This study investigated the influence of soil factors on the structure, richness and distribution of woody Cerrado species within the National Forest of Paraopeba, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Individuals with basal stem circumference ≥ 10 cm were sampled in five plots of 20 × 100 m. The study was conducted in five environments with different physiognomies and types of soils. A total of 132 species were recorded. The species with the greatest importance values varied between different areas, as did structure. Canonical correspondence analysis ordination showed three different groups closely related to soil fertility and Al levels. These relations were also confirmed by Pearson’s correlation where richness was positively related to pH, K, Ca, Mg and P and negatively to Al. The basal area was positively correlated with levels of P, Mg, Ca and T (base saturation) and negatively with Al, also using Pearson’s correlation. Likewise, density was positively correlated with Mg and negatively with Al. The analysis shows that soil fertility and the concentration of Al are two of the most important factors responsible for structural and floristic variation and for differentiating dystrophic and mesotrophic Cerradão.

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.

This study investigated the structure, diversity and composition of the regenerating shrub-tree species community along a stretch of riparian vegetation in relation to environmental heterogeneity. In the Environmental Protection Area of Pandeiros River, southeastern Brazil, the regenerating stratum on 70 plots (25 m2) divided into four groups according to their soil characteristics and natural barriers was sampled. For each plot observations were made of variables related to several soil properties, canopy openness and flooding regime. In addition to the traditional calculation of phytosociological parameters and diversity, a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) to examine the existing relationships between environmental variables and species distribution was performed. The families with the highest species richness were Fabaceae and Myrtaceae and the species with the highest importance value indices were Zygia latifolia, Tapirira guianensis, Butia capitata, Bauhinia rufa and Hirtella gracilipes. The CCA largely confirmed the groups that were originally proposed. The stretch of riparian vegetation studied was highly heterogeneous with regard to both the abiotic variables tested and floristic structure and composition.

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

The Methana Peninsula (Saronic Gulf, Greece) constitutes the youngest and northwestern part of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc. The flora of the Methana Peninsula consists of 620 taxa, 101 of which are under some protection status, while 35 are Greek endemics and 380 are reported here for the first time. The study area has the highest percentage of endemism in the Saronic Gulf. Additionally, for some endemic taxa, their known distribution is expanded. These include Crocus sieberi subsp. atticus and Ophrys oestrifera subsp. leptomera, reported for the first time for the phytogeographical region of the Peloponnese; Campanula andrewsii subsp. hirsutula and Colchicum psaridis, reported for the first time for the North Peloponnese; and Trigonella rechingeri, reported for the first time from the Greek mainland. The floristic affinities between the study area and the large islands of the Saronic Gulf are examined by the application of Sørensen’s index to investigate the relationships between them.

Saxifraga minutissima D.S.Rawat, a new and extremely small species of Saxifraga (Saxifragaceae), is described from the Garhwal Himalaya, India. It differs from all other species of Saxifraga, except Saxifraga bicuspidata, in having five stamens and lacking petals. It can be distinguished from Saxifraga bicuspidata in having leaves and sepals entire. The finely striate pollen exine pattern of Saxifraga minutissima indicates that the species belongs to Saxifraga section Ciliatae. Its prostrate, axillary leafy shoots and lack of crisped, rufous hairs strongly suggests a place in Saxifraga subsection Serpyllifoliae, where one of its closest relatives may be Saxifraga stella-aurea.

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.

Hoya lyi H.Lév. and H. yuennanensis Hand.-Mazz. (Apocynaceae – Asclepiadoideae), described at the beginning of the 20th century from specimens collected in South West China, have often been confused with each other and with H. carnosa R.Br. Currently Hoya yuennanensis is considered a synonym of H. lyi but after the selection of lectotypes and the comparison of extensive herbarium materials from the region two species are once again recognised. Emended descriptions and illustrations are provided. The recently described Hoya mekongensis M.G.Gilbert & P.T.Li is synonymised with H. yuennanensis.

Fifty-one species of basidiomycetes are recorded from the Southern Atlantic archipelago of the Falkland Islands. Several other fungi are discussed in the light of these findings. Some of these fungi are recorded for the first time from the Falklands and especially from some of the smaller islands of the group adjacent to West and East Falkland. The world distributions of the fungi dealt with in this compilation, particularly in the southern hemisphere, are given where they are known. Comments are made on the possible reasons for the occurrence of the species in the Falklands, especially the ectomycorrhizal taxa.

The new combination Monocarpia maingayi (Hook.f. & Thomson) I.M.Turner (Annonaceae), based on Cyathocalyx maingayi Hook.f. & Thomson, is proposed and a lectotype is designated. Monocarpia maingayi is native to the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. It has previously been referred to as Monocarpia marginalis (Scheff.) J.Sinclair. Differences between Monocarpia maingayi and M. kalimantanensis P.J.A.Kessler of Borneo are highlighted. Four species of Monocarpia are recognised, and a key to them is presented.

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 changes in floristic composition, richness, species diversity and ecological groups of a semideciduous seasonal forest located at 14°49′32″S 52°06′20″W in the Cerrado–Amazonian Forest transition, in the area of Nova Xavantina, eastern Mato Grosso, Brazil, were determined between 2003 and 2008. Sixty permanent plots of 10 × 10 m were established, where the individuals with diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 5 cm were recorded and identified. The changes in floristic composition over the period were small and species losses and gains were limited to those of low abundance. The species richness and diversity did not change during this period and observations over a longer period will be necessary to determine whether it is a static community or in a succession towards the relatively nearby Amazonian forests. A review of existing works on the transition forest of Mato Grosso is also given.

The species of Amomum Roxb. (Zingiberaceae) in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam are revised. Thirty-five species and two varieties are recognised, most names are typified, and detailed descriptions and a key are provided. Conservation assessments of all species are given. Eleven new species are described: Amomum calcaratum Lamxay & M.F.Newman, Amomum calcicolum Lamxay & M.F.Newman, Amomum celsum Lamxay & M.F.Newman, Amomum chevalieri Gagnep. ex Lamxay, Amomum chryseum Lamxay & M.F.Newman, Amomum glabrifolium Lamxay & M.F.Newman, Amomum plicatum Lamxay & M.F.Newman, Amomum prionocarpum Lamxay & M.F.Newman, Amomum rubidum Lamxay & N.S.Lý, Amomum stephanocoleum Lamxay & M.F.Newman and Amomum tenellum Lamxay & M.F.Newman.

A new species from South India, Salacia agasthiamalana Udayan, Regy Yohannan & Pradeep (Hippocrateaceae), is described from the Western Ghats of Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala State. An illustration and data on habitat, distribution and phenology are provided.

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.