Showing papers in "Edinburgh Journal of Botany in 2011"
TL;DR: Nine new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) are described from South and West Sulawesi, Indonesia, and proposed conservation categories are Vulnerable (VU), VU for Begonia comestibilis, B. nobmanniae, D. rantemarioensis and B. torajana; Least Concern (LC) for B. vermeulenii; and Data Deficient (DD) forB.
Abstract: 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.
23 citations
TL;DR: The Desmodio gangetico-Themeda quadrivalvis ass. nov. is interpreted as an impoverished easternmost outlier of the East African savannah as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Vegetation analysis reveals that the Themeda quadrivalvis tall-grass savannah in Oman, southern Arabia, forms a clearly defined belt with strong edaphic and geomorphological characteristics. The newly described association Desmodio gangetico-Themedetum quadrivalvis ass. nov. is interpreted as an impoverished easternmost outlier of the East African savannah.
21 citations
TL;DR: The genus Lepidium pavlovii as discussed by the authors is a combination of perennial habit, pinnatisect leaves, yellow flowers, and wingless fruits, characters all of which occur individually and in various combinations within Lepidium.
Abstract: The genus Stubendorffia (Brassicaceae) is distinguished from Lepidium solely by the dehiscent vs. indehiscent angustiseptate fruits. By contrast, Winklera is separated from Lepidium by a combination of perennial habit, pinnatisect leaves, yellow flowers, and wingless fruits, characters all of which occur individually and in various combinations within Lepidium. Extensive molecular studies strongly show that Winklera and polyphyletic Stubendorffia are nested within the earlier-published Lepidium and, therefore, the three genera are herein formally united. The new name Lepidium pavlovii and 10 new combinations, L. afghanicum, L. apterum, L. botschantzevii, L. curvinervium, L. lipskyi, L. olgae, L. orientalis, L. patrinoides, L. pterocarpum, and L. silaifolium, are proposed. Lepidium apterum is lectotypified. A complete generic synonymy of Lepidium and an expanded generic description are presented.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the morphology and anatomy of the roots, stems and leaves of Calolisianthus species (Gentianaceae -Helieae) were characterized to assist in the taxonomy and understanding of some adaptive responses to high luminosity, prolonged water deficit and nutritional stress in their environment.
Abstract: This work aims to characterise the morphology and anatomy of roots, stems and leaves of Calolisianthus species (Gentianaceae – Helieae) to assist in the taxonomy and understanding of some adaptive responses to high luminosity, prolonged water deficit and nutritional stress in their environment. Samples of Calolisianthus speciosus and C. pendulus were collected in campo rupestre (rocky land) and samples of C. amplissimus were collected in cerrado (savanna) areas in southeastern Brazil. The roots have a cortex with Arum-type arbuscular mycorrhizae. The three species have winged and square stems and in Calolisianthus amplissimus the stem is hollow. Calolisianthus pendulus and C. speciosus have a pair of conspicuous extrafloral nectaries at the leaf base, which are absent in C. amplissimus. Calolisianthus pendulus has a dorsiventral mesophyll and a round leaf margin with parenchymatic cells. Calolisianthus amplissimus has a homogeneous mesophyll and a leaf margin with collenchyma. Calolisianthus speciosus leaves have a homogeneous mesophyll and a margin with sclerenchyma and collenchyma. Our results demonstrate that some anatomical characters are useful for the identification of Calolisianthus species and might be used to elucidate evolutionary relationships among Calolisianthus and their adaptive responses.
18 citations
TL;DR: Two new species of Eriocaulon L. malabaricum Pradeep & Nampy and E. pykarense NampY & Manudev, from India are described, illustrated and compared with E. sollyanum Royle andE.
Abstract: Two new species of Eriocaulon L. (Eriocaulaceae) from India, E. malabaricum Pradeep & Nampy and E. pykarense Nampy & Manudev, are described, illustrated and compared with E. sollyanum Royle and E. ansarii Pradeep & Sunil, respectively.
