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Due to large size and enormous morphological plasticity, the taxonomy of the genus Astragalus is very complex and challenging. The identification and grouping of species chiefly based on macromorphological characters become sometimes difficult in the genus. In the present study, the micromorphology of the seeds of 30 species belonging to 14 sections of Astragalus from India has been examined applying scanning electron microscopy (SEM) along with light microscopy (LM) to evaluate their role in identification and classification. Attention was paid to colour, shape, size and surface of seeds. The overall size of the seeds ranges from 1.5–3.2 × 0.8–2.2 mm. The shape of the seeds is cordiform, deltoid, mitiform, orbicular, ovoid and reniform. The colour of seeds varies from brown to blackish-brown to black. Papillose, reticulate, ribbed, rugulate and stellate patterns were observed on the seed coat surface (spermoderm) among different species. The study reveals that the seed coat ornamentations have evolved differently among species and do not support the subgeneric and sectional divisions of the genus. However, they add an additional feature to the individual species, which may help in identification in combination with other macro-morphological features.

Impatiens bullatisepala (Balsaminaceae), a new species supported by morphological and phylogenetic evidence from Fanjing Mountain, Guizhou province in China, is described here. It is morphologically similar to I. davidii but can be distinguished by its dorsally ridged lateral sepals with sunk reticulate veins and bullate projections on abaxial surface, 2–2.5 cm deep saccate lower sepal with ca. 0.8 cm long narrowly triangular tip at the mouth, and broadly ovate dorsal petal. Phylogenetic analyses of a combined dataset of nuclear ITS and plastid atpB-rbcL intergenic spacer DNA sequences furtherly confirmed its novelty.

Monogeneric Aponogetonaceae is sister to the rest of tepaloid core Alismatales and its members are characterized by a number of plesiomorphic features including monosulcate pollen. A recent study documented the earliest fossil pollen records of Aponogeton in late Cretaceous and early Cenozoic as well as recognized six pollen types in the genus. However, there are remaining gaps in palynological investivation of Aponogeton species. We present data on eight Indian species of the genus. Pollen of Aponogeton appendiculatus, A. crispus, A. bruggenii, A. microphyllus, A. natans, A. nateshii and A. wolfgangianus is reticulate with quite small lumina of irregular shape with short, convex and wide muri bearing small (up to 0.5 μm) echini. Pollen of Aponogeton satarensis clearly differs from that of the rest of examined species in larger lumina and muri bearing large (0.8–1 μm) and wide conical echini. These palynological differences fit well with molecular phylogenetic data and earlier ideas based on gross morphology. Our data suggest that although exine sculpturing is taxonomically significant in Aponogeton, the use of size of echini as a character distinguishing some palynotypes is problematic. Quantitative characters such as equatorial diameter and polar axis length showed no clear differences between examined species, but differences were found between analyzed samples (more precise, individuals) of the same species. Our new data support the earlier conclusion on the homoplastic nature of pollen evolution in Aponogeton.

Myrcia adulterina, a new species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, is here described, illustrated and compared with morphologically related species. Additionally, its distribution map and a preliminary conservation status are presented. The new species is here inferred as belonging to Myrcia sect. Reticulosae due its leaves with raised venation, staminal ring densely pilose, hypanthium prolonged in a tube with glabrous inner walls and 3-locular ovaries. Within this section, the species is morphologically related to Myrcia pubipetala, from which it can be distinguished through the laxly reticulate leaf venation and thyrsoid inflorescences with all axes strongly flattened and striated when dry. Myrcia adulterina was misidentified during at least 15 years in herbaria under the name Marlierea tomentosa (currently synonym of Myrcia strigipes, a species belonging to Myrcia sect. Aulomyrcia), which is also morphologically similar. A brief discussion clarifying the morphological differences between these species is also presented.

Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies on Scleroderma in China were carried out. One poisonous species was discovered at the scene of poisoning that could not match any known species, and is described morphologically and molecularly as a new species: Scleroderma venenatum. It is characterized by its two layered peridium, brown to greyish brown surface with scattered, small and thin scales, presence of moniliform hyphae in gleba and middle size echinulate basidiospores (9−13 μm, including ornamentation) with dense narrow pyramidal warts. At the same time, S. venenatum var. macrosporum was found which shares most characteristics with S. venenatum var. venenatum except its distinctly larger basidiospores (12−16 μm), and occasionally presence of clamp connections in the inner layer of the peridium. Scleroderma suthepense, originally described from Thailand was also discovered from tropical areas of Guangdong and Yunnan Provinces, which was characterized by its strongly reticulate basidiospores (8−11.5 μm). A key to the known species of Scleroderma in China is also provided.

The aims of this study were to describe and illustrate cypselae of 15 Mexican species of Mutisieae from observations using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The cypselae are heteromorphic with pilose, sericeous or glandular indumentum. The primary sculpture of the surface has two microstructural patterns: reticulate and plicate. The secondary sculpture is striate in 13 taxa, but in two species, Chaptalia estribensis and C. mexicana, differences were found in the secondary sculpture of the external and internal cypselae. The most distinctive anatomical trait is in the epicarp, which has rectangular or square-shaped cells that have a convex periclinal wall in most species of Chaptalia. The mesocarp has vascular bundles with fibers in all species of Chaptalia, but fibers are absent in Adenocaulon, Gerbera and Leibnitzia. In addition, the cells of the mesocarp inner layer have either thick walls or only an anticlinal wall in nine species of Chaptalia. The micromorphological characteristics of the primary or secondary sculpture of the surface, the type of trichomes and the variation they present have taxonomical value for recognizing closely-related taxa, whereas anatomical traits of the mesocarp distinguish Adenocaulon, Gerbera and Leibnitzia from most Chaptalia species.

The endemic Indian genus Haplanthodes (Acanthaceae) is revised. Four species, viz. H. neilgherryensis, H. plumosa, H. tentaculata and H. verticillata and a new variety, H. neilgherryensis var. toranganensis are recognized. Lectotype is designated for Haplanthodes, Haplanthus plumosus and H. verticillaris. The nomenclature of the Linnaean name Ruellia tentaculata is also discussed. Micromorphology of seed using light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) is observed for the first time, and two types, reticulate and micro papillate, have been recognized based on surface sculpturing pattern. The genus differs from the related genera Andrographis and Haplanthus by distinctly two grooved seeds with hygroscopic hairs. Pollen grains of the genus are oblate or prolate spheroidal, distinctly triangular, trizonocolporate with reticulate exine ornamentation.

In the present research, anatomical, palynological and micromorphological characteristics of three endemic Bellevalia species (B. gracilis, B. malatyaensis and B. vuralii) for Turkey are carried out. This work reveals the descriptive characteristics of the examined species, and contribute to solving taxonomic problems. Anatomical studies were carried out on cross sections of root, scape and leaf. The metaxylem, the number of root cortex cells, and the number of cortex and sclerenchyma cells in the scape were found to be significant in terms of taxonomy. Pollen grains of all the examined species were monosulcate and heteropolar. In addition, seed and pollen surface ornamentation were photographed under SEM microscopy, which SEM micrographs showed that the exine sculpturing pattern is reticulate-perforate, and pollen muri walls of were different among the examined species. Conversely, seeds showed a general similarity of the surface among the studied species, all showing a reticulate faveolate ornamentation.

Heimioporus sinensis, collected from tropical and subtropical areas of China, is introduced as a new species based on both morphological characters and molecular data. The species is characterized by the purplish red to deep magenta pileus, the reticulated stipe, the irregularly reticulate to reticulate-alveolate basidiospores 11.5–13.5 × 8–9.5 μm, and a trichodermal to intricately trichodermal pileipellis. Phylogenetic analyses based on the nuc 28S rDNA D1-D2 domains (28S) and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (tef1-α) showed that H. sinensis is a distinct member of the genus Heimioporus in the subfamily Xerocomoideae.

