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In this paper, we document the role and potential of plant resources in the Popoloca community of Zapotitlán Salinas, Puebla, located in the most arid zone of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley. In total, 298 species belonging to 82 families were found. Ethnobotanical information is included for 288 species belonging to 219 genera and 79 botanical families, whose uses are placed in 19 categories. A total of 164 species are wild plants growing in different natural plant communities and in some of the transformed areas, while 124 can be found exclusively in the homegardens. The families with the highest number of useful plants were Poaceae (35 spp.), Cactaceae (24 spp.), and Asteraceae (23 spp.). Most of the useful plants are herbs (162 spp.), followed by shrubs (86 spp.) and trees (41 spp.). The paper includes information about spatial and seasonal availability of the useful species, as well as data concerning relative importance of the most important ones, such as those used as medicine, food, firewood and fodder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is part of an ongoing series of taxonomic investigations documenting the richness of conidial fungi occurring on plant debris in the cloud forests of Veracruz, Mexico. In the present paper 18 species are described; 15 of which are new to Mexico, and three were collected for the first time in a cloud forest habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution is essentially a complement to the data and concepts exposed in a previous paper, devoted to the topic of diversity and origins of the Mexican phanerogamic flora. A part of the mentioned paper deals with the subject of endemism which, according to evidence and estimations, involves the family level and accounts for ±10% of the genera and ±52% of known species. If an ecologically more natural area (wich expands the territory of Mexico by about 1/3)is taken as reference, these figures rise respectively to ±17% and ±72%. If these figures are compared with existing information for other countries and regions of the world, it can be concluded that the extent of endemism in the flora of Mexico is not as large as that of Australia, Madagascar or South Africa, but surpasses that of Cuba and of the California floristic province and is much larger than those of many other parts of the world. The origin of this significant wealth of endemic organisms must be sought on the one hand in the existence of a fair number of regions that behave as true ecological islands and peninsulas within the territory of Mexico, some of them extending over large portions of the country, and on the other hand, in the events and environmental conditions of the geological past. Particularly, it must be emphasized that during much of the Cenozoic era no terrestrial connection existed with South America and accordingly Mexico bore the form of a peninsula which, much like South Africa, penetrated in form of a wedge toward climatic conditions in sharp contrast with those prevailing on the wider part of the continent. Different types and aspects of endemism in Mexican flora are discussed and it is pointed out that an important proportion of very local and/or rare species can be recognized. The majority of endemics, however, do not belong to this group and in fact many of the most common and characteristic plants of the Mexican landscape belong to taxa of restricted distribution, including a large number of weeds and some cultivars. Gypsophytes stand out among edaphic endemics and this group seems to bear a long evolutionary history. A large additional assemblage of paleoendemics can be distinguished, in part concentrated in areas which acted as refugia during the epochs of changing climates of the Tertiary and the Quaternary. A rough estimation indicates that endemism in the Mexican flora is most accentuated among shrubs' and perennial terrestrial herbs, whereas lianas and aquatic plants show the lowest incidence. Among the larger families, Cactaceae, Rubiaceae and Compositae stand out with about 70% of endemic species, while Orchidaceae and Gramineae only reveal 35% and 25% respectively. A remarkable correlation can be observed between the proportion of endemic genera arid the degree of climatic aridity. At the species level, however, temperate and semi-humid areas are equally privileged in endemics. On the other hand in warm and humid regions endemism is poorly represented. Numbers of localities and regions are indicated, in which a significant concentration of floristic endemism has been detected and in general terms it can be observed that endemic genera are much better represented in the northern half of the country, whereas endemic species are more numerous on the Pacific slopes than on the Atlantic. It is pointed out, however, that in most parts of the country, practically at any point, the flora of terrestrial and not excessively disturbed communities includes a high percentage of endemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of a series of papers dealing with the diversity of anamorphic saprophytic