[Botany • 2026] Mazus dabieshanensis (Mazaceae) • A New Species from eastern China

Mazus dabieshanensis  R.Tong and T.Deng, 

in Tong, Shen, Luo et Deng, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05176

Abstract

Mazus dabieshanensis, a newly described species endemic to the Dabieshan Mountains in eastern China, is illustrated and described. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences consistently demonstrate that this new species forms a stable clade with other Mazus species characterized by a pubescent ovary. Morphologically, the new species is readily distinguished by its hard and numerous stolons, plants with white villous, leaves attenuate into a petiole-like base, corolla upper lip bilobed, lobes without odontolobate incisions. This unique combination of characteristics effectively differentiates it from all other known Mazus species. In conclusion, both morphological evidence and molecular phylogenetic analyses support that this species belongs to Mazus and represents a previously unreported new species clearly distinct from other members of the genus.

Keywords: Dabieshan Mountains, Mazus, morphology, new species, phylogeny

 

Morphology of Mazus dabieshanensis.
 (A) Habitat: forest edge, (B) plant in April, (C) plant in August, (D) leaves, (E) stolons, (F) flower in lateral view, (G) flowers in face view, (H) pubescent ovary, (I) seeds.

Mazus dabieshanensis R.Tong and T.Deng sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: Mazus dabieshanensis differs from M. saltuarius in its pubescent ovary (versus glabrous), more than four pairs of cauline leaves (versus 2–4 pairs), and serrate leaf margin (versus coarsely serrate). It differs from M. procumbens in its forest habitat (versus cliff habitat), serrate leaf margin (versus coarsely crenate), and leaf attenuate into a petiole (versus with distinct long petiole).

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘dabieshanensis' refers to the mountains in which it occurs, the Dabieshan Mountains, eastern China.

 Rui Tong, Zhuo-Min Shen, Peng-Rui Luo, Tao Deng. 2026. Mazus dabieshanensis sp. nov. (Mazaceae) from eastern China. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05176 [23 July 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Begonia quadricornualata (Begoniaceae, sect. Platycentrum) • A New Species from Arunachal Pradesh, India

 

Begonia quadricornualata R.Maity, U.L.Tiwari & S.S.Dash, 

in Maity, Tiwari et Dash, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05000 

 

Abstract

A new species of Begonia L. (Begoniaceae) belonging to sect. Platycentrum is described from the Papum Pare District of Arunachal Pradesh, India. This new species is distinguished by its dense, long, red to brown hispid hairs on the adaxial leaf surface of female plants, caducous stipules and bracts, and solitary-flowered female inflorescence. Additionally, it features dense, woolly brown ovaries and fruits, the latter bearing four fully developed wings. This paper includes a detailed description, photographic plate, line drawings, a comparative morphological table and a dichotomous key to distinguish the new taxon from closely allied species.

Keywords: Arunachal Pradesh, Begonia sect Platycentrum, Eastern Himalaya, four-horned begonia, northeast India

  Begonia quadricornualata sp. nov. (female plant).
 (A) General habit, (B) leaf showing red hispid hairs, (C) habit showing open female flower, (D) habit showing position of female inflorescence from side view, (E) bracts, (F) outer tepal, (G) inner tepal, (H) gynoecium, (I) fruit, (J) T.S. of fruit.

Illustration of Begonia quadricornualata sp. nov.

 female plant
 (A) Habit, (B) bract, (C) outer tepal, (D) inner tepal, (E) gynoecium, (F) fruit.

male plant
(A) Habit, (B) inflorescence, (C) male flower, (D) bract, (E) outer tepal, (F) inner tepal, (G) stamen.

 Drawings by D. K. Sah.

Begonia quadricornualata R.Maity, U.L.Tiwari & S.S.Dash sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: A species morphologically allied to B. handelii Irmsch. and B. tessaricarpa C.B.Clarke, but distinguished by its dense, long, red to brown hispid hairs on the adaxial leaf surfaces of female plants (versus glabrescent in B. handelii, and puberulous in B. tessaricarpa), and its significantly longer petioles, measuring 40–50 cm (versus up to 25 cm in B. handelii and 14–31 cm in B. tessaricarpa). It is further characterized by caducous stipules and bracts (versus persistent in both B. handelii and B. tessaricarpa) and male flowers with 40–60 stamens (versus 70–100 in B. handelii, and 12–20 in B. tessaricarpa). Additionally, female inflorescences are solitary-flowered (versus 2–4-flowered in B. handelii and 2–5-flowered in B. tessaricarpa) and the fruit is 4-winged (versus 4-ridged in B. handelii, and 4-horned in B. tessaricarpa).

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘quadricornualata' refers to the unique development of the four ovary horns into four distinct wings on the fruit. The name is derived from the Latin ‘quattuor' (four), ‘cornu' (horn), and ‘alatus' (winged).