The African genus Desmostachys s.l. is split in two, Desmostachys s.s. from Madagascar and the Comoros, with one species, and the new genus Vadensea from continental Africa, with four species. A synopsis of the latter genus is presented, with the necessary new combinations and the description of a new species, Vadensea testui. Desmostachys is characterised by asymmetrical and compressed pyrenes with a bumpy endocarp, petals glabrous inside and free, a linear stigma, a 5-lobulate disk, inflorescences with spirally arranged flowers and bracts present at most nodes, and a climbing habit. Vadensea has the pyrenes symmetrical, not compressed and with a reticulate endocarp, the petals hairy inside and often connate, a capitate stigma, a disk either cupular or absent, inflorescences with distichously arranged flowers and bracts absent or present at the lowest node only, and a usually arborescent or shrubby habit (occasionally climbing in one species).

A new species from South Africa, Thesium ovatifolium, is described. A diagnosis, description and photographs are provided along with details of its distribution, habitat and conservation status. The new species forms part of Thesium sect. Barbata, which is characterized by the presence of a dense apical beard on the corolla lobes and post-staminal hairs connecting the anthers to the perianth. It is distinguished by its alate stems, large ovate leaves and bracts, with reticulate secondary venation, 3- to 4-flowered cymes on inflorescence apices, as well as the rosulate arrangement of leaves and bracts in young stems and inflorescences. Thesium ovatifolium is believed to be Endangered (EN), based on IUCN criteria.

Acanthophyllum , with ca. 90 spiny cushion-forming species, is one of the largest genera of Caryophyllaceae. Although taxonomic utility of seed morphology has already been highlighted in different genera of Caryophyllaceae, the systematic value of seed characters in Acanthophyllum has not been adequately addressed. In order to evaluate the application of seed morphology in infrageneric classification of Acanthophyllum , we surveyed seed characters in the five Iranian sections of Acanthophyllum . Seed morphology of 32 accessions of Acanthophyllum representing 21 species and four sections were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Seed morphological characters of two species from one additional section were included based on previous studies in the Caryophyllaceae. Seeds in the majority of examined species are oblong in outline. Five types of seed surface can be considered: reticulate, reticulate-papillate, colliculate, colliculate-papillate, and colliculate-columellate. Papillae type is a reliable character for separation of certain natural groups within Acanthophyllum . Seed features provided strong evidences for separating sections, especially the following ones: Acanthophyllum , Macrostegia and Pleiosperma , whose seeds showed a high degree of uniformity among the sampled species. Morphological characteristics of seeds were less useful for discriminating Acanthophyllum species. While seed characters are consistent within individual populations, they can vary among different populations of an individual species. Our results show that variation in seed morphological characters are in agreement with phylogenetic patterns within Acanthophyllum .

There are described and illustrated Myrcia caloneura, M. oreophila, M. sticta and M. tarauacana. Myrcia caloneura, from the states of Amazonas and Pará, is related to M. rugosior, but differs by its adult glabrescent blades and tetramerous flowers; M. oreophila, from the state of Roraima,is related to M. aegiphiloides, but has pilose, loosely reticulate blades and pilose flowers; M. sticta, from the state of Amazonas, is close to M. splendens, but has blades with rounded to cordate base and larger and easily visible glandular dots, and M. tarauacana is related to M. aequatoriensis and M. crassimarginata but has shorter blades and longer inflorescences. Conservation status of each species is also suggested.

A new species, Strobilomyces minor, associated with host plants of Fagaceae, is introduced based on morphological and molecular studies. Strobilomyces minor is characterized by its small basidiomes, light yellowish brown appressed pyramidal scales on the pileus and stipe, large hymenophoral pores, and reticulate basidiospores with large meshes. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses based on four gene markers (rpb1, rpb2, tef1 and cox3) as well as morphological characters confirmed that this new taxon belongs to Strobilomyces and it is distinct from any known species. A morphological description with line drawings and SEM images for the species is provided.

