Diploid populations of Valeriana officinalis L. (Valerianaceae) in Central Europe exhibit an extensive variation, with two conspicuous morphotypes. One, corresponding to the lectotype of V. officinalis, is larger, with broader, distinctly dentate leaflets, the other is in many respects similar to V. pratensis Dierb. and V. stolonifera Czern., but is glabrous, with narrow, usually entire leaflets. The two forms also differ in their ecological optimum and in geographical distribution, but are linked with numerous intermediates. Morphometric analysis (PCA) supports the picture outlined above. Nomenclatural analysis shows that the correct name for the taxon with narrow leaflets at the rank of variety is V. officinalis var. tenuifolia Vahl, with a very old synonym at the rank of subspecies, V. officinalis subsp. tenuifolia (Vahl) Schübler & Martens. A lectotype and epitype (from a plant with 2n = 14) are designated for this name. The epithet tenuifolia cannot be used for what has usually been called V. collina auct., or correctly, V. stolonifera subsp. angustifolia Soó. Further names were also studied in detail: V. officinalis var. angustifolia Wahlenb., V. officinalis var. angustifolia Hayne (for which a lectotype is designated), V. altissima Besser and V. officinalis var. altissima W. D. J. Koch.

Version of record first published online on 25 October 2017 ahead of inclusion in December 2017 issue.

In Upper Guinea in Africa three species of Triclisia Benth. (Menispermaceae) are recognized: T. dictyophylla Diels, T. patens Oliv. and T. subcordata Oliv. Triclisia dictyophylla and T. subcordata, as delimited in the revision of this genus by Troupin (1962), each include more than one distinct species. On the basis of a comparative morphological analysis, T. dictyophylla is split here into T. dictyophylla s.s. and T. gilletii (De Wild.) Staner and T. subcordata is split into T. angolensis Exell, T. hypochrysea Diels and T. subcordata s.s. No new names have to be published. Illustrations are provided along with distribution maps.

Version of record first published online on 9 November 2017 ahead of inclusion in December 2017 issue.

A recently published phylogenetic analysis strongly supports the inclusion of Spergula fallax (Lowe) E. H. L. Krause in the genus Spergularia (Pers.) J. Presl & C. Presl (Caryophyllaceae), where it was originally described. This species of spurrey, which occurs across North Africa, the Middle East and N India, has also been named Arenaria flaccida Roxb., which is a later homonym and therefore illegitimate. Stipularia flaccida Madden is an overlooked replacement name for A. flaccida and is the earliest legitimate name for the species. The new combination Spergularia flaccida (Madden) I. M. Turner is proposed here. In addition, lectotypes are designated for A. flaccida and its taxonomic synonyms Lepigonum eximium Kindb., Spergula flaccida f. purpurascens Maire & Sauvage, Spergula pentandra var. intermedia Boiss. and Spergularia fallax Lowe.

Version of record first published online on 9 November 2017 ahead of inclusion in December 2017 issue.

New, locally endemic species of Gymnanthes are described from Bolivia (G. microphylla) and Colombia (G. hirsuta). Both species are characterized, among other features, by a specific indumentum different from each other and from other, related species. In addition, two species from Venezuela are discussed: G. apiculata is proposed as a synonym of Actinostemon caribaeus, and the name G. hypoleuca is lectotypified.

Version of record first published online on 9 November 2017 ahead of inclusion in December 2017 issue.

Witkowski J., Williams D. & Kociolek J. P. (ed.): Diatoms and the continuing relevance of morphology to studies on taxonomy, systematics and biogeography. Celebrating the work and impact of Patricia A. Sims on the occasion of her 80^th birthday. — Stuttgart: J. Cramer in der Gebr. Borntraeger Verlagsbuchhandlung, 2015 [Nova Hedwigia, Beiheft 144]. — ISBN 978-3-443-51066-4. — 17 × 24 cm, vi + 228 pp., 560 figures; softcover. — Price: EUR 119. — Available at https://www.schweizerbart.de

Citation: Kusber W.-H. 2017: Book review: Witkowski J., Williams D. & Kociolek J. P. (ed.): Diatoms and the continuing relevance of morphology to studies on taxonomy, systematics and biogeography. Celebrating the work and impact of Patricia A. Sims on the occasion of her 80^th birthday. — Willdenowia 47: 225–226. doi: https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.47.47305

Version of record first published online on 9 November 2017 ahead of inclusion in December 2017 issue.