Rohan Maity, Umeshkumar L. Tiwari and Sudhansu Sekhar Dash. 2026. Begonia quadricornualata sp. nov. (Begoniaceae) from India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05000 [07 July 2026] 

[Botany • 2026] Sinningia pampeana (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from the Pampa's rocky outcrops in southern Brazil and Uruguay

 

Sinningia pampeana G.E.Ferreira and Chautems, 
  

in Ferreira, Spiazzi, Barbieri, Chautems et Araújo, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05231 

Abstract

Sinningia pampeana is a new rupicolous species from the rocky outcrops of the Pampa biome in southern Brazil and Uruguay. Morphological analyses based on herbarium material, field observations, and detailed illustrations support its recognition as a distinct species from Sinningia sellovii. Sinningia pampeana is restricted to rock outcrops within the Pampa grasslands, where populations are threatened by grazing, habitat degradation, and potential mining activities. Given the current uncertainty regarding its distribution and sampling completeness, a preliminary conservation assessment of ‘Data Deficient' (DD) is proposed under IUCN criteria.

Keywords: Gesneriaceae, new species, Pampa biome, rocky outcrops, Sinningia

Sinningia pampeana sp. nov. (A) Corolla, frontal view, (B) inflorescence, detail, (C) trichome structure, (D) ovary, transverse section showing the nectary consisting of two separate dorsal glands, (E) ovary, style, and nectary, (F) calyx and corolla showing stamens, (G) coherent anthers, detail, (H) corolla throat, detail showing stamens and anthers, (I) immature capsule, (J) habit.

Drawn from Jarenkow and Garcia 3607.

Morphology of Sinningia pampeana sp. nov.
 (A) Habitat on rocky outcrop, (B) inflorescence in the shrub vegetation, (C) inflorescence, (D) habit, (E) axillary flowers, (F) close-up of the calyx and corolla.

Photo by A. Chautems.

Sinningia pampeana G.E.Ferreira and Chautems sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Sinningia pampeana differs from S. sellovii by its consistently red, horizontally oriented corollas (versus whitish pink to lilac or yellowish and pendent corollas), included anthers (versus exserted), a slightly bilabiate limb with enlarged dorsal lobes (versus a corolla tubular with subequal lobes), and the presence of only one to ca four flowers per bract axil (versus 3–9 flowers).

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘pampeana' refers to the Pampa biome, characterized by grasslands and rocky outcrops across southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. The name derives from the Quechua word ‘pampa', meaning ‘plain' or ‘open field'.

Gabriel Emiliano Ferreira, Daniel Alves Spiazzi, Pedro Henrique Sonsim Barbieri, Alain Chautems and Andréa Onofre Araújo. 2026. Sinningia pampeana sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from the Pampa's rocky outcrops in southern Brazil and Uruguay. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05231 [24 June 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Phyllocephalum keralense (Asteraceae) • A New Species from southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India

Phyllocephalum keralense Arya Sindhu, Suresh, Sojan, Alen & V S A Kumar, 

in Sindhu, Jose, Alen, Anilkumar et Suresh, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04812 

Abstract

A new species of Phyllocephalum is described and illustrated from Palakkad district of Kerala, India. The new species shows similarity to P. rangacharii but differs with respect to key floral traits, viz. ovoid shape of the capitula, involucral bracts in 3 series, inflated receptacle and ovoid 6-ribbed ovary with 5–6 densely barbellate pappus setae. Colour photographs, SEM images of pollen and florets along with a distribution map are provided.

Keywords: Achene, florets, involucre bracts, Nelliyampathy, Ponmudi

Phyllocephalum keralense sp. nov. 
 (A) Habit, (B) and (C) flower, (D) outer phyllaria, (E) middle phyllaria, (F) inner phyllaria, (G) floret, (H) floret open, (I), (J) & (K) corolla lobes, (L) base of ovary with pappus, (M) gynoecium, (N) achene.

Phyllocephalum keralense Arya Sindhu, Suresh, Sojan, Alen & V S A Kumar sp. nov. 

Arya Sindhu, Sojan Jose, Alex Philip Alen, Venugopalan Nair Saradamma Anilkumar and Veerankutty Suresh. 2026. Phyllocephalum keralense (Asteraceae) A New Species from southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04812  [03 April 2026]

[Fungi • 2026] Leucocoprinus roseus (Basidiomycota: Agaricaceae) • Molecular Phylogenetic and Morphological Analyses revealed A New Species from Punjab, Pakistan

Leucocoprinus roseus W. Akram, Saba & Asif,  

in Akram, Saba, Asif, Nawaz, F. Ullah, Samen, Maula et M. Ullah, 2026. 

  DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05015

 

Abstract

In this article, we describe a new fungal species, Leucocoprinus roseus, collected in Canal View Park, District Mandi Bahauddin, Punjab, Pakistan. The species is proposed as new based on detailed morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analysis using nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) sequences. In a phylogenetic reconstruction, L. roseus forms a distinct clade clearly separated from related taxa. It is characterized by small basidiomata, a plano-convex pileus with dark red center becoming pale reddish toward the margins, center covered with squarrose scales, broadly ellipsoid amygdaliform basidiospores and versiform cheilocystidia. A comprehensive description, illustrations, and results of the phylogenetic analysis are provided, along with a comparison with morphologically and genetically related species.

Keywords: molecular phylogeny, Mandi Bahauddin, nrITS, saprotrophic, taxonomy

Macro–Morphological features (a–f) Fresh field pictures of basidiomata of Leucocoprinus roseus.

Photos by: Muhammad Asif and Wajahat Akram.

Leucocoprinus roseus W. Akram, Saba & Asif sp. nov. 

 

Wajahat Akram, Malka Saba, Muhammad Asif, Ayesha Nawaz, Fahim Ullah, Warda Samen, Fazli Maula and Mohsin Ullah. 2026. Molecular Phylogenetic and Morphological Analyses revealed A New Species, Leucocoprinus roseus (Agaricaceae, Basidiomycota), from Punjab, Pakistan. Nordic Journal of Botany.  DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05015 [28 January 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Breynia phuongiana (Phyllanthaceae) • A New Species from the Central Highlands of Vietnam

Breynia phuongiana N.K.T. Tram, Vuong, Aver. & V.C. Nguyen, 

in V. C. Nguyen, Tran, Truong, Averyanov, T. H. Nguyen, Phan-Thi et Tram, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05025

 

Abstract

A new species, Breynia phuongiana (Phyllanthaceae subgen. Sauropus), is described and illustrated from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It is morphologically similar to B. beillei, B. bonii, and B. thorelii, but differs in having oblong-elliptic leaves, sepals marked with reddish striations, an androphore exceeding 1 mm in length, and distinctly hexagonal, starfish-shaped fruits with erect and persistent stigmas. A detailed morphological comparison with related species is provided. A preliminary conservation assessment categorizes it as ‘Data Deficient' (DD) based on IUCN Red List criteria.

Keywords: Breynia, Flora of Vietnam, plant diversity, plant endemism, taxonomy

Breynia phuongiana N.K.T. Tram, Vuong, Aver. & V.C. Nguyen
(A) A plant with inflorescences and infructescences, (B) stipules, (C) leaf from different views: adaxial (upper), abaxial (lower), (D) staminate flower from different views, (E) pistillate flower from different views, (F) inflorescences and infructescences, (G) fruit, (H) open fruit and seeds.

Drawing from type specimens by Thanh Nha Phan-Thi.

Breynia phuongiana N.K.T. Tram, Vuong, Aver. & V.C. Nguyen
(A) Flowering plant in its habitat, (B) inflorescence, (C–D) a staminate flower, (E) flowers from different views; a pistillate flower (left) and a staminate flower (right), (F) fruit with erect stigmas.

All photos from holotype specimen AL2456 by Van Canh Nguyen, correction and design by Ba Vuong Truong.

Breynia phuongiana N.K.T. Tram, Vuong, Aver. & V.C. Nguyen
(A) Leaves and branches, (B) inflorescences, (C) stipules, (D) portion of inflorescence, (E) staminate flower from different views: (1–4) adaxial surface, (5) abaxial surface, (F) pistillate flower from different views, (G) longitudinal section through the pistil and pedicel.

All from holotype specimen AL2456 by Van Canh Nguyen, correction and design by Ba Vuong Truong.

Breynia phuongiana N.K.T. Tram, Vuong, Aver. & V.C. Nguyen sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: The species is characterized by a combination of the following features: cauliflorous inflorescences and infructescences arising near the ground, sepals with reddish striations, an androphore more than 1 mm long, and distinctly hexagonal, starfish-shaped fruits with erect and persistent stigmas.

Etymology: The species name honours Ms. Ha Thi Phuong (Hà Thị Phương), who first discovered the species.

