The descriptive flora of Iraq is incomplete, with ± 900 species yet to be described. However, names of all species with their distribution in the different physiographic districts of Iraq are databased (in BRAHMS) from information obtained from published sources and herbarium records. A quantitative analysis of the flora shows ± 3300 species (accepted names) in 908 genera belonging to 136 families of flowering plants. The families Asteraceae (409 spp.), Fabaceae (393 spp.), Poaceae (264 spp.), Brassicaceae (195 spp.) and Apiaceae (155 spp.) are the largest. An analysis of the distribution of the flora in the different physiographic regions and districts of Iraq shows the Mountain Region (northern mountains of Iraq) and the Central Alluvial Plains District in the Lower Mesopotamian Region to be the most species rich. Iraq is influenced by two major phytochoria, the Saharo-Sindian and the Irano-Turanian, which are subdivided into regional phytochoria specific to the Middle East region. Endemism is high in the Irano-Turanian region of Iraq which occupies the Mountain and major part of the Upper Plains and Foothills Regions. These Regions also contain the majority of the endemic and near endemic species. Biodiversity surveys carried out by Nature Iraq during 2005–2010 propose 88 Key Biodiversity Areas in Iraq. The National Report on Biodiversity in Iraq (CBD) outlines the threats to biodiversity and habitats in Iraq and a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for the protection and conservation of species-rich and biodiverse habitats.

Two new Primulina species with yellow flowers, Primulina versicolor F.Wen, B.Pan & B.M.Wang and P. alutacea F.Wen, B.Pan & B.M.Wang (Gesneriaceae), from Guangdong, China are described and illustrated.

The Chiquibul Forest Reserve and National Park in Belize is a priority conservation area within the ‘Maya Forest’ in Central America. Although taxonomic data are essential for the development of conservation plans in the region, there is limited knowledge of the existing species in the area. Here we present a botanical species list of mostly woody taxa based on voucher specimens, with particular focus on the Raspaculo watershed in the eastern part of the National Park. Within the Raspaculo watershed, a comparison is made between 0.1 ha of valley floor and 0.1 ha of hilltop vegetation, sampling trees, shrubs, palms and lianas ≥2.5 cm diameter at breast height. Additionally, a 1 ha plot was established in the Upper Raspaculo watershed. Our study shows 38 new species records for the region, and important additions to the flora of Belize. New records were recorded from forests on both metamorphic and karstic substrate, including previously overlooked hilltop forest elements. Quantitative assessment of vegetation across elevation zones shows distinct elements dominating on valley floors and hilltops. Our results show that the Chiquibul contains at least 58% of Belize’s threatened plant species, and represent a source of information for the management and conservation of the area.

The occurrence of cerrado (as tree and shrub savanna is called in Brazil) and forest formations side by side is common at the southern margin of the Brazilian Amazonian Forest, and previous studies have demonstrated the advance of forests over cerrado areas. The aim of the present study is to provide an accurate documentation of the transition process between the two major biomes. Tree data (≥ 5 cm diameter at 0.3 m above soil level) from three plots of cerrado sensu stricto lying near three of cerradão (the taller, denser form of cerrado) were inventoried starting in 2002 in an area of 1.5 ha made up of 150 subplots of 10 × 10 m (50 in each area). This showed that the most important species of the cerradão were invading areas previously occupied by smaller, lower forms of cerrado (although it is sometimes difficult to define which are ‘forest’ and which ‘cerrado’ species as many are flexible in size – for instance Emmotum nitens can often be intermediate, establishing in cerrado that develops into cerradão and on to forest). Some typical species such as Eriotheca gracilipes and Emmotum nitens, established since the first inventories, have increased their populations (between 27 and 210%). Tachigali vulgaris, a typical, weedy, adventive species of the Cerrado–Amazonian Forest transition, showed the largest increase in abundance in areas of cerrado sensu stricto (between 100 and 1200%), and is probably the most important pioneer species in the initial advance of the forest into cerrado at the Southern Amazonian border.

In this study, we report species diversity and endemism of the poorly known but highly diverse Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest (SDTF) flora of the Marañón valley in northern Peru. We characterise woody vascular plant species diversity across the valley in order to define the conservation value of the area at national and international level. Based on 32 rapid botanical inventories, 92 plots of 50 × 20 m, and a herbarium study across local and international herbaria, we report 440 woody vascular plant species of which 143 (33%) are endemic to the valley. Two centres of endemism within the valley are identified, each with clear elevational zonation of diversity. Data show that the Marañón valley is a good representative of Peruvian SDTFs as a whole, with an average of 56% SDTF species and 78% SDTF genera found in the one valley. The results show that there is wide variation in the set of dominant species across the valley, and that many local endemics are locally abundant unlike in neighbouring SDTFs where the dominant species are all geographically widespread. Our results demonstrate that the Marañón includes a rare combination of both nationally representative yet globally unique plant species, which makes the valley an ideal conservation target. The high level of endemism structured within elevational zones implies that conservation areas should be established across elevational zones in order to maximise the protection of this globally unique flora.

Prangos abieticola Aytaç & H.Duman (Apiaceae) from southern Anatolia, Turkey is described and illustrated. This new taxon grows on calcareous rocks in open Abies cilicica (Antoine & Kotschy) Carrière and Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold subsp. nigra var. caramanica (Loudon) Rehder forest in the middle of the Taurus Mountains (C3 Antalya and Konya Province). It is endemic and closely related to Prangos heyniae H.Duman & M.F.Watson and P. ferulacea (L.) Lindl. The diagnostic morphological characters of similar taxa are discussed.

The critically endangered Phyllanthus talbotii Sedgw. (Phyllanthaceae) is endemic to the northern part of the Western Ghats in Goa and Karnataka, India. The species was described in 1921 from collections made in 1883, 1918 and 1919, and then rediscovered in 1969. We report here a new locality, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, South Goa district, Goa. The species is lectotypified and a detailed description is provided, including distribution, IUCN threat status, conservation measures and nomenclatural notes.

A new species, Diplycosia kalimantanensis P.Wilkie & Argent (Ericaceae), collected on an expedition to Gunung Besar in the Meratus mountains, South Kalimantan, is described and illustrated, and a conservation assessment provided.

Two new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Andean South America are described and illustrated. Begonia heliantha Tebbitt is classified in B. sect. Eupetalum and is known from the Puno Region of Peru and has also been tentatively identified from photographs taken in La Paz Department of Bolivia. Begonia urubambensis Tebbitt is affiliated with a group of species currently classified in B. sect. Knesebeckia. This group of species is informally named here the B. acerifolia group. Begonia sect. Knesebeckia is polyphyletic since the B. acerifolia group does not include the type species of the section. Ongoing research aims to recircumscribe this section. Begonia urubambensis is not assigned to a section given the changes needed to the sectional classification system. Begonia urubambensis is a narrow endemic of La Convención Province (Cusco Region) of Peru. Begonia heliantha is assigned the IUCN category of Data Deficient (DD), while B. urubambensis is assigned the IUCN category of Vulnerable (VU-D2).

A lectotype of Viburnum beccarii Gamble (Adoxaceae) is proposed with an image of the material selected.