Publication in 2012 of Tilia paucicostata Maxim. subsp. dictyoneura (V.Engl.) Pigott (Tiliaceae) was not valid because the publication by Engler in 1909 was not the work in which the intended basionym, T. dictyoneura, had been validly published, being predated by that of C.K. Schneider earlier in the same year. The new combination Tilia paucicostata subsp. dictyoneura (V.Engl. ex C.K.Schneid.) Pigott is validly published here, and designation of the lectotype is confirmed.

Gentiana springateana D.Maity sp. nov. (Gentianaceae) is described from the Sikkim Himalaya and placed in G. section Phyllocalyx (Kusn.) T.N.Ho. This new taxon is described and illustrated, and compared morphologically with two related taxa, Gentiana phyllocalyx C.B.Clarke and G. urnula Harry Sm.

Chromosomes were counted for nine of the 24 taxa of Berberis (Berberidaceae) from Nepal, five of which were counted for the first time. The results show that all these species have somatic chromosome numbers of 2n = 28. The absence of polyploids suggests that polyploidy may not have been a major driver of speciation and diversification of Berberis in the Nepal Himalaya.

The taxonomic history of the genus Podocarpus (Podocarpaceae) is reviewed as the first part of a revision of the genus. The major taxonomic and other works relating to the genus published during nine time periods (before 1800, 1800–1850, 1851–1875, 1876–1900, 1901–1926, 1927–1947, 1948–1967, 1968–1987 and 1988–present) are briefly but critically discussed. Three landmark works are those by Pilger (1903), Buchholz and Gray (between 1948 and 1962) and de Laubenfels (1985). The paper ends with an outline plan of the revision of the genus to which the paper forms an introduction.

Specimens of Hiraea (Malpighiaceae) from the Brazilian states of eastern Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Paraná, and Santa Catarina that had been determined as H. cuneata Griseb. and H. wiedeana A.Juss. were found to include four undescribed species. The assemblage traditionally named Hiraea cuneata includes, in addition to H. cuneata (Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro), two novelties: H. hatschbachii C.E.Anderson (Paraná) and H. occhionii C.E.Anderson (Rio de Janeiro). The gatherings labelled Hiraea wiedeana comprise specimens of H. reitzii C.E.Anderson (Paraná, Santa Catarina) and H. restingae C.E.Anderson (Rio de Janeiro), here newly described, and of H. macrophylla (Colla) P.L.R.Moraes & Guglielmone (Rio de Janeiro), the earlier and correct name for the species also known as H. wiedeana. In all, the flowers are borne in a single 4-flowered umbel instead of a compound arrangement, as is often characteristic of other species of Hiraea. Specimens assigned to Hiraea cuneata have the laminas abaxially sericeous initially but glabrous at maturity. In those assigned to Hiraea wiedeana the laminas are abaxially velutinous (eventually glabrescent in H. restingae). Full descriptions and synonymies are supplied, and all species are illustrated.

A new species, Adinandra kamalae M.K.Pathak, Bhaumik & G.Krishna (Pentaphylacaceae), is described from Upper Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India.

The Erich Werdermann collection ‘Plantae Chilenses’ held at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh constitutes an important set of herbarium specimens from the Chilean flora, and represents over 10% of preserved specimens from Chile in the herbarium. Duplicate sets of specimens were distributed from the Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin-Dahlem to a further 15 major international herbaria. Here we provide a description of this collection, highlighting aspects of Werdermann’s journey in Chile. Included are his itinerary and maps showing where the specimens were collected. An important aspect of the paper is to clarify ambiguities concerning label data in order to provide more accurate detail for researchers using Werdermann’s specimens.

Note: Main entries are emboldened; * signifies the page range of keywords; pages with illustrations (Fig.), maps, appendices (App.) and reviews (Rev.) are indicated; tables are not annotated separately.