A phylogenetic analysis of 43 individuals using five plastid and two nuclear DNA sequence regions and morphological and chromosomal observations were used to clarify the recognition and delimitation of species in the Carex macroglossa complex (Cyperaceae). The molecular analysis resulted in two, wellsupported major clades I and II, each further consisting of two subclades A and B, and C and D, respectively. Morphologically, clade I (comprising subclades A and B) corresponded to C. macroglossa, subclade C to C. parciflora, and subclade D to C. vaniotii. All individuals of subclade A had high chromosome numbers (2n = 46–48, 50), whereas those in subclade B had lower chromosome numbers (2n = 34, 36, 38). The absence of intermediate chromosome numbers suggests reproductive isolation between individuals of subclades A and B. Our morphological observations further showed that individuals of subclade A have a style twisted at its base and short culms, whereas individuals of subclade B have a straight style and taller culms. Based on the molecular analysis in addition to the chromosomal and morphological observations, four species, C. macroglossa (subclade A), C. tsukudensis comb. & stat. nov. (subclade B), C. parciflora, and C. vaniotii were distinguished.

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Repeated adaptation to similar environments can lead to divergence of phenotypes in different populations. Such evolutionary changes sometimes result in incongruence between morphology and molecular phylogeny, for which careful biological investigation is required. Natural phenotypic variation in rheophytic populations of the Solidago virgaurea L. complex (Asteraceae), which evolved multiple times from ancestral dryland forms in Japan, are here reported. Common garden experiments and population genetic analysis were used to evaluate the extent to which parallelly evolved rheophytes diverged in morphological, phenological and genotypic features to understand their complex evolutionary history. Significant divergence among rheophytic populations was detected in multiple traits, even in leaf morphological traits, which are similarly subjected to purifying selection by water pressure in riparian habitats. Whereas most of the variation were attributed to differences between specific pairs of populations, flowering phenology showed latitudinal variation, which likely evolved along a large-scale environmental cline. Multivariate analysis revealed that at least the population on Okinawa Isl., at the edge of the range of the species, is phenotypically distinguishable from rheophytic populations on the main islands. Phylogenetic analysis also suggested that the Okinawan rheophytes are genetically isolated from parapatric dryland populations. Based on the evidence, the Okinawan rheophytic plants are recognized as specifically distinct and are described as Solidago yambaruensis S. Sakaguchi & Mot. Ito.

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Quercus serrata subsp. mongolicoides of the Tokai and northern Kanto districts of Honshu, Japan, is similar to Q. mongolica var. mongolica in leaf morphology. Its taxonomic treatment has been long debated, and yet its genetic differentiation from three related taxa, Q. serrata subsp. serrata, Q. mongolica var. crispula, and Q. mongolica var. mongolica has remained unresolved. Genetic differentiation among the four taxa using 11 nuclear microsatellite loci and comparison of leaf morphology was used to revise the taxonomic treatment of Q. serrata subsp. mongolicoides. The genetic data and leaf morphology support the transfer of Q. serrata subsp. mongolicoides from Q. serrata to Q. mongolica. Within the latter, it is treated as a separate intraspecific taxon distinct from Q. mongolica var. crispula in leaf, acorn, and cupule morphology. Additionally, it is geographically well separated from Q. mongolica var. mongolica on the Asian continent and shows significant genetic and leaf differences from the typical variety. Thus, Q. mongolica var. mongolicoides is proposed as a new combination.

