Astragalus duheyuanensis Q.L. Gan & Z.W. Ke (Fabaceae) is described from western Hubei Province, central China, and illustrated. It morphologically resembles A. sinicus, but differs from it by having completely isolated stipules, shorter peduncles, a blue-purple corolla, a keel-like bulge on the upper centre of the standard, and smaller, orange-yellow seeds.

Ardisia chimingiana Y.H. Tan & D.L. Quan, sp. nova (Primulaceae) from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. It belongs to the subgenus Tinus and has long been misidentified in China as A. solanacea and A. polycephala due to similarities in leaf blades and inflorescences. However, it differs from those two species by having fewer leaf veins, inflorescences with fewer flowers, shorter peduncle, glabrous calyx margin, and fruits not turning black. We discuss the morphological distinctions of A. solanacea and a few other similar species. A lectotype is designated for A. solanacea.

Taxonomy of the morphologically and genetically diverse Dryopteris affinis fern complex (Dryopteridaceae) is still partly unresolved. Dryopteris lacunosa and D. carpatica are doubtful taxa and require further study. Due to high taxonomic distinctiveness, two new species are recognised: D. jessenii (Fraser-Jenk.) Tlałka comb. nova and D. atropes (Fraser-Jenk.) Tlałka comb. nova. As a corollary, the hybrid D. × transsilvanica (Tlałka, S. Jess., A. Rostański & Rojek) Tlałka comb. nova is elevated to the nothospecies level. Additionally, in the years 2020–2023, during studies conducted in the Western Carpathians (Pogórze Śląskie and Beskid Śląski), D. affinis subsp. affinis, a taxon new to Poland, was discovered. It was found at two localities with one and several dozen individuals, respectively, which are at risk of accidental destruction during tree felling. The average genome size in the leaves of the treated taxa ranged from 16.75 pg/2C to 16.83 pg/2C.

Polygonum chaturbhujanum K.C. Mohan sp. nova (Polygonaceae) is described and illustrated from an island in the Totladoh Reservoir, Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, India. It morphologically resembles P. effusum, P. paronychioides and P. plebeium, but differs from them in having smaller leaves (5–7 mm long); shorter ochreae (2.0–2.5 mm long); inflorescence of dense terminal spikes at the end of the branches; bracts smaller than cauline leaves; perianth lobes emarginate with an apical mucro; smaller ovary (0.5 mm long); and achenes with short beak.

Medinilla neopendens Idrees is proposed as a replacement name for the illegitimate Medinilla pendens Jum. & H. Perrier, a later homonym of M. pendens Ridl.

There is a growing interest in understanding the mechanisms involved in seed germination stimulated by smoke and smoke-derived compounds. In this study, we aimed to determine the possible role of gibberellins (GAs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the seed germination of three smoke-responsive and fire-adapted species, viz. Onopordum caricum (Asteraceae), Sarcopoterium spinosum (Rosaceae), and Stachys cretica (Lamiaceae). We conducted four germination experiments using smoke water, karrikinolide (KAR₁), cyanohydrin mandelonitrile, gibberellic acid (GA₃), paclobutrazol, hydrogen peroxide, and several agents generating ROS at different concentrations. The three species had a positive germination response to KAR₁. Sarcopoterium spinosum seeds were also sensitive to mandelonitrile. Exogenous GA₃ promoted the germination of all KAR₁-responsive species in a concentration-specific way. Furthermore, GA biosynthesis was found to be required for the induction of germination by smoke water and KAR₁. Finally, ROS treatments stimulated the germination of KAR₁- and cyanohydrin-sensitive S. spinosum seeds, but not only KAR₁-sensitive O. caricum and S. cretica seeds. In conclusion, we showed that smoke-promoted germination is far more complex than previously believed and that future studies should be carried out using species with different sensitivities to smoke chemicals.

Fritillaria nevzatcaglari Yıldırım & Tekşen (Liliaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Turkey. It morphologically resembles F. ozdemir-elmasii, F. bithynica and F. elwesii, but differs from them by several characters, the most distinct one being a pale purple outer surface of the perigon. Due to human activities and grazing pressure in the are where F. nevzatcaglari grows, we assess its conservation status as critically endangered (CR).

