Phytokeys

We describe two new species of Salvia from the Antillean dry forests, belonging to Salvia section Urbania. These species’ names honor two Latin American botanists who have advanced our understanding either of the Dominican flora or the mint family (Lamiaceae). Salvia claseana is found in the Sierra Martín García. It resembles S. calaminthifolia but differs in having strigose stems, rhombic to trullate leaves with a cuneate, decurrent base, and larger flowers. Salvia martineziana inhabits the Sierra de Bahoruco. It resembles Salvia brachyphylla but differs in having strigose stems with retrorse trichomes and flowers disposed in the axils of the distal leaves. We provide descriptions, photographs, a distribution map and an identification key for the species of Salvia section Urbania from the Domini­can Republic. Additionally, we sequenced three molecular markers (nrITS, trn L- trn F, and trn H- psb A) for the new taxa and other Dominican and Haitian Salvia species to investigate their phylogenetic relationships.

The phylogenetic studies of the tribe Alsineae (Caryophyllaceae) have revealed a clearer boundary between the genus Stellaria and related genera, primarily relying on the morphological characteristics of style 3, stamens 10 and petals deeply bifid. However, the newly-published species in China, which have 5 styles or ten or more lobes per petal, challenge this boundary and necessitate further studies. In this paper, we reviewed six newly-published Chinese species of Stellaria , utilising both molecular phylogenetic evidence from nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and four plastid regions ( trnL-F , matK , rbcL , rps16 ) and morphological evidence. Our results demonstrated that the five new species ( Stellaria abaensis , S. multipartita , S. pentastyla , S. procumbens and S. zhuxiensis ) were nested within the genus Stellaria , but Stellaria motuoensis was sister to the genus Schizotechium . Herein, we accepted four new Stellaria species and proposed a new combination in Schizotechium and a new synonym in Stellaria . Additionally, we described a new species Stellaria longipedicellata from Sichuan Province, China, which was distinguished from the closely-related species Stellaria decumbens by its glabrous body, linear-lanceolate leaves, long pedicellate flowers, prostrate growth habit and flowers nearly equal to or slightly shorter than sepals. Both molecular and morphological evidence support the treatment of S. longipedicellata as a new species of the genus Stellaria .

Although Guangxi represents one of the distribution centres of begonias in China, the sect. Diploclinium (Wright) A. DC is not well documented herein. In this article, we illustrate a new species belonging to this section, Begonia fangchengensis Y.N.Huang, X.X. Feng & R.K.Li, which has been discovered in southern Guangxi. Begonia fangchengensis mostly resembles B. rotundilimba in elliptic leaf blade, palmate veins, dichasial cyme, three styles, axile placentation, and unequally 3-winged capsule. On the other hand, B. fangchengensis is characterized by creeping rhizome, pilose stipule, red and densely pilose petiole, pubescent leaf blade and pilose inflorescence bract, sparsely pilose ovary and the zygomorphic androecium, differing from the erect stem at anthesis, the green and densely villous petiole, the glabrous stipule, leaf blade, inflorescence bract, ovary and actinomorphic androecium in B. rotundilimba . Considering its small population size and narrow distribution, its conservation status is categorized as ‘Endangered (D)’ according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

A new species, Lysimachia pubiflora , is described and illustrated from western Hubei Province, China. It is similar to L. jinzhaiensis , but differs in having flagelliform runners on the stems, indumentum on the plant and flowers, and the smaller calyx and anthers. The new species can be distinguished from all other species in the Lysimachia Subgen. Lysimachia Sect. Nummularia by its glandular-pubescent corolla.

Rubus tingzhouensis C.An & G.C.Lin, a newly-defined species within the family Rosaceae from Fujian Province, China, is formally described and illustrated here. R. tingzhouensis is morphologically similar to R. swinhoei , but can be distinguished by several key characteristics, such as long, reddish-purple stipitate glands, soft bristles, light yellow short trichomes (vs. shortly grey tomentose at the early stage, glabrescent) and scattered epidermal prickles (vs. few to many curved prickles). Furthermore, the stipules are pinnately deeply laciniate, measuring 1–1.5 cm (vs. ovate-oblong to ovate-lanceolate, 0.5–0.8 cm). Phylogenetic analyses, based on partial sequences and the complete plastome data, provide robust support for a close relationship between R. tingzhouensis and R. swinhoei , while also highlighting distinct genetic differentiation between these two species. The chloroplast genome of R. tingzhouensis is 156,311 bp in length and comprises 132 unique genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNAs, eight ribosomal RNAs and one pseudogene.

