Based on molecular and morphological data a new species of Breynia , B. aberrans , is described from Kaeng Krachan National Park (SW Thailand), along the Thai border with Myanmar. An earlier published phylogenetic reconstruction of two nuclear (ITS, PHYC ) and three chloroplast markers ( matK, accD-psaI, trnS-trnG ) placed the new species in Breynia subgenus Sauropus . Typical are the asperities along the branches on one side, the shape of the leaf blades and the pistillate flowers with a long-ovoid ovary ending in a sturdy style and three upright stigmas. This type of pistillate flower is rather unique within Breynia and almost certainly not pollinated by Epicephala moths.
The leaf anatomy of eight (generally informal) groups of Macaranga and Ptychopyxis ( Euphorbiaceae , Acalyphoideae ) was studied based on 79 species (plus various infraspecific taxa) represented by 123 collections. All species showed abaxial, paracytic stomata (perhaps an exception for M . javanica ), a dorsiventral mesophyll, extra-floral nectaries on the leaf surfaces, collateral bundles and druse-like crystals. All Macaranga species showed disc-shaped glandular hairs, a character shared with its sister genus Mallotus, bundle sheet extensions, a generally local hypodermis and quite often papillae, present in various sizes and often concentrated around the disc-shaped glandular hairs that are sunken in cavities shielding the stomata. Some Macaranga species show fibriform sclereids, which are much more abundant in Ptychopyxis . Ptychopyxis has a much higher number of (unhidden) stomata than Macaranga and the bundle sheet extensions and hypodermis were not observed. Cuticular macerations were difficult to make in all specimens as the cuticles were very thin. Transverse sections sometimes failed, especially in Ptychopyxis , due to abaxially extending nerves and thin in between mesophyll.
Aporosa leaves, when dried, generally have small depressions or pits on the upper surface that probably do not occur when the leaves are still fresh. The presence of these pits form a good identification tool to recognize the genus Aporosa . An anatomical relation is made between the pits and the presence of adaxial epidermal mucilage cells. The mucilage cells are also present in the abaxial epidermal layer, but there they are smaller and do not show as pits. The pits are seemingly depressions caused by epidermal cells partly overlying the slightly sunken top cell of the mucilage cells and leaving a kind of hollow. However, in SEM scans the mucilage cells seem to be elevated, which might be due to the vacuum conditions of the SEM or the preparation of the SEM material. The mucilage cells also occur in Baccaurea , part of the sister group of Aporosa , but there the pits are not visible in dried leaves. The negative correlation between the size of the pits and their number (fewer and larger in Aporosa , more and often smaller in Baccaurea ) probably explains why the pits are visible in dried leaves of many Aporosa species only. There is a slight difference between both genera in the presence of druses; large ones are present in mainly Aporosa species, and larger quantities mainly in Baccaurea species.
Based on the molecular phylogenetic analyses of six plastid DNA regions ( mat K and rbc L exons; trn L intron; atp B- rbc L, psb A- trn H and trn L- trn F intergenic spacers) and including 57 samples of Pseuduvaria , as well as thorough morphological studies, Pseuduvaria sirindhorniana ( Annonaceae , Miliuseae ) is described and illustrated here as a new species from Narathiwat, southern Thailand. The new species belongs to a major clade that also includes P. fragrans , P. gardneri , P. glossopetala , P. kwangtungensis , P. multiovulata and P. phuyensis . Pseuduvaria sirindhorniana is morphologically most similar to P. glossopetala , but differs by having basally connate (vs. free) sepals, larger petals, elliptic-ovate (vs. obovate) outer petals, inner petals that are only connivent at the apex (vs. connivent from the base to ± the midpoint and at the apex), with openings formed from the base (vs. openings formed from ± the midpoint). Pseuduvaria kwangtungensis turns out to be a putative sister of the new species, but the two are morphologically dissimilar in several traits, such as leaf base, inner petal appearance and glands on the inner side of the inner petals.
