Isoëtes cipoensis and I. longifolia, two new endemic tetraploids from the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna), are described, illustrated, and compared to their similar species. Isoëtes cipoensis can be distinguished by a set of characters such as flaccid, straight, and erect leaves, deltate labia, presence of conspicuous sclerified phyllopodia, baculate megaspores with frequent long spine-like macroelements, and distally echinate microspores. Isoëtes longifolia is characterized by having a fully submerged habitat in the river, flaccid, long leaves (70–100 cm long), oblong labia, uniformly baculate megaspores, and densely echinate microspores. Importantly, chloroplast genomes already published for the species further support their phylogenetic distinctness in comparison to other species from the tropical region in Brazil. This study provides a key and distribution map for the species from the Brazilian savanna and scanning electron microscopy images of the mega- and microspores for the new species. These species are only known from their type location. We suggest I. cipoensis and I. longifolia should be classified as Data Deficient (DD) and Endangered (EN) species, respectively, based on the IUCN criteria.

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have identified four major clades within the fern genus Tectaria but none of them is supported by any morphological characters. Here we present an expanded phylogeny of Tectaria based on five plastid markers (atpB, ndhF + ndhF-trnN, rbcL, rps16-matK + matK, and trnL-F), with a particular focus on the species from Asia to the Solomon Islands. Our aims are to infer the systematic position of newly included species, providing insights to interspecific relationships of some species groups, and to determine the identity of some specimens with distinct morphology. As a result, three major clades and a total of 14 lineages are identified in Asia to the Solomon Islands. The 19 newly sampled species were well resolved in the phylogenetic tree, of which T. lobbii (representative of rare rheophytes in Tectaria) was confirmed as belonging in the T. angulata–T. vanikoroensis lineage. Four new species from the Solomon Islands, T. acrophoroides, T. glenniana, T. pallescens, and T. vanikoroensis, are recognized and described. Phylogenetic and morphological evidence suggests frequent hybridizations between T. crenata and T. decurrens from Malesia to the Solomon Islands, and between T. devexa and T. simonsii in mainland Asia and adjacent islands, which render the obscure species boundaries within the two groups.

Several taxonomic novelties of the genus Sisyrinchium have been presented recently, so for some specialists this reveals the need of more systematic studies on the genus to better understand its diversity. They have also pointed out some regions as those of more priority to be explored. One of these is northwestern Mexico, in which after a floristic inventory in a Natural Protected Area in Sierra Madre Occidental, a new species was discovered. It is here described and illustrated as Sisyrinchium jacquelineanum, and diagnosed against S. polycladum, the morphologically most similar species. It differs from this by the growth habit, position of root thickenings, absence of fibrous remnants of old leaves at the base of the stem, flower size, and in the shape and pubescence of the capsules. An identification key for the 16 species of Sisyrinchium present in the Sierra Madre Occidental and an analysis of their richness patterns throughout this province are also provided.

Varias novedades taxonómicas del género Sisyrinchium han sido presentadas recientemente, lo que para varios especialistas revela la necesidad de más estudios sistemáticos del género para comprender mejor su diversidad. También han señalado algunas regiones como aquellas prioritarias para ser exploradas. Entre ellas se encuentra el noroeste de México, en el cual después de un inventario florístico en una Área Natural Protegida en la Sierra Madre Occidental, una especie nueva fue descubierta. Aquí se describe e ilustra como Sisyrinchium jacquelineanum, y se contrasta con S. polycladum, la especie morfológicamente más similar. Difiere de esta por el hábito de crecimiento, la ubicación de los engrosamientos de la raíz, ausencia de restos fibrosos de las hojas viejas en la base del tallo, tamaño de las flores, y por la forma y pubescencia de las cápsulas. También se provee una clave de identificación para las 16 especies de Sisyrinchium presentes en la Sierra Madre Occidental y un análisis de sus patrones de riqueza en toda esta provincia.

