Phytotaxa

**Taxonomic notes on Aciotis (Melastomataceae) from the Brazilian Amazon: A new species and the updated distribution of Aciotis ferreirana, a rarely collected species**

2025-06-02T23:58:10+12:00

Aciotis manauara is described here as a new species to the municipality of Manaus, the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas. It was discovered in the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve and a surrounding area, in a forested campinarana and baixio habitats. Aciotis manauara is compared to A. indecora, A. rubricaulis, and A. viscida, the morphologically most similar species. To highlight diagnostic characters, we provide line drawings, photographs of living specimens, and scanning electron microscopy images of the leaf blades and seeds of A. manauara. Based on current available data, its conservation status is preliminarily assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN guidelines and criteria. In addition, we present an identification key and photographs of living specimens for the species of Aciotis occurring in the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve. Lastly, we reviewed the geographic distribution of the poorly collected species Aciotis ferreirana, which is endemic to the Brazilian Amazon and occurs only in the states of Amazonas and Rondônia. Its occurrence in Mato Grosso should not be recognized.

**Morphology and phylogeny reveal a new species of Luteoporia (Meruliaceae) in East Asia**

2025-10-15T20:34:49+13:00

The genus Luteoporia (Meruliaceae) comprises a distinctive group of resupinate fungi characterized by their bright yellow odontioid to poroid hymenophore, a monomitic hyphal system with clamp connections, and crystal-encrusted generative hyphae. So far, seven species have been described, occurring predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. During recent surveys of wood-inhabiting fungi in South Korea, a distinctive Luteoporia yeosusiensis sp. nov. was discovered and is described here as new to science. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combined ITS and nLSU datasets confirmed the placement of the new species in the odontioid hymenophore lineage, closely related to L. lutea. It is distinguished by its bright lemon to sulphur-yellow hymenophore, tissues turning reddish-purple in KOH, and slightly longer ellipsoid basidiospores (4.0–4.8 × 2.2–3.0 μm). A complete account of the new species is given, including descriptive morphology, illustrations, phylogenetic relationships, and comparisons with morphologically or phylogenetically similar or related species. Additionally, L. straminea is reported as a new record for South Korea. This study expands the known diversity and geographic distribution of Luteoporia in East Asia and documents its first occurrence in the Korean Peninsula.

**Restoration of the name Lilium cupreum and its conservation significance**

2026-01-08T20:53:38+13:00

In this study, the previously overlooked name Lilium cupreum has been restored through field verification, morphological comparison and molecular phylogenetic analysis. The findings confirm the independent status of this species and clarify its taxonomic position in the lophophora clade in the genus Lilium of south-western China, providing a broader context for its classification. Field investigations and specimen surveys reveal that this species has a limited distribution and small populations, making it vulnerable to threats from human activities.

Satureja musadaghensis (Lamiaceae) a new species from Türkiye

2026-02-10T03:00:50+13:00

Satureja musadaghensis İlçim sp. nov. is described from Hatay, Türkiye. Satureja musadaghensis confined to C5 square Hatay in southern Anatolia according to Davis’ grid square system where it flowers late in the year (November) and grows on rocky slopes and under the Quercus cerris shrubs. The diagnostic morphological charecteristics are discussed and compared with those of closely related taxa. This new species distinguished from related species by elliptic-sphatulate leaves, upper ones with 1–3 pairs teeth towards to apex, and bigger bracts and calyx.

**Notes on Astragalus L. section Malacothrix Bunge (Fabaceae) in Turkey: Evidence from seed morphology**

2026-03-10T20:36:34+13:00

In this study, the seed micromorphology of 16 Astragalus taxa belonging to section Malacothrix from Turkey was examined using both Light Microscopy (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The seeds exhibited considerable variation in shape, ranging from suborbicular to triangular-ovoid forms, and displayed diverse rugulate-based surface ornamentation patterns, including rugulate, reticulate-rugulate and related types, following recent standardized terminology. Although seed size and colour showed limited diagnostic value, testa ornamentation patterns, particularly when evaluated together with seed shape, revealed consistent interspecific variation and proved taxonomically informative at the species level. Notable patterns such as star-like rugulate ornamentation observed in A. paragriseus or the distinctive verrucate-rugulate structure in A. macrouroides and A. pseudotauricola highlight the diagnostic potential of seed surface characters. Overall, the micromorphological findings presented here contribute to species delimitation and the evaluation of morphologically ambiguous taxa within Astragalus sect. Malacothrix, and support the use of SEM-based seed characters as complementary taxonomic evidence.

Aureoboletus zunyiensis, a new species of Aureoboletus (Boletaceae, Basidiomycota) from Guizhou Province, China

2025-07-24T00:22:13+12:00

Aureoboletus zunyiensis from Guizhou Province, China, is described hereby on the basis of morphology and molecular analysis. It is characterized by a brownish-red pileal surface, yellowish context, ovoid to reniform spores, and cystidia are covered with a pale yellow refractive substance. Multigene analysis based on nrLSU, ITS, and TEF1-α supported that the new species belongs to Aureoboletus. Photographs, microstructure diagram, and a phylogenetic tree showing relationships to closely related taxa are provided.

Ophiorrhiza wulingensis, a new species of Ophiorrhizeae (Rubiaceae) from northwestern Hunan, China

2025-11-20T02:49:07+13:00

Ophiorrhiza wulingensis, a new species of Rubiaceae from northwestern Hunan, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to Ophiorrhiza chinensis and Ophiorrhiza howii, but it can be easily distinguished from the latter two by its hirtellous abaxial and glabrous adaxial leaf surfaces, dark-red hypanthia, shorter corolla tubes that are longitudinally ribbed abaxially and hooked near the apex, and densely pilose inside the corolla lobes. We preliminarily assessed it as Least Concern (LC) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, as it faces no obvious threats and is often encountered as a dominant component in the herb layers.

**Finding order in historical disorder: Lecto- and epitypification of Cerastium peruvianum (Caryophyllaceae) from overlooked herbarium material**

2026-02-19T07:21:27+13:00

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