Telipogon chachapoyensis is described as a new species. It is similar to Telipogon microglossus. We provide a description, illustrations, pictures, and information about the habitat of this new species. Furthermore, we present information and discuss the identity and occurrence of species morphologically similar to Telipogon chachapoyensis, which we call the Telipogon microglossus group, a distinct group among the Telipogon. We also transfer a recently described species, Stellilabium latialatum, to Telipogon.

Within grasses, the tribe Stipeae is highly specialized by the presence of only one fruit per spikelet and characterized by the diversity in the ornamentation of the floret. Our aim was to analyze similarities and differences based on multi- and univariate analyses among closely related species in American Stipeae: Jarava species with plumose-like awns and species of Pappostipa with pappus-like awns. Ordination analyses (principal coordinate analysis and cluster analysis) were used to determine major groupings, while significant differences among groups were tested by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and univariate analysis based on generalized linear models (GLM). Based on morphological similarities, we delimited five groups. The presence of a small floret characterized Jarava annua, J. media, and J. plumosula, although J. annua was clearly distinguished by the distribution of hairs in the awn column. Jarava subplumosa and J. psylantha were characterized by the pubescence of the culm, the length of the floret callus, the length of the awn subule, and the length of the awn hairs. Pappostipa was distinctive by having hairs only in the awn column that resemble a pappus while Jarava neaei + J. pogonathera presented the longest inflorescences and hairs only on the awn subule, resembling a feather. As a result, we present a key to taxa and descriptions to characterize and identify species within the Jarava-Pappostipa group with plumose and pappus-like awns.

Croton kinondoensis, a new species from Kenya, is described and illustrated here with photographs. It is found in the sacred Kaya Kinondo Forest, one of the last remaining coastal forests patches in Kenya. Its morphology and systematic position based on ITS and trnL-F DNA sequence data clearly place it within the Adenophorus Group of Croton, a clade of ca. 15 species otherwise known only from Madagascar and the Comoros Archipelago. Its closest affinities appear to lie with Croton mayottae, from the island of Mayotte, and C. menabeensis, from northwestern Madagascar. This new species likely represents an independent dispersal of Croton from Madagascar to mainland Africa.

During a taxonomic revision of Croton sect. Lasiogyne in Brazil, a new species was found that is described and illustrated here. Croton suassunae clearly belongs to C. sect. Lasiogyne and is morphologically similar to C. tricolor and C. limae. Its distribution, habitat, phenology, and informal conservation status are presented, as well as an identification key and a table describing the differences between that species and its closest relatives. The discovery of C. suassunae adds dioecious plants and bifid styles to the concept of C. sect. Lasiogyne.

In an account of 13 taxa (12 species and one variety) of Dalechampia occurring in Madagascar, ten species were lectotypified, two were synonymized, and one species was reestablished. Information about typifications as well as maps of distribution for each species are provided herein. Illustrations and a key for identifying species of Dalechampia in Madagascar are also provided.

We describe a new species of Terminalia (Terminalia nildae), currently known only from southern Bahia State, an area of Brazilian Atlantic Forest characterized by high species richness and high levels of endemicity. A description, illustration, photographic plate, map of geographic distribution, as well as a table with morphological comparisons and key to the Terminalia species occurring in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, including T. nildae, are provided herein.

A new species with verrucose fruits and relatively large leaves, Eugenia antilahimenae, is described from the northeast of Madagascar. It is known from the protected areas of Makira and Masoala in lowland rainforests west and north of the Baie d'Antongil. We provide a detailed description of the species, illustration, a table comparing morphologically similar taxa, and preliminary assessment of the risk of extinction following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, which indicates a status of “Least Concern.”

Seven new species of the neotropical genus Microlicia are proposed (Microlicia capitata, M. coriacea, M. mutabilis, M. piranii, M. polychaeta, M. repanda, and M. sparsifolia). All seven species are known only from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, mainly in the Diamantina Plateau and/or the Serra do Cabral. Diagnoses, line drawings, distribution maps, notes on diagnostic characters, conservation assessments, and habitat and phenology are provided.

