Phytotaxa

**Synopsis of the genus Tragus (Poaceae: chloridoideae: cynodonteae) in Peru**

JHON W. MUÑUICO, VICTOR QUIPUSCOA-SILVESTRE, HAROL GUTIÉRREZ — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +1200

A taxonomic synopsis of the genus Tragus for Peru is presented. Tragus peruvianus is described as a new species, while T. australianus and T. racemosus are excluded from the Peruvian agrostological flora. A taxonomic key, morphological descriptions, ecological information, notes, iconography, and reference images are provided.

**Insights from morphological investigations and molecular phylogenetics reveal a new synonymy in Bellevalia (Asparagaceae: Scilloideae) in Iran**

MOHAMMAD REZA ABDOLLAHI, TIM BӦHNERT, MAXIMILIAN WEIGEND, SHAHIN ZARRE — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +1200

Bellevalia with 19 recognized species in Iran, is an important geophytic genus within the Iranian flora that is poorly understood regarding intraspecific variation in morphological characters, taxonomy, and phylogeny. We initiated morphological analyses of its species using both herbarium specimens and field samples in preparation of a monographic study of this genus. The present paper focuses on the variability of B. decolorans and its relationship with B. shiraziana. These two species are generally recognized as distinct, but we find that the morphological differences used to distinguish them—such as broadly ovate leaves, longer pedicels, and varying capsule shapes in B. decolorans—are too minor and variable to warrant recognition as distinct species. The differences in capsule and fruit shapes reflect ontogenetic variation within a single species. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis, utilizing nrDNA ITS and cpDNA rps16 sequences, confirms the placement of B. shiraziana within sect. Bellevalia and the close relationship to B. decolorans. Although sequencing the ITS region proved challenging in Bellevalia, the rps16 marker appears to be an effective tool for elucidating interspecific relationships within the genus. Ultimately, we conclude that B. shiraziana should be treated as a synonym of B. decolorans.

**Cytological analysis reveals intraspecific genetic diversity of Begonia handelii (Begoniaceae, sect. Platycentrum)**

JINYU HU, YAN XIAO, SONGWEI WANG, DAIKE TIAN, YONGHUA HAN — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +1200

Begonia L. is an ideal model for studying plant diversity due to its high species richness and diversity. In this study, we performed detailed cytological analysis for plants collected from 13 wild populations of Begonia handelii, a highly diverse species classified into three varieties. We first determined the chromosome number of these plants and identified diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid individuals with 2n=22, 44, and 66 chromosomes, respectively. Surprisingly, three plants were found to have 2n=24 chromosomes. The number and position of both 5S and 45S rDNA in these B. handelii plants were determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The rDNA-FISH analysis revealed that the number of loci for both rDNA types was consistent within each ploidy level, with tetraploid and hexaploid individuals having two and three times the number of loci observed in diploid individuals, respectively. In addition, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) was used to analyze the genomic relationships among the three varieties and to determine the auto- or allopolyploidy of the polyploid plants. The results suggest that the individuals with 2n=24 chromosomes may be hybrids, the tetraploid individuals may be allopolyploids, while hexaploid individuals may be autohexaploids.

Bulbophyllum thaithongiae (Orchidaceae), a new species from Thailand

NEERANUCH TAOSIRI, TOSAK SEELANAN — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +1200

During an exploration for the diversity of orchids in Thong Pha Phum National Park, Kanchanaburi Province, a new species of Bulbophyllum in section Racemosae was discovered. It is described here as Bulbophyllum thaithongiae. This new species can be characterized by having sub-densely arranged inflorescences, short floral bracts which never completely hide the flowers and long papillae up to 0.53 mm on the labellum which are clearly visible by naked eye. A detailed description and illustrations are provided together with notes on taxonomy and conservation status.

Stropharia daliensis sp. nov. (Strophariaceae, Agaricales) from Yunnan Province, China

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +1200

Stropharia daliensis sp. nov., collected from Dali, Yunnan, China, is proposed based on morphological and molecular analyses. It is characterized by its viscid to glutinous basidiomata, light reddish-brown to reddish-orange pileus covered with white to light yellow squamules, stipe evanescent annulus in the upper part of the stipe, below the annulus densely covered light yellow triangular squamules, acanthocytes absent. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS and nrLSU confirmed the phylogenetic placement of the new species. A comprehensive description, line drawings of microstructures, and comparisons with morphologically similar species are provided in this paper.