This paper introduces Cladopus yangjiangensis , a newly identified species that enriches our understanding of the diversity of the Podostemaceae in East Asia. Distinctive in its morphological traits, this species is characterized by the region’s longest flowering shoots and exhibits a high number of elongated leaves per cluster, along with relatively slender roots. Phylogenetic analyses using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference methods on plastome and matK sequences confirm C. yangjiangensis as a distinct species. It forms a clade with C. fukienensis , its closest relative, together branching off from C. austrosinensis . The plastome of C. yangjiangensis is 132,818 bp in length, comprising two inverted repeat regions of 20,881 bp, which are separated by large and small single-copy regions of 78,713 and 12,343 bp, respectively. Genetic analysis reveals the extensive loss of the ycf1 and ycf2 genes in the chloroplast genome, a trait common to the Podostemaceae, suggesting adaptations to environmental conditions or gene transfers to nuclear or mitochondrial genomes. This study improves the clarity of phylogenetic relationships in previous studies and underscores the importance of continued taxonomic and phylogenetic research.

Alocasia roseus is described as a new species from Aceh Besar Regency, Sumatra (Indonesia). The plants found produce stunning inflorescence, leading to over-collecting in the wild. The new species is morphologically similar to A. flemingiana but differs by its greyish green adaxial leaves and pale reddish to greenish purple or pale brownish green abaxial leaves, lacking interprimary veins and sinus not naked, thecae overtopped by synconnective, and a pale pink appendix. The new species is also similar to A. arifolia, from which it differs by the glabrous and pale dull green petiole, the colour of abaxial and adaxial leaves, not forming interprimary vein, sinus not naked, and pale pink appendix. The new species is compared with other similar Indonesian taxa and an identification key to the species of Alocasia in Sumatra, supplemented with photographs, are provided.

In the present study, we examined the morphological variations within Sanicula caerulescens and determined the identity of S. oviformis through observations of herbarium specimens (including type material) and field studies of plants in their type locality. Our findings revealed that S. oviformis, originally described from Nanchuan County in southern Chongqing, is conspecific with S. caerulescens. This species is mainly distributed in Chongqing, Guizhou, western Hunan, Sichuan and north-eastern Yunnan in China, as well as in Hà Giang in Vietnam. Key morphological characters of leaves, inflorescences and fruits confirm this synonymy. Based on these findings, we propose reducing S. oviformis to a synonym of S. caerulescens. Additionally, the geographical distribution of S. caerulescens is clarified.

Ptilagrostis (false needlegrass) is a genus of high-mountain grasses distributed in Central and North-East Asia, as well as in North America. The phylogenetic position of the genus Ptilagrostis within the Stipeae is well defined based on micromorphological patterns of lemma epidermis and moleculs. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus in its entire distribution range. In this study, we performed comprehensive analyses using integrative taxonomic methods, aiming at both micromorphological and macromorphological analyses, and molecular analyses based on SNPs obtained from DArT genome-wide sequencing, in which we considered all taxa representing the genus in order to establish phylogenetic relationships between its members. We analysed all species possessing the characteristic ‘Ptilagrostis pattern’ of the lemma epidermis, with a particular reference to species possessing the terminal segment of the awn (seta) covered by short (up to 1 mm long) hairs that, until now, were treated as representatives of the genus Achnatherum. Following with the result of our molecular, morphological and anatomical analyses, the genus Ptilagrostis is represented by 15 species, one subspecies and five varieties organised in three well supported phylogenetic clades corresponding to the three sections: Ptilagrostis, Barkworthia and Chenella. In this paper, we provide an original key to identifying false needlegrass species, together with a checklist containing the intrageneric species-organisation. In addition, for each species, we present the data regarding nomenclatural types, morphological description, and information on the geographical distribution, habitat preferences and altitudinal ranges. We proposed two new varieties within the genus Ptilagrostis, P. glabrifolia var. himalayensis and P. concinna var. xizangensis, and the new section Chenella comprising three species with awns scabrous or covered by very short hairs up to 0.3 mm long. Additionally, we transfer Stipa chingii to Ptilagrostis chingii, Achnatherum chingii var. laxum to P. chingii var. laxum, and Ptilagrostis concinna subsp. schischkinii to P. junatovii var. schischkinii. Lectotypification was made for three taxa, Stipa mongholica var. minutiflora, P. czekanowskii, and P. tibetica.