Gomphrena meyeniana is an extremely variable species from the Andean highlands, which has attracted the attention of many botanists because it is the world's highest-elevation C₄ eudicot and because of its wide morphological variability. It has the typical high-Andean plant morphology, with small leaves tightly clustered on a thick rootstock. The large range of morphological variation within this species coupled with the varying opinions on the existence of several species or infra-specific taxa and the lack of molecular information has made the clarification of the G. meyeniana complex a challenge. Our approach was to perform broad molecular sampling to identify the phylogenetic position of G. meyeniana within Gomphrena and to perform a multivariate analysis to objectively differentiate taxa based on morphological characters. The ITS and trnL-F regions were analyzed individually and in combination using Bayesian inference and maximum parsimony methods. To analyze the morphological characters we performed a clustering method (partitioning around medoids with the Gower's dissimilarity algorithm). The molecular analyses supported the monophyly of the G. meyeniana complex, but did not support segregation into varieties. The morphological analyses supported recognition of three varieties that can be easily distinguished by three simple characters: the presence of leaves on the flowering shoot, the habit of the flowering shoot, and the pilosity of the sepals. The varieties of G. meyeniana accepted here are G. meyeniana var. meyeniana, G. meyeniana var. caulescens, and G. meyeniana var. flaccida. A dichotomous key to identify the infra-specific taxa is here presented and illustrated. Gomphrena meyeniana var. tucumanensis and G. meyeniana var. conwayi are synonymized with G. meyeniana var. caulescens and G. meyeniana var. meyeniana, respectively.

Mentzelia section Bicuspidaria (Loasaceae) is a monophyletic group of desert ephemerals that inhabit the complex, heterogeneous landscapes of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. To investigate species circumscriptions and evolutionary relationships in M. sect. Bicuspidaria, we employed phylogeny reconstructions based on DNA sequences from the plastid trnL-trnF, trnS-trnfM, ndhF-rpl32, and rpl32-trnL regions and the nuclear ribosomal ITS and ETS regions. Due to evidence of discordant relationships reconstructed from the plastid and nuclear partitions, we used coalescent-based methods in addition to concatenated data sets to estimate the species tree. Maximum likelihood reconstructions based on the combined plastid and nuclear data and coalescent-based reconstructions inferred congruent, fully-resolved species-level phylogenies of M. sect. Bicuspidaria. A monophyletic M. sect. Bicuspidaria was composed of two main clades, which corresponded to a clade of species endemic to the United States composed of M. reflexa, M. tricuspis, and M. tridentata that was sister to a clade of species at least partially distributed in Mexico, composed of M. hirsutissima and M. involucrata. Despite the unusual floral morphology of M. reflexa, molecular reconstructions placed M. reflexa sister to M. tridentata. All species of M. sect. Bicuspidaria were monophyletic, except for M. hirsutissima, which was composed of two distinct lineages and paraphyletic with respect to M. involucrata. The northern clade of M. hirsutissima from California and Baja California was sister to M. involucrata, and both, in turn, were sister to a geographically disjunct southern clade of M. hirsutissima from Baja California Sur and Cedros Island. These phylogeny reconstructions provide evidence for the inclusion of five species in M. sect. Bicuspidaria and have uncovered cryptic diversity that has been largely unrecognized. Character state reconstructions based on the phylogeny of M. sect. Bicuspidaria suggest innovative and, at times, homoplasious floral evolution.

Aspidosperma flaviflorum, is described as a new species from the submountain semideciduous forest in the municipality of Porto Murtinho in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. This new taxon is described and compared with the most morphologically similar species, A. quirandy and A. tomentosum. In its wood anatomy, A. flaviflorum is unique within the genus by the very scanty axial parenchyma and the lack of a line of axial parenchyma delimiting the growth rings.

Mandevilla manicorensis (Apocynaceae) is here described and illustrated. We also include photo plates, a distribution map, taxonomic comments, and morphological similarities with other species. It is similar to M. rugellosa, but differs by its broader bracts, longer sepals, and orange corolla lobes. A dichotomous key is provided for the species of Mandevilla group “Exothostemon” with hypocrateriform corollas and foliaceous bracts in South America.

