The Edinburgh Journal of Botany is an international journal of plant systematics covering related aspects of biodiversity, conservation science and phytogeography for plants and fungi. The journal is now online-only and published under the Diamond Open Access model. No fees will be charged for publication or access to content, and the journal will continue to provide the same high-quality editorial and peer review services and publish science of the highest standard. The digital archive of volumes 1-46 which were published under the journals previous name, Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden, is available here.
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EDITORIAL: DIGITAL ARCHIVE OF 125 YEARS’ WORTH OF JOURNAL CONTENT NOW FREELY AVAILABLE
This year marks 125 years of the Edinburgh Journal of Botany and its forerunner, Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. To mark the event all content published under both journal names is now free to access online.
Copyright (c) 2025 P. Wilkie https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A REVISED CONSPECTUS OF SARCOTHECA (OXALIDACEAE)
A synopsis of the Southeast Asian genus Sarcotheca (Oxalidaceae) is presented. The number of species recognised has increased from 11 in the last revision of the genus to 15, primarily due to the elevation of Sarcotheca laxa varieties to species rank. The first validation of the basionyms for three species has been changed, as the generic name Connaropsis was not validly published in the generally cited source. A lectotype is designated for Connaropsis, and seven species names are lectotypified, two of them at the second step. Additionally, Sarcotheca laxa is confirmed as part of Thailand’s native flora.
Copyright (c) 2025 I. M. Turner, R. C. K. Chung https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Professor Mary Gibby, Ph.D., OBE, FLS, FRSE, PPBPS (1949-2024)
Obituary of Professor Mary Gibby.
Copyright (c) 2024 Professor Stephen Blackmore, Ph.D, CBE, VHM, FRSE Honorary Fellow of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and His Majesty’s Botanist in Scotland, Professor Johannes Vogel, Ph.D. Director General, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE IDENTITY AND TYPIFICATION OF THE BEGONIAS FROM VELLOZO’S FLORA FLUMINENSIS
We review the 22 names in the genus Begonia (Begoniaceae) from J. M. da C. Vellozo’s Flora Fluminensis, taking advantage of recent advances in the understanding of Vellozo’s collecting itinerary and the Begonia flora of southern Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. We unambiguously match 18 of Vellozo’s names to current species concepts in the genus Begonia, resulting in 10 new synonyms. We provide lectotypifications and epitypifications and accepted names for all taxa. The widespread and common species currently known as Begonia radicans Vell. is shown to be a misapplication of the name, and we reinstate the name B. limmingheiana É.Morren for this taxon. We report the rediscovery of Begonia acetosa Vell., which was last collected approximately 250 years ago by Vellozo, and provide an emended description and IUCN conservation assessment for this species. We are unable to match four of Vellozo’s names to current species concepts and propose that they are rejected.
Copyright (c) 2025 P. W. Moonlight, E. J. de Lima https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
TYPES IN HERBARIUM AMBOINENSE: THE NAMES OF VASCULARPLANTS TYPIFIED BY ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE PUBLICATION OF RUMPHIUS
A list is presented of more than 300 names of vascular plants that are typified by illustrations published in Herbarium Amboinense, the botanical magnum opus of Rumphius. The list includes the currently accepted name for each entry and its typification, where available. Merrill effectively designated lectotypes for some two-thirds of the names linked to Herbarium Amboinense; the rest were dealt with by various authors. In total, 85 new typifications are presented, including both lectotypes and epitypes. A new combination in Ochrosia (Apocynaceae) is proposed. Some nomenclatural issues relating to names published by Loureiro in Flora Cochinchinensis, for which no extant specimens are available but which could be typified by Rumphius illustrations, are also highlighted.
Copyright (c) 2025 I. M. Turner https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
TRANSFER OF THE GENUS AULANDRA INTO PALAQUIUM (SAPOTACEAE) AND ASSOCIATED NOMENCLATURAL CHANGES
Aulandra H.J.Lam (Sapotaceae) has hitherto been treated as a genus of tropical forest trees native to Borneo. To test whether the genus is distinct from Palaquium Blanco, phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood was performed on target capture of nuclear data, including all species currently recognised as belonging in Aulandra. The results confirm that Aulandra is nested within Palaquium and should be synonymised with it. One new combination, Palaquium longifolium (H.J.Lam) A.Phang, is made, and the application of the name P. beccarii discussed, resulting in the description of a new species, Palaquium aulandrum A.Phang.
