Elymus magnispicatus (Poaceae), a new species from Inner Mongolia, China, is described and illustrated. While morphologically similar to E. excelsus, it can be diagnostically differentiated by a combination of characters: a taller plant, villous leaf sheaths, longer leaves and spikes, as well as longer spikelets with a greater number of florets. A detailed morphological comparison with related taxa is provided.
Paphiopedilum niveum (Rchb.f.) Stein, commonly known as the "Lady's Slipper" orchid, is an endangered species highly prized for its beauty. Efforts to utilize orchid-mycorrhizal associations in this species have been made to reduce the mortality rate of new in vitro seedlings. Although some fungal groups have recently been identified in this orchid, data on host cells and cell walls features during colonization in this plant remain limited. This research aimed to provide detailed cellular and sub-cellular observations of mycorrhizal roots of P. niveum. Histological and ultrastructural analyses revealed that the outer cortex was the most common site of colonization. Callose wall deposition was observed in the exodermis, endodermis, some sclerenchyma cells in the pith, and peloton clump. Significant cellular changes, such as plasma membrane invagination, intact nuclei with condensed heterochromatin, hyphal vacuolization, and lipid droplet formation were shown. These observations enhance our understanding of the cellular characteristics involved in orchid-fungus interactions.
A new species of Balsam, Impatiens pfutserensis S.Singh, B.Singh & M.Bhuyan, belonging to Impatiens sect. Racemosae Hook.f. & Thomson, is described herein from the Phek District of Nagaland, India. The species is distinguished by a unique combination of diagnostic characters: unwinged stems lacking swollen nodes, forward-directed marginal leaf teeth, an eight-flowered inflorescence, and pink flowers with white patches. It is further characterized by a long spur and a ridged capsule. While morphologically similar to I. stenantha Hook.f. and I. prainii Hook.f., I. pfutserensis differs from both in several key traits. Inhabiting subtropical montane forest ecosystems, the species is presented here with detailed data on its morphology, distribution, phenology, and conservation status, alongside photographic documentation to facilitate accurate identification.
Fimbristylis prasadii, a new species of Cyperaceae is described from the Bhatkal Lateritic Plateau in Karnataka, India. It morphologically resembles F. pauciflora R.Br., but can be recognised by the well-developed ligulate leaves, membranous or subchartaceous glumes with 1-nerved keel, occurrence of 3 stamens, triquetrous nutlet with its prominent angles almost winged towards apex and subtruncate with a shallow depression at apex. Also, the epidermal cells on nutlet surface are transversely linear-oblong. A detailed description, distribution, phenology, images of the plant and its floral parts, and a comparison with related species are provided.
Indigenous plant knowledge is central to biodiversity use and livelihood support in subtropical lowland agroecosystems, yet its association with land-use-defined settlement types remains insufficiently documented. This study aimed to document and compare ethnobotanical diversity and plant-use patterns across five settlement types in Punjab, Pakistan. Ethnobotanical data were collected from 2022 to 2024 through open-ended interviews with 300 respondents representing forest, riverine, farmland, rural, and urban settlements. Field walks, specimen collection, and taxonomic identification were conducted using the Flora of Pakistan and Plants of the World Online. Species overlaps were examined using Venn diagrams, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to assess settlement-wise knowledge patterns. A total of 373 plant species belonging to 69 families were recorded across the study area. Medicinal plants constituted the dominant use category (297 species), followed by fodder, ornamental, timber, vegetable, and fruit plants. Forest settlements showed the highest species richness (215 species), while urban areas recorded the lowest (89 species), although several taxa were unique to urban habitats. Six culturally important species were consistently reported across all settlement types, indicating broad ecological tolerance. High species overlap occurred between forest and riverine as well as forest and farmland settlements. Farmland communities documented numerous cultivated and semi-wild taxa, whereas rural settlements integrated both wild and managed resources. Urban respondents preferentially maintained ornamentals and fruit trees associated with cultural value and managed landscapes. The spatial distribution of shared and exclusive taxa reflects localized ecological knowledge structured by land-use heterogeneity in subtropical lowlands.
A new species of Lobelia, L. janardhananii K.M.P.Kumar & Sunil is described from Kerala, India. It resembles Lobelia heyneana Schult. in herbaceous habit and axillary solitary flowers but differs from the latter by leaf shape, texture, flower length, compressed or ancipitous pedicel, characters of calyx lobe, the colour of corolla tube and lobe, size and colour of stamens, stylar length and seeds. A detailed description and photographs are provided for the identification of the species.
Two huge-leaved species of Begonia were discovered during a biodiversity expedition in Betung Kerihun National Park, West Kalimantan in October 2024, which are described in this paper as B. lawar and B. sadtataiana. In the wild, B. lawar leaves can reach a size of 52 & times; 22 cm, while B. sadtataiana can reach 72 & times; 38 cm, making it the Begonia with the largest leaves ever recorded in Borneo. Complete descriptions are provided, along with full-color image plates.
