Three shrubby, succulent, spiny Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) species from western Saudi Arabia are described and illustrated as new: Euphorbia madinahensis Fayed & D.Al-Zahrani, Euphorbia saudiarabica Fayed & D.Al-Zahrani and Euphorbia taifensis Fayed & D.Al-Zahrani. Diagnostic characters, descriptions and taxonomic comments on each are given, and they are compared with closely related species. The geographical distribution of the three new species is shown.

The shrubby, spiny, succulent species Euphorbia collenetteae D.Al-Zahrani & El-Karemy (Euphorbiaceae) from the southern Red Sea coast and islands is described and illustrated as new. Diagnostic characters, a description and taxonomic comments on the species are given. It is compared with the closely related Euphorbia fractiflexa S.Carter & J.R.I.Wood. The geographical distribution of the new species is shown.

This study investigated the effect of environmental variables such as soil class, soil water availability, topography and slope on spatial distribution patterns of tree species in a Brazilian Seasonal Semideciduous Forest area. Floristic and structural data for a tree community were obtained by sampling 100 plots 10 × 10 m in which every tree with trunk diameter (dbh) ⩾ 4.77 cm at 130 cm above ground level was sampled. The area under study showed a marked soil gradient, directly associated with the topography: flat hilltops with Al3+-rich Dystric Latosols give way to steep colluvial slopes with shallower and more Dystric Cambic Latosols without Al3+, changing over, at the bottom of the hollows, to Epieutrophic Cambisols richer in nutrients. The floristic-sociological parameters analysed for the soil habitats did not differ statistically from each other. The diversity and equability indices were 3.6 and 0.84, 3.48 and 0.85, 3.49 and 0.84 for the Dystric Latosol, Dystric Cambic Latosol and Epieutrophic Cambisol, respectively. The soil variables (related to the fertility and texture) and the soil water regime (drainage) were probably the principal factors determining the spatial distribution patterns of tree species in the forest.

The new taxa Cypholophus treubii var. aciculata (Urticaceae), Polyosma rampae (Polyosmaceae) and Psychotria apiculata var. altigena (Rubiaceae) are described from montane environments in the Kaijende Highlands of Papua New Guinea. A supplementary description is provided for Solanum nolense (Solanaceae), previously known only from a fruiting collection. Synonymies are suggested for species in Cypholophus, Psychotria, and Rubus (Rosaceae).

A new species of Gentiana (Gentianaceae), G. khammouanensis Hul, is described and illustrated.

Pterospermum mengii P.Wilkie (Dombeyoideae, Malvaceae/Sterculiaceae) from Cambodia and Vietnam is described as new to science and illustrated. It is most similar to Pterospermum pecteniforme Kosterm., sharing a distinctive wavy ridge at the margin of each locule of the capsular fruit, but differing by its larger leaves, oblong to obovate leaf shape, deeply cordate leaf base, and stellate indumentum on the undersurface of the leaves and fruit.

Mt Parnitha is located in Sterea Ellas (Central Greece) and is the highest mountain in the vicinity of Athens. Its wild vascular flora comprises 1096 taxa belonging to 90 families, of which 122 taxa and four families are reported here for the first time. The endemic element comprises 92 Greek, 42 Balkan and 18 Italian–Balkan–Anatolian taxa. Four Greek and three Balkan endemics are new records for the mountain. The predominance of the Mediterranean element (63.6%) and the therophytes (37.6%) underlines the Mediterranean character of the mountain's flora. The endemic elements of Mt Parnitha are presented, their protection status is mentioned and the phytogeographical affinity with neighbouring mountains is examined. Three vegetation zones and 17 habitat types within them have been identified, and those facing threats are indicated. Although the mountain is a National Park, several factors influence its flora and vegetation, the most important being its proximity to Athens.

As a result of recent genetic work, four taxa previously described by the author within Orobanche are now transferred to Phelipanche Pomel (Orobanchaceae); in addition, one of them, originally described as a subspecies, is raised to specific rank.

A synopsis of Rivea Choisy (Convolvulaceae) accounts for all names published in the genus in a concise nomenclatural review. Three species are recognized; a key is provided to identify them. Excluded species are referred to the currently accepted names and an index of numbered specimens examined will allow curators to correctly name material in herbaria.

New records in the Flora of Laos are presented, along with a short history of botanical collection in the country. The records are given in two lists, one relating to the Flore du Cambodge, du Laos et du Viêtnam and the other relating to the older Flore générale de l'Indochine.

The genus Gentianella in Nepal is revised and five species are recognized: G. angustiflora Harry Sm., G. azurea (Bunge) Holub, G. glanduligera Airy Shaw, G. lowndesii Harry Sm. and G. moorcroftiana (Wall. ex G.Don) Airy Shaw. Gentianella maddenii (C.B.Clarke) Airy Shaw, usually treated as a distinct species, is placed in synonymy of G. moorcroftiana. The genus Comastoma in Nepal is revised, four species are recognized and one new combination is made: C. falcatum (Turcz. ex Kar. & Kir.) Toyok., C. pedunculatum (D.Don) Holub, C. stellariifolium (Franch.) Holub and C. urnigerum (E.Aitken & D.G.Long) E.Aitken comb. nov. The genus Gentianopsis in Nepal is revised and three species are recognized: G. contorta (Royle) Ma, G. paludosa (Hook.) Ma and G. vvedenskyi (Grossh.) Pissjauk.

Pinochia, a new neotropical genus of Apocynaceae, subfamily Apocynoideae, is segregated from Forsteronia, described and illustrated. Four new combinations and a key to the species are provided.