Copyright (c) 2025 A. Phang, D. J. Middleton, P. Wilkie https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MEMECYLON COORGENSIS (MELASTOMATACEAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM THE CENTRAL WESTERN GHATS OF KARNATAKA, INDIA
Memecylon coorgensis sp. nov., a small shrubby species from the Kodagu district of Karnataka, India, is described and illustrated. The species is similar to Memecylon gracile with respect to its axillary, peduncled inflorescence but differs in having up to six flowers per inflorescence, in addition to the conical shape of its buds, its acute sepals and its acuminate petals. The species is so far known only from the Kodagu district of the state of Karnataka.
Copyright (c) 2025 S. S. Shrotri, T. U. Thackeray, N. V. Page https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE PUTRANJIVACEAE OF THE WORLD: A CROSS-REFERENCED CHECKLIST OF THE GENERA AND SPECIES
An updated taxonomic checklist of all the accepted species and infraspecific taxa of the family Putranjivaceae (Malpighiales) worldwide is presented. We currently accept 223 species in two genera, Putranjiva (four species) and Drypetes (219 species). A morphological description of the family and a nomenclatural checklist of its infrageneric taxa and species are provided, and for each species the correct name, synonyms and type information, as well as available information on distribution, habitat, published iconography and infrageneric classification are given. To stabilise the nomenclature of the Putranjivaceae, a total of 133 lectotypes and five neotypes are designated, as well as a new combination, Putranjiva sect. Matsumuranae (Hurus.) Quintanar, Barberá & D.J.Harris comb. nov. Type species for four sectional names (Drypetes sect. Oligandrae, Drypetes sect. Roxburghianae, Drypetes sect. Stemonodiscus and Drypetes sect. Stipulares) have been designated, as well as two new species synonyms. The checklist is preceded by an introduction to the family and the taxonomic history of the main taxa. The International Plant Names Index Life Sciences Identifier (LSID) and the World Flora Online Unique Identifier are added to each name, thereby providing direct links to these nomenclatural resources.
Copyright (c) 2025 A. Quintanar, P. Barberá, A. Elliott, D. J. Harris https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A NEW SPECIES OF HETEROPOLYGONATUM (ASPARAGACEAE: CONVALLARIOIDEAE, POLYGONATEAE) FROM THE GAOLIGONGSHAN IN EASTERN MYANMAR AND WESTERN CHINA
A new species of Heteropolygonatum, H. farreri, is described from the easternmost part of Myanmar and western Yunnan in a limestone region of the Gaoligongshan. It is morphologically similar to Heteropolygonatum marmoratum but differs by its shortly scabrous stem, narrowly cylindrical perianth with lanceolate tepals, red-orange fruit, and diploid chromosome count. An illustration of the new species is provided, as is a map of its distribution and that of its closest relative, Heteropolygonatum marmoratum, showing their disjunction. Chromosome counts for Heteropolygonatum farreri (2n = 32) and a second count for H. marmoratum (2n = 4x = 64) are given.
Copyright (c) 2025 A. J. Floden, C. A. Pendry https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PLEUROTHALLIS MARKGRUINII, A NEW PLEUROTHALLIDINAE(ORCHIDACEAE) FROM NORTHWESTERN ECUADOR
Pleurothallis markgruinii, a particularly tall species for the genus, is described as new to science and an illustration provided. The new species is most similar to Pleurothallis gargantua and shares with that species its large size, reaching 1 m tall, but differs in the much smaller flowers with a deeply concave dorsal sepal, narrower petals, and a synsepal with strongly revolute margins that form an elongated, triangular shape. Comprehensive field research has shown Pleurothallis markgruinii to have a restricted geographical range in the northwest Andes of Ecuador, and it is assessed as Critically Endangered. Pleurothallis markgruinii, una especie con plantas particularmente largas dentro del género se describe e ilustra aquí como nueva para la ciencia. La nueva especie es similar a Pleurothallis gargantua y comparte con esta las grandes plantas que alcanzan 1 m en longitud, pero se diferencia en las flores mucho más pequeñas con el sépalo dorsal muy cóncavo, pétalos más estrechos, y un sinsépalo con márgenes fuertemente revolutos que le dan una forma alargada y triangular. Investigación de campo exhaustiva muestra que Pleurothallis markgruinii tiene una distribución restringida, al noroeste de los Andes en Ecuador y es evaluada como en peligro crítico.
