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Dillenius's Hortus Elthamensis was published in 1732. In most versions the plates are uncoloured, but a few surviving coloured versions are known. The plates are of considerable historical and scientific importance as many Linnaean types are founded on these illustrations. The specimens on which the plates were based are still housed in the Oxford University Herbaria (OXF) and examples from Convolvulaceae are discussed to show how the plates were based on and sometimes copied exactly from the original specimens. A second-step lectotypification is made for Ipomoea glaucifolia. Our study of Convolvulaceae types highlights the value of consulting corresponding specimens in other families when interpreting ambiguous types based on plates in Hortus Elthamensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Salvia macrophylla Benth. from the Andes of South America is described and illustrated. Information is provided about the life of the almost forgotten collector Andrew Mathews, who discovered the plant in 1833. It is placed within both traditional and newer infrageneric classifications of American Salvia and a key to distinguish it from similar species is provided. Current concepts of the genus Salvia are briefly discussed. S. macrophylla is commonly grown in the northern hemisphere and cultivation methods, horticultural varieties and hybrids with S. sagittata are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of discovering, describing and cataloguing poorly known species in herbarium collections is discussed. It is a spur to efforts at rediscovery and consequent conservation efforts. The problems faced in describing species from limited material are discussed and our methods and criteria in making a decision are described. Prospects for future novelties are briefly assessed. Fifteen new species are described and illustrated with line drawings and distribution maps: Ipomoea attenuata J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. cuscoensis J.R.I. Wood & P. Muñoz, I. dasycarpa J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. dolichopoda J.R.I. Wood & R. Degen, I. ensiformis J.R.I.Wood & Scotland, I. fasciculata J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. graminifolia J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. kraholandica J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. longirostra J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. revoluta J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. scopulina J.R.I. Wood &. Scotland, I. uninervis J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. veadeirosii J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. velutinifolia J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. walteri J.R.I. Wood & Scotland. All species are narrow endemics except I. velutinifolia which is found in Brazil and Peru; of the others, 12 are found in Brazil and one each in Paraguay and Peru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A global revision of Convolvulus L. is presented, Calystegia R.Br. being excluded on pragmatic grounds. One hundred and ninety species are recognised with the greatest diversity in the Irano-Turanian region. All recognised species are described and the majority are illustrated. Distribution details, keys to species identification and taxonomic notes are provided. Four new species, Convolvulus austroafricanus J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, sp. nov., Convolvulus iranicus J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, sp. nov., Convolvulus peninsularis J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, sp. nov. and Convolvulus xanthopotamicus J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, sp. nov., one new subspecies Convolvulus chinensis subsp. triangularis J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, subsp. nov., and two new varieties Convolvulus equitans var. lindheimeri J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, var. nov., Convolvulus glomeratus var. sachalitarum J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, var. nov. are described. Convolvulus incisodentatus J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, nom. nov., is provided as a replacement name for the illegitimate Convolvulus incisus Choisy. Several species treated as synonyms of other species in recent publications are reinstated including C. chinensis Ker-Gawl., C. spinifer M.Popov., C. randii Rendle and C. aschersonii Engl. Ten taxa are given new status and recognised at new ranks: Convolvulus namaquensis (Schltr. ex. A.Meeuse) J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, stat. nov., Convolvulus hermanniae subsp. erosus (Desr.) J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, stat. nov., Convolvulus crenatifolius subsp. montevidensis (Spreng.) J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, stat. nov., Convolvulus fruticulosus subsp. glandulosus (Webb) J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, stat. nov., Convolvulus capituliferus subsp. foliaceus (Verdc.) J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, stat. nov., Convolvulus hystrix subsp. ruspolii (Dammer ex Hallier f.) J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, stat. nov., Convolvulus hystrix subsp. inermis (Chiov.) J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, stat. nov., Convolvulus rottlerianus subsp. stocksii (Boiss.) J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, comb. et stat. nov., Convolvulus calvertii subsp. ruprechtii (Boiss.) J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, stat. nov., Convolvulus cephalopodus subsp. bushiricus (Bornm.) J.R.I.Wood & R.W.Scotland, stat. nov. The status of various infraspecific taxa is clarified and numerous taxa are lectotypified. This account represents a new initiative in terms of taxonomic monography, being an attempt to bring together the global approach of the traditional monograph with the more pragmatic and identification-focussed approach of most current floras while at the same time being informed by insights from molecular systematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stage at which DNA sequence data is incorporated into the taxonomic process and the extent of its contribution has been much discussed, but rarely in the context of assembling a taxonomic revision or monograph of a sizeable group of organisms. We present a new approach, the "foundation monograph", which incorporates DNA sequence data into a large taxonomic study in a fast and pragmatic way, thereby overhauling the taxonomy of species-rich, problematic plant groups. In this pilot study we focus on Convolvulus and use this group to exemplify how DNA barcode data can be utilised in the production of a "foundation monograph". DNA was extracted from 310 accessions, representing 140 species, most of which (285) were herbarium specimens. Samples were sequenced for the proposed plant barcoding markers rbcL, matK and ITS. Sequencing success for each marker was 74%, 49% and 63% respectively. Of the 189 species of Convolvulus recognized to date, 74% (140 species) were sampled and 68% (128 species) were successfully sequenced for at least one region. Specimen age did not impact sequencing success except in the case of matK, the longest region. Eighty percent of the species sampled exhibited combined rbcL + matK barcodes not shared with another species. The addition of ITS increased this proportion to 99%. Phylogenetic analyses of the chloroplast (152 accessions representing 90 Convolvulus species) and nuclear (200 accessions representing 112 Convolvulus species) datasets both resulted in a well-resolved and well-supported topology, and revealed four main clades with strong geographical signal. Convolvulus appeared as paraphyletic with respect to Calystegia. Species limits of eight species complexes in which morphological delimitation proved difficult and for which multiple accessions were obtained were evaluated using the phylogenetic framework as a basis. Our study highlights the utility of herbarium specimens as a source of material for DNA extractions as well as the utility of DNA barcode data in the production of a "foundation monograph", while also providing a robust, well-sampled and well-supported framework within which generic relationships, character evolution and biogeography can be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species discovery is a fundamental first step for all of biodiversity science. Recent research has claimed that the increasing number of authors associated with the description of new species represents an expanding workforce discovering the remaining new species from an ever-diminishing pool., Here, we present a comprehensive dataset from The International Plant Names Index ( IPNI) of new species of flowering plant published between 1970 and 2011., We show that, on average, 1855 new species have been described annually since 1970. We show that compared to other scientific disciplines the increased number of authors on taxonomic papers is relatively small and may reflect changes in scientific practice rather than an increase in taxonomic capacity., These data, alongside published results demonstrating a lag period of 35 yr between a specimen being collected and published as a new species, strongly suggest that the global taxonomic capacity to describe new species of flowering plant is stagnant at a time of unprecedented concern for conservation and extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic monographs are an important tool for understanding biodiversity. However, while papers that outline systematic methods for biogeography, phylogenetics and diversification are commonplace, papers that cover methods for monographic and taxonomic research are rare. In this paper, we describe how we conducted a monographic study of Ipomoea , drawing attention to the resources we made use of and the practical steps we took, with a particular focus on how we integrated results from molecular and morphological analyses. The monograph provided a framework for a range of subsequent research, including studies on the origin of the important crop sweet potato. It is hoped that our experience will provide a blueprint for others embarking on the preparation of a systematic monograph., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Fieldwork, examination of herbarium specimens and photographic images, supported by molecular sequencing have resulted in the re-interpretation of a number of species of Ipomoea L. found in Ecuador and the recognition of four new species. Ipomoea ophiodes Standl. & Steyerm. is shown to be a distinct species from I. regnellii Meisn. and their contrasting distribution is mapped. An unusual variation in I. setosa Ker Gawl. is discussed and illustrated. It is shown that, whereas I. velardei O'Donell is present in the south of Ecuador, records of I. jujuyensis O'Donell are probably all errors for I. quitensis J.R.I.Wood & Cerón, which is described as a new species endemic to Ecuador. Three other endemic species all known from single locations, I. ceronii J.R.I.Wood & P.Muñoz, I. condorensis J.R.I.Wood & Scotland and I. papyrifera J.R.I.Wood & Scotland are described as new. The full distribution of I. aequatoriensis T.Wells & P.Muñoz is mapped as a result of recent fieldwork and I. amazonica (D.F.Austin & Staples) J.R.I.Wood & Scotland is recorded from Ecuador for the first time. Taxonomic notes, information on habitat and distribution, maps, line drawings and photographs illustrate the species discussed. A key to all 57 species of Ipomoea recorded from Ecuador is provided to facilitate identification., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

