Phytotaxa

**A taxonomic revision of Passiflora supersections Coccinea and Distephana in Brazil (Passifloraceae)**

2026-07-03T05:21:56+12:00

Red-flowered passionflowers assigned to Passiflora supersections Coccinea and Distephana have a fragmented taxonomic history, marked by heterogeneous circumscriptions, reliance on cultivated material, and typification problems. This revision treats the Brazilian representatives of both supersections, recognizes 19 species (14 in Coccinea and 5 in Distephana), of which two are described as new: Passiflora brisa and P. vaniae. In addition, 12 lectotypes, one neotype (P. ernestii), and one epitype (P. fulgens) are designated. Diagnostic evidence includes vegetative and reproductive morphology, supplemented where relevant by palynological characters. Three species in supersection Distephana and eight in supersection Coccinea are endemic to Brazil, with centers of occurrence in the Atlantic Forest and Amazonia. Unlike previous revisions, we recognize P. coccinea, P. quadriglandulosa, and P. vitifolia as rare in Brazil, usually near neighboring countries where they are more widespread. We report P. punicea as a new country record, along with new records of P. margaritae in Bahia and Rio de Janeiro, and P. toxicaria in Amapá. We also place P. miniata in synonymy under P. fulgens and P. guyanensis under P. coccinea. The revision includes dichotomous keys for both supersections in Brazil, illustrations, field photographs, and distribution maps prepared from specimens analyzed in the field and in herbaria. The treatment clarifies species limits across multiple taxa, resolves historical nomenclatural ambiguities, and provides a reproducible framework for identification and for future conservation assessments in Passiflora.

**Comparative stem anatomy and its taxonomic significance in eleven Galium (Rubiaceae) taxa from Türkiye**

2026-06-23T03:41:34+12:00

The stem anatomy of eleven Galium taxa (G. setaceum, G. spurium subsp. spurium, G. aparine, G. rotundifolium, G. odoratum, G. rivale, G. humifusum, G. verum subsp. verum, G. incanum subsp. elatius, G. album subsp. pycnotrichum, and G. paschale) representing eight sections of the genus was comparatively investigated using light microscopy. Considerable variation was observed in stem outline, trichome characteristics, collenchyma development, cortical organization, vascular tissues, pith structure, ray seriation, and the occurrence of secretory ducts and raphides. The combination of these characters provided useful diagnostic information at sectional, species, and subspecific levels. Among the studied taxa, G. odoratum was distinguished by its characteristic plus-shaped stem, localized collenchyma, and discontinuous endodermal ring. G. setaceum was characterized by a relatively wide xylem and a narrow, solid pith, whereas G. aparine and G. rotundifolium, despite sharing a quadrangular stem and chlorenchymatic cortex, differed in pith structure, collenchyma development, secretory ducts, and ray seriation. Galium incanum subsp. elatius was distinguished by the combination of dense trichomes, a micropapillate cuticle, and raphides, while G. album subsp. pycnotrichum differed from G. paschale in stem outline, trichome development, and cuticular ornamentation. The anatomical differences observed among taxa representing sect. Jubogalium, sect. Kolgyda, sect. Platygalium, sect. Hylaea, sect. Orientigalium, sect. Trachygalium, sect. Galium, and sect. Leiogalium indicate that stem characters can provide complementary evidence for taxonomic identification and delimitation within Galium. However, because the present study was not designed to test sectional relationships or monophyly, the anatomical characters are considered primarily diagnostic rather than phylogenetic. These findings highlight the potential of stem anatomy as a complementary character system in the comparative taxonomy of Galium.

Mitreola luongii (Loganiaceae), a new species from limestone hill in northern Vietnam

2026-06-03T15:29:03+12:00

A new species of Mitreola (Loganiaceae), M. luongii, is described from limestone area in Tuyen Quang Province, northern Vietnam. Morphologically, it is most similar to M. crystallina, but can be distinguished by its shrub habit, up to 1 m tall (vs. herb, up to 60 cm tall), having terminal and axillary inflorescences (vs. terminal), shorter internode 1.5–5.5 cm long (vs. 6–8 cm long), shorter peduncles 0.5–1.5 cm long (vs. ca. 6 cm long), smaller leaf size 5.5–10.5 × 2–4.5 cm (vs. 15–20 × 5–7 cm) and longer corolla tube 4–4.5 mm long (vs. 4 mm long).

Calanthe dingjieensis (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae), a new species from Xizang, China

2026-06-12T13:19:04+12:00

Calanthe dingjieensis, a new species discovered in southwestern Xizang, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to C.tricarinata, but can be easily distinguished by its conical pseudobulbs, a lip with variable color, and an obovate mid-lobe with an acuminate apex. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated sequences of nrITS and three chloroplast regions (matK, trnL-trnF, and rbcL) reveal that C. dingjieensis represents a distinct lineage from its closely related congeners. Combined with morphological and geographical evidence, these results support its recognition as a distinct species.

**Lectotypifications of and taxonomic notes on Mabea (Euphorbiaceae)**

2026-06-12T00:14:51+12:00

As part of ongoing studies in Mabea, 21 lectotypes are proposed here. Taxonomic and nomenclatural notes are provided for several species; among these is the new name of Mabea speciosa subsp. guianensis proposed for Mabea caudata var. concolor, and the new combination Mabea speciosa subsp. obovata based on Mabea piriri var. obovata.

Ronnbergia kentii (Bromeliaceae), a new species from Risaralda, Colombia

2026-05-23T04:59:34+12:00

A new species of Ronnbergia (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) from Risaralda, Colombia is described and illustrated, and compared with its morphological closest relative R. veichii, which has a much wider distribution from Costa Rica to Peru. This new species is less colorful than the bright red R. veichii, and only known from Risaralda.

**Hieracia balcanica XIX. Rediscovery and amended description of Hieracium herculanum stat. nov. (Asteraceae) from Banat in Romania**

2026-08-05T08:50:33+12:00

Hieracium herculanum stat. nov., originally described as H. wiesbaurianum subsp. herculanum, was discovered in a new locality on Mt. Trescovăț on the Danube, SW Romania. This endemic to the Banat region has been considered extinct for nearly a century. As no original material of H. herculanum has been traced, the name is neotypified from newly found specimens and an extended morphological description of the plant is given. Hieracium herculanum is illustrated with photographs of the neotype and live plants in the field.