Phytotaxa

Comparative morphological, anatomical and palynological study of Galium peplidifolium Boiss. and G. penduliflorum Boiss. (Rubiaceae) from Türkiye: diagnostic characters and taxonomic implications

MERVE KALAS, AYLA KAYA — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +1300

This study presents a comparative morphological, micromorphological, anatomical, and palynological investigation of two closely related species, Galium peplidifolium and G. penduliflorum (Rubiaceae), belonging to sect. Kolgyda in Türkiye. Although morphological features of these species have previously been reported, comprehensive comparative data, particularly on micromorphology and palynology, remain limited. The results revealed several potentially diagnostic characters useful for distinguishing the two species. Galium peplidifolium was characterized by curved or geniculate stems with a partially purplish lower portion, divaricate pedicels, and a cup-shaped corolla with acute to acuminate lobes lacking blackish points. In contrast, G. penduliflorum possessed nearly erect stems, usually nodding pedicels, and a subrotate corolla with long-aristate lobes and blackish points. The mericarp surface was folded and distinctly striate in G. peplidifolium, whereas it was partially collapsed with fissures and faintly granulate—striate ornamentation in G. penduliflorum. Both species possessed quadrangular stems and bifacial, amphistomatic leaves, but differed in several anatomical features, including cortical organization, pith structure, and supporting tissues associated with the leaf midrib, while sand crystals were observed only in G. peplidifolium. Pollen grains were predominantly heptacolpate in G. peplidifolium and exhibited both hexacolpate and octacolpate forms in G. penduliflorum, whereas both species showed prolate pollen and microechinate—perforate exine ornamentation. These findings demonstrate that the combined evaluation of morphological, micromorphological, anatomical, and palynological characters provides complementary evidence for distinguishing the two species and contributes to their taxonomic characterization within sect. Kolgyda.

Taxonomic Synopsis of Capparaceae in Maranhão, Northeastern Brazil

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +1300

This study comprises a taxonomic synopsis of Capparaceae for the state of Maranhão, Northeastern Brazil. Botanical material was obtained through field collections conducted in 15 municipalities and two conservation units, as well as through the analysis of herbarium specimens from the HDELTA, HABIT, MAR, and SLUI herbaria, in addition to data surveys carried out on digital platforms such as Reflora, SpeciesLink, and GBIF. Species identifications, morphological descriptions, and a dichotomous identification key were produced. Six species belonging to four genera were recorded in Maranhão, with emphasis on Cynophalla hastata, reported here as a new occurrence for the state and as the first record for the Amazon and Cerrado domains of Brazil. The delimitation of genera and species was based on vegetative and reproductive morphological characters. Capparidastrum solum and Cynophalla amazonica are included for the first time in a taxonomic synopsis in Brazil, and the identification key will contribute to species identification and to future taxonomic and floristic studies.

**Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis reveal a new wood-inhabiting fungus, Hyphoderma farinaceum from southwest China**

WANTONG ZHAO, QI YUAN, JIERU YANG, XUNCHI ZHANG, CHANGLIN (CHARLIE) ZHAO — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +1300

Wood-inhabiting fungi serve essential functions as decomposers within forest ecosystems. This study describes and illustrates a new wood-inhabiting fungus, Hyphoderma farinaceum, based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses. Hyphoderma farinaceum is distinguished by resupinate, membranaceous basidiomata with a farinaceous hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with generative hyphae bearing clamp connections, and cylindrical basidiospores measuring 7.5–12 × 3.5–4.5 µm. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and nuclear large subunit (nLSU) sequences were obtained from the examined specimens, and phylogenetic analyses were conducted using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference methods. The results indicate that this species belongs to Hyphoderma and is closely related to H. fulgens. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic analysis results are presented. This finding broadens the recognized diversity of Hyphoderma in subtropical China and enhances understanding of phylogenetic relationships within the genus.

Saussurea sejilaensis (Asteraceae, Cardueae), a new species from southeastern Xizang, China

WENDIE LIU, JIAN LUO — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +1300

Saussurea sejilaensis (Asteraceae, Cardueae), a new species from Sejila Mountain in southeastern Xizang, China, is described and illustrated. Based on morphological characters and the current infrageneric classification, the new species is assigned to Saussurea subg. Amphilaena. Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses based on nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) sequences recovered S. sejilaensis, S. ceterach, and S. leontodontoides as a strongly supported clade (UFBoot = 96; PP = 0.995). Morphologically, S. sejilaensis resembles S. pumila and S. leptolepis. It differs from S. pumila in having ovate to broadly ovate leaf blades with densely greyish-white to silvery tomentose abaxial surfaces and phyllaries in 3–4 rows, whereas S. pumila has narrowly ovate-elliptic to spatulate, glabrous leaf blades and phyllaries in 4–5 rows. It differs from S. leptolepis in its acaulescent habit, subentire to shallowly crenate leaf blades, a solitary capitulum borne near ground level at the centre of the leaf rosette, and a smaller campanulate involucre. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the pollen grains are elliptic in equatorial view and subcircular in polar view, with an echinate exine bearing numerous minute perforations, whereas the achenes are narrowly cylindrical with longitudinally striate-rugose surface ornamentation.