Gladiolus alucraensis Sağıroğlu & Eker sp. nova (Iridaceae) is described and illustrated from Alucra District of Giresun Province in northern Anatolia, Turkey. It is morphologically close to G. aladagensis and G. kotschayanus, but differs from them by numerous macromorphological flower characters and micromorphological seed characters. The diagnostic morphological features, distribution, habitat, and conservation assessment of the new species are presented. The micromorphological characteristics of the seeds of G. alucraensis, G. aladagensis and G. kotschyanus mericarps were examined using LM and SEM analyses.

Fritillaria pavehensis Advay & Tekşen (Liliaceae) is described as a new species from Kermanshah Province in western Iran. In general habit, it resembles F. kurdica, F. crassifolia and F. hakkarensis of the informal F. crassifolia group, but differs from them by the shape and size of its lowest leaves and bracts, shape and colour of perigone segments, and style branches' length. A detailed taxonomic description, diagnostic characters, images, geographical distribution, habitat, phenology and conservation assessment are presented.

Campylopus longigemmatus was initially described from a specimen collected in Xizang (Tibet), China. Later, this species was transferred to Dicranodontium as D. longigemmatum, and then synonymized with D. didymodon and D. denudatum. However, the protologues of C. longigemmatus and D. denudatum are clearly different, and the morphological traits of C. longigemmatus suggest it belongs to Campylopodiella. To address this issue, we conducted molecular-phylogenetic analyses based on four molecular markers (ITS, nad5, trnS-trnF, and atpB-rbcL). Campylopus longigemmatus formed a maximally supported clade with the American species Campylopodiella flagellacea. As there are no distinct morphological differences between Campylopus longigemmatus and Campylopodiella flagellacea, the previously proposed synonymy of Campylopus longigemmatus with Dicranodontium denudatum is rejected, and Campylopus longigemmatus is proposed as a new synonym of Campylopodiella flagellacea. This implies the first record of Campylopodiella flagellacea from China and Asia.

Clematis alopecuros Q.L. Gan & X.W. Li sp nova (Ranunculaceae) is described and illustrated from Hubei, China. It has white flowers with four spreading sepals, persistent and villous styles, and hastate leaflets. It resembles C. hastata but differs from it by having much longer anthers, larger leaflets, and petioles that are basally widened and connate to the opposite petiole.

Taxonomic study of Kaempferia subgen. Protanthium (Zingiberaceae) is difficult due to a high degree of intraspecific morphological variation in several species and the implied morphological overlap among the currently recognized species. Herein, we clarify the taxonomic circumscription of K. noctiflora, a rare species endemic to Chiang Mai Province (N Thailand), by describing K. noctiflora var. thepthepae Noppornch. & Somnoo, var. nova. It differs from K. noctiflora var. noctiflora especially by the labellum colouration and flowering time. The diagnostic characters of this novel variety are discussed and compared with those of morphologically similar taxa. Images of the plants, habit and dissected flowers, and information on the phenology, distribution and ecology are provided. Kaempferia noctiflora var. noctiflora and var. thepthepae are considered Vulnerable and Endangered, respectively.

Lectotypification of the name Clematis grata Wall. is discussed and a second-step lectotype is designated.

Cousinia meyqanensis Rastegar, Attar & Mirtadz. (Asteraceae, Cardueae) is described and illustrated based on a specimen collected from Mt. Shahvar, Semnan Province, NE Iran. It is placed in the sect. Platyacanthae as it lacks appendiculate bracts and decurrent leaves. Cousinia meyqanensis is compared with the morphologically similar species C. platyacantha and C. freynii, from which it differs by e.g. being much smaller, having fewer flowers per capitulum, a white-arachnoid stem indumentum, and smaller capitula.

Allium purpureotunicatum Aytaç, Ekşi & Koçyiğit (Amaryllidaceae), a new species of sect. Scorodon, is described and illustrated from Kütahya Province, western Turkey. It is a narrowly distributed geophyte growing on calcareous marl slopes, resembling closely A. sibthorpianum and A. rumelicum. Allium purpureotunicatum differs from those species by its shorter tepals, longer filaments and pistil morphology. It also resembles A. stamineum by having pink flowers, stamens significantly longer than perigon, and a spherical ovary, but differs from it by having coriaceous, distinctly striped and purplish-pink inner tunics as well as fewer flowers. Following IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, we assessed A. purpureotunicatum as Endangered (EN).