A new species of Symplocos Jacq., S. jinshueiyingensis, found in Mt. Nandawu and Jin-shuei-ying Major Wildlife Habitat, Taiwan, is described. The new species differs from its congeners in having elliptic to ovate leaves with a long-caudate apex, fewer secondary veins (3-5 pairs), fewer-flowered inflorescences (2-5-flowered), and markedly fewer stamens (12-13). A detailed morphological description, phenology, distributional data, and photographic plates are provided, together with a key and comparative diagnostic table to distinguish it from related species.
A new recorded natural hybrid of Cymbidium (Orchidaceae), C. & times;gammieanum, from Yunnan Province, China, is illustrated and described. This taxon is documented to occur in Nepal and India, and early taxonomic literature records indicate that this taxon was proposed to have arisen from natural hybridization between C. erythraeum and C. elegans. Morphologically, it exhibits a mosaic of traits from C. erythraeum and C. elegans, with diagnostic differences in leaf shape, labellum color, inflorescence attachment and floral morphology. Molecular analyses based on nuclear (nrITS) DNA reveal a well-supported sister-group relationship (PP=0.94, BPML=73) between the hybrid and C. erythraeum, while plastid DNA (matK and rbcL) phylogenies identify it as a well-supported sister taxon to C. elegans (PP=0.96, BPML=59). This study provides the first maternal lineage evidence from chloroplast genes for the hybrid origin of C. & times;gammieanum, and validates the long-proposed parental hypothesis with a combined molecular, morphological, and ecological evidence chain, thereby enriching the diversity data of natural hybrids in Cymbidium from China.
Paraphlomis dabashanensis, a new species from the subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests of the Daba Mountains in Central China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, P. dabashanensis most resembles P. lanceolata, but differs in its persistent and longer bracteoles, densely tomentose calyces with broad-triangular and shorter teeth, as well as longer corollas. However, molecular phylogenetic reconstruction using two nuclear ribosomal DNA regions (ITS and ETS) and 80 plastid protein-coding genes indicates that P. dabashanensis is sister to P. albiflora, with the P. dabashanensis-P. albiflora clade further sister to P. nana. Although geographically closer to P. albiflora and P. nana, P. dabashanensis is easily distinguished by lamina shape and indumentum, calyx indumentum and tooth morphology, and corolla color. The new species also represents the northernmost distribution of Paraphlomis in China.
Begonia mizoramensis (Begoniaceae) under Begonia sect. Platycentrum (Klotzsch) A.DC. is described as a new species from Mizoram, Northeast India. It shares similarities in habit, leaf morphology and inflorescence with Begonia longifolia Blume and Begonia acetosella Craib, but differs in several characters, including longer internode, anthers with dehiscence extending beyond half their length, shorter pedicel in pistillate flower and a puberulent ovary with unequal wings. Taxonomic notes and pollen micromorphology are presented to confirm its novelty and sectional placement. Based on the available data, the newly discovered species has been provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) under the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
Aspidistra huashuishanensis, a new species from Guangdong Province, China, is described and illustrated. It is similar to A. daqingshanensis in shape and color of leaves and flowers, but can be distinguished by urceolate perianth tube, perianth lobes suberect or slightly recurved, purplish red, ovate-triangular, acuminate or obtuse at apex, and upper surface of stigma with dense small papillae. The new species is currently only known from the type locality in northern Guangdong. Detailed colour plates and data on morphology, ecology, phenology and distribution of the new species are also provided.
Euphorbia chalamensis is described as a new species from Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary, Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It belongs to the subgenus Chamaesyce sect. Anisophyllum, subsect. Hypericifoliae. It is closely allied to E. concanensis but differs in many attributes which are discussed here. A key to the related species of Euphorbia in India is provided for easy identification.
A new litophytic species of Homalomena from Sumatra, Homalomena bungamerah, is described. The new species is unique in having a plicate verrucose upper leaf surface combined with the absence of interpistillar staminodes. Owing to the ongoing threats and small population, H. bungamerah is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered (CR B2 ab(iii,v)). Morphological descriptions, photographs, and notes are given.
A new species, Oxytropis dariimaae (Fabaceae), from Sutai Mountain, Khovd Province, Mongolia is described and illustrated in this study. The new species is morphologically similar to O. sutaica, which belongs to section Verticillares; however, it can be distinguished by several key characteristics, including peduncle length, raceme structure, leaflet size, and pod morphology. Oxytropis dariimaae was provisionally assessed as data deficient. We provide taxonomic keys and comparative plates of closely related species to facilitate identification.