Polyploidy has been shown to be a significant driver of diversification among land plants. In addition to whole-genome duplication, other common mechanisms of chromosome number evolution include increases by a multiple of 1.5 in chromosome number due to the fusion of gametes with different ploidy levels (demi-polyploidy), gains or losses of single chromosomes that alter the DNA content of an organism (aneuploidy), or chromosome fission or fusion (ascending dysploidy or descending dysploidy, respectively). Considering the high variability in chromosome number transitions across multiple clades within angiosperms and the ancient genome duplication events responsible for their diversity, more studies of large polyploid systems are necessary to close the gaps in understanding chromosomal evolution in polyploid plants. Allium L. (Amaryllidaceae) is an ideal candidate for polyploid research because it is a large clade that includes numerous natural populations of diploid and polyploid species. Species of Allium mainly occupy temperate climates in the Northern Hemisphere and include economically important ornamentals and cultivated crops such as leeks, garlic, chives, and onions. Here, we used a molecular phylogeny of Allium to examine chromosomal evolution with chromEvol v. 2.0 which uses likelihood-based methods for inferring the pattern of chromosome number change across a phylogeny. The best-fit model of chromosomal evolution indicated that chromosome transitions within Allium occurred through the constant gains and losses of single chromosomes as well as demi-polyploidization events, with the rate of chromosome gain events being approximately 2.5 to 4.5 times more likely to occur than demi-polyploidization and loss events, respectively.

The genus Stigmatodon occurs in vertical and bare granite slopes, typical of the inselbergs of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Here, we present the first broad phylogenetic analysis focused on Stigmatodon, sampling a total of 83 terminals, including 16 of the 20 species of the genus and the morphologically similar species of Vriesea. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis using two plastid markers (matK and rps16-trnK) and the nuclear gene PHYC to infer phylogenetic relationships and reconstruct ancestral states for ecological and morphological characters. Our results suggest the monophyly of Stigmatodon as originally circumscribed is only possible with the inclusion of morphologically and ecologically similar Vriesea species. In addition, the morphological and anatomical traits led us to propose a new circumscription for the genus, combining eight species of Vriesea to Stigmatodon as S. andaraiensis, S. freicanecanus, S. lancifolius, S. limae, S. oliganthus, S. pseudoliganthus, S. vellozicolus, and S. zonatus. The stomata positioned above the ordinary epidermal cells, the adaxial water-storage parenchyma with axially elongated cells, the stamens positioned in two groups of three on each side of the corolla, and the tubo-laciniate stigma are exclusive to Stigmatodon in its new circumscription. These new morphological and phylogenetic results constitute a relevant contribution to the taxonomy and evolution of Bromeliaceae, one of the most diverse and ecologically important families of flowering plants of the Neotropics.

The Neotropical woody bamboo genus Chusquea consists of 193 currently described species ranging from central Mexico and the Caribbean to Chile and Argentina, primarily in montane habitats. The six previously described species of Chusquea subg. Chusquea sect. Serpentes are scandent in habit, with infravaginal branching, few subsidiary buds per complement, and foliage leaves that tend to be relatively large compared to those of other members of Chusquea s.s. A review of available material of Chusquea sect. Serpentes, found throughout montane forests from Mexico south to the central Andes in Peru, revealed at least two undescribed species. One of the new species, Chusquea recurvata, is native to Venezuelan montane forests and is distinguished from Chusquea serpens by having circular central buds, asymmetrical, acute inner foliage leaf ligules, and 6–12 foliage leaves per complement. The other new species, Chusquea acutigluma, has been found only in and around the Risaralda gorge in Colombia, and differs from all other known South American species of Chusquea sect. Serpentes by its broadly open paniculate synflorescences. This paper includes (re-)descriptions of all known species of Chusquea sect. Serpentes, along with detailed photographs of the two newly described species, and a vegetative morphological key to the eight species belonging to the section. The morphology and foliage leaf micromorphology and anatomy of the two newly described species are compared to C. serpens, to which they show the greatest macromorphological similarity.

The Malagasy rosewood species Dalbergia maritima has a long history of unsustainable exploitation for its beautiful, burgundy-colored heartwood. As currently circumscribed, D. maritima has a wide geographic distribution in eastern Madagascar and exhibits significant morphological, ecological, and genetic variation, suggesting it may comprise more than a single entity. Multivariate analyses of leaf, flower, and inflorescence characters as well as eco-geographic features reveal several morphologically well delimited entities with distinct habitat preferences and/or geographic ranges, which are consistent with results from recent phylogenomic and population genomic studies of Malagasy Dalbergia. Based on these findings, we describe and illustrate two new species from southeastern Madagascar comprising material previously assigned to D. maritima, viz. D. pseudomaritima, characterized by paniculate inflorescences and small, broadly elliptic to orbicular, glabrous leaflets, and D. razakamalalae, distinguished by racemose inflorescences with large flowers, and narrowly ovate to narrowly elliptic, glabrous leaflets. Dalbergia maritima is consequently re-circumscribed to include only populations from east-central Madagascar, within which we recognize two subspecies, D. maritima subsp. maritima, with glabrous leaves, inflorescence axes, and gynoecia, occurring in littoral forest habitats, and D. maritima subsp. pubescens, with indument on these structures, and growing in evergreen humid forest farther inland. Photos are provided for each taxon, along with line drawings for the two new species. Provisional IUCN Red List assessments indicate that all three species are Endangered, D. maritima and D. razakamalalae mainly because of selective logging for trade in their high-quality heartwood, and D. pseudomaritima primarily because of habitat degradation due to land clearing and fire for subsistence agriculture, which has important implications for their conservation and sustainable management.

