Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden

A Taxonomic Revision of the Mexican Genus Bakerantha (Hechtioideae, Bromeliaceae)

Katya J. Romero-Soler — 2024-03-22

A taxonomic revision of the Mexican genus Bakerantha L. B. Sm. is here presented. Each species entry includes full nomenclature, a morphological description, distributional and phenological data, a discussion of affinities, illustrations, and a conservation assessment according to IUCN criteria. An artificial key is also included to identify live as well as herbarium specimens of all taxa.

Toward a Revision of the Genus Orthosia (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae: Asclepiadeae)

Sigrid Liede-Schumann — 2024-06-11

This paper summarizes the present knowledge of the genus Orthosia Decne., based on the study of herbarium material, type specimens, digital images, field observations, and Sanger sequencing of 101 accessions for six chloroplast markers. The results of these analyses encourage a rather narrow species circumscription in most cases. A total of 55 species are recognized, nine of which are new to science. Additionally, incomplete material from some remote areas points to the existence of a handful of yet undescribed species. For some species, morphological and molecular results are incongruent, also indicating the need for future studies. All accepted species are described and illustrated, and their distributions are provided. Nine species and two subspecies are newly described, 13 new combinations and two new synonyms are proposed, and 12 names are lectotypified and one is neotypified.

Untangling the Taxonomy of Rorida (Cleomaceae) in Iran

Mina Khorasani — 2024-06-19

This work presents the first comprehensive revision of Iranian Rorida J. F. Gmel. based on extensive field surveys, herbarium visits, literature review, and micromorphological investigations. Our taxonomic assessment shows that these taxa can be delimited from each other by a combination of habit, leaf size and morphology, indumentum type, details of floral structure, fruit shape and size, and seed color. We recognize five species of Rorida for the flora of Iran and propose two new combinations: R. dolichostyla (Jafri) Khorasani & Naqinezhad and R. fimbriata (Vicary) Khorasani & Naqinezhad. Moreover, two new records of Rorida for the flora are reported, R. tomentella (Popov) Thulin & Roalson and R. droserifolia (Forssk.) Thulin & Roalson. An identification key to all Iranian Rorida, nomenclature, and comprehensive descriptions are provided for each species, along with notes on taxonomy and ecology (phytogeography, habitat, and conservation status), illustrations, and distribution maps.

A Revision of Bidens (Asteraceae: Coreopsideae) from Bolivia

Mabel A. Lizarazu — 2024-06-24

The genus Bidens L. is the largest genus of the Coreopsideae that comprises about 280 species with a global distribution in tropical and temperate climates. An account of the 12 species and three varieties of Bidens occurring in Bolivia is provided, i.e., B. andicola Kunth var. andicola, B. andicola var. heterophylla Kuntze, B. aurea (Aiton) Sherff, B. cynapiifolia Kunth, B. exigua Sherff, B. gardneri Baker, B. herzogii (Sherff) D. J. N. Hind, B. mandonii (Sherff) Cabrera, B. pilosa L., B. pseudocosmos Sherff, B. squarrosa Kunth, B. subalternans DC. var. subalternans, B. subalternans var. simulans Sherff, B. tenera O. E. Schulz, and B. triplinervia Kunth var. macrantha (Wedd.) Sherff. The following three taxa are placed in synonymy: B. buchtienii Sherff is synonymized under B. andicola var. heterophylla; and B. andicola var. tarijensis Sherff and B. andicola f. dissecta Sherff under B. triplinervia var. macrantha. Diodonta coronata (L.) Nutt. is selected as the generitype of Diodonta Nutt. (= Bidens), and 23 lectotypes are designated: one for B. andicola, one for B. andicola var. heterophylla, one for B. gardneri, nine for names applicable to B. pilosa, one for B. pseudocosmos, five for names applicable to B. squarrosa, one for a name applicable to B. tenera, five for names applicable to B. triplinervia var. macrantha; and an epitype is proposed for the name B. odorata Cav. Four taxa are excluded from Bolivia, i.e., B. bipinnata L., B. reptans (L.) G. Don, B. rubifolia Kunth, and B. grandiflora Balb. var. longiloba Kuntze for which specimens have not been traced that confirmed their occurrence in Bolivia. Bidens subalternans var. simulans and B. aurea are reported for the first time from Bolivia. Descriptions, distribution maps, identification key, illustrations, and local vernacular names of all taxa are provided.