Justicia rubrobracteata, a new species from northeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to J. aequilabris due to its shrubby habit, and terminal and axillary spicate inflorescences with red flowers. However, J. rubrobracteata is differentiated mainly by the shape and color of its bracts and bracteoles as well as an orangish macula in the corolla, and a torulose capsule. In addition, J. rubrobracteata is only known from northeastern Brazil, from the states of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte, while J. aequilabris is widely distributed in Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. A table with the main morphological characters of both species is included, as well as photographs, a key to species of Justicia for the states of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte in northeastern Brazil, a distribution map of both species, and conservation data for the new species.

Ruellia capotyra is described as a new species of Acanthaceae from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, occurring in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. This species was discovered during fieldwork in a natural forested area, and further details regarding its ecology and broader geographical distribution were clarified through the study of existing herbarium collections. Ruellia capotyra is a subshrub characterized by long-petiolate leaves, long-pedunculate, axillary, and compound dichasia, and rose-colored, long, and curved corollas. It differs from other species of Ruellia by its quadrangular, glabrescent branches and rachises, the absence of bracteoles, calyces with subulate, unequal lobes, and sparse, long-glandular trichomes. The new species is described and illustrated. Diagnostic characters and comments regarding its geographical distribution, phenology, and taxonomy are presented. Ruellia capotyra is compared with other species previously described in the genus and its infrageneric position is discussed. One of these species is Ruellia subsessilis, for which a lectotype is here designated and its authority corrected. An informal IUCN conservation assessment of the new species indicated that it should be considered as a threatened species, further highlighting the conservation significance of the Atlantic Forest as a whole.

A synopsis of Dicliptera (Acanthaceae) for Brazil is presented. Six species are recognized: Dicliptera ciliaris, D. sexangularis, and D. squarrosa, widely distributed in South America; D. purpurascens, which ranges from the North Region of Brazil (in the state of Acre) to eastern Bolivia; D. gracilirama, a new species from the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil; and D. granchaquenha, a new species recorded in dry and semideciduous forests in Bolivia and western Brazil, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Furthermore, we propose new synonyms and designate lectotypes for eleven names. An identification key to the six accepted Dicliptera species in Brazil is provided.

We describe and illustrate Stenandrium diamantinense and Stenandrium eustachyum, two new species from campos rupestres in a region of high endemism in southeastern Brazil. Stenandrium diamantinense is differentiated from other congeners by its unique indurate, small leaves with revolute margins. Stenandrium eustachyum is most similar to Stenandrium villosum, the only congener with which it shares the combination of oval bracts and caulescent habit; it can be distinguished from the latter species by its ovate to widely ovate leaves (vs. lanceolate in S. villosum). Stenandrium eustachyum differs from other species of Stenandrium from the Serra do Espinhaço by its oval (vs. linear in all other regional species) bracts. Photographs of living plants in the field are supplemented by scanning electron micrographs of pollen, seeds, and trichomes. A distribution map and a key to the Stenandrium species of the southern Serra do Espinhaço are provided. Stenandrium diamantinense is informally and provisionally assessed as Endangered and S. eustachyum as Critically Endangered. The distribution of Stenandrium in the Serra do Espinhaço supports proposed centers of endemism and key biodiversity areas.

The Amazon houses a large proportion of the overall biodiversity currently found on Earth. Despite that, our knowledge of Amazonian biodiversity is still limited. In this study, we reconstruct the phylogeny of Pachyptera (Bignoniaceae), a genus of neotropical lianas that is centered in the Amazon. We then use this phylogenetic framework to re-evaluate species limits and study the biogeographic history of the genus. We sampled three molecular markers (i.e. ndhF, rpl32-trnL, and PepC) and 51 individuals representing the breadth of morphological variation and geographic distribution of all species recognized in the genus. We used this information to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among individuals of Pachyptera using Bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches. The resulting molecular phylogeny was used as a basis to test species limits within the P. kerere species complex using a cpDNA coalescent approach (GMYC). GMYC identified five potential species within the P. kerere species complex that were subsequently evaluated in the light of morphology. Morphological data supported the recognition of four of the five potential species suggested by GMYC, all of which were also supported by a multispecies coalescent model in a Bayesian framework. The phylogeny of Pachyptera was time-calibrated and used to reconstruct the biogeographical history of the genus. We identified historically important migration pathways using our comprehensive cpDNA dataset and a Bayesian stochastic search variable selection (BSSVS) framework. Our results indicate that the genus originated in lowland Amazonia during the Middle Eocene, and subsequently occupied Central America and the Andes. Most of the diversification of Pachyptera occurred in the Miocene, a period of intense perturbations in South America.