Inga subnuda is one of 31 Inga species endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and is currently treated as having two subspecies (I. subnuda subsp. subnuda and I. subnuda subsp. luschnathiana). However, due to intermixed leaf and floral traits, these subspecies are difficult to morphologically distinguish. This study aimed to better understand the boundaries of these two subspecies and to test if these taxa should be treated at the species level. Morphological variation and bioclimatic data related to the two subspecies of the complex were assessed using multivariate morphometric analyses and ecological niche modeling. Different groups were recognized using morphological quantitative characters. The climatic space was similar but not identical, and recent climatic cycles that could have shaped the current distributions of the subspecies are discussed. The results of our integrative study suggest the subspecies are distinct species. Thus, we propose changing the status of I. subnuda subsp. luschnathiana to the rank of species. The new taxon is described and illustrated.

Inga subnuda é uma das 31 espécies presentes na Floresta Atlântica. A morfologia foliar e floral sobreposta dificulta o estabelecimento de limites e o tratamento taxonômico atual considera Inga subnuda como uma espécie com duas subespécies. Este trabalho visa explorar diferentes linhas de evidências para esclarecer e resolver a delimitação nas duas subespécies. As variações morfológicas e os dados bioclimáticos das duas subespécies foram avaliados através das análises morfométricas multivariadas e a modelagem de nicho ecológico. Os caracteres quantitativos permitiram o reconhecimento de táxons diferentes. O espaço climático foi similar, mas não idêntico, aliás são discutidos os recentes ciclos climáticos que poderiam ter modelado a distribuição atual. Os resultados do nosso estudo integrativo sugere considerar as duas subespécies como duas espécies diferentes, resgatando o status de espécie para I. subnuda subsp. luschnathiana. A nova delimitação de Inga luschnathiana é descrita e ilustrada.

The genus Medicago (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) contains about 90 species including the important forage crop alfalfa Medicago sativa and the genomic model Medicago truncatula. Despite intensive research on the genus because of its agricultural importance, there is a relative lack of information about chromosome number and genome size in some Medicago species, especially those from Medicago section Buceras that were formerly placed in the sister genus Trigonella, and are paraphyletic to the remainder of the genus Medicago. Past studies revealed that previous species delimitations did not conform well with complex patterns of morphological or genetic variation. Some published chromosome numbers, e.g. 2n = 28 and 2n = 44, differ from those of the rest of the genus, which are mostly 2n = 16 or polyploids thereof, although some cases of aneuploid reduction or dysploidy (e.g. 2n = 14) do exist. Here we estimated phylogenetic relationships of 42 accessions corresponding to 14 currently recognized Medicago species that are paraphyletic to the remainder of Medicago with a focus on Medicago monantha; for a number of those accessions we obtained estimates of genome size (39) and chromosome number (14). We can confirm the delimitation of two species within M. section Buceras and our data suggest that there are at least two entities with distinct geographic distributions within the currently recognized species M. monantha, which differ in chromosome number and genome size. Our data also suggest that polyploidy and post-polyploid descending dysploidy played a significant role in genome evolution within M. section Buceras. Our data provide a strong foundation for whole-genome sequencing projects and further in-depth research of these paraphyletic lineages.