Gladiolus oreophilus Eker & Sağıroğlu sp. nova (Amaryllidaceae) is described as a new species from the Hatay Province, Turkey. It resembles G. kotschyanus, G. alanyensis and G. adanus, but it clearly differs from these three species by capsule size, flower colour, number and width of leaves, seed shape and ornamentation, and shapes of periclinal cell walls and testa epidermal cells. Herein, we provide the morphological features, distribution, habitat characteristics, conservation assessment, and micromorphological characteristics of seeds of G. oreophilus.

During a nomenclatural revision of Acanthaceae published by J.M.C. Vellozo in his Florae fluminensis, we found that Veronica fluminensis Vell. (published in 1829) matched the types of Eranthemum heterophyllum Nees (published in 1847), the basionym of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest endemic Pseuderantheum heterophyllum (Nees) Radlk. Thus, we propose a combination Pseuderanthemum fluminense (Vell.) Chagas & Costa-Lima, comb. nova. Additionally, we designate lectotypes for both E. heterophyllum and V. fluminensis, the former based on original material studied by Nees von Esenbeck, and the latter based on the original plate in Vellozo's work.

Zingiber locbacense D.D. Nguyễn & C.W. Lin sp. nova (Zingiberaceae) is described and illustrated from southern Lam Dong Province, south Vietnam. It is morphologically similar to Z. collinsii in several characters, from which it differs by having inflorescences with pink bracts and a rounded apex, shorter bracteoles, smaller corolla lobes, and the flowering period that occurs from March to early May. All known occurrences of Z. locbacense are in non-protected areas, and there is a hydroelectric power station being developed in a neighbouring area. Hence we assess the conservational status of Z. locbacense as Endangered (EN).

Two new species, Impatiens cheruthoniensis V.S.A. Kumar & Sindhu Arya and I. idukkiana V.S.A. Kumar & Sindhu Arya (Balsaminaceae), belonging to the section Uniflorae, are described and illustrated from Idukki District in the southern Western Ghats, Kerala Province, India. The new species morphologically resemble I. periyarensis and I. rupicola, respectively, but differ from them by morphology of dorsal auricles and capsule, shape of lower sepals, pollen surface, and by having extra-floral nectaries on stem.

Two replacement names, Begonia pingbianensis Idrees & J.M.H. Shaw, nom. nov. and B. sinopicturata Idrees & J.M.H. Shaw, nom. nov. (Begoniaceae), are proposed to replace the illegitimate homonyms B. miranda Irmsch. (not B. miranda T. Moore), and B. picturata Yan Liu, S.M. Ku & C.I. Peng (not B. picturata Hend. ex Bosse), respectively. The name B. sabriana Tawan, Ipor & Meekiong is validated here by designating the specimen kept in SAR as the holotype.

Primulina pseudotabacum F. Wen & B. Pan (Gesneriaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Morphologically, it resembles especially P. tabacum and P. glandulosa in leaf characteristics. It differs from P. tabacum by its pale yellow to yellow corolla, ca. 3 mm long filaments, and 3 staminodes; and from P. glandulosa by e.g. lacking purple glands on petiole, leaves, peduncle, and pedicle, by the pale yellow to yellow corolla, which is nearly as long as calyx, and glabrous disc.

Micromorphological analysis of quadrifid glands of unidentified Utricularia plants (Lentibulariaceae) found in 2019 on a pond shore near the village of Laski, southern Poland, revealed characters intermediate between U. ochroleuca and U. stygia. To resolve the identity of these plants, we applied flow cytometric analysis of genome size, and found that the plants belonged to U. ochroleuca. Micromorphological and genome size analyses of Utricularia plants found at a peat bog near the village of Parowa, southwest Poland, in 2023 revealed them to be exclusively U. ochroleuca. However, an earlier analysis of quadrifid glands of Utricularia plants found at the same locality in 2013, suggested that these plants belonged to U. stygia. Thus most probably U. stygia found in Parowa in 2013 was later replaced by U. ochroleuca. Field studies, along with critical analysis of herbarium and literature data revealed that U. ochroleuca is declining in Poland, probably surviving in no more than 3–5 localities. Therefore, following the IUCN criteria, U. ochroleuca should be assessed as CR (Critically Endangered) and requiring protection by preserving its habitats. Based on genetic, morphological and molecular data provided in the literature, we discuss the taxonomic status of U. ochroleuca and U. stygia.

Bulbophyllum leonidae Kottaim. is proposed as a replacement name for the illegitimate name B. saccatum (Aver.) S.S. Ying (Orchidaceae), a later homonym of B. saccatum Kraenzl.

