Phytotaxa

Synopsis of Loranthaceae for the São Paulo State, Brazil

2024-02-17T10:35:09+13:00

This paper presents a synopsis of Loranthaceae species occurring in São Paulo State (Brazil), offering essential tools for taxonomic identification. Eighteen species and two varieties of Struthanthus polyrrhizus have been identified within the study area, primarily in the Atlantic Forest. The taxonomic status of S. polyrrhizus var. oblongifolius and S. staphylinus was reestablished. The occurrence of S. polyanthus was confirmed for the study area, exclusively in the Cerrado. We provide three identification keys. For each taxon, we present taxonomic notes, information on general and specific geographical distribution, habitat, iconography, etymology, phenology, a list of analyzed materials, and photographs of the species in the field and laboratory.

Conchocarpus piranii (Galipeinae, Rutaceae), a new species from Eastern Brazil, with notes on its palynology, foliar and flower anatomy, and phylogenetic position

2025-08-26T02:50:30+12:00

Conchocarpus piranii (tribe Galipeeae, Rutaceae), a new species within the Neotropical subtribe Galipeinae, is described and illustrated. The new species occurs within the coastal forest vegetation of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest domain. Morphologically, Conchocarpus piranii is most like to other species of the genus with inflorescences bearing foliaceous bracts such as C. bellus. C. cuneifolius, and C. macrophyllus, but differs from them by its non-umbilicate ovary with a terminal style, whereas the other species exhibit an umbilicate ovary. Our DNA based phylogenetic analysis revealed that species with foliaceous inflorescences within Conchocarpus are not closely related to each other. Additional data on foliar and floral anatomy, as well as palynology, are provided, along with comments on the geographic distribution and conservation status of C. piranii.

**A new clavarioid wood-inhabiting fungus, Artomyces tsugae (Russulales Basidiomycota), from Guangxi, southern China**

2026-01-27T13:44:59+13:00

A new lignicolous species, Artomyces tsugae, is described from the high mountains of Guangxi, subtropical China, based on morphological examination and phylogenetic analysis. The new species is characterized by annual, stipitate, well-branched and snow white basidomata when fresh, a monomitic hyphal system with clamp connections on generative hyphae, the presence of gloeoplerous hyphae and gloeocystidia, ellipsoid, hyaline, thin-walled, verrucose, amyloid basidiospores measuring 4.6–5.2 × 3.1–3.6 µm, and growing on rotten wood of Tsuga tchekiangensis. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences indicated that it was closely related to A. brunneoalbus, A. yunnanensis, and five other species. A description, illustrations, and phylogenetic analysis results of the new species are provided. In addition, the new species is compared with closely related and similar species.

Selaginella chrysorrhizos (Selaginellaceae), a new addition to the lycophyte flora of China based on morphological and molecular evidence

2026-04-09T13:18:32+12:00

The identification of Selaginella leptophylla, a lycophyte species recorded from Guangdong and Hong Kong in southern China, is reviewed. Through literature review and specimen examination, we conclude that the record for S. leptophylla from Hong Kong is dubious due to the absence of authentic voucher specimens, whereas its record from Guangdong resulted from misidentification of S. chrysorrhizos, a species previously known only from the Eastern Himalayas and Indochina. This species has also been recently found in the wild in Yunnan and Xizang, southwestern China. Phylogenetic analyses of three plastid regions (rbcL, atpI, and psbA) demonstrate that S. chrysorrhizos is most closely related to S. densiciliata, S. vaginata, and S. xipholepis. A detailed description, along with illustrations, the diagnostic characters, and the morphological comparisons with similar species, is provided for S. chrysorrhizos.

**Comparative anatomy of three Globularia (Plantaginaceae) taxa from Türkiye: New evidence for winged stem protrusions and myrosin-like cells**

2026-01-22T09:22:51+13:00

A comparative anatomical study was conducted on three Globularia taxa (G. orientalis, G. trichosantha and G. cordifolia) from Türkiye, which was based on examination of their root, stem and leaf structures using light microscopy. All taxa share diagnostic generic characters, including perennial root anatomy, equifacial (isobilateral) leaves with amphistomatic and anomocytic stomata, and the presence of both covering and glandular trichomes. Despite these similarities, several anatomically informative characters were identified. Winged stem protrusions, recorded here for the first time in G. trichosantha and G. cordifolia but absent in G. orientalis, represent a useful diagnostic feature within the genus. In addition, a distinct type of enlarged parenchyma cell resembling myrosin cells (“myrosin-like cells”) was observed in the root and stem tissues of all taxa. These cells may represent specialised elements involved in the storage or metabolism of secondary compounds found in Globularia. Comparative evaluation of published cytological data indicates pronounced ploidy variation in G. cordifolia, supporting its treatment as the “G. cordifolia species complex” and highlighting its morphological and anatomical plasticity. Overall, the results provide new diagnostic characters relevant to species delimitation and establish a structural basis for future histochemical, ultrastructural and molecular research into evolutionary relationships within Globularia.

Lyoathelia tsugae sp. nov. (Agaricomycetes), a new corticioid wood-decaying fungus associated with Tsuga tchekiangensis in subtropical China

2026-05-26T15:42:04+12:00

Tsuga tchekiangensis is a rare coniferous tree in southern China, with a limited distribution in very high mountains in subtropical China. Knowledge of wood-decaying fungi on T. tchekiangensis was limited previously, and two samples of a white corticioid fungus on rotten wood of T. tchekiangensis were collected during a field trip. After morphological examination and phylogenetic analysis, it turned out that these samples represented a new species, Lyoathelia, viz. L. tsugae. The new taxon is characterized by annual, resupinate basidomata with white rhizomorphs at the margin and inside substrate, a white and smooth monomitic hyphal system with clamp connections on generative hyphae, the presence of clavate cystidia, globose basidiospores measuring 5.5–6.3 × 5.3–6 µm, growing on rotten wood of Tsuga tchekiangensis. Lyoathelia laxa is phylogenetically and morphologically closely related to L. tsugae, but the former has bigger basidiospores (6–8 × 5.5–6.5 µm). A description, illustrations, and phylogenetic analysis results for the new species are provided, with comparisons to the closely related taxa.

**Nomenclatural validation of three names of Cotoneaster (Rosaceae) from Central Asia**

2026-04-03T14:17:13+13:00

During the revision of herbarium materials preserved in the KW herbarium and analysis of original literature, the names Cotoneaster kirgizicus, C. russanovii, and C. tkatschenkoi were found to be invalidly published. In the present paper, these names are validated by designation of the holotypes and by reference to the descriptions and diagnoses provided in Grevtsova (1999), in accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN). This study contributes to the clarification of the nomenclature and taxonomy of Cotoneaster in Central Asia.

**A new genus of palms, Neosalacca (Arecaceae, Calamoideae, Calameae, Salaccinae)**

2026-04-14T17:24:19+12:00

Phylogenetic analysis of molecular data from species within subtribe Salaccinae resolved three well-supported clades, and these are also supported by morphological data. Two of these clades have been recognized previously at the generic level, Eleiodoxa and Salacca. Here, the third clade is described as a new genus, Neosalacca.