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Convolvulaceae is a family of c. 2,000 species, distributed across 60 currently recognized genera. It includes species of high economic importance, such as the crop sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas L.), the ornamental morning glories ( Ipomoea L.), bindweeds ( Convolvulus L.), and dodders, the parasitic vines ( Cuscuta L.). Earlier phylogenetic studies, based predominantly on chloroplast markers or a single nuclear region, have provided a framework for systematic studies of the family, but uncertainty remains at the level of the relationships among subfamilies, tribes, and genera, hindering evolutionary inferences and taxonomic advances. One of the enduring enigmas has been the relationship of Cuscuta to the rest of Convolvulaceae. Other examples of unresolved issues include the monophyly and relationships within Merremieae, the “bifid-style” clade (Dicranostyloideae), as well as the relative positions of Erycibe Roxb. and Cardiochlamyeae. In this study, we explore a large dataset of nuclear genes generated using Angiosperms353 kit, as a contribution to resolving some of these remaining phylogenetic uncertainties within Convolvulaceae. For the first time, a strongly supported backbone of the family is provided. Cuscuta is confirmed to belong within family Convolvulaceae. “Merremieae,” in their former tribal circumscription, are recovered as non-monophyletic, with the unexpected placement of Distimake Raf. as sister to the clade that contains Ipomoeeae and Decalobanthus Ooststr., and Convolvuleae nested within the remaining “Merremieae.” The monophyly of Dicranostyloideae, including Jacquemontia Choisy, is strongly supported, albeit novel relationships between genera are hypothesized, challenging the current tribal delimitation. The exact placements of Erycibe and Cuscuta remain uncertain, requiring further investigation. Our study explores the benefits and limitations of increasing sequence data in resolving higher-level relationships within Convolvulaceae, and highlights the need for expanded taxonomic sampling, to facilitate a much-needed revised classification of the family.

Background and aims – Keraunea is a Brazilian endemic genus that has sat uncomfortably in Convolvulaceae where it was placed due to an enlarged and adnate fruit bract typical of Neuropeltis . A recent molecular phylogeny suggested that two of its five morphologically almost identical species actually belong to two different families, Malpighiaceae (superrosids) and Ehretiaceae (superasterids). Later studies have demonstrated that Keraunea effectively belongs to Ehretiaceae, but the proposal of one species belonging to Malpighiaceae has remained problematic. In this study, we re-assess this hypothesis, discuss the issues that have led to this assumption, and offer insights on the importance of carefully using herbarium collections and incorporating morphological evidence in systematic studies. Material and methods – Sequences of matK , rbcL , and ITS for all 77 currently accepted genera of Malpighiaceae, K. brasiliensis and Elatinaceae (outgroup) were compiled from GenBank and analysed with Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference criteria for nuclear, plastid and combined datasets. Additional database and herbarium studies were performed to locate and analyse all duplicates of the holotype of K. brasiliensis to check for misidentified or contaminated material. Key results – Our examination of expanded DNA datasets and herbarium sheets of all K. brasiliensis isotypes revealed that a mistake in tissue sampling was, in fact, what led to this species being proposed to belong in Malpighiaceae. Kew’s isotype had a leaf of Malpighiaceae (likely Mascagnia cordifolia ) stored in the fragment capsule, which was sampled and sequenced instead of the actual leaves of K. brasiliensis . Recently published studies have settled the placement of Keraunea in Ehretiaceae (Boraginales) and proposed three additional species. Conclusions – DNA sequences can be helpful in classifying taxa when morphology is conflicting or of a doubtful interpretation, with molecular phylogenetic placement being established as a popular tool accelerating the discovery of systematic relationships. Nonetheless, molecular techniques are also susceptible to methodological mistakes, which necessitates building a solid foundation of plant morphology and taxonomy to avoid artefacts in phylogenetic studies.

