Recent evidence supports the recognition of Gonolobus (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae), a genus of 100–150 species of vines endemic to the NewWorld, as distinct from Matelea. Synapomorphies of Gonolobus s.l. include two indels in LEAFY, as well as winged follicles. Laminar dorsal anther appendages are exclusive to the Gonolobus s.l. clade, though lacking or reduced in some species. Given this evidence and in light of past controversies regarding circumscription, this study presents a synopsis of the three species of Gonolobus recognized in the United States and its territories: G. arizonicus, G. stephanotrichus, and G. suberosus. Lachnostoma arizonicum is lectotypified.

A new species of Trichocentrum (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae) from southeastern Ecuador, T. loyolicum, is described and illustrated. Trichocentrum loyolicum is compared with T. pulchrum, from which it mainly differs by the smaller flowers, the shorter spur, the basal keels curved and convergent at the apex, and the reduced column wings. The generic circumscription of Trichocentrum is discussed.

Cyperus alvesii is described as a new species. Known from two states in northeastern Brazil, it is unusual in having papillate culms and leaves. Its nearest relative, based on morphology, is C. appendiculatus.

Maxillaria bomboizensis is synonymized under Camaridium carinatum. Two previously published combinations based on Maxillaria bomboizensis (Camaridium bomboizense and Sauvetrea bomboizensis) are invalid. A complete synonymy is provided for Camaridium carinatum, and lectotypes are designated for its basionym Maxillaria carinata and its synonym Maxillaria imbricata. The name Maxillaria jenischiana has been misapplied to Camaridium carinatum since 1959.

Taxonomists routinely question plant names and places, as well as the personal names and histories of the botanists themselves. Genealogy shares the common challenge of locating information about personal names, vital statistics, residences, and histories. Ancestry.com™ provides a virtual interface into centralized, archived records previously of limited availability. Various names of historical botanists and collectors associated with Harvard University Herbaria were queried resulting in U.S. Census data, U.S. draft registration cards providing handwriting samples, U.S. passport applications including two with photographs, ship manifests, and border crossings. Researchers can locate previously unavailable information about personal histories to help answer questions and uncertainties, and to confirm existing records about botanists' lives and travels. Additionally, Ancestry.com™ provides teachers with a helpful tool for students to better appreciate the lives of individual botanists within the larger context of history.

Two new species, Macrocarpaea claireae and M. quizhpei (Gentianaceae: Helieae), are described from the Huancabamba region of southern Ecuador. Macrocarpaea claireae occurs around Valladolid, adjacent to P. N. Podocarpus, and M. quizhpei occurs in the Nangaritza watershed. M. claireae is closely related to M. pringleana and M. sodiroana, yet differs notably in its glaucous-green, campanulate-urceolate calyx. Macrocarpaea quizhpei has affinities to M. dies-viridis, but differs in having a large, diffusely branched, open thyrse to 1.3 m high.

Spiranthes sunii (Orchidaceae), from southern Gansu, China, is described as new. A table is provided to highlight features distinguishing it from the only other species of Spiranthes in China, S. sinensis. Spiranthes sunii, named in recognition of Professor Sun Xuegang (), is known only from the vicinity of Fanba in Wen Xian, Gansu Province. A photo and an analytical drawing are provided.

Spiranthes sunii (Orchidaceae) S. sinensisSpiranthes (Spiranthes sunii)

Fittingia paniculata is described from karst habitats in Papua New Guinea's Southern Fold Mts. The new species is distinguished by unusually large leaves profusely disposed in pseudowhorls (up to 21 leaves together), and by long staminate panicles.

Vaccinium obatapaquiniorum is described from karst habitats in Papua New Guinea's southern region. The new Vaccinium is distinguished from related species primarily by its unusually small flowers and dorsally spurred anthers.

The discovery of Hypserpa calcicola is reported from limestone environments in Papua New Guinea's Southern Fold Mts. Though similar in some respects to H. laurina and H. ademae, the new vine can be easily recognized by its massive panicles, the largest known inflorescence in Malesian Hypserpa.

Hedyotis shiuyingiae is published as a new species from Hong Kong. The new species replaces what has been hitherto known as Hedyotis yangchunensis, a misapplied name.

The name Arabis sect. Dendroarabis is raised to the generic rank, and a detailed generic description is given. The new combination D. fruticulosa is proposed. The generic boundaries of Arabis and the distinguishing characters separating it from Dendroarabis and Rhammatophyllum are discussed in connection with molecular data.

The new combination Boechera dentata is proposed to replace the most commonly used B. shortii or Arabis shortii (Brassicaceae) for a species widespread in eastern and central United States and rare in Ontario, Canada. The complex nomenclatural history of the species is presented.

Duthie, in his 1888 work, inadvertently published “Iseilema laxum Hack.” as a superfluous, illegitimate name for the 1856 name I. prostratum (L.)Anderss. The subsequent 1889 publication of I. laxum by Hackel, which excluded the type of I. prostratum, is, therefore, heterotypic, a later homonym, and illegitimate. A new name is here proposed for “Iseilema laxum Hackel 1889 (non Hackel 1888).”