Copyright (c) 2024 L. E. Baquero, M. F. Monteros, G. A. Iturralde, M. M. Jimenez, R. Dueñas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
TOPOGRAPHY, CLIMATE AND FOREST COVER DETERMINETHE GLOBAL SPECIES RICHNESS PATTERNS OF FILMY FERNS(HYMENOPHYLLACEAE)
Species richness patterns are essential for understanding how species diversity has evolved. The filmy ferns (Hymenophyllaceae) are one of the largest families of epiphytic ferns; however, a comprehensive global overview of their species diversity and distribution is lacking. In the present study, we identified the regions of greatest species diversity as Central America, South America and Southeast Asia (including Taiwan Island), followed by the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Madagascar. North America and Europe are low in species richness. Global species richness data based on 100 × 100 km grid cells were analysed to investigate the correlation between species richness and ecological factors. Our results show that filmy ferns have a strong preference for moist and warm habitats, and that current species richness patterns are codetermined by topography, climate and forest cover. Our results also indicate that, as expected, the relationship between soil and epiphytic ferns is minimal, and that there is weak support for the use of solar radiation levels to predict global patterns of diversity for filmy ferns, which primarily occur in deep shade. We highlight potential ecological differences between the two lineages of the Hymenophyllaceae: hymenophylloids and trichomanoids. The unusually low species diversity of filmy ferns in some areas (e.g. the Pan-Himalayan region) is potentially explained by historical ecological adaptation and lack of suitable habitats.
Copyright (c) 2025 T. X. Ye, F. Wu, X. C. Zhang https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
BOURNEA IS NOT SUPPORTED AS SEPARATE FROM OREOCHARIS(GESNERIACEAE)
The genus Bournea Oliv., established in 1893 and comprising two morphologically very similar species with actinomorphic flowers, was included in Oreocharis Benth. in 2011, essentially based on molecular data. However, a recent publication has suggested that Bournea should be maintained as a genus distinct from Oreocharis, based on morphological, palynological and DNA sequence data. By contrast, in another recent publication also based on DNA sequences, Bournea is placed within Oreocharis. The morphological, palynological and published molecular phylogenetic data are discussed here. The conclusion is that the overall evidence available is insufficient to support an independent genus, Bournea.
Copyright (c) 2025 M. Möller, D.J. Middleton, S. Ulrich, A. Weber https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
SKOGEA IS A SYNONYM OF BOEICA (GESNERIACEAE)
The genus Skogea U.B.Deshmukh, a replacement name for the recently described monospecific genus Actinostephanus F.Wen, Y.G.Wei & L.F.Fu and the correct name for the superfluous Radiaticorollarus Y.G.Wei, F.Wen & Lei Cai, is placed in synonymy with the genus Boeica C.B.Clarke. Neither the morphological characters nor the molecular data provide sufficient justification for generic recognition.
Copyright (c) 2025 A. Weber, D. J. Middleton, M. Möller https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
TWO NEW SPECIES OF SYZYGIUM (MYRTACEAE) FROM ULTRAMAFICSOILS IN NORTHEASTERN MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES, WITH NOTES ONTHREE OTHER RARE SPECIES
Two new species of Syzygium (Myrtaceae), S. omissum Mansibang & Fernando and S. parvipomum Fernando & Mansibang from the ultramafic forests of Surigao del Norte, Mindanao Island, Philippines, are formally described. The subgeneric placement of the species is discussed, and an identification key for species of the subgenus Perikion with an axillary to ramiflorous inflorescence is presented. Notes on three ‘lost’ Syzygium species, namely S. filipes Merr., S. siderocolum (Merr.) Merr. and S. surigaense (Merr.) Merr., are provided, and lectotypes are assigned for Eugenia siderocola (basionym of S. siderocolum) and E. surigaensis (basionym of S. surigaense).