The Arroceros Forest Park (AFP), an urban green space in Manila, Philippines, is widely considered the "last lung" of Metro Manila. This study assessed the park's tree species diversity, biomass, carbon stock, and the carbon dioxide mitigation value using a non-destructive tree sampling method. A total of 264 individual trees representing 19 species across 14 families were recorded. Swietenia macrophylla, a non-native species, was the most dominant, exhibiting the highest importance value index (IVI) and contributing most to the total biomass and carbon storage. Acacia auriculiformis and Pterocarpus indicus also showed substantial contributions, indicating that large-diameter trees influence the ecosystem-level carbon dynamics. Biodiversity indices revealed moderate species richness with uneven distribution. Simpson's diversity was high, but Shannon's index was lower, suggesting that few species dominate within a stable community. More than 80% of trees had a diameter at breast height exceeding 30 cm, reflecting a mature stand. The estimated total aboveground biomass was 934.95 Mg/ha and belowground biomass was 192.25 Mg/ha, totaling 1,127.20 Mg/ha. The total vegetative carbon stock was 507.24 Mg C/ha, corresponding to a CO2 equivalent of 1,861.56 Mg/ha with a potential carbon dioxide mitigation value of 4,095.42 Mg. Despite its limited areas, AFP functions as a vital urban carbon storage capacity within an intensely urbanized landscape. These findings highlight the importance of mature tree protection, maintaining existing biomass and carbon stocks while supporting biodiversity stability. The study provides baseline ecological and carbon stock data to inform evidence-based urban forest conservation planning and climate-resilient strategies in rapidly urbanizing cities.
DNA barcoding has emerged as a powerful tool for species identification, yet its efficacy can vary significantly across plant taxa. This study evaluates the discriminatory power of five DNA barcode loci-rbcL, matK, trnH-psbA, trnL-F, and ITS (internal transcribed spacer)-recommended by the Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL), using Setaria (Paniceae, Panicoideae, Poaceae) species in Taiwan as a case study. Our results demonstrate that ITS and trnL-F possess the highest discriminatory capacity due to their high sequence variability and PCR success rates. In contrast, trnH-psbA, although easily amplified, provided minimal discriminatory power among species. Core barcodes rbcL and matK showed moderate effectiveness. Notably, some closely related species, such as S. italica, S. viridis, and S. verticillata, could not be reliably distinguished using any single marker. A combined approach using ITS and trnL-F provided markedly improved discriminatory power among species. These findings highlight the importance of taxon-specific marker selection and support the use of multi-locus barcoding strategies for effective plant identification, particularly in taxonomically complex genera like Setaria.
Two new species of the genus Globba (Zingiberaceae), Globba karenensis D.Nakano, Paing & Nob.Tanaka and G. winyawensis D.Nakano, Paing, Thwin & Nob.Tanaka are described from Kayin State, Myanmar. The first species is assignable to Globba section Nudae subsection Mediocalcaratae, and the second to subgenus Mantisia. Globba karenensis is characterized by small upright herb with bamboo-like lanceolate leaves and ellipsoid to fusiform yellow fruits. Globba winyawensis is a lithophyte and characterized by obovoid to globose, green to yellow fruits. The colored plates for each species are provided. So far both of the new species are known only from eastern Myanmar.
A new species of Rhododendron subgenus Vireya from Central Sulawesi, Rhododendron yombuwurii, is described. The species is known from material originating from the Tokorondo Range, northwest of Lake Poso, and is currently cultivated at a lower elevation near Saluopa Waterfall, where it grows epiphytically and produces small, bright orange flowers. We provide a detailed morphological description, comparative microscopic observations, notes on distribution, habitat and ecology, and a preliminary conservation assessment. Phylogenetic analyses based on the nuclear ribosomal ITS region support the placement of the species within subgenus Vireya and its distinction from morphologically similar taxa.
Mount Kampalili, part of the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor, is recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area due to its concentration of Mindanao-endemic, rare, and threatened species; however, its montane forest composition and structure remain poorly documented. This study addresses this gap by providing a comprehensive assessment of tree community structure and diversity between the lower montane forest (LMF) and upper montane forest (UMF) of Mt. Kampalili. Tree communities were surveyed using 2-km transects in each forest type, and species composition, diversity indices, importance values, and similarity patterns were analyzed. A total of 101 tree species from 42 families were recorded, including 23 Philippine endemics and 26 threatened taxa. Diversity indices revealed high species richness and evenness in both forest types (Shannon-Wiener index H ' = 3.75; Simpson's index 1-D = 0.96; Pielou's evenness J = 0.81), indicating a species-rich and well-structured forest community. Cluster analysis based on Bray-Curtis similarity revealed distinct separation between LMF and UMF plots, indicating clear elevational structuring of tree assemblages. Species with highest importance values (SIVs), such as Dacrycarpus imbricatus and Lithocarpus caudatifolius exhibited broad elevational distributions, suggesting ecological generalism, while several endemic and threatened taxa were restricted to specific elevation zones. These findings demonstrate that elevational gradients play a key role in shaping the tree community compositions in Mt. Kampalili and that both montane forest zones contribute distinct assemblages to overall plant biodiversity. The presence of diverse, elevation-stratified, and conservation-relevant tree communities highlights the ecological significance of Mt. Kampalili within regional forest conservation efforts.