In this study, we describe Halamphora vantushpaensissp. nov., a newly identified diatom species found in the highly alkaline Lake Van in Eastern Turkey (Türkiye). This new species is characterized morphologically by light and scanning electron microscopy, performed on both wild and cultivated samples. Two monoclonal cultures were submitted to a genome-skimming approach, giving access to the complete sequence of their nuclear rRNA cluster of genes, mitochondrial and plastid genomes. Both strains were highly similar from the genomic point of view, with few mutations noted, although in organellar genomes some of them concerned protein coding genes and were non-silent. Also, the group II intron in the mitochondrial cox1 gene was found to display a relatively high number of polymorphisms. The plastome also distinguishes itself from other Halamphora spp. by the extension of its inverted repeat at the expense of the two single copy regions of the genome. Maximum likelihood molecular phylogeny inferred from a concatenated three genes dataset (18S, psbC and rbcL) positions this species within the K clade, which is known to contain hypersaline to freshwater species.

Eurya degeneri Kobuski (Pentaphylacaceae), a dioecious shrub endemic to Kaua‘i, is resurrected from synonymy with E. sandwicensis A. Gray. Eurya degeneri is distributed in montane mesic to wet forests in central and northwestern Kaua‘i. It can be distinguished from E. sandwicensis by its glabrous young stems, leaves and pedicels, linear-elliptic to ovate-elliptic leaves, longer pedicels (5–11 mm long), and shorter petals (4.5–7 mm long). A key to Hawaiian Eurya is provided. Two lectotypes are here assigned. Eurya degeneri is preliminarily designated as Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List guidelines.

Leontopodium nyingchiense, a new species of Asteraceae from the Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region of China, is described and illustrated here. Morphologically, it is most similar to L. lingianum but can be distinguished by the combination of monoecious and dioecious individuals, involucral bracts arranged in 3–5 series (with outer series herbaceous and middle to inner series membranous), fimbriate apices on female florets, rough-edged lobes on male florets, and achenes lacking costae. Phylogenetic analyses further support the separation of this new species from related taxa. Finally, we characterize this new species through both morphological comparisons and molecular analyses.

Struthanthus Mart. is a challenging genus because the abundance of reproductively incomplete specimens (lacking mature pistillate and staminate flowers and fruit) has inspired the description of many species, resulting in a long list of names to be verified. In addition, the genus currently lacks a monographic treatment. Struthanthus venetus (Kunth) Blume was previously considered a heterotypic synonym of S. interruptus (Kunth) G. Don. However, examination of herbarium specimens and observation of living plants demonstrate that S. venetus is a distinct species distinguishable from S. interruptus. Here, we propose the reinstatement of S. venetus along with a complete description of the species and the designation of an epitype to complement the reproductively incomplete (lacking flowers) and severely fragmented type.

A new fern species, Whittieria hengduanensis (Ophioglossaceae), from Sichuan, Xizang, and Yunnan, Southwest China (eastern Himalaya), is described and illustrated. This species is similar to W. engelmannii in the Americas in having a cylindrical rhizome and complex-reticulate venation. In addition, both species grow in open habitat on basic soil. However, the two species are distinguishable in root number per rhizome and the number of the larger areolae per trophophore. Our molecular study also supports that they are sister to each other but divergent at the molecular level. The discovery of W. hengduanensis shows that the genus is intercontinentally disjunct between the Himalaya and the Americas, a unique pattern not having been documented in the literature.