Copyright (c) 2024 E. S. Fernando, M. O. Quimado, J. A. Mansibang https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PRIMULINA HSIWENII (GESNERIACEAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM SOUTHEASTERN YUNNAN, CHINA
A new species of Gesneriaceae, Primulina hsiwenii Lei Cai, Ting Zhang & J.D.Ya, from the karst regions in southeastern Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. Its morphological relationship with a similar species is discussed, and a detailed description, colour photographs, distribution and habitat information and an IUCN conservation assessment are provided.
Copyright (c) 2024 L. Cai, J. D. Ya, T. Zhang https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF BOTANICAL RECORDS: LEGUMINOSAE TREE SPECIES DIVERSITY IN A BRAZILIAN ATLANTIC FOREST HOTSPOT
The Reserva Biológica do Tinguá (REBIO Tinguá) is a protected area in the state of Rio de Janeiro comprising around 26,000 ha of Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We present an updated floristic inventory of Leguminosae tree species in the REBIO Tinguá. Pre-existing herbarium collections and field expeditions carried out in 2021 and 2022 were used as the basis for (i) assembling a comprehensive taxonomically verified checklist of the legumes, (ii) revealing species distribution patterns across the Submontane (‘tingua_s’) and Montane/High Montane Dense Ombrophilous (‘tingua_ma’) Forest physiognomies of the REBIO Tinguá, and (iii) an UPGMA-based floristic similarity analysis to compare the REBIO Tinguá with 28 other areas of Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro state. Of the total 67 legume tree species identified, 35 are endemic to the Atlantic Forest, six are new occurrences for the area, and seven are listed under different threat categories. The legume-based similarity analysis showed clusters that largely reflect the environmental heterogeneity of the region, where ‘tingua_ma’ is grouped with Macaé de Cima, Mendanha and Santo Aleixo, while ‘tingua_s’ is grouped with Paraty Mirim, Pedra Branca, Poço das Antas, Tijuca and REBIO Union. Our study shows that new records can be made for the REBIO Tinguá, despite it being one of the most thoroughly inventoried areas in the state. Our results reinforce the importance of the REBIO Tinguá for biodiversity conservation, because of its great extent, altitudinal amplitude, and above all, its central position in the state, integrating the Mosaico Central Fluminense and the Tinguá–Bocaina biodiversity corridor.
Copyright (c) 2024 L. S. J. Deccache, D. N. S. Machado, D. Cardoso, H. C. Lima https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE RESURRECTION OF ANCISTROCLADUS PACHYRRHACHIS (ANCISTROCLADACEAE) FROM LIBERIA
Ancistrocladus pachyrrhachis (Ancistrocladaceae), described in 1950, is resurrected and compared with A. barteri, the species with which it was synonymised in 2005. The fruits of Ancistrocladus barteri and A. pachyrrhachis are described and illustrated here for the first time, and a full description of the species is provided, as is a key to the three West African species. Ancistrocladus pachyrrhachis is assessed as Critically Endangered.
Copyright (c) 2024 C.C.H. Jongkind, X.M. van der Burgt https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MULTIVARIATE MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF MANGOSTEEN (GARCINIA MANGOSTANA VAR. MANGOSTANA, CLUSIACEAE) AND ITS WILD RELATIVES
Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana var. mangostana) is a dioecious and agamospermous cultivated fruit tree. It has two recognised hypothetical wild ancestors, Garcinia mangostana var. malaccensis and G. mangostana var. borneensis, distributed in the lowland dipterocarp-dominated forests of Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, and Borneo. The highly similar morphological characters between the cultivated and wild varieties have posed challenges in identification. Additionally, Garcinia penangiana is often mistaken for G. mangostana var. malaccensis, and G. venulosa is regarded as morphologically similar to G. mangostana var. borneensis. In the present study, we conducted morphometric analyses of Garcinia mangostana var. mangostana, G. mangostana var. borneensis, G. mangostana var. malaccensis, G. penangiana and G. venulosa. We assessed the efficacy of morphological characters in combination (vegetative–male flowers–female flowers) in distinguishing the taxa as recognised in the current taxonomy. In our morphometric analyses, we found that Garcinia penangiana and G. venulosa are well delimited and congruent with their current taxonomic designations. A combination of vegetative and male-flower characters provided the most definitive delimitation. We recovered the specific coherence of Garcinia mangostana, but the infraspecific delineations of G. mangostana var. mangostana, G. mangostana var. borneensis and G. mangostana var. malaccensis are not supported.
