceae, Eriocaulaceae, and Xyridaceae, of the xyrid assembly diverged successively along the backbone of the Poales phylogeny, and thus this assembly is paraphyletic. Surprisingly, we find substantial phylogenetic conflicts within the plastid genomes of the Poales, as well as among the plastid, mitochondrial, and nuclear data. These conflicts suggest that the Poales could have a complicated evolutionary history, such as rapid radiation and polyploidy, particularly allopolyploidy through hybridization. In sum, our study presents a new perspicacity into the complex phylogenetic relationships and the underlying phylogenetic conflicts within the Poales.

Background and Aims Floral developmental studies are crucial for understanding the evolution of floral structures and sexual systems in angiosperms. Within the monocot order Poales, both subfamilies of Eriocaulaceae have unisexual flowers bearing unusual nectaries. Few previous studies have investigated floral development in subfamily Eriocauloideae, which includes the large, diverse and widespread genus Eriocaulon. To understand floral variation and the evolution of the androecium, gynoecium and floral nectaries of Eriocaulaceae, we analysed floral development and vasculature in Eriocaulon and compared it with that of subfamily Paepalanthoideae and the related family Xyridaceae in a phylogenetic context. Methods Thirteen species of Eriocaulon were studied. Developmental analysis was carried out using scanning electron microscopy, and vasculature analysis was carried out using light microscopy. Fresh material was also analysed using scanning electron microscopy with a cryo function. Character evolution was reconstructed over well-resolved phylogenies. Key Results Perianth reductions can occur due to delayed development that can also result in loss of the vascular bundles of the median sepals. Nectariferous petal glands cease development and remain vestigial in some species. In staminate flowers, the inner stamens can emerge before the outer ones, and carpels are transformed into nectariferous carpellodes. In pistillate flowers, stamens are reduced to staminodes and the gynoecium has dorsal stigmas. Conclusions Floral morphology is highly diverse in Eriocaulon , as a result of fusion, reduction or loss of perianth parts. The nectariferous carpellodes of staminate flowers originated first in the ancestor of Eriocaulaceae; petal glands and nectariferous branches of pistillate flowers originated independently in Eriocaulaceae through transfer of function. We present a hypothesis of floral evolution for the family, illustrating a shift from bisexuality to unisexuality and the evolution of nectaries in a complex monocot family, which can contribute to future studies on reproductive biology and floral evolution in other groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Bromeliaceae from the semideciduous submontane forests of Bahia (Brazil) is described and commented: Pseudaraeococcus serranensis R.A. Pontes, E.H. Souza & Versieux. This species is morphologically related to and occurs in sympatry with Pseudaraeococcus lageniformis (R.A.Pontes & Versieux) R.A.Pontes & Versieux, being distinguished from the latter by the infundibuliform tank, metallic blue elliptical ovary, densely lepidote floral bracts, and apiculate and winged sepals. A plate of photos with comparative morphological characters and updated distribution maps are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hohenbergia lanata Pereira & Moutinho is an endemic bromeliad of the State of Bahia (Brazil), occurring in an altitudinal transition forest between Caatinga dry woodland and Atlantic Forest. The type material was collected by Roberto Burle-Marx, who introduced it into cultivation in his gardens, but lacking the accurate provenance, only mentioning that it was collected between Milagres and Amargosa municipalities. It was later described by Pereira & Moutinho based on a cultivated specimen. In this work, we present new specimens found in natural populations in an area that coincides with the type locality description, enabling us to expand the description of the species, as well as to provide images of the living plants in the field, adding information about its habitat. The herbarium collections revision and the new population found in the field enabled us to propose an updated conservation status and to better characterize the habit, plant architecture, and to add new morphological comparisons and geographical distribution.

