Molecular evidence supports the transfer of Conoscyphus Mitt. from Lophocoleaceae to Acrobolbaceae, which is unexpected on the basis of morphological evidence and further disrupts the morphological circumscription of Acrobolbaceae. Conoscyphus differs from other Acrobolbaceae in possessing a stem perigynium and a conspicuous perianth that forms a tube, large underleaves that produce rhizoids in a fascicle from the underleaf disc, and shoots that grow inverted when hanging free from the substrate. However, Conoscyphus shares with other Acrobolbaceae granular brown oil bodies, a multistratose capsule, absence of terminal branching and papillose leaf cell-surface ornamentation. To reflect the morphological differences, particularly in post-fertilisation reproductive structures, between Conoscyphus and other members of the family, we retain subfamily Conoscyphoideae and transfer it to Acrobolbaceae.

Widespread, common species are of limited value for regional biogeographic studies and of least concern for conservation and land management. In contrast, narrow endemics may be informative for such studies and are usually of high conservation priority. A new species is separated from the widespread species Schoenus melanostachys on the basis of phenetic analysis of morphological data, and integrating evidence from culm anatomy, culm and fruit ornamentation, and corroborated by ecological differentiation. Schoenus rupicola Musili & J.J.Bruhl is found on acid volcanics of south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales, adding yet another narrow endemic to the suite of species that characterises the McPherson Range and associated igneous outcrops.

Phytochemistry is a source of data for plant systematics. This tool has much more value if herbarium specimens can be used without major damage and if results are comparable with fresh samples. A modified method for the solvent extraction of eucalypt leaf oils for phytochemical analysis and chemotaxonomy studies, including historical herbarium samples by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), has been statistically assessed using Eucalyptus magnificata L.A.S.Johnson & K.D.Hill leaves. Leaf sample size was reduced by a factor of 250 to minimise damage to herbarium specimens, reduce solvent volume and simplify preparation of solvent extract before analysis. Leaf sampling treatments assessed the effects of the number of leaves and post-harvest air-drying on variation in components in the solvent extract. The results showed no statistically significant effect of leaf mass or the number of leaves used in GC-MS analyses on the precision of the measurements, but a significant difference among treatments for some oil constituents, particularly 1,8-cineole. Most differences in terpenoid concentration were due to variation among plants rather than extraction treatments. Extracts from air-dried herbarium leaves up to 44 years old were directly comparable with those from fresh leaves. Solvent extraction in 2 mL GC-MS vials of ∼0.5 cm² (16 mg) of leaf material, using fragments of fresh or air-dried leaves, drastically reduced sample and solvent volumes and showed that sampling from E. magnificata herbarium specimens for chemotaxonomy and chemotyping is a valid method, enabling broader sampling with much lower costs than for traditional fieldwork collections.

The taxonomy of Linderniaceae has been considered difficult, particularly in the establishment of a stable generic framework. The prevailing approach in Australia and globally has been to adopt a broad concept of Lindernia encompassing several segregates that have at various times been recognised as genera or subgeneric taxa. A recent global conspectus drawing on molecular phylogeny returned Lindernia to a narrower circumscription and also retained several long-recognised and more recently established genera. It included a polyphyletic Vandellia, encompassing many Australian species previously accepted as belonging in Lindernia. Here, we test these generic concepts using the phylogenetic analysis of plastid matK DNA sequences, including representatives of Australian Linderniaceae. We propose a generic taxonomy that resolves existing polyphyly and balances the need for name changes against the information conveyed by generic names. Our concept of Lindernia recognises three monophyletic subgenera. Evidence is insufficient to determine whether Micranthemum should be subsumed in Lindernia or remains a close ally with a sister relationship to it. In light of our findings, we return most of the Australian species to Lindernia; we also establish for the first time: Lindernia subg. Ilysanthes (Raf.) Wannan, W.R.Barker & Y.S.Liang, based on Ilysanthes Raf.; a replacement name Yamazakia W.R.Barker, Y.S.Liang & Wannan for Tittmannia Rchb. nom. rej., with consequential combinations Y. viscosa (Hornem.) W.R.Barker, Y.S.Liang & Wannan, based on Gratiola viscosa Hornem. and Y. pusilla W.R.Barker, Y.S.Liang & Wannan, based on Gratiola pusilla Willd.; and, in expanding Torenia, the combination Tor. anagallis (Burm.f.) Wannan, W.R.Barker & Y.S.Liang, based on Ruellia anagallis Burm.f.

Myrtaceae is commonly known to have an inferior ovary of appendicular, receptacular or mixed origin. Other characters of the ovary, such as the number of carpels, number of locules, vascularisation pattern, number of ovules, placentation and presence of compitum have also been of interest to researchers aiming to better understand the evolutionary history of the tribe. In the present study, aspects of the structure of the inferior ovary of 21 species of Myrteae are analysed and reviewed as potential characters for better understanding the evolutionary history of Myrteae. Flower buds were embedded in historesin and paraplast and sectioned transversely and longitudinally with a rotary microtome. Results suggested that most species have an inferior ovary of appendicular origin and that a compitum, or compitum tissue, is present in all species analysed, differing only in the degree of development. Number of carpels and locules vary, with most species having two locules. Vascular supply is transeptal and axial, the latter being the most common condition in the investigated species. Data presented here enhance current evolutionary understanding of the tribe and its history. Results indicated that the inferior ovary of ancestral Myrteae may has had an appendicular origin, that the presence and nature of the compitum may have a positive effect on fertilisation efficiency and a relationship with number of ovules and that transepetal vascular supply may be taxonomically useful to define large groups such as Pimenta and Eugenia.

A molecular study on Ptilotus nobilis (Lindl.) F.Muell. var. nobilis and P. exaltatus Nees var. exaltatus led to the conclusion that these taxa are conspecific, resulting in the synonymisation of the latter under the former as P. nobilis subsp. nobilis. In this study, we test previous taxonomic concepts in the P. nobilis–P. exaltatus species group by examining (1) the morphology of specimens in the herbarium and field, and (2) ecological and geographic partitioning of two widespread and broadly sympatric taxa in the group, using Maxent and CART models. We provide strong evidence supporting the reinstatement of P. exaltatus as distinct from P. nobilis, on the basis of multiple morphological characters and strong ecological and geographic partitioning, the latter showing how large-scale ecological data can be used to help resolve taxonomic issues. In addition, we raise P. nobilis subsp. angustifolius (Benl) Lally & W.R.Barker to the rank of species as P. angustifolius (Benl) T.Hammer and reinstate P. semilanatus (Lindl.) F.Muell. ex J.M.Black.