Abstract:
Bulbophyllum sect. Altisceptrum and sect. Hirtula (Orchidaceae) are revised. Both sections are distributed in South and east Asia, and Malesia.  The two sections together include 49 species and 1 subspecies. The investigations leading to this paper yielded 25 new species.  Many of these have been described in precursors to this revision, eight are described here as new: B. sororculum. B. lanuginosum. B. grotianum. B. scaphiforme. B. comberipictum, B. ochthodes, B. debrincatiae, and B. pilosum. All species (except one) are illustrated.

Abstract:
Bulbophyllum praetervisum sp. nov. is described, a species very similar in general aspect to Bulbophyllum macrantum Lindl., but differing in the shape of the column and the lip.

Book Review

Book Review

Book Review

Book Review

Abstract:
A new species of banana, Musa johnsii Argent, is described and illustrated from Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesian New Guinea, and its possible position in the genus is discussed.

Abstract:
A Cryptocoryne from the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Singapore, identified for many years as C. griffithii  Schott, is recognised to be a new hybrid species: Cryptocoryne x timahensis Bastmeijer.  It is difficult to accurately determine its parents, but good candidates are C. nurii Furtado and C. cordata Griff., both native to Johore, Peninsular Malaysia.

Abstract:
An alpha-taxonomic account of Bornean Rhaphidophora is presented as a precursor to the forthcoming Flora Malesiana Araceae treatment. Thirteen species are recognised, none novel. Rhaphidophora elliptica Ridl. 1905 {non 1908 = R. elliptifolia Merr.) and R. megaspema Engl. treated respectively as synonyms of R. montana (Blume) Schott and R. puberula Engl. by Boyce (1999), are resurrected as Bornean endemics. New synonyms are: Scindapsis havilandii Ridl., Rhaphidophora jaculiformis Alderw., R. subfalcata M. Hotta into R. megasperma, and R. nigrescens Ridl. into R. sylvestris (Blume) Engl. A dichotomous key to species is provided. All species are illustrated.

Abstract:
An alpha-taxonomic account of Rhaphidophora in New Guinea, Australia and the tropical western Pacific is presented as a precursor to the forthcoming Flora Malesiana Araceae treatment. Thirty species are recognised, of which 12 (R. cravenschoddeana, R. cryptantha, R. fortis, R. gorokensis, R. guamensis, R. intonsa, R. intrusa, R.jubata, R kokodensis, R mima, R. pilosa and R. waria) are novel. Twenty new synonomies are made: R. hollrungii and R. iboensis = R australasica; R. pallidivenia = R. conica; R. oreophila = R. discolor; R. wentii = R. geniculata; R. nutans = R. microspadix; R. buergersii, R. confeta. R. drepanophylla, R. obliquata and R. peekelii = R. schlechteri; R. apiculata; R. engleri [syn. R. palauensis Engl. & K. Krause (1921) non Koidz. (1916), R. forbesii, R.kanehirae and R. palauensis Koidz. (1916) = R. spathacea; R. graeffei and R. reineckei = R. spuria; R. ledermannii = R. versteegii. One species {R. dahlii Engl.) is treated as doubtful. A dichotomous key to species is provided. All species are illustrated.

Abstract:
Cytological observations were made on two recently described new Bornean species of Musa L., M. monticola and M. suratii both have 2n = 20. Taxonomic and biogeographic implications are discussed.

Abstract:
Etlingera pieeae Khaw from the Temenggor Forest Reserve in Perak. Peninsular Malaysia, is described as a new species. Including this new species, there are 12 Etlingera species in Peninsular Malaysia for which a key and descriptions are provided

Abstract:
The 18 Begonia (Begoniaceae) species now known from limestone and associated substrates in Sabah, Malaysia, are listed and a key provided for their identification. Twelve are described as new species: Begonia anthonyi Kiew, B. baturongensis Kiew. B. berhamanii Kiew, B. diwolii Kiew, B. heliostrophe Kiew, B. keena Kiew, B. lambii, B. layang-layang Kiew, B. madaiensis Kiew, B. melikopia Kiew, B. punbatuensis Kiew and B. urunensis Kiew that belongs to sect. Diploclinium (lindl.) A.D.C.. reasons for placing are given.  Begonia is the most speciose genus on limestone in Sabah.  Of the 18 species, only one , B. gueritziana, is widespread and also found on non-limestone substrates.  Of the others, 12 species are known from single limestone hills and 5 are from hills within the same area.  Habitat disturbance, which increases the risk of fire, therefore poses the greatest threat to the conservation of these species.