A new species from China, Elymus multiramosus Y.C. Zhang, sp. nov. is described and illustrated herein, based on morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analysis. The taxonomic descriptions of E. multiramosus and the comparison with related species are presented. The taxonomic distinctiveness of this new species was inferred by Maximum Likelihood (ML) analysis and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, based on the complete chloroplast genome sequence. It is assigned to the Elymus section and bears similarity to Elymus nutans Griseb. However, it can be easily distinguished from other species by its compound spike, in contrast to the simple spike inflorescence typical of those species. The compound spike is characterised by rhachillas that are extended at the base of the main axis, giving rise to 3–6 mini-spike-like branches. Notably, these branches significantly increase in length from the top towards the bottom of the compound spike. In the molecular phylogeny, Elymus multiramosus from Qinghai, north-western China, is phylogenetically positioned as a distinct lineage. The lineage comprising Elymus sinosubmuticus from Sichuan, east of the Tibetan Plateau and Elymus nutans from the Himalayas forms a sister group to Elymus multiramosus, suggesting that these three species share a common ancestor that is distinct from the lineage leading to Elymus atratus from Gansu, north of the Tibetan Plateau.

We describe one new species from Ceará state, Brazil: Wedelia figueiredoana. It is morphologically associated with W. bonplandiana, but distinguished by 0.25–1.05 cm leaf blade width (vs. 1.5–2.6 cm), linear to narrow oblong leaf blade (vs. elliptic to spatulate), 3-seriate involucre (vs. 2-seriate), and cypselae 3.9–4 mm long (vs. 6–7 mm). An anatomical analysis of cypselae is provided, and we propose a more accurate terminology to describe similar wings to Wedelia species. We also provide a scientific illustration of the new species, photos of habitat, a map of its geographic occurrence, and its taxonomic affinities are discussed with a taxonomic key to the Wedelia species with the apically pronounced wings in the cypselae.

Two new varieties from Xizang, China, i.e. Agapetes interdicta var. flaviflora and A. forrestii var. parvifolia, are described and illustrated. Agapetes interdicta var. flaviflora differs from the nominate variety in having yellow and smaller corollas with shorter lobes and anthers with shorter appendages at the base. Agapetes forrestii var. parvifolia is distinguished from the nominate variety in the smaller leaves with an acute apex, nearly transverse secondary veins and puberulent peduncle. Taxonomic notes on these taxa are also provided.

Mallotus bullatus M.T.An & J.H.Yu, sp. nov. (Euphorbiaceae), a species new to science discovered in Guizhou, China, is described and illustrated here, and its phylogenetic position among other Mallotus species is presented. Morphological, micro-morphological, and molecular evidence is presented as attestation of its novelty. The new species morphologically resembles M. philippensis var. reticulatus and M. philippensis var. philippensis, but it clearly differs by having bullate leaf surfaces (vs. not bullate), leaf margins entire or nearly so (vs. entire or nearly so in M. philippensis var. philippensis and coarsely serrate in M. philippensis var. reticulatus), leaf margins sometimes bearing red glands (vs. red glands absent), 5 sepals in staminate flowers (vs. 3–4 in M. philippensis var. philippensis and 4 in M. philippensis var. reticulatus), fruits with spines (vs. spines absent in M. philippensis var. philippensis and present in M. philippensis var. reticulatus), and abaxial leaf epidermal scattered and clustered vein hairs 0.1–0.8 mm long (vs. 0.04–0.28 mm long in M. philippensis var. philippensis and 0.05–0.1 mm long in M. philippensis var. reticulatus). Molecular phylogenetic analysis (BS = 100% / BS = 96%, PP = 1 / PP = 1) provides strong evidence supporting M. bullatus as a new species within the genus Mallotus and supports its placement in M. sect. Philippinenses as sister to M. philippensis.

Garcinia sections Dicrananthera and Macrostigma (Clusiaceae) is revised for Thailand. Three species are enumerated, i.e., one species, G. thorelii belongs to the section Dicrananthera, and two species, G. nuntasaenii and G. prainiana, are in the section Macrostigma. Detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations are provided, together with notes on distribution, habitats and ecology, phenology, conservation assessments, etymology, vernacular names, uses, and specimens examined. An identification key to the species of section Macrostigma is presented. One name, G. thorelii, is lectotypified here. For Garcinia nuntasaenii we recommend a conservation status of Endangered [EN B2ab(v)] and for the other two species (G. prainiana and G. thorelii) a conservation status of Least concern [LC]. A number of vegetative characters and features of reproductive organs, especially the flowers, distinguish the two sections and we enumerate these herein.

