Rhododendron sect. Pentanthera G. Don (Ericaceae) comprises a group of closely related, highly ornamental plants which are commonly called ‘azaleas'. Thirteen of the fifteen species recognized in this section are indigenous to North America. One species (R. molle) is native to Japan and China, and one species (R. luteum) is indigenous to the Caucasus region. Phylogenetic analysis of the species within the section indicates that R. molle is the sister to the rest of the section. It is the sole member of R. subsect. Sinensia. The remaining species form a monophyletic group recognized as R. subsect. Pentanthera. Within this subsection the presence of a blotch on the upper corolla lobe defines two primarily orange to red-flowered groups. The first group has a Tertiary Period disjunct distribution and comprises R. luteum, R. austrinum and R. occidentale. The second group is indigenous to eastern North America and comprises R. calendulaceum, R. cumberlandense, R. flammeum, R. prunifolium and R. alabamense. In both groups the cladistically basal species has white flowers with a yellow blotch on the upper corolla lobe (R. occidentale, R. alabamense, respectively). The pink to white early flowering species R. canescens, R. periclymenoides and R. prinophyllum do not form a monophyletic group.

Phenetic analyses indicate that the eastern Asian taxon, R. molle, is best recognized as one species with two geographical subspecies; Rhododendron prinophyllum is quite distinct from R. canescens and R. periclymenoides. The latter two species are very similar morphologically, but their similarities are due to the retention of primitive characters and they should be recognized as distinct species. Rhododendron calendulaceum can be distinguished from R. cumberlandense using a combination of morphological and phenological characters. The various taxa previously segregated out of R. viscosum are merely extreme forms of a widespread and variable species and are not given any formal rank. No subspecific taxa are recognized for R. occidentale. Distribution maps, keys to the species, species descriptions and specimen citations are included.

The biennial Papaver L. sect. Meconidium Spach (Papaveraceae) is considered to contain four species: P. libanoticum Boiss. with subspp libanoticum and polychaetum (Schott & Kotschy ex Boiss.) Kadereit comb. et stat. nov., P. armeniacum (L.)DC. with subspp armeniacum, microstigmum (Boiss.) Kadereit comb. et stat. nov. and pilgerianum (Fedde) Kadereit comb. et stat. nov., P. curviscapum Nab., and P. persicum Lindl. with subspp persicum, tauricolum (Boiss.) Kadereit comb. et stat. nov. and microcarpum (Boiss.) Kadereit comb. et stat. nov. A key to species and subspecies is given, capsules and leaves of all taxa are illustrated, and distribution maps are provided.

A modem re-assessment is given of the taxonomy and nomenclature of the 8(-9) annual taxa within the mainly Mediterranean/SW Asiatic Bromus L. sect. Genea Dum. (Poaceae): B. diandrus Roth var. diandrus, B. diandrus var. rigidus Roth, B. fasciculatus Presl, B. madritensis L., B. rubens L., B. sterilis L., B. tectorum L. subsp. tectorum and B. tectorum subsp. lucidus Sales; less emphasis is given to B. madritensis and B. rubens. None of these taxa has previously been investigated throughout their total areas and the taxonomic conclusions expressed here are a result of a multidisciplinary approach. For reasons of convenience the species are considered in three informal groups based on overall similarities: i, B. sterilis, B. diandrus and B. rigidus, so often recognized as independent species in recent Floras but here regarded as varieties of one species; ii, B. madritensis, B. rubens and B. fasciculatus, with particular attention given to B. fasciculatus; and iii, B. tectorum subsp. tectorum and subsp. lucidus, previously regarded as independent species.

Three new species and one new subspecies of Labiatae are described from the eastern Himalayan mountains: Isodon atroruber R. A. Clement, Anisochilus mitis R. A. Clement, Teucrium grandifolium R. A. Clement and Phlomis rotata Hook. f. subsp. bhutanica R. A. Clement. The new combination Marmoritis pharica (Prain) R. A. Clement is made.

An artificial group of twelve brome-grasses with small-spikelets is reviewed. Descriptions, comments on their distinctive features, keys, diagnosis, citations and illustrations are provided. Form/function and evolutionary relationships are discussed and four affinity groups are recognized. The possible origin of B. lepidus and B. brachystachys is discussed.

Chromosome numbers for 11 genera and 36 species in the predominantly South African tribe Manuleae (Scrophulariaceae) are presented, the majority being first reports. The basic numbers of the genera form a dysploid series, x = 6, 7, 8, 9. The somatic number of most of the species is diploid, ranging from 2n = 12 to 2n = 18; that of Jamesbrittenia, 2n = 24, is probably of polyploid derivation. The highest somatic number encountered in this survey is that in Camptoloma lyperiiflorum, with 2n = c.56, which, taken in conjunction with a published count of 2n = 28 for another species of Camptoloma, is octoploid based on x = 7. This is the only example, so far, of intrageneric polyploidy in the Manuleae. The somatic number in certain genera appears to be constant over some subgeneric divisions (e.g. Jamesbrittenia, 2n = 24), but variable in others (e.g. Sutera, 2n = 12, 14). The variation in chromosome number observed in this study parallels and corroborates the redefinition of generic boundaries proposed by O. M. Hilliard. One species of Selago (in the tribe Selagineae) was also included in this survey for cytological comparison with Tetraselago (Manuleae).