Abstract:
Irmscher's name, Begonia conipila, is validated for the striking species that grows on the Melinau limestone in Sarawak, Borneo.

Abstract:
In the genus Diospyros, seven new species (D. beccarioides Ng, D. brainii Ng, D. crockerensis Ng, D. keningauensis Ng. D. Iunduensis Ng. D. multinervis Ng and D. parabuxifolia Ng) and six new varieties (D. curranii Merr. var. kalimantanensis Ng; D. ferruginescens Bakh. var. rufotomentosa Ng; D. lanceifolia Roxb. var. iliaspaiei Ng, var. renageorgei Ng, var. saliciformis Ng: D. penibukanensis Bakh. var. scalarinervis Ng) are described. Thirty species or varieties are reduced to synonymy.

Abstract:
A recent, small collection of mosses from Mt. Halcon, Mindoro Island, the Philippines, has yielded two new records for the country {Rhacocarpus alpinus (Wright) Par. and Dicranoloma daymannianum Bartr.) and eight new records for the island. Relevant ecological, morphological and biogeographical notes for the 15 species collected are provided.

Abstract:
In line with recent opinion favouring the splitting of the genus Myrica L. sensu lato, new combinations in Morella Lour. {Morella esculenta (Buch.-Ham.) I.M. Turner and M. javinica (Blume) I.M. Turner) are provided for the two Malesian species of Myricaceae.

Abstract:
The traditional approach to the classification of Musa species (Musaceae) is the separation into four sections {Musa, Rhodochlamys, Callimusa and Australimusa) based on chromosome number and morphological characters. The sectional placing of Musa beccarii N.W Simmonds is still unresolved due to its unique chromosome number. The sections of two new species from Sabah, Malaysia, M. monticola (Hotta ex) Argent and M. suratii Argent, were also undetermined. This study employs Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) as a molecular tool to determine the sectional placement of these three species within Musa. Eight primer combinations generated 17 genetic markers, which confirmed and M monticola in sect. Australimusa, while results show M. suratii falling between sect. Callimusa and sect Australimusa suggesting that the two sections can no longer be maintained as distinct.

Abstract:
Five new species of Madhuca, M. engkikiana, M. markleeana, M. multinervia, M. ochracea. and M. silamensis, are described and two new combinations, M. daemonica and M. prolixa, and two new names, M. cheongiana and M. kuchingensis, are proposed as a consequence of the reduction of Ganua to Madhuca.

Abstract:
No Abstract

Book Review

Abstract:
An alpha-taxanomic account of Rhaphodophora Hassk. in the Philippine Islands is presented as a precursor to the forthcoming Flora Malesiana Araceae treatment. Eleven species are recognised, of which Rhaphidophora cretosa is newly described and R banosensis is proposed as a nomen novum for R. stenophylla Elmer non K. Krause. R. bulusanensis is reduced to the synonymy of R. monticola, R.rigida is merged with R. philippinensis and R. lagunensis is synonymised with R. acuminata. A dichotomous key to species is provided. All species are illustrated.

Abstract:
A new species of Lasianthus Jack (Rubiaceae) from Peninsular Malaysia, named as Lasianthus malaiense H. Zhu, is described.

Abstract:
The pollen grains of 20 Durio species and 5 clones of D. zibethinus were studied. Based on the exine sculpture of the pollen, the Durio species can be divided into three major groups, i.e. psilate, scabrate and verrucate. However, variation in the exine sculpture is also exhibited in D. zibethiniis, D. malaceensis and D. singaporensis. In addition, pollen size and wall thickness provide useful taxonomic evidence in distinguishing certain species. Pollen characters, however, could be used as supplementary characters in the identification of Durio species.

Abstract:
In 1933. C.E. Carr assembled a large collection of orchids from Gunung Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The herbarium specimens were duly processed and distributed, but the matching alcohol samples remained inaccessible until recently. Now, these samples have also been processed and are available for examination in the Singapore Botanic Gardens Herbarium. The material of the genus Bulbophyllum was studied; it yielded three new species and two new records for the Kinabalu area. These are described and annotated.