17 citations
TL;DR: A new species, Primula fenghwaiana C.M.Hu & G.Hao (Primulaceae), from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated and is for the first time found in China.
Abstract: A new species, Primula fenghwaiana C.M.Hu & G.Hao (Primulaceae), from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. Primula petelotii W.W.Sm., a species previously known only from one collection from Vietnam, is for the first time found in China. An addendum to the description for this incompletely known species is given.
12 citations
TL;DR: A key to five species of Gardenia recognised for the Philippines, full descriptions and illustrations, and a list of names which should be excluded from Gardenia are given in this article.
Abstract: A description of the defining characteristics of Gardenia (Rubiaceae) and a revision of the Philippine species distinguished mainly by calyx morphology are presented. A key to five species of Gardenia recognised for the Philippines, full descriptions and illustrations, and a list of names which should be excluded from Gardenia are given. Relevant Philippine names for which holotypes were not indicated or have been destroyed are lectotypified. Two new endemic species, Gardenia ornata K.M.Wong and G. vulcanica K.M.Wong, are described. Gardenia elata Ridl. and G. mutabilis Reinw. ex Blume are newly applied to Philippine species previously enumerated under other names. Gardenia pseudopsidium (Blanco) Fern.-Vill. is considered a doubtful name, to which some authors have referred the endemic G. barnesii Merr.
12 citations
TL;DR: Since the publication of the Gabon Checklist in 2006, intensive fieldwork activity has led to the discovery of many novelties, document here 61 new records for the flora of Gabon, including nine new generic records.
Abstract: Since the publication of the Gabon Checklist in 2006, intensive fieldwork activity has led to the discovery of many novelties. We document here 61 new records for the flora of Gabon, including nine new generic records. Five taxa are also removed from the Gabon flora. © 2011 Trustees of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
11 citations
TL;DR: This article analyzed phytogeographic patterns of several Atlantic Forest areas in southeastern Brazil, including forest areas in the Espinhaco Range, to identify species with congruent distribution patterns and possible environmental factors that might influence these.
Abstract: This study analysed phytogeographic patterns of several Atlantic Forest areas in southeastern Brazil, including forest areas in the Espinhaco Range, to identify species with congruent distribution patterns and possible environmental factors that might influence these. A total of 54 floristic surveys, predominantly from semideciduous woodland sites but also including some rainforest areas, were compared using UPGMA and DCA methods as well as Jaccard analyses. The former identified four main groupings: group 1 included forests located throughout the Espinhaco Range; group 2 was formed by forest areas in the Rio Jequitinhonha basin; group 3 was formed by three distinct subgroups, one (3.1) predominantly of forest areas pertaining to the Alto Rio Grande basin, another (3.2) of upland forests of the Quadrilatero Ferrifero, and a third subgroup (3.3) of upland forests of the Serra da Mantiqueira; and group 4 encompassed forest areas in the Rio Doce, Rio Paraiba do Sul, Rio Itanhem and Rio Itapemirim basins. The prevailing relief in these basins has influenced rainfall and seasonality in these areas which, in turn, have exerted a major influence on the composition of the semideciduous forests. Geographic proximity and altitude, although important factors, play a minor role in the phytogeographic patterns analysed. Despite the floristic heterogeneity of the Espinhaco Range forests, there are physiognomic and floristic affinities among the forests within the campos rupestre vegetation. These are due to the high altitude and features of the soil.
10 citations
TL;DR: This species has recently been rediscovered in a campo rupestre area at the ‘Pico 1430 m’ of the Serra de Sao Jose, Minas Gerais, after 20 years of field work in the area.