Dibridsoniaparvifolia, a new species of Vanguerieae is herein described and illustrated. Morphologically, D. parvifolia resembles D. culionensis and D. conferta, however, D. parvifolia is well distinguished by a combination of the following characters that includes having small leaf blades, absence of pit-domatia in the axils of secondary veins, corolla throat with white moniliform hairs which occurrence extends toward the tips of the corolla lobes, fruits obovoid, 11-15 by 8-10 mm, displaying more than five costae visible externally, two locules and two compressed pyrenes.
A new species, Taeniophyllum wrightmyoensis ( Orchidaceae ) is described from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. The new species resembles T . hasseltii and T . pusillum , but is distinct from both in having mostly terete free hanging roots (versus roots flat, appressed to the substratum), bracts lax (versus bracts close in T . pusillum ), lip without any cushions (versus lip with convex cushions in T. hasseltii) and a conical spur (versus globose spur in T . pusillum ). In addition, a review of other species of the genus Taeniophyllum reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is provided with an identification key.
This study used botanical records to investigate the effects of climate change on species richness patterns in the continental part of Southeast Asia, defined by the latitudes 1 '-23.5 ' N and longitudes 92 '-109.6 ' E. Collection records of 15032 species of the 48 largest plant families currently described in the Flora of Thailand project were used to develop Species Distribution Models (SDMs) with MaxEnt, based on bioclimatic and edaphic conditions at known species occurrence sites. Bias-corrected null-models were used to test the SDMs for significant deviation from random expectation. Stacked ranges of 4048 significant SDMs (27% of species) indicated that current areas of high species richness are located in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula, the northern parts of Laos and Vietnam, as well as in southern China. To predict the impact of future climate change on species richness in mainland Southeast Asia the SDMs were projected to multi-model ensemble means of bioclimatic conditions for the most optimistic (RCP2.6) and worst case (RCP8.5) development scenarios of global climate change for the year 2070. High species losses were predicted for the species-rich areas in the north and south of the study area, while areas to the west and east showed an increase in species richness. High species turnover rates were found in western Myanmar (border effect likely) and at a narrow stretch connecting eastern Myanmar with southern Vietnam. These regions should get the highest priority for protection of botanical diversity
The Croton species (Euphorbiaceae) from Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands (Indonesia, Timor Leste) are revised. In total 16 species were recognized, 12 species for Java, and 11 for the Lesser Sunda Islands (overlapping in seven species); included are four species new to science, C. brevipetiolatus (W Java and SE Borneo), C. pseudoverticillatus (Lesser Sunda Islands Flores), C sumbensis (Lesser Sinda Islands: Sumba, Flores, Timor), and C. tetraglandulosus (Java). Various lectotypes are indicated.
Botanical field surveys performed in the largest terrestrial protected area in the Philippines, Samar Island Natural Park (SINP), led to the discovery of three new species of Etlingera ( Zingiberaceae ) herein described. Etlingera cinnabarina sp. nov. can easily be distinguished by its red orange flowers, at least among Philippine species. Etlingera funakoshii sp. nov. was first identified and recorded in the Philippines as Etlingera brevilabrum , but the absence of black patches in the ligule, absence of reddish cloudy patches in the laminae, and 1-2 flowers per flowering shoot makes it a unique species. Etlingera rigida sp. nov. is closely resembling Etlingera pilosa but unique by the sessile leaves, purplish to reddish abaxial side of the lamina and rigid young fertile bracts. Each new species is provided with a detailed description, colour plate, and information on distribution, phenology, and habitat. Etlingera cinnabarina matches the criteria of the IUCN red list as Endangered (EN), whereas E. funakoshii and E. rigida as Critically Endangered (CN), since all three species have narrow distributions and threats in their respective habitats. A key to the Etlingera of Samar Island is also provided.
Myrica tristigma ( Myricaceae ), a new species found only in Vietnam, is described here. A morphological comparison with resembling species and a key to the Myrica species in Vietnam are provided. Details about the distribution and habitat are supplemented with photographic illustrations.