We revisited the taxonomy and nomenclature of Erythroxylum moonii Hochr. (Erythroxylaceae), an important medicinal plant from Sri Lanka and southern India. As a result, we resolved the nomenclatural controversies concerning the use and application of some names for this species and selected a lectotype for Sethia acuminata Arn., the basionym of the replaced name of E. moonii.

Lectotypification of the name Asparagus gonocladus Baker is discussed and a second-step lectotype is designated. I also discuss the morphological differences between A. gonocladus and closely similar A. racemosus and A. sarmentosus.

Six well-preserved early Eocene leaf fossils documented here have an affinity with the extant genus Alstonia (Apocynaceae). They come from the Gurha opencast lignite mine (Palana Formation), western Rajasthan, NW India. We determined their taxonomic position by detailed morphological comparisons with similar modern and fossil specimens. The leaf fossils have elliptic-oblanceolate laminae, cuneate bases, acute apices, stout primary veins, intramarginal secondary venation, numerous parallel secondary veins, some secondary veins with a bifurcate nature, and intersecondary veins. We name the fossil leaves Alstonia sp. and they provide evidence that Alstonia, a tropical rainforest element, was present in India during the early Eocene. These fossil leaves represent the earliest reliable fossil record of Alstonia. We discuss the biogeographic and palaeoclimatic implications of our findings.

Fritillaria ozgeana H. Duman & Tekşen (Liliaceae) is described as a new species from Turkey. It is morphologically similar to F. carica, F. byfieldii and F. serpenticola. It differs from F. carica by broader leaves, narrower inner tepals, and broader and green rather than blackish nectaries; from F. byfieldii mainly by its higher number of leaves (4–5 vs. 2–3); and from F. serpenticola by its narrowly campanulate flowers, not blackish nectaries, and branched style. Taxonomic comments on the new species and a key to species of Fritillaria sect. Olostyleae in Turkey and Greece are provided. Pollen and seeds of F. ozgeana were examined using LM and SEM and compared with those of F. byfieldii, F. carica and F. serpenticola. IUCN conservation status of F. ozgeana is suggested as Critically Endangered (CR).

Allium elazigense Sonay, Gül & E. Bagci, a new species of sect. Codonoprasum, is described and illustrated from eastern Anatolia, Turkey. It resembles A. chloranthum, but differs from it by several morphological characters. Allium elazigense has a brownish outer tunic that forms a collar on the spiral-shaped spathe valves with a dark brown midrib, greenish-creamy perigon, oblong outer tepals and spathulate-oblong inner tepals, short anthers and a short ovary, a cylindrical-oblong, stipitate capsule, and narrowly semi-cylindrical cymbiform seeds. Based on IUCN criteria, its conservation status is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR).

Corydalis varolaydinii Yıldırım (Papaveracae) is described as a new species from Köprüalan, Aydın Province, southern Anatolia, Turkey. Diagnostic characters and a full description are provided. Based on morphological features, it belongs to Corydalis sect. Corydalis subsect. Corydalis series Helicosyne. It resembles C. caucasica subsp. caucasica, C. caucasica subsp. abantensis, C. integra and C. paschei, but differs from them in several morphological characteristics, such as its light to whitish to light pinkish corolla, emarginate lower petal, absence of calyx, clear green leaves, mostly undivided leaflets, always entire bracts, shorter pedicel and number of seeds. The new species' conservation status is Critically Endangered (CR) [B2ab (iii,v)].

Centaurea lalica Negaresh sp. nova (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated from Khuzestan Province, SW Iran. It morphologically resembles C. pabotii, but differs from it by having a perennial habit; larger basal and lower cauline leaves; lanceolate or lanceolate-linear upper cauline leaves; subglobose and larger involucres; phyllaries that are acute at apex or ending in a very short, deciduous mucro; yellow flowers; and smaller achenes.

Allium turcicum subsp. fusciflorum Balos, Geçit, C. Çeçen, Sonay & Akan (Amaryllidaceae), a new taxon in sect. Codonoprasum, is described and illustrated from Mardin Province, SE Turkey. It is similar to A. turcicum in general appearance, leaf shape, length of spathe valves, perigon shape, and different-length inner and outer tepals. However, A. turcicum subsp. fusciflorum differs from subsp. turcicum by its blackish outer tunic, brownish-orange middle tunic, number of leaves, empty inner part of leaf base, creamy to brownish perigon color, elliptical outer and inner tepal shapes, brown-creamy inner tepal apex, globose ovary and slightly shorter and wider seeds.

