Rakotondrainibe F. & Tronchet F. 2009. — Révision synoptique du genre Lastreopsis Ching(Dryopteridaceae) à Madagascar. Adansonia, sér. 3, 31 (1): 7-24.

Synoptic revision of the genus Lastreopsis Ching (Dryopteridaceae) in Madagascar. This paper presents a synoptic revision of the genus Lastreopsis Ching (Dryopteridaceae) in Madagascar. A new identification key is presented, along with new distribution maps. The presence of L. barteriana (Hook.) Tardieu, an African species, is indicated for the first time. Three new species are described: 1) L. coriaceosquamata Rakotondr. resembles L. boivinii (Baker) Tardieu but can be distinguished by differences in the morphology of the scales present on its rhizome and petiole base, which is brownish black, coriaceous, flat, and appressed; 2) L. manongarivensis Rakotondr. can be easily distinguished by its upright rhizome covered with red, membraneous scales; and 3) L. fidelei Rakotondr. has median sori similar to those of L. currorii (Mett. ex Kuhn) Tindale but can be distinguished by having non-gemmiferous fronds, median pinnae that are 1-pinnate-pinnatifid and indusia with entire margins. Two African species, L. currorii and L. subsimilis (Hook.) Tindale, have been cited in the literature as occurring in Madagascar, but the material from there differs clearly from the type specimens, and these taxa are no longer thought to occur in Madagascar. The type of Lastreopsis hornei (Baker) Tindale from the Seychelles, is fragmentary, and this name is treated as “insufficiently known”. Finally, a lectotype is designated for Nephrodium granulosum Baker, a synonym of L. boivinii.

Droissart V., Simo M., Sonké B., Cawoy V. & Stévart T. 2009. — Le genre Stolzia (Orchidaceae)en Afrique centrale avec deux nouveaux taxons. Adansonia, sér. 3, 31 (1): 25-40.

The genus Stolzia (Orchidaceae) in central Africa with two new taxa.

A taxonomic revision of genus Stolzia (Orchidaceae) occurring in central Africa is given. Nine taxa are recognized. Two new taxa from Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea (Rio Muni) are described and illustrated. Stolzia repens (Rolfe) Summerh. var. cleistogama Stévart, Droissart & Simo differs from the two other varieties of S. repens by its dorsal sepal, which is jointed to lateral sepal on one third of his total length, and by its smaller and non-reflected sepals and petals. Stolzia grandiflora P.J.Cribb subsp. lejolyana Stévart, Droissart & Simo is morphologically close to the type subspecies, endemic to Ethiopia, but differs from it by a longer inflorescence with two flowers that are smaller. The morphological affinity of S. grandiflora subsp. lejolyana appears to lie with the varieties of S. repens (Rolfe) Summerh. However, the new species differs by having inflorescences with two flowers and a longer and thinner peduncle. Stolzia cupuligera (Kraenzl.) Summerh. and S. peperomioides (Kraenzl.) Summerh. are neotypified. The position of S. thomensis Stévart & P.J.Cribb is reconsidered and proposed as S. peperomioides (Kraenzl.) Summerh. subsp. thomensis (Stévart & P.J.Cribb) Stévart, Droissart & Simo. Many new records of Stolzia are given. Key to identification of species and synopsis table of all taxa occurring in central Africa are given.

Häkkinen M. & Väre H. 2009. — Typification of Musa salaccensis and nomenclatural noteson Musa (Musaceae). Adansonia, sér. 3, 31 (1): 41-46.

In a recent paper the authors rejected the name Musa salaccensis. However, it was noticed later that the taxon was validly published by Backer (1924). As the original holotype was lost, a neotype is designated here. Also in the same paper Musa peekelii lectotype was designated based on an illustration. Later we received a sheet found at WRSL, taken from the type locality (Lauterbach 1914), and thus to be considered the holotype. Some orthographic notes are given in order to specify our recent article (Häkkinen & Väre 2008).

