The indigenous Iban of Sarawak recognize Artocarpus odoratissimus Blanco as two distinct species, lumok and pingan, leading to the recent recognition of the latter as A. mutabilis Becc. While the morphology of these two species is similar, they differ in fruit, stipule, and twig characters. This study aims to identify distinguishing leaf anatomical characters in these taxa and aid in species delimitation. Lumok and pingan samples from primary and secondary forests in central and Southern Sarawak were preserved, sectioned, and mounted. Samples were observed using light and scanning electron microscopy. Findings have shown that these species differ in the type of epidermal walls, the number of cells in the glandular trichomes, the length of non-glandular trichomes, the number of vascular bundles in the midrib and petiole, and the number of collenchyma layers, which distinguish these two species. These anatomical differences support the distinction between A. odoratissimus and A. mutabilis, providing a practical tool for future anatomical and ecological studies of Artocarpus.
Three new species of Sumatran Homalomena Schott are described herein: H. pachyderma A.S.D.Irsyam & M.R.Hariri, H. pulopadangensis A.S.D.Irsyam & M.R.Hariri, and H. uncinata A.S.D.Irsyam & M.R.Hariri. These taxa first came to scientific attention through their circulation on social media as ornamental plants, wherein horticulturists and collectors share images of morphologically distinctive but unidentified specimens, highlighting the growing role of digital platforms in revealing undocumented biodiversity, especially in Sumatra. Detailed morphological examination demonstrates that these taxa represent species new to science, clearly distinct from all previously described Sumatran Homalomena.
Justicia sect. Rostellaria T.Anderson (formerly known as Rostellularia Rchb.) is revised for Australia, with the recognition of 14 species. Seven new species (J. elliptica A.R.Bean, J. hadrophylla A.R.Bean, J. lissophylla A.R.Bean, J. occulta A.R.Bean, J. polytricha A.R.Bean, J. sparsa A.R.Bean and J. wondecla A.R.Bean) are described. Two new combinations are made, namely J. pogonanthera (F.Muell.) A.R.Bean and J. dallachyi (R.M.Barker) A.R.Bean. Each species is fully described with notes on distribution, habitat and diagnostic features. Photographic images are provided for all species. The distribution of each species has been mapped, and a dichotomous identification key is presented.
new species, Hoya bukitrayaensis R.P.P.Ahmad, Yudistira & Mustaqim, is described based on material collected from Mount Bukit Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. The species is characterized by a pubescent corolla and a floral morphology that closely resembles that of H. kastbergii Kloppenb. However, the new species differs from H. kastbergii in its lanceolate leaf blade with a pointed tip (vs ovate with a rounded tip), shallowly lobed corolla (vs deeply lobed), and 3-lobed (vs entire) outer coronal lobes. A detailed morphological comparison with these related species is provided to highlight diagnostic features and support its recognition as a distinct taxon, and photographs of live plants are provided.
The genus Homoranthus A.Cunn. ex Schauer currently includes 31 endemic species in eastern and southern Australia. In a c. 400,000-hectare section of the New England Tableland bioregion, there are seven rare described species of Homoranthus endemic to granite outcrops, six of which are each found only in a single small, isolated distribution. The exception, Homoranthus lunatus Craven & S.R.Jones, has populations 70 km apart and broadly spans the range of the other species. Genetic analysis of the seven Homoranthus species in the region revealed a phylogenetically distinct lineage indicative of an eighth, undescribed taxon. Morphological assessment of H. lunatus has led to the formal recognition and conservation assessment of H. wissmannii Pemberton & McMaster (Myrtaceae), with a revised assessment for H. lunatus.
Forty-four new species were described and two new phrase-named entities were erected for taxa that occur in New South Wales. Thirty-three name changes are documented. Eight species, four native and four naturalised, are newly recorded. Thirty range extensions are noted.
The Genoplesium sagittiferum (Rupp) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. complex includes several informally described entities, all of which have close morphological affinity with Genoplesium sagittiferum. Here we describe Genoplesium jonesii sp. nov. for one of these, which has been recognised previously as Genoplesium sp. aff. sagittiferum 1. Genoplesium jonesii differs from other species within the G. sagittiferum complex and sect. Pachychilum by its combination of long dorsal sepal, which at around 5.5-6.0 mm long is among the longest in the section, and the labellum callus extending to the labellum apex, where it forms a small mucro. Genoplesium jonesii is known from two locations in the Central Tablelands, near Wambool and Brayton, and may occur at additional sites between these two. We are pleased to be able to name this species for David L. Jones to acknowledge his significant contributions to our understanding of diversity in Australian orchids, and especially in Prasophyllinae.
