REVISITING THE HEDYOTIS–OLDENLANDIA COMPLEX IN INDIA, WITH A NOTE ON SCLEROMITRION

In recent years, new generic circumscriptions have been proposed in the Hedyotis–Oldenlandia complex. A comprehensive revision of Indian Hedyotis sensu lato, published in 2004, was based on a broad generic concept for the genus and does not uphold new generic delimitations. Therefore, the present article has been prepared to apply modern generic concepts to the Indian taxa. In India, 102 taxa are currently recorded under the Hedyotis–Oldenlandia complex, belonging to 12 genera (i.e. Debia, Dentella, Dimetia, Edrastima, Exallage, Hedyotis, Involucrella, Kohautia, Leptopetalum, Neanotis, Oldenlandia and Scleromitrion). The characters of these genera have been reviewed and their species enumerated, and consequently, seven new combinations are proposed. Scleromitrion in India is discussed in relation to its phenotypic variation, and a key to the six recognised species is presented.

DIONYSIA SPLENDENS (PRIMULACEAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM THE FARS PROVINCE OF IRAN

Dionysia splendens Alipour, Mehregan & Lidén, sp. nov., from Fars, Iran, is a unique species that cannot be easily accommodated in any hitherto recognised section of the genus and is immediately recognised by its large flowers and pectinate leaves with very broad pale and thick midvein. It agrees with Dionysia cespitosa Duby (Boiss.) in the small flat leaves, stalked inflorescence with large bracts, and few large ellipsoid seeds, but differs in the tubular calyx and large purplish-blue corolla. It is also somewhat reminiscent of Dionysia viva Lidén & Zetterl. in growth habit and inflorescence structure, but that species has large irregularly dentate leaves, yellow corolla and numerous small angular seeds. Dionysia splendens is so far known from a single locality with c.200 mature individuals. An updated key to Dionysia species in the Zagros mountains is provided.

DIONYSIA JAMZADIAE (PRIMULACEAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM THE FARS PROVINCE OF IRAN

Dionysia jamzadiae Lidén, M.Irvine, Alvén & Mehregan, from the east Zagros Mountains, Fars, Iran, is described as new to science. It belongs in section Dionysiopsis and is similar to D. oreodoxa Bornm. but differs in, for example, its sparsely glandular hairy or almost glabrous corolla with emarginated lobes (densely non-glandular pubescent with entire lobes in D. oreodoxa). Dionysia jamzadiae is known from two places and is quite abundant at the type locality.

USE OF POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG, CARBOWAX) AS AN EMBEDDING MEDIUM PRODUCES RESULTS COMPARABLE TO PARAFFIN

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a non-carcinogenic, water-soluble polymer of ethylene oxide that has found wide applicability in industry and medicine, and has been used to embed and section small animal and plant tissues. Here we investigate the use of PEG for the rapid embedding of larger plant tissues. Ovaries of Musa velutina, Heliconia psittacorum and eight other species were embedded with a mixture of PEG 1450 and PEG 4000. It was found that tissues up to 6.5 × 10 mm could easily be embedded and sectioned in PEG. Embedded tissues could be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days with no detrimental effects. Sections were easily cut at 8–15 μm on a rotary microtome. PEG embedding resulted in equal or better tissue differentiation, better retention of cell inclusions, and reduced shrinkage compared with paraffin embedding. The process was also faster, requiring only 3–6 h compared with the 2 days needed for paraffin embedding. PEG is a rapid-embedding medium suitable for use with even large plant tissues.

LITSEA ANAMALAYANA (LAURACEAE) A NEW SPECIES FROM NELLIYAMPATHY HILLS, INDIA.

The new species Litsea anamalayana Robi & Udayan, from Kerala, India, is described and illustrated. A detailed description is given, together with information on its distribution and ecology. Photographs of the new species are provided, as well as a comparison with the morphologically similar L. glabrata (Wall. ex Nees) Hook.f.

A NOTE ON VACCINIUM BRASSII SLEUMER (ERICACEAE), RECORDING FILAMENTOUS WAX ON THE FLOWERS

Routine identification of historical Vaccinium specimens at E revealed scurfy deposits on a specimen identified as Vaccinium brassii Sleumer. On examination with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), these scurfy deposits turned out to be filamentous wax remarkably similar to that observed in Vaccinium ceraceum Argent. The disparity of the geographical locations of these two species is noted, together with the lack of molecular data to give insights into the evolutionary relationships.

A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF CYRTANDRA (GESNERIACEAE) IN SULAWESI, INDONESIA

Taxonomic evaluation of Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) from Sulawesi has resulted in the recognition of 39 species. Of these, four species are described as new here: Cyrtandra balgooyi H.J.Atkins & Karton., C. flavomaculata H.J.Atkins & Karton., C. longistamina H.J.Atkins & Karton. and C. parvicalyx H.J.Atkins & Karton. Eleven names are lectotypified and three names are placed in synonymy. Provisional conservation assessments suggest that seven of these species are Critically Endangered, six are Endangered, three are Vulnerable, two are Data Deficient and 21 are of Least Concern. Illustrations, distribution maps, and a key to the Cyrtandra species of Sulawesi are presented. Evaluasi taksonomi Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) dari Sulawesi menghasilkan pengenalan 39 jenis. Diantara jenis-jenis tersebut, empat jenis dideskripsikan sebagai jenis yang baru disini: Cyrtandra balgooyi H.J.Atkins & Karton., C. flavomaculata H.J.Atkins & Karton., C. longistamina H.J.Atkins & Karton. and C. parvicalyx H.J.Atkins & Karton. Sebelas nama telah dilektotipifikasikan dan tiga nama ditempatkan dalam sinonim. Penilaian konservasi sementara menyarankan bahwa tujuh dari jenisjenis ini dinyatakan Critically Endangered, enam dinyatakan Endangered, tiga dinyatakan Vulnerable, dua dinyatakan Data Deficient dan 21 sisanya dinyatakan Least Concern. Ilustrasi, peta distribusi dan kunci identifikasi untuk jenis-jenis Cyrtandra dari Sulawesi disajikan.

A NEW SPECIES OF RAPHIOCARPUS (GESNERIACEAE) FROM VIETNAM

The new species Raphiocarpus axillaris D.J.Middleton from Tam Đảo National Park in northern Vietnam is described and illustrated.

TWO NEW TAXA OF RHODODENDRON (ERICACEAE) FROM VIETNAM

Two new taxa from Vietnam are described and illustrated: Rhododendron tephropeploides, in subsection Tephropepla, and R. chunii subsp. vietnamense, in subsection Tsutsusi.

FLORA OF NEPAL NOTULAE II: PHLOMOIDES LONGIDENTATA PENDRY, A NEW SPECIES OF LABIATAE FROM NEPAL AND BHUTAN

The species Phlomoides longidentata Pendry is described from Nepal and Bhutan and a key to the species of Phlomoides in Nepal is presented.