fungi in cloud forest remnants from the Veracruz state, an account of 25 species are described and illustrated. All of them but Helminthosporium solani are new records for the Mexican mycobiota. The species Dictyochaeta tumidospora, Fusariella intermedia, Hyphodiscosia queenslandica and Dictyosporium digitatum had not been recorded since their original description. For all taxa, data about their geographical distribution and substrates are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current knowledge about savanna vegetation in Mexico is still incomplete, and it is dominated by an ongoing debate over their natural versus anthropogenic origin. In this paper we provide a detailed structural and floristic description of the savannas of the Nizanda region (Oaxaca, S Mexico). Vegetation was sampled in 20 sites of 15 m² each (totaling 300 m²). A total of 135 morphospecies were encountered, 86 of which could be determined to species level; they were distributed in 29 families and 68 genera. Leguminosae, poaceae and asteraceae were the families with the largest taxonomic richness. Total community cover was 200.7 m², of which 69% was accounted for by grasses and sedges. Despite a clear dominance of Trachypogon spicatus (berger-parker index = 0.82), this community had a relatively large diversity (log[sub 2] shannon = 3.64). Life form spectrum showed a dominance of chamaephytes and hemicryptophytes, indicating a harsh environment. Notwithstanding the widespread occurrence of secondary vegetation and ruderal species in the region, the virtual lack of exotic species in these savannas, together with the presence of some endemics and the identity of the dominant species, strongly support the primary nature of this plant community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manfreda galvaniae, a new species from the Barranca de Malinaltenango, mpio. Ixtapan de la Sal, State of Mexico, is described and illustrated. It belongs to the Manfreda guttata (Jacobi et Bouché) Rose group, and is similar to M. pringlei Rose and M. fusca Ravenna. Likewise, the paper presents comments about the taxonomic status of M. malinaltenangensis Matuda, sympatric with M. galvaniae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our knowledge concerning the systematics of Bursera is still very imperfect. In this paper we present an annotated list of 82 Mexican species of this genus that merit at least a provisional recognition, indicating for every species its known geographical distribution on the state level. On the basis of this information a map and a table are presented showing the diversity of Bursera in the 32 Mexican administrative divisions. Forty eight species are reported for Guerrero, 37 for Michoacán and Oaxaca, and 28 for Jalisco and Puebla. Tlaxcala has no recorded species, while Nuevo León, Tabasco and Quintana Roo shelter only one species each. A list of 33 Mexican species of Bursera with restricted distribution (40.3% of the total) is also presented, 10 being reported only from the type locality and its surroundings, 10 additional ones known only from one state, and 13 extending their areas into two contiguous states. On the basis of these data six areas are defined and mapped, in which endemic species of the genus are known to concentrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the revision of herbarium specimens and palynological evidence, a taxonomic study of the Mexican species of the genus Sicydium is proposed. A total of four species are recognized for Mexico: Sicydium davilae, endemic to the state of Chiapas, S. schiedeanum and S. tamnifolium, widely distributed in tropical America, and S. tuerckheimii, distributed from southern Mexico to Central America. The paper presents comments about the variation found in the most relevant morphological and palynological characters. The taxonomic part includes an identification key to the species, as well as descriptions, synonymy, habitat and geographic distribution data, and illustrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a catalog of type specimens of vascular plants held in the herbarium of the Instituto de Ecología, A.C., located in Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico (IEB), is provided. The collection includes 340 specimens designed as primary types (85 holotypes, 247 isotypes, 2 neotypes and 6 isoneotypes), which represent the nomenclatural reference for 286 taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behria tenuiflora Greene is an endemic taxon of the southern part of the Baja California peninsula, Mexico. The wild populations are distributed in an altitudinal range from the top of the mountains at 2200 m to practically the sea level. In this paper we neotypify B. tenuiflora since the type specimen is lost. A detailed description and an illustration of the plant are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dichotomous key of 21 species of Pluteus Fr. recorded from Nueva Galicia, Mexico, is presented. This paper is part of the results obtained from the study of this genus in the region. Short comments of the 21 species and examined materials are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The municipio of Culiacán has an area of 4 758.9 km² and is located in the central portion of the state of Sinaloa. Its topography is relatively flat, with a large percentage of its surface occurring below 300 m of altitude and only few places surpass 500 m above sea level. The main vegetation type is the thorn forest; however, the mangrove forest, the tropical deciduous forest, the tropical subdeciduous forest, the Quercus forest, and the Pinus and Quercus forest are also present although in less proportion. An inventory of the vascular flora recorded 1 445 native species and subspecific taxa, in 623 genera and 145 families. 