Cochlospermum palakondense A.M. Reddy, C. Nagendra & K. Prasad sp. nova (Bixaceae) is described from the dry deciduous forests of the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is morphologically similar to C. religiosum, but differs from it by several characters, such as hairy vs. glabrous adaxial surface of mature leaves, rounded vs. acuminate to acute bract apices, elliptic vs. deltate or oblong staminal pore, densely white woolly vs. glabrous ovary, and white-tomentose vs. glabrous capsules. Based on direct threats to the species, its conservation status is assessed to be Critically Endangered.

The original materials of Uvaria velutina DC. (Miliusa velutina (DC.) Hook. f. & Thomson) and its heterotypic synonym Guatteria velutina A.DC. are discussed here. Suitable lectotypes for both names are designated in accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi and Plants.

Allium euphraticum Balos, Sonay & U. Çakılcıoğlu (Amaryllidaceae) is described as a new species in sect. Codonoprasum from Elazığ Province, eastern Turkey. It is morphologically similar to A. sultaniae-ferhanii and A. turcicum, but differs from them by, for example, scabrid leaf sheath, backwards curved apex of perigon, creamy and brownish perigon, and presence of teeth at the filament base. Herein, we present a detailed description of the species, along with images, an overview of its habitat and ecological characteristics, and a conservation assessment.

Primulina huahaii Sheng H. Tang & X.Z. He (Gesneriaceae) is described as a new species from Guizhou, SW China. It has a relatively short corolla tube and an ovoid ovary, and is most similar to P. secundiflora, but differs from it by having the corolla tube slightly shorter than (vs. slightly longer than) the abaxial limb lip, the cylindrical and not enlarged (vs. flattened and enlarged) filament base, and the obtriangular (vs. elliptic) mature anthers.

Curcuma diversicolor Soonthornk., a new species of subgen. Curcuma (Zingiberaceae, Zingiberoideae) from northern Thailand, is described and illustrated. It differs from its morphologically closest species C. globulifera by e.g. having larger flowers and the presence of coma bracts. Detailed descriptions based on living flowering material, images, and notes on distribution, habitat, and phenology are provided. Its conservation status is provisionally assessed as Data Deficient (DD). n addition, notes are provided on the distribution of the recently described C. sirirugsae, and its conservation status is reassessed based on new collections.

Sedges of the family Cyperaceae thrive in various environments by adopting micro- and macromorphological adaptive traits. We report pseudovivipary for the first time in Cyperus haspan and C. iria, growing in post-inundated environments of southern India. Both these taxa are known to have a wide ecological range making them troublesome weeds. Precocious and continuous growth of offspring while attached to the maternal parent might have been induced by continuous inundation caused by floods and heavy downpour. This alternative reproductive strategy, observed in C. haspan and C. iria, may aid their survival in adverse conditions, as it allows for rapid separation of ramets from parent plants.

Ophiorrhiza xunliniana L. Wu & Q.R. Liu (Rubiaceae), a new species from Malipo County, southeastern Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to O. liangkwangensis but differs from it by having persistent (vs. caducous) stipules, and initially drooping inflorescences that later become suberect (vs. erect throughout the development). Additionally, in long-styled flowers, there is a villous ring near the middle of the corolla tube (vs. no villous ring but soft hairs inside) and densely (vs. sparsely) villous outside of the corolla tubes. Based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, the conservation status of O. xunlinii is assessed as Least Concern (LC).

The typification of the name Hesperis verna L. (Brassicaceae) is herein revised. This name was previously “lectotypified” by a specimen kept in the herbarium LINN (Herb. Linnaeus No. 841.6). However, the protologue cited a specimen from the Joachim Burser Herbarium, currently preserved at UPS-BURSER (Herb. Burser IV: 47). According to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, this is a syntype which must be chosen as the lectotype.

Fritillaria arzuae Tel (Liliaceae) is described as a new species from the Adıyaman Province, Turkey. It is endemic to the region and was found growing on slopes in stony areas at 1200 m a.s.l. The new species morphologically resembles F. carica and F. serpenticola. It differs from the former mainly by having a lanceolate, narrowly campanulate, yellow or sometimes reddish and smaller perigon, and from the latter by having a single leaf on the top of the stems. The pollen and seed micromorphology were studied by SEM. The conservation status was assessed to be Critically Endangered (CR).