The Ribesalbes-Alcora Basin (Castelló Province, Spain) contains two lower Miocene units that are rich in fossils. The Unit B contains oil-shale and laminated bituminous dolomicrite related to a palaeolake, whereas the Unit C is composed of sandstone and mudstone beds from distal deltaic and shallow lacustrine environments. The La Rinconada and San Chils localities from the Unit B have yielded a fossil assemblage of plants, molluscs, arthropods, and vertebrates, while the localities from the Unit C in the Campisano ravine (Araia/Mas d'Antolino outcrop) are rich in mammalian record. Here we study a new palaeolake deposit of laminated lacustrine limestone beds in the Unit C named Foieta la Sarra-A. This new locality has provided an assemblage of charophytes, terrestrial plants, molluscs, arthropods, and teleosteans. The latter represent the only known fish record from the Ribesalbes-Alcora Basin to date. Although the specimens are generally poorly preserved, the presence of soft-body preservation due to the action of microbial mats at the lake bottom allows considering the Foieta la Sarra-A locality as a Konservat-Lagerstätte. The Foieta la Sarra-A palaeolake had a different water chemistry compared to that represented in the Unit B. Its depth was about a few metres and the water level suffered periodic fluctuations. This new locality sheds light on the palaeoenvironmental dynamics of the Ribesalbes-Alcora Basin during the early Miocene and provides a new approach to the palaeoecological reconstruction of the basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyperaceae (sedges) are the third largest monocot family and are of considerable economic and ecological importance. Sedges represent an ideal model family to study evolutionary biology due to their species richness, global distribution, large discrepancies in lineage diversity, broad range of ecological preferences, and adaptations including multiple origins of C4 photosynthesis and holocentric chromosomes. Goetghebeur′s seminal work on Cyperaceae published in 1998 provided the most recent complete classification at tribal and generic level, based on a morphological study of Cyperaceae inflorescence, spikelet, flower, and embryo characters, plus anatomical and other information. Since then, several family‐level molecular phylogenetic studies using Sanger sequence data have been published. Here, more than 20 years after the last comprehensive classification of the family, we present the first family‐wide phylogenomic study of Cyperaceae based on targeted sequencing using the Angiosperms353 probe kit sampling 311 accessions. In addition, 62 accessions available from GenBank were mined for overlapping reads and included in the phylogenomic analyses. Informed by this backbone phylogeny, a new classification for the family at the tribal, subtribal, and generic levels is proposed. The majority of previously recognized suprageneric groups are supported, and for the first time, we establish support for tribe Cryptangieae as a clade including the genus Koyamaea. We provide a taxonomic treatment including identification keys and diagnoses for the 2 subfamilies, 24 tribes, and 10 subtribes, and basic information on the 95 genera. The classification includes five new subtribes in tribe Schoeneae: Anthelepidinae, Caustiinae, Gymnoschoeninae, Lepidospermatinae, and Oreobolinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ribesalbes–Alcora Basin (Castelló Province, Spain) contains two lower Miocene units that are rich in fossils. The Unit B contains oil-shale and laminated bituminous dolomicrite related to a palaeolake, whereas the Unit C is composed of sandstone and mudstone beds from distal deltaic and shallow lacustrine environments. The La Rinconada and San Chils localities from the Unit B have yielded a fossil assemblage of plants, molluscs, arthropods, and vertebrates, while the localities from the Unit C in the Campisano ravine (Araia/Mas d’Antolino outcrop) are rich in mammalian record. Here we study a new palaeolake deposit of laminated lacustrine limestone beds in the Unit C named Foieta la Sarra-A. This new locality has provided an assemblage of charophytes, terrestrial plants, molluscs, arthropods, and teleosteans. The latter represent the only known fish record from the Ribesalbes–Alcora Basin to date. Although the specimens are generally poorly preserved, the presence of soft-body preservation due to the action of microbial mats at the lake bottom allows considering the Foieta la Sarra-A locality as a Konservat-Lagerstätte. The Foieta la Sarra-A palaeolake had a different water chemistry compared to that represented in the Unit B. Its depth was about a few metres and the water level suffered periodic fluctuations. This new locality sheds light on the palaeoenvironmental dynamics of the Ribesalbes–Alcora Basin during the early Miocene and provides a new approach to the palaeoecological reconstruction of the basin.