Taxonomic Revision of the Petiolatum Clade of Elaphoglossum sect. Lepidoglossa (Dryopteridaceae)

Ana Gabriela Martínez-Becerril — 2024-07-16

This paper provides a monograph of the petiolatum clade of Elaphoglossum Schott ex J. Sm. sect. Lepidoglossa Christ (Dryopteridaceae). This group has been recovered as monophyletic in several molecular phylogenetic analyses. Morphologically, the petiolatum clade is recognized by laminae with resinous dots and flat and/or stellate scales, rhizome scales with acute to filiform-tortuous apices, scales on the proximal portion of the petiole with dark apices, and perines broadly folded, sparsely echinulate with spines less than 1 μm high, or (in E. petiolatum (Sw.) Urb.) with sparse irregular microstructures. Eight species are recognized as a part of the clade, all of them distributed in the American tropics from Mexico to Panama, and one species in the Greater Antilles. Most of the species occur between 1000 and 2500 m elevation in tropical, temperate, and pine-oak forests. Presented here are an identification key, a full synonymy, detailed descriptions, a list of specimens examined, an index to collectors’ names and collection numbers, images of the plants and their main structures, spore microphotographs, and distribution maps for all species. A new combination is made for E. schmitzii (Mett. ex Kuhn) Martínez-Bec. & A. Vasco, and lectotypes are designated for Acrostichum intermedium Fée, E. muelleri (E. Fourn.) C. Chr., E. potosianum Christ, E. pringlei (Davenp.) C. Chr., and E. schmitzii.

Taxonomic Revision and Morphometric Analysis of Gamochaeta (Asteraceae, Gnaphalieae)

Susana E. Freire — 2024-08-20

Gamochaeta Wedd. (Asteraceae, Gnaphalieae) is a New World genus with a center of diversity in South America. The genus is characterized by capitula usually arranged in spikes or headlike clusters; pistillate florets outnumbering the bisexual florets; truncate style branches with apical sweeping trichomes; pappus bristles connate at the base into a ring that falls as a unit; and achenes with usually globose twin trichomes. We present here the first morphometric analysis of this genus. Based upon these results, 53 species are recognized, and two are newly synonymized: G. neuquensis Cabrera under the name G. chamissonis (DC.) Cabrera, and G. impatiens G. L. Nesom under the name G. americana (Mill.) Wedd. A lectotype is newly designated for Gnaphalium spiciforme Sch. Bip. The occurrence in southern Argentina of Gamochaeta procumbens (Phil.) Cabrera is reported for the first time, and G. standleyi (Steyerm.) G. L. Nesom is new for Colombia. One species, Gamochaeta thouarsii (Spreng.) Anderb., is treated as dubious. A key to the species is provided, as well as morphological descriptions, synonymy, distribution and habitat information, distinguishing characters, taxonomic affinities, distribution maps, illustrations of the species, and additional material examined.

A Taxonomic Account of Mucuna (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae) in Africa, Madagascar, and the Indian Ocean Islands, with Comments on Its Biogeographic History

Tania M. Moura — 2024-10-09

A taxonomic account of the papilionoid legume genus Mucuna Adans. in Africa, Madagascar, and the Indian Ocean islands is presented. Fifteen large herbaria that host representative collections of African specimens were visited and online databases consulted. A new phylogenetic analysis is also presented. Nineteen taxa are described and mapped. Twelve species and six infraspecific taxa (including autonyms, thus 15 terminal taxa) of Mucuna are present on the African mainland, where three species are representatives of Mucuna subg. Mucuna and the other nine are members of Mucuna subg. Stizolobium (P. Browne) Baker. In the Madagascar and Indian Ocean islands biodiversity hotspot, Mucuna is represented by six species, two of which (M. gigantea (Willd.) DC. and M. pruriens (L.) DC.) also occur on the African mainland. The other four species are endemic to Madagascar or adjacent islands and are representatives of Mucuna subg. Mucuna. The only representative of Mucuna subg. Stizolobium in Madagascar is M. pruriens. Our study suggests that the African mainland is the center of origin of Mucuna subg. Stizolobium. It is also revealed as the world’s most species-rich region in representatives of this subgenus, whereas on the other continents, subgenus Mucuna is the most diverse.

A Molecular Temporal Evolutionary Framework of Land Plants and the Age of Angiosperms