As a result of lichenological exploration of the Erzi Nature Reserve in the Republic of Ingushetia, North Caucasus, Russia, we report 266 species of lichenized fungi, 13 of lichenicolous fungi and seven of non-lichenized saprophytic fungi, representing 115 genera. Twenty-three species are recorded for the first time for North Caucasus, of which 16 are new for the Caucasus and ten are new for Russia (Arthonia protoparmeliopseos, Aspicilia viridescens, Buellia abstracta, Lecidella viridans, Micarea soralifera, Rinodina straussii, R. tunicata, R. zwackhiana, Schizoxylon alboatrum and Verrucaria fuscoatroides). Of the 16 species new for the Caucasus, seven are recorded for the first time for Asia (Buellia abstracta, Micarea nigella, M. soralifera, Ramonia chrysophaea, Rinodina tunicata, Schizoxylon alboatrum and Verrucaria elevata). In addition, two taxa listed in the Red Data Book of Russia are recorded: Leptogium burnetiae and Usnea florida.

Version of record first published online on 9 November 2017 ahead of inclusion in December 2017 issue.

We describe two new species of Adiantum (Pteridaceae): A. nodosum and A. pseudocajennense. These species occur in the lowland rainforests of the Amazon Basin at 100–350 m in elevation. Both species have laminae 2-pinnate and grow on waterlogged soil in tall swamp forests, but they differ in the rhizome diameter and degree of incision of the pinnule margins. Currently available information suggests that A. pseudocajennense may be endemic to Ecuador, whereas A. nodosum has a wider distribution and is known from Brazil, Colombia and Peru. For both species we present descriptions, distribution statements, comments and illustrations.

Version of record first published online on 13 November 2017 ahead of inclusion in December 2017 issue.

We examine various aspects of Joseph Quer's Flora española (1762–1764, 1784), taking into consideration the contributions made by Casimiro Gómez Ortega and proposing that he be credited as a co-author on the last two volumes of the work. Flora española comprises 2602 species, 2493 of which are vascular plants, including both wild and cultivated species. When assigned to the currently accepted species of Flora iberica, we obtain 1690 native or naturalized plant species (28 % of the total Spanish species). Most of the reported species correspond to common plants, only 3 % are considered narrowly distributed species and no more than 5 % are endemic species. In Flora española only two species are proposed as new. The limited number of new taxa may be due to Quer's self-taught background, strongly influenced by Tournefort's work, and the unfavourable scientific environment, characterized by the lack of resources and supporting institutions. By far the weakest points of Flora española are the names listed in alphabetical order and the use of old polynomials instead of Linnaean binomials. In contrast, the study of dried plants then kept at herbaria constituted a suitable working methodology, which made this Flora a solid base for subsequent works in the Iberian Peninsula. We also address the extensive field work carried out by Quer: he visited 632 different localities spread over most of the Iberian Peninsula. The information provided in Flora española, together with a thorough review of Quer's herbarium vouchers, the labels of which do not include information on localities, allows us to gain valuable insights into some rare and potentially extinct species.

The Caribbean islands are a well-known biodiversity hotspot of global importance. Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti) is a highly diverse island with 42% of its species endemic. Here we describe the new monotypic genus Tainus (Rubiaceae, Rondeletieae), which is endemic to the Sierra de Bahoruco-La Selle. This taxon was originally published as Rondeletia pitreana, but its taxonomic status has been doubtful. We performed phylogenetic analyses with three chloroplast regions (petD, trnK-matK and trnL-F) in order to test the relationships of R. pitreana to other species of Rondeletia and allied genera. Our molecular phylogeny underscores that R. pitreana does not belong to Rondeletia, but has an isolated position within Rondeletieae, whereas Acrosynanthus is sister to an assemblage of Mazaea, Phyllomelia, Rachicallis, Roigella and Rondeletia. The recognition of the genus Tainus is supported by molecular (simple sequence repeats) and morphological characters, among which the most conspicuous is the densely papillate ornamentation of the corolla mouth and lobes. Our findings reveal another case of endemism at a deeper phylogenetic level in flowering plants on Hispaniola. Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of exploring, collecting and performing phylogenetic analyses integrating samples from larger geographical areas across countries as a basis to support nature conservation.

A historical worldwide overview of the family Helotiaceae in a broad sense and a revision of its members in the Canary Islands are presented. Nine lignicolous species are described in detail (Ascocoryne cylichnium, A. sarcoides, Chlorociboria aeruginascens, Cyathicula cyathoidea, C. hysterioides, Durella connivens, Pseudohelotium sordidulum, Strossmayeria basitricha and Velutarina rufoolivacea). The species of the genus Ascocoryne are revised and corrected. The genera Durella, Pseudohelotium and Velutarina are reported for first time for the Canary Islands, each with one species, as is Cyathicula hysterioides. Species considered closely related are briefly discussed.

