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Abstract Justicia citrina, J. minensis, and J. trifoliata are species with 3-verticillate leaves in southeastern Brazil, a characteristic rarely found in the family and genus. In addition, they share other morphological similarities, such as the same habit, a dense terminal inflorescence, and a showy corolla. As a result, they are often misidentified in herbarium collections and in publications. An analysis of nomenclatural types, original descriptions, and other publications revealed distinctions between these species, the need for a lectotypification, and an improper citation of a misapplied name. The species are easily distinguished by their pilosity, inflorescences, color of the corolla, and shape of the anthers. We provide nomenclatural updates, certify the correct application of the name Justicia trifoliata, and distinguish the species with an identification key and diagnostic characters that are easy to observe in herbarium collections. Illustrations of types and photographs of plants in the field and other material examined are also included.

Abstract Fern spores play a vital role in dispersal. The unique features of spores, such as size, thickness, and ornamentation can aid in taxonomic decisions and division of groups. Moreover, certain species of ferns possess green spores containing chlorophyll, an uncommon feature that can reinforce the evidence of relatedness within a specific group. Lomaria spannagelii is a Neotropical species endemic to Brazil, and, even though green spores have been reported in its sister species, Lomaria nuda and Lomaria discolor, the presence of these spores has not yet been investigated in L. spannagelii. In this study, we investigated the morphology of L. spannagelii spores and sporangia, and, additionally, we determined the chromosome count of the species. Our results showed that the analyzed species has green spores, a characteristic shared with L. nuda and L. discolor, and has 2n = 64 chromosomes. This discovery provides new insights into this fern genus and emphasizes the importance of spore color and chromosome count in systematic and evolutionary studies of ferns.

Abstract Based on a specimen collected in Santa Catarina state, Brazil, the new species Oxypetalum kassneri is described and illustrated. Moreover, a molecular phylogenetic analysis allows to propose the revalidation of O. megapotamicum, a species currently placed in the genus Ditassa. The neotype of D. megapotamica and the lectotype of D. oxypetala are designated here.