Paweena Traiperm

Musa nanensis, a New Banana (Musaceae) Species from Northern Thailand

Abstract A new species of banana (Musaceae), Musa nanensis Swangpol & Traiperm, from Nan, Thailand, is described and illustrated. Based on vegetative features, M. nanensis could be superficially categorized as related to M. laterita; however, it possesses several unique floral characters from the rest of the genus Musa, especially its six tepals and anthers, each fused at the base. A key to banana species of northern Thailand, based on morphology, is provided. The plant was found in a single location and is threatened with extinction due to heavy deforestation in the region.

Identification among morphologically similar Argyreia (Convolvulaceae) based on leaf anatomy and phenetic analyses

BackgroundThe genus Argyreia Lour. is one of the species-rich Asian genera in the family Convolvulaceae. Several species complexes were recognized in which taxon delimitation was imprecise, especially when examining herbarium materials without fully developed open flowers. The main goal of this study is to investigate and describe leaf anatomy for some morphologically similar Argyreia using epidermal peeling, leaf and petiole transverse sections, and scanning electron microscopy. Phenetic analyses including cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used to investigate the similarity of these morpho-types.ResultsAnatomical differences observed between the morpho-types include epidermal cell walls and the trichome types on the leaf epidermis. Additional differences in the leaf and petiole transverse sections include the epidermal cell shape of the adaxial leaf blade, the leaf margins, and the petiole transverse sectional outline. The phenogram from cluster analysis using the UPGMA method represented four groups with an R value of 0.87. Moreover, the important quantitative and qualitative leaf anatomical traits of the four groups were confirmed by the principal component analysis of the first two components. The results from phenetic analyses confirmed the anatomical differentiation between the morpho-types.ConclusionsLeaf anatomical features regarded as particularly informative for morpho-type differentiation can be used to supplement macro morphological identification.

Phylogenomics of Andropogoneae (Panicoideae: Poaceae) of Mainland Southeast Asia

Abstract The grass tribe Andropogoneae is distributed in warm regions around the globe but has been poorly studied in mainland Southeast Asia. This is particularly true for the cosmopolitan genera Andropogon and Schizachyrium, with several species that appear to be narrowly distributed in this region. Additionally, lesser-known species in the genera Hemisorghum, Kerriochloa, and Pseudosorghum also occur inmainland Southeast Asia. A phylogeny is needed to address questions of taxonomy and trait evolution. Whole chloroplast genomes of Andropogoneae species and two outgroup species of Garnotia (tribe Arundinelleae) were analyzed using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI). Ancestral character states were reconstructed usingML for four morphological characters key to Andropogon and Schizachyrium identification.Apreviously-unidentified clade of Southeast Asian endemic taxa is found, including one species formerly classified in Andropogon. Other Southeast Asian taxa fall in an unresolved grade outside the major radiation of the tribe. Andropogon and Schizachyrium are both polyphyletic. Convergent evolution and reversal of characters are common throughout Andropogoneae. Addition of species from mainland Southeast Asian finds unexpected phylogenetic diversity. Southeast Asian Schizachyrium sanguineum forms two separate clades, which could reflect cryptic species differentiation, hybridization, introgression, or some combination.

Three New Species of Argyreia (Convolvulaceae) from Thailand

Abstract In preparation for a comprehensive nomenclatural review of the genus Argyreia, several unknown species were discovered. Thailand is a center of distribution for this speciose tropical Asian genus; three new Thai species, A. ankylophlebia, A. dokmaihom, and A. inaequisepala are described as a precursor to the nomenclatural review. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and keys to species, modified from the Flora of Thailand Convolvulaceae account, are provided for each species to aid in their identification.

Re-evaluation of generic characters for Blinkworthia (Convolvulaceae) based on morphology and reproductive organ development

Blinkworthia, a tropical Asian genus of Convolvulaceae, was first characterized as an erect shrub with solitary flowers, three involucral bracts, and indehiscent, one-seeded berries. These three characters are diagnostic traits long used to distinguish Blinkworthia from other genera in the family. Blinkworthia lycioides was selected as a representative species for investigation of both morphology and ontogeny of the reproductive parts, while B. convolvuloides was only investigated morphologically. Nine stages based upon floral and fruit sizes were collected and prepared by the paraffin method for the developmental study. Examination of the developmental anatomy proved that some of the morphological characters have been misunderstood. In fact, none of the generic characters historically used to define the genus Blinkworthia are unique: the same character states are present in some species of Argyreia. This highlights that on morphological grounds it is not tenable to maintain Blinkworthia distinct from Argyreia. Pending the results from our ongoing molecular study of the genera in tribe Ipomoeeae a firm decision can be taken regarding the generic circumscription.

Erratum to: Micro-morphological study of Evolvulus spp. (Convolvulaceae): the old world medicinal plants

© 2016 The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. Erratum to: Bot Stud (2016) 57:25 DOI 10.1186/s40529‐016‐0141‐y In the publication of this article [1], there was an error in the Abstract section which was published with incorrect pollen size results. The error: ‘Pollens of all taxa are monads, spheroidally shaped with 28–457 μm diameter, and 15-pantocolpate apertures type with microechinate ornamentation.’ Should instead read: ‘Pollens of all taxa are monads, spheroidally shaped with 28–47 μm diameter, and 15-pantocolpate apertures type with microechinate ornamentation.’ This has now been updated in the original article [1].

Ipomoea cambodiensis Gagnep. & Courchet (Convolvulaceae) recharacterised with notes on its distribution and ecology

ABSTRACT Recent field work in Lao PDR and the Malaysian state of Sabah produced multiple collections of a large-flowered Ipomoea that appeared to be the same species. The disjunct distribution, however, seemed anomalous. Checking type images and other specimens led to the name I. cambodiensis Gagnep. & Courchet, described from Cambodia. A full description, distribution map, discussion of the taxonomy, ecology, and perceived relationships, plus a compilation of all specimens seen to date are provided for this enigmatic and heretofore little known species.

Eremochloa renvoizei , a new species of Poaceae from Thailand

SummaryEremochloa renvoizei Traiperm & Boonkerd, a new species of Poaceae subtribe Rottboelliinae (Andropogoneae) endemic to Thailand, is described and illustrated.

Notes on the genus Ischaemum (Poaceae)

SummaryDuring a revision of the genus Ischaemum for the Flora of Thailand, a new species, Ischaemum thomasii, was discovered. A description and illustration are presented here. Two taxa are reduced to synonymy: Ischaemum barbatum Retz. var. glaberrimum Bor and I. tenuifolium A. Camus are placed under I. barbatum Retz. and Andropogon burmanicus Bor, respectively. A further four names are lectotypified: I. aristatum L. subsp. imberbe Hack. var. imbricatum Hack., I. aristatum L. var. arfakense Rendle, I. magnum Rendle and I. macrurum Stapf ex Ridl.

Mnesithea thailandica a new species of Poaceae from Thailand.

SummaryMnesithea thailandica, a new species of Poaceae subtribe Rottboelliinae from Thailand, is described and illustrated.