Citation: Quijada L., Ribes M., Negrín R. & Beltrán-Tejera E. 2017: Lignicolous species of Helotiales associated with major vegetation types in the Canary Islands. — Willdenowia 47: 271–291. doi:  https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.47.47310

Version of record first published online on 20 November 2017 ahead of inclusion in December 2017 issue.

This is the eighth of a series of miscellaneous contributions, by various authors, where hitherto unpublished data relevant to both the Med-Checklist and the Euro Med (or Sisyphus) projects are presented. This instalment deals with the families Ophioglossaceae, Amaryllidaceae (incl. Alliaceae), Asparagaceae (incl. Hyacinthaceae), Caryophyllaceae, Compositae, Gramineae, Juncaceae, Malvaceae, Myrtaceae, Orobanchaceae, Papaveraceae and Scrophulariaceae. It includes new country and area records and taxonomic and distributional considerations for taxa in Alcea, Allium, Botrychium, Bromus, Cerastium, Chamaemelum, Crepis, Ehrharta, Erigeron, Eucalyptus, Juncus, Lactuca, Limosella, Matricaria, Ornithogalum, Orobanche, Papaver and Phelipanche, as well as new combinations in Ornithogalum and Phelipanche.

Citation: Raab-Straube E. von & Raus Th. (ed.) 2017: Euro Med-Checklist Notulae, 8 [Notulae ad floram euromediterraneam pertinentes No. 37]. — Willdenowia 47: 293–309. doi:  https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.47.47311

Version of record first published online on 20 November 2017 ahead of inclusion in December 2017 issue.

Primulina albicalyx, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, SW China, is described and illustrated. This new species is similar to P. leprosa by its yellow flowers, white calyx lobes and large bracts, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by some qualitative and quantitative characters in the leaf blade, peduncle and corolla. The conservation status of P. albicalyx can be considered as Critically Endangered (CR) according to the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

Citation: Yang L.-H. & Pan B. 2017: Primulina albicalyx (Gesneriaceae), a new species from a karst area in Guangxi, China. — Willdenowia 47: 311–316. doi:  https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.47.47312

Version of record first published online on 20 November 2017 ahead of inclusion in December 2017 issue.

The mainly Mediterranean genus Rhodalsine (Caryophyllaceae) is revised and a single species, R. geniculata, is recognized, distributed from the Canary Islands in the west to Somalia in the east. The history of the taxon, which was known already during the 17^th century but entirely overlooked by Linnaeus, is outlined. Variation and taxonomy are discussed and illustrations and a distribution map are provided. Many names are placed in synonymy and most of the names are typified, including six lectotypes designated here.

Citation: Kool A. & Thulin M. 2017: A plant that Linnaeus forgot: taxonomic revision of Rhodalsine (Caryophyllaceae). — Willdenowia 47: 317–323. doi:  https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.47.47313

Version of record first published online on 20 November 2017 ahead of inclusion in December 2017 issue.

Five new species and one new variety of Cryptocoryne (Araceae) from the Schwaner mountains (W Kalimantan) and the Müller mountains (W and C Kalimantan) are described. These new taxa makes a very interesting and unique addition to the genus Cryptocoryne. Two of the species have surprisingly low chromosome numbers: C. bastmeijeri with 2n = 14 and C. isae with 2n = 10. A key to the Cryptocoryne taxa of Borneo is provided.

Version of record first published online on 23 November 2017 ahead of inclusion in December 2017 issue.

Frey W. (ed.): Syllabus of Plant Families. Adolf Engler's Syllabus der Pflanzenfamilien. Ed. 13. Part 2/1. Photoautotrophic eukaryotic Algae. Glaucocystophyta, Cryptophyta, Dinophyta/Dinozoa, Haptophyta, Heterokontophyta/Ochrophyta, Chlorarachniophyta/ Cercozoa, Euglenophyta/Euglenozoa, Chlorophyta, Streptophyta p.p. — Stuttgart: Borntraeger Science Publishers, 2015. — ISBN 978-3-443-01083-6. — x + 324 pp., 67 figures, 17 × 25 cm, 930 g, hardback. — Price: EUR 89. — Available from: https://www.schweizerbart.de

Citation: Williams D. M. 2017: Book review: Frey W. (ed.): Syllabus of Plant Families. Adolf Engler's Syllabus der Pflanzenfamilien. Ed. 13. Part 2/1. Photoautotrophic eukaryotic Algae. Glaucocystophyta, Cryptophyta, Dinophyta/Dinozoa, Haptophyta, Heterokontophyta/Ochrophyta, Chlorarachniophyta/Cercozoa, Euglenophyta/Euglenozoa, Chlorophyta, Streptophyta p.p. — Willdenowia 47: 341–343. doi: https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.47.47315

Version of record first published online on 23 November 2017 ahead of inclusion in December 2017 issue.