Recent trends in compilation of world consensus family classifications from existing floristic and monographic data, and demands for alpha-taxonomic and other traditional phenetic data for analysis with phylogenetic reconstructions derived from DNA sequences are discussed. Obstacles hindering the production of a meaningful, comprehensive data set for Apiaceae include: (1) the lack of comparable non-molecular phenetic data; (2) incomplete coverage of family accounts in recent Floras, particularly in the southern hemisphere; (3) large, artificial genera awaiting monographic treatment; and (4) the lack of database systems that handle differences in taxonomic opinion (alternative classifications). The use of electronic communication, particularly the Internet, can help to accelerate progress in these areas through promoting collaboration and information exchange. The contribution of the Apiales Resource Centre website (especially the umbellifer areas: www.umbellifers.com) is highlighted.

The taxonomy and nomenclature of the Rubus species (sub)endemic to Madeira and the Azores are treated. Only three species names have to be retained: R. bollei Focke (synonyms: R. canariensis Focke, R. concolor Lowe, R. suspiciosus Menezes, R. vahlii Frid.), R. hochstetterorum Seub., and R. serrae Soldano (R. grandifolius Lowe). The last two species are described and illustrated. Three names are lectotypified. A key to Rubus of the Macaronesian region (five native species, one hybrid, one neophyte) is provided.

A study of the fruit structure of Annesorhiza filicaulis Eckl. & Zeyh. has shown that only the four commissural ribs are expanded, resulting in a fruit wing configuration characteristic of the genus Peucedanum. Hysteranthous or seasonal leaves, as present in A. filicaulis, are not unique to Annesorhiza but are also encountered in Chamarea Eckl. & Zeyh. and in Peucedanum sulcatum Sond. and related species. The correct generic delimitation of Peucedanum (one or several genera) is one of the last challenges in the alpha taxonomy of southern African Apiaceae, and A. filicaulis complicates the matter even further. Nevertheless, A. filicaulis is clearly a misfit in Annesorhiza and should be included in future studies of Peucedanum sensu lato, even though the latter may prove not to be monophyletic. Annesorhiza filicaulis is formally transferred to Peucedanum, and the correct nomenclature, typification and known geographical distribution of this poorly known species is presented.

Examination of morphology, ploidy and interfertility in the two subspecies of the Old World Senecio flavus (Decne.) Sch. Bip. (Compositae) and the closely related New World S. mohavensis A. Gray does not support the subspecific taxonomy of S. flavus. On the basis of our results S. flavus subsp. breviflorus Kadereit is transferred to S. mohavensis as a new subspecies: S. mohavensis subsp. breviflorus (Kadereit) M. Coleman comb. nov. The new subspecies has a distribution that includes Arabia, the Middle East, Sinai, Iran, Afghanistan, Djibouti, and the Thar Desert of Pakistan. The type subspecies of S. mohavensis occurs in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of North America, providing an unusual disjunct distribution at the species level. Separation from S. flavus is based upon differences in morphology and chromosome number. Senecio flavus is diploid (2n = 20), while both subspecies of S. mohavensis are tetraploid (2n = 40). Further support for the new taxonomic treatment is provided by the results of controlled crosses. No artificial hybrids have been generated from crosses made between the previously recognized subspecies of S. flavus, while crosses between the newly recognized subspecies of S. mohavensis have produced fertile hybrids. The fertility of the hybrids is significantly lower than the parental taxa (P<0.001), indicating partial genetic divergence since isolation. Previous studies of isozyme and cpDNA variation in all three taxa also support the new treatment. The similarity of the S. mohavensis subspecies suggests a relatively recent separation, although the amount of genetic divergence does not support a post-Colombian introduction. Given that land bridges to North America via Beringia and the North Atlantic last existed in the Oligocene, long-distance dispersal seems the most likely explanation. Natural dispersal to rather than from the New World is supported, but whether this took place in an easterly or westerly direction is unclear. The evolution of S. mohavensis remains equivocal.

The stem and leaf anatomy of the ten species of Jasione L. (Campanulaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula were investigated; their infra-specific taxa were also studied. The species differ from each other anatomically and can be identified by their anatomical characters. The anatomical evidence supports the taxonomic treatment that will be published in the forthcoming Flora iberica Volume 14. The possible relations between the anatomy and the ecology of these plants are discussed. Specialized small multicellular structures (trichoids) present on the leaf surface, whose interest has not previously been recognized, are described and their possible function discussed.

A new species of Agapetes (Ericaceae) from Thailand is described and illustrated.

A new species of Swertia (Gentianaceae) from Thailand is described and illustrated.

Two new species of Aeschynanthus and one new Henckelia are described and illustrated. Trichosporum grandiflorum Elmer (non D. Don) is transferred to Aeschynanthus and renamed A. elmeri Mendum.

Collections of Cyrtandra from the island of Palawan in the Philippines are reviewed. Twelve species are present, of which only five species are already described. A further three species and one variety are described here: C. cleopatrae H.J. Atkins & Cronk sp. nov., C. pulgarensis [Elmer ex] H.J. Atkins & Cronk sp. nov., C. hirtigera H.J. Atkins & Cronk sp. nov., and C. hirtigera var. chlorina H.J. Atkins & Cronk var. nov. Further material of the remaining four taxa (spp. B, C, D, E) will be needed before these can be formally named, although descriptions are provided here. All species are endemic except C. elatostemoides Elmer and C. hypochrysoides Kränzl., which also occur in Borneo and Luzon respectively. The pattern of narrow endemism shown by the cyrtandras of Palawan is commented on briefly.