Here we present a taxonomic revision of all neotropical Costaceae represented by 91 species, distributed in four monophyletic genera, Chamaecostus (9 spp.), Costus (76 spp.), Dimerocostus (5 spp.), and Monocostus (1 sp.). The work resulted in three new combinations, several nomenclatural changes, and four insufficiently known species are mentioned to demonstrate the need for continued and ongoing work on this charismatic yet often cryptic lineage of plants. We highlight the seventeen species of Costus and one species of Chamaecostus that were recently described based on knowledge that emerged during this complete revisionary work, 60 years in the making. Included in this revision are details concerning the morphology, distribution, ecology, and phylogenetic relationships among the species studied. All currently recognized species are fully described, including notes on taxonomic synonymy, lectotypification, information on distribution and ecology, conservation status (either as evaluated and published in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species or as estimated for this publication), vernacular names (when given) and short taxonomic notes. For each species, a distribution map is prepared and at least one colour photograph is included to assist in species identification. Dichotomous keys that include all species are provided, as is a list of all (c. 11 000) exsiccatae studied and an index to scientific names.
We here describe Costus maasiorum, a new species from western Ecuador. This new species shares morphological similarities with Costus macrostrobilus, but differs in having plicate leaves, erect and triangular bract appendages, and semi-tubular elongate flowers. A phylogeny based on 5.9+ million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) strongly supports a sister relationship between C. maasiorum and C. macrostrobilus. Additional taxonomic sampling in subsequent analyses indicates a close relationship with C. gibbosus and C. antioquiensis. A comprehensive taxonomic description, including detailed photographs and information about the habitat and ecology of the new species are provided. A preliminary conservation status is recommended as Least Concern (LC).
Capparis rupicola (Capparaceae), a new species from limestone cliffs of the Bac Kan Province, northern Vietnam, is described and illustrated. The new species is a shrub characterized by pendulous branches, glabrous twigs with cataphylls at the base, wanting or vestigial stipular thorns, coriaceous, obovate leaves, serial flowers in supra-axillary rows, glabrous sepals and petals, and an ellipsoid, ribbed ovary with a knob-shaped stigma. The habit, as well as the ecological adaptations to rocky habitats, appear peculiar if compared to other species of Capparis known from south eastern Asia. The new species is related to C. micracantha subsp. micracantha, a taxon widespread from India eastwards to Indonesia and the Philippines, which is a small tree or an erect shrub, rarely a climber, differing in the twigs pubescent or puberulous, stipular thorns well developed, serial flowers in higher number, pedicels pubescent, sepals pubescent at the margins and shorter filaments. The affinities of the new species with related taxa are discussed and a key is provided for all the species of Capparis with serial flowers reported from Vietnam. The conservation status is provisionally assessed as Vulnerable (VU D2).
East of Wallace's Line, four species were placed in the ginger genus Phaeomeria: P. anthokophinos, P. moluccana, P. novoguineensis, P. peekelii. The generic name is illegitimate and it has often been the case that the long-pedunculate species placed here belong in Etlingera. Infact, Smith combined two of these names in Etlingera in 1986 but without seeing the types(E. moluccana and E. peekelii), where as the other two still remained in Phaeomeria. After examining protologues, types and recent collections, it is concluded that all species belong in Etlingera. The required two new combinations, E. anthokophinos and E. novoguineensis, are made here and lecto types are designated for four names. The type of E. moluccana was in fact collected in Java and is synonymous with E. solaris. Recent collections at the type localities of E. peekelii enabled a complete description of this species including fruits and seeds, and it is illustrated here for the first time, while an epitypeis designated for clarity.
