Aletrisguangxiensis (Nartheciaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China.

Aletrisguangxiensis Y. Nong & Y. F. Huang (Nartheciaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. This new species is most similar to A.scopulorum, but it can be easily distinguished by its sparsely glandular, 5-18 cm long scape, glandular inflorescence axis, distinctly pedicellate flowers, sparsely glandular, 5-10 mm long pedicel, bract borne at base of pedicel, glabrous perianth divided to the base, strongly recurved or revolute perianth lobes and turbinate, obovoid to oblong-obovoid capsule. An identification key for 24 species and 1 hybrid of Aletris is also provided.

Walsuraguangxiensis (Meliaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China.

Walsuraguangxiensis (Meliaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, is here described and illustrated. The new species is easily distinguishable from the other two Chinese members of the genus by its petals being pale yellow, filaments being connate into tubes above the middle, the berry being oval and glabrous. An identification key of Walsura for 17 species is also provided.

Lysimachiacavicola (Primulaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China.

Lysimachiacavicola (Subgen. Idiophyton, Primulaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, is here described and illustrated based on morphological data. Although it shares similarities with L.microcarpa, L.fooningensis, and L.capillipes, there are distinguishing characteristics that set it apart. These include erect stems either solitary or in clusters of 1 to 2, herbaceous, terete, and densely glandular hairy. The leaves are either ovate or elliptical lanceolate, with inconspicuously reticulate veins. The petiole measures 2-4 mm in length covered with minute glandular hairy. The corolla is deeply parted, measuring 6-8 mm in length, with narrowly elliptic or narrowly oblong lobes that are 1-2 mm wide. The capsule is globose, measuring 2-3 × 2-3 mm, and possesses a chalky, brittle texture, which splits into 5-valved segments. The calyx of the plant appears yellowish-white during fruiting. This newly discovered species is endemic to limestone areas in Fengshan County, Guangxi, China.

Several new records, synonyms, and hybrid-origin of Chinese begonias.

Begonia is a mega-genus with about 2500 species by most estimates, with China having over 210 accepted species. After field surveys, literature review and examination of herbarium specimens, some new taxa, new records, synonyms and the hybrid-origin of some taxa have been confirmed. Here, we report that Begonia dioica Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don and B. flagellaris Hara, both from Xizang (Tibet) are new to China; Begonia lipingensis Hance, B. muliensis T.T.Yu and B. sizemoreae Kiew are synonyms of B. circumlobata Hance, B. taliensis Gagnepain and B. longiciliata C.Y.Wu, respectively; and Begonia × lancangensis S.H.Huang and B. × malipoensis S.H.Huang & Y.M.Shui are natural hybrids.

[Study on quality analysis of essential oil from twig and leaf of Baeckea frutescens].

OBJECTIVE: To provide scientific methods for quality criterion by studying the chemical components of essential oil from Baeckea frutescens. METHOD: The chemical components of essential oil from B. frutescens were identified by GC-MS-DS, TLC and capillary GC. The relative contents of main components were determined by area normalization. RESULT: More than 50 peaks were separated, and 38 components were identified, which accounted for over 94% of the total GC peaks areas of the essential oil. The methods for quality evaluation of essential oil from B. frutescens by TLC and capillary GC were established. CONCLUSION: The chemical components of essential oil from B. frutescens collected from different habitats and collecting periods have common characteristics as well as differences. Some components, such as linalool, can be used as a standard and chromatography fingerprint to analyze the quality of essential oil from B. frutescens.