162 endemic taxa to western (W) and northwestern (NW) regions of Mexico are present in the municipio of Culiacán, two of them being restricted to its political borders. In this paper, a checklist of the endemic taxa to W and NW Mexico occurring in the municipio is presented; their distribution patterns at state level in the region are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The object of this paper is to analyze the Mexican coastal flora of the Gulf and Caribbean. Floristic and vegetation analysis of 44 beach sites comprising the Atlantic littoral of Mexico, revision of herbarium specimens (MEXU and XAL) and bibliography was used to obtain information. It was used to build a data base resulting in 655 species and 91 families. Species number per family and per site was obtained. Growth forms, species distribution in microhabitats, presence of species with different distribution or habitat preference (i.e. coastal, belonging to other vegetation types or secondary) are analyzed. Species frequency distribution along the Gulf sites is also discussed. Endemics and new records for Mexico are given. A synthesis of the coastal flora, its composition and problematics are analyzed, within the framework of an ecological point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a taxonomic classification for the chayote, Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz, that includes two subspecies: S. edule ssp. edule and S. edule ssp. sylvestre, is proposed. Additionally, wild populations of the species are documented for the first time for the states of Querétaro and Puebla, México, and distributional data for similar populations so far recorded in the country are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The state of Nayarit occupies a strategic position in Mexico; it encompasses the vertex of three important mountain ranges (Eje Volcánico Transversal, Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre del Sur); this largely determines its high floristic diversity. In the state, Asteraceae is the most diverse family of flowering plants, with 122 genera and 447 species. This paper includes an updated list of species of Asteraceae found in Nayarit and this diversity is compared to that found in the neighbouring states. A list of the endemic species to Nayarit is also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a preliminary list of 650 genera of vascular plants that contain at least one species linked in exclusive or preferential way with the montane mesophilous forest (cloud forest) of Mexico. The analysis of this inventory reveals that: a) Epiphytes show to be the best represented life form in this forest and the family Orchidaceae prevails in the number of genera, being more than twice as important as Compositae and almost four times as important as Leguminosae. b) 13 families of the vascular flora of Mexico (Brunelliaceae, Chloranthaceae, Cunoniaceae, Hamamelidaceae, Illiciaceae, Nyssaceae, Podocarpaceae, Proteaceae, Sabiaceae, Schisandraceae, Tovariaceae, Tropaeolaceae and Winteraceae) are exclusive or almost exclusive of this vegetation type and the majority of components of additional 33 families are preferential o exclusive members of the montane mesophilous forest. c) On the generic level southern affinity amply prevails over the northern one; only 2% of the genera are restricted in their distribution to the limits of the country, but this percentage rises to 12 if the joint area of Mexico and Central America is taken as reference. d) The fossil record indicates that the montane mesophilous forest exists in Mexico since the Tertiary and in this connection it can be postulted that this vegetation type evolved by means of an integration of elements of appropriate ecological affinity from the old flora of southern Laurasia, from the flora immigrated from South America as well as from the flora originated in Mexico and Central America; some plants from other vegetation types were most probably also incorporated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a contribution toward the knowlege of wood anatomy of eight species of trees used for handicraft goods produced in the state of Michoacan (Mexico): Gyrocarpus jatrophifolius, Bocconia arborea, Lysiloma acapulcensis, Lysiloma microphylla, Platymiscium lasiocarpum, Cedrela dugesii, Cordia elaeagnoides, Ehretia latifolia. Descriptions of esthetic aspects and of wood structure are made. Statistical univariate analysis of measured elements