The taxonomic status of the genus Pernettya Gaud. (Ericaceae) has been assessed by comparing morphological, anatomical, chemical and cytological characters between Pernettya, Gaultheria L. and a number of other genera in the Gaultheria group of the tribe Andromedeae. It has been concluded that Pernettya is not sufficiently distinct from Gaultheria to be maintained as a separate genus. Two new names and fifteen new combinations within Gaultheria are here proposed.

Quantitative descriptions of the woody flora and soil analyses are given for five areas of cerrado (savanna woodland) near Cuiabá, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. Comparisons are made of the floristic composition and community structure of these areas using polar ordination and hierarchical classification techniques.

Descrições quantitativas da flora lenhosa e anâlises de solos são apresentadas para cinco áreas de cerrado nas proximidades de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso. São realizadas comparações entre estas areas em composição florística e estrutura comunitária utilizando técnicas de ordenação polar e classifiçãcao hierárquica.

To better understand the genus Tripterygium for the Flora of China, the history of the genus and its species is summarized and characters traditionally used to divide the genus re-examined. Because no reliable differentiating characters were found, all of the previously named taxa in the genus are reduced to the single species, Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. The range of this monospecific genus is typical of many in the East Asian flora.

The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA was sequenced from 21 accessions of Viguiera from South America, including 14 from Brazil. Overall there was only a small amount of sequence variation, less than 3.4% among South American samples and less than 4.5% between the South American samples and the Mexican V. flava. Phylogenetic analysis revealed little divergence among the Brazilian samples of Viguiera. The low level of ITS sequence variation was in striking contrast to the taxonomic diversity and chemical variability that have been reported for Viguiera in Brazil. The low level of sequence variation suggests that, despite its clear morphological and phytochemical adaptations to the cerrado, Viguiera is probably a relatively recent addition (less than 3 million years) to the flora of this area.

The species of Guarea F.Allam. ex L. (Meliaceae) are revised. Sixty-nine species are recognised, a key to the species is provided, all names are typified and descriptions of all species are given. A phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequence data is discussed. Six new species and one new subspecies are described. Five new combinations for subspecies are made.

Of the 455 known genera in Apiaceae (Umbelliferae), 41% are monotypic and 26% comprise only two or three species each. Similarly, of the 16 genera constituting Scandiceae Spreng. subtribe Scandicinae Tausch, seven (Balansaea Boiss. & Reut., Kozlovia Lipsky, Krasnovia Schischk., Myrrhis Mill., Myrrhoides Fabr., Sphallerocarpus DC. and Todaroa Parl.) are monotypic, and two (Neoconopodium Pimenov & Kljuykov and Tinguarra Parl.) are bitypic. Phylogenetic analysis of the subtribe, using molecular (rDNA ITS), morphological and anatomical data, indicates that the number of genera may be reduced with only three, Todaroa, Sphallerocarpus and Myrrhis, retained as monotypic. Remaining taxa form eight clades that are supported by high bootstrap values and are morphologically distinct. Four of these clades (Anthriscus Pers., Geocaryum Coss., Osmorhiza Raf. and Scandix L.) are equivalent to currently recognized genera. Kozlovia, Krasnovia and Neoconopodium form a well-supported clade that may be recognized as the single genus Kozlovia, and Myrrhoides is grouped with Chaerophyllum L. Tinguarra and Athamanta L. form a monophyletic group that is well supported by analyses of morphology, fruit anatomy, and combined morphological, anatomical and ITS sequence data; however, this group is not maintained in separate analyses of ITS sequences. Similarly, the group formed by Conopodium W. D. J. Koch and Balansaea is monophyletic in morphological, anatomical, and combined analyses, but is not supported by the separate analyses of ITS sequence data. All of these groups are well delimited on the basis of fruit characters that have long been regarded as essential in umbellifer taxonomy. One new combination is proposed: Athamanta montana (Webb ex H. Christ.) Spalik, A. Wojew. & S. R. Downie.

