The results of karyological analyses and SEM micromorphological observations on vegetative and reproductive structures of the critical genera Gastrocotyle, Hormuzakia and Phyllocara (Boraginaceae: Boragineae) are presented and discussed in relation to their taxonomic position within the tribe. Each of these monotypic genera is characterized by distinctive features in stigma morphology, papillar pattern, structure of faucal scales, development of the hairy annulus at the base of the corolla tube and ornamentation of the mericarp coat surface. G. hispida and H. aggregata showed 2n = 16 and complements of medium-sized and very large chromosomes, respectively. P. aucheri was characterized by a tetraploid set of 32 chromosomes including a group similar to those of Anchusa and a group closer to those of Nonea in terms of size and centromcric position. This species could have an allopolyploid origin, resulting from the hybridization of members of these two genera. Along with distinctive traits in inflorescence structure, fruit shape and pollen morphology, karyological and micromorphological characters determine sharp phenetic discontinuities from Anchusa, from which these plants should be kept generically separated. At the same time, the presence of relevant autapomorphies in each of the three genera prevents them from being merged in a single genus.

Six new species of Colchicum (Colchicaceae) are described (C. munzurense, C. minutum, C. sanguicolle, C. micaceum, C. heldreichii, C. inundatum). The first two flower in early spring with synanthous leaves, the rest are autumn-flowering. All are endemic to Turkey, and confined to small geographical areas. Chromosome numbers and notes on phenology, vegetative reproduction, phytogeography and ecology are provided for all the species.

Thirteen populations of three Aegilops (Poaceae) species were analysed for meiotic characters including chiasma frequency and distribution, as well as chromosomal association and segregation. Populations of A. triuncialis and A. cylindrica possessed n= 14 chromosome number (tetraploid) while populations of A. umbellulata possessed n = 7 (diploid). Tetraploid species showed diplontic behavior and formed bivalents only. Cluster analysis of meiotic data showed distinctness of the species, although variations were observed in the chiasma frequency and distribution among different populations of each species. Cytomixis and chromosome elimination led to ancuploid and unreduced pollen mother cell formation in the species studied.

Twelve populations of six Lycium species were analysed for karyotypie characters and seed storage proteins using multivariate statistical methods. All reported chromosome numbers (mostly new) are 2n = 24 (x = 12). Karyotypes were symmetrical and placed in 1A and 2A classes of Stebbins karyotype classification. Cluster analysis of karyological and protein data revealed variations among the populations of L. depressum and L. ruthenicum, and supports close relationships of L. kopetdaghi and L. depressum with L. makranicum, and L. shawii with L. edgeworthii.

Turkish autumn-flowering species of Colchicum (Colchicaceae) with large, broad hysteranthous leaves are taxonomically and morphologically revised, with comments on conditions in other areas covered by the distributions. Three new species are described (C. paschei, C. dolichantherum, C. imperatoris-friderici), all endemic to Turkey. Synonym lists, typifications, chromosome numbers, and notes on phenology, vegetative reproduction, phytogeography and ecology are provided for the whole group, and relationships to other species are discussed.

Two new species of Aeschynanthus from Borneo, A. argentii Mendum and A. pseudohybridus Mendum, and one from Palawan (Philippines), A. batakiorum Mendum & Madulid, are described and illustrated.

New data on the Pteridophyta of Lesvos (East Aegean Islands, Greece) contributing to the knowledge of their distribution and ecology are given. The presence of 24 taxa (species and subspecies) belonging to 16 genera and 7 families is confirmed whilst the occurrence of 4 more previously recorded is considered as doubtful or needs more recent confirmation. Isoetes duriei Bory, Pilularia minuta Durieu and Polystichum setiferum (Forsskål) Woynar appear to be new records for the East Aegean Islands, and Isoetes histrix Bory is new for the island of Lesvos. Furthermore the presence on Lesvos of some rare species (i.e. Notholaena marantae (L.) Desv. and Ophioglossum vulgatum L.) is confirmed. Critical comments on most of the taxa are made and dot maps of their distributions are presented. With regard to the rare species and their habitats, a need for urgent conservation measures is identified.

Lower montane rainforest and upper montane forest on the slopes and summit of Gunung Sinombayuga, Dumoga Bone National Park, North Sulawesi, were described by general botanical collection and quantitative sampling. The lower montane forest was dominated by the families Fagaceae, Myrtaceae, Icacinaceae and Escalloniaceae. The upper montane forest, dominated by Fagaceae and Cunoniaceae, represented 75-year-old coppice regeneration. It was less diverse than the lower montane forest and lower in stature, with a smaller basal area per hectare and a higher proportion of multi-stemmed trees. The tree flora of the montane forest is poorly known, and rich in undescribed species.

In the Australian bolete mycota Gasterotylopilus brunneus gen. et sp. nov., five Tylopilus spp. nov., two Boletus spp. nov., two Rubinoboletus spp. nov. and one Phlebopus sp. nov. are proposed, together with new combinations for Meiorganum and Rubinoboletus.

Three new species of Bhutanese orchids, Aphyllorchis sanguinea, Cheirostylis sherriffii and Hetaeria pelota, and one new Sikkimese species, Lecanorchis sikkimensis, are newly described. Their generic placement and affinities are discussed. A new combination in Cheirostylis is made for the Taiwanese Zeuxine tabiyahanensis Hayata. Records of five orchid species new to Bhutan are also presented.

Three new species and one new subspecies of Stipa are described from the E Himalaya: S. jacquemontii subsp. chuzomica and S. bhutanica which appear to be endemic to Bhutan: S. milleri from Nepal, India (Sikkim) and Bhutan and S. rohmooiana from India (Sikkim).

An analysis was made of the floristic composition of 45 savanna sites located throughout the southern neoarctic and neotropics. A total of 533 woody species were recorded from published and reliable unpublished floristic lists; of these, 234 species (44%) were from 10 Brazilian cerrado sites, with 187 (80%) of them restricted to the cerrado biome. The cerrados were clearly shown to be the most diverse New World savanna system with a high degree of endemism. The data were analysed using two multivariate techniques: TWINSPAN and DCA. Four phytogeographic zones were identified: Central Brazil and Bolivia extending to Southern Amazonia; north of Amazonia extending across the isthmus of Central America and including the Caribbean; Belize, Guatemala and Southern Mexico; and north of the Mexican Plateau. The analyses revealed gradients of floristic variation associated with latitude and longitude, and showed the great heterogeneity of savanna vegetation.