Aspidistra sonlaensis (Asparagaceae, Nolinoideae), a new species from northern Vietnam

A new species of Aspidistra, A. sonlaensis, is described and illustrated from Son La Province in northern Vietnam. The new species is morphologically close to A. micrantha, but differs in number of perigone lobes, anther position and pistil shape. The new species is accessed as Data Deficient (DD) according to the IUCN categories and criteria.

Global and regional IUCN red list assessments: 12

In this contribution, the conservation status assessment of two vascular plants according to IUCN categories and criteria are presented. It includes the assessment of Genista nuragica Bacch., Brullo & Giusso and Jacobaea incana (L.) Veldkamp at global level.

Two new threatened species of Rinorea (Violaceae), forest trees from East and South Regions, Cameroon

Two tree species are described as new to science: Rinorea spongiocarpa Achound. sp. nov (placed in Rinorea [unranked] Brachypetalae) and Rinorea dimakoensis Achound. sp. nov.( placed in Rinorea [unranked] Ilicifolieae). Both species are endemic to Cameroon, occurring south of the Sanaga river, the first from South and East Regions, occurring in evergreen forest from Ebolowa to Dja, while the second occurs in the northern part of East Region in semi-deciduous forest towards the interface with woodland habitats in the Dimako-Bertoua area. The two species are illustrated, and their affinities and conservation status according to the 2012 IUCN categories and criteria are discussed. Both species are threatened with extinction due to habitat destruction, the first is assessed as Vulnerable, the second Endangered.

Calceolaria flavida (Calceolariaceae) a new endemic species to central Chile

A new species of Calceolaria endemic to central Chile is described. A comparison with morphologically similar species is made, and a key as well as detailed images to differentiate them is provided. The species is only known from the Natural Sanctuary Cerro El Roble, which is part of the coastal mountain range of central Chile and can be considered as  Critically Endangered (CR) under the IUCN categories and criteria.

Global and Regional IUCN Red List Assessments: 11

In this contribution, the conservation status assessment of three vascular plants according to IUCN categories and criteria is presented. It includes the global assessment of Limonium parvifolium Tineo and Viscaria alpina (L.) G.Don, and the regional assessment of Rhazya stricta Decne. (Iraq).

Chayamaritia vietnamensis (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Son La Province, northern Vietnam

Chayamaritia vietnamensis, a new species from Son La Province, northern Vietnam, is described and illustrated. The phylogenetic study revealed that the new species is most closely related to C. banksiae and C. smitinandii. The morphological comparison suggests it as the third new species of Chayamaritia and distinguished from C. banksiae and C. smitinandii by a combination of morphological characters of leaf blades, bracts, calyx and corolla, especially its peltate leaf blades. This species is provisionally assessed as endangered (EN B1ab(iii), B2ab(iii)) using IUCN Categories and Criteria. Information on ecology, phenology and an identification key for the known Chayamaritia species are also provided.

A new species of Sciodaphyllum (Araliaceae) from the Chocó Biogeographical region in Colombia

A new species of Sciodaphyllum (Araliaceae), S. pygmaeum, is described and illustrated from the basin of the Anchicayá River in the Chocó Biogeographical region of Colombia. This new species differs from other members of the genus by being a small monocaulous shrub, with hollow branches, tubular stipular ligules, and fewer secondary branches in the inflorescence. The conservation status of S. pygmaeum is accessed to be Least Concern (LC) according to IUCN categories and criteria.

Camellia luteocalpandria (Theaceae), a new species and the first discovery of sect. Calpandria in China

Camellia luteocalpandria, a new species is described and illustrated from Yunnan, China. This is the first discovery of Camellia sect. Calpandria in China. It can be easily distinguished from the other two species in the section by its yellow flower, bracteoles and sepals glabrous adaxially, and the filament 1-whorled and all united without free or partly united filament inside the tube. The new species is assessed to be Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN categories and criteria.

Rediscovery of Camellia langbianensis (Theaceae) in Vietnam

Camellia langbianensis is a species endemic to southern Vietnam. It was described by Gagnepain based on the collection of Poilane and was rediscovered about 80 years since published. The complete descriptions and illustrations are provided for this species. A comment on the affinities with closely related species C. vidalii is also shown. It is accessed to be Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN categories and criteria.

Lectotypification of the name Chamaemelum heterolepis, the basionym of Tripleurospermum heterolepis and taxonomic notes on T. tempskyanum (Asteraceae)

Tripleurospermum heterolepis (? Chamaemelum heterolepis), whose specimens are referred to as syntypes, is a narrow Turkish endemic species assessed as Critically Endangered according to the IUCN categories. Tripleurospermum tempskyanum (? Chamaemelum tempskyanum) is known as endemic to Greece, but is also distributed in Turkey. In this study, the name C. heterolepis is lectotypified on a specimen deposited at LD. Additionally, a description of T. tempskyanum in the Turkish flora is presented, and its conservation status is indicated. The diagnostic morphological characters which distinguish T. tempskyanum from its close relatives are discussed.