The genus Opuntia Miller (1754) (Cactaceae Juss., Opuntioideae K.Schum., Opuntieae DC.) is native to the Americas, where is distributed from southern Argentina to Canada (Anderson 2001), and represents one of the largest genus of Cactaceae with ca. 150 species (see e.g., Stuppy 2002). Members of Opuntia shares a combination of peculiar morphological traits, including shrubs or trees with flattened photosynthetic stem shoots (cladodes), areoles with large smooth or retrorsely barbed spines and glochids, reduced and small caducous leaves , rotaceous diurnal flowers with inferior ovaries inner the pericarpels and stigma plurilobed, stamens with thigmonasty, reticulate semitectate pollen, and seeds covered by a sclerified funicular aril (Buxbaum 1953, Anderson 2001, Stuppy 2002, Hunt 2006, Majure & Puente 2014, Majure et al. 2017).

A new species, Strobilomyces rubrobrunneus, is described from eastern China based on morphological and molecular evidence. Morphologically, this species is characterized by its tiny to small basidiomes, reddish-brown and more or less erect pyramidal scales, grayish black discoloration of the pileal context when bruised, reticulate spores and a subtropical distribution in a mixed forest of Fagaceae and Pinaceae. Our phylogenetic analyses based on four gene markers (rpb1, rpb2, tef1 and cox3) support its placement in Strobilomyces and its separation from other related species of this genus. Morphological illustrations and description are provided.

A new smut fungus from Namibia, Tilletia triraphidis (Tilletiaceae) on Triraphis purpurea (Poaceae: Triraphideae), is described and illustrated. It differs from all other species of Tilletia by specialization on Triraphis . Tilletia triraphidis is distinguished from the known smut fungi on host plants in the tribe Triraphideae ( Ustilago neyraudiae , U. latzii , and U. triraphidis ) by having sterile cells and reticulate spores . A key to the smut fungi that infect Neyraudia and Triraphis is also provided.

Primula luteoflora, a new species of Primulaceae from Sichuan, China, is described and illustrated here. It is morphologically assigned to Primula sect. Petiolares subsect. Davidii, characterized by the leaves firmly papery or leathery, with adaxially impressed veins and reticulate veins distinctly raised abaxially. However, the new species is distinguished by its leaf size, number of lateral veins, glabrous scape, number of flowers and yellow flowers.

Two new boletes, viz. Retiboletus nigrogriseus and Tengioboletus fujianensis are described based on morphological and molecular evidence. Retiboletus nigrogriseus is characterized by a black pileus when young, gray when old, context and hymenophore staining brownish to fuliginous when injured, black, reticulate stipe with a white basal mycelium, and a subcutis pileipellis composed of uninflated hyphae with cystidioid terminal cells; T. fujianensis is characterized by a large-sized basidioma, brown to reddish brown pileus, reticulate stipe, and a trichodermal pileipellis composed of uninflated hyphae with cystidioid terminal cells. A detailed description, color photos of fresh basidiomata and line drawings of microstructures of the two new boletes are presented.

Dalbergia matthewii S. Soosairaj, P. Raja & S. John Britto, a new species from the Western Ghats in South India, is described and illustrated. The species is a liana from the fringes of Southern Montane Wet Temperate Forests. The new species is distinguished from the closely similar species D. gardneriana and D. congesta by its more numerous leaflets (13), larger petiolule (2–4 mm), greenish-yellow flowers, obovate vexillum, strigose hairs along the margin of the ovary and pod that is reticulate throughout. In order to aid in the identification of this new species a key to the scandent species of Dalbergia in India is provided.