 

Van Canh Nguyen, Thi Thuy Nhan Tran, Ba Vuong Truong, Leonid V. Averyanov, Thi Hoa Nguyen, Thanh Nha Phan-Thi and Nguyen-Khanh-Trinh Tram. 2026. Breynia phuongiana (Phyllanthaceae), A New Species from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05025 [21 March 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Ophiorrhiza jomyi (Rubiaceae) • A New Species from the Vagamon Hills, southern Western Ghats, India

 

Ophiorrhiza jomyi Ebin, Sreehari & Joby,  

in Ebin, Sreehari et Joby, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05085 

Abstract

A new species of Ophiorrhiza (Rubiaceae)is identified and described from the Vagamon hills of Kerala, Western Ghats, India. The new species is similar to Ophiorrhiza eriantha Wight and Ophiorrhiza meenachilarensis Robi and Balan, but differs in having densely hirsute hairs on young stem, petiole and peduncle; patent hirsute hairs on, above and beneath the leaf; 14.0–15.0 mm long flower; linear to falcate bracts and bracteoles; sparsely hirsute cupuliform hypanthium; triangular calyx lobes; 9.5–12.0 mm long corolla tube; stamens inserted at the middle of the corolla tube; and oblong and papillate stigma. A detailed description, colour photographs, comparison, phenology, distribution, conservation status and key to the allied taxa of the new species are provided.

Keywords: Kottayam, new species, Ophiorrhiza jomyi, Western Ghats

Ophiorrhiza jomyi Ebin, Sreehari & Joby sp. nov.
 (A) Habit, (B) stipule, (C–D) inflorescence, (E) bract, (F) bracteole, (G–H) adaxial and abaxial side of leaf, (I) indumentum on the upper surface of lamina, (J) indumentum on the lower surface of lamina, (K) flower bud, (L) single flower, (M) flower L.S., (N) indumentum on the stem, (O) indumentum on the peduncle, (O) indumentum on the petiole, (Q) hypanthium cup, (R) stamen, (S) gynoecium, (T) fruit, (U) seed.

Ophiorrhiza jomyi Ebin, Sreehari & Joby sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: This species shows close morphological resemblance with O. eriantha Wight, but differs in having densely ascending hirsute indumentum on stem (versus pubescent or glabrous stem), patent hirsute hairs on both sides of leaves (versus glabrous above, puberulous on the nerves beneath), densely hirsute petiole (versus glabrous or puberulous petiole), stipule acuminate to attenuate at apex (versus stipule bifid at apex), 14.0–15.0 mm long flower (versus 19.0–27.0 mm long flower), cupuliform hypanthium (versus obovoid hypanthium), triangular calyx lobes (versus subulate calyx lobes), densely puberulous hairs and with a villose ring at the middle of the corolla tube inside (versus glabrous inside without a ring of villose hairs), 2.5–3.0 mm long corolla lobes (versus 5.0–7.0 mm long corolla lobes), 1.75–2.0 mm long anthers (versus 3.0–3.5 mm long anthers), oblong stigma, obtuse at apex with papillate hairs (versus lanceolate stigma, acute at apex and glabrous), 0.4 × 0.5 mm, irregularly angled seeds (versus 0.6 × 0.5 mm, 4–6 angular seeds).

Etymology: The specific epithet is in honour of retired Professor, Dr Jomy Augustine, Department of Botany, St Thomas College, Pala, Kottayam, Kerala, for his guidance and support in the field of taxonomy to the authors. Dr Jomy Augustine has significantly contributed to the documentation and conservation of plant diversity in the Western Ghats through his extensive field explorations, research and publications.

 

Ebin Padiyara Joy, Sreehari Sivan Nair, Joby Paul. 2026. Ophiorrhiza jomyi (Rubiaceae) sp. nov. from the Vagamon Hills, southern Western Ghats, India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05085 [21 March 2026]

 

[Botany • 2026] Primula himalayana (Primulaceae) • A New Species from eastern Himalaya, India

 

Primula himalayana B. Hajong, Harsh Singh & P. Bharali, 

in Hajong, Singh et Bharali, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05052

 

Abstract

Primula himalayana sp. nov., a new species of Primulaceae, is described and illustrated from Tawang, Lutrem, 4238 m a.s.l., Arunachal Pradesh, India. It grows under Juniperus and Berberis scrub forest in an alpine meadow. The new species belong in Primula section Cordifoliae and is resembling P. gambeliana, but differs from the latter by the lamina puberulent with a white protuberance on the tips of the teeth, petiole 2‒3 times longer than lamina and white puberulent, scape long with many flowers, flowers yellow with orange-yellow center and along corolla tube, corolla lobes elliptic, anther basifixed, and ovary cylindrical without any teeth.

Keywords: Arunachal Pradesh, new taxon, Primrose, Primula sect Coridfoliae, Tawang, taxonomy

Primula himalayana B. Hajong, Harsh Singh & P. Bharali sp. nov.
 (A) Habit, (B) leaf, (C) side view of an umbel, (D) face view of an umbel, (Ei) bract, (Eii) sepals, (F) side view of a dissected ‘pin'-eyed morphs flower, (G) side view of a dissected ‘thrum'-eyed morphs flower, (H) face view of a dissected ‘pin'-eyed morphs flower, (I) face view of a dissected ‘thrum'-eyed morphs flower, (J) white puberulent on the corolla margin, (K) stamen, (L) carpel (left ‘thrum'-eyed morphs, right ‘pin'-eyed morphs).