The threatened Chilean conifer Podocarpus salignus D. Don is currently the focus of ex situ conservation eorts being undertaken by the Conifer Conservation Programme of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. To assess variation within in and ex situ populations of the species, leaf material collected from four wild populations was analysed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Amova of RAPD profiles indicated that 93% of the variation occurred within, rather than between, populations. Intraspecific genetic diversity, estimated using percentage polymorphic loci, Shannon's diversity index, and Nei's gene diversity, was relatively high (47%, 0.692 and 0.314, respectively). To assess genetic diversity in ex situ populations within the UK, RAPD analysis of parents and progeny at two Cornish arboreta was undertaken. The results provided evidence of novel hybridization with suspected paternal trees (P. hallii Kirk and P. totara G. Benn. ex D. Don) endemic to New Zealand. RAPD was found to be an effective tool for assessing the genetic structure of P. salignus, for providing a guide to future germplasm-sampling strategies, and for hybrid identification. Implications for genetic conservation of the species and the role of ex situ approaches are discussed.

Somatic chromosomes at mitotic metaphase of two species and two undescribed populations of Bowenia, and Stangeria eriopus, which were classified in Stangeriaceae, Cycadales, were compared using the standard aceto-orcein staining method. All Bowenia taxa showed a chromosome number of 2n = 18, while S. eriopus showed a chromosome number of 2n = 16. The chromosome number of 2n = 18 in B. ‘Kuranda’ is reported for the first time. The present karyotype analysis indicates that B. ‘Kuranda’ and another undescribed taxon, B. ‘Tinaroo’, are cytotaxonomically closer to B. spectabilis than B. serrulata, and that the karyotype of Stangeria is unlikely to have been derived from that of Bowenia by a simple chromosomal change such as centromeric fission and deletion.

The floristic composition, structure, soil fertility and leaf nutrient concentrations were analysed in a monodominant forest of Brosimum rubescens Taub. located in the Areões Xavante Indigenous Reserve (14°34′S, 51°58′W). The area lies in the ecotone between Amazonian forest and cerrado in the municipality of Água Boa, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Sixty nested plots (10 × 10m each) were located in a representative portion of the forest, giving a total sampling area of 0.6ha (40 × 150m). A total of 609 trees ≥ 5cm dbh belonging to 57 species, 46 genera and 32 families were present. The most important family was Moraceae, with B. rubescens as the dominant species with a relative dominance of 59%. The diameter distribution of B. rubescens was unbalanced, indicating an episodic recruitment that could lead to future changes in the forest structure. The high basal area per hectare of B. rubescens indicates the possibility of sustainable logging for commercial exploitation. Analysis of composite soil samples collected from the surface layer (0–10cm) of each of the 60 plots did not indicate any significant gradients in fertility within the area sampled. Mean soil pH was 4.6 and the availability of essential nutrients was very low (0.22cmol(+) kg−1 K, 0.048cmol(+) kg−1 Ca, 0.167cmol(+) kg−1 Mg, and 1.5mg kg−1 P). The higher availability of Mg in the soils in comparison with Ca was a feature observed in other monodominant forests in the Amazon region, as well as in other parts of the world. Analysis of foliar samples showed that the dominant species, B. rubescens, maintained higher foliar concentrations of K, Ca and Mg than other species in the forest. This probably indicates a competitive advantage for this species. Also, the higher concentrations of Mg in the soil did not affect its uptake of Ca or K.

The genus Nageia has received varying taxonomic treatments. The most recent are those by de Laubenfels (1969, under the name Decussocarpus de Laub.; 1987, as Nageia Gaertn.), by Fu (1992) and by Melikyan & Bobrov (2000). De Laubenfels treated the genus in a broad sense, embracing three sections that are now generally recognized respectively as the separate genera Afrocarpus (J. Buchholz & N. E. Gray) Gaussen ex C. N. Page, Nageia sensu stricto, and Retrophyllum C. N. Page (as by Page, 1989, 1990). In de Laubenfels's earlier paper, these three sections were respectively called Decussocarpus de Laub. sect. Afrocarpus (J. Buchholz & N. E. Gray) de Laub., D. sect. Dammaroideae (Benn.) de Laub. [as ‘Dammaroides’], and D. sect. Decussocarpus. The name Decussocarpus had been substituted for Nageia Gaertn. as the type of that generic name is based upon mixed elements belonging to Myrtaceae and Podocarpaceae and, in 1969, an Article of the International Code then in force (Art. 70) banned the use of names based on such ‘discordant elements’. This Article was deleted by the Leningrad Congress and the name Nageia once again became legitimate and available for use. This necessitated de Laubenfels's brief paper of 1987, where the three sections of Decussocarpus which he had earlier recognized were respectively renamed Nageia sect. Afrocarpus (J. Buchholz & N. E. Gray) de Laub., N. sect. Nageia and N. sect. Polypodiopsis (C. E. Bertrand) de Laub.