BACKGROUND The aim of this paper is to discuss the controversial origins of petals from tepals or stamens and the links between the morphological expression of petals and floral organ identity genes in the core eudicots. SCOPE I challenge the widely held classical view that petals are morphologically derived from stamens in the core eudicots, and sepals from tepals or bracts. Morphological da...

Blepharis (Acanthaceae) is an Afroasiatic genus comprising 129 species which occur in arid and semi-arid habitats. This is the only genus in the family which is reported to have some C(4) species. Blepharis ciliaris (L.) B. L. Burtt. is a semi-desert species with distribution in Iran, Oman, and Pakistan. Its form of photosynthesis was investigated by studying different organs. C(4)-type carbon ...

A new morning glory, Calystegia felixProvance & A.C. Sanders sp. nov. (Convolvulaceae), is described from the Los Angeles, San Gabriel, and Santa Ana River basins. Historical collections of the species, which prior to 2011 had not been seen alive in 94 years, have been misidentified as Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br. subsp. binghamiae (Greene) Brummitt. The undescribed species was rediscovered in...

Palaeocarpinus dakotensis Manchester, Pigg, et Crane sp.n. (Coryloideae, Betulaceae) is described from the Late Paleocene Almont and Beicegel Creek floras of North Dakota based on infructescences with associated staminate catkins, pollen, and leaves. The well-preserved, silica-permineralized specimens provide both anatomical and morphological data for this widely distributed genus of the Northe...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae) is a large genus of dioecious trees with approx. 260 species. To date, only one pollination study of the genus has reported brood-site pollination by thrips in M. hullettii. In this study, the pollination system of Macaranga tanarius is reported. METHODS The study was conducted on Okinawa and Amami Islands, Japan. Flower visitors on M. tanarius we...

Two new species of genus Helicteres (Malvaceae, Helicteroideae), Taynguyenenis and dakmilensis from the Central Highlands Vietnam are described illustrated. H. taynguyenensis is morphologically similar to angustifolia widely distributed in mainland SE Asia China, Japan Australia, but differs latter by having shorter petioles, larger calyx petals, longer androgynophores. closely related poilanei...