Aristolochia minjiangyuanensis, a new species of subg. Siphisia (Aristolochiaceae) from Fujian, China

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +1300

Aristolochia minjiangyuanensis, a new species of Aristolochia subgen. Siphisia from Jianning County, Fujian Province, China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, it differs in having usually narrower, narrowly ovate-cordate leaves with a long-acuminate or acute apex, a subobovate perianth limb with the lower lobe significantly longer than the upper two lobes and an unspotted inner surface, a smaller throat, and an indumentum predominantly composed of grayish-white velvety hairs. Phylogenetic analyses, based on the nuclear ribosomal ITS region (5.8S + ITS2) and the plastid trnK region, support the placement of A. minjiangyuanensis within the A. kaempferi group, while the trnK analysis further strongly supports a sister relationship between the new species and A. vestita. The new species can be distinguished from A. vestita by its subobovate perianth limb with a revolute apex and an inner surface without spots or stripes, subcircular throat, and predominantly grayish-white velvety indumentum. It differs from A. kaempferi mainly in the morphology and markings of the perianth limb and in having a cylindrical, velvety capsule.

Euphorbia villarrealii, a new species from harsh environments of Coahuila, Mexico

VICTOR W. STEINMANN, HILDA FLORES-OLVERA, HELGA OCHOTERENA — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +1300

A new species of Euphorbia subg. Chamaesyce sect. Anisophyllum from harsh environments of Coahuila, Mexico, is described and illustrated with photos and a line drawing. This species was collected during a study in the Cuatro Ciénegas basin on gypsum and salty gypsum soils. Further research and collection studies revealed it as a new species, which is distinguished by the combination of an annual habit, glabrous herbage, entire leaves, entire-capitate styles, minute involucral appendages, and microscopically papillose white seeds. It is known only from three localities, and following IUCN Red List categories and criteria, we propose a preliminary assessment as Endangered (EN). Euphorbia villarrealii increases the known diversity of the section Anisophyllum within the Chihuahuan Desert, a primary center of diversity for the taxon. This species also increases the estimated endemicity in gypsum, salty and salty gypsum soils in the region.

Lagenandra ayanae (Araceae), a new species from south Western Ghats, India

SARANYA JAYA, PICHAN MOHAMMED SALIM, JOSE MATHEW — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +1300

A new species of Lagenandra (Family: Araceae, Tribe: Cryptocoryneae), L. ayanae from south Western Ghats is described. The new species is related to L. kunkichirimuseumensis and L. dominicii by the foliar morphology and ecological preferences, but clearly distinct from the former by the tail in the limb, spadix appendix and reduced pistillate zone, and from the latter by the subvertically opening purple-coloured spathe limb and highly reduced pistillate part. The diagnostic morphological characters, distribution, and images of the new species are presented in this paper. A key to the known species of Lagenandra is also provided for facilitating the identification in the field.

Acer wenshanense (Sapindaceae), a critically endangered new species from Yunnan, China

YOU-SHENG CHEN, JIA-WANG LUO, DE-MING HE, SI-YI DU — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +1300

Acer wenshanense (Sapindaceae), a new species, is described and illustrated based on specimens from Wenshan City, Yunnan Province, China. Acer wenshanense is similar to A. sino-oblongum but differs in having sepals ca. 2.5 mm long (vs. ca. 4 mm long), petals narrowly oblong, ca. 3.5 mm long (vs. oblanceolate, ca. 4 mm long), ovary densely whitish hairy (vs. glabrous), young fruit green (vs. purplish red), and wings incurved and intercrossed (vs. spreading at an angle of 70–120°). It is also resembles A. fabri but differs in leaves abaxially whitish glaucous or pale green (vs. green),inflorescence corymbose (vs. paniculate), sepals yellowish green (vs. purplish red), petals yellowish green, narrowly oblong (vs. white, obovate), stamens yellowish green (vs. red), ovary densely whitish hairy (vs. glabrous), young fruit green (vs. purplish red), and wings incurved and intercrossed (vs. spreading at an angle of 60–130°). Acer wenshanense is currently known only from its type locality, represented by a single large tree. No seedlings, saplings, or other juvenile individuals were observed. We therefore recommend that this species be classified as a Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations (PSESP).