Rhododendron subgenus Tsutsusi (Rhodoreae, Ericoideae, Ericaceae), commonly known as evergreen azaleas, includes approximately 117 deciduous and evergreen species from Japan, China and northeastern Asia. Subgenus Tsutsusi has been divided into two sections, Brachycalyx and Tsutsusi, based on characteristics of the leaves, young twigs and corolla. We obtained molecular data from three chloroplast (matK, ndhF and trnS-trnG) and two nuclear (nrITS and the third intron of rpb2) regions for 30 species of Rhododendron subgenus Tsutsusi and five species of Menziesia. Parsimony, Bayesian and likelihood analyses based on total evidence were used to assess the monophyly of the sections within Rhododendron subgenus Tsutsusi and relationships among the species sampled. In particular, the placement of the problematic Rhododendron tashiroi was addressed. Results support Rhododendron tashiroi as a member of the Rhododendron section Brachycalyx clade. Molecular evidence also supports a clade within Rhododendron section Tsutsusi containing R. indicum, R. tsusiophyllum, R. tschonoskii and R. serpyllifolium, species which were not previously considered closely related.

Solanum section Regmandra (Solanaceae), a group of 11 species from the lomas of Chile and Peru, is revised. Two new species are described, Solanum indivisum Witasek ex J.R.Benn. and S. coquimbense J.R.Benn., and a new name, S. trinominum J.R.Benn., is proposed for S. heterantherum Witasek ex Reiche. Two species, Solanum multifidum Lam. and S. edmonstonei Hook.f., are endemic to Peru, seven species are endemic to Chile, and only two species are found in both countries. Descriptions, distribution maps and a key to the species are presented and several species illustrated.

The taxonomy of Cortinarius subgen. Phlegmacium sect. Phlegmacium in Europe is emended to include 17 species, classified in three subsections: Subsect. Triumphantes: C. saginus ( = C. subvalidus), C. triumphans (=C. crocolitus). C. varius (here neotypified). C. variiformis ( = C luteocingulatus), C. tiliae sp. nov., C. pini sp. nov. and C. norrlandicus; Subsect. Arguti: C. argutus (here neotypified), C. fraudulosus var. fraudulosus. C. fraudulosus var. rosargutus comb, nov., C. paracephalixus ( = C. rioussctiae) and C. herculeus: Subsect. Vulpini: C. vulpinus ( = C. rufoalbus. C. fluryi). C. pseudontlpimts, C. maculosus, C. caligatus (=C. crustulinus) and C. aremoricus. Species descriptions are provided, with emphasis on formerly little studied micromorphological characters. Most species are well delimitated and normally easily distinguished from closely related taxa. Their diagnostic characters are presented. The circumscription of a number of the species deviates from the one most frequently used, and many taxa are synonymized. Altogether, 18 species names which have been in use after 1900 are reduced to synonyms. The delimitation of the section towards the neighbouring sect. Phlegmacioides (= Variecolores) is discussed, as well as the typification of the name Phlegmacium.

Amomum Roxb. (Zingiberaceae) in Sumatra, Indonesia is revised. Twenty-four species are recognised, most names are typified, detailed descriptions of species are provided and a key to these species is given. Provisional IUCN conservation assessments are supplied for all species. Two new species are described: Amomum mentawaiense A.J.Droop and Amomum oligophyllum A.J.Droop.

Elettaria (Zingiberaceae) of Sarawak are studied, and eight species are recognised including four new species: E. linearicrista, E. longipilosa, E. brachycalyx and E. kapitensis. Elettaria surculosa and E. stolonifera, which have previously been included in E. multiflora, are treated as independent species. Examination of recent collections reveal that characters such as anther dehiscence patterns, form of the labellum and anther crest are taxonomically important. A key to all species of Bornean Elettaria is provided.

The results of karyological analyses and SEM micromorphological observations on vegetative and reproductive structures of the critical genera Gastrocotyle, Hormuzakia and Phyllocara (Boraginaceae: Boragineae) are presented and discussed in relation to their taxonomic position within the tribe. Each of these monotypic genera is characterized by distinctive features in stigma morphology, papillar pattern, structure of faucal scales, development of the hairy annulus at the base of the corolla tube and ornamentation of the mericarp coat surface. G. hispida and H. aggregata showed 2n = 16 and complements of medium-sized and very large chromosomes, respectively. P. aucheri was characterized by a tetraploid set of 32 chromosomes including a group similar to those of Anchusa and a group closer to those of Nonea in terms of size and centromcric position. This species could have an allopolyploid origin, resulting from the hybridization of members of these two genera. Along with distinctive traits in inflorescence structure, fruit shape and pollen morphology, karyological and micromorphological characters determine sharp phenetic discontinuities from Anchusa, from which these plants should be kept generically separated. At the same time, the presence of relevant autapomorphies in each of the three genera prevents them from being merged in a single genus.