Pollen morphology of six Verbascum (Scrophulariaceae) taxa belonging to five different groups in the genus [ V. georgicum (group E), V. nudatum var. nudatum (group F), V. cariense (group F), V. bithynicum (group H), V. pycnostachyum (group K), and V. lasianthum (group L)] was studied. Pollen slides were prepared according to the Woodhouse method and were examined with light-microscopy (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). All studied pollen grains are generally monads, though tetrads (5 %) were observed in Verbascum nudatum var. nudatum . Pollen grains of all studied taxa were determined as isopolar and radially symmetric. In general terms, aperture types are trizonocolporate, but also trisyncolpate ( V. lasianthum 10 %, V. pycnostachum 1 %, and V. georgicum 4 %) and trizonocolpate ( V. cariense 10 %, V. bithynicum 10%, V. lasianthum 90%, V. pycnostachyum 9%, and V. georgicum 96 %) aperture types were observed. The shapes of the pollen grains were determined as prolate, subprolate, prolate-spheroidal and oblate-spheroidal. The sculpture was reticulate in all cases. The results of the study corroborate that morphological features, such as pollen shape, polar axis length (P), equatorial axis length (L), aperture type, surface ornamentation, muri thickness, and lumina shape, show differences which can be taken into consideration in the systematic discrimination within the groups, and also for discrimination of the groups in the genus.

Tuber griseolivaceum sp. nov. is described and illustrated from southwest China based on molecular and morphological analysis. Morphologically, the new species is easily confused with T. caoi because both have olive gray ascomata and regularly globose ascospores with reticulate ornaments, but T. griseolivaceum is distinguished from T. caoi by its blackish to black gleba and 3–4 (–5) meshes across the spore width. ITS-based phylogenetic analysis also strongly supports the erection of the new species.

A new species, Caloboletus xiangtoushanensis sp. nov., is reported from China. This medium-sized bolete is distinguished by a brownish orange to greyish yellow pileus, greyish yellow to olive yellow hymenophore that quickly stains blue when bruised, reticulate stipe, bitter taste and oblong to subfusoid basidiospores 9–13(–13.5) × 4–5 μm. On the basis of its morphological and molecular characters (ITS, nrLSU, tef1-α and rpb1), this novel taxon can be assigned to the genus Caloboletus, sister to Boletus taienus. Accordingly, a new combination C. taienus comb. nov. is also proposed in this study based on both morphological and phylogenetic evidence.

A new species of Oxandra from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is described and illustrated, and a key to the species of Oxandra from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is presented. Oxandra unibracteata is the only species within the genus with a single bract on the pedicel. It resembles O. reticulata ; they share reticulate leaves but can be distinguished by leaf shape and length of the pedicel. Oxandra opaca is proposed as a new synonym of O. nitida.

The seed morphology and anatomy of 12 species, representing five sections of Thalictrum, were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM) to evaluate seed features for use in systematic analysis. Considerable differences were observed in seed surface micromorphology and seed coat characteristics both among and within sections of the genus. MANOVA, MDA, and cluster analysis were used to unravel the morphology of seeds among the species. The characteristic seed features for species were found to be seed shape, size, testa thickness, exotestal cells and seed surface sculpture. The results indicated that the most prevalent seed coat sculpture among the studied species was reticulate and some species were reticulate at the margin and rugose in the center. Seed surface was without ornamentation and epidermal cells were mostly polygonal, rectangular or irregularly shaped. The testa thickness varied from two to six cell layers, and the exotesta was well characterized and rectangular to tangentially elongate in most of the species, except T. simplex and T. uchiyamae in which exotesta was poorly represented. It has been observed that species with a non-reticulate or poorly developed reticulate surface sculpture have a less protected seed coat and vice versa. The results of this study indicated that seed morphological features do not, in general, provide strong support to the sectional division of the genus, but that species within sections shared some comparable seed features.

