Abortion of sunflower fruits during different phases of their development could be due to abnormalities in the reproductive process. We report a comparative study of the sporogenesis, gametogenesis and the development of the related sporophytic structures in three commercial hybrids, DK 4050, CF 17 and P30, and a line, HA 89. The anther wall consists of epidermis, endothecium, one middle layer and a plasmodial tapetum with binucleate cells before integrating. A peritapetal membrane with orbicules encloses the pollen grains, which are triporate, angulaperturate and shed at tri cellular stage. HA 89 also presents tetraporate pollen grains. The ovule is tenuinucellate, unitegmic and anatropous. The young female gametophyte consists of six cells and eight nuclei. Antipodals, which vary in number and in the number of nuclei in each cell, usually have thick walls between themselves and the central cell. Differences among the genotypes studied may explain the contradictions found on previous accounts.

A taxonomic revision of the genus Dienia (Malaxidinae, Orchidaceae) is completed. Determination keys for closely similar Asian Malaxidinae genera and Dienia species, as well as descriptions and illustrations of the two accepted species are provided.

A revision of three endemic Chinese species of Pternopetalum (P. cardiocarpum, P. delavayi and P. sinense), based on herbarium material and field observations, is presented. Examination of critical diagnostic characters showed that there is a single morphologically well-delimited species here treated as P. delavayi. Pternopetalum cardiocarpum and P. sinense are its taxonomic synonyms.

To evaluate the phylogenetic relationships among Roegneria amurensis, R. ciliaris and R. japonensis, hybridizations among them were carried out. In the hybrids of R. amurensis × R. ciliaris, R. japonensis × R. amurensis and R. ciliaris × R. japonensis, average chromosome associations were 0.38 I 13.83 II, 0.18 I 13.90 II and 0.15 I 13.91 II, respectively. All the hybrids were partially fertile with stainable pollen grains and the fertility was 82%, 88% and 95%, respectively. The results indicated that the three species share the same basic genomes, StStYY and they are closely related. Combined with morphology and geographic distribution, R. amurensis and R. japonensis are treated as a subspecies and a variety of R. ciliaris, respectively.

Three species of Pterygoneurum are present in China: P. ovatum (Hedw.) Dix., P. subsessile (Brid.) Jur. and P. kozlovii Laz. Pterygoneurum ovatum has exserted, stegocarpous capsules, while those of P. subsessile are immersed, although also stegocarpous. Pterygoneurum kozlovii is reported for the first time from Inner Mongolia Province of China. It is distinguished from the other species by the cleistocarpous capsules. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and distribution maps are given for the species and a key to the Chinese species is provided. The spore morphology of the three species was examined by SEM.

Corydalis anthocrene Lidén & J. Van De Veire, C. brachyceras Lidén & J. Van De Veire and C. helodes Lidén & J. Van De Veire are described as new to science and compared with morphologically similar species.

Alcea tarica Pakravan & Ghahreman sp. nova (Malvaceae) is described from Iran and illustrated. The relationships among it and the closely related species are discussed. Alcea glabrata Alef. var. microcarpa (Zohary) Pakravan comb, nova is proposed, and A. longipedicellata I. Riedl is considered its synonym.

Centaurea ertugruliana Uysal sp. nova (Asteraceae) from Turkey is described and illustrated. It occurs only on rocky road sides from Bursa to Balikesir in the western part of the country.

Fritillaria mughlae M. Tek§en and Aytaç sp. nova (Liliaceae) is described from Turkey and illustrated. It is related to F. forbesii, from which it mainly differs in the shape of the leaves, petal colours and divided style. In addition seed and pollen micromorphology and karyotype of F. mughlae and F. forbesii were studied.

Impatiens yaoshanensis K.M. Liu & Y.Y. Cong sp. nova (Balsaminaceae) is described from northern Yunnan, China, and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to I. cyanantha, I. purpurea, I. blinii, I. pseudo-kingii, and I. loulanensis. The distinguishing characters are given in a key to the six species.

Stachys marashica A. İlçim, M. Çenet & Dadandi sp. nova (Lamiaceae) from Turkey is described and illustrated. It belongs to the section Infrarosularis and resembles S. cataonica and S. pumilia, with which the new species is compared. The geographical distributions of the species are provided on a map.

Carex arisanensis Hayata subsp. ruianensis Hong Wang, C. Song & X.F. Jin, subsp. nova (Cyperaceae) is described from Zhejiang, China, and illustrated. It differs from subsp. arisanensis in its 12–18 mm broad leaves, non-sheathing bracts, and three spikes, with the lowest without a peduncle. The geographic distribution of C. arisanensis subsp. arisanensis and subsp. ruianensis is presented on a map.