Establishment of the Hohenbergia capitata complex (Bromeliaceae) with notes on leaf anatomy and description of a new endangered species

We here establish the Hohenbergia capitata complex composed of three species endemic to the Atlantic Forest, in the State of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. When compared with other Hohenbergia species endemic to the Atlantic Forest, the complex is recognized by the small size of the plants (shorter than 1 m tall when flowering), lanceolate leaf blades, inflorescence with main axis short and congested branches, concentrated on the apical portion of the inflorescence (creating a capitulate shape), primary branches short pedunculate (short stipes), basal primary bracts sub-orbicular, large flowers (over 3 cm long) with spatulate petals with a cuspidate apex. Within this complex, we describe H. nidularioides sp. nov., a critically endangered species from the southern coastal region of Bahia, only known from a small fragment of Restinga forest in Una municipality. This species is very similar to H. capitata but differs by the nidular aspect of the inflorescence, which is only short-pedunculate and more or less hidden inside the rosette. In addition to the taxonomic treatment, we provide illustrations, the geographic distribution, taxonomic comments, and anatomical comparison of the species in the H. capitata complex.

Aster jiangkouensis (Asteraceae), a new species from Guizhou, China

Aster jiangkouensis (Asteraceae), a new species from karst areas of southwestern Wuling Mountain, Guizhou province, China, is described and illustrated. It is most similar to A. huangpingensis, but differs from the latter in having inconspicuously triplinerved leaves, ovate to oblong-lanceolate leaf blades, cylindric-campanulate involucre. A line drawing, photographic image and preliminary conservation status of the new species are provided.

Two new species of Microlicia D.Don (Melastomataceae, Microlicieae) from Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás State, Brazil

Microlicia gracilis and Microlicia xylopodifera, endemic to Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás State, Brazil, are described, illustrated and the conservation status is also provided. Both species resemble Microlicia ordinata and Microlicia ramosa that are also endemic to Goiás, by having sessile leaf with serrate and ciliate margin, pedicellate flower, triangular and short sepal and dimorphic stamens with bicolorous and polysporangiate anthers. However, M. gracilis differs by the long internode (2–4 mm long), concolorous, semi-amplexicaul and lanceolate leaf, and petal acuminate at the apex. Microlicia xylopodifera differs in having a robust xylopodium, horizontal or slightly ascending leaf and a dense crown of glandular trichomes at the apex of flower bud.

Convergent origin of the narrowly lanceolate leaf in the genus Aster—with special reference to an unexpected discovery of a new Aster species from East China

Narrowly lanceolate leaves occur frequently in the genus Aster. It was often employed as a distinguishing character in the taxonomy of this genus. The origin of this particular leaf shape, however, has never been investigated using comparative methods. In this study, we reconstructed a comprehensive phylogeny that includes most species of Aster with narrowly lanceolate leaf. We then gathered data on riparian habitats and the presence or absence of narrowly lanceolate leaves, and investigated the evolutionary association between them in a phylogenetic context. Our analysis indicated that the species with narrowly lanceolate leaves are nested in unrelated lineages of the genus Aster, implying that they originated independently several times. Using Pagel’s comparative method of discrete data, we demonstrated a significant correlation between riparian habitats and narrowly lanceolate leaves. We further inferred the sequence of transition of the two characters. This analysis indicated that the sequence of evolution of riparian habitat and narrowly lanceolate leaf form was usually uncertain, but some positive results showed that the occurrence of riparian habitats may not precede the evolution of narrowly lanceolate leaf form. This study provided new insights into the adaptive evolution in a mega-diverse family. In addition, Aster tonglingensis, an unexpected new species with narrowly lanceolate leaves, was discovered and established based on the evidence from morphology, micromorphology and molecular phylogeny.

HABITAT AND PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL CHARACTERS OF THE ENDANGERED PLANT SPECIES, EXACUM BICOLOR ROXB.

Study on the phytosociological characters like distribution, abundance, density etc of a species in its established habitats is a tool to determine the effect of environmental conditions on variations in population characteristics. Based on this concept, four leaf shape variants (ovate, linear- lanceolate, oblanceolate and ovate – elliptic) of the plant species, Exacum bicolor distributed in four different grasslands habitats viz.,Payyanur, Taliparamba, Paithal mala and Thirunelli at Kannur and Wayand districts of Kerala were selected in the present study. The populations of the study species showed distinct expression of ecological attributes across the four leaf shape variants in four habitats studied. The distribution level determined through the annual mean frequency percentage was higher (89.29 %) in the populations of ovate leaf shape variant in Taliparamba, where as it was lower (5.71 %) in the populations of linear – lanceolate leaf shape variant in Payyanur. Similarly, the annual abundance of the population was higher (5.08/m2) for ovate – elliptic leaf shape variant (Taliparmba) and lower (1.43/m2) for linear – lanceolate leaf shape variant (Thirunelli). The annual density obtained by the population was also higher for ovate leaf shape variant present in Taliparmba (4.10/m2) and lower for the population of linear – lanceolate leaf shape variant present in Thirunelli, (0.09/m2). From these ecological studies, it is understood that among the four leaf shape variants, generally ovate leaf shape variant has established well. In addition, the grassland community at Taliparamba is determined to have most suitable microclimate also for this variant than the other habitats studied.

Miconia rheophytica (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), a new and endangered species from the Magdalena Medio region of Colombia

Miconia rheophytica is described, illustrated, and compared with presumed relatives in the Octopleura clade. It is distinguished by its narrowly elliptic to ovate-lanceolate leaf blades with entire to subentire margins that have evenly spaced spreading smooth eglandular trichomes 0.8−1.4 mm long, an indumentum of dendritic trichomes with short axes and terete radiating arms on distal internodes, adaxial petiole surfaces, and primary and secondary veins on abaxial leaf surfaces, unribbed hypanthia that are constricted and tapered distally below the torus and covered with a mixture of basally roughened trichomes and dendritic trichomes with short axes, anthers with two ± truncate apical pores, eglandular anther appendages, 3-locular ovary, and berries that are bright blue at maturity. It is known only from flash-flooded riverbanks in three river canyons in the Magdalena Medio region of Antioquia, Colombia. A conservation assessment of “Endangered” is recommended for this species based on IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Agapetes brevipedicellata (Ericaceae), a new species from Putao, Kachin State, Northern Myanmar

Agapetes brevipedicellata, a new species of Ericaceae from Putao, Kachin State, Myanmar, is here described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to Agapetes pseudogriffithii, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by its nearly fleshy branchlets, linear-lanceolate leaf blades, stout, fleshy, bracteate peduncles, pedicels and calyx pale greenish tinged with pale pink, and stems and branches with prominent leaf and inflorescence scars.