The taxonomic interpretations of Cacalia senecioides Kunth in Humboldt et al. (1818: 129) changed over time and depending on the authors because the original material is not well preserved and not enough taxonomically informative. In the mid-19th century, Weddell (1856) already noticed: “Les échantillons qui représentent cette espèce dans l’herbier de Humboldt et Bonpland sont en mauvais état; mais leur examen a suffi pour me convaincre que la description de Kunth est très défectueuse” [Humboldt & Bonpland’s specimens of C. senecioides are in bad condition; but after studying them I am convinced that Kunth’s description is very imperfect]. Certainly, Kunth’s description does not allow to unequivocally identify this species and the description of the indumentum of the leaves is inaccurate. Nevertheless, he pertinently described the leaves as “reticulate-venosa”. In my opinion the reticulate leaves is a useful character to discriminate C. senecioides from other species that might fit in the description, at least on dry specimens.

Diplazoptilon is a monotypic genus belonging to the Saussurea group (Asteraceae, Cardueae). We undertake micromorphological and molecular studies to discuss the systematic position of this genus. The achene of Diplazoptilon picridifolium is obconical, 4-angled, with a small crown on the apical rim. The pollen of D. picridifolium are spheroidal, narrowly tricolpate, with the exine reticulate and shortly spinulate. The micromorphological characters of D. picridifolium are well in accordance with those of the genus Saussurea . Our molecular analyses demonstrate that Diplazoptilon and Saussurea form a strongly supported clade. Taking into account the great similarities in achene, pappus and pollen morphology between Diplazoptilon and Saussurea , it is reasonable to merge Diplazoptilon with Saussurea . From our molecular work and the gross-morphological characters, D. picridifolium should be a member of Saussurea subgen. Saussurea sect. Strictae . There are more than one species with a plumose outer pappus in the genus Saussurea , and the occurrences the plumose outer pappus in the genus Saussurea may have had parallel origins.

A new species of Plumbaginaceae, Limonium irtaensis, is described and illustrated from the Western Mediterranean basin (Iberian Peninsula). The new species is triploid (2n = 26) and shows a papillate stigma and pollen with a fine reticulate exine (B type). A detailed morphological description is given, and its main diagnostic characters are compared with the related species. Conservation status has been assessed according to the IUCN protocol.

Barleria Linnaeus (1753: 636) is a pantropical genus comprising about 250–300 species (Balkwill & Balkwill 1998, Darbyshire et al. 2012), with its greatest centre of species diversity in tropical Africa, followed by South Africa and Asia (Balkwill & Balkwill 1998, Darbyshire 2010). It can be easily distinguished from other genera of Acanthaceae by a combination of three characters: a 4-partite calyx with 2 large outer (anterior and posterior) segments and 2 smaller inner (lateral) ones, spheroidal, pollen grains with coarsely reticulate exine and the predominance of double cystoliths (calcium oxalate crystals) in the epidermal cells (Balkwill & Balkwill 1997, Champluvier 2011, Darbyshire 2010).

Some morphological, anatomical, palynological and karyological features of Lamium multifidum and L. orientale (Lamiaceae) naturally occurring in Turkey have been studied. Additional information was added to the previous description of these species. Anatomically, both L. multifidum and L. orientale had an annual taproot, stems quadrangular in cross-section, leaves bifacial. The nutlets were ovoid in outline and trigonous in cross section, blackish-dark brownish, with glabrous surface. The pollen grains of both species were tricolpate, shape subprolate, ornamentation reticulate. In both species, the somatic chromosome number resulted 2n = 14. The anatomical and palynological features, chromosome number and morphological characters of both species were reported for the first time in this study.

Eleocharis pseudobulbosa, a new species of Cyperaceae from Southern Brazil (Capão Bonito, São Paulo), is here described based on external morphological studies. This species is characterized by the presence of conspicuous stolons with straw-colored scales, forming a bulb-like structure in the growing points of the new culms; circular to oval culms in cross section; spikelets with small number of flowers [10–25(–30)]; achene small (0.6 mm long) and slightly reticulate; and stylopodium as wide as the achene. A detailed illustration and a diagnostic comparison with close morphological related species are presented.