Chromosome numbers were determined in 23 accessions representing 21 species hitherto belonging to Chirita (Gesneriaceae), a genus that has recently been remodelled and split into five different genera: Damrongia, Henckelia, Liebigia, Microchirita and Primulina. The previously monotypic Primulina tabacum was also investigated. Counts for 19 species were new, two were confirmatory and two gave different numbers from previously published counts. The results here, together with previously published cytological data for the erstwhile genus Chirita, were analysed in the light of the taxonomic revision of the genus and published phylogenetic data. Chirita was originally highly heterogeneous in chromosome numbers, including seven different somatic numbers, 2n = 8, 18, 20, 28, 32, 34 and 36. Among the five remodelled genera, Henckelia was found to be as equally heterogeneous as the erstwhile Chirita, Microchirita included only two chromosome numbers, 2n = 18 and 34, the three species of Damrongia were uniform with 2n = 18, while species belonging to the extended Primulina showed only one basic number, x = 18, with 15 samples being diploid, and one being tetraploid. In the light of recent phylogenetic studies, polyploid as well as dysploid changes appear to have shaped the genomes of the newly defined genera Henckelia, Microchirita and, to a lesser degree, Primulina.

The taxonomic relationships between the four species of Vicia L. sect. Peregrinae Kupicha (1976) have been studied using 174 morphological characters. The results of the phenetic study are considered in conjunction with a literature review of the taxonomic history, cytology, phytogeography and ecology of the taxa involved. It is concluded that V. mollis is peripheral within sect. Peregrinae, and an investigation of the taxa of both sections Peregrinae and Hypechusa shows the species to be a natural member of sect. Hypechusa, to which it is transferred. The relationship between the three remaining species of sect. Peregrinae is discussed, and a key and conspectus to taxa are provided.

A new species of Alyssum L. (Cruciferae) from Western Turkey is described and illustrated: Alyssum dudleyi N. Adıgüzel & R.D. Reeves.

Two African genera of the Gesneriaceae, Saintpaulia and Streptocarpus, are similar in many respects. Both genera have blue to purple flowers, pollen of similar shape and exine sculpting, embryos with one-celled, uninucleate chalazal haustoria, shared vegetative structures among some species, and are among the few genera in the Gesneriaceae which include species with chromosome counts of n = 15. The similarity of these features has indicated that the two genera are likely to be closely related.

Floristic and phytogeographical information is presented in the first of three papers on the flora of Lesvos (East Aegean, Greece). The taxa included here are dicotyledons and belong to families in alphabetical order from Aceraceae to Guttiferae. Of the 92 taxa (79 species, 12 subspecies and one variety) presented, two are new for Greece, five are new for the Aegean islands as a whole, four are new for the East Aegean Islands and 13 are new for Lesvos. New distribution localities on the island are also given for some interesting taxa. Furthermore, the presence of 13 taxa, reported by previous authors without specific collection data, is confirmed. Critical comments are made on 22 taxa whose presence needs confirmation or is considered doubtful or wrong. Chorological, ecological and taxonomic comments are made for the more interesting cases and distribution maps for certain taxa in Greece or Lesvos are given. Finally, the threats and conservation status of some rare and interesting taxa are briefly discussed.

Thirteen populations of three Aegilops (Poaceae) species were analysed for meiotic characters including chiasma frequency and distribution, as well as chromosomal association and segregation. Populations of A. triuncialis and A. cylindrica possessed n= 14 chromosome number (tetraploid) while populations of A. umbellulata possessed n = 7 (diploid). Tetraploid species showed diplontic behavior and formed bivalents only. Cluster analysis of meiotic data showed distinctness of the species, although variations were observed in the chiasma frequency and distribution among different populations of each species. Cytomixis and chromosome elimination led to ancuploid and unreduced pollen mother cell formation in the species studied.

The taxonomy of Cortinarius subgen. Phlegmacium sect. Phlegmacioides (= Variecolores) in Europe is emended to include 18 species, classified in three subsections: Subsect. Variecolores: C. variecolor (emended to include C. nemorensis sensu R. Henry, Mos.), C. violaceomaculatus, C. spadicellus (= C. amigochrous), C. largus (= C. nemorensis sensu J.E. Lange, C. lividoviolaceus), C. coalescens, C. patibilis var. patibilis, C. patibilis var. scoticus, C. kuehneri and C. russus; Subsect. Balteati: C. balteatus (= C. subbalteatus), C. durus var. durus, C. durus var. chamaesalicis, C. balteatotomentosus, C. balteatoalbus var. balteatoalbus (= C. crassus sensu J.E. Lange), C. balteatoalbus var. areni-silvae, C. vacciniophilus (= C. latus sensu Mos.), C. acidophilus, C. balteatocumatilis (=C. violaceocinctus), C. hysginus (=C. latobalteatus) and C. borgsjoeensis; Subsect. Serarii: C. serarius (= C. eulepistus). Nine taxa have not been previously included in taxonomic treatments of the group.