Copyright (c) 2024 T.L. Yao, M. Nazre, J. Duminil, C. Loup, J. Munzinger https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
STUDIES IN THE FLORA OF ARABIA: XXXV. NEW RECORDS FROM THE SULTANATE OF OMAN
Two species are newly reported for the Arabian Peninsula and eight new records for the Sultanate of Oman. Brief comments are provided on the phytogeography and ecology of these species. Most new records have been made from the botanically very poorly known or unexplored mountainous areas of northern Oman, including Musandam and poorly collected areas in Dhofar. These additional records raise the total number of known taxa in the national flora of Oman to 1417.
Copyright (c) 2024 S. Al Hatmi, A. Al Hinai , Z. Al Qassabi, A. Mohd. Alzahrani, S.G. Knees https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A NEW SPECIES OF AERIDES (AERIDINAE: ORCHIDACEAE) FROM SULAWESI, INDONESIA
A new species of Aerides from Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, is described and illustrated. This new species is placed in Aerides sect. Falcata and is, so far, the only member of this section recorded from Indonesia. The species is endemic to the northern part of Sulawesi Island.
Copyright (c) 2024 D. Metusala https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
NEPETA MARGALLAICA (MENTHEAE: NEPETOIDEAE: LAMIACEAE): A NEW SPECIES FROM THE MARGALLA HILLS, PAKISTAN
A new species of Nepeta L. (Lamiaceae) from the Margalla Hills, in Pakistan, is described and illustrated. It belongs to Nepeta sect. Cataria sensu Bentham and is characterised by tuberous roots up to 3 cm in diameter, the presence of long multicellular flattened eglandular hairs, a spike-like inflorescence, an oblique calyx throat, unequal calyx teeth, and a 9 mm long white corolla. It is closely related to Nepeta cataria L., from which it differs in the root, indumentum, calyx and inflorescence characters. A distribution map of the new species is presented, as is an updated key to Nepeta sect. Cataria.
Copyright (c) 2024 A. Sultan, A. Khan, S. A. Shah, S. Naz, Z. Jamzad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PRELIMINARY CHECKLIST OF BORNEAN CYRTANDRA (GESNERIACEAE)
A checklist of Bornean Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) is presented. One hundred and seventy-six names are accepted, including eight varieties and two subspecies. Three names are considered of uncertain status because no type material has been found, and nine names are lectotypified. Information on Bornean Cyrtandra is very scattered, and for a number of species, illustrations and amplified descriptions were published after the original protologue. Therefore, this checklist has been compiled and annotated to consolidate all this information in a single reference work.
Copyright (c) 2024 H. J. Atkins, G. L. C. Bramley, A. Kartonegoro, S. Julia https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF THE MADAGASCAR-ENDEMIC GENUS BEMANGIDIA (SAPOTACEAE), WITH DESCRIPTION OF A SECOND SPECIES
Bemangidia L.Gaut. (Sapotaceae) is a genus endemic to a restricted area in the southeastern lowland moist evergreen forests of Madagascar. It was published in 2013 to accommodate an undescribed species, Bemangidia lowryi L.Gaut., which showed a combination of characters unique in the family Sapotaceae. At the time of description, three atypical collections from the same locality but growing on a ridge, slightly higher in altitude, were already known. Although matching well with the Bemangidia genus, they were phenotypically different from B. lowryi and were therefore not included in the species description. In the present study, we evaluate whether these specimens correspond to a new species, using a combination of morphological and genetic data based on 638 nuclear genes. The results show that Bemangidia contains two lineages, each one corresponding to a different morphology, with a genetic branch length similar to those observed among species pairs in other genera of Sapotaceae. We conclude that the genetic and morphological differences are sufficient to consider the two lineages as two distinct species. Consequently, the genus is here revised and a second species described.
Copyright (c) 2023 C.G. Boluda, A. Randriarisoa, Y. Naciri, L. Gautier https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A NEW RUPICOLOUS PALM FROM THE CAMPOS RUPESTRES, MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL
The Syagrus glaucescens species complex occurs in the Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. In addition to Syagrus duartei Glassman, S. glaucescens Glaz. ex Becc. and S. evansiana Noblick, a fourth undescribed species was previously identified by its morphology, leaf anatomy and geographical isolation. Here we formally describe this species as new to science and compare it with Syagrus evansiana, its closely related species. We also provide a distribution map, illustrations, photographs, taxonomic notes, and an IUCN conservation status assessment of Endangered.
