Elatostema pleiophlebium and Elatostema malipoense, two endemic species from southeast Yunnan of China, are described and illustrated. Their diagnostic characters, description and relationship with morphologically similar species are also given. Elatostema pleiophlebium is easily recognised by its glabrous stem and leaf blade, and its longitudinally 1-ribbed outer staminate bracts. Elatostema m...

A clear rise in seasonal and annual temperatures, a gradual increase of total radiation, and a relative trend of change in seasonal precipitation have been observed for the last four decades in Brussels (Belgium). These local modifications may have a direct and indirect public health impact by altering the timing and intensity of allergenic pollen seasons. In this study, we assessed the statist...

Five new eriophyoid mite species from Zhejiang Province, China are described and illustrated: Diptacus coreanus sp. nov. from Litsea coreana H. Lév. (Lauraceae), Neorhynacus camphoratus sp. nov. from Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl (Lauraceae),  Rhinotergum boehmerius sp. nov. from Boehmeria gracilis C.H. Wright (Urticaceae), Rhyncaphytoptus cathayensis sp. nov from Carya cathayensis Sarg. (J...

Many plants have been used to treat some diseases and infections since time immemorial, and this potential has been exploited by the pharmaceutical industry in the search of new analgesic, anticarcinogenic and antimicrobial agents, among other active agents. In order to contribute with bioprospection studies on the Colombian flora, 35 extracts from 13 plant species belonging to seven families (...

A study was made of airborne pollen counts in Cuenca (east-central Iberian Peninsula, Spain), using data obtained over a 3-year period (2008-2010). This is the first such study carried out in the World Heritage city of Cuenca, situated in the large region of Castilla-La Mancha. Air monitoring was performed using the sampling and analysis procedures recommended by the Spanish Aerobiology Network...

This study aims to determine whether a significant decrease in airborne concentrations of Ambrosia pollen witnessed in the north-west of the Province of Milan in Northern Italy could be explained by environmental factors such as meteorology, or whether there is evidence to support the hypothesis that the decrease was related to the presence of large numbers of the oligophagous Ophraella communa...