The genus Celtis in eastern North America shows puzzling patterns of variation. While three species are generally recognized, many authors have suggested hybridization may be blurring the boundaries among them. Suspected hybridization between C. occidentalis and C. pumila has hampered conservation planning for the latter, which is a Threatened species in Canada. Using microsatellite markers and flow cytometry, we assessed the relationship between genetic diversity, ploidy, and morphology in this group. We confirmed the presence of two diploid species, C. occidentalis and C. laevigata, and that they do hybridize where they co-occur in southern Missouri and Illinois. We found two triploid genetic groups. These groups had distinct geographic ranges, but were morphologically very similar, corresponding to C. pumila. Furthermore, the triploid groups were characterized by a small number of heterozygous multi-locus genotypes. A single genotype dominated populations across Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, indicating apomictic reproduction is common in these groups. While the triploid clusters were distinct from each other, they did have strong associations with sympatric diploid species, and also with the western triploid species C. reticulata. However, we found no evidence of hybridization or gene flow between diploid C. occidentalis and triploid C. pumila. This removes hybridization and introgression as a complicating issue for conservation management. The intermediate forms observed are a demonstration of remarkable phenotypic plasticity, with the same triploid genotype variously presenting as dwarf shrubs in xeric, exposed sites, and subcanopy trees in mesic forests.

This paper presents Artocarpus buyangensis, a newly-described species known only from Manus Island, Papua New Guinea. A member of Artocarpus subgenus Artocarpus phylogenetically placed near A. section Artocarpus series Rugosi, A. buyangensis most closely resembles Artocarpus elasticus and A. sericicarpus, neither of which is found east of the Moluccas. The new species thus represents a substantial eastward expansion for the A. series Rugosi clade. Long-distance dispersal, perhaps by birds, is suggested as a possible explanation for the origin of A. buyangensis.

Cecropia is a group of fast-growing pioneer trees that are important in forest regeneration and a common ant-plant mutualism in the Neotropics. To investigate the evolution of mutualism between Cecropia and associated ants, a phylogenetic framework is necessary. Cecropia species are difficult to distinguish morphologically and conventional genetic markers are insufficiently variable to resolve the phylogenetic relationships among species. Our study aimed to compare the phylogenetic utility of restriction site associated DNA (RAD) sequencing to prior work based on commonly sequenced gene regions. RAD sequence data resolved and supported species-level relationships better than previous studies. We identified a deeply divergent non-myrmecophytic clade including C. sciadophylla and African Musanga. Results from geographically widespread and morphologically heterogenous C. obtusifolia and C. angustifolia suggest that current synonymy has lumped phylogenetically divergent lineages. Reconstruction of ant associations on the highly supported Cecropia phylogeny inferred equal probability of the ancestor of Cecropia being myrmecophytic or not. More intensive genetic study is needed to refine species concepts in Cecropia.

Erythroxylum macrophyllum is a morphologically variable and widely distributed species complex in Central and South America with several sub-specific taxa and numerous species included in its synonymy. A single variety grows in the Colombo-Venezuelan savanna region which can be distinguished from the rest of the E. macrophyllum complex by the size of leaves, cataphyll and stipule characteristics, and shape of calyx lobes. A molecular phylogeny reconstructed from 519 nuclear genes also reveals that the savanna variety is more closely related to E. acuminatum and E. pauciflorum than E. macrophyllum. This phylogenomic evidence also suggests Erythroxylum sect. Macrocalyx, to which E. macrophyllum belongs, is a polyphyletic taxonomic section. We thus propose elevating this variety to specific status, as Erythroxylum savannarum. We provide an updated taxonomic description, information about its habitat and distribution, and justify its informal IUCN categorization of Near Threatened (NT).

Acalypha (Euphorbiaceae: Acalyphoideae) is a large, monophyletic genus distributed worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions, with a few species extending into temperate areas of southern Africa, Asia, and North and South America. We reconstructed phylogenetic relationships within the genus using DNA sequences from the plastid ndhF and trnL-F regions and the nuclear ribosomal ITS region, sampling 142 species to represent the geographic, morphologic, and taxonomic diversity with the genus, resulting in a 162 (158 in Acalypha) terminal and 3847 character combined dataset. Bayesian and maximum likelihood reconstructions based on the combined dataset yielded a tree with a generally well-supported backbone and several strongly supported clades. Our results strongly supported the monophyly of Acalypha subg. Acalypha as currently recognized but showed that A. subg. Linostachys and almost all other infrageneric taxa recognized in the most recent comprehensive classification of the genus were not monophyletic. We therefore propose a new subgeneric classification comprising A. subg. Acalypha, A. subg. Androcephala, A. subg. Hypandrae, and A. subg. Linostachys (s.s.). Our results also shed light on relationships within some species groups, including in what has been treated as a broadly defined A. amentacea, in which we recognize A. amentacea, A. palauensis comb. nov., and A. wilkesiana as distinct species. Bayesian ancestral state estimations based on the phylogeny of Acalypha demonstrated that inflorescence position and sexuality and habit show high homoplasy, especially within A. subg. Acalypha, and that inflorescence position and habit exhibit correlated evolution.