Abstract: Croton josephinus Mull.Arg., a member of Croton sect. Medea (Klotzsch) Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), has not been recollected since 1824, nor mentioned in the literature since its original publication in 1873. This species has recently been rediscovered in a campo rupestre area at the ‘Pico 1430 m’ of the Serra de Sao Jose, Minas Gerais, after 20 years of field work in the area. In the protologue Croton josephinus was cited as having been collected from Sao Paulo State. This is likely to have been a simple misattribution of the area where it occurs. Based on the new material collected, a detailed description and an illustration of the species are provided. A lectotype and an isolectotype are designated.
8 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the structure of the arboreal plant community in a cerradao fragment located at the Serra de Caldas Novas State Park, Goias, central Brazil was described.
Abstract: This study describes the structure of the arboreal plant community in a cerradao fragment located at the Serra de Caldas Novas State Park, Goias, central Brazil. It also compares the collected data with information from 10 other cerradao sites on dystrophic and mesotrophic soils. All trees of 4.77 cm or more diameter at breast height, in twenty-five 20 m × 20 m plots, were surveyed. Soil samples were analysed to determine the availability of nutrients. The vegetation had a discontinuous canopy, with a high density of small and medium-sized trees, and the soil was classified as dystrophic according to nutrient availability. Under ordination using Detrended Correspondence Analysis, species characteristic of the study site, such as Sclerolobium paniculatum and Emmotum nitens, were positioned in the central portion, while cosmopolitan species formed distinct groups, separated along the two axes. The community showed a low level of similarity in comparison to cerradoes reported in the literature in other parts of Brazil, having more than 50% similarity only with three geographically close sites.
TL;DR: In this paper, the flora of Uruq Bani Ma'arid in Saudi Arabia is described and an up-to-date botanical checklist of the area is provided.
Abstract: ‘Uruq Bani Ma‘arid in Saudi Arabia is an Important Plant Area (IPA) in the Arabian Peninsula. This paper describes the flora of ‘Uruq Bani Ma‘arid, provides an up-to-date botanical checklist of the area, and gives background information on the geology and fauna. It designates the locality as an IPA due to the highest known levels of plant species diversity in the Empty Quarter and the presence of endemic Arabian taxa. In addition to conservation assessments, this study discusses socio-economic issues, threats to biodiversity conservation on ‘Uruq Bani Ma‘arid, and the future research required to build upon these preliminary studies. A new combination is made for Fagonia schweinfurthii.
TL;DR: The phylogenetic analysis based on morphological characters (11 vegetative and 12 reproductive) resulted in a single, most parsimonious cladogram with bootstrap support only for the genus Endospermum (Euphorbiaceae).
Abstract: The genus Endospermum (Euphorbiaceae) in the Malay Archipelago (Malesia) comprises eight rather than the 10 species recognised in the latest revision by Schaeffer in 1971. Endospermum banghamii and E. ronaldii are synonymised with E. quadriloculare. The diagnostic characters for the genus are briefly discussed with special emphasis given to the myrmecophytic characters. The phylogenetic analysis, based on morphological characters (11 vegetative and 12 reproductive), resulted in a single, most parsimonious cladogram with bootstrap support only for the genus. The historical biogeographic analysis, used to evaluate the cladogram, showed that two species are placed in an unexpected position in the phylogeny, which means that the morphology-based cladogram may be reliable to a large extent.
TL;DR: A new species of Diplycosia (Ericaceae), DiplyCosia bartolomei Ferreras & Argent, presently known only from Mt. Mingan in the border region between Aurora and Nueva Ecija provinces in Luzon, Philippines, is described.
Abstract: A new species of Diplycosia (Ericaceae), Diplycosia bartolomei Ferreras & Argent, presently known only from Mt. Mingan in the border region between Aurora and Nueva Ecija provinces in Luzon, Philippines, is described. Comments on possible relationships and differences from other Philippine species are given.
TL;DR: In this paper, a vascular plant species list and description for the San Pastor Savanna, an isolated area of savanna within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Belize is provided.