Yin-Long Qiu — 2024-10-11

A series of Bayesian molecular clock analyses with varying model combinations, parameters, and tree topologies were conducted to establish a temporal evolutionary framework of land plants and to estimate the age of angiosperms. The data consisted of five organellar and nuclear genes, 633 taxa, and 23 fossil calibration points (FCPs). The analyses were evaluated using an internal search thoroughness measure, effective sample sizes, and two external criteria: the consensus land plant phylogeny and a newly developed method that used the Hennigian reciprocal illumination principle to compare molecular age estimates of 21 nodes representing major land plant clades and the root split in green plants with those of their fossils in an a posteriori fashion. The results show that an analysis using a general time reversible (GTR) DNA substitution model, log normal branch-rate distribution, and Yule tree prior represented the best model combination, with the Birth-Death tree prior being equally optimal. This analysis estimated the age of the land plant crown group as 496.95 million years (MY), with a 95% highest posterior density (HPD) of 465.66–531.43 MY, and the age of the angiosperm crown group as 219.93 MY, with a 95% HPD of 184.09–256.82 MY. The former agrees with the fossil evidence, but the latter is significantly older than the fossil ages. A thorough examination of fossil evidence of angiosperms, as well as their evolutionary history in light of recent knowledge of morphology, physiology, and atmospheric CO₂ concentration in the Mesozoic era, suggests that angiosperm radiation might have been delayed after their origin and that the current fossil record probably reflects only the products of that radiation, not the origin of angiosperms. Overall, the study shows that both molecular clock analyses and fossil studies, while agreeing on some aspects but disagreeing on others, can help develop a complete understanding of the temporal evolutionary history of land plants.

Taxonomic Revision of Senna ser. Spinescentes (Leguminosae, Cassieae), Including Two New South American Species

Alexandre Gibau de Lima — 2024-10-04

Senna sect. Chamaefistula (DC. ex Collad.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby ser. Spinescentes H. S. Irwin & Barneby is restricted to the Neotropical region and has species distributed predominantly in the lowland forest of Amazonia. These species are morphologically distinguished by their scandent or viny habit, stipular thorns, and laterally compressed fruits with seeds parallel to fruit valves. Previous taxonomic treatments have recognized only two formally described species and one variety; nevertheless, they served as a baseline for a more comprehensive study. Based on the analysis of many specimens housed in herbaria and on fieldwork, we recognize five species belonging to Senna ser. Spinescentes including two newly described species, one from the Brazilian Amazon, S. manaosa A. Lima, Bortoluzzi & V. F. Mansano, and the other from the Bolivian Yungas, S. yungas A. Lima, Bortoluzzi & V. F. Mansano. We also recognize S. schultesiana (H. S. Irwin & Barneby) A. Lima & V. F. Mansano as a morphologically distinct species rather than a variety of S. spinescens (Hoffmanns. ex Vogel) H. S. Irwin & Barneby, and we propose a lectotypification for S. longiglandulosa (Benth.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby. We provide an identification key, morphological descriptions, taxonomic notes, illustrations, preliminary conservation assessments, and habitat and phenology data for each species of the series.

Taxonomic Revision of Lippia in Paraguay

Fabiana Mirra — 2024-11-07

Lippia L. is the largest genus in Verbenaceae, with ca. 140 species distributed mainly in temperate and tropical South America and the Caribbean, and some lineages in Africa and Asia. A complete taxonomic revision of Lippia in Paraguay is here provided, based on the study of almost 700 herbarium specimens. As a result, 27 taxa, 25 species (two endemic), and two varieties are here recognized. A key for species identification is provided, plus detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations, photographs, updated synonymy with eight new synonyms, discussion about the relationships among closely related taxa, notes on geographic distribution and ecology, distribution maps, and a list of selected specimens analyzed. Fifteen lectotypes are designated for Lantana aristata Schauer var. brachypoda Briq., Lantana aristata (Schauer) Briq. var. latiuscula Briq., Lippia aristata Schauer f. pluripedunculata Kuntze, Lippia balansae Briq., Lippia calliclada Briq., Lippia citrata Cham., Lippia globiflora (L’Hér.) Kuntze f. lilacina Kuntze, Lippia gracilis Schauer, Lippia heterophylla Briq. var. ciliatifolia Briq., Lippia lasiocalycina Cham., Lippia recolletae Morong, Lippia tegulifera Briq. var. parvifolia Briq., Lippia turnerifolia Cham. var. camporum Griseb., Lippia villafloridana Kuntze, and Verbena globiflora L’Hér. Four second-step lectotypes are designated for Lippia lupulina Cham., Lippia morongii Kuntze, Lippia obscura Briq., and Lippia phryxocalyx Briq.

Pierfelice Ravenna (1938–2022)—Life, New Names, and Confusion

Nicolás García — 2024-11-07

Pierfelice Ravenna was a controversial Chilean botanist active from the late 1960s through the first decade of the 21st century. He died in 2022. During his active years he described ca. 650 species and infraspecific taxa of plants, mostly in Amaryllidaceae and Iridaceae. Unfortunately, the fate of his type specimens, a majority of which were located in his personal herbarium along with many loans from other herbaria, is not clearly known, but by all indications they were destroyed. In this article, we briefly review his life, compile an annotated list of all validly published specific and infraspecific taxa that he described, and determine which have available holotypes and isotypes.