Memecylon wayanadense Ratheesh, Sivu & Pradeep, a new species of Melastomataceae from the Wayanad forests of Kerala, India, is described and illustrated. The new species is allied to Memecylon angustifolium, M. rivulare and M. sivadasanii but differs in habit, leaf shape, sclereid type, inflorescence type and position, and the shape and size of the sepals and petals. An UPGMA analysis of 20 RAPD primers resulted in two major clusters with Memecylon sivadasanii in one cluster and M. rivulare, M. angustifolium and M. wayanadense in the second cluster. Memecylon wayanadense forms a subgroup within the second cluster.

Neottia dihangensis M.Bhaumik and N. confusa M.Bhaumik (Orchidaceae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India are described and illustrated.

The Malesian species of five relatively unknown Euphorbiaceous genera are redescribed. Alphandia, Borneodendron, Cladogynos and Tapoïdes, each with one species in Malesia, are part of the Euphorbiaceae in the strict sense; Ashtonia (two species) is presently classified in the Phyllanthaceae. The descriptions have been completed by studying extra material, and high quality drawings are added.

Dorstenia, the second largest genus (105 species) within the Moraceae, is the only genus in the family with woody, herbaceous and succulent species. All but one species of Dorstenia are restricted to the Neotropics or Africa, and it is the only genus in the family with an almost equal transatlantic distribution. This work presents the first molecular phylogeny and the first evolutionary study to examine origin and diversification within the genus. We inferred the phylogeny with ITS sequence data using Bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches. We tracked the evolution of distinct morphological characters and tested for correlated evolution in multiple characters. Time and place of Dorstenia’s origin were estimated to test a post-Gondwanan versus a Gondwanan origin hypothesis using fossil calibrations, Bayesian molecular dating, and maximum likelihood-based ancestral range reconstructions. Our phylogenetic analysis supports the monophyly of Dorstenia; previous subgeneric classifications are polyphyletic and must be re-evaluated. Woody habit, phanerophytic life form, macrospermy, and lack of storage organs are ancestral traits found in African Dorstenia. Evolution of woodiness and macrospermy are correlated. Dorstenia appears to have originated in Africa, radiated into the Neotropics and subsequently re-colonised Africa. Whether or not the extant distribution is the result of vicariance or dispersal is equivocal.

Murdannia assamica Nampy & A.Ancy, a new species of Murdannia (Commelinaceae) from India, is described and illustrated. It is similar to Murdannia nudiflora but differs in the cincinnus, antherode, capsule and seed characters.

The genus Berberis (Berberidaceae) in Nepal is revised and 21 species are recognised. Two species, Berberis pendryi Bh.Adhikari and Berberis karnaliensis Bh.Adhikari, are newly described and 11 taxa are lectotypified. A key to species is provided and all species are fully described and illustrated, and their distributions within Nepal mapped. An IUCN conservation assessment is given for each species.

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