Jacques F. M. B. 2009. — Survey of the Menispermaceae endocarps. Adansonia, sér. 3,31 (1): 47-87.

Menispermaceae endocarps were very much used for long in the classification of this family. This organ also presents a definite palaeobotanical interest as it is often present in fossil state. The lack of a detailed knowledge on the endocarps of extant Menispermaceae limits the identification of those fossils. The present paper tries to fill this lack, describing endocarps of 116 species belonging to 55 different genera. The whole Menispermaceae family has drupaceous fruits, but there is an important morphological diversity of the endocarps, the differences between affiliated species being sometimes very slight. However, the comparisons with molecular phylogenies show that the differences between endocarps have a phylogenetic significance, to some extent. Menispermaceae endocarps are straight or underwent an often important curvature during their development. Almost all of these endocarps show a peculiar structure known as a condyle, which can have different aspects. Some characters, such as the endosperm structure and the style scar position on the pericarp, depend of endocarp characters, at least partially and with a few exceptions. Hypotheses on endocarp adaptation are limited by the lack of knowledge on the seed dispersal of this family. A key of the studied genera is proposed.

Sastre C. & Offroy B. 2009. — Description de trois nouveaux Ouratea L. (Ochnaceae) duParaguay, de Bolivie et d'Équateur. Considérations taxonomiques, nomenclaturales et biogéographiquessur les espèces affines d'O. superba Engl. Adansonia, sér. 3, 31 (1): 89-101.

Description of three new Ouratea L. (Ochnaceae) from Paraguay, Bolivia and Ecuador. Taxonomic, nomenclatural and biogeographical discussions on the species close to O. superba Engl.

Description of three new taxa of Ouratea: O. paraguayensis Hassl. ex Sastre & Offroy from Paraguay and Bolivia, distinct of O. superba Engl. which occurs in Amazonian Basin and the Guyanas, by its smaller flowers and the leaf margins serrate, not serrulate; O. paraguayensis f. boliviensis Sastre & Offroy with inflorescences larger than in the forma paraguayensis, and with conical buds, not obovoid, with many specimens intermediate between both forms; O. pastazana Sastre & Offroy, endemic from Pastaza Province in Ecuador, with flowers of the same size as those of O. paraguayensis, but with the leaf margins serrulate as in O. superba. Comparisons are made with two other Venezuelan vicariant species also with small flowers, O. marahuacensis Maguire & Steyerm. (Amazonas state) and O. apurensis Sastre (Apure state). The peri-Amazonian distribution of the species with small flowers, suggests an old area of the ancestral species of which populations became isolated during dry Quaternary periods, each isolated population giving, by genetic drift, endemo-vicariant species. Both O. paraguayensis formas suggest the presence of a cline, perhaps responsible, actually, for a specific sympatric differentiation. Ouratea superba and some synonymous taxa are lectotypified.

Hopkins H. C. F. & Bradford J. C. — Nomenclature and typification of names in the endemicgenus Pancheria (Cunoniaceae) from New Caledonia. Adansonia, sér. 3, 31 (1): 103-135.

The taxonomic history of Pancheria Brongn. & Gris is described and problems concerning types, including some collected by Montrouzier, Labillardière and Vieillard, are discussed. All names validly published in Pancheria or published under other generic names but referable to Pancheria are reviewed to establish their correct orthography and authorship, and they are lectotypified where necessary. Invalidly published names are dealt with briefly. The names P. humboldtiana Guillaumin ex H.C.Hopkins & J.Bradford, sp. nov., and P. multijuga Guillaumin ex H.C.Hopkins & J.Bradford, sp. nov., are validated by the designation of holotypes. An index lists all names referable to Pancheria and indicates their synonymy. The geographical position of Balansa's collecting locality Mt Mi is discussed.