Olearia umbricola Albr., sp. nov., a rare species of sheltered rocky sandstone sites in the MacDonnell Ranges bioregion of the Northern Territory is described and illustrated. Notes are provided on distribution, habitat, conservation status, relationships and salient features distinguishing it from other species of Olearia.
Restionaceae (Poales) are difficult to identify when plants are not fertile. Even when flowering, the accurateidentification of Restionaceae remainsdifficult, especiallyfornon-specialists. Several factors contribute to this challenge, including the dioecious nature of many species, pronounced sexual dimorphism, complex inflorescence structures, and the small size of flowers in some taxa. These morphological characteristics complicate both field and herbarium identification, requiring specialized knowledge and careful observation. Comparative culm morphology and anatomy of male and female plants of all 27 species of the family that occur in New South Wales, Australia were examined and imaged using scanning electron microscopy (SEM; JEOL JSM-6010LV) and light microscopy (LM; Nikon SMZ25 motorised stereomicroscope and Nikon 90i motorised compound microscope) to explore their utility for identification. This study, using SEM, includes observations on features not covered by earlier investigations of stem morphology in Restionaceae, providing valuable insights into the structural differences between species. By clearly highlighting these morphological distinctions, the findings contribute to a better understanding of the family and aid in the identification of its diverse species in New South Wales. Images are presented for each species that demonstrate that culm morphology (including epidermis micromorphology) and anatomy enabled the identification of Restionaceae specimens to genus in all cases, and to species in almost all cases. There were no major differences in the culm anatomy and morphology between male and female plants, except in Baloskion longipes. However, in most species, the dried culms of female plants had a more intense colour than those of the male plants. To complement the atlas, a novel character list and an associated Intkey dataset for interactive identification are presented. To complement the atlas, a novel character list and an associated Intkey dataset for interactive identification are presented.
Riccardia prorata Glenny is described from penalpine tussocklands of the Craigieburn Range, the Southern Alps Main Divide, and Fiordland. This new species is characterised by its small plants, only 4-7 mm long that are sympodial, have a narrow main axis (160-240 mu m wide), and obliquely projecting (prorate) epidermal cells on dorsal and ventral surfaces and margins. It resembles R. aequicellularis (Steph.) Hewson in size, branching, and the position of gynoecia which are mostly on the main axis. The two grow together at the type locality and share habitat preferences, but R. aequicellularis does not have projecting epidermal cells.
Goebel's original material of Radula tjibodensis K.I.Goebel has not been seen since it was examined by Schiffner for his UberExotische Hepaticae of 1893. A search for extant specimens of this original material was unsuccessful, and we infer all such specimens are either lost or destroyed. The only element of original material remaining extant, therefore is the illustrations of Radula tjibodensis provided by Goebel, one of which we designate as the lectotype. To aid the interpretation of this lectotype and reduce ambiguity in the application of the name we select and designate an epitype among the specimens of Radula tjibodensis gathered at Tjibodas that are currently held in Farlow Herbarium.
Gastrodia biruensis Dwitara, Fatih, Yudistira & Mustaqim, a new mycoheterotrophic orchid species from the eastern part of Java, Indonesia, is described and illustrated. It is similar to two other Javan endemics G. crispa J.J.Sm. and G. selabintanensis Tsukaya & A.Hidayat, but differs in several morphological details, as well as flower colour. Information on its distribution and ecology, photographs and illustrations are provided.
Bazzania avittata Glenny is described from New Zealand from a single collection. It is similar to B. nitida (F.Weber) Grolle in leaf size (662-700 mu m long and 578-610 mu m wide in B. avittata versus 600-900 mu m long and 365-580 mu m wide in B. nitida) but there is no vitta and the dorsal leaf margin is more strongly ampliate. Leaf surfaces are asperulate throughout. The underleaf is not hyaline at the margin, a feature shared with B. amblyphylla Meagher of Australia, but that species is vittate.