This work aims to characterise the morphology and anatomy of roots, stems and leaves of Calolisianthus species (Gentianaceae – Helieae) to assist in the taxonomy and understanding of some adaptive responses to high luminosity, prolonged water deficit and nutritional stress in their environment. Samples of Calolisianthus speciosus and C. pendulus were collected in campo rupestre (rocky land) and samples of C. amplissimus were collected in cerrado (savanna) areas in southeastern Brazil. The roots have a cortex with Arum-type arbuscular mycorrhizae. The three species have winged and square stems and in Calolisianthus amplissimus the stem is hollow. Calolisianthus pendulus and C. speciosus have a pair of conspicuous extrafloral nectaries at the leaf base, which are absent in C. amplissimus. Calolisianthus pendulus has a dorsiventral mesophyll and a round leaf margin with parenchymatic cells. Calolisianthus amplissimus has a homogeneous mesophyll and a leaf margin with collenchyma. Calolisianthus speciosus leaves have a homogeneous mesophyll and a margin with sclerenchyma and collenchyma. Our results demonstrate that some anatomical characters are useful for the identification of Calolisianthus species and might be used to elucidate evolutionary relationships among Calolisianthus and their adaptive responses.

Siphoneugena Berg (Myrtaceae, Myrteae) is a small eugenioid genus with eight species ranging from Puerto Rico to Northern Argentina with the centre of diversity in Southeastern Brazil. Keys to the species and varieties are provided, as well as synonyms, descriptions, illustrations and a map of geographical occurrence. Two new taxa are described from Brazil: Siphoneugena guilfoyleiana C. Proença, the only species to occur in sandy maritime vegetation on the Ilha do Cardoso, state of São Paulo and S. densiflora Berg var. cipoensis C. Proença, an endemic of the Serra do Cipó mountain range in the state of Minas Gerais. A new combination S. dussii (Krug & Urban) C. Proença based on Marlierea dussii, is made for a species that grows in Venezuela, Guyana, Surinam and the West Indies. This study confirms current opinions as to the low taxonomic value of open versus closed calyces in establishing natural genera within the Myrtaceae.

Mount Giting-Giting is an ultramafic mountain on Sibuyan Island, Romblon Province, Republic of the Philippines. It was studied along the Mayo's Peak Ridge which had rainforest from about 200m up to c. 1550m. The grassland and scrub vegetation from 1550m to the summit (2050m) of Giting-Giting was not explored. The mean annual rainfall at the base of the mountain was c.2100mm which included a dry season around February and March. There was a notable increase in wind speed with altitude and there was about one hurricane (called a cyclone in the Philippines) per year. Analyses showed that the soils are acid ( 4.4–5.5), and have relatively low concentrations of Olsen extractable phosphorus (0.22–2.07μg g−1), low exchangeable potassium (0.04–0.41mEq 100g−1), and relatively low (for ultramafic soils) Mg/Ca quotients (0.31–2.87) and exchangeable nickel (1.0-23.8μg g−1). Coupled plots (of 0.25 or 0.04ha) were studied at altitudes from 325m to 1540m. All trees ≥ 10cm dbh were enumerated and structural features of the trees and smaller plants were quantified. The forests were all of fairly small stature (maximum tree height 24m) but dense (up to 2180 trees ha−1 in Lower Montane Forest (LMF) and up to 880 ha−1 in Upper Montane Forest (UMF)). While different taxa could be readily recognized, specific determinations were often impossible from the mainly sterile specimens. The LMF was species rich with up to at least 111 species of tree (≥ 10cm dbh) per 0.25-ha plot. There was no family clearly dominant in the two lower plots at 325m and 385m (where the Dipterocarpaceae were probably reduced by logging). At 770m and 860m the Dipterocarpaceae accounted for 12.9% and 14.7% of the basal area respectively. There was a surprisingly high representation of the Sapotaceae (25.9% of the basal area) at 1240m. At 1540m, the Araucariaceae (Agathis sp.) dominated one plot (37.1% of the basal area) and the Myrtaceae the other (72.4%).