Primula himalayana B. Hajong, Harsh Singh & P. Bharali sp. nov.
 (A–B) Habit, (C) face view of an umbel, (D) leaf;
Primula gambeliana G.Watt (E) Habit, (F) face view of an umbel, (G) leaf.

Primula himalayana B. Hajong, Harsh Singh & P. Bharali sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: A new species resembling P. gambelina due the appearance of leaves and flowers, but differing in lamina puberulent with a white protuberance on the tip of each teeth (versus glabrous and without any protuberances), petiole 2‒3 times longer than lamina and white-puberulent (versus 3‒5 times longer than lamina, glabrous), scape 15‒35 cm long with 4‒17 flowers in the umbel (versus 6‒15 cm long with 2‒8 flowers), flowers yellow with an orange-yellow center and ca 1.5‒1.9 cm long corolla tube (versus bright reddish-pink or purple-pink to violet-purple with yellow center, ca 1.2 cm long), corolla lobes elliptic (versus obcordate or broadly obovate), anthers basifixed (versus dorsi-basifixed), ovary quadrate–globose without any teeth (versus globose–cylindric with 5 or more apical teeth).

Etymology: The species epithet ‘himalayana' is derived from the Great Himalaya Mountains – a biodiversity hotspot and widely considered as the geographical origin as well as the centre of diversity and distribution of Primula.

Bipankar Hajong, Harsh Singh and Pankaj Bharali. 2026. Primula himalayana sp. nov., A New Species from eastern Himalaya, India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05052 [11 March 2026]

[Botany • 2025] Oreocharis konkakinhensis (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from the Central Highlands, Vietnam

 

Oreocharis konkakinhensis   T.V.Do & T.T.D.Pham, 

in Pham, Hoang, Lu, Ho, Wen, Ito et Do, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05071

Abstract

Oreocharis konkakinhensis, a new species of Gesneriaceae, is described and illustrated from the Central Highlands, Vietnam. The new species is morphologically most similar to Oreocharis phuongii, a recently described species from central Vietnam. However, it clearly differs from the latter by having stems without stolons, subulate bracts, yellow inner surface of corolla lobes with purple patches, and filaments sparsely puberulent at the base. A detailed morphological description, along with a color illustration, and information on its phenology, distribution, ecology, and preliminarily conservation status, as well as a comparison with its similar species, are also presented.

Morphological illustration of Oreocharis konkakinhensis sp. nov. from the Central Highlands, Vietnam.
 (A) Habitat, (B) adaxial leaf surface, (C) abaxial leaf surface, (D) top view of opened flower, (E) frontal view of opened flower, (F) lateral view of opened flower, (G) ventral view of opened flower, (H) detailed view of longitudinally dissected flower, (I) shape of young fruits.

Photos by Thi Thanh Dat Pham. Scale bar: (A) = 1 cm, (B)–(C) = 5 mm, (D) = 5 mm, (E) = 5 mm, (F)–(G) = 5 mm, (H) = 5 mm, (I) = 1 cm.

Morphological comparison between Oreocharis konkakinhensis sp.nov. (A–C) and O. phuongii (D–F).
(A, D) abaxial leaf surface, (B, E) lateral view of opened flower, (C, F) frontal view of opened flower.

(A)–(C) photos by Thi Thanh Dat Pham and (D)–(F) photos by Truong Van Do.

Oreocharis konkakinhensis T.V.Do & T.T.D.Pham sp. nov. 

Oreocharis konkakinhensis is most similar to O. phuongii by sharing acaulescent and rosette-forming stems, elliptic to ovate leaf blade with 4–5 pairs secondary veins, yellow, zygomorphic flowers with tubular corolla, abruptly constricted at the base, stamens 4 with two pairs of coherent anthers, and absent staminode, but it clearly differs from the latter by having stems without stolons (versus conspicuous stolons), subulate bracts (versus linear-lanceolate to elliptic), yellow inner surface of corolla lobes with purple patches (versus exclusively yellow without patches, dots and striations), and sparsely puberulent filaments at the base (versus glabrous).