Tirel C. 2009. — Réhabilitation de l'espèce Elaeocarpus coumbouiensis Guillaumin (Elaeocarpaceae)de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Adansonia, sér. 3, 31 (1): 137-141.

Rehabilitation of Elaeocarpus coumbouiensis Guillaumin (Elaeocarpaceae) from New Caledonia.

Elaeocarpus coumbouiensis Guillaumin, species placed in synonymy under E. alaternoides Brongn. & Gris in the revision of the family Elaeocarpaceae for New Caledonia in 1982, is resurrected. To support the recognition of these two species as distinct taxa, some morphological characters are highlighted as the elliptic shape of the leaves, the frequency of domatias and the nearly glabrous to glabrous state of the ovary.

Zaborsky J. G. 2009. — Hildegardia dauphinensis (Malvaceae, Sterculioideae): a new speciesfrom southeastern Madagascar. Adansonia, sér. 3, 31 (1): 143-148.

Hildegardia dauphinensis J. G. Zaborsky, a new species from southern Madagascar, is described and illustrated. Closely resembling Hildegardia perrieri (Hochr.) Arènes, it differs in having distinctive multi-branched stellate hairs on the calyces and leaves, and in having flat (not revolute) leaf blades. Known only from the type specimen collected near Fort Dauphin, it is Critically Endangered. A key to the four Malagasy species of Hildegardia Schott & Endl. is also presented.

Rabehevitra D. & Lowry II P. P. 2009. — Endemic Families of Madagascar. XI. A new criticallyendangered species of Schizolaena (Sarcolaenaceae) from Tapia woodland in south-centralMadagascar. Adansonia, sér. 3, 31 (1): 149-155.

Schizohena isaloensis Rabehevitra & Lowry is described based on material from a small area of highly degraded, seasonally burned Tapia woodland near the southern limit of the Isalo National Park in south-central Madagascar. The species is illustrated and colour photographs are presented of an isolated remnant individual. The species most closely resembles another subhumid forest member of the genus, S. microphylla H. Perrier, from which it differs by several leaf characters, including the size and shape of the blade, the form of the apex, the prominence of the secondary venation on the abaxial surface and the density of its indumentum, and by its smaller flowers with more narrow petals. Schizolaena isaloensis is assigned a preliminary conservation status of Critically Endangered using the IUCN Red List criteria.

Randrianasolo A. & Lowry II P. P. 2009. — Four new species and one new combination inthe Malagasy endemic genus Micronychia Oliv. (Anacardiaceae). Adansonia, sér. 3, 31 (1):157-168.

Four new species of the Malagasy endemic genus Micronychia ate described based on newly available material, and a previously recognized variety is elevated to the rank of species, bringing the total number of accepted species to 10, a two-fold increase. Illustrations are provided for each of the new taxa, along with preliminary assessments of their conservation status. An identification key in English and French is also included.

Aké Assi L. & Jérémie J. 2009. — Lectotypification de Fagara mezoneurispinosa (Rutaceae),basionyme de Zanthoxylum mezoneurispinosum, espèce endémique de Côte d'Ivoire.Adansonia, sér. 3, 31 (1): 169-174.

Lectotypification of Fagara mezoneurispinosa (Rutaceae), basionym of Zanthoxylum mezoneurispinosum, an endemic species from Ivory Coast.

Fagara mezoneurispinosa Aké Assi was considered by some authors as synonymous with F. leprieurii Guill. & Perr. A new combination recently established for F. mezoneurispinosa in Zanthoxylum, genus which incorporates most of Fagara, the rehabilitation of this species is confirmed, its lectotypification is done and the main characters distinguishing it from F. leprieurii are reported here.

Munzinger J. & Swenson U. 2009. — Three new species of Planchonella Pierre (Sapotaceae)with a dichotomous and an online key to the genus in New Caledonia. Adansonia, sér. 3,31 (1): 175-189.

