One subspecies, Heliophila subulata subsp. longipila, is described as new. Ten new combinations (H. agtertuinensis, H. arenaria subsp. acocksii, H. diffusa subsp. flacca, H. elata subsp. pillansii, H. glabrescens, H. minor, H. namaquana subsp. sarcostyla, H. pusilla subsp. macrosperma, H. scabrida subsp. salteri, and H. seselifolia subsp. nigellifolia) are proposed. The following 35 taxa are lectotypified: Brachycarpaea polygaloides, Carponema aggregata, H. adpressa, H. anomala, H. aspera, H. basutica, H. dolichostyla, H. dregeana var. induta, H. edentula, H. linearifolia, H. macowaniana, H. macra, H. maritima, H. maximiliani, H. natalensis, H. odontopetala, H. pearsonii, H. pearsonii var. prageri, H. pubescens, H. rivalis, H. rosea, H. rostrata, H. scandens, H. schlechteri, H. scoparia, H. stylosa, H. suavissima, H. suavissima var. incana, H. sulcata var. modestior, H. torulosa, H. trichinostyla, Leptormus caledonicus, L. tripartitus, Pachystylum glabrum, and Peltaria capensis.

A synopsis of Sterculia (Sterculioideae, Malvaceae) is presented for the Mesoamerican region, including eight native and two introduced species. The names of three species are validated (S. allenii, S. petenensis, S. ornatisepala) and are described in detail, illustrated, and discussed with regard to their affinities. An identification key for the species, diagnoses, phenological data, and data on uses and distribution are presented, and all examined specimens are cited.

Capparidastrum alboannulatum, a new species of tree of the Capparaceae, endemic to western Colombia, is described and illustrated. Its conservation status is here assessed as endangered. In addition, Capparidastrum discolor, C. mollicellum, and Quadrella isthmensis subsp. isthmensis, all species of Capparaceae previously known only from Mexico and Mesoamerica, are reported as new records for the flora of Colombia and South America.

On the basis of defined morphological characters, Acanthocapparis, a new monospecific genus of Capparaceae from Mesoamerica and a segregate of Capparicordis, is formally proposed. The new combination Acanthocapparis yunckeri is also provided. The genus occurs from northern Honduras to Campeche, in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

On the basis of previously documented genetic, morphological, and ecological evidence, a new status at specific rank and the respective lectotypification are formally presented for Pelliciera rhizophorae var. benthamii (Tetrameristaceae). A key to identify the species is provided.

Morphological and molecular investigations of the galphimioid clade in the angiosperm family Malpighiaceae revealed that three species previously assigned to Lophanthera are more closely allied with Spachea. These species are transferred to the newly described genus Andersoniella and include A. hammelii, A. marcelae, and A. spruceana, the type species of the genus.

The name “Viburnum × carlcephalum” has hitherto not been validly published. It is validated here by the provision of a description in English and holotype citation.

In ancient times, several plants were named “lotus.” They assumed very important roles in the religions and art of many cultures, but historiography and descriptions of the various plants called “lotus” have always been poor. The aim of this work is to define what plant species correspond to the ancient name “lotus.” Through analysis of classical texts and other historiographical sources, three types of “lotus” have been identified: “arboreal lotus,” “herbaceous lotus,” and “aquatic lotus.” From the sources examined, several botanical species have been identified for each “lotus” category. In the “arboreal lotus” category there are two species of Ziziphus: Z. lotus and Z. spina-christi. The “herbaceous lotus” include several species in Fabaceae that have been called “lotus,” more specifically in the genera Melilotus, Lotus, Trifolium, and Trigonella. In the last category, “aquatic lotus,” are two species of Nymphaea L. (N. lotus and N. nouchali var. caerulea) and the sacred Indian lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). The attributions of these species have been validated by research on their biogeography and ethnobotanical uses.

Euphorbia shehbaziana is described and illustrated as a new species from Kurdistan Iraq, and its distinguishing characters from its nearest relatives, E. denticulata and E. craspedia, are discussed.

An illustrated key is presented to species in the Venezuelan clade of Espeletia (Asteraceae), based on herbarium specimens, virtual herbaria, and fresh samples from field collections. The 54 Espeletia species in this clade are documented: (i) 48 entirely endemic to the Venezuelan Andes, (ii) 2 found as well in the Venezuelan Cordillera de la Costa, the eastern section of the Colombian Cordillera Oriental, and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and (iii) 4 endemic to the northern section of Colombian Cordillera Oriental and Sierra de Perijá. Schematic representations of leaves of all species are provided, including important diagnostic characters such as length-to-width ratios, and the shape, density, or angles of secondary nerves. Additional diagnostic characters are also described or illustrated for some species, such as the type of indumentum on leaves, the structure of the inflorescence, the size of the capitulum, and the color of ray ligules. The key has been shown to allow identification of species using both herbarium samples and fresh material, and given the predominant use of vegetative characters it is also useful on some monocarpic rosette species that are frequently found in the vegetative stage.

This paper presents five new records of Rauvolfioideae for Paraíba state, northeastern Brazil: Aspidosperma discolor, A. melanocalyx, Macoubea guianensis, Tabernaemontana catharinensis, and T. flavicans, with the genus Macoubea being recorded for the first time in Paraíba state. Notes on distinghishing morphological features as well as data on geographical distribution and reproductive phenology of the species are provided.

Two new species of Lepanthes from the Anchicayá River Valley in the department of Valle del Cauca in Colombia, in the Pacific lowlands of the Chocó biogeographic region, are described and illustrated. Both species are discussed and compared with their closest relatives, and information about their distribution, conservation, habitat, and ecological characteristics is provided.

Orchidaceae is one of the most threatened families of vascular plants in the world, and in recent years, species distribution models (SDM) have been used as a tool to inform the conservation status of several species. However, the usefulness of SDM depends on appropriate knowledge of the use and limitations of these tools, otherwise there is a risk of getting erroneous models leading to wrong decisions in conservation plannning. We present the distribution model of Lepanthes mucronata in South America based on current and accepted knowledge in this discipline. The representativeness of protected areas for Colombia is evaluated, as well as ecosystems where it is present and its risk of extinction based on criteria of the IUCN. After reviewing these parameters, we found that Lepanthes mucronata meets the criteria for Least Concern (LC) IUCN status. We expect this investigation to serve as an appropriate example of this type of analysis and as a reference for future work in the conservation of this plant family.

A new species of Pinalia, P. taunggyiensis, is described and illustrated based on a single collection from Myanmar.

Gastrochilus pearcei is described as new from Bhutan, and Eria khasiana is transferred to Cylindrolobus.