A new species, Hedyotis rajasekaranii Karupp. & Ravichandran (Rubiaceae), is described from the Megamalai Hills of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, southern India.

The European species Wahlenbergia hederacea (L.) Rchb. (Campanulaceae) is molecularly distant from the remainder of the wahlenbergioids, and its inclusion with them renders the tribe Wahlenbergieae Endl. (1838) non-monophyletic. Additional support for this conclusion may be derived from its gross morphological characteristics, which are essentially campanuloid. However, although not strictly identical to that of Wahlenbergia Schrad. ex Roth, the capsule dehiscence mechanism of W. hederacea is still fundamentally wahlenbergioid and differs from the majority of campanuloids. Several genera such as Feeria and Jasione, which are intermediate between typical wahlenbergioids and typical campanuloids, have similar capsule characteristics, and it is postulated that Wahlenbergia hederacea, together with these ‘transitional’ genera, are all relatively ancient components of a campanulaceous palaeoflora of the early Tertiary of Eurasia. The wahlenbergioid type of dehiscence is considered to be a plesiomorphic character whereas the diverse campanuloid types of dehiscence mechanisms are derived under conditions of intense selection. It is suggested that Wahlenbergia hederacea is probably most closely related to, and ancestral to, the rapunculoid lineages of Campanula s.l. that subsequently evolved over much of Eurasia and North America. Consequently, Wahlenbergia hederacea should be classified in the Campanuloideae and the new generic name Hesperocodon Eddie & Cupido gen. nov. is proposed.

Recent floristic study of the island of Limnos (NE Aegean, Greece) has resulted in the addition of 69 new plant taxa. As a result the flora of the island now comprises 750 taxa. New alien species such as Erigeron sumatrensis, Erigeron canadensis, Symphyotrichum squamatum, Amaranthus retroflexus and Amaranthus blitoides nowadays colonise thousands of hectares of fertile ground and present the highest rates of invasion. Ecological factors such as soil texture, high winds and human intervention, in combination with their seed dispersal mode and genetic background, may explain their successful establishment and impressive abundance especially in the eastern part of the island. Among the new records of indigenous plants are some interesting taxa from a phytogeographical point of view, such as Bupleurum euboeum and the Greek endemic Polygonum icaricum.

Onosma mahabadensis Ranjbar & Almasi (Boraginaceae), a new species endemic to Iran, is described. This species belongs to Onosma sect. Aponosma DC. and is confined to the western part of Iran (West Azerbaijan Province). It is closely related to Onosma sericea Willd. and is distinguished by its subpatent-bristly indumentum (vs. appressed-sericeous) with sparse short hairs (vs. dense), and bracts 14–16 mm long (vs. 6–8 mm long). A cytogenetic analysis indicates that Onosma mahabadensis is a tetraploid species, 2n = 4x = 32, consistent with the proposed base number of x = 8 for Onosma sect. Aponosma.

Note: Main entries are emboldened; * signifies the page range of keywords; pages with illustrations (Fig.), maps, appendices (App.) and reviews (Rev.) are indicated; tables are not annotated separately.

New taxa and records of Diplycosia (Ericaceae) from recent expeditions to Sulawesi are described. Diplycosia balgooyi Argent, D. gallowayana Argent, D. glaucicaulis Argent, D. hendriana Argent and D. supyanii Argent are described as new species. Diplycosia minutiflora Sleumer var. glandulifera Argent is described as a new variety and the new combination D. capitata Sleumer var. crassiramea (Sleumer) Argent is made. A key to all the known species of Diplycosia from this island is provided, together with short descriptions of the previously described species.

A synopsis of the native and naturalised species of Senna (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) in the Arabian Peninsula is provided. Nine species are recognised. A key to the species is presented. For each species the accepted name with selected synonymy is given, followed by a diagnostic morphological description, the geographical distribution, details of habitat preference, and citation of specimens studied. Preliminary regional conservation assessments are given for all species.