A new species popularly known as pitanga-amarela, Eugenia paranapanemensis, from Seasonal Forest vegetation in the Atlantic Forest of São Paulo state is described. Our analysis, based on morphological data, shows that this species belongs to Eugenia sect. Eugenia. Among the species in the Eugenia sect. Eugenia clade, E. paranapanemensis can be recognized by its height of about 25 m, flowers with a smooth and pubescent hypanthium, brownish to ochraceous trichomes, and fruits that are yellow when ripe, with up to six seeds.

The region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau hosts a remarkable biodiversity, including a plethora of endemics. There, the process of documenting biodiversity is still ongoing, and recently, an unusual plant of Gentiana section Frigida was discovered at Cuopu Lakes (Sichuan, China). Although Flora of China identified these specimens as G. algida based upon unmistakable traits (e.g. corolla colour and length, sessile flowers), it was obvious that the Sichuanese plants strongly differed morphologically from G. algida specimens from Siberia and North America. In order to clarify their relationships, we used an integrative approach, investigating not only morphological traits, but also phylogenetic relationships (based upon plastome and rDNA-cistron), as well as chloroplast structure. Whereas the rDNA-cistron phylogeny was poorly resolved, the plastome phylogeny was well supported in both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses. Our findings indicate that the samples of G. algida from Cuopu Lakes are morphologically and genetically distinct from those collected elsewhere, supporting the recognition of a new species, G. susanneae. The new species differs from G. purdomii (another similar species) by having sessile flowers, and from G. algida by being a generally much taller plant with more and longer flowers, and by having a smaller calyx. Gentiana susanneae clusters with other species from the region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from which it differs morphologically, and is only distantly related to the G. algida/G. frigida clade, which stems from a dispersal event out of Tibet. Based upon these solid lines of evidence, G. susanneae is described and illustrated (drawings and photographs). In addition, a conservation assessment and an identification key modified from Flora of China are provided.

笔者在四川省措普湖附近发现了龙胆属高山组 (Genti- ana section Frigida) 的一种植物。虽然《Flora of China》将其 归为高山龙胆 (G. algida), 但其在形态特征上与西伯利亚和北美 洲的个体存在明显差异。本研究对其形态特征进行了调查,随 后基于叶绿体全基因组序列和完整ITS序列进行系统发育关系 分析,并比较了叶绿体基因组的结构变异。结果表明,措普湖的 高山龙胆种群与其他地区的样品不在同一遗传支系上,支持将 其作为一个新种——巴塘龙胆 (G. susanneae), 并在此对其进 行了描述

Chirita umbrophila is a species endemic to Yunnan, China, and its exact systematic position remains a mystery since it was treated as a species with uncertain generic affiliation in the taxonomic revision of Chirita in 1985. In the present study, the phylogenetic relationships between C. umbrophila and its allied species were inferred using two nuclear ribosomal DNA regions (ETS and ITS) and three chloroplast regions (rpl16, rps16, and trnL-F). Additionally, the type locality of C. umbrophila was revisited and flowering specimens were collected and examined. Our phylogenetic analyses showed that Chirita umbrophila is imbedded in three accessions of Loxostigma kurzii with strong support. Morphological observations revealed that C. umbrophila can be characterized as perennial herbs with somewhat tufted leaves at the top of the aerial stem, large ventricose corollas with yellow-brown spotted interior surfaces, four anthers cohering in pairs, and two equal or subequal stigmas. Detailed morphological analyses suggested that C. umbrophila is indistinguishable from Loxostigma kurzii (≡Didymocarpus? kurzii). Therefore, both molecular phylogenetic results and morphological evidence support that Chirita umbrophila is conspecific with Loxostigma kurzii, and a taxonomic treatment is provided herein.