Background The extreme southwest of Australia is a biodiversity hotspot region that has a Mediterranean-type climate and numerous endemic plant and animal species, many of which remain to be properly delimited. We refine species limits in Anarthria, a Western Australian endemic genus characterised by the occurrence of the greatest number of plesiomorphic character states in the restiid clade of Poales. In contrast to many other groups of wind-pollinated Australian Poales, Anarthria was traditionally viewed as having well-established species limits. All six currently recognised species, which are conspicuous members of some Western Australian plant communities, were described in the first half of the 19th century. They are traditionally distinguished from each other mainly using quantitative characters. Methods We examined extensive existing herbarium specimens and made new collections of Anarthria in nature. Scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy were used to study leaf micromorphology. Molecular diversity of Anarthria was examined using a plastid (trnL-F) and a low-copy nuclear marker (at103). This is the first study of species-level molecular diversity in the restiid clade using a nuclear marker. Results Material historically classified as Anarthria gracilis R.Br. actually belongs to three distinct species, A. gracilis s.str., A. grandiflora Nees and A. dioica (Steud.) C.I.Fomichev, each of which forms a well-supported clade in phylogenetic analyses. Both segregate species were described in the first half of the 19th century but not recognised as such in subsequent taxonomic accounts. Anarthria dioica was first collected in 1826, then wrongly interpreted as a species of Juncus (Juncaceae) and described as Juncus dioicus. We provide a formal transfer of the name to Anarthria and for the first time report its clear and qualitative diagnostic characters: an extremely short leaf ligule and distinctive pattern of leaf epidermal micromorphology. A long ligule is present in A. gracilis s.str. and A. grandiflora. These species differ from each other in leaf lamina morphology and anatomy and have mostly non-overlapping distribution ranges. The narrower definition of species provides a basis for future phylogeographic analyses in Anarthria. Our study highlights a need for more extensive use of nuclear DNA markers in Restionaceae. The use of the low copy nuclear marker at103 allowed a clade comprising all three ligulate species of Anarthria to be recognised. The ligule character is used here for the first time in the taxonomy of Anarthria and merits special attention in studies of other restiids. In general, our study uncovered a superficially hidden but, in reality, conspicuous diversity in a common group of wind-pollinated plants in the southwest of Western Australia.

The genus Leiothrix (Eriocaulaceae) is restricted to South America, where most species occur in the Espinhaço mountain chain in Brazil. Seed ornamentation has a distinctive origin in the family and in most species of Leiothrix the seed coat has a striated pattern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological aspects of seeds of Leiothrix as well as the post‐seminal development. Leiothrix seeds are elliptical or oval, the seed coat has a primary sculpture of isodiametric or hexagonal cells with concave periclinal walls and straight or sinuose anticlinal walls. Most species also have a secondary sculpture, which forms the striate ornamentation and this may be continuous or discontinuous with isolated, connected or cruciform annular striae. A comparative table of seed characters shows that most of them corroborate the current circumscription of the subgenera of Leiothrix. The seed coat striae expand with wetting and may help in seed imbibition during germination. Leiothrix seeds show a high germination rate and the post‐seminal development pattern is similar to that described for other species of Eriocaulaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The extreme southwest of Australia is a biodiversity hotspot region that has a Mediterranean-type climate and numerous endemic plant and animal species, many of which remain to be properly delimited. We refine species limits in Anarthria, a Western Australian endemic genus characterised by the occurrence of the greatest number of plesiomorphic character states in the restiid clade of Poales. In contrast to many other groups of wind-pollinated Australian Poales, Anarthria was traditionally viewed as having well-established species limits. All six currently recognised species, which are conspicuous members of some Western Australian plant communities, were described in the first half of the 19th century. They are traditionally distinguished from each other mainly using quantitative characters. Methods: We examined extensive existing herbarium specimens and made new collections of Anarthria in nature. Scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy were used to study leaf micromorphology. Molecular diversity of Anarthria was examined using a plastid (trnL-F) and a low-copy nuclear marker (at103). This is the first study of species-level molecular diversity in the restiid clade using a nuclear marker. Results: Material historically classified as Anarthria gracilis R.Br. actually belongs to three distinct species, A. gracilis s.str., A. grandiflora Nees and A. dioica (Steud.) C.I. Fomichev, each of which forms a well-supported clade in phylogenetic analyses. Both segregate species were described in the first half of the 19th century but not recognised as such in subsequent taxonomic accounts. Anarthria dioica was first collected in 1826, then wrongly interpreted as a species of Juncus (Juncaceae) and described as Juncus dioicus. We provide a formal transfer of the name to Anarthria and for the first time report its clear and qualitative diagnostic characters: an extremely short leaf ligule and distinctive pattern of leaf epidermal micromorphology. A long ligule is present in A. gracilis s.str. and A. grandiflora. These species differ from each other in leaf lamina morphology and anatomy and have mostly non-overlapping distribution ranges. The narrower definition of species provides a basis for future phylogeographic analyses in Anarthria. Our study highlights a need for more extensive use of nuclear DNA markers in Restionaceae. The use of the low copy nuclear marker at103 allowed a clade comprising all three ligulate species of Anarthria to be recognised. The ligule character is used here for the first time in the taxonomy of Anarthria and merits special attention in studies of other restiids. In general, our study uncovered a superficially hidden but, in reality, conspicuous diversity in a common group of wind-pollinated plants in the southwest of Western Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In agricultural ecosystems, weeds indirectly affect crops via phytophagous insects that feed on both weeds and crops. In paddy fields, heteropteran insects are among the most serious pests of rice plants. In some heteropterans, the proboscis is used to suck rice ears, inducing black spots on the grains (i.e., pecky rice). Even a low proportion of pecky rice (>0.1%) significantly decreases the market price of rice; in Japan, this problem has led to severe economic losses. Because heteropterans feed on the reproductive organs of weeds as well as rice plants, various weeds that grow around paddy fields may increase the populations of heteropterans that cause pecky rice. To clarify which types of weeds can be used by heteropterans causing pecky rice, we investigated the interactions between plants (including rice plants) and heteropterans in an agricultural landscape in Hyogo, Japan. We observed 833 individuals of 27 heteropteran species (13 families) feeding on the reproductive organs of 35 plant species (Poales: three families) including rice plants from June to October 2019. All heteropteran species were native, whereas six of 35 plant species were non‐native. We found 12 heteropteran species on rice plants; nine of the 12 heteropteran species fed on weeds (a total of 32 species) as well as rice plants, whereas the other three species fed exclusively on rice plants. Heteropterans fed on native weeds throughout the growing seasons (June–October), but on non‐native weeds only before rice plants bloomed (June–July). Therefore, diverse weed species that grow around paddy fields are food resources for heteropteran insects and they might indirectly increase the incidence of pecky rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South American weed Cyperus eragrostis Lam. (Cyperaceae) is reported for the first time in the wild from Tunisia, North Africa. A brief description of the species is given and it is illustrated in its Tunisian habitat. Its actual distribution is presented and discriminatory characteristics as compared to C. flavescens, a native species with which it has been confused for some time, are commented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first records of five Tillandsia L. species from the state of Bahia, Brazil, which were collected in the field and studied in herbaria. Tillandsia didisticha (E.Morren) Baker occurs in Cerrado and Caatinga biomes, T. linearis Vell. and T. dura Baker in Atlantic Forest fragments, and T. pruinosa Sw. and T. grao-mogolensis Silveira in an ecotonal transition zone between dry and humid forest. We present photographs, taxonomic notes, distribution ranges of these species in Bahia and discuss their morphological distinctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paepalanthus is a diverse monocot genus with remarkable diversity distributed in the Neotropical highlands of South America. The genus comprises 410 species arranged in subgenera, sections, subsections and series. Added to this complex classification, Paepalanthus shows considerable morphological heterogeneity and includes three other genera in it, Actinocephalus (Körn.) Sano, Lachnocaulon Kunth and Tonina Aubl. A broadly sampled phylogenetic inference for the genus is still missing, precluding a better understanding of its delimitation and further studies in the group. Here we present the most comprehensive phylogenetic study for Paepalanthus to date, as well as morphological survey of characters that delimit the main lineages found. We assembled a morphologically and geographically representative sampling of Paepalanthus and associated genera comprising 356 accessions in a combined dataset of plastid (trnL-F , psbA-trnH) and nuclear (ITS, ETS) regions. Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods were used for phylogenetic reconstruction. We found that Paepalanthus and 16 of its 28 infrageneric categories are not monophyletic, as well as the closely related genus Actinocephalus. Thirty-six well-supported clades are recognized. Morphological characters show high levels of homoplasy, and concepts traditionally used in the classification of Paepalanthus were found to be inconsistent. We confirmed that Paepalanthus as currently circumscribed is not monophyletic and revealed several new relationships in Eriocaulaceae. To make Paepalanthus monophyletic, the genus must be re-circumscribed. These results also provide a foundation for future investigations of the diversification and evolution of flora of the Neotropical highlands of South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]