Solanum section Regmandra (Solanaceae), a group of 11 species from the lomas of Chile and Peru, is revised. Two new species are described, Solanum indivisum Witasek ex J.R.Benn. and S. coquimbense J.R.Benn., and a new name, S. trinominum J.R.Benn., is proposed for S. heterantherum Witasek ex Reiche. Two species, Solanum multifidum Lam. and S. edmonstonei Hook.f., are endemic to Peru, seven species are endemic to Chile, and only two species are found in both countries. Descriptions, distribution maps and a key to the species are presented and several species illustrated.

The isolated massif Jabal Bura (Yemen) is home to the largest area of ‘valley forest’ in southwest Arabia's western escarpment mountains. This study surveys the composition of this very rare forest and records the diversity of vascular plant species. It notes the valley forest as the home of several regionally rare species and records new locations for these taxa. A brief analysis of the canopy layer is provided, enabling comparisons with similar vegetation in northeast Africa. The paper discusses the importance of this regionally rare vegetation as well as threats to its conservation.

The composition, abundance, population structure and distribution patterns of the woody species having a girth at breast height of ≥ 10 cm were investigated in the tropical wet evergreen forests of the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in the southern Western Ghats, India. A 3 ha plot was established with an altitudinal range of 1170 to 1306 m. In the study plot 5624 individuals (mean density 1875 ha−1) covering 68 woody species belonging to 52 genera and 27 families were enumerated. The mean basal area was 47.01 m2 ha–1 and the Shannon and Simpson diversity indices were 4.89 and 0.95, respectively. Of these woody species nearly 51% are endemic to the Western Ghats. The four dominant species, Cullenia exarillata, Palaquium ellipticum, Aglaia bourdillonii and Myristica dactyloides, account for 34% of the trees and 67% of the basal area, and therefore constitute the main structure of the forest. Within this forest type, five species assemblages corresponding to altitudinal gradient were identified using correspondence analysis. Management of such mid elevation evergreen forests necessarily depends on knowledge of recognisable community types and their environmental variables. The present study provides essential background for formulating strategies for sustainable conservation of forest communities at the local level.

Hypserpa ademae Takeuchi (Menispermaceae) is described from the Bowutu Range of Papua New Guinea. The novelty is distinguished by its whiplike inflorescence, 6-merous male flowers, and glabrous, cordate leaves.

Bellevalia wendelboi Maassoumi & Jafari from western Iran (Kurdistan Province) is newly described. It is similar to Bellevalia macrobotrys from Bellevalia sect. Nutans subsect. Colorata but differs in having weakly canaliculate leaves, yellow anthers (not violet) and a cordate-ovoid, acuminate capsule (not ovoid and retuse). There are now 19 species of Bellevalia in four sections in Iran.

Scaphium parviflorum P.Wilkie sp. nov. (Sterculioideae, Malvaceae/Sterculiaceae) is described and illustrated. The flowers are intermediate between the tubular flowers of Scaphium macropodum and the deeply lobed ones of Scaphium affine. However, Scaphium parviflorum differs from these species by its smooth to fissured or dippled and brown to grey-brown bark, small narrowly ovate to narrowly elliptic leaves and the presence of sparse minute flattened stellate hairs (resembling scales) on the midrib of the lower surface of the lamina.

A new species of Cephalaria, C. bigazzii Bacch., Brullo & Giusso (Dipsacaceae), is described and illustrated. It is a typical chasmophyte, exclusive to a small area of SW Sardinia where it grows together with several other rare endemics. It belongs to the Cephalaria squamiflora group, showing close relationships with C. mediterranea and C. balearica. Its ecology, distribution and conservation status are examined. A distribution map of the new species and related species is provided. A new status and combination is proposed for Cephalaria ebusitana.