G. Argent’s research while affiliated with Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and other places

Routine identification of historical Vaccinium specimens at E revealed scurfy deposits on a specimen identified as Vaccinium brassii Sleumer. On examination with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), these scurfy deposits turned out to be filamentous wax remarkably similar to that observed in Vaccinium ceraceum Argent. The disparity of the geographical locations of these two species is noted, together with the lack of molecular data to give insights into the evolutionary relationships.

Six new species of Vaccinium , identified as new to science by the late George Argent while compiling a revision of Vaccinium sect. Orianthe for New Guinea, are described and illustrations provided.

Rigiolepis and Vaccinium of Borneo are revised, and their characteristics are discussed. Brief comments on distinguishing Vaccinium and Rigiolepis from related genera in the Ericaceae are made. Vaccinium sect. Bracteata is now considered the only section of Vaccinium occurring in Borneo. The chief reason for reinstating Rigiolepis as a genus is the distinctive 10-locular ovary whose structure has been overlooked in recent studies, while the supporting characters of multiple axillary flower buds, flower size, anther shape and fruit colour provide for easy recognition. New keys are provided to all 42 species, and all accepted taxa are described. Ten taxa are new to science and 17 new combinations are made. An addendum gives the combinations to be used for the two species of Rigiolepis presently known to occur outside Borneo.

A new species, Diplycosia kalimantanensis P.Wilkie & Argent (Ericaceae), collected on an expedition to Gunung Besar in the Meratus mountains, South Kalimantan, is described and illustrated, and a conservation assessment provided.