Phytotaxa

Pluteus ochroviridans sp. nov., belonging to Pluteus sect. Celluloderma (Pluteaceae) from Mediterranean habitats in Spain and California (USA)

2025-12-05T18:05:11+13:00

Pluteus ochroviridans sp. nov. is described based on collections made in Spain and California (USA). This species is characterized by a strongly hygrophanous, brown, gray-brown to yellow-brown pileus that develops green tones, and by its terrestrial habitat in Mediterranean ecosystems. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS and TEF1-α sequences separate this species from closely related taxa: P. californicus, P. olivaceus, and P. phaeocyanopus. We obtained sequences from the type collections of these three closely related taxa, thus establishing DNA reference data for the modern taxonomic concepts of these species. A full description, illustrations, and phylogenetic analysis results of the new species are provided.

Entoloma fissuromarginatum (Entolomataceae, Agaricales), a new species from Battagram District, Pakistan

2025-05-17T14:02:41+12:00

A new species, Entoloma fissuromarginatum, is described from the Battagram District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. The species is delineated based on the combination of morphological characteristics and molecular evidence, with nrITS sequence data supporting its distinct taxonomic status. Entoloma fissuromarginatum is characterized by a hemispherical to plano-concave and light brownish-gray pileus with split margins, adnate and light brownish-gray lamellae, reddish brown and scaly stipe, heterodiametric basidiospores (average 6.40 × 5.61 μm) having 5–6 angles, absence of pleurocystidia, lageniform cheilocystidia, narrowly clavate to subcapitate caulocystidia, and a cutis pileipellis and stipitipellis. A description, phylogenetic analysis results, an illustration, and a comparison with closely related taxa of the new species are provided.

**A nomenclator of Ficus sect. Americanae (Moraceae). Part II: North and Central America, and the Antilles**

2025-10-24T18:34:05+13:00

Typification underpins the stability of nomenclature, thereby making coherent taxonomic discourse possible. As part of ongoing systematic studies in Ficus sect. Americanae (Moraceae), we present the second installment of a two-part nomenclatural treatment addressing all published names within the section. The first part encompassed species described from South America, while the present contribution focuses on names from North and Central America and the Antilles. Across both treatments, we examined the relevant literature and critically assessed type vouchers for taxa described from the Linnaean era to the present. In this work, we designate 28 lectotypes, two neotypes, and two epitypes. Nomenclatural adjustments include the correction of holotype to lectotype for 24 names (ICN, Art. 9.12) and type to lectotype for four names (ICN, Art. 9.17), with the term type corrected to neotype for F. lentiginosa var. imrayana and F. eximia var. cubensis. We also designate epitypes for F. americana and F. citrifolia. These revisions provide the necessary nomenclatural stability to support the accurate application of names to phylogenetically delimited clades in forthcoming integrative treatments of Ficus sect. Americanae. Together, both indexes constitute an authoritative reference that establishes a framework for taxonomic and systematic stability and accuracy in Ficus, both regionally and globally.

An Annotated Checklist of Vascular Plants of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, Kashmir Himalaya

2025-11-25T05:25:23+13:00

The present study aimed to document the vascular plant diversity of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary (GWLS), and provide detailed information on each species, including correct nomenclature, family, growth form, Raunkiaer life form, elevational range, nativity and endemism, as well as IUCN status. A total of 344 vascular plant species, representing 226 genera and 104 families, were recorded, indication a high level of floristic richness in the study area. Asteraceae was found to be the dominant family, and the vegetation composition was primarily herbaceous. Out of the total plant species recorded, 159 were native to the Himalayan region, including 79 endemics, highlighting the strong biogeographical uniqueness of the flora. The hemicryptophytes were the most abundant life form, followed by phanerophytes, reflecting the strong ecological adaptation of the local flora to cold and seasonally harsh climatic conditions. Both native and non-native species showed a negative relationship with elevation, indicating elevational constraints on their distribution. However, the decrease in richness of non-native species was more pronounced and statistically significant (R² = 0.83, p < 0.001). The distribution of Levins’ niche breadth (B) further revealed differences between native and non-native plant species along the elevational gradient. Of the 344 plant species recorded, only 46 have been assessed for the IUCN Red List, among which 8 species are categorized as threatened. Nearly 86% of the recorded flora remains unassessed highlights a significant information gap in regional conservation planning. These findings underscore the urgent need for region-specific conservation strategies to safeguard the Himalayan plant diversity and maintain the ecological stability of this globally significant mountain ecosystem.

Tripogon fibrosissimus (Poaceae: Chloridoideae: Tripogoninae): a new species from the Grand Canyon of India

2025-11-20T15:02:16+13:00

A new species, Tripogon fibrosissimus, is described from dry Gandikota hills of Andhra Pradesh, South India. This species exhibits morphological affinities with the Afro-Arabian congeners, T. africanus and T. oliganthos. However, T. fibrosissimus is readily distinguished by the presence of dense fibrous and villous basal leaf sheaths, a character not observed in its related taxa. The allopatric distribution—the geographical isolation of the South Indian population from its Afro-Arabian relatives—further supports their distinctness. We conducted a close morphology-based comparative study of T. fibrosissimus with T. africanus, T. montanus and T. oliganthos, as well as the recently described Indian species T. salunkhei. The similarities and differences have been tabulated in the table. Photographic plates of T. africanus and T. fibrosissimus are provided to facilitate identification. Finally, we discuss taxonomic notes regarding its superficial morphological similarities with Oropetium roxburghianum in field and herbaria to preclude the potential misidentification.

Rhynchospora chiquicerradensis and Rhynchospora nucistipitata, new species from the Brazilian Cerrado and the Bolivian Chiquitano region

2025-09-18T00:45:24+12:00

Two new species of Rhynchospora sect. Tenues are described from savanna ecosystems in central South America. One of them, Rhynchospora chiquicerradensis, occurs in seasonally wet grasslands with sandy soils and on seepage slopes of the Cerrado domain, on sandstone outcrops with shallow soils and humid hillside seeps in the Chiquitano ecoregion of eastern Bolivia. The other, Rhynchospora nucistipitata, is restricted to humid grasslands and stream margins in the Cerrado domain of Brazil. The recognition of these taxa as distinct species is supported by detailed morphological analyses and by previously published phylogenetic evidence generated in earlier studies. A distribution map, preliminary conservation status assessments and images of the type specimens are also provided.

**Validation of four new species of Sterculia L. (Malvaceae, Sterculioideae) and their incorporation into the identification key for the species of Brazil**

2025-05-06T22:01:21+12:00

This work effectively publishes four Amazonian species of Sterculia Linnaeus (Malvaceae, Sterculioideae) from Brazil: S. chicomendesii, S. killipiana, S. lisae, and S. taylorii. Originally coined by E.L. Taylor in 1989 but never validly published, these names are now validated with typification, diagnoses, and descriptions. The formalization of these taxa allows their integration into an updated identification key for Brazilian Sterculia, expanding upon the existing treatment for the project of the Flora and Funga of Brazil. This nomenclatural contribution also aims to support future taxonomic revisions and regional monographs for the group, especially to aid for the necessary reassessment of species delimitations in Sterculia.

**Validation of new combinations in the fungal genera Cancellidium, Mycoenterolobium (Ascomycota) and Juncorrhiza (Entorrhizomycota)**

2025-12-11T08:15:50+13:00

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