A synoptic review of the aloes (Asphodelaceae, Alooideae) of KwaZulu-Natal, an ecologically diverse province in eastern South Africa

The KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa has a varied topography, geology and climate and presents diverse habitats that support a rich and diverse flora. Aloes are well represented in KwaZulu-Natal, with four genera [Aloe L., Aloiampelos Klopper & Gideon F.Sm., Aloidendron (A.Berger) Klopper & Gideon F.Sm. and Aristaloe Boatwr. & J.C.Manning] and 49 taxa occurring in the province. Fourteen of these are endemic and eleven near-endemic to the province. A floristic treatment of the aloes of KwaZulu-Natal is presented in the form of a synoptic review. Included are an identification key to the aloes that occur naturally in the province, species-level distribution maps and accompanying images, so providing for the first time, an atlas of aloe occurrence in this part of the subcontinent.

Terminalia s.s. (Combretaceae) in Maranhão state, Brazil

We present the floristic treatment of the Terminalia species occurring in the state of Maranhão. This study was based on the analysis of national and international herbaria. Six species were recorded from the state: Terminalia actinophylla, T. amazonia, T. dichotoma, T. fagifolia, T. glabrescens, and T. lucida, with one endemic (T. actinophylla) to Brazil. Taxa were commonly recorded in dry Savanna environments (cerrado). Only the species Terminalia fagifolia and T. lucida occur in conservation units in Maranhão, specifically in Mirador State Park, Chapada das Mesas National Park and Ecological Sanctuary of Pedra Caída. In addition to morphological descriptions, this study includes an identification key, illustrations, and comments about taxonomic affinities, geographical distribution, ecology, conservation status, and phenology of the species.

Towards an updated checklist of the Libyan flora

The Libyan flora was last documented in a series of volumes published between 1976 and 1989. Since then there has been a substantial realignment of family and generic boundaries and the discovery of many new species. The lack of an update or revision since 1989 means that the Libyan Flora is now out of date and requires a reassessment using modern approaches. Here we report initial efforts to provide an updated checklist covering 43 families out of the 150 in the published flora of Libya, including 138 genera and 411 species. Updating the circumscription of taxa to follow current classification results in 11 families (Coridaceae, Guttiferae, Leonticaceae, Theligonaceae, Tiliaceae, Sterculiaceae, Bombacaeae, Sparganiaceae, Globulariaceae, Asclepiadaceae and Illecebraceae) being included in other generally broader and less morphologically well-defined families (APG-IV, 2016). As a consequence, six new families: Hypericaceae, Adoxaceae, Lophiocarpaceae, Limeaceae, Gisekiaceae and Cleomaceae are now included in the Libyan Flora. This update results in those 43 families being represented by 38 accounts. Fifty-five percent of species remain unchanged, the remaining 45% are reclassified at the family, genus or species level based on modern treatments, illustrating the need for this update and the urgent need for a review of the entire floristic treatment of Libya in support of the conservation of Libya’s biodiversity.

A revision of the neotropical Mucuna species (Leguminosae—Papilionoideae)

The genus Mucuna comprises approximately 105 tropical and sub-tropical species, with the highest diversity occurring in the Paleotropics. In the Neotropics, 13 new species have been described recently and a number of regional floras have been published. A recent floristic treatment for Colombia has summarized the Mucuna species found in the Neotropics, but since then many new species and new geographical records have been published. A complete taxonomic treatment of all neotropical species and an identification key to all neotropical taxa is currently lacking. The aim of this study is to present a complete taxonomic account of the species of Mucuna occurring in the Neotropics. Descriptions of 25 taxa (24 species and one variety) are included in the treatment, including type specimen details, synonymy, illustrations, distribution maps, and preliminary conservation assessments for each species, together with a species identification key.

No taxon left behind? – a critical taxonomic checklist of Carpinus and Ostrya (Coryloideae, Betulaceae)

Hornbeams (Carpinus) and hop-hornbeams (Ostrya) are trees or large shrubs from the northern hemisphere. Currently, 43 species of Carpinus (58 taxa including subdivisions) and 8 species of Ostrya (9 taxa including sudivisions) are recognized. These are based on 175 (plus 16 Latin basionyms of cultivars) and 21 legitimate basionyms, respectively. We present an updated checklist with publication details and type information for all accepted names and the vast majority of synonyms of Carpinus and Ostrya, including the designation of 54 lectotypes and two neotypes. Cultivars are listed if validly described under the rules of the ICN. Furthermore, we consider Carpinus hwai Hu & W.C.Cheng to be a synonym of Carpinus fargesiana var. ovalifolia (H.J.P.Winkl.) Holstein & Weigend comb. nov. During the course of our work, we found 30 legitimate basionyms of non-cultivars that have been consistently overlooked since their original descriptions, when compared with the latest checklists and floristic treatments. As regional floras are highly important for taxonomic practice, we investigated the number of overlooked names and found that 78 basionyms were omitted at least once in the eight regional treatments surveyed. More seriously, we found 4 basionyms of accepted species being overlooked in a major floristic treatment.

A new species and a new name in Myrtaceae (Myrteae) from Southeastern Brazil

This paper describes a new species of Eugenia and proposes a new name in Psidium, from Southeastern Brazil. Both are necessary for a floristic treatment of Myrtaceae for the flora of São Paulo, Brazil. Eugenia robustior is most similar to Eugenia tetramera from which it differs by its larger leaves and flowers with more stamens and more ovules per locule. The new name in Psidium is a replacement name for the illegitimate P. sellowianum.

Las gimnospermas de los bosques mesófilos de montaña de la Huasteca Hidalguense, México

A floristic treatment of the gymnosperms that inhabit the cloud forests of the Huasteca Hidalguense was undertaken; five families, six genera, and ten species were registered. Cupressaceae is represented by the genus Cupressus with one species, Pinaceae by Pinus with four species, Podocarpaceae by Podocarpus with one species, Taxaceae by Taxus with one species, and Zamiaceae by two genera, Ceratozarnia and Zarnia, with one and two species respectively. A dichotomic key for species identification is included, as well as descriptions, some data about their ecology, geographical distribution, and reference specimens examined.

Mimosoideae (Leguminosae) in the Brazilian Chaco of Porto Murtinho, Mato Grosso do Sul

This research consists of the taxonomic-floristic treatment of taxa of Mimosoideae occurring in the Brazilian Chaco. The specimens analyzed were collected from 2004 to 2012 in Chaco remnants located in southwestern Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Mimosoideae is represented by 39 taxa belonging to 14 genera; among the most representative, Mimosa (16 taxa) and Prosopis (4 taxa) are highlighted. Chloroleucon chacoense, Mimosa centurionis and Prosopis alba are new records for the Brazilian Flora. Prosopis nigra has its occurrence expanded. Mimosoideae is the second subfamily in species richness compared with other subfamilies of Leguminosae studied in the Brazilian Chaco. This work includes morphological descriptions, identification keys, illustrations and taxonomic comments.