Chien-Ti Chao

Heteropolygonatum altelobatum (Asparagaceae), comb. nova

Heteropolygonatum has been considered endemic to China, where most of the species are distributed in the SW region of the country. The genus is characterized by having both terminal and axillary inflorescences, inner and outer stamens of different lengths, and an epiphytic existence. Formerly, a number of the species were included in Polygonatum or Smilacina. Polygonatum altelobatum Hayata is an endemic of Taiwan; however, a review of the literature and field observations confirmed that it should be placed in Heteropolygonatum. Thus, we propose the new combination Heteropolygonatum altelobatum (Hayata) Y.H. Tseng, H.Y. Tzeng & C.T. Chao.

Maianthemum harae (Asparagaceae), a New Species from Taiwan

Maianthemum harae Tseng & Chao, a new species of Asparagaceae from Taiwan, is described and illustrated. This species resembles M. formosanum in the shape and size of flower, but is easily distinguished from the latter by its tuberous rhizome, 9–12 leaves, lanceolate leaves and longer styles.

Flaveria linearis Lag. (Asteraceae), a Newly Naturalized Plant in Taiwan

Flaveria linearis Lag. (Asteraceae), a shrub native to southern North America and Central America, has naturalized to the coast of Shenkang Hsiang, Changhua County, Taiwan. A taxonomic treatment, distribution and habitat, line drawings, color photographs and voucher specimens are provided to aid in identification of this alien plant. A detailed comparison between F. linearis and the closely related species, F. bidentis (L.) Kuntze, reported earlier as a naturalized species in Taiwan, is also provided.

Tylophora lui (Apocynaceae), a New Species from Taiwan

Tylophora lui Y.H. Tseng & C.T. Chao, a new species of Apocynaceae from southern Taiwan, is described and illustrated. It resembles T. ovata in the shape and size of the leaves and flowers, but differs by the indumentum of stems, the number of flowers, and by the glabrous and slender inflorescences. An identification key to the Taiwanese Tylophora species is provided.

Callisia repens (Jacq.) L. (Commelinaceae), a Newly Naturalized Plant in Taiwan

We document the naturalization of Callisia repens (Jacq.) L. (Commelinaceae) in Taiwan. This is one of the many cases of tropical America plants invading Taiwan. A taxonomic treatment, line drawings, and color photographs of this species from the wild are provided to aid in identification of this alien plant. During our field survey in recent years we witnessed that the wild populations have adapted to the west of Taiwan.

The Taxonomy of Maianthemum formosanum (Hayata) LaFrankie (Liliaceae)

Smilacina formosana Hayata was first described at 1920 by Hayata. After that, many authors treated this species as a synonym of S. japonica A. Gray. Recently, type specimen of two species, the original materials and literature cited were reviewed and checked. Therefore, S. formosana Hayata was comfirmed different to S. japonica A. Gray. LaFrankies concept transferred the genus Smilacina Desf. into Maianthemum Wigg. were accepted. And distribution map, type specimen and photos were provided in this article.