A new Riccardia species sharing distinctive morphological characteristics of subgenus Arceoneura is described from a single New Zealand alpine locality. Riccardia dendroides Glenny has a large, robust habit with the pinnae evenly spaced on erect axes and dense on prostrate axes, characters shared with R. prehensilis (Hook.f. & Taylor) C.Massal. of Patagonia and the South Atlantic Islands, and R. eriocaula (Hook.) Besch. & C.Massal of New Zealand and Australia. Riccardia dendroides differs in having predominantly 2-pinnate (not 3-4-pinnate) branching; epidermal cells partly detached and collapsed (not prorate or projecting); cells inside the cylindrical stele thick-walled as in R. prehensilis, not thin-walled as in R. eriocaula; male branches face dorsally (not ventrally); and it is found in a penalpine habitat.
Two new species of orchid, Dendrobium siculiforme Saputra, Schuit., & Metusala (section Spatulata Lindl.) and Bulbophyllum ewamiyiuu Saputra, Schuit., & Metusala (section Macrouris Schltr.), are described based on specimens from the Raja Ampat Archipelago, Southwest Papua, Indonesia. Detailed morphological descriptions and diagnoses, information on distribution and ecology, and preliminary conservation assessments are provided for each species.
Cephaloziella in New Zealand comprises 20 taxa with the addition of Cephaloziella remotifolia sp. nov., newly described based on a recently collected male specimen from alpine Western Nelson. Cephaloziella remotifolia is distinguished from other New Zealand Cephaloziella species by a distinctive combination of remote leaves, the stem and leaves pluripapillose, leaf base processes absent or slight, stem cortical cells not differentiated from inner cells, leaves asymmetrically bilobed and divided to x0.4 their length, and leaf margins entire. Other features include underleaves absent or very small with a few cells only, they are never bifid and are not papillose, and the leaf cell walls are only 2 mu m thick. The species is dioicous and androecia are terminal on the main shoot, becoming intercalary, the bracts much larger than leaves. The plants have been found in penalpine seepage among other bryophytes and on peat soil over granite in stunted shrubland.
A taxonomic revision of Frullania subgen. Trachycolea Spruce (Frullaniaceae) is presented based on specimens housed at the Australian National Herbarium (CANB) and additional collections made during four field expeditions to Australia between 1999 and 2004. Of the 29 previously recognized species, eight are reduced to synonymy, while Frullania eymae S.Hatt., previously known only from New Guinea, is newly reported for Australia. An artificial key, detailed species descriptions, and illustrations are provided to facilitate identification. Of the 21 species recognized here, eight are endemic to Australia, and nine are shared between Australia and New Zealand.
Homalomena belitungensis A.S.D.Irsyam & M.R.Hariri (Araceae) is described as a new species endemic to Gunung Tajam, Belitung Island, Indonesia. It resembles H. consobrina (Schott) Engl. but differs from several distinct vegetative and generative characters. A full morphological description, comparisons with allied taxa, habitat notes, and photographic documentation are provided.
Lepidozia nanophylla is proposed as a new species for plants previously confused with Lepidozia microphylla on account of their highly reduced scale-like leaves and bipinnate shoot systems. Lepidozia nanophylla is readily distinguished from L. microphylla by leaf characters, the primary shoot leaves of L. nanophylla are weakly bisbifid lobed, have lobes two cells broad at the base, and the disc cell surfaces are smooth; whereas in L. microphylla leaves on primary shoots are asymmetrical with the dorsal lobe the largest and the ventral the smallest, the lobes are 4 or 5 cells broad at the base, and the disc cell surfaces are faintly striolate-papillose. Despite outward similarity to L. microphylla, L. nanophylla is more closely related to Lepidozia spinosissima. Lepidozia microphylla and L. nanophylla exhibit a degree of ecological differentiation, though this appears to be incomplete. Lepidozia nanophylla is often found growing as an epiphyte on the trunks and large branches of trees, especially in low-stature podocarp dominated forest on poorly drained sites, and in short scrub and the interior of well-lit forest. However, L. nanophylla may grow as a terrestrial in well-lit situations. Lepidozia microphylla is usually a terrestrial species occupying moist depressions on the forest floor, but in wet forests it may occur on the bases of tree trunks. Lepidozia nanophylla may be more localised in occurrence than L. microphylla and is currently known from scattered localities from South Westland in the South Island to Warawara Forest in the north of the North Island.
Impatiens bungerara Mustaqim (Balsaminaceae) is described here as a new endemic species from the northern Gayo Plateau, Sumatra, Indonesia. The new species is similar to I. vitellina Grey-Wilson but differs by branched stems, hairs in leaves and peduncles, and several flower morphologies. A detailed description, discussion, and colour photographs are given.