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A new hybrid, Schoenoplectiella ×naritaensis Yashiro nothovar. bizenensis O. Yano & Torimaru (Cyperaceae), is described. This hybrid may be derived from crosses between S. mucronata var. mucronate and S. hotarui, which grow sympatrically in a wetland in Bizen-shi, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan. Morphological, cytological, and DNA sequence data were used to clarify the origin of the hybrid. Morphologically, the hybrid is intermediate between S. mucronata var. mucronata and S. hotarui, or overlaps with one or the other species. Moreover, the hybrid is distinguishable from the morphologically similar hybrids “S. ×naritaensis” (S. hotarui × S. mucronata var. tatarana), S. ×trapezoidea, and S. ×yashiroi, by characteristics of the rhizomes, culms, anthers and achenes. Chromosome numbers were observed to be 2n = 38 for S. mucronata var. mucronata, 2n = 44 for S. hotarui, and 2n = 41 for S. ×naritaensis nothovar. bizenensis. The nrITS data showed the sequences from S. ×naritaensis nothovar. Bizenensis to include sequences from both S. mucronata var. mucronata and S. hotarui. The morphological, cytological, and DNA sequence data suggest that the hybrid arose by natural crossing between S. mucronate var. mucronata and S. hotarui.

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The DNA content and karyotype of the native Japanese Taraxacum platycarpum subsp. hondoense and members of the T. officinale complex are reported. Members of the T. officinale complex were easily distinguished from each other by their DNA content and karyotype. The Japanese diploid Taraxacum and the exotic triploid T. officinale, are distinct in chromosome number, chromosome size, and the number, size and morphology of satellite chromosomes. The karyotypes of the 3x and 4x hybrids are invariably contain one large Japanese Taraxacum chromosome set and two or three small T. officinale chromosome sets, suggesting that the native Japanese species, as the haploid ovule donor (with the Japanese chloroplast DNA haplotype), hybridized asymmetrically with the (reduced) 2x or (unreduced) 3x pollens of the introduced T. officinale.

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Cleyera bokorensis Nagam. & Tagane (Pentaphylacaceae), from Bokor National Park in southern Cambodia and Binh Dinh Province, central Vietnam, is illustrated and described as new. Cleyera bokorensis is a rheophytic shrub characterized by oblong-elliptic leaves with sparsely and obtusely serrate to serrulate margin, 7–10 pairs of secondary veins, solitary flowers, a 1.6–2.7 cm long pedicel and 6.5–10.5 mm long petals. The combination of features clearly distinguish it from C. japonica and other species of Cleyera in Indochina and surrounding countries.

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Liparis koreojaponica Tsutsumi, T. Yukawa, N. S. Lee, C. S. Lee & M. Kato var. kiiensis Suetsugu & Tsutsumi (Orchidaceae) from Nara Prefecture, Japan is described as a new variety. It is similar to L. koreojaponica var. koreojaponica, but differs in spacing of the flowers (ca. 1.5 cm apart in the former vs. ca. 2 cm apart in L. koreojaponica var. koreojaponica), length ratio of rachis/inflorescence (1/3–1/2 vs. 1/4–1/3 in L. koreojaponica var. koreojaponica) and length of the labellum (13–15 mm long vs. 9–12 mm long in L. koreojaponica var. koreojaponica).

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A new variety, Justicia vagabunda Benoist var. laxiflora K. Yamaz. & Tagane (Acanthaceae), discovered during botanical surveys in Bolaven Plateau, southern Laos, is described and illustrated. Variety laxiflora is distinguished from var. vagabunda by its longer petiole (0.1–)0.5–3 cm long, longer and laxer inflorescence to 15.3 cm long, more-flowered inflorescence (inflorescence with 7–50 flowers) and larger capsules ca. 2.7 cm long.

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Najas minor and N. chinensis are newly reported from southern Iriomote Island, which is the southernmost distribution for both species in Japan. The morphology, reproductive phenology, and chromosomal numbers were compared with reports from previous studies. Najas minor on Iriomote Island was larger, up to 120 cm long, had longer leaves (3 to 4 cm long), flowered and fruited year-round and had a new karyotype (2n = 24) for the species in Japan. Najas chinensis on Iriomote Island was within the reported range of morphological and chromosomal variation for the species, but flowering and fruiting were observed almost throughout the years of study. Phenological and morphological descriptions provide new insights into the life cycles and identification of N. minor and N. chinensis.

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