Phytotaxa

Sorbus oravica (Rosaceae), a new remarkable endemic of Sorbus subgen. Soraria from Slovakia

2025-10-17T13:38:20+13:00

A newly discovered species, Sorbus oravica, from northern and east-central Slovakia is described and illustrated, with a detailed account of its distribution. It is classified within the Sorbus subgen. Soraria and identified as an apomictic tetraploid species. The separation of S. oravica from related taxa was supported by molecular analyses (nuclear microsatellite markers) and extensive morphological comparisons. In addition, a determination key including all S. subgen. Soraria taxa occurring in Slovakia is provided.

Knema namkadingensis, a new species of Myristicaceae from Central Laos

2025-04-01T19:56:49+13:00

A new species of Knema (Myristicaceae), K. namkadingensis is described from the Nam Kading National Protected Area, Bolikhamxai Province in central Laos. It is found growing in dry evergreen forest. The species can be distinguished from other species of Knema in Laos and surrounding countries by its small habit of up to 3 m tall, small leaves shorter than 10 cm long, small male flowers measuring 2.5–3 mm in diameter, and obovoid-ellipsoid fruits with acute apices.

Diversity, endemism, and geographical distribution of scaly tree ferns in Asia

2025-11-02T16:11:24+13:00

South and Southeast Asia are considered important centers of diversity for scaly tree ferns (Cyatheaceae). Following an extensive review of existing checklists from each Asian country, combined with the expert knowledge of the authors, a comprehensive checklist was compiled. The checklist comprises 185 species belonging to four genera: Alsophila (92 spp.), Cyathea (1 sp.), Gymnosphaera (27 spp.), and Sphaeropteris (65 spp.). Indonesia harbors the highest number of species (117), followed by Malaysia (including Malaysian Borneo) and the Philippines, each with 39 species, highlighting Indonesia’s exceptional contribution to the region’s species diversity. Indonesia also exhibits the highest level of endemism, with 48 endemic species (26%), while the Philippines and Malaysia have 25 and 12 endemic species, respectively. When considering the proportion of endemic species relative to the total number of species recorded in each country, Sri Lanka ranks first, with 71% endemism. The genus Alsophila significantly contributes to endemism in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. The genus Alsophila accounts for 100% of the endemic species in Sri Lanka, while the genus Gymnosphaera accounts for 100% of the endemic species in Vietnam. We hope that this checklist will provide a useful foundation for future studies in taxonomy, biogeography, and conservation, and will contribute to informed management and protection of these species in their natural environments.

**Molecular phylogeny and taxonomic revision of Coleosporiaceae (Pucciniales): the genera Quasipucciniastrum and Aculeastrum reassessed and a new combination proposed**

2025-11-15T20:02:28+13:00

Two genera of rust fungi, Quasipucciniastrum and Aculeastrum, have recently been described within the family Coleosporiaceae. However, their taxonomic status as separate, independent genera remained a matter of debate. In the present study, we investigated the taxonomy of Quasipucciniastrum and Aculeastrum using morphological and molecular (nuc rDNA 5.8S-ITS2 [ITS barcode] and partial nuc 28S rDNA D1–D3 regions [28S]) data, including a detailed study of the type collections of Pucciniastrum potentillae and Thekopsora agrimoniae. Based on type specimen examination, Asian species Q. potentillae is considered synonym of Q. ochraceum. Furthermore, as the main outcome of our phylogenetic study, we synonymize Quasipucciniastrum and Aculeastum with the genus Thekopsora, and propose a new nomenclatural combination Thekopsora arctica.

**Epitypification and update of biogeographical statut of Galactia nummularia (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae)**

2025-10-22T11:55:31+13:00

Galactia nummularia was rediscovered in 2021 in Saint Martin after a long absence of contemporary records. Recent occurrences have also been reported in Anguilla and Saint Barthélemy. Initially described from an incomplete specimen, the species appears to exhibit marked morphological variability in its leaves in response to ecological conditions, making its identification challenging. These new observations, supported by specimen collections, have allowed for an update of both its description and biogeographical status.

**A new species of Anthurium (Araceae) with cordate leaves from Sugarloaf Land, Brazil**

2025-07-18T06:04:24+12:00

A remarkable new species of Anthurium, named A. petraeum, is here described. This new species is morphologically similar to A. sagrilloanum, differing in both vegetative and floral characters. Information on its distribution and habitat, preliminary conservation status, phenology and morphologically related species are given and photographs are presented.

Peliosanthes chenmingsongii (Asparagaceae), a new species from Yunnan, Southwestern China

2025-09-18T22:44:29+12:00

Peliosanthes chenmingsongii is described and illustrated as a new species from southwestern China. The new species is morphologically closest to P. cupuliformis, but differs in its erect, woody and hard rhizome, longer petioles and larger leaf blades, more widely expanded flowers with recurved perianth segments, non-revolute margins and a horizontally inward-growing annular appendage in the corona. Careful comparisons with other closely related species are also made.