The Madeiran laurel forest endemic Goodyera macrophylla (Orchidaceae) is related to American orchids

Macaronesian laurel forests harbour many herbs and laurophyllous trees with Mediterranean/European or Macaronesian affinities. Traditionally, the origin of these taxa has been explained by the relict hypothesis interpreting these taxa as relics of formerly widespread laurel forests in the European continent and the Mediterranean. We analysed the phylogenetic relationships of the Madeiran laurel forest endemic Goodyera macrophylla (Orchidaceae) using sequences from the nuclear ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS) and plastid DNA regions. The results were incongruent, either the two Central American G. brachyceras and G. striata (ITS) or the North American G. oblongifolia (plastid DNA) were sister group to G. macrophylla. Nonetheless, biogeographic analyses indicated an American origin of this nemoral laurel forest plant in the two data sets. Molecular clock analyses suggest a colonisation of Madeira in the span of the upper Miocene/lower Pliocene to the Pleistocene. Although the relict hypothesis cannot be ruled out by our data when assuming extinction events on the European and northern African mainland, dispersal from Central or North America to the archipelago of Madeira is a much more likely explanation of the data.

Neotype of Amanita spissa var. laeta (Basidiomycota, Amanitaceae)

While studying the genus Amanita in Brazil, a specimen identified by J. Rick as Amanita spissa var. laeta was found. Its morphological analysis suggested that this material certainly corresponded to the one used in the protologue of this name. For this reason, it is designated here as the neotype.

Morphology, anatomy and micromorphology of the genus Oliveria (Apiaceae)

Oliveria is a little-known, monotypic genus of the family Apiaceae. The only accepted species, O. decumbens, is distributed throughout Mesopotamia. It is an annual, aromatic plant that has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times. The aim of this study was to examine morphological, micromorphological, and anatomical characters of O. decumbens in order to increase the current botanical knowledge of this genus.

Basketry as an ecosystem service of wetlands: traditional crafts in central Spain

Ecosystem services from wetlands include products such as food, water, fibers, timber, medicinal plants, and genetic resources for agriculture. One of the most abundant supplies is the raw material for basketry. In this study we aim to document the role of wetland plants as resources for basketry and broom-making in the Guadiana river basin and to analyze the local traditional knowledge of the species used in the area. We describe different types of baskets and other artifacts, and document basketry techniques. We found 30 species belonging to 12 families, 18 of them occurring in wetlands, four in irrigated fields, and seven in the adjacent dry territories. Twenty species are used in the manufacture of brooms. Twenty two types of basketry artifacts are described with their uses. The area shows a relevant cultural heritage, not merely as it was in the past, but also adapted to the new cultural and social contexts. The degradation and loss of wetlands in central Spain threatens these ecosystems and their associated cultural heritage. We suggest the declaration of this intangible human heritage as the “Culture of the Mediterranean Wetlands” before it disappears.

Diversity and distribution of lichens from the Cerro Duida and adjacent areas, Alto Orinoco, Amazonas, Venezuela

Increasing temperature and changing land-use in the Guayana Shield and Amazonia result in an accelerated decline of sensitive lichen populations. Monitoring of these populations by biological plot inventories in particularly vulnerable sites is urgently needed. In order to know the diversity and distribution of lichen species at the Alto Orinoco, Parque Nacional Duida-Marahuaca and nearby areas from Amazonas state, Venezuela, lichens were sampled during four expeditions in more than 40 plots located from 200 m (premontane forest) to more than 1500 m elevation (altotepuyana vegetation). Additional data were obtained from literature and herbaria. Our assessment, although incomplete, revealed 205 described species, 150 undescribed species, 84 genera and 27 families. Among the described species 162 were observed in the basimontane vegetation, 38 in the montane vegetation, 24 in the altotepuyana vegetation, while 20 appear to be endemic to the study area. Sixty-nine species are new records for the Cerro Duida. A checklist with taxonomic and ecological data is presented. Five new species and one new variety are described: Cladonia duidana V.Marcano & A.Morales sp. nov. (Cladoniaceae), Pertusaria orinoquensis V.Marcano sp. nov., Sticta kunuhana V.Marcano sp. nov. (Lobariaceae), S. spruceana V.Marcano sp. nov. (Lobariaceae), Xanthoparmelia esmeraldensis V.Marcano & A.Morales sp. nov. (Parmeliaceae), and Lepraria arbuscula (Nyl.) Lendemer & Hodk. var. fumarprotocetrarica V.Marcano var. nov.

