Aristolochia quiricoana (Aristolochiaceae), a new species from southern Costa Rica

Background and Aims: Aristolochia is the largest genus in Aristolochiaceae and is widely distributed in the world. A recent synopsis of Aristolochia in Costa Rica recognized 19 species; nevertheless, recent botanical exploration in southwestern Costa Rica has revealed yet another new species of this genus. Methods: The new species resulted from fieldwork in Buenos Aires, Puntarenas Province. Specimens from several herbaria were examined, as well as the type material of the most morphologically similar species. Comments about its distribution, habitat, phenology, conservation status and morphological distinction from related species are provided.Key results: Aristolochia quiricoana, a member of Aristolochia series Thyrsicae, is described and illustrated from the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica, where it is apparently endemic. It is similar to A. ornithorhyncha, from which it is distinguished by its shorter pedicels, wider, oblong perigone limbs with a shorter appendix, and a different floral color pattern.Conclusions: The new taxon described here represents the 22nd species documented in Aristolochia series Thyrsicae, as well as the 20th species of the genus from Costa Rica.

Botanical Exploration and Conservation in Pasir Banteng and Pasir Pogor, Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park

Cibodas Botanic Gardens (CBG) shall keep performing botanical exploration and ex situ conservation as part of the effort to rescue tropical montane rainforest plants, which tend to decrease in their natural habitat. Pasir Banteng and Pasir Pogor, Mount Gede Pangrango, were selected due to the potential threat and limited information on plants collected from these sites. The objectives of this study were to collect valuable plants, which have a conservation value and explore their potential usefulness. The study has begun by establishing a list of collectible plants. Then, the field activities were conducted by a plant collection explorative method along the hiking route, from 750 to 1,500 m asl, low-mid mountain as height as CBG, with no specific sampling point (found and collected). These plants have field treatment, were delivered to CBG, and would later be maintained in the garden. The study has obtained 31 species collected from Pasir Banteng and 20 species from Pasir Pogor. There were 35 families, with Orchidaceae being the most collectible. Some crucial findings were nine species included as least concern (LC) and a species as endangered (EN), based on their conservation status. At least six new species were identified as the garden enrichment of the CBG. In addition, at least fifteen species have potential utilization as construction materials, 29 species as ornamental plants, twelve species as medicinal plants, and some plants possessing multi-utilization. The results were significant in adding the collection’s richness and enhancing the conservation value of the plants conserved by CBG. It was also contributed to describing the plant species information of these sites. Keywords: botanical exploration, ex-situ, Pasir Banteng, Pasir Pogor, plant conservation

An overview of plant collecting in Angola from 1690 to 2000

Angola is a large south-tropical African country with a rich plant diversity of over 7000 species. The vast majority of the plants collected in the country for deposition in preserved collections was obtained while Angola was under Portuguese rule. An historical analysis is presented of plant collecting in the country from the earliest times until the end of the 20th century. We also reflect on connections between biodiversity science and slavery; only recently have these links been acknowledged and receiving attention. The social environment prevalent in Angola at the time of its historical botanical exploration is discussed to enable an improved understanding of connections between scientific endeavour, colonialism, and slavery in the country. Gender- and ethnic group-based aspects are analysed and discussed.

The lichens of the Majella National Park (Central Italy): an annotated checklist

The botanical exploration of the Majella National Park has a long tradition dating back to the eighteenth century. However, the lichen biota of this area is still poorly investigated. To provide a baseline for future investigations, in this annotated checklist, we summarised all available information on the occurrence of lichens in the Majella National Park, retrieved from previous literature, herbarium material and original data produced by recent research. The checklist includes 342 infrageneric taxa. However, seven taxa are considered as dubious, thus setting the number of accepted taxa at 335, i.e. 45.8% of those currently known to occur in the Abruzzo Region. This checklist provides a baseline of the lichens known to occur in the Majella National Park, highlighting the potential of this area as a hotspot of lichen biodiversity, especially from a biogeographical point of view as indicated by the occurrence of several arctic-alpine species that form disjunct populations in the summit area of the massif.

Three new species of Uvariodendron (Annonaceae) from coastal East Africa in Kenya and Tanzania

East Africa is a hotspot of biodiversity with many endemic plant species. We describe three new species of the genus Uvariodendron (Annonaceae) from the coastal forests of Kenya and Tanzania. Uvariodendron mbagoi Dagallier & Couvreur, sp. nov. is endemic to Tanzania and unique within the genus by its strong bergamot scent and its tomentose fruits having regular tufts of higher hair density. Uvariodendron dzomboense Dagallier, W.R.Q. Luke & Couvreur, sp. nov. is endemic to Dzombo Hill in Kenya and is rendered distinct by its small leaves and very densely pubescent carpels. Uvariodendron schmidtii W.R.Q. Luke, Dagallier & Couvreur, sp. nov. is endemic to Shimba Hills in Kenya and differs by its small flowers and fused sepals forming a ring. Following IUCN criteria we assessed U. mbagoi and U. dzomboense as endangered (EN) while U. schmidtii is assessed as Vulnerable (VU). We also propose a new combination: Polyceratocarpus oligocarpus (Verdc.) Dagallier, comb. nov. The description of these three new species underlines the richness in endemics in East Africa and that new discoveries might arise from further botanical exploration of this region.

EKSPLORASI Begonia spp (BEGONIACEAE) DI GUNUNG SIDOLE, KECAMATAN AMPIBABO, KABUPATEN PARIGI MOUTONG, SULAWESI TENGAH INDONESIA

The study entitled Exploration of Begonia (Begoniaceae) in the Sidole Mountain, Ampibabo district, Parigi Moutong regency the province of Central Sulawesi has been conducted from December 2018 to April 2019. The objective of the research were to record and describe Begonia species from research site. The research by using botanical exploration methods. The results indicated that there were 4 (four) species of Begonia, namely B. aptera Blume, B.rieckei Warb., Begonia sp. 1 and Begonia sp. 2.

JENIS-JENIS Hoya (APOCYNACEAE) DI GUNUNG SIDOLE, KECAMATAN AMPIBABO, KABUPATEN PARIGI MOUTONG, SULAWESI TENGAH

A research about species diversity of Hoya (Apocynaceae) in Sidole Mountain, Ampibabo District, Parigi Moutong Regency of Central Sulawesi has been conducted from December 2018 to March 2019. The research was conducted by using botanical exploration method that aim to record and describe species of Hoya based on morphological characters The results showed that there were 2 species of Hoya namely H. camphorifolia Warb and H. imbricata Decne.