The Vitex trifolia complex is a well-circumscribed and monophyletic group. However, the species of the group are morphologically very similar and therefore, taxonomic boundaries within the group are uncertain. In addition, these medicinal plants have been cultivated and naturalised in many areas across the world and therefore the irnatural geographical distributions are not well known. A taxonomic account of the complexis presented in which nine species are recognized: Vitex agnus-castus, V. benthamiana, V. bicolor, V. negundo, V. pseudonegundo, V. rotundifolia and V. trifolia; a new species, Vitex collium Sengun, is described from frost prone regions of northern and Central China and an obscure name, V. hybrida Moldenke, is recognised for the Indian specimens previously recognized as V. negundo. In addition, Agnus-castus, V. cannabifolia, V. chinensis, V. latifolia, V. negundo f. alba, V. negundo f. intermedia, V. negundo f. laxipaniculata, V. rotundifolia and V. trifolia var. acutifolia are lectotypified, and V. leucoxylon Blanco has been neotypified. Also, many names have been placed in synonomy for the first time.
A new species of Phreatia sect. Caulescentes from Sulawesi, Indonesia, Phreatia tinukariensis is described and illustrated. It closely resembles P. navicularis, described from Maluku (Seram, Indonesia), but differs in the shape of the labellum, in particular its basal part and the position of the circular thickenings on the labellum blade. A comparison between the two is presented in a table. A key to the Indonesian species of sect. Caulescentes is provided.
The Lesser Sunda Islands comprise a unique phytogeographical province within the Malesian region. The flora of Sumba, one of these islands, has been understudied and is therefore poorly known. To address this shortcoming, a botanical excursion of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) was conducted in 2016 at Laiwangi Wanggameti National Park in Sumba. This expedition collected data from two major types of vegetation, lowland and submontane forests from 300-1 225 m asl. This study documents 145 species in 49 families of vascular plants accompanied by trait data such as tree height and diameter at breast height (dbh) across elevational gradients. While the number of individual trees observed increased with elevation, the average tree diameter observed decreased. We compared our data from the Wanggameti area with data previously collected by Banilodu & Saka in a descriptive vegetation study in the early 1990s. A reevaluation of that dataset of Banilodu & Saka enabled us to correct a mischaracterization of the area as elfin forest, a classification perpetuated by a subsequent publication. The floristic work based on our data and the previous study supports the characterization of the Wanggameti area as submontane forest. In addition, we present new records for 25 spermatophytes trees and 20 bryophytes species in Sumba. We highlight that bryophytes are underrepresented in botanical surveys.
A taxonomic revision of Secamone (Apocynaceae) in the Philippines is presented. Nineteen species are recognized of which eight are described as new: Secamone commutata, S. crenata, S. edanoi, S. fusiformis, S. glandulifera, S. luzonensis, S. mindanaensis and S. pyriformis. Six new combinations are made: Secamone fenixii (Tsiang) Klack., S. glauca (Decne.) Klack., S. lepta (Tsiang) Klack., S. loheri (Schltr.) Klack., S. merrillii (Schltr.) Klack. and S. radiata (Tsiang) Klack. Drawings, descriptions, distribution maps, typifications as well as a key to the Philippine taxa are presented.
The taxonomy of Stenocarpus (Proteaceae: Stenocarpinae) in New Caledonia is reviewed. The name S. grunowii is re-instated at specific rank. Stenocarpus dumbeensis, S. gracilis, S. intermedius, and S. phyllodineus are treated as synonyms of S. umbelliferus. Stenocarpus x heterophyllus is considered as a hybrid taxon involving parents with multifid and entire leaves. A new species, S. deweae, with red rather than white to yellowish flowers, is described, illustrated and assessed as Endangered according to the IUCN Red List criteria. These changes reduce the number of species now recognized in this genus in New Caledonia from twelve to nine, and all are endemic. An identification key is provided and lectotypes are designated for several names. We also propose new combinations for the three Australian species of Strangea, which are phylogenetically nested within Stenocarpus, with the result that subtribe Stenocarpinae now contains a single genus only, Stenocarpus. Lectotypes are designated for the two names in Strangea based on Drummond's collections from Western Australia.
