A new species of Dubyaea (Asteraceae), D. forrestii Mamgain & R.R.Rao, from the Burma/China border is described, illustrated and compared with D. atropurpurea. The affinities of the new species to Dubyaea atropurpurea are discussed.

The new species Baphia megaphylla Breteler (Leguminosae – Papilionoideae) from Gabon is described and illustrated. It is most closely related to Baphia maxima Baker. The differences between the two species are summarised in a key.

The anatomical characters of the scape of Echinodorus glandulosus, E. lanceolatus, E. palaefolius, E. paniculatus, E. pubescens and E. subalatus subsp. subalatus (Alismataceae) were examined. These six sympatric species occur in northeastern Brazil and demonstrate great morphological similarity. The aim of the present study was to identify anatomical characters of taxonomic importance. Scapes possess a uniseriate epidermis composed of thin-walled tabular cells. The scapes of most species have differentiated epidermis, cortex, and vascular cylinders. There are several layers of regular chlorenchyma cells immediately below the epidermis, intercalated with collateral vascular bundles, in all species. There are also laticiferous ducts throughout the scape, and aerenchyma in both the cortex and pith. The shape and outline of scapes, the presence and position of winged extensions, the absence of differentiated vascular cylinders or cortex, and the number of vascular bundles are important characters for differentiating species in Echinodorus. An identification key employing the features analysed is provided.

A new species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae), Impatiens pachycaulon M.F.Newman, is described and illustrated.

A new species of Catasetum Rich. ex Kunth (Orchidaceae), Catasetum apolloi Benelli & Grade, from the municipality of Carlinda in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil is described and illustrated. The plant was discovered in a pasture near the Teles Pires River growing epiphytically under the palm Maximiliana regia Mart. A discussion and consideration of possible related species is presented.

Mannia controversa (Meyl.) Schill comb. nov. (Marchantiidae, Aytoniaceae), a long-forgotten European taxon, is fully redescribed and a lectotype selected. It is reported from its original localities in the Swiss Alps and new sites in the Austrian and French Alps. A series of specimens from eastern Asia are closely related and are described as Mannia controversa subsp. asiatica Schill & D.G.Long. For the species, differences with other Mannia species are summarised and for its two subspecies, descriptions, illustrations (including SEM images) and a key are provided along with notes on ecology and distribution maps.

A new species of Gesneriaceae from Sulawesi, Agalmyla hilliardiae D.J.Middleton & S.Scott in Agalmyla sect. Exannularia, is described and illustrated.

The objective of this work was to evaluate resprouting features and mortality in Cerrado woody plants after annual controlled fires (in 1998, 1999 and 2000) in a campo sujo area (an open savanna physiognomy) of 2500 m2 at the Reserva Ecológica do IBGE, Brasília-DF, Brazil. The area was protected against fire for 23 years prior to the fires. All plants of the woody layer with diameter larger than 2.0 cm at 30 cm from soil level were tagged and identified. At about one year after each controlled fire the damage type and the number of basal and underground sprouts for each individual were recorded. Stem diameter and height were measured for each marked sprout. A total of 1307 sprouts were tagged and measured. The main impact of fire on resprouting was a decrease in the number of new sprouts after each controlled fire: 684 sprouts after the first burning to 248 after the third burning. Mortality of sprouts was 34.8% and 37.8% after the 1999 and 2000 fires. A decrease in the number of sprouts with a diameter smaller than 1.0 cm after the successive fires was also observed, indicating that fires at one-year intervals resulted in alterations in the structure of the woody vegetation in the area. The species mortality rates were higher after the first controlled fire. However, it seems that there is no relation between sprouting capacity and species survival. The species that show mortality rates lower than 10% also showed a variety of sprouting capacity.

Solanum section Regmandra (Solanaceae), a group of 11 species from the lomas of Chile and Peru, is revised. Two new species are described, Solanum indivisum Witasek ex J.R.Benn. and S. coquimbense J.R.Benn., and a new name, S. trinominum J.R.Benn., is proposed for S. heterantherum Witasek ex Reiche. Two species, Solanum multifidum Lam. and S. edmonstonei Hook.f., are endemic to Peru, seven species are endemic to Chile, and only two species are found in both countries. Descriptions, distribution maps and a key to the species are presented and several species illustrated.

The isolated massif Jabal Bura (Yemen) is home to the largest area of ‘valley forest’ in southwest Arabia's western escarpment mountains. This study surveys the composition of this very rare forest and records the diversity of vascular plant species. It notes the valley forest as the home of several regionally rare species and records new locations for these taxa. A brief analysis of the canopy layer is provided, enabling comparisons with similar vegetation in northeast Africa. The paper discusses the importance of this regionally rare vegetation as well as threats to its conservation.

Hypserpa ademae Takeuchi (Menispermaceae) is described from the Bowutu Range of Papua New Guinea. The novelty is distinguished by its whiplike inflorescence, 6-merous male flowers, and glabrous, cordate leaves.

A new species of Cephalaria, C. bigazzii Bacch., Brullo & Giusso (Dipsacaceae), is described and illustrated. It is a typical chasmophyte, exclusive to a small area of SW Sardinia where it grows together with several other rare endemics. It belongs to the Cephalaria squamiflora group, showing close relationships with C. mediterranea and C. balearica. Its ecology, distribution and conservation status are examined. A distribution map of the new species and related species is provided. A new status and combination is proposed for Cephalaria ebusitana.