Eria annapurnensis L.R.Shakya & M.R.Shrestha, a new species, and Gastrochilus calceolaris var. biflora L.R.Shakya & M.R.Shrestha, a new variety (both Orchidaceae), are described and illustrated from Annapurna Conservation Area, Central Nepal.

Plesioneuron crassum subsp. chromeanum Takeuchi (Thelypteridaceae) is described as a new subspecies from one of Papuasia's most isolated karst districts. The subspecies is distinguished by bifacially glabrous pinnae with revolute lobes, conspicuously raised aerophores, and glandular-setiferous sporangia. Distributional records for Helicia acutifolia (Proteaceae) and Loranthus odoratus (Loranthaceae) are also reported with the new fern.

Pleonotoma orientalis Sandwith (Bignoniaceae), a poorly known species, is lectotypified, illustrated for the first time and a distribution map is provided. Pleonotoma orientalis Sandwith var. ratteriana Proença & Farias from the Jalapão area (State of Tocantins, Central Brazil) is described and illustrated. The new variety is apparently identical to the typical variety in floral characters but distinct in its ternate-tripinnate leaves with numerous, minute, slightly thickened leaflets, and fruits with rounded or obtuse tips. The collections of this new variety increase its range c.400 km S from Northern Brazil (Maranhão and Pará) into Tocantins in Central Brazil.

Two new species of Gardenia (Rubiaceae), Gardenia beamanii Y.W.Low and Gardenia chanii Y.W.Low, endemic to Borneo, are described. These species are distinguished from Gardenia griffithii Hook.f. and Gardenia pterocalyx Valeton, respectively, to which they are superficially similar in calyx characters. Gardenia pterocalyx is lectotypified.

Thirty-three conifer species are currently recorded from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. All species are recorded from Vietnam but only six have been recorded from Cambodia and nine from Laos. Recent botanical surveys have recorded one additional species from Cambodia and seven from Laos. New distributions within those countries have also been recorded. This paper discusses those records.

A new species of Gesneriaceae, Aeschynanthus mendumae D.J.Middleton, is described from Laos. The new combination Aeschynanthus membranifolius (Costantin) D.J.Middleton is made. An IUCN conservation assessment is provided.

The members of Anemone L. sect. Himalayicae (Ulbr.) Juz. (Ranunculaceae) are mainly distributed in the Himalaya of North India, Nepal and Bhutan and the neighbouring mountains of SW China at elevations between 1850 and 4800 m. Their taxonomy is re-evaluated on the basis of a critical morphological analysis of extensive herbarium material. The section is placed in Anemone subgen. Omalocarpus and differentiated into three new series: ser. Obtusilobae, ser. Trullifoliae and ser. Rupestres. A conspectus, keys to species, subspecies and varieties, descriptions of taxa, illustrations and distribution maps are presented. Eleven species with several infraspecific taxa are recognized and their synonymy, variability and relationships are discussed. In addition to the generally accepted species Anemone obtusiloba, A. trullifolia and A. rupestris, we recognize the following: A. polycarpa, A. rockii, A. geum and A. coelestina and four Chinese endemics, A. yulongshanica, A. patula, A. subpinnata and A. subindivisa. Anemone imbricata and A. fuscopurpurea are described but excluded from the section. The origins, morphological differentiations and eco-geographical radiations of Anemone sect. Himalayicae are discussed.

A new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) is described from Khammouan Province in Laos. The new species, Begonia cladotricha M.Hughes, belongs in Begonia sect. Diploclinium, and is unusual amongst Asian Begonia in having basally branched hairs on all vegetative parts of the plant.

A new species of Barleria (Acanthaceae), Barleria samhanensis Knees, A.G.Mill. & A.Patzelt, is described from southern Oman and a provisional assessment of its conservation status is provided. Further support is given for the recognition of the summit of Jabal Samhan as a distinct floristic unit.