Showing papers in "Kew Bulletin in 1997"
TL;DR: Analysis of rbcL sequence data indicates a close and strongly supported relationship to Ochnaceae and Quiinaceae, but does not resolve the relationships between these taxa.
Abstract: Medusagyne oppositifolia Baker is the sole member of Medusagynaceae Engl. & Gilg and its phylogenetic position has been unclear. Analysis of rbcL sequence data indicates a close and strongly supported relationship to Ochnaceae and Quiinaceae, but does not resolve the relationships between these taxa. Together the three families form a monophyletic group with a somewhat more distant relationship to other linalean groups including Malpighiaceae, Linaceae and phyllanthoid Euphorbiaceae.
254 citations
151 citations
TL;DR: Analysis of rbcL sequence data indicates a placement within Caryophyllidae sensu Chase, Soltis, Olmstead et al. 1993, but without a particularly close relationship to any of the other families, and support the familial rank Rhabdodendraceae and place it in Caryophylla without reference to a particular order.
Abstract: Rhabdodendron is the sole genus in Rhabdodendraceae and affinities have been suggested with Chrysobalanaceae, Rutaceae and Phytolaccaceae. Analysis of rbcL sequence data indicates a placement within Caryophyllidae sensu Chase, Soltis, Olmstead et al. 1993, but without a particularly close relationship to any of the other families. On this basis we support the familial rank Rhabdodendraceae and place it in Caryophyllidae, without reference to a particular order. The molecular results are discussed in the light of the morphological, anatomical and biochemical characters of Rhabdodendron.
66 citations
TL;DR: This introduction to plant taxonomy teaches basic botanical facts as applied to vascular plants, relating these facts to systematic principles and to contemporary issues.
Abstract: This introduction to plant taxonomy teaches basic botanical facts as applied to vascular plants, relating these facts to systematic principles and to contemporary issues. World-wide plant families are covered.
60 citations
TL;DR: Detailed chromosome counts are given for over 190 vouchered taxa in 32 genera representing 14 families, the majority of which are petaloid monocotyledons, and their significance is discussed.
Abstract: Summary. 502 chromosome counts are given for over 190 vouchered taxa in 32 genera representing 14 families, the majority of which are petaloid monocotyledons. Their significance is discussed.
60 citations
TL;DR: The floral biology of 3 species of Clusia sect.
Abstract: The floral biology of 3 species of Clusia sect. Chlamydoclusia and 3 species of Clusia sect. Cordylandra from Central Amazonia was investigated. The flowers of both sexes offer resin as the reward for pollinating bees. The male flowers of the species of sect. Chlamydoclusia may additionally offer pollen. Principal pollinators observed were bees, mainly of the tribes Euglossini and Trigonini. In the male flowers of sect. Chlamydoclusia the pollen is kept separately from the floral resin, but in sect. Cordylandra it is mixed with the resin. The elongated connectives of the fertile stamens in sect. Chlamydoclusia secrete droplets of an oily fluid which probably serves as accessory pollenkitt. The stigmas of the pistils and pistillodes of flowers of sect. Cordylandra secrete an oily fluid; possible functions of this are discussed. C. renggerioides has male plants with two different floral morphs; pollen of both produced fertile seeds when used to pollinate female plants. The taxonomic significance of the different pollination strategies in Clusia and their evolution is discussed.
57 citations
TL;DR: A new classification of Barleria is proposed, dividing the genus into 2 subgenera and seven sections, with the basic configuration of the corolla, structure of the stigma, composition of the androecium, and the number of seeds among the most important sources of taxonomically useful characters.
