Centaurea golestanica Akhani & Wagenitz (Compositae), Eriocycla ghafooriana Akhani (Umbelliferae), Plantago podlechii Akhani (Plantaginaceae,) and Seseli tortuosum L. subsp. kiabii Akhani (Umbelliferae) are described as new from Golestan National Park, NE Iran. The following species are new additions to the Iranian flora from that area: Allium vavilovii Popov & Vved., Alyssum alyssoides (L.) L., Atraphaxis seravschanica Pavlov, Carex pseudocyperus L., Ceratophyllum submersum L., Euphorbia humilis C.A. Mey. ex Ledeb., Gagea glacialis K. Koch, Lactuca georgica Grossh., Linosyris vulgaris Cass. ex Less., Myosotis alpestris F.W. Schmidt, Myosotis arvensis (L.) Hill, Myosotis minutiflora Boiss. & Reuter, Potamogeton natans L., Rumex caucasicus Rech. f. and Vicia cassubica L. Details on the habitat and associated species are given based on field studies and phytosociological relevés. Maps of distribution within the Park of all species and illustrations or photographs are given for some of the taxa concerned.

To better understand the genus Tripterygium for the Flora of China, the history of the genus and its species is summarized and characters traditionally used to divide the genus re-examined. Because no reliable differentiating characters were found, all of the previously named taxa in the genus are reduced to the single species, Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. The range of this monospecific genus is typical of many in the East Asian flora.

Two new Umbelliferae species from S Anatolia are described and illustrated: Chaerophyllum aksekiense A. Duran & Duman and Tordylium ketenoglui Duman & A. Duran.

Anthemis sheilae A. Ghafoor & T. A. Al-Turki (Asteraceae: Anthemideae), an endemic species closely related to A. scrobicularis Yavin, A. haussknechtii Boiss. & Reut. and A. dicksoniae A. Ghafoor, is described along with an illustration and distribution map.

This paper summarizes conservation work carried out on Filago pyramidata L. (Asteraceae), broad-leaved cudweed, between 1993 and 1996 in Britain. It was formerly native in 125 10km squares in about 240 localities. In 1993–1996 it was recorded in eight 10km squares (94% decline) in eight localities (97% decline). Historically its main habitats were arable fields, road and track sides, and heaths, commons and quarries. It has declined in arable field habitats owing to changes in agricultural practices, and from tracks and roadsides because of reduced disturbance. The decline occurred gradually before the 1970s. Populations show marked variations from year to year and marked differences between sites, owing to climate and management. The best conservation management based on practical experience is annual digging or rotavation in early autumn. The plant is under severe threat in Britain; four sites are designated as SSSIs, but two of the four largest populations are unprotected.

Rhododendron chilanshanense, a new species of Rhododendron subgenus Tsutsusi sect. Brachycalyx, is described from Taiwan. It is distinguished from closely related species by its leaves scattered along the upper branchlets and the stipitate glands on both the floral and vegetative parts.

Within Rhytidocaulon macrolobum Lavranos, which is a widespread stapeliad in Saudi Arabia and in the Yemen, the subspecies minimum Meve & Collenette is described as new. This taxon is restricted to SW Saudia Arabia; it can be easily recognized by its miniature flowers, which are conspicuously smaller than the diameter of the stems, and by its bright-coloured corona.

Six new species of Colchicum (Colchicaceae) are described (C. munzurense, C. minutum, C. sanguicolle, C. micaceum, C. heldreichii, C. inundatum). The first two flower in early spring with synanthous leaves, the rest are autumn-flowering. All are endemic to Turkey, and confined to small geographical areas. Chromosome numbers and notes on phenology, vegetative reproduction, phytogeography and ecology are provided for all the species.

Turkish autumn-flowering species of Colchicum (Colchicaceae) with large, broad hysteranthous leaves are taxonomically and morphologically revised, with comments on conditions in other areas covered by the distributions. Three new species are described (C. paschei, C. dolichantherum, C. imperatoris-friderici), all endemic to Turkey. Synonym lists, typifications, chromosome numbers, and notes on phenology, vegetative reproduction, phytogeography and ecology are provided for the whole group, and relationships to other species are discussed.

In the Australian bolete mycota Gasterotylopilus brunneus gen. et sp. nov., five Tylopilus spp. nov., two Boletus spp. nov., two Rubinoboletus spp. nov. and one Phlebopus sp. nov. are proposed, together with new combinations for Meiorganum and Rubinoboletus.