Abstract:
Notheria, gen. nov. (Orchidaceae. Eriinae), is described, with N. diaphana, sp. nov., as type species. On account of similarity, it is assumed to be closely related to both Eria Lindl., and Ceratostylis Blume; however Notheria differs from both in having a footless column and a lip with a distinct spur. The genus is endemic to Sulawesi (Indonesia).

Abstract:
Bulbophyllum setuliferum sp. nov. (sect. Hirtula) from Peninsular Malaysia is described. Bulbophyllum atratum J.J, Smith, of the same section, until now known only from Sumatra, is a new record for Peninsular Malaysia.

Book Review

Book Review

Abstract:
Proof of the existence of the note of authority from Governor. Sir Shenton Thomas, to the Japanese, commending E.J.H. Corner to help conserve the Singapore Museum and Botanic Gardens has come to light.

Abstract:
Comprehensive descriptions of the rare Malaysian genus Burkilliodendron Sastry and its single species B. album (Ridl.) Sastry are outlined and its relationship to Fordia discussed.

Abstract:
A key to all Macaranga (27 taxa) and Mallotus (19 taxa) species known to occur in East Kalimantan (Indonesia) is provided in this paper.  The key is mainly based on vegetative characters proven useful in the field. Some reproductive characters are included if identification is otherwise impossible. The taxa are described briefly by their diagnostic characters.  Drawings are provided for most of the treated species.

Abstract:
An account of the neotenic Rhaphidophora Hassk. species in New Guinea and Australia is presented as a precursor to the Flora Malesiana and Flora of Australia accounts. Three species, two (R.hayi, and R. okapensis) new to science, are described, together with a brief discussion of neoteny in monsteroid aroids. A key is provided. All species are illustrated.

Abstract:
An alpha-taxonomic account of Rhaphidophora in Sumatera, Java, Nusa Tenggara. Sulawesi and Maluku is presented as a precursor to the forthcoming Flora Malesiana Araceae treatment. Twenty four species are recognized, of which five (R. araea P.C. Boyce, R. balgooyi P.C.Boyce, R. floresensis P.C.Boyce, R. sabit  P.C. Boyce and R. ustulata P.C. Boyce) are newly described. One new synonomy {R. scaberula Alderw. into R. puberula Engl.) is made.  In addition, R. moluccensis Engl. & K. Krause is treated as doubtful. Eight informal morpho-taxonomic units ('Group') are proposed and compared. A dichotomous key to species is provided and 21 species are illustrated.

Abstract:
Six new species are described from Ha Long Bay, Vietnam: Chirita halongensis Kiew & T.H. Nguyen, C. hiepii Kiew, C. modesta Kiew & T.H. Nguyen (Gesneriaceae), Impatiens halongensis Kiew & T.H. Nguyen (Balsaminaceae), Livistona halongensis T.H. Nguyen, Kiew (Palmae) and Paraboea halongensis Kiew & T. H. Nguyen ((Gesneriaceae). In addition, notes on habit and habitat for Chirita drakei B.L. Burtt, C. gemella D. Wood and C. hamosa R. Br. are provided.

Abstract:
Two new species of Musa are described and illustrated.  M. suratii is described from Sabah with an additional locality in Sarawak. M. monticola Hotta ex Argent is known only from the two montane localities in Sabah, Mt. Kinal and the Sinsuron Road in the Crocker Range.

Abstract:
Alpinia calcicola Q.B. Nguyen & M.F. Newman, a new species of subsect. Alpinia from Ha Long Bay,Vietnam. is described.

Abstract:
A botanic garden is essentially a museum of living plants.  The word 'museum' is derived from the name of the Greek goddesses of learning and the arts; thus a museum is a place devoted to the pursuit of such studies.  A botanic garden is primarily a place where plants are grown for scientific study. But a garden differs from a museum in the fact that objects in it are living and growing, thus need the attention of horticulturists. Horticulture is in part applied botanical science: but it is also in part an art, and the aesthetic aspects of horticulture therefore find expresion in any garden.  But I would say that a garden cannot be accorded the title 'botanic' unless it is a place where plant sciences of one kind or another are studied, and where the results of such study are expressed both in publications and in an arrangement and labelling, which conveys information to visitors as well as aesthetic enjoyment. A park is a place designed for recreation, not for study or education, and the plants in it are selected and arranged solely for their aesthetic effect: here the horticulturist alone has charge.  Some of the older and smaller botanic gardens are now in effect parks, and the distinction between botanic garden and park is not generally understood by the public. sometimes also not by politicians. To understand the present situation, one must look a little into the past.