Abstract: Summary. Barleria L. is a large, pantropical genus of herbs and shrubs, the satisfactory subdivision of which has long been problematic. This paper proposes a new classification of Barleria into 2 subgenera (Barleria and Prionitis) and seven sections (Barleria, Chrysothrix, Cavirostrata, Fissimura, Stellatohirta, Somalia and Prionitis). Of the seven sections, two (Prionitis and Somalia) are retained much as previously circumscribed, although new characters are used to delimit them; section Barleria is retained partially as previously circumscribed, but with two groups previously included in it removed and elevated to sectional status (as Fissimura and Stellatohirta) in subgenus Prionitis; the remaining two sections (Cavirostrata and Chrysothrix) are described anew. Approximately 240 of the 300 described species were studied in detail. The most important sources of taxonomically useful characters included the basic configuration of the corolla, structure of the stigma, composition of the androecium, form and structure of the capsules, presence or absence of beaks on the capsules, composition of the septum in the capsules and the number of seeds.
51 citations
TL;DR: A new Cameroonian species, Coffea montekupensis (Rubiaceae, Coffeeae), which is endemic to the Bakossi Mountains and all but one of the known collections are from Mount Kupe.
Abstract: Summary. A new Cameroonian species, Coffea montekupensis (Rubiaceae, Coffeeae) is described and morphological and ecological documentation supplied. C. montekupensis is endemic to the Bakossi Mountains and all but one of the known collections are from Mount Kupe. It resembles the more widely distributed C. brevipes Hiern which also occurs on Mount Kupe, although the two are not sympatric.
42 citations
TL;DR: An outline is given of William Roxburgh's botanical work in India leading to the publication of 'Hortus Bengalensis', 'Plants of the Coast of Coromandel' and 'Flora Indica'.
Abstract: Summary. An outline is given of William Roxburgh's botanical work in India leading to the publication of 'Hortus Bengalensis', 'Plants of the Coast of Coromandel' and 'Flora Indica'. The locations of the main sets of Roxburgh's specimens and drawings are discussed. Problems in typifying the names of Roxburgh's species are discussed as well as the relevance of the Flora Indica drawings. A partial list of Roxburgh specimens of his species is given: this is largely based on a manuscript list at Brussels of specimens there from the Martius herbarium, and on entries in Wallich's 'Catalogue'. Other specimens at Edinburgh, Liverpool, Oxford etc. are included. The corresponding drawings at Kew or Calcutta are listed where these are present.
37 citations
27 citations
TL;DR: The arundinoid genera Crinipes, Nematopoa, Styppeiochloa, Piptophyllum and Zenkeria are shown to form a monophyletic clade, based on leaf anatomical and morphological data.
Abstract: The arundinoid genera Crinipes, Nematopoa, Styppeiochloa, Piptophyllum and Zenkeria are shown to form a monophyletic clade, based on leaf anatomical and morphological data. This clade, here called the crinipoid grasses, is closely related to the reedy Arundineae sensu stricto (Arundo, Phragmites, Molinia, Hakonechloa), and less closely related to the Danthonieae (including the Cortaderieae). Dichaetaria appears to be a member of the Arundineae sensu stricto, rather than of the crinipoid grasses. Relationships among the crinipoid grasses are complex, due to a lack of congruence among the various genera, but there is some indication of a grouping of Zenkeria with Nematopoa and Styppeiochloa, while another grouping includes Piptophyllum, Leptagrostis and Crinipes. This suggests an Indian-Sri Lankan-Madagascan-southern African biogeographical pattern, rather than an Indian-Ethiopian relationship.
TL;DR: An introduction is given to Calliandra series Racemosae Benth with a discussion of: vegetative and reproductive morphology; pollination biology; distribution; hybridization; chromosome numbers and economic uses, leading into a taxonomic treatment.