Systematic implications from a robust phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus Helianthemum (Cistaceae) based on genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) data

Molecular systematics requires the establishment of a robust phylogenetic framework including extensive geographical and taxonomic sampling. In this work, we proposed systematic changes in the genus Helianthemum based on phylogenetic trees obtained by both maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of GBS data. The implications of these phylogenetic results for the systematics of Helianthemum entail the establishment of a new subgenus and novel re-ascriptions of sections and species along with some nomenclatural novelties. The following new combinations are proposed: Helianthemum subg. Eriocarpum (Dunal) Martín-Hernanz, Velayos, Albaladejo & Aparicio; H. oelandicum subsp. conquense (Borja & Rivas Goday ex G.López) Martín-Hernanz, Velayos, Albaladejo & Aparicio; H. nummularium subsp. cantabricum (M.Laínz) Martín-Hernanz, Velayos, Albaladejo & Aparicio; H. nummularium subsp. tinetense (M.Mayor & Fern.Benito) Martín-Hernanz, Velayos, Albaladejo & Aparicio.

Malvaceae neotropicae novae vel minus cognitae X. New species of Quararibea from Colombia and Ecuador

In this advance of the taxonomic revision that is being carried out in the genus Quararibea (Malvaceae) for the north of South America, three new species are described in this contribution, which are compared morphologically with the species considered related in each case. A first, Q. cornejoi, known from the wet forests of western Ecuador that we associate with Q. grandifolia and Q. casasecae, taxa also distributed in the Pacific corridor of Ecuador and Colombia. A second species, Q. latilimbata, from the sub-Andean forests of the Central Cordillera of the Department of Antioquia, Colombia, related to the previous species and to the Amazonian species Q. duckei. All of them with an unusual trait in the genus, an androecium with the long staminal branches. Finally, Q.villanuevae, from the dry forests of the upper Magdalena Valley in the Department of Tolima, Colombia, associated with the Andean species Q. foenigraeca and Q. caldasiana. These last three species, which have androecium with smaller staminal branches, are assigned to a different morphological group. Illustrations and detailed photographs of the new species are included as well as keys to the identification of the treated species.

The influence of environmental heterogeneity on the morphological and genetic diversity of Circaea lutetiana (Onagraceae) in Hyrcanian forests

Environmental gradients are important factors that can potentially influence the genetic diversity and differentiation of populations. The present study examines the effect of environmental heterogeneity of the Hyrcanian forests on populations of Circaea lutetiana L. (Onagraceae). Using morphometrics, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of leaf epidermis, and molecular markers, we analyzed genetic diversity and differentiation among nine populations from environmentally divergent habitats. Three different gene pools were observed. Our results indicate that the genetic structure is significantly correlated to environmental factors, but not to the geographical distance. Genetic clustering in C. lutetiana is affected by temperature, humidity, elevation, and average annual rainfall. Overall, our data indicate that gene flow does not contribute to explaining spatial patterns of genetic structure and the adaptation to the environment is the main factor shaping the genetic structure of the C. lutetiana populations. The populations belonging to each of the three gene pools have similarities in microclimate parameters, despite their geographical proximity, and populations from the same genetic pool can be up to 470 km apart. This evidence, as well as morphological and genetic similarities of the populations with greater geographical distance, suggest the possibility of cryptic speciation in this species.

Additions to the smut fungi of the Iberian Peninsula

After examination of specimens, mainly from the herbarium (MA) and the mycological collection (MA-Fungi) of the Royal Botanic Garden of Madrid, we report several novelties on smut fungi within Europe. Two species of smut fungi, Sporisorium egyptiacum and Tilletia viennotii, are reported for the first time from Europe. A finding of Sphacelotheca polygoni-serrulati represents a second record for Europe. Six species of smut fungi, Moreaua kochiana, Schizonella elynae, Sporisorium egyptiacum, Thecaphora thlaspeos, Tilletia viennotii, and Ustanciosporium majus, are recorded for the first time from the Iberian Peninsula. Five species of smut fungi, Moreaua kochiana, Schizonella elynae, Sporisorium egyptiacum, Thecaphora thlaspeos, and Ustanciosporium majus, are newly recorded from Spain. Three species, Moreaua kochiana, Sphacelotheca polygoni-serrulati, and Tilletia viennotii, are new for Portugal. A specimen of Moreaua kochiana represents a new record for France. Arabis serpillifolia is reported as a new host of Thecaphora thlaspeos. New distribution records from the Iberian Peninsula are given for Anthracoidea arenariae, Microbotryum minuartiae, M. silenes-saxifragae, and Tranzscheliella sparti. We also include a phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences of Moreaua kochiana, generated in this study, to understand this species’ relationships within its genus.

Pentacalia gonocaulos (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), new combination for a species from Peru

On the basis of the revision of the original material and protologues, as well as the study of all the specimens at our disposal, Senecio gonocaulos DC. is transferred to the genus Pentacalia and the name P. poeppigiana A.Granda is included in the synonymy of the former name. Additionally, a lectotype is designated for S. gonocaulos and some observations and historical remarks on the type material of this species are provided.