Distichochlamys rubrostriata (Zingiberaceae), a new species from northern Vietnam. Brittonia 55: 205–208. 2003.—A third species of the until recently monotypic genus Distichochlamys (Zingiberaceae) is described from living and preserved material collected in northern Vietnam. Distichochlamys rubrostriata is distinguished from the original species, D. citrea, and the recently described D. orlowii, on the basis of leaf, inflorescence bract, lateral staminode, and labellum characters.

Hybanthopsis, a new genus of Violaceae from Eastern Brazil. Brittonia 55: 209–213. 2003.—A new genus of Violaceae is described from Brazil. Hybanthopsis Paula-Souza, with a single species (H. bahiensis Paula-Souza), is endemic to caatingas of Bahia, Brazil, and is morphologically most similar to Hybanthus, from which it differs by the fruit morphology and especially its peculiar seeds.

Hybanthopsis, a new genus of Violaceae from Eastern Brazil. Brittonia 55: 209–213. 2003.—Um novo gênero brasileiro de Violaceae é descrito. Hybanthopsis Paula-Souza, com uma única espécie (H. bahiensis Paula-Souza), é endêmico de caatingas do Estado da Bahia, e é morfologicamente mais similar a Hybanthus, do qual difere pela morfologia do fruto e especialmente por suas sementes peculiares.

Re-circumscription of the monocotyledonous family Petrosaviaceae to include Japonolirion. Brittonia 55: 214–225. 2003.—Most systematists have favored placing Petrosaviaceae close to the Triuridaceae (formerly positioned within Alismatidae) by focusing on the mycoheterotrophic habit and nearly free carpels of Petrosaviaceae. Others have favored a position near the melanthioid lilies, perhaps serving as a linking-family to the Triuridaceae. We discuss the results of recently published, independent, and combined DNA sequence analyses that indicate a strongly supported sister relationship between Petrosavia (Petrosaviaceae) and Japonolirion (Japonoliriaceae). Molecular data show no connection of these genera to the Alismatales (including Tofieldiaceae), the Melanthiaceae s. str., the Liliales, or the Triuridaceae (now in Pandanales), although there are morphological similarities to each of these groups. A relationship to the Pandanales has been indicated in some molecular analyses, but this is not supported by bootstrap/jackknife analyses or by most morphological characters. Both Petrosavia and Japonolirion are native to high-elevation habitats and have bracteate racemes, pedicellate flowers, six persistent tepals, septal nectaries, three nearly distinct carpels, simultaneous microsporogenesis, monosulcate pollen, and follicular fruits. Outside of the Alismatales, no other monocotyledons share this combination of features. We therefore suggest that the Petrosaviaceae be re-circumscribed to include Japonolirion. If the family's isolated position among the monocot orders continues to be found in phylogenetic studies, then recognition of the already published order Petrosaviales would be appropriate.

Two new remarkable Nolinaceae from Central Mexico. Brittonia 55: 226–232. 2003.—Two new species of Nolinaceae are described and illustrated. The first is a ponytail palm, Beaucarnea compacta, occuring in xerophytic scrub in the Sierra Madre Oriental near Atarjea, Guanajuato. The second new species is Calibanus glassianus, adding the second species to the genus Calibanus. This new species is found in the transition between tropical deciduous forest to submontane scrub in the Sierra Madre Oriental near Xichú, Guanajuato.

Two new remarkable Nolinaceae from Central Mexico. Brittonia 55: 226–232. 2003. Se describen e ilustran dos nuevas especies de Nolinaceae. La primera es una pata de elefante o palma petacona, Beaucarnea compacta. Se distribuye en matorrales xerófitos de la Sierra Madre Oriental cerca de Atarjea, Guanajuato. La segunda nueva especie es Calibanus glassianus, que adiciona una especie más al género Calibanus. Esta nueva especie se encuentra en la transición de bosques tropicales caducifolios con matorrales xerófilos de la sierra Madre Oriental en los alrededores de Xichú, Guanajuato.

Portlandia proctorii (Rubiaceae, Catesbaeeae), a new combination for a narrow endemic Jamaican species. Brittonia 55: 233–239. 2003.—Aiello, in a revision of Portlandia and related genera, recognized two varieties in Portlandia coccinea Sw. based on leaf shape and geographic distribution. After detailed studies of herbarium specimens, recent observations of both varieties in their natural environment and in cultivation, and a phylogenetic analysis, it became evident that P. coccinea var. proctorii Aiello should be treated as a separate species with corollas shorter and of a different shape than those of var. coccinea. Portlandia proctorii is presented as a new combination. A key for the two species, descriptions and illustrations are included.

Agave rzedowskiana, a new species in subgenus Littaea (Agavaceae) from western Mexico. Brittonia 55: 240–244. 2003.—Agave rzedowskiana is described and illustrated from the states of Sinaloa and Jalisco, Mexico. This species is a member of subgenus Littaea (Tagliabue) Baker “group Striatae” of Baker. It is compared with A. petrophila García-Mend. & E. Martínez and A. dasylirioides Jacobi & Bouché.

Agave rzedowskiana, a new species in subgenus Littaea (Agavaceae) from western Mexico. Brittonia 55: 240–244. 2003.—Se describe e ilustra Agave rzedowskiana de los estados de Sinaloa y Jalisco, México. La especie pertenece al subgénero Littaea (Tagliabue) Baker “Grupo Striatae” de Baker. Se le compara con A. petrophila García-Mend. & E. Martínez y A. dasylirioides Jacobi & Bouché.

Revision of the genus Clibadium (Asteraceae, Heliantheae). Brittonia 55: 245–301. 2003.—Clibadium L. (Asteraceae, Heliantheae) is a genus of 29 species distributed throughout Latin America, from Mexico to Peru, and in the West Indies, with high numbers of species in Costa Rica, Colombia, and Ecuador. Clibadium includes shrubs and small trees; usually with loosely aggregated capitula; herbaceous phyllaries arranged in 1–5 series; receptacles usually paleaceous throughout; corollas of pistillate florets 2–4-lobed; corollas of the staminate florets 4–5-lobed; purple to black anthers; and chromosome numbers all n = 16. Two sections of species previously recognized are here considered as subgenera (subg. Paleata and subg. Clibadium) containing two and four sections, respectively. Clibadium subg. Paleata contains five species distributed in sects. Eggersia (3 spp.) and Trixidium (2 spp.), and subg. Clibadium has 24 species distributed among sects. Clibadium (6 spp.), Glomerata (9 spp.), Grandifolia (5 spp.), and Oswalda (4 spp.).

Clibadium incluye arbustos y árboles pequeños; generalmente con capítulos laxamente agregados; filarias herbáceas, ordenadas en 1–5 series; receptáculos generalmente paláceos; corolas de las florets pistiladas con 2–4 lóbulos; corolas de las florets estaminadas con 4–5 lóbulos; anteras púrpuras a negras; y números cromosómicos todos n = 16. Dos grupos de especies previamente reconocidas son aquí considerados como subgéneros (subg. Paleata y subg. Clibadium) que tienen dos y cuatro secciones, respectivamente. Clibadium subg. Paleata contiene cinco especies distribuídas en sects. Eggersia (3 spp.) y Trixidium (2 spp.), y subg. Clibadium incluye 24 especies distribuídas entre las sects. Clibadium (6 spp.) Glomerata (9 spp.), Grandifolia (5 spp.), y Oswalda (4 spp.).