A new species, Oocephalus efigeniae, is described and illustrated. The new species occurs in campo rupestre vegetation in Bahia state, northeastern Brazil. Oocephalus efigeniae is similar to two other species also from Bahia state, O. ganevii and O. rigens. A map with the distribution of the new species and related taxa is also provided.

Lychnophorella comprises eleven species. It is characterized by the presence of a pad-like leaf sheath, strongly imbricate persistent phyllaries, glabrous corolla lobes, and apical anther appendages that are constricted at the base. The genus is restricted to the campos rupestres of Chapada Diamantina, Bahia State, Northeastern Brazil. Lychnophorella hindii is morphologically similar to L. santosii and Lychnophorella saxicola is similar to L. leucodendron. These new species are described and illustrated, their affinities discussed and an updated key for the genus is provided.

Antennaria are dioecious perennial herbs distributed mainly in the Holarctic Region, with their major center of diversity in the Rocky Mountains of Western North America. The genus comprises 33 known sexual diploid/tetraploid species and at least five polyploid agamic complexes which mostly reproduce by forming asexual seeds. We performed a phylogenetic reconstruction of the 31 sexually-reproducing Antennaria species using a novel target enrichment method that employs custom capture probes designed to work across Asteraceae. Both concatenated and coalescent-based analyses of DNA sequence data from hundreds of nuclear loci recovered Antennaria as a monophyletic group except for the long-disputed species, Antennaria linearifolia, which was recovered outside of the genus. Antennaria was further resolved into three distinct, major lineages. Analysis of ancestral state reconstruction of 12 taxonomically important morphological characters elucidated patterns of character evolution throughout the genus. Estimations of ancestral geographic ranges and molecular dating analyses demonstrated the Rocky Mountain region, including the Vancouverian Province, as the center of origin for the genus Antennaria, around 5.8 MYA. Subsequent dispersals of Antennaria into the Arctic and Appalachian provinces, Canadian provinces, and Eurasia took place roughly 3.2 MYA, 2.4 MYA, and 1.6 MYA, respectively. Biogeographical stochastic mapping indicated that 51.4% of biogeographical events were based on within-area speciation. The remaining 48.6% of the events were divided into two types of dispersals: 1) range expansion dispersals (anagenic, 37%), and 2) founder/jump dispersals (cladogenic, 11.6%). Our results provide a framework for future evolutionary studies of Antennaria, including speciation, origin(s) of polyploidy, and agamospermy in the genus. The Erratum for this article can be found in  Systematic Botany 45(3).

We explored the phylogenetic utility of mitochondrial DNA sequences in Daucus and compared the results with prior phylogenetic results using the same 36 accessions of Daucus (and two additional outgroups) with plastid DNA sequences and with other nuclear results. As in the plastid study we used Illumina HiSeq sequencer to obtain resequencing data of the same accessions of Daucus and outgroups, and analyzed the data with maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood. We obtained data from 47 of 71 total mitochondrial genes but only 17 of these 47 genes recovered major clades that were common in prior plastid and nuclear studies. Our phylogenetic trees of the concatenated data set of 47 genes were moderately resolved, with 100% bootstrap support for most of the external and many of the internal clades, except for the clade of D. carota and its most closely related species D. syrticus. There are areas of hard incongruence with phylogenies using plastid and nuclear data. In agreement with other studies, we conclude that mitochondrial sequences are generally poor phylogenetic markers, at least at the genus level, despite their utility in some other studies.