Abstract: Summary. An introduction is given to Calliandra series Racemosae Benth. with a discussion of: vegetative and reproductive morphology; pollination biology; distribution; hybridization; chromosome numbers and economic uses, leading into a taxonomic treatment. Seven species from Mexico to Panama which comprise series Racemosae Benth. are described and illustrated: Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn., Calliandra grandiflora (L'Her.) Benth., Calliandra houstoniana (Mill.) Standl., Calliandra juzepczukii Standl., Calliandra longepedicellata (McVaugh) Macqueen & H. M. Hern., Calliandra palmeri S. Watson and Calliandra physocalyx H. M. Hern. & M. Sousa. Of these, several have agroforestry potential and C. calothyrsus is widely planted throughout the tropics in a range of agroforestry systems. Two keys and several distribution maps are given. A full list of exsiccatae can be obtained on request from the Oxford Forestry Institute. Resumen. Se proporciona una introducci6n a Calliandra serie Racemosae Benth. con una discusi6n sobre su morfologia vegetativa y reproductiva, su biologia reproductiva, su distribuci6n geogrifica, hibridaci6n, nfimeros cromos6micos y usos econ6micos, los cuales se conjugan en una revisi6n taxon6mica. Se describen e ilustran las siete especies reconocidas para la serie Racemosae, las cuales se distribuyen desde Mexico hasta Panami: Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn., Calliandra grandiflora (L'Her.) Benth., Calliandra houstoniana (Mill.) Standl., Calliandra juzepczukii Standl., Calliandra longepedicellata (McVaugh) Macqueen & H. M. Hern., Calliandra palmeri S. Watson y Calliandra physocalyx H. M. Hern. & M. Sousa. Varias de estas especies tienen potencial agroforestal y C. calothyrsus es ampliamente cultivada en el tr6pico en una variedad de sistemas agroforestales. Se proporcionan dos claves para la determinaci6n de los taxa, asi como varios mapas de distribuci6n. Una lista de ejemplares de herbario puede ser solicitada del Oxford Forestry Institute.
TL;DR: The first in a series describing new genera in Grammitidaceae segregated from Old World Ctenopteris, Grammitis and Xiphopteris should provide a more unified treatment of the family on a world-wide basis than that of other fern families such as Cyatheaceae and Thelypteridaceae, where Old World and New World authors have not agreed on the number and definition of genera.
Abstract: In Old World Grammitidaceae, Ctenopteris Blume ex Kunze, Grammitis Sw. sensu lato and Xiphopteris Kaulf. have been used for some time as unsatisfactory artificial genera based on frond dissection (e.g. Copeland 1953, Parris 1986 & 1990), pending further study on generic boundaries within the family. As the type of Ctenopteris (C. venulosa Blume ex Kunze) and about 10 closely related species have been assigned to Prosaptia C. Presl (e.g. Parris 1995, Price 1982 & 1987), Grammitis will be delimited as a monophyletic genus, and the type species of Xiphopteris has been placed in Cochlidium (Bishop 1978), reallocation of numerous Old World taxa to other genera is clearly necessary. This paper is the first in a series describing new genera in Grammitidaceae segregated from Old World Ctenopteris, Grammitis and Xiphopteris. A key to all genera of Grammitidaceae will be provided upon completion of the series. Most of the New World or primarily New World genera of the family have been recently described, revised or emended. They are Ceradenia (Bishop 1988), Cochlidium (Bishop 1978), Enterosora (Bishop & Smith 1992), Grammitis sect. Grammitis (Bishop 1977), Lellingeria (Smith et al. 1991), Melpomene (Smith & Moran 1992), Micropolypodium (Smith 1992), Terpsichore (Smith 1993) and Zygophlebia (Bishop 1989). The new genera to be described from the Old World are equivalent in concept to those of the New World in that they are defined by at least one unique character occurring in all taxa, or have unique assemblages of several correlating characters. This should provide a more unified treatment of the family on a world-wide basis than that of other fern families such as Cyatheaceae and Thelypteridaceae, where Old World and New World authors have not agreed on the number and definition of genera.
TL;DR: A new genus of the tribe Polygonateae (Convallariaceae) from West China is described and named Heteropolygonatum, which differs from it in having short outer stamens and long inner ones, imbricate tepals, and both terminal and axillary inflorescences.