Pollen and seed characters of 12 Nepalese representatives of the Hedyotis–Oldenlandia–Kohautia complex (Spermacoceae s.l.; Rubiaceae) were investigated morphologically using scanning electron and light microscopy. The members of the complex were found to show remarkable variation in fruit, seed and pollen features. Pollen grains were all colporate with the aperture number varying from 3–4 to occasionally 5. The ectoaperture was a colpus, and the endoaperture was an endocingulum, a lalongate endocolpus or an endocolpus combined with an annulus around the mesoporus. Sexine ornamentation was variable, being perforate, reticulate or microreticulate. Three species were found to have a double reticulum. Supratectal elements were generally absent, but sometimes muri were beset with granules. Seeds were numerous per capsule, small and non-crateriform. Three types of seed were distinguished based on shape: (1) lenticular with a narrow wing-like margin, (2) trigonous, and (3) globose/subglobose. Trigonous seeds exhibited marked variation in colour, size and shape. On the basis of the pollen and seed characters, used in combination with the type of fruit dehiscence, five natural groups are identified for Nepalese taxa. The generic status of Hedyotis, Oldenlandia and Kohautia is maintained but some species are transferred from Hedyotis to Oldenlandia. Pollen and seed morphology, together with the type of fruit dehiscence, proved to be helpful in delimiting supra- and infrageneric groups within the Hedyotis–Oldenlandia–Kohautia complex.

The composition, abundance, population structure and distribution patterns of the woody species having a girth at breast height of ≥ 10 cm were investigated in the tropical wet evergreen forests of the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in the southern Western Ghats, India. A 3 ha plot was established with an altitudinal range of 1170 to 1306 m. In the study plot 5624 individuals (mean density 1875 ha−1) covering 68 woody species belonging to 52 genera and 27 families were enumerated. The mean basal area was 47.01 m2 ha–1 and the Shannon and Simpson diversity indices were 4.89 and 0.95, respectively. Of these woody species nearly 51% are endemic to the Western Ghats. The four dominant species, Cullenia exarillata, Palaquium ellipticum, Aglaia bourdillonii and Myristica dactyloides, account for 34% of the trees and 67% of the basal area, and therefore constitute the main structure of the forest. Within this forest type, five species assemblages corresponding to altitudinal gradient were identified using correspondence analysis. Management of such mid elevation evergreen forests necessarily depends on knowledge of recognisable community types and their environmental variables. The present study provides essential background for formulating strategies for sustainable conservation of forest communities at the local level.

The genus Berberis (Berberidaceae) in Nepal is revised and 21 species are recognised. Two species, Berberis pendryi Bh.Adhikari and Berberis karnaliensis Bh.Adhikari, are newly described and 11 taxa are lectotypified. A key to species is provided and all species are fully described and illustrated, and their distributions within Nepal mapped. An IUCN conservation assessment is given for each species.

Twelve species of Amomum (Zingiberaceae) are reported from Lambir Hills, Sarawak, with systematic and ecological notes based on field observations for more than one year. Five species, Amomum angustipetalum, A. bilabiatum, A. calyptratum, A. durum and A. somniculosum, are described as new to science. A key to all species of Amomum in Borneo is provided. The first report of andromonoecy and sexual dimorphism of inflorescence in Zingiberaceae is given for A. polycarpum.

Rhododendron sect. Pentanthera G. Don (Ericaceae) comprises a group of closely related, highly ornamental plants which are commonly called ‘azaleas'. Thirteen of the fifteen species recognized in this section are indigenous to North America. One species (R. molle) is native to Japan and China, and one species (R. luteum) is indigenous to the Caucasus region. Phylogenetic analysis of the species within the section indicates that R. molle is the sister to the rest of the section. It is the sole member of R. subsect. Sinensia. The remaining species form a monophyletic group recognized as R. subsect. Pentanthera. Within this subsection the presence of a blotch on the upper corolla lobe defines two primarily orange to red-flowered groups. The first group has a Tertiary Period disjunct distribution and comprises R. luteum, R. austrinum and R. occidentale. The second group is indigenous to eastern North America and comprises R. calendulaceum, R. cumberlandense, R. flammeum, R. prunifolium and R. alabamense. In both groups the cladistically basal species has white flowers with a yellow blotch on the upper corolla lobe (R. occidentale, R. alabamense, respectively). The pink to white early flowering species R. canescens, R. periclymenoides and R. prinophyllum do not form a monophyletic group.

