A taxonomic study was conducted of four Andean Begonia species, each originally described only from its type collection: Begonia hydrophylloides L.B.Sm. & B.G.Schub., B. triramosa Irmsch., B. velata L.B.Sm. & B.G.Schub. and B. xerophyta L.B.Sm. & Wassh. Amended descriptions of Begonia hydrophylloides and B. velata are provided. The distribution range of Begonia hydrophylloides is extended to include the Colombian department of Meta, as well as Cundinamarca. Begonia velata, originally described from Huncabamba Province, of Píura Region, Peru, has its distribution range extended to include Contumazá Province, of Cajamarca Region, Peru. Begonia triramosa, described from Chimborazo Province, Ecuador, and B. xerophyta, described from Loja Province, Ecuador, are both synonymised with B. acerifolia Kunth. Following an in-depth taxonomic study of Begonia acerifolia, an additional species, B. erythrocarpa A.DC., is synonymised with this species. An amended description of Begonia acerifolia is provided, and the species is recorded from Andean Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Begonia hydrophylloides, B. velata and B. acerifolia are all affiliated with species currently classified in the polyphyletic Begonia sect. Knesebeckia (Klotzsch) A.DC. Begonia hydrophylloides is assessed as Data Deficient (DD), B. velata is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) and B. acerifolia is assessed as Least Concern (LC), according to IUCN criteria.

The Erich Werdermann collection ‘Plantae Chilenses’ held at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh constitutes an important set of herbarium specimens from the Chilean flora, and represents over 10% of preserved specimens from Chile in the herbarium. Duplicate sets of specimens were distributed from the Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin-Dahlem to a further 15 major international herbaria. Here we provide a description of this collection, highlighting aspects of Werdermann’s journey in Chile. Included are his itinerary and maps showing where the specimens were collected. An important aspect of the paper is to clarify ambiguities concerning label data in order to provide more accurate detail for researchers using Werdermann’s specimens.

The generic name Microsisymbrium O.E. Schulz was illegitimate when described because it included the type of Guillenia Greene. The monotypic Ianhedgea is proposed to include one of the 12 species previously assigned to Microsisymbrium, i.e. M. minutiflorum (Hook.f. & Thomson) O.E. Schulz. The proper generic placement of the remaining 11 species of Microsisymbrium is presented. The following new combinations are made: Ianhedgea minutiflora (Hook.f. & Thomson) Al-Shehbaz & O'Kane, I. minutiflora subsp. brevipedicellata (Hedge) Al-Shehbaz & O'Kane, and Neotorularia quingshuiheense (Ma & Z.Y. Zhu) Al-Shehbaz, O'Kane & G. Yang.

Recent study of floral diversity within Australian Rhododendron (Ericaceae) has resulted in the recognition of two species, R. lochiae F. Muell. and R. notiale Craven, sp. nov. Both species are described and illustrated, and their distributions mapped. An identification key is provided.

Of the 25 species presently named in Henckelia sect. Loxocarpus (Gesneriaceae), 10 occur in Peninsular Malaysia (with one species extending into Peninsular Thailand), 12 in Borneo, two in Sumatra and one in Lingga (Indonesia). One species from Peninsular Malaysia is excluded from the section. A key to species in Peninsular Malaysia is provided, together with descriptions and distributions. Three new species are described: Henckelia anthonysamyi Banka, H. sekayuensis Banka & Kiew and H. sericiflava Kiew & Banka. All Peninsular Malaysian species are endemic, many narrowly so – eight are presently known from just one or two localities.

Comparative morphological and carpological investigation shows that Ladyginia and Spongiosyndesmus are congeneric. An emended generic description of Ladyginia is given and two new nomenclatural combinations Ladyginia afghanica and L. gigantea are made.

Hitherto the genus Limonium (Plumbaginaceae) was thought to be represented by eight species in Arabia. While preparing the account of Limonium for Volume 1 of the Flora of Oman, one of the present authors (S.A.G.) identified two new species from Oman, in addition to the three already known. The new species, L. sarcophyllum Ghaz. & J.R. Edm. and L. milleri Ghaz. & J.R. Edm., are described and illustrated, and the new combination L. paulayanum (Vierh.) J.R. Edm. & Ghaz. based on Statice paulayana Vierh. from Soqotra is published. A key is provided for all 10 species in Arabia.