Abstract: A new genus of the tribe Polygonateae (Convallariaceae) from West China is described and named Heteropolygonatum. This genus is similar to Polygonatum, but differs from it in having short outer stamens and long inner ones, imbricate tepals, and both terminal and axillary inflorescences. Heteropolygonatum contains two species: H. roseolum and H. pendulum. In this paper, the former species is newly described and defined as the type of the genus, and the latter species is transferred from Polygonatum. They were also examined karyologically and proved to be diploid with a basic chromosome number of x=16, which does not coincide with that of Polygonatum.
TL;DR: Study of herbarium material of wild Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.
Abstract: Study of herbarium material of wild Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. has revealed specimens from Ethiopia with very large stipules; the long calyx lobes place them in the "mensensis group". All have an allogamous style and an unbeaked keel twisted to the left, like subsp. pawekiae Pasquet from south-central Africa (Pasquet 1993b). Subsp. burundiensis Pasquet occurs south of Ethiopia and its keel twists to the right (Pasquet 1993a). These Ethiopian specimens are here described as a new subspecies.
TL;DR: A monographic revision of the genus Alafia is presented, based mainly on herbarium material, but, in addition, the author has seen living plants in the wild belonging to 7 of the 23 species maintained here.
Abstract: The present paper is a monographic revision of the genus Alafia. The study is based mainly on herbarium material, but, in addition, the author has seen living plants in the wild belonging to 7 of the 23 species maintained here (15 in continental Africa and 8 in Madagascar). Two keys are provided -the first for species indigenous to mainland Africa and the second for those found in Madagascar. It has been possible to trace almost all the type specimens of the names and synonyms discussed here.
TL;DR: Two subspecies with distinct geographical distributions can be distinguished and one of these, P decomposita subsp.
Abstract: Summary. Paeonia decomposita, regarded as endangered in the China Plant Red Data Book, has been found to be rather common in a restricted area of NW Sichuan. Two subspecies with distinct geographical distributions can be distinguished. One of these, P decomposita subsp. rotundiloba, is described as new and illustrated here. Plants conspecific with the collections from the Mingjiang Valley were found in seven additional localities in the valley. Further collections were also made of the taxon from the Daduhe Valley. The two differ in the number of carpels and in leaflet shape. Sixty-two individuals from six populations in the Daduhe Valley were examined. One individual had four carpels while all the rest had five. Carpel number in the Mingjiang Valley populations varied from two to five (Table 1). Leaflets from the two populations differ in size, shape, and lobing (Fig. 1). The Mingjiang populations have wider and shorter leaflets which are acute or obtuse at the apex, rather than acuminate as in the Daduhe plants. The ratios between leaflet and lobe length and width are almost discontinuous between the two populations (Fig. 2). In view of this, subspecific rank seems most appropriate for the two populations.
TL;DR: Lisowski (1991a) formalized the subdivision, treating the Guinean-Congo entity as specifically distinct and subdividing the eastern and southern entity into a number of separate species.
Abstract: The name Emilia coccinea (Sims) G. Don (or its misapplied synonyms E. sagittata auct. non DC., E. flammea auct. non Cass. and E. javanica auct. non (Burm. f.) C. B. Rob.) has been traditionally applied in a broad sense so as to include most of the large-headed Emilia of Africa in one widely-circumscribed, polymorphic species, ranging throughout most of tropical Africa (e.g., Oliver & Hiern 1877, Hutchinson & Dalziel 1931, Mendonca 1943, Andrews 1956, Cufodontis 1967, Agnew 1974). Adams (1963) commented on the wide variation of the species as so circumscribed and accepted as a distinct species the previously-segregated E. praetermissa MilneRedhead (1951). The variation was further commented on by Jeffrey (1986), who recognised two main regional variants as informal groups, one western, rather uniform, with more equally leafy stems, relatively longer and narrower involucres and yellow to orange corollas (a Guinean-Congo forest species), the other eastern and southern, very polymorphic, rather subscapose in habit, with relatively broader and shorter involucres and rarely yellow, usually orange, bright orange-red or scarlet corollas, extending from Sudan through east Africa to Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola and Cabinda. Lisowski (1991a) formalized the subdivision, treating the Guinean-Congo entity as specifically distinct and subdividing the eastern and southern entity into a number of separate species.