Copyright (c) 2023 B.F. Sant'Anna-Santos, L.F.L. Carvalho, P. Soffiatti https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A NEW SPECIES OF SPELAEANTHUS (GESNERIACEAE: DIDYMOCARPOIDEAE) FROM VIETNAM
The species Spelaeanthus vietnamensis D.J.Middleton from Tam Đảo National Park in northern Vietnam is described as new to science, and photographs are provided. The genus now includes two species: one from Vietnam and one from Peninsular Malaysia.
Copyright (c) 2023 David Middleton https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THREE NEW SPECIES OF BEGONIA FROM THE OUTER ISLANDS OF SOUTHEASTERN SULAWESI
Three new species of Begonia sect. Petermannia (Begoniaceae), namely B. batusangiensis Ardi & D.C.Thomas, B. kabaenensis D.C.Thomas & Ardi and B. labengkiensis Ardi & D.C.Thomas, are described from the outer islands of southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia. Photographs of these species, notes on their distribution and habitat preferences, and provisional IUCN conservation assessments are provided, as well as a key to the identification of 14 species of southeastern Sulawesi Begonia. The three new species are calciphile endemics to Sulawesi and assessed as Critically Endangered (CR).
Copyright (c) 2023 Wisnu H. Ardi, Daniel C. Thomas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CYRTANDRA SAMARENSIS (GESNERIACEAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM THE LIMESTONE FORESTS OF SAMAR ISLAND, PHILIPPINES
A species new to science of the megadiverse genus Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) and endemic to the limestone forest of Samar Island Natural Park, Philippines, is described. It is distinct in its hairy bracts at the base of the adaxial surface and its long pendulous umbelliform inflorescences that comprise either solitary flowers or branches carrying two clusters of 7–9 diminutive flowers. A conservation assessment following the Red List criteria of the IUCN Standards and Petitions Subcommittee is proposed, and a line drawing and photographs of the species are provided.
Copyright (c) 2024 M. D. delos Angeles, D. N. Tandang, H. Schneider https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ECOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON NEPENTHES WEDA ON THE ISLAND OF HALMAHERA, INDONESIA
Nepenthes weda Cheek is a carnivorous plant species found in the Indonesian province of Maluku. It was first described in 2015, growing in metal-rich ultramafic soils in minimally disturbed forest; ecologically, this species has not been studied. The present study was conducted at Weda Bay in Halmahera, the site of a large nickel-mining complex, to determine the habitat, population, nutrient interactions and prey spectra of Nepenthes weda. The known distribution of Nepenthes weda is extended to more open lowland disturbed maquis habitats in the mining concession, increasing the extent of occupancy, although the new population was relatively small, at 46 individuals per 1000 m2. Foliar nutrient concentrations were low in P and Ca due to the plant growing in ultramafic soils that are typically low in these nutrients, and foliar Ni was at concentrations similar to those for other plants at this site. The prey spectra were dominated by yellow crazy ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes), along with mosquito and fly larvae as inquilines. Nepenthes weda remains a Critically Endangered species, and we propose urgent conservation actions.
Copyright (c) 2024 M. Mansur, F. Q. Brearley https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A NEW SPECIES OF BEGONIA (BEGONIACEAE) FROM INDONESIA AND TIMOR-LESTE
A new rhizomatous, lithophytic species of Begonia (Begoniaceae – Begonia sect. Jackia) is described from material collected from limestone areas in the Indonesian and Timor-Leste parts of the island of Timor, Lesser Sunda Isles. Photographs, a provisional conservation status assessment of the new species, and an identification key to species of Begonia sect. Jackia in the Lesser Sunda Isles are provided.
Copyright (c) 2023 D.C. Thomas, W.H. Ardi, F. Santana, P. Pinto, F. Loke Wei, N.B. Martins, N. Conaboy https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Professor Olive Mary Hilliard Burtt (1925–2022)
Obituary of Professor Olive Mary Hilliard Burtt.
Copyright (c) 2023 H. Noltie https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0