The following new taxa, combinations and synonymy in the genus Kobresia from E Himalaya and SW China are proposed: K. pseuduncinoides Noltie sp. nov.; K. woodii Noltie sp. nov.; K. esenbeckii (Kunth) Noltie comb. nov. of which K. seticulmis Boeckeler, K. hookeri Boeckeler, K. angusta C.B. Clarke and the illegitimate K. trinervis Boeckeler become synonyms; K. esenbeckii var. fissiglumis (C.B. Clarke) Noltie comb. nov.; K. prattii C.B. Clarke and K. harrysmithü Kük. are reduced to synonymy of K. vidua (Boott ex C.B. Clarke) Kük.; K. williamsii is reduced to synonymy of K. gammiei; K. curvata is reduced to synonymy of K. fragilis; K. stiebrilziana is reported new to Bhutan and Sikkim and K. curticeps and K. gammiei new to Bhutan. Notes on K. nepalensis, K. vaginosa, K. vidua, K. gammiei and K. cercostachys are given. Observations on apparent dioecy and distribution of sex within the species K. esenbeckii, K. vidua, K. vaginosa and K. curticeps are reported.

Infrageneric classification of the genus Potentilla L. (Rosaceae) for the Flora of Pakistan and Kashmir is presented. Nine subgenera and 15 sections are recognized within the genus. The two genera Sibbaidiopsis Rydb. and Duchesnea J. E. Smith have been reduced to subgenera, while subgenus Potentilla Syme and subgenus Hypargyrium (Fourr.) Juz. have been combined under subgenus Potentilla Syme.

Two species, Petalacte vlokii (Compositae) from the southern Cape fold mountains, and Struthiola anomala (Thymelaeaceae) from southernmost Natal, are newly described.

Lloydia himalensis is confirmed as being synonymous with L. serotina; L. yunnanensis is reported for the first time from the E Himalaya; L. delicatula Noltie sp. nov. is described; L. mairei and L. serotina var. parva are discussed.

The following new species and subspecies are described: Carex burttii Noltie, C. griersonii Noltie, C. nigra (L.) Reich, subsp. drukyulensis Noltie, C. schlagintweitiana Boeck. subsp. deformis Noltie, C. speciosa Kunth subsp. dilatata Noltie, C. speciosa subsp. pinetorum Noltie, C. laeta Boott subsp. gelongii Noltie. The new combination C. fusiformis Nees subsp. finitima (Boott) Noltie is made. C. sikkimensis C.B. Clarke is reduced to the synonymy of C. fucata Boott ex C.B. Clarke, and C. praelonga C.B. Clarke to that of C. teres Boott. Notes are provided on C. notha Kunth, C. inclinis C.B. Clarke, C. inanis C.B. Clarke and C. alopecuroides D. Don ex Tillooh & Taylor. C. fastigiata Franch. and C. radicatis Boott are reported new to Bhutan and C. montis-everestii Kük. new to Sikkim. Lectotypes are designated for C. fucata, C. sikkimensis, C. teres, C. praelonga, C. setigera γ humilis, C. inanis. C. fusiformis, C. finitima, C. alopecuroides, C. chlorostachys D. Don ex Tilloch & Taylor and C. alopecuroides var. chlorostachya C.B. Clarke. A phytogeographical checklist is provided for species occurring in the Flora of Bhutan area.

The new species Heterosmilax longiflora (Smilacaceae) belonging to section Polyandrae and known only from the male plant from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated.

The variability of Asparagus filicinus Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don in the Sino-Hiamalayan region is discussed; the typical variety of this species has been generally misinterpreted. Three varieties are here treated and lectotypified: var. filicinus, var. giraldii C.H. Wright and var. lycopodineus Baker. The new combination Maianthemum oleraceum (Baker) Hook. f. & Thoms, ex Hook. f. var. acuminatum (Wang & Tang) Noltie is made.

The genus Ciminalis Adans. is being revised from Pakistan and Kashmir. The present investigation has revealed the presence of one new species: C. ballistanica Omer. Three specific combinations are made: C. harwanensis (G. Singh) Omer; C. karelinii (Griseb.) Omer and C. capitata (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) Omer and two infraspecific combinations are made: C. capitata (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) Omer var. strobiliformis (Clarke) Omer and C. capitata (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) Omer var. andersonii (Clarke) Omer. A key to the taxa, geographical distribution, specimens examined and notes on typification are also provided.

The new species Torenia burttiana R. R. Mill (Scrophulariaceae) is described and illustrated, and its affinities discussed. It is presently known only from the type collection, from Bhutan (Deothang district).

Flueggea anatolica Gemici (Euphorbiaceae) is illustrated and described from S Anatolia. It is a deciduous unarmed shrub, related to F. virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Voigt, but has an undivided pistillode, up to 13 staminate flowers per glomerule, and pistillate flowers in groups of (1−)2–3. This is the first record of the genus Flueggea from Anatolia. F. anatolica has an isolated position within the genus and is considered to be a Tertiary relict.

Pulicaria hadramautica Gamal-Eldin & Boulos (Asteraceae, Inuleae), a new species belonging to sect. Platychaete is described and illustrated from S Sayun, Republic of Yemen.