is applied. Wood characters of the trees are correlated with their real and potential use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five species of Hygrophoraceae are reported for the first time from Mexico: Humidicutis marginata (Pk.) Sing., Hygrocybe chloochlora Pegler & Fiard, H. chlorophana (Fr.) Karsten, H. constrictospora Arnolds and H. minutula (Pk.) Murr. Descriptions and illustrations are provided in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was made of the flora and vegetation of the summit of Cerro Potosí, located in the southern part of the state of Nuevo León. The principal objective was to analyze the changes that have occurred in the vegetation after 27 years, using as reference the paper of Beaman & Andresen (1966) on the vegetation and floristics of the area. Sampling by means of transects through four communities: alpine meadow, subalpine meadow, Pinus culminicola scrub and P. hartwegii forest was carried out. Intensive and selective collecting was accomplished above the altitudinal level of 3500 m. The results show that alpine meadow and P. culminicola scrub decreased their areas, and that P. culminicola is not resistant to fire. Some of the dominant elements of subalpine meadow increased their distribution. A vascular flora of 95 species in 77 genera and 36 families is reported. Protection of this fragile and unique ecosystem is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of studies on the fungi of the State of Michoacan, Mexico, in this paper Trichoglossum velutipes (Peck) Durand is reported for the first time for the Mexican mycoflora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a general overview of the taxonomic and floristic knowledge of the family Cucurbitaceae in Mexico is presented. The family is represented in this country by 137 taxa (species and infraspecific categories), belonging to 38 genera of its two subfamilies (Zanonioideae and Cucurbitoideae). Thirteen of the taxa are mainly crops for human consumption, the rest growing wild, of which more than 50% are endemic to relatively small areas of the country. Some of the wild taxa are closely related to crops of worldwide importance, and several are used mainly in folk medicine in various regions of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quercus gambelii Nutt. is a widespread white oak (Quercus, subgenus and section Quercus, subsection Gambelieae) in the southern Rocky Mountain region of the United States, extending to west-central Chihuahua in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico. Quercus arizonica Sarg., rather distantly related (subsection Glaucoideae), has a more southern distribution in the United States, and extends through the Sierra Madre into Durango. In the southwestern United States hybrids between Q. gambelii and several white oaks, including Q. arizonica, are very common, often forming a major portion of the lower elevation oak vegetation, particularly in New Mexico. These hybrids are known in general as Q. x undulata Torr., pro sp. A plant very similar to Q. x undulata, Q. lesueuri C. H. Muller, was collected by Harde LeSueur at "El Salto de Babicora", in west-central Chihuahua, in 1937. It has not been collected since. An oak similar to Q. lesueuri was collected by the author in the nearby Sierra Catarina where it is sympatric with Q. gambelii and Q. arizonica. El Salto de Babicora was determined to be located north of the town of Madera. In this canyon Q. gambelii and Q. arizonica are common. Quercus lesueuri and the newly collected hybrid from the Sierra Catarina are shown to be strongly similar to Q. x undulata and intermediate between Q. arizonica and Q. gambelii through the use of the same six leaf characters (leaf width, relative depth of indentations of leaf margin, conspicuousness of intercostal reticulum, number of major secondary veins, number of rays per stellate hair, curliness of hairs) that Tucker used to assess intermediacy of certain collections to the putative parents Q. gambelii and Q. arizonica. In this paper Q. lesueuri is demonstrated to be part of this hybrid complex. Taxonomically it should be recognized as Q. x lesueuri C. H. Muller, pro sp., and to be considered as a synonym of Q. x undulata, sensu lato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commelina nivea López-Ferrari, Espejo et Ceja, and Commelina rzedowskii López-Ferrari, Espejo et Ceja, two white flowered species are described and illustrated in this paper. The former is known only from Las Adjuntas, municipio of Pueblo Nuevo in the state of Durango and the other was collected in the neighborhood of Tenería, municipio of Tejupilco in the state of México. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, four species of Cucurbitaceae are reported for the first time for several states of Mexico: Cayaponia longiloba Monro (Tabasco and Veracruz), Chalema synanthera Dieterle (Sinaloa), Peponopsis adhaerens Naudin (Querétaro) and Schizocarpum palmeri Cogn. & Rose (Veracruz). The last one, also represents the first record of the genus Schizocarpum for the eastern portion of Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]