TL;DR: Three taxa of Asystasia, the naming of which has been confused, occur in Peninsular Malaysia; none is native, and one is a recent introduction, probably from Africa.
Abstract: Three taxa of Asystasia, the naming of which has been confused, occur in Peninsular Malaysia. None is native. A. nemorum Nees (syn. A. intrusa Blume, non (Forssk,) Nees) from Java has only been collected from Penang and Singapore. A. gangetica (L.) T. Anderson is widespread and is represented by two subspecies: a large-flowered taxon, subsp. gangetica (syn. A. coromandeliana Nees) which is a long-established introduction from India and a small-flowered taxon, subsp. micrantha (Nees) Ensermu (syn. A. intrusa (Forssk.) Nees) which is a recent introduction, probably from Africa. A key to the three taxa in Malaysia is provided.
TL;DR: The list of 39 species of Epimedium known from China in 1996 (Stearn 1997), contrasted with the 12 known in 1938 and in 1975, demonstrates the remarkable increase in knowledge of the Chinese flora during the past twenty years and also its great floristic richness.
Abstract: The list of 39 species of Epimedium known from China in 1996 (Stearn 1997), contrasted with the 12 known in 1938 (Stearn 1938) and in 1975 (Ying 1975), demonstrates the remarkable increase in knowledge of the Chinese flora during the past twenty years and also its great floristic richness, as indeed do other modern studies of Chinese genera. No severe glaciation, such as devastated the Tertiary flora of Europe, interrupted the evolution of the plants of China although increasing cold from the north caused a gradual southward shift of vegetation (cf. Zhao et al. 1992). Three of the new species described below are the three 'sp. nov. ined.' of the above list. E. rhizomatosum, formerly considered a variant of E. membranaceum, has proved to be specifically distinct. For some other undescribed species, the available information is at present inadequate. David G. Barker (1997) has published a useful survey of the taxa of Epimedium known in cultivation in 1996.
TL;DR: Aglaia mackiana was discovered by Andrew Mack during the course of his Ph.D. study of the Dwarf Cassowary in Crater Mountain Reserve, Papua New Guinea and is also dispersed by cassowaries.
Abstract: Aglaia mackiana brings the total of species recognised by the author to 106 (105 species are treated in Pannell 1992). It was discovered by Andrew Mack during the course of his Ph.D. study of the Dwarf Cassowary in Crater Mountain Reserve, Papua New Guinea. When fruiting, the seeds of this species forms part of the diet of the Dwarf Cassowary. Dr Mack measured distance and direction of dispersal of A. mackiana seeds consumed by cassowaries by placing numbered nails in seeds fallen beneath parent trees and subsequently tracing some of them in cassowary dung, using a metal detector. There is at least one more, undescribed, species of Aglaia from New Guinea which is also dispersed by cassowaries.
TL;DR: Two new monocotyledon families Anemarrhenaceae and Behniaceae are described for the monotypic but somewhat isolated genera Anemarrehena and Behnia, considered to be part of a 'higher' asparagoid clade leading to Asparagaceae and Convalliariaceae, but with no obvious close morphological affinities to other families in the clade.
Abstract: Summary. Two new monocotyledon families Anemarrhenaceae and Behniaceae are described for the monotypic but somewhat isolated genera Anemarrhena and Behnia. The differences from previous morphology-based associations near Anthericaceae and Luzuriagaceae respectively are considered, and their current relationships based in part on molecular sequence data are discussed. Both families are considered to be part of a 'higher' asparagoid clade leading to Asparagaceae and Convalliariaceae, but with no obvious close morphological affinities to other families in the clade.
TL;DR: The mainly African genus Haumaniastrum is found to be more closely related to the African Platostoma sect.
