Naxos and Amorgos are islands in the Aegean Sea with a typically arid to semiarid climate, the vegetation being dominated by thermo-Mediterranean shrubs. From the floristic point of view, both are among the most interesting islands of the Cyclades. However, no data were available on their fungal diversity. This work presents an annotated check-list of the basidiomycetes belonging to the subclass Agaricomycetidae (Agaricales and Boletales) from these two islands. A total of 142 species and subspecific taxa are recognized and assigned to 58 genera. The genus Simocybe as well as 21 taxa at the species or subspecies level constitute new records for Greece, while further 76 taxa represent first national reports for habitat, hosts and/or substrates. A brief description of key diagnostic characters — in conjunction with a discussion of pertinent literature — is provided for the most interesting findings.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution of Lepraria lichen species in dry deciduous forests, in relation to tree substratum and forest characteristics. In total, 34 localities with 1020 trees (13 tree species) were studied in different parts of Latvia. Lepraria spp. were found on 642 trees: L. eburnea on 8 trees, L. incana on 80 trees, and L. lobificans on 568 trees. Lepraria eburnea was recorded for the first time in Latvia. Tree species, tree bark crevice depth, inclination, pH and forest type were the most important variables explaining the presence of Lepraria species. Lepraria incana was associated with Quercus robur and Tilia cordata, while L. lobificans was associated with Betula pendula. The occurrence probability of L. lobificans increased with tree inclination and tree bark pH, and that of L. incana with bark crevice depth and tree bark pH.

The evolutionary origin and taxonomic position of Dendroseris and Thamnoseris (Cichorieae, Asteraceae) are discussed in the light of recent molecular systematic studies. Based on the previous development of a robust phylogenetic framework, we support the inclusion of the group as a subgenus integrated within a new and broad concept of the genus Sonchus. This approach retains information on the evolutionary relationships of the group which most likely originated from an adaptive radiation process; furthermore, it also promotes holophyly in the subtribe Hyoseridinae (formerly Sonchinae). Consequently, all the former Dendroseris and Thamnoseris species must be transferred to Sonchus. A preliminary nomenclatural synopsis of the proposed subgenus is given here, including the new required combinations.

Two new species of Gesneriaceae, Paraboea hekouensis Y.M. Shui & W.H. Chen and P. manhaoensis Y.M. Shui & W.H. Chen, are described and illustrated. The former species is similar to P. nutans in possessing a basal leaf rosette, centrally positioned styles and slightly twisted fruits, but differs from it by having a dense golden-brown and long pubescence on the abaxial surface of the leaves, smaller white flowers and two basal staminodes. The latter is similar to P. crassifolia in possessing basal obovate leaves, centrally positioned styles, and a thick matted indumentum on the lower surface of the leaves, but differs by its smaller white flowers, shorter corolla tubes and only slightly twisted fruits. The leaf surface characters and various types of indumentum of the above four species are also observed in detail and discussed. An identification key to the Chinese and Vietnamese species with a rosulate habit in Paraboea is provided.

Elatostema robustipes W.T. Wang, F. Wen & Y.G. Wei and Pellionia tenuicuspis W.T. Wang, Y.G. Wei & F. Wen, two new species of Urticaceae from the Guangxi and Guangdong provinces (China), respectively, are described and illustrated. Elatostema robustipes most closely resembles E. balansae, and P. tenuicuspis most closely resembles P. incisoserrata.

A new species Aspidistra jingxiensis Yan Liu & C.R. Lin (Asparagaceae) is described and illustrated from the limestone areas in the Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region, China. It is similar to A. punctatoides in the shape and size of the flowers, but differs in its perianth lobes 8 (occasionally 10), mushroom-shaped and white pistil, and the glabrous stigma upper surface with four radial, bifurcate deep grooves.

Gentiana zhenxiongensis L.H. Wu & Z.T. Wang sp. nova (Gentianaceae) from Yunnan province, China, is described and illustrated. It resembles G. praticola, but differs in having stolons and/or rhizomes, small flowers, calyx lobes with keeled midribs, a campanulate corolla and a tuberculate testa.

A new species in Basidiomycota, Aurantiporus priscus Niemelä, Miettinen & Manninen, growing on large, long-ago fallen and decorticated conifer trunks, is described from old virgin forests. We report it from Finland, Poland and Sweden. Its fresh tubes are fleshy, soft and pale salmon-coloured, contrasting with a cottony and orange- to tan-coloured subiculum. With KOH, the tubes only darken, while the subiculum and fruitbody margin of fully-grown basidiocarps become bright cherry-red. This species has been confused with Hapalopilus aurantiacus and H. ochraceolateritius, which have cylindrical spores, while the spores of A. priscus are ellipsoid. The type of Polyporus salmonicolor was reviewed.

Ferrocalamus fibrillosus H.N. Nguyen & V.T. Tran sp. nova (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) is described and illustrated from Vietnam. It is similar to F. strictus and F. rimosivaginus but differs by the culm sheaths having erect and ca. 0.4–0.3 cm long auricles, and setae ca. 0.4 cm long. There are 10 or 12 white cylindrical fibrils inside the internodes and connecting two diaphragms.

Two new species of the genus Borreria, B. carajasensis E.L. Cabral & L.M. Miguel and B. elaiosulcata E.L. Cabral & L.M. Miguel, are described and illustrated, based on material collected from iron outcrops in the Serra dos Carajás region, Pará State, Brazil. A key to morphologically similar species is provided; these species can be recognized by their transversally sulcate seeds. Borreria cupularis and B. multiflora are reported for the first time from the Pará State.