Spatial distribution of genotypes was analyzed among 21 populations of a dioecious moss Polytrichum commune in the eastern United States using spatial autocorrelation analysis of enzyme polymorphisms. In a shorter distance (< 41km), three positive cases at Mdh-3^{c, d} and Pgm-1^b were significantly different from expected value, but none of significant negative value was detected. Beyond the distance class one (42 < 1,287 km), 11 significant negative values were detected in several alleles, indicating that gene flow, if low, might have operated among geographically close-spaced populations. However, the number of negative values (60%, 12 of 20 values) in the distance class one (0 < 41 km) indicates that genetic bottlenecks and/or founder effects may have played a role for shaping genetic structuring among populations. The results may reflect spores and vegetative fragments of mosses would be transported by air currents over moderately long distance.

Three types of plants which belong to Veronica Sect. Beccabunga (Scrophulariaceae) were observed in northwestern Yunnan Province, China. The first one with 2n = 36 (tetraploid), found in high altitudes is considered to be Veronica anagallis-aquatica L. The second one with 2n = 54 (hexaploid), found in low altitudes is considered to be Veronica undulata Wallich. The chromosome number of 2n = 54 is documented for the first time from China. The third one with 2n = 45 was collected at the waterside of the brook in the rice field, Lijiang. The long raceme was composed of many shriveled calyxes and almost sterile capsules. It is considered to be an interspecific hybrid between Veronica anagallis-aquatica L. and Veronica undulata Wallich, i.e., Veronica × myriantha Tos. Tanaka. A natural hybrid is newly recorded from China.

An alga with mucilaginous matrix around the cell wall was isolated from the bark of Ulmus campestris var. vulgaris collected from Christchurch, New Zealand. The cells when young are ellipsoidal to narrowly ellipsoidal in shape, and ovoid or spheroidal when mature. The chloroplast of young cells is trough-like or cup-shaped with smooth margin, while that of mature cells is often divided into a few lobes. The unbranched thylakoid lamellae penetrate the pyrenoid in almost parallel arrangement. Many starch grains are often located around the pyrenoid. The cells are capable of producing 2-4-(8) autospores. These characteristic features agree fundamentally with those of the genus Coenocystis Korsikov, the family Radiococcaceae, but any described species of this genus do not share the gross morphology with our alga. The alga is, therefore, recognized as a new species named Coenocystis inconstans Hanagata & Chihara.

Cork layer development and cuticle thickening were examined in stems of the genus Magnolia subgenus Yulania. Three types of stem anatomy were distinguishable. The first type found in M. acuminata, M. heptapeta, M. quinquepeta and M. tomentosa is characterized by the rapid development of a cork layer between cortex and epidermis and the thin cuticle. The second type is observed only in M. praecocissima. In this species cork layer development is rather slow and the cuticle becomes thick. The third type found in M. salicifolia (and presumably in M. biondii) is characterized by very slow development of a cork layer and by a thick cuticle.

A new species, Saxifraga ganeshii (Saxifragaceae), belonging to the section Ciliatae, is described from Ganesh Himal, central Nepal.

Chromosome numbers of the seven species of Sedum and Sinocrassula indica collected in East Himalaya were investigated for the first time. The chromosome numbers 2n = 22, 24, 28, 34, 48, 70, and 84 were found in Sedum and 2n = 22 in Sinocrassula indica. In Sedum the basic number is different among the species except for x = 12 shared by S. triactina and S. henrici-roberti, and x = 14 by S. multicaule and S. magae. Morphologically the species with common basic number differ greatly and belong to different sections. An intraspecific polyploid series was found in S. multicaule in which the plant with 2n = 28 was estimated as diploid and differed from that with 2n = 84 (hexaploid) in having slender forms. The chromosome number 2n = 70 in S. trullipetalum is considered to show odd polyploidy, judging from extremely low pollen fertility which is also found in all the herbarium specimens examined. This suggests that the plants of Himalayan S. trullipetalum occurring in Nepal and Bhutan are reproduced by apomixis.

Vascular system from the stem to petiole and anatomical and epidermal features of the leaf were examined in Corethrodendron, Hedysarum, Stracheya and Taverniera. Two types of the vascular system were observed at the node: trilacunar type and multilacunar type. The trilacunar type was found in subgenera Gamotion and Hedysarum of genus Hedysarum and genus Stracheya. It is the commonest type among the taxa examined. On the other hand, the multilacunar type was restricted in subgenus Heteroloma of genus Hedysarum and genus Taverniera. The vascular systems at the node of stem and at the base of petiole in the taxa examined are not associated with number of leaflets and length of internodes which have been regarded as important diagnostic characters in classification for these four genera. The petioles have bundles fused altogether at least once at the base in all the species examined except Hedysarun spinosissimum of subgen. Hedysarum which has open (free) bundle system. Although the species of subgen. Hedysarum have unique stipules, no specific vascular systems were observed. The bundle sheath extention of lateral vein of leaflets was observed only in sect. Gamotion of subgen. Gamotion of Hedysarum. Also, this section differs from other sections of the subgenus by lacking a distinctly developed cuticular membrane. Stracheya is similar to subgen. Gamotion of Hedysarum in anatomical characters of the node and the leaf. Subgen. Heteroloma of Hedysarum is closer to genera Corethrodendron and Taverniera than other subgenera of Hedysarum in the characteristics of nodal anatomy, leaf traces and leaf epidermis.

Pustulate or sorediate species of Cetrariastrum are revised. A new species, C. chilense, is described from Chile. It is related to C. sorocheilum, a widely distributed species, from which it is readily distinguished by the presence of rhizines on the lower surface. The differences between C. columbiense and C. subplanum are discussed and C. subplanum is reported from eastern Asia. A key to the pustulate and/or sorediate species of the genus is given.