Abstract: A vascular plant species list and description is provided for the San Pastor Savanna, an isolated area of savanna within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Belize. Of the 126 species recorded, 28 are new records for the Chiquibul Forest Reserve with one previously unrecorded for the country. The maintenance of the current vegetation classification under the Belize Ecosystems Map for the San Pastor Savanna is supported. The coarse-textured soils are typical for extremely seasonal climates with some evidence of prolonged inundation during wet periods and dry seasons affected by burning. Although clear floristic affinities exist with other local and regional savanna areas, the San Pastor Savanna has some unique features and its flora includes national endemics. Although it is currently protected as part of the Chiquibul Forest Reserve and this status should be maintained, its inaccessible location makes frequent monitoring by the Forest Department problematic. Through providing a source of water and a source of forage for horses, the San Pastor Savanna plays a pivotal role in supporting the illegal Chamaedorea (xate) palm leaf harvesting industry. This activity has also adversely impacted local wildlife. Like the nearby Mountain Pine Ridge, the San Pastor Savanna has suffered intense pine beetle (Dendroctonus spp.) attack.
TL;DR: In this paper, a study of relevant types has led to the conclusion that Gagea kunawurensis (Royle) Greuter (Liliaceae) is the correct name for what has recently been known as G. stipitata Merckl.
Abstract: Study of relevant types has led to the conclusion that Gagea kunawurensis (Royle) Greuter (Liliaceae) is the correct name for what has recently been known as G. stipitata Merckl. ex Bunge; that G. gageoides (Zucc.) Vved. is the correct name for G. persica Boiss., and that G. kashmirensis Turrill should be reduced to synonymy of G. tenera Pascher. Anatomical and morphological data are presented for these and the related species Gagea dschungarica Regel and G. afghanica A.Terracc., and a key given to allow their discrimination.
TL;DR: The series is here revised and 12 species are accepted and one new species of Pedicularis ser.
Abstract: Pedicularis ser. Tenuirostres Maxim. (Orobanchaceae) is demonstrated to be the correct name for the group usually referred to as P. ser. Pectinatae Prain. The series is here revised and 12 species are accepted. Its species are centred in the NW Himalaya, particularly Pakistan where there is much local infraspecific variation. Two species are excluded from the series: Pedicularis rhynchotricha P.C.Tsoong from China (Xizang) is placed in P. ser. Rhynchotrichae R.R.Mill and P. birmanica Bonati is confirmed as a member of P. ser. Brevifoliae (Prain) Bonati. One new species of Pedicularis ser. Tenuirostres is described: P. yamazakiana R.R.Mill from Nepal, which was formerly confused with P. pectinata subsp. palans Prain. Pedicularis jainii Aswal & Mehrotra is demonstrated to be a superfluous name for P. pyramidata Royle ex Benth. Pedicularis kashmiriana var. ornata Pennell is considered to be indistinguishable from P. pyramidata although P. kashmiriana var. kashmiriana is a recognisable taxon. An IUCN conservation assessment is proposed for Pedicularis rhynchotricha and for each taxon within P. ser. Tenuirostres.
TL;DR: A new species, Rhinacanthus flavovirens Amarasinghe & Wijesundara (Acanthaceae), from Sri Lanka, is described and illustrated in this article.
Abstract: A new species, Rhinacanthus flavovirens Amarasinghe & Wijesundara (Acanthaceae), from Sri Lanka, is described and illustrated. It is compared with the closely allied Rhinacanthus nasutus and R. polonnaruwensis. A key to Rhinacanthus species in Sri Lanka is also presented.
TL;DR: The separation of Thecacoris and Cyathogyne (Phyllanthaceae, formerly Euphorbiaceae) is discussed and it is concluded that they should remain united.
