A new species of Oxytropis, O. pseudomyriophylla Cheng f. ex X.Y.Zhu, H. Ohashi & Y.B.Deng, is described from north and northwest of China.

A new species of Oxytropis, O. tudanensis X.Y.Zhu, H.Ohashi & S.F.Li, is described from Xizang (Tibet), China.

A new species of Oxytropis, O. yanchiensis X.Y.Zhu, H.Ohashi & L.R.Xu is described from Xinjiang, China.

Cladophora conchopheria is a filamentous green alga epizoic on shells of Lunella coronata coreensis grown in the intertidal zone. The habitat and seasonal distribution of C. conchopheria were investigated in southern coast of the Boso Peninsula. As the result of ecological survey using the transect method, this species was found on all living shells and partly on dead shells of L. coronata coreensis. Morphological observation showed that the shell epidermis of the host was perforated by rhizoids of the alga and, therefore, C. conchopheria should be regarded as an endo-epizoic species. Adult thalli with erect filaments about 1 mm high were abundantly observed throughout the year, and mature reproductive cells formed at the apical part were also found in all seasons of the year. In the present study, it was newly confirmed that C. conchopheria was distributed on the coasts of Okinawa Island and Yamaguchi Prefecture.

To understand biological nature of Azolla japonica, whose taxonomy is controversial among researchers, similarities of twenty seven field populations of A. japonica that were collected from various areas in Japan were examined by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method, in reference to other Azolla species. The present study revealed the presence of at least two distinct groups in A. japonica; one that includes A. filiculoides specimen is distributed in a limited area, and another is distributed in wider areas.

The achenes of 15 species in three genera, 10 species of Pycreus, 3 of Gahnia and 2 of Schoenus, in China were observed morphologically using stereoscope and scanning electron microscope. There are some differences among the genera in the characters such as achene shape, color, size and presence of beak. These characters are, therefore, of certain value of classification into genera. Acid treated achenes with their cuticle and outer periclinal cell walls removed were observed by SEM, and all of them in 15 species could be divided into four types in microstructure. 1) Reticulate-tuberculate. In this type the achenes have a reticulate anticlinal wall and a single tuberculate protuberance in center of tangential cell wall. 2) Striate. There are striae thicened on achenes surface, but the cell shape is unclear. 3) Reticulate. Fruit coat has a reticulate anticlinal wall. 4) Tuberculate. Achene surface sculpture is tuberculate. The results revealed that there were interspecific differences in the achene-coat ornamentation, and the specific characters of the achenes were recognized in 15 species observed here.

Distribution of 31 popular plants (Tab. 1 and Figs. 2-17) in Kyoto prefecture, central Japa was surveyed in cooperation with local botanists. Reynoutria sachalinensis is detected in several places. Some of them are introduced by construction works, and others may be natural distribution (Fig. 3B, Tab. 2). Veronica persica is poorly reported from NE part of prefecture unlike its abundance in neighbouring region (Fig. 1B).