Abstract: The generic delimitation of Platostoma P. Beauv., Haumaniastrum P. A. Duvign. & Plancke and previously recognized allied genera is examined on a global basis for the first time this century. A parsimony analysis was carried out and the generic concept applied is discussed. Platostoma and Haumaniastrum are recognized here with Acrocephalus, Geniosporum, Ceratanthus, Octomeron, Mesona, Nosema and Limniboza being placed in the synonomy of Platostoma. The previously recognized Acrocephalus group of genera is renamed the Platostoma group. Benguellia is considered to be more closely related to Orthosiphon than to the Platostoma group. Platostoma is a paraphyletic genus due to the exclusion of Haumaniastrum. Platostoma is divided into three subgenera: subgen. Acrocephalus is broadly equivalent to Asiatic species of Geniosporum and Acrocephalus, but with the inclusion of some African and Madagascan species: subgen. Octomeron is monotypic; subgen. Platostoma is divided into four sections, sect. Platostoma, sect. Ceratanthus, sect. Mesona and sect. Limniboza. Platostoma is found in tropical Africa, Madagascar, tropical Asia and N Queensland. The genus has not been fully revised, but 45 species are recognized with 4 described for the first time. A key to the infrageneric taxa is provided and the recognized species are listed with their types, synonomy and distribution. The mainly African genus Haumaniastrum is found to be more closely related to the African Platostoma sect. Limniboza rather than the Asiatic sect. Acrocephalus as had been previously proposed.
TL;DR: The campo rupestre vegetation of the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Bahia and Goiais has been the subject of intensive taxonomic study due to its high species diversity and levels of endemism, and with increasing knowledge many of these are proving to be new and narrowly endemic.
Abstract: The campo rupestre vegetation of the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Bahia and Goiais has been the subject of intensive taxonomic study due to its high species diversity and levels of endemism (e.g. Giulietti 1984, Giulietti et al. 1987, Giulietti & Pirani 1988, Harley 1988, Harley & Simmons 1986, Joly 1970, Menezes & Giulietti 1986, Stannard 1995, Zappi 1994). The Araceae, a family richest in humid tropical forest habitats, have relatively few campo rupestre species, but with increasing knowledge many of these are proving to be new and narrowly endemic (e.g. Mayo 1978a, b, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1991). The recognition of the three new species described here resulted from a study in the Espinhaco mountain range of Minas Gerais state (Sakuragui 1994). Philodendron rhizomatosum Sakuragui & Mayo is so far known only from the type locality in the Serra do Cip6, while P cipoense Sakuragui & Mayo and R biribiriense Sakuragui & Mayo, although having slightly wider ranges, have also been collected only in campo rupestre vegetation. All three species have cordate to subsagittate leaves and few-ovulate ovary locules with basal to subbasal placentas, characters that place them in P subgenus Philodendron, section Calostigma (Schott) Pfeiff. (Krause 1913, Mayo 1990). The descriptions are based in part on material cultivated by the first author (CMS) in a lath house at the University of Sio Paulo, Piracicaba. Philodendron rhizomatosum flowered in cultivation in November 1992 and October 1993, but set no fruit; the other two species failed to flower in cultivation. The terminology for describing the leaf blade follows that of Mayo (1991), and for other organs, Radford et al. (1974).
TL;DR: Fruits of Stictocardia (Convolvulaceae) are more complex than those of related genera, and unique in possessing the following combination of characters: an enlarged calyx, thin exocarp, a 4-lobed septum, and a4-lOBed loculicidal endocarp.
Abstract: Fruits of Stictocardia (Convolvulaceae) are more complex than those of related genera, and unique in possessing the following combination of characters: an enlarged calyx, thin exocarp, a 4-lobed septum, and a 4-lobed loculicidal endocarp. Fruit and other distinctive traits are discussed and the conclusion drawn that Stictocardia should be maintained as a distinct genus. A synopsis of species is given along with a discussion of probable pollination syndromes.