Two new species of Oocephalus (Ocimeae: Hyptidinae), O. griseus and O. campestris, from the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park (CVNP), in Goiás state, Brazil, are proposed. For each species, description and comments on distribution and taxonomy are provided. Also, a diagnostic key to all Oocephalus species occurring in the state of Goiás and Distrito Federal is provided, as well as a line drawing and illustrated photographs of the new species.

To date, no comprehensive phylogenetic analyses have been conducted in Orobanchaceae that include both a wide sampling of genera and a large sampling of species. In addition, a lack of fossil evidence in the clade precludes the use of primary fossil calibrations for divergence time estimation, preventing the establishment of a comprehensive temporal framework for use in macroevolutionary studies. Here, we use a recently developed set of tools for synthesizing publicly available data, apply these to reconstruct a comprehensive timetree for Orobanchaceae, and then investigate diversification dynamics in this clade of mostly parasitic plants using two model based methods. The assembled supermatrix included more than 900 species, representing approximately 40% of the known species diversity of the family, and the resulting phylogeny largely confirmed relationships revealed in earlier studies; however, we identified ten non-monophyletic genera that will require focused systematic attention to resolve. Diversification rate analyses found substantial support for character-dependent diversification, with elevated rates in hemiparasitic clades, and evidence for a number of speciation rate changes throughout the tree that are likely linked to other traits. Importantly, our multi-state HiSSE (Hidden State Speciation and Extinction) analysis revealed that transitions to a parasitic lifestyle only occur when there is a prior transition in an unobserved precursor state. For Orobanchaceae, our study provides a new comprehensive framework for the clade that can serve as a stepping-stone for future macroevolutionary studies.

Pedicularis sudetica can be a difficult complex to identify and classify using herbarium specimens. Colors fade, rendering corolla patterns indistinct. Especially problematic is the presence of spots on the lobes of the lower lip and color patterns of the galea. Spots are either clearly visible or so faded that only a few spots are visible on one or two flowers in the inflorescence. Galeas are either unequivocally bicolored, solid, or indistinctly diffuse. Other characters have been inconsistently applied by taxonomists and/or are difficult to discern. All these factors combined only serve to confound taxon identity and classification, and members of the complex have been classified as species, subspecies, or even varieties by different taxonomists. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) of qualitative traits and principal component analysis (PCA) of quantitative traits were employed to explore the character and taxonomic structure of the group. MCA revealed that only three characters are necessary to classify the four taxa of the complex. No taxon structure was evident with PCA. Abundance of intermediate specimens over a broad geographic range indicates hybridization is extensive among members of the complex and suggests that a subspecific classification of the group is appropriate.

Siphocampylus flavescens is a new species endemic from the Serra Negra region, in the Serra da Mantiqueira complex, in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. It is characterized mainly by being a polycarpic decumbent subshrub, with whorled phyllotaxis (usually three leaves per node), and by its entirely yellow corolla, which differentiates S. flavescens from all other Brazilian species of Siphocampylus. Morphologically, it is more related to S. fluminensis, from which it can be distinguished mainly by the entirely yellow corolla (vs. bicolor, with the tube reddish and the lobes yellowish or greenish). Minor differences include the equally denticulate leaf margin, with reduced teeth, the reduced widely obconic hypanthium, and the rounded capsule of S. flavescens (unequally denticulate to fimbriate leaf margin, larger obconic hypanthium, and obconic capsules in S. fluminensis). The new taxon is here described. We provide a distribution map, photographs, and an identification key to the Siphocampylus species found in Minas Gerais state. We also informally propose the inclusion of S. flavescens in the IUCN Red List as an Endangered (EN) species due its small area of occurrence and the growing human impact in the region.

Artemisia lanaticapitula (Asteraceae: Anthemideae), a new species from Zhejiang in East China, is described and illustrated, based on the analyses of morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic evidence. This new species is similar to Artemisia anomala in having simple and undivided leaves, but differs by having phyllaries, corolla limbs, and abaxial leaf surfaces densely white-lanate, an involucre that is semiglobose, 3.5–6 mm in diameter, and capitulate pedunculate at the base. It grows along streams under forests or on roadsides at forest margins; the species is narrowly distributed in Eastern and Southern Zhejiang.