Thi Thanh Dat Pham, Thao Thi Hoang, Ngan Thi Lu, Thanh Tam Ho, Fang Wen, Yu Ito and Truong Van Do. 2026. Oreocharis konkakinhensis (Gesneriaceae) sp. nov. from the Central Highlands, Vietnam. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05071 [16 February 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Hechtia mixtecana (Bromeliaceae: Hechtioideae) • A New Species from Oaxaca, Mexico

Hechtia mixtecana  Hern.-Cárdenas, Espejo & López-Ferr.,  

in Hernández-Cárdenas, Espejo- Serna, López- Ferrari, Lara- Godínez et Siekkinen, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05137 

Abstract

Botanical explorations carried out in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, led to the discovery of a new Bromeliaceae: Hechtia mixtecana,which is here described and illustrated. The new taxon is compared with the morphologically similar Hechtia fragilis, Hechtia lyman-smithii, and Hechtia minuta. Hechtia mixtecana differs from these taxa by the orientation of the leaves (ascending to divaricate), by the architecture of the staminate (twice branched) and pistillate inflorescences (once to twice branched), and by the length of the primary branches of the pistillate inflorescence (15–28 cm). A complete morphological description, images, and a geographic distribution map of the new species are included, as well as a list of examined specimens.

Keywords: Balsas Basin Province, endemism, Monocots, Poales, Sierra Madre del Sur Province

Hechtia mixtecana sp. nov.
(a) Staminate and pistillate plants in bloom, (b) staminate primary branch, (c) staminate flower, (c1) floral bract, (c2) sepals, (c3) petals, (c4) stamens, (d) pistillate primary branch, (e) pistillate flower, (e1), floral bract, (e2) sepals, (e3) petals, (e4) pistil, (f) fruit, (g) seed. Illustration drawings a, b, c, d, e, f, g by M. T. Jiménez Segura; photographs c1–c4, e1–e4 by R. Hernández-Cárdenas.

Hechtia mixtecana sp. nov.
(a) Staminate flowers, (b) pistillate flowers. Photographs by R. Hernández-Cárdenas.

Hechtia mixtecana sp. nov. (a–b) Rosettes at the type locality.

Photographs by R. Hernández-Cárdenas.

Hechtia mixtecana Hern.-Cárdenas, Espejo & López-Ferr. sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: Hechtia mixtecana is similar to H. fragilis but differs in the inflorescence of the staminate plants (twice branched versus once branched), in the presence of indument on its peduncle and floral bracts (glabrous versus lepidote), in the shape (elliptic versus broadly ovate to oblong) of the petals of the staminate flowers; in the length of the primary branches of the pistillate plants (15–28 versus 1–6 cm), and in the presence of indument on its floral bracts (glabrous versus lepidote).

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to and honours the Mixtec culture from Mexico. One of the regions occupied by the Mixtec ethnic group is located in northwestern Oaxaca, the area in which the type locality of the new species is found.

Rodrigo Alejandro Hernández- Cárdenas, Adolfo Espejo- Serna, Ana Rosa López- Ferrari, Sofía Ana Lucrecia Lara- Godínez and Andrew Siekkinen. 2026. Hechtia mixtecana sp. nov. (Hechtioideae; Bromeliaceae), from Oaxaca, Mexico. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05137 [02 February 2026] 

[Botany • 2026] Sedum zhenghaianum (Crassulaceae) • A New Species from Zhejiang and Jiangxi, East China

Sedum zhenghaianum Y.L. Xu  

in She, Huang, Zhang, Yao, Zhu, Zhou et Xu. 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05024

 

Abstract

In this paper, Sedum zhenghaianum sp. nov. is described as a new species based on morphological and molecular analyses, and its taxonomic relationships are discussed. Morphological analysis indicates that S. zhenghaianum should be classified in the genus Sedum sect. Sedum and is distinct from the related species S. tosaense in morphology, e.g. by lacking sterile stems, rosulate leaves 4-whorled, leaf blade and sepal apices retuse or obtuse, flowers pedicellate, ventral suture of follicles with a wing-like membranous structure, and seeds with auricled protrusions. Phylogenetic analysis of sequences of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) further demonstrates that S. tosaense is the closest extant relative of the new species.

Keywords: ITS, morphological characters, new species, phylogenetic analysis, Sedum zhenghaianum

Sedum zhenghaianum sp. nov.
(A) General view , (B) flower, (C) petals and stamens, (D) sepals, (E) mature follicle.

Drawn by Xin Zhou, based on the holotype.

Morphology of Sedum zhenghaianum sp. nov. 
 (A) Habitat, (B) rosulate plant in winter, (C) plant in early spring, (D) plant in flowering stage, (E) plant in fruiting stage, (F) rosulate leaves (4-whorled and spurless), (G) upper leaves (alternate and shortly spurred), (H) inflorescence, (I) flower, (J) sepals, (K) peduncle, (L) follicle.

Sedum zhenghaianum Y.L. Xu sp. nov. 

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘zhenghaianum' is derived from the name of Zhenghai Chen (Professor Senior Engineer of Zhejiang Forest Resources Monitoring Center), to honor his contributions to the discovery of this new species.