A new species, Leucheria peteroanasp. nov., endemic to a restricted area of the Andes of Central Chile, is here described. Using newly sequenced nDNA and cpDNA data, the phylogenetic affinities of Leucheria and closely related taxa within Nassauvieae are revisited. This new species shows a unique set of characters that clearly distinguish it from other species of Leucheria. Phylogenetic analyses place this perennial species close to annual species found in the pre-Andean environments of Central Chile. A detailed description, distribution map, insights about its habitat, conservation status, and photographs are provided.

Carrierea leyensis Z.C.Lu & W.B.Xu, a new species of Salicaceae was discovered from limestone areas of Guangxi, China. The morphology of C. leyensis is similar to C. dunniana, but differs by its evergreen nature; shorter petioles, only 3–8 mm long, and tomentose or glabrous when old; elliptic leaf blade with cuneate base; shorter inflorescence (1.8–4.5 cm long); smaller flowers; and smaller capsules (1.7–2.7 cm long, 5–9 mm in diam.).

Cardamine zhangjiajieensis, a new species from Hunan Province, China, is described and illustrated. Cardamine zhangjiajieensis is similar to C. circaeoides. From the latter, C. zhangjiajieensis is readily distinguished by the terminal leaflet of the cauline leaf 4.5–7 cm (vs. 2.5–4.5 cm), mostly round or oblong (vs. oblong-oval to triangular-oval), margin undulating sinuses (vs. crenate or subentire), seed apically narrow wing (vs. wingless).

Indonesia is listed as a region with high marine biodiversity, especially when considering the three large tropical ecosystems: seagrass beds, mangroves and coral reefs. It is likely that the biodiversity of diatoms in this area is also high. Samples for this research were taken from the remote area of Bawean Island and Tomini Gulf in Central Sulawesi. In this research, we explored marine benthic diatoms from coral reef areas and presented two new genera: Paracatenula and Wallaceago, and seven new species: Paracatenula porostriatasp. nov., Wallaceago porostriatussp. nov., Catenula boyanensissp. nov., C. komodensissp. nov., C. decusasp. nov., C. densestriatasp. nov., and Catenulopsis baweanasp. nov. The new genus Paracatenula is characterized by its perforated cingulum, and the genus Wallaceago is distinguished by its proximal and apical raphe ends bent to the ventral side and the presence of a stauros in the mantle.

Lepidagathis Willd., a genus belonging to the Acanthaceae family, is primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, encompassing approximately 153 species. While considerable morphological research has been conducted on Lepidagathis, it has not completely dispelled taxonomic ambiguities and conflicting interpretations. Molecular analysis emerges as a valuable tool for resolving these taxonomic uncertainties, but the availability of nucleotide sequence data for Lepidagathis has been limited thus far. This study delivers a phylogenetic analysis of Lepidagathis species, utilizing both chloroplast and nuclear regions. The results of Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses consistently segregate the studied Lepidagathis species into two principal clades, denoted as Clade A and Clade B. Notably, this analysis firmly positions the Indian endemic Lepidagathis within Clade A, supported by robust statistical evidence. Furthermore, our biogeographical analysis strongly suggests that the origin of Lepidagathis might be traced back to Eurasia. This research establishes a foundational molecular phylogeny of Lepidagathis, offering valuable insights for future taxonomic investigations. Additionally, it sheds light on the evolutionary history and biogeographical origins of the Lepidagathis genus.

In 2023, field research in south-western Poland led to the noteworthy discovery of two hornworts: Notothylas orbicularis, a species previously unrecorded in this country, and the rediscovery of Anthoceros neesii for the Polish bryoflora. These findings are significant as they suggest a response to climate change, which is facilitating the range expansion of hornworts within Central Europe. Detailed descriptions of the new localities for both species are provided, highlighting the specific environmental conditions and habitats where they were found. Distribution maps for Notothylas orbicularis and Anthoceros neesii in Poland are provided, as well as SEM micrographs of spores. Additionally, a key to the identification of Polish hornwort species is also included. Furthermore, a model projecting the potential future spread of these hornworts within Poland and the broader Central European region is presented. This model considers climatic variables and habitat availability, offering insights into possible range shifts. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence that climate change is a driving factor in the redistribution of bryophytes.