We herein present nomenclatural and taxonomic novelties in Calea sect. Meyeria from Brazil. Calea pruskiana is a new species related to C. triantha and can be distinguished by the acute or cuneate, rarely attenuate leaf apex (vs. obtuse), slightly branched capitulescence (vs. profusely branched), and ray florets 18–21.7 mm long (vs. 9.2–15.3 mm). Calea hispida f. subintegerrima is lectotypified, recombined, and elevated to species level as Calea subintegerrima, which also resembles C. triantha, however differs from it by the usually glabrous abaxial leaf surface (vs. usually hispid), glandular-punctate peduncle (vs. glands absent), and cypselae with hirsute ribs (vs. pilose ribs). These species are described and illustrated, their geographic distributions are mapped, and their taxonomic affinities are discussed. Furthermore, a new terminology is proposed to describe more accurately the pappus scale size variation according to the relative length of the scales and the occurrence of combinations of pappus scales of different lengths in the same capitulum.

A new species of Calea belonging to the Calea myrtifolia complex is described. Calea sessilifolia stands out by the unusual herbaceous habit 0.1 to 0.25 m tall and sessile leaves compared with the remaining species of the complex. The new species is related to Calea arachnoidea, C. heteropappa, and C. semirii due the polylength pappus scales, but is easily distinguished by its height 0.1–0.25 m tall (vs. 0.3–2 m), sessile leaves (vs. petiolate leaves), acrodromous venation (vs. camptodromous or semicraspedodromous), and capitulescence of solitary capitula or rarely a dichasiform cyme and few-branched (vs. branched dichasiform cyme). The new species is described, its taxonomic affinities are discussed, and its main vegetative and reproductive structures are illustrated. In addition, a key for identification and one map with the geographic distribution of the species of Calea bearing polylength pappus scales from Calea myrtifolia complex are provided.

Espeletia saboyana, a new species from Páramo de Saboyá, Boyacá department, Colombia, is described and illustrated. It is a caulescent rosette up to 5 m tall, with whitish-cinereous appearance, sessile leaves with elliptic laminae, cymose capitulescences with aphyllous unbranched portion and 3–5 capitula, 5–13 phyllaries, the external ones 17.4–26.0 mm long, 49–92 ray florets 13.0–18.4 mm long, and 162–347 disc florets 8.2–12.2 mm long. Espeletia saboyana is similar to E. incana, but with longer laminae, bigger foliar area, and fewer ray floret series. It is also similar to E. murilloi, but with longer ray tubes, ray paleae, disc corollas, disc styles, disc anther appendages, and disc paleae. In addition, E. saboyana is distributed allopatrically in regard to E. incana and E. murilloi. This species is informally proposed to be listed as IUCN Critically Endangered (CR), since it is restricted to a single population with extent of occurrence = 1.83 km² and area of occupancy = 0.48 km². Besides, this population is severely fragmented into 40–50 demes, the largest one covering only 34,000 m². Most demes are found in humid soils and wetlands submitted to continuous habitat deterioration as water is drained for use in agriculture. Espeletia saboyana is rare or absent in these newly drained areas, which are either colonized by other species that thrive on drier soils or transformed into pastures for cattle grazing. Furthermore, analyses of size class distributions show that recruitment rates of E. saboyana are significantly lower in small demes, which, if not reversed, can further reduce population size in the near future.

The Pleurophyllum clade is one of two main clades within subtribe Celmisiinae (Astereae) and includes 10 species almost entirely restricted to New Zealand (one species also occurs in the Australian Macquarie Islands), with seven of them confined to Stewart Island/ Rakiura and the outlying Chatham and subantarctic islands. The clade is defined by its purple to dark red cyathiform disc corollas, which are absent from the other members of Celmisiinae. A new generic taxonomy of the clade is presented here with the recognition of three genera: Pleurophyllum with three species, Damnamenia (monotypic), and Macrolearia, a new genus segregated from Olearia, which is described here to accommodate the six species and one hybrid previously known as the “macrocephalous olearias.” The main morphological differences between the three genera lie in the growth form, trichome types of leaves and disc corollas, morphology of the style branches, presence/ absence of staminodes, and cypselae morphology. These morphological differences are also discussed within subtribe, tribe, and family contexts, and special consideration is given to the use of the “megaherb growth form” concept for Pleurophyllum. The allopatric distribution of the three recognized genera is also stressed. Seven new combinations: Macrolearia angustifolia, Macrolearia oporina, Macrolearia semidentata, Macrolearia chathamica, Macrolearia colensoi, Macrolearia lyallii, and Macrolearia × traillii, and five new synonyms are proposed, and four names are lectotypified. Taxonomic keys are provided for genera and species.