Abstract: The separation of Thecacoris and Cyathogyne (Phyllanthaceae, formerly Euphorbiaceae) is discussed and it is concluded that they should remain united. A separation of the continental forest species (except Thecacoris viridis (Mull.Arg.) Leandri ex G.L.Webster) awaits molecular investigation. Thecacoris micrantha sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Thecacoris grandifolia (Pax & K.Hoffm.) Govaerts from Cameroon is neotypified. Thecacoris membranacea Pax and T. annobonae Pax & K.Hoffm. are lectotypified and placed in synonymy under T. stenopetala (Mull.Arg.) Mull.Arg. and T. trichogyne Mull.Arg., respectively. Thecacoris manniana (Mull.Arg.) Mull.Arg. is united with T. stenopetala under the latter name. A key to and a synopsis of the West African species is provided.
TL;DR: A new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae), Begonia gorgonea Tebbitt, is described from Cajamarca Province in northern Peru and the IUCN conservation category of VU D2 is proposed for the new species.
Abstract: A new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae), Begonia gorgonea Tebbitt, is described from Cajamarca Province in northern Peru. This species is allied to a group of Andean species that are currently classified in Begonia sect. Knesebeckia . An identification key to this species group is provided, and the IUCN conservation category of VU D2 is proposed for the new species.
TL;DR: Ficus trivia Corner (Moraceae) is redefined, discussed, and compared with related species.
Abstract: Ficus trivia Corner (Moraceae) is redefined, discussed, and compared with related species.
TL;DR: Turner is here proposed as an avowed substitute for Xylopia patoniae I.M.F.Turner et al. as mentioned in this paper proposed Patonia parvifolia Wight as the lectotype, maintaining Patonia as a synonym of Xylopus.
Abstract: Xylopia parvifolia (Wight) Hook.f. & Thomson (Annonaceae), based on Patonia parvifolia Wight, is a tree species native to Sri Lanka and India. Unfortunately the widely used name is an illegitimate later homonym. Xylopia patoniae I.M.Turner is here proposed as an avowed substitute. There have been two proposals to lectotypify Patonia Wight. The earliest, and one to be followed, proposed Patonia parvifolia Wight as the lectotype, maintaining Patonia as a synonym of Xylopia. A later proposal to make Patonia walkeri Wight (≡ Diospyros walkeri (Wight) Gurke) the type has to be disregarded.
TL;DR: Two species of the NW Himalayan region, Pedicularis bicornuta Klotzsch and P. elephantoides Benth.
Abstract: The limits of Pedicularis L. ser. Megalanthae (Prain) Bonati (Orobanchaceae) are revised. The series, typified by Pedicularis megalantha D.Don, is restricted to seven species chiefly inhabiting the eastern Sino-Himalayan region. Authorship of the name Megalanthae at series rank is ascribed to Bonati (Mem. Soc. Bot. France 18: 13, 1910) because the groups recognised by Prain in 1890, that have been traditionally regarded as series, are in fact rankless. Two species of the NW Himalayan region, Pedicularis bicornuta Klotzsch and P. elephantoides Benth., are removed from P. ser. Megalanthae as they differ significantly from the eastern species in their floral morphology. These species are considered sufficiently distinct to warrant recognition as the new series Pedicularis ser. Bicornutae R.R.Mill. This new series is provisionally assigned to Pedicularis sect. Phanerantha H.L.Li. Pedicularis bicornuta, whose holotype is destroyed, and P. eximia G.Watt are lectotypified. The recently published Pedicularis bicornuta var. adenocalyx R.R.Mill includes the lectotype and much, but not all, material previously assigned to P. eximia.
TL;DR: The Indian Desmos viridiflorus (Annonaceae) was first described as Unona virid iflora by Beddome, but this was a later homonym of a species from South America.
Abstract: The Indian Desmos viridiflorus (Annonaceae) was first described as Unona viridiflora by Beddome, but this was a later homonym of a species from South America. The correct citation of the species is therefore Desmos viridiflorus Saff. (1912). Unona viridiflora Bedd. is lectotypified.
TL;DR: Appendicula nicobarica Jayanthi, Sumathi & Karthig.
Abstract: Appendicula nicobarica Jayanthi, Sumathi & Karthig. (Orchidaceae) is described and illustrated from Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, India.