In spite of a recent publication of eight new species of Planchonella (Sapotaceae) from New Caledonia, three additional novelties are here described and illustrated (P. cauliflora, P. ericiflora, and P. minutiflora). Planchonella cauliflora was discovered in 2006 near La Foa and is the first and sole member in the archipelago with a cauliflorous inflorescence, a genus otherwise having axillary flowers (rarely ramiflorous). The other two were discovered among herbarium material but not earlier identified as new. A recent suggested hypothesis (Swenson et al. 2007b) that fruit morphology indicates phylogenetic relationships within Planchonella is supported. A ridged fruit with acuminate apices and a short style place P. cauliflora in their Clade D1, a clade confined to New Caledonia. Fruits of P. minutiflora are unknown, but based on ITS sequence data it belongs to the same clade as P. cauliflora and it is predicted that the fruit is similar. Molecular sequences of P. ericiflora are still missing, but based on a pear-shaped fruit, round apices and a fairly long style, we believe it is closely related to a different clade of Planchonella that is also restricted to New Caledonia. All three species have very narrow distributions and match the criteria of the IUCN red list as Critically Endangered. Planchonella contains henceforth 36 species in New Caledonia to which we here provide a diagnostic and an interactive online key under Xper², available at ftp://ftp.ird.nc/pub/outgoing/biologie/herbier-nou/.

Pillon Y. & Nooteboom H. P. 2009. — A new species of Symplocos (Symplocaceae) fromMont Panié (New Caledonia). Adansonia, sér. 3, 31 (1): 191-196.

Mont Panié, the highest mountain on New Caledonia, has a rich and distinctive flora. A new species was recently collected and is here described in the genus Symplocos (Symplocaceae), which is now represented by seven species in New Caledonia, all endemic. Symplocos paniensis Pillon & Nooteboom, sp. nov. is most similar to S. neocaledonica (Vieill.) Nooteboom, from which it differs by its shorter leaves with rounded apex, and the more even disposition of the leaves along the twigs. This provides further evidence that the Mont Panié chain, which also includes Mont Colnett and Mont Ignambi, is still under-collected.

Mouly A. 2009. — Les Rubiaceae émergentes de la canopée endémiques de l'archipel desComores: affinités floristiques dans l'océan Indien et taxonomie. Adansonia, sér. 3, 31 (1):197-206.

The endemic Rubiaceae canopy trees of the Comorian Archipelago: floristic affinities in the Indian Ocean and taxonomy.

The family Rubiaceae is well represented in the Comoros, but only three species are emergent canopy trees in the humid forest. The first one, Gyrostipula comorensis Homolle ex J.-F.Leroy (tribe Naucleeae) was previously thought to occur on Great Comoro and Moheli, but is now also known from Anjouan, making it an endemic of the whole Union of the Comoros. An emended description is proposed here incorporating data from recent new collections. The two other species belong to the tribe Vanguerieae and are endemic to Mayotte. Peponidium ovato-oblongum (K.Schum.) Mouly, newly combined here, was previously placed under Psychotria, while a later name, Peponidium comorense, here placed under synonymy, has also been published. Pyrostria heliconioides Mouly, newly described here, has spathiform inflorescences, unusual within the genus. These three species, restricted to the Comorian islands, show more affinity to Malagasy than to continental African Rubiaceae.

Deroin T. & Sebsebe Demissew 2009. — The genus Seddera Hochst. (Convolvulaceae) inMadagascar. Adansonia, sér. 3, 31 (1): 207-214.

A new Malagasy species of Convolvulaceae, Seddera madagascariensis Deroin & Sebsebe, is described from the subarid bioclimatic region (Mahafaly and Androy). It has been confused for a long time with Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L. due to its similar habit, it is clearly distinguished from the other endemic Malagasy species S. repens Hallier f., by its often asymmetrical leaf base, unilocular ovary included in the disk, as well as by its 1-seeded capsule. These unusual features in the genus Seddera are briefly discussed.