Abstract:
An account of Caetano Xavier dos Remedios Furtado's academia career, his taxonomic work on Malayan palms and the African genus Hyphaene is given, together with a complete list of his publications on palms and a resume of his travels in connection with his research on palms.

Abstract:
The Herbarium dates back to the establishment of the Botanic Gardens on its present site.  By 1875, H.J. Murton already had a collection of dried specimens, which was temporarily housed in his office until proposed herbarium building was erected, and from the start he established a library having ordered from England a 'good collection of standard botanical works' (Annual report for 1875).  He reported that by 1879 the herbarium comprised 3,000 named specimens (Annual Report for 1879).  Most of his collections were made from Singapore, Perak, Selangor and Malacca but he acquired valuable old herbarium specimens, mostly of Indian and Nepalese plants, that had been in J. Collins possession in Singapore but which had originally been part of Ward's herbarium held by the Linnaean Society of London.  These included Wallich's specimens collected from Penang, Malacca and Singapore, as well as the oldest specimens in the Singapore herbarium, those collected by Moravian Missionaries in 1790 (Annual Report for 1889).  

Abstract:
Two new species of Pandanus from the Caroline Islands are described : P. amissus (Kosrae Island) and P. lorencei (Palau Island).  New data on P. kanehirae and Freycenetia villalobosii, both from Palau, are also reported.  The staminate flower of P. whitmeeanus is described for the first time.  The taxonomic relationships of P. whitmeeanus within the genus Pandanus are reassessed.

Abstract:
The new combination Garcinia cymosa (K. Schum.) I.M. Turner & P. F. Stevens is made, based on Tripetalum cymosum K.Schum., for a tree from New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago.  The oldest name available for the species is Leuconotis tenuifolia Engl., but this epithet has already been used for another species of Garcinia.  A columnar form of the tree that is finding success in tropical horticulture, described as forma pendulum Larterb., is also provided with a combination in Garcinia and is lectotypified.

Abstract:
A new species in Sect. Sarcosiphon of Thismia, T. goodii Kiew, with remarkable blue perianth lobes, is described from Sabah, Borneo.

Abstract:
Bukit Bauk is a small, isolated, coastal hill range that is part of the Terengganu Hills situated at the southern end of the East Range in Peninsular Malaysia.  Four vegetation types were distinguished on Bukit Bauk, namely, lowland dipterocarp forest, peat swamp forest, hill dipterocarp forest and vegetation of disturbed areas.  Its floristic diversity was investigated leading to a checklist of plants.  Its flora comprises at least 638 species (7.7% of the total flora of the Peninsular Malaysia) belonging to 285 genera and 103 families.  The most speciose families are the Euphorbiaceae ( 59 species), Dipterocarpaceae ( 43 species ), Rubiaceae ( 36 species ), Palmae and Guttiferae ( each with 31 species ).  Of these, 91 taxa are endemic ( 87 species, 1 subspecies and 1 variety ), about 3.6% of the total number endemic taxa in the Peninsular.  This study confirms that Bukit Bauk Forest Reserve with a relatively small area of 7,596 ha is a species-rich area with a high degree of endemism and is an important component of the flora in Peninsular Malaysia that should be conserved by being totally protected.  

Abstract:
An examination of the second edition of Dumont de Courset's Botaniste Cultivateur completes the listings of new taxa in the Australian Plant Name Index and not yet in Index Kewensis, where most are already found. Besides correction of the authority of the Chinese Caragana pygmaea (Leguminosae) to (L.) Dum. Cours. and the North African Genista ferox to (Poir.) Dum. Cours, and restoration of the Malesian Pipturus asper Wedd. (Urticaceae, lately referred to P. arborescens C.B. Robinson), and the superseeding of the Himalayan Rubus fragarioides Bertol. (Rosaceae, non (Michaux) Dum. Cours.) by R. franchetianus Levl., Dillenia crenata (A.C. Sm.) Hoogl. (Dilleniaceae, non (Andr.) Dum. Cours.) of the Solomon Islands is here renamed Dillenia crenatifolia Hoogl. ex Mabb., nom. nov..

Book Review