The species delimitations are discussed, and the diagnostic characters and their differentiation are studied. Species descriptions are provided. Two large species complexes were recognized, the C. variecolor and the C. balteatus complexes, the taxa of which had a large degree of overlapping character variation, frequently with only one, discontinuously varying character. The species have different and often less strict edaphic requirements than found elsewhere in the subgenus. Most species are rare and with a limited distribution, many of them belonging to a Picea or Betula-associated, ± northern, boreal element. A few species have a broad range of mycorrhizal hosts and a very wide distribution in Europe.

Trichomes of Hedera L. taxa have long been used as an important character in delimiting species. Hedera exhibits two distinct trichome types: scale-like and stellate. This study examined the trichome variation in sixteen currently recognized Hedera taxa using scanning electron microscopy. Measurements of trichome morphology were taken, and variation among taxa compared. Of the taxa with scale-like trichomes, H. maderensis Rutherford subsp. maderensis has the largest overall length, longest rays, and largest fusion of rays. Of the species with stellate trichomes, H. helix has the largest overall, and also has the longest rays and widest rays.

A broad overview of the current state of taxonomic knowledge on the Apiaceae of Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar is presented. Sub-Saharan Africa has about 69 indigenous genera in the family, with 38 of them endemic, while Madagascar has at least 16 genera, of which six are endemic. Many taxa are poorly known and show unusual combinations of character states. Generic delimitations have not yet reached stability but monographic work, in which morphological, anatomical and some chemical characters are rigorously analysed, is contributing steadily to an improved understanding of generic relationships. A preliminary cladistic analysis of some genera is presented, based on characters such as woodiness, leaf persistence, leaf type, dentate-serrate leaf margins, heteromorphous fruits and the co-occurrence of intrajugal and vallecular vittae. Despite poor resolution, the results consistently show that several African and Madagascan genera are basal to the rest of the Apiaceae. The subfamily Saniculoideae Burnett always appears in a basal position, in close association with anomalous genera such as Lichtensteinia Cham. & Schltdl., Polemanniopsis B. L. Burtt, Steganotaenia Hoscht. and Pseudocarum C. Norman. These genera are clearly central to a better understanding of the early evolution of the family and also to an ultimate improvement of Drude's (1898) classification system.

The genus Stichoneuron (Stemonaceae) with five species is revised. Three new species are described: Stichoneuron calcicola Inthachub, S. halabalensis Inthachub, and S. bognerianum Duyfjes. A key to the species, distribution map and descriptions are provided.

The new species Camellia oconoriana Orel, Curry & Luu (Theaceae), endemic to Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, is described and illustrated. It is compared to Camellia species in sections Archaecamellia, Stereocarpus, Piquetia and Chrysantha. Morphological evidence supports a transitional placement in Camellia sect. Chrysantha ser. Chrysanthae.

Locus-specific primers were designed to amplify the homologues LEGCYC1A and LEGCYC1B of the snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) floral symmetry gene CYCLOIDEA in the genistoid legumes Lupinus nanus and Cadia purpurea. These primers were tested successfully in a range of genistoid taxa. Sequence comparison between L. nanus and L. angustifolius revealed that these CYCLOIDEA-like genes provide up to four times as many variable characters as the ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS) at this taxonomic level. These genes are therefore potentially useful for studying evolutionary relationships between closely related species within the genistoid clade of legumes, which contains many large and diverse genera. Comparisons between L. nanus, Cadia purpurea and Calpurnia aurea LEGCYC sequences show that these genes may also be useful for phylogenetic studies between genera in this large clade of 1800 species.

Nine new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae), Begonia comestibilis D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. insueta D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. lasioura D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. nobmanniae D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. prionota D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. rantemarioensis D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. sanguineopilosa D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. torajana D.C.Thomas & Ardi and B. vermeulenii D.C.Thomas, are described from South and West Sulawesi, Indonesia. All belong to Begonia section Petermannia. Proposed conservation categories for these species are Vulnerable (VU) for Begonia comestibilis, B. nobmanniae, B. prionota, B. sanguineopilosa and B. vermeulenii; Least Concern (LC) for B. lasioura, B. rantemarioensis and B. torajana; and Data Deficient (DD) for B. insueta. An identification key to Begonia in South and West Sulawesi (Sulawesi Selatan and Sulawesi Barat) is provided.

The changes in floristic composition, richness, species diversity and ecological groups of a semideciduous seasonal forest located at 14°49′32″S 52°06′20″W in the Cerrado–Amazonian Forest transition, in the area of Nova Xavantina, eastern Mato Grosso, Brazil, were determined between 2003 and 2008. Sixty permanent plots of 10 × 10 m were established, where the individuals with diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 5 cm were recorded and identified. The changes in floristic composition over the period were small and species losses and gains were limited to those of low abundance. The species richness and diversity did not change during this period and observations over a longer period will be necessary to determine whether it is a static community or in a succession towards the relatively nearby Amazonian forests. A review of existing works on the transition forest of Mato Grosso is also given.