Phenetic analyses indicate that the eastern Asian taxon, R. molle, is best recognized as one species with two geographical subspecies; Rhododendron prinophyllum is quite distinct from R. canescens and R. periclymenoides. The latter two species are very similar morphologically, but their similarities are due to the retention of primitive characters and they should be recognized as distinct species. Rhododendron calendulaceum can be distinguished from R. cumberlandense using a combination of morphological and phenological characters. The various taxa previously segregated out of R. viscosum are merely extreme forms of a widespread and variable species and are not given any formal rank. No subspecific taxa are recognized for R. occidentale. Distribution maps, keys to the species, species descriptions and specimen citations are included.

A modem re-assessment is given of the taxonomy and nomenclature of the 8(-9) annual taxa within the mainly Mediterranean/SW Asiatic Bromus L. sect. Genea Dum. (Poaceae): B. diandrus Roth var. diandrus, B. diandrus var. rigidus Roth, B. fasciculatus Presl, B. madritensis L., B. rubens L., B. sterilis L., B. tectorum L. subsp. tectorum and B. tectorum subsp. lucidus Sales; less emphasis is given to B. madritensis and B. rubens. None of these taxa has previously been investigated throughout their total areas and the taxonomic conclusions expressed here are a result of a multidisciplinary approach. For reasons of convenience the species are considered in three informal groups based on overall similarities: i, B. sterilis, B. diandrus and B. rigidus, so often recognized as independent species in recent Floras but here regarded as varieties of one species; ii, B. madritensis, B. rubens and B. fasciculatus, with particular attention given to B. fasciculatus; and iii, B. tectorum subsp. tectorum and subsp. lucidus, previously regarded as independent species.

In this study, we report species diversity and endemism of the poorly known but highly diverse Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest (SDTF) flora of the Marañón valley in northern Peru. We characterise woody vascular plant species diversity across the valley in order to define the conservation value of the area at national and international level. Based on 32 rapid botanical inventories, 92 plots of 50 × 20 m, and a herbarium study across local and international herbaria, we report 440 woody vascular plant species of which 143 (33%) are endemic to the valley. Two centres of endemism within the valley are identified, each with clear elevational zonation of diversity. Data show that the Marañón valley is a good representative of Peruvian SDTFs as a whole, with an average of 56% SDTF species and 78% SDTF genera found in the one valley. The results show that there is wide variation in the set of dominant species across the valley, and that many local endemics are locally abundant unlike in neighbouring SDTFs where the dominant species are all geographically widespread. Our results demonstrate that the Marañón includes a rare combination of both nationally representative yet globally unique plant species, which makes the valley an ideal conservation target. The high level of endemism structured within elevational zones implies that conservation areas should be established across elevational zones in order to maximise the protection of this globally unique flora.

A new monotypic genus, Distichochlamys (Zingiberaceae; Hedychieae), and its species, D. citrea, are described from central Vietnam. Its affinities lie with Scaphochlamys and Boesenbergia and, through them, to the wider group containing Kaempferia and Haplochorema.

The forest across a sharp boundary between greywacke and serpentinized peridotite is described from a site with seasonal rainfall on Palawan, Philippines. The forest on greywacke was of much larger stature (trees up to 26m) than that on the serpentinized peridotite (trees up to 18m). The tree (>10cm dbh) species richness was the same on both substrata with 38 species in one 0.16ha plot on each side of the boundary. There were many more individuals in the greywacke plot (149) than on the serpentinized peridotite (114). Floristically the plots were very different, with only one tree species, an unidentified Madhuca, occurring on both sides of the boundary. The soil over the greywacke was notably more acid, had lower Mg/Ca quotients, and much lower nickel concentrations than the soil over serpentinized peridotite.

Geoffroea (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae) has traditionally comprised three species. In this revision the number of species is reduced to two because G. striata (Willd.) Morong is considered indistinct from G. spinosa Jacq. and is placed in synonymy. No significant morphological variation is found between the five isolated areas of distribution of G. spinosa, which occurs in the disjunct seasonally dry tropical forests of South America, and there is certainly no basis for recognizing separate taxa.