Kew Bulletin最新文献

Portulaca diegoi is here proposed as a heterotypic synonym (synon. nov.) of P. hatschbachii, a species endemic to southern Brazil. Analysis of type specimens and protologues of both names demonstrated that they do not differ in root, leaf, flower, fruit or seed morphology. P. hatschbachii can be distinguished from other Portulaca species by its decumbent habit, oblanceolate leaves with purplish and recurved apex, lanate leaf axillary trichomes, hemispheric operculum and thick and elongated roots. In addition, based on examination of specimens of P. hatschbachii, they are quite distinct, because their leaves turn black after drying. Illustrations and comments about the taxonomy, phenology, distribution, habitat and conservation status are provided for P. hatschbachii.

Ruellia taboleirana (Acanthaceae) was originally described from specimens restricted to the tabuleiros litorâneos on the Northeast Brazilian coast. Here, we expand its geographic distribution to coastal areas with Amazonian influence and make important contributions on its morphology and ecology. We also present the first photos in vivo that evidence its morphological variation, along with scanning electron micrographs of pollen grains, an updated conservation status assessment, and a detailed line drawing of this species for the first time. Finally, we provide an identification key for all species of Ruellia that occur in the state of Maranhão.

A new species of Apocynaceae from Atlantic Central Africa, Voacanga madureirae Paiva, O.Lachenaud & Covelo, is mapped, described and illustrated. It occurs on the Gulf of Guinea islands of Príncipe (São Tomé and Príncipe) and Bioko (Equatorial Guinea) and in the highlands of western Cameroon. The new species differs from other African Voacanga by its calyx distinctly exceeding the corolla (vs shorter or at most equalling it). It is further separated from V. chalotiana Pierre ex Stapf by the presence of a row of colleters in the upper half of the calyx (not near the base) and from other Central African species by its syncarpous fruits and almost straight (not strongly twisted) corolla tube. It is assessed as Near Threatened according to IUCN criteria.

This study proposes a new species of Eugenia sect. Phyllocalyx from Atlantic Forest remnants in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. The new taxon, Eugenia guapiassuana, is proposed based on literature survey, examination of herbarium material and field work. We herein provide a morphological description, including comments on fruit taste, along with information on distribution, habitat, phenology, vernacular name, taxonomy and conservation status. Figures showing fresh and dry material and a map of the occurrence records are also presented. Eugenia guapiassuana is morphologically similar to E. involucrata and E. superba, and these species are contrasted in the discussion. Following an assessment, the conservation status of Eugenia guapiassuana is provisionally determined as Critically Endangered [CR B2ab(iii)].

Lasjia griseifolia Utteridge & Brambach, a member of the Proteaceae, is described and illustrated as a new species from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The new species is similar to L. erecta, also from Sulawesi, and morphological differences between the taxa are discussed; a line illustration and detailed notes on the conservation status are provided.

A summary of the species of Pyrostria from continental Africa is presented, including full descriptions of three new species, P. makovui, P. namacubiensis and P. rovumensis from the coastal forests of the Tanzania-Mozambique border region, and one new subspecies, P. lobulata subsp. bridsoniae from Zambia. Pyrostria makovui is the first species with plurilocular (3-lobed) fruits and the second hermaphrodite species for the study area, characters that are otherwise found mainly in taxa of Pyrostria from Madagascar and surrounding islands. Five of the 16 species treated in this synopsis remain undescribed because they are known only from incomplete material. A key to the species of Pyrostria occurring in continental Africa is presented and notes on the distribution, habitat and relevant taxonomic considerations are provided, along with an assessment of the conservation status (extinction risk) for each species. The Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa Biodiversity Hotspot is found to be a centre of diversity for Pyrostria, with the Rovuma Centre of Plant Endemism in Mozambique and Tanzania being particularly rich in endemic species.

The genus Hyperacanthus comprises 11 species, nine in Madagascar and two in Africa, although many Madagascan species remain undescribed. All Madagascan species of Hyperacanthus are evergreen trees occurring in humid and semi-humid forest. Four deciduous species occur in the dry forests of northern, western, and southern Madagascar but are unknown to science. These four species, collectively and informally referred to as the sofikomba alliance, are described here: H. decaryi, H. piliformis, H. septentrionale and H. sofikomba. Three of the four species are illustrated and all four are mapped. A key to species, species descriptions, other key taxonomic information, and preliminary conservation assessments are also provided.

The seed morphologies of forty-five Eriocaulon species and infraspecies in Thailand are described in detail. Characteristics of the seed were carefully investigated via LM and SEM, including shape, size, shapes of both ends and colour. Details of the seed coat, testa cell shape, axis of elongation, alignment, ridges formed where adjacent cells are in contact, surface ornamentation and the presence and morphology of appendages arising from the cell walls, were all recorded. Combinations of these characters are effective for species delimitation and identification. Similarities in seed coat characters and the relationships of floral structure between closely related taxa are discussed. Hygroscopic seed coat appendages are recorded and described for Eriocaulon for the first time.

Piriqueta velutina is described as a new species, illustrated, geographically mapped and its diagnostic characteristics and taxonomic affinities are described. The new species can be recognised mainly by the presence of serial branches (branches from serial buds predominantly in the apical portion of the plant), the short internodes and oblique or erect leaves which partially overlap in dried specimens; the ovate to elliptic leaf blade with a golden brown velutinous indumentum, and the conical or bulbous bases of the glandular setiform trichomes, frequently darkened on young leaf margins and on the abaxial surface. Its conservation status is preliminarily assessed as Endangered, it occurs in Brazilian Cerrado (savanna vegetation), in the Jalapão region, state of Tocantins, North region of Brazil.

Clusia reginae (Clusiaceae) is described using an integrative taxonomy approach. Field observations, discriminant analyses of morphological characters and phylogenetic inference based on molecular data led to the recognition of a new species of tree. This new taxon is distinct for having broadly obovate leaves, white petals, bright yellow flower resin and relatively large fruits. Clusia reginae is known from the foothills and valleys of the Venezuelan Andes and is here assessed using IUCN criteria as Vulnerable.