New Guinea is the world's largest tropical island and has fascinated naturalists for centuries 1,2 . Home to some of the best-preserved ecosystems on the planet 3 and to intact ecological gradients-from mangroves to tropical alpine grasslands-that are unmatched in the Asia-Pacific region 4,5 , it is a globally recognized centre of biological and cultural diversity 6,7 . So far, however, there has been no attempt to critically catalogue the entire vascular plant diversity of New Guinea. Here we present the first, to our knowledge, expert-verified checklist of the vascular plants of mainland New Guinea and surrounding islands. Our publicly available checklist includes 13,634 species (68% endemic), 1,742 genera and 264 families-suggesting that New Guinea is the most floristically diverse island in the world. Expert knowledge is essential for building checklists in the digital era: reliance on online taxonomic resources alone would have inflated species counts by 22%. Species discovery shows no sign of levelling off, and we discuss steps to accelerate botanical research in the 'Last Unknown' 8 .

Molecular phylogenies are used as a basis for making inferences about macroevolutionary history. However, a robust phylogeny does not contain the information that is necessary to make many of these inferences. Complex methodologies that incorporate important assumptions about the nature of evolutionary history are therefore required. Here, we explore the implications of these assumptions for making inferences about the macroevolutionary history of Ipomoea - a large pantropical genus of flowering plants that contains the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), a crop of global economic importance. We focus on assumptions that underlie inferences of divergence times, and diversification parameters (speciation rates, extinction rates, and net diversification rates). These are among the most fundamental variables in macroevolutionary research. We use a series of novel approaches to explore the implications of these assumptions for inferring the age of Ipomoea, the ages of major clades within Ipomoea, whether there are significant differences in diversification parameters among clades within Ipomoea, and whether the storage root of I. batatas evolved in pre-human times. We show that inferring an age estimate for Ipomoea and major clades within Ipomoea is highly problematic. Inferred divergence times are sensitive to uncertain fossil calibrations and differing assumptions about among-branch-substitution-rate-variation. Despite this uncertainty, we are able to make robust inferences about patterns of variation in diversification parameters within Ipomoea, and that the storage root of I. batatas evolved in pre-human times. Taken together, this study presents novel and generalizable insights into the implications of methodological assumptions for making inferences about macroevolutionary history. Further, by presenting novel findings relating to the temporal dynamics of evolution in Ipomoea, as well as more specifically to I. batatas, this study makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of tropical plant evolution, and the evolutionary context in which economically important crops evolve., (Crown Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The sweet potato is one of the world's most widely consumed crops, yet its evolutionary history is poorly understood. In this paper, we present a comprehensive phylogenetic study of all species closely related to the sweet potato and address several questions pertaining to the sweet potato that remained unanswered. Our research combined genome skimming and target DNA capture to sequence whole chloroplasts and 605 single-copy nuclear regions from 199 specimens representing the sweet potato and all of its crop wild relatives (CWRs). We present strongly supported nuclear and chloroplast phylogenies demonstrating that the sweet potato had an autopolyploid origin and that Ipomoea trifida is its closest relative, confirming that no other extant species were involved in its origin. Phylogenetic analysis of nuclear and chloroplast genomes shows conflicting topologies regarding the monophyly of the sweet potato. The process of chloroplast capture explains these conflicting patterns, showing that I. trifida had a dual role in the origin of the sweet potato, first as its progenitor and second as the species with which the sweet potato introgressed so one of its lineages could capture an I. trifida chloroplast. In addition, we provide evidence that the sweet potato was present in Polynesia in pre-human times. This, together with several other examples of long-distance dispersal in Ipomoea, negates the need to invoke ancient human-mediated transport as an explanation for its presence in Polynesia. These results have important implications for understanding the origin and evolution of a major global food crop and question the existence of pre-Columbian contacts between Polynesia and the American continent., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)