 

Shi-Qi She, Shi-Guo Huang, Yang Zhang, Shen-Hao Yao, Zong-Wei Zhu, Xin Zhou and Yue-Liang Xu. 2026. Sedum zhenghaianum (Crassulaceae), A New Species from Zhejiang and Jiangxi, East China. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05024 [27 January 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Ceropegia andhrica (Apocynaceae: Ceropegieae) • A New Species from Andhra Pradesh, India

Ceropegia andhrica  P.Chiranjeevi, K.Prasad & V.Nagaraju,  

in Chiranjeevi, Prasad, Nagaraju, Sujanapal, Sowghandika et Bheemalingappa. 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05069

Abstract

A new hysteranthous species of Ceropegia, C. andhrica P.Chiranjeevi, K.Prasad & V.Nagaraju sp. nov. (Apocynaceae), is described from the Paderu forest division, Alluri Sitharamaraju District, Andhra Pradesh, India. It morphologically resembles Ceropegia vemanae and C. ciliatior in features such as the shape and size of tuber, pendulous flowers, reflexed corolla lobes and exposed gynostegium with corona, but differs in having branched or rarely unbranched stem, flowers 4–6 at a node, pedicels 4–10 mm long, sepals subulate or narrowly deltoid, corolla dark purple, densely hairy, lobes 3.4–6.0 mm long, ovate-triangular at base then gradually tapering above, interstaminal corona lobes shortly bilobed with triangular lobules, and staminal corona lobes narrowly oblong, 3-lobed at apex. A detailed description, photographs, and the conservation status of the new species are provided.

Keywords: Asclepiadoideae, Ceropegieae, Hysteranthous, Paderu forest division

Ceropegia andhrica sp. nov. 

(A) Habit with leaves, (B) habit with leaves and follicles, (C) tuber, (D) buds, (E) flowers, (F) follicles, (F) open follicle with seeds.

Ceropegia andhrica sp. nov. 

(A–A2) Habit with flowers, follicles, leaves, (B) buds, (C) flowers, (D) pedicel, (E) corona side view, (F) corona top view, (G) gynostegium with pollinia, (H) pollinia, (I) solitary follicle, (J) paired follicles, (K) seed.

Ceropegia andhrica P.Chiranjeevi, K.Prasad & V.Nagaraju sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: A species showing similarities with Ceropegia vemanae, and to a lesser extent with C. ciliatior, but differs from these two species in having branched or rarely unbranched stem (versus unbranched in C. vemanae and unbranched or sparsely branched in C. ciliatior), lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate or linear-lanceolate leaves (versus linear-lanceolate to oblong in C. vemanae and acicular to subulate or linear or linear-lanceolate in C. ciliatior), 4–6 flowers at each node (versus solitary in C. vemanae and 2–4 in C. ciliatior), 4–10 mm long pedicels (versus 9–12 mm long in C. vemanae and 15–38 mm long in C. ciliatior), subulate or narrowly deltoid sepals (versus narrowly triangular, ovate-lanceolate or linear-lanceolate in C. vemanae and ovate or ovate-lanceolate in C. ciliatior), dark purple, 3.4–6.0 mm long, densely hairy corolla lobes that are ovate-triangular at base then gradually tapering above, (versus basal portion light brown or creamish with dark rose ornamentation, later becoming uniformly brownish-pink, 7–10 mm long and corolla lobes lanceolate or lanceolate-oblong, completely pilose in C. vemanae and greenish-yellow or pale yellow and violet at apex and with violet streak at middle and 1.5–5.0 mm long corolla lobes narrowly ovate-lanceolate or oblong-ovate, ciliate at apex in C. ciliatior), interstaminal corona lobes shortly bilobed with triangular lobules (versus lobes deeply divided, lobules triangular at base then narrower towards apex in C. vemanae and lobes bifid, lobules orbicular in C. ciliatior) and staminal corona lobes glabrous, narrowly oblong, 3-lobed at apex (versus sparsely pilose, linear or linear-oblong, obtuse at apex in C. vemanae and glabrous, ovate, obtuse at apex in C. ciliatior).

 

Etymology: The new species is named after the Andhra Pradesh state of India.

 

Pabbathi Chiranjeevi, Kothareddy Prasad, Vallepu Nagaraju, Puthiapurayal Sujanapal, Marapareddy Sowghandika and Madiga Bheemalingappa. 2026. Ceropegia andhrica (Apocynaceae), A New Species from Andhra Pradesh, India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05069 [25 January 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Lepidagathis konkanensis (Acanthaceae: Barlerieae) • A New Species from Lateritic Plateaus of Konkan Region of Western Ghats based on morphological and molecular evidence

Lepidagathis konkanensis Mane, Jangam & Patil,  

in Patil, Kadam, Jangam, Dive et Mane. 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05075  

Abstract

Lepidagathis konkanensis, a new species from the lateritic plateaus of the Konkan region in Maharashtra, India, is described and illustrated based on distinct morphological and molecular characters. Morphologically and phylogenetically, this species is close to L. mahakassapae and L. dalzelliana, but it can be distinguished by its compact inflorescence, oblanceolate leaves, bilabiate yellow corolla, elliptic-lanceolate bracteoles with three nerves, shorter style and smaller seeds. In addition, the longer branch length observed in the phylogenetic tree further supports the presence of molecular divergence. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations and color plates of field photographs and floral part micrographs are provided to aid in precise identification. The IUCN conservation status has also been assessed to emphasize the need for conservation measures.

Keywords: molecular phylogeny, Northern Western Ghats, taxonomy, trnL-F, trnS-G

Lepidagathis konkanensis Mane, Jangam & Patil, sp. nov.
 (A) Habit, (B) branch, (C) leaf, (dry), (D) inflorescence: spike, (E) flower: lateral view, (F) flower, (G) floral anatomy, (H) outer bract, (I) inner bract, (J) calyx, (K) androecium, (L) gynoecium, (M) capsule, (N) capsule valves, (O) capsule with seeds, (P) seed.

Lepidagathis konkanensis Mane, Jangam & Patil, sp. nov.
(A) Habitat, (B) vegetative stage, (C) and (D) flowering spikes.

Lepidagathis konkanensis Mane, Jangam & Patil sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: A species similar to L. mahakassapae and L. dalzelliana, but differing in having condensed spikes (versus elongated spikes in L. mahakassapae and elongated or pyramidal spikes in L. dalzelliana), smaller floral bracts with 5–7 nerves (versus larger floral bracts with 7 nerves in L. mahakassapae and with 3–5 nerves in L. dalzelliana), elliptic-lanceolate bracteoles with 3 nerves (versus lanceolate bracteoles with 5 nerves in L. mahakassapae and elliptic-oblong bracteoles with 1 nerve in L. dalzelliana), a shorter style, 8 mm long (versus 14 mm in L. mahakassapae and 14–17 mm in L. dalzelliana), and smaller seeds, 3.0–3.5 × 2.0–2.5 mm (versus 3.0–3.7 × 3.0 mm in L. mahakassapae and 2.8 × 3.0 mm in L. dalzelliana).

 

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘konkanensis' alludes to the geographical region of the type locality, i.e. Konkan region of Maharashtra.

Anant Prakash Patil, Suhas Kishor Kadam, Akshay Prakash Jangam, Ajay Sanjay Dive and Rohit Nivas Mane. 2026. Lepidagathis konkanensis sp. nov. (Acanthaceae: Barlerieae) from Lateritic Plateaus of Konkan Region of Western Ghats based on morphological and molecular evidence. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05075  [13 January 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Parakaempferia alba (Zingiberaceae) • A New Species from Arunachal Pradesh, India

Parakaempferia alba Tatum, D.Koch, B.Hajong & P.Bharali,

in Mibang, Hajong, Koch et Bharali. 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05030

Abstract

Parakaempferia alba, a new species of Zingiberaceae from East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India is herein described. A detailed taxonomic description, diagnosis, color photoplate, distribution map, notes on habitat and ecology, conservation status, and a table of comparisons with the closely related species Parakaempferai synantha Rao & Verma are provided. This new species differs, inter alia, from P. synantha by its leaf characters, number of spikes, length of peduncle, number of bracts as well as their shape and size, bracteole shape and size, staminode shape and color, labellum shape and color of apical margin, anther size and color, filament size, style size, ovary shape, and by presence of two linear shaped glands attached to the ovary.

Keywords: Eastern Himalaya, new taxon, Parakaempferia, Siang Valley

Parakaempferia alba sp. nov. habit to the right.
To the left, the red dot indicate the type location of Parakaempferia alba sp. nov. in Miglung area of East Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Black dots indicate the distribution of P. synantha in type location (North Lakhimpur, Assam) as well as in Murlen National Park, Champhai, Mizoram (Kumaret al. 2013).

Parakaempferia alba sp. nov.
 (A) Habit, (B) base of stem with immature inflorescence, (C) inflorescence, (D) flower, (E) side view of a flower with bract (bt), bracteole (bl) and calyx (cx), (F) petal (md- medial, lt- lateral), (G) labellum with stamen (st), (H) staminode, (I) pistil with 2 glands (gn).

Parakaempferia alba Tatum, D.Koch, B.Hajong, P.Bharali sp. nov. 

Tatum Mibang, Bipankar Hajong, Devpratim Koch and Pankaj Bharali. 2026. Parakaempferia alba sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae), A New Species from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05030 [14 January 2026]