The genus Magnolia (Magnoliaceae) has a wide and disjunct geographic distribution ranging from Eastern and South Asia to Malaysia, extending across the Neartics and reaching into the Neotropics. Regarding its infrageneric classification, the genus is divided into three subgenera: Yulania , Gynopodium and Magnolia , the latter including the section Talauma in which the native Brazilian taxa are classified. The species of Magnolia sect. Talauma can be recognized by two parallel longitudinal scars on the petiole formed by the shedding of the stipules, in addition to a woody syncarp that breaks into irregular plates at dehiscence. Currently, in Brazil, species recognition is not clear on national platforms that are widely used by the Brazilian botanical community (e.g. Flora do Brasil), with only two native Magnolia species being accepted: M. amazonica and M. ovata . The lack of knowledge about the species and their respective characteristics has resulted in many identification errors in Brazilian herbaria, which contributes to the lack of knowledge about their current conservation status. We conducted a complete taxonomic revision based on extensive fieldwork, a herbarium survey, along with literature study. Based on this, we propose to recognize three previously described species, supporting the acceptance of five native Magnolias occurring in Brazil, namely: M. amazonica , M. brasiliensis , M. irwiniana , M. ovata and M. sellowiana . However, we follow the Flora do Brasil in maintaining M. paranaensis as a synonym of M. ovata . Additionally, we designate a lectotype for M. sellowiana . We present morphological descriptions and the geographic distribution for each species, in addition to an identification key to all of these plus the two introduced ornamental species from Asia and North America, illustrations, photographs, ecological data, updated conservation status and taxonomic notes.

Introduction:Guinea is one of the most biologically and culturally diverse countries in West Africa, home to over 3,500 native plant species and 20 ethnolinguistic groups. The country has a large rural population who mainly depend on these plants and their products for their livelihood. Traditional knowledge on plant uses is passed from generation to generation but is often not formally documented, which hinders sustainable development in Guinea.Methods:This study aims to document the uses of the wild plant species in Guinea, through interviews with local communities in the four geographical regions of Guinea and a literature survey, to improve sustainable use and management of Guinea's plant resources. The conservation status of the useful native plant species and the potential threats to their survival are report. In addition, a comparison is presented between the four geographical regions of Guinea, in the context of their environmental and cultural characteristics.Results:In Guinea, at least 399 wild useful plant species are harvested, representing c. 10% of the total Guinean flora. Plants were mostly used for medicinal purposes (55% of species), materials (32%) and as a source of food (11%). Of these species, 28 have been assessed as globally threatened and six as near threatened, potentially impacting their long-term survival and use.Discussion:Plants contribute to the economic and social welfare of the people of Guinea. The data gathered in this study will be helpful to orientate future conservation efforts of wild useful plant species for future generations.

In plants, homospermidine synthase (HSS) is a pathway‐specific enzyme initiating the biosynthesis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which function as a chemical defense against herbivores. In PA‐producing Convolvulaceae (“morning glories”), HSS originated from deoxyhypusine synthase at least >50 to 75 million years ago via a gene duplication event and subsequent functional diversification. To study the recruitment of this ancient gene duplicate to PA biosynthesis, the presence of putative hss gene copies in 11 Convolvulaceae species was analyzed. Additionally, various plant parts from seven of these species were screened for the presence of PAs. Although all of these species possess a putative hss copy, PAs could only be detected in roots of Ipomoea neei (Spreng.) O'Donell and Distimake quinquefolius (L.) A.R.Simões & Staples in this study. A precursor of PAs was detected in roots of Ipomoea alba L. Thus, despite sharing high sequence identities, the presence of an hss gene copy does not correlate with PA accumulation in particular species of Convolvulaceae. In vitro activity assays of the encoded enzymes revealed a broad spectrum of enzyme activity, further emphasizing a functional diversity of the hss gene copies. A recently identified HSS specific amino acid motif seems to be important for the loss of the ancestral protein function—the activation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A). Thus, the motif might be indicative for a change of function but allows not to predict the new function. This emphasizes the challenges in annotating functions for duplicates, even for duplicates from closely related species.

The recent revisionary work of \"Merremieae\" has resulted in the segregation of the c. 100 species of the pantxopical genus Merremia into six genera. Thus, the formerly monotypic genus Decalobanthus was expanded, aggregating 13 species of Merremia s.l. The genus delimitation is coherent, with strong molecular phylogenetic and morphological support. Decalobanthus, hence, consists of woody climbers with broadly cordate leaves, large yellow or white flowers, four-valved chartaceous capsules, and is mostly distributed in Asia and the Pacific. Four species have remained classified in Merremia s.l., although molecular and morphological evidence unequivocally suggests their placement in Decalobanthus. In the present work, these are formally transferred to the genus, which now extends to 17 species.

Societal Impact Statement Biological samples and their associated information are an essential resource used by scientists, governments, policymakers, practitioners and communities to ensure that biodiversity can be appropriately protected and sustainably used. Yet, considering the enormous task of documenting the vast numbers of as‐yet‐unknown plant and fungal species, greater international coordination for biological collecting and recording is necessary, built on equitable collecting practices and standards. Here, we propose five commitments to accelerate and enhance scientific knowledge of plant and fungal diversity, while increasing collaboration, benefit sharing and efficiency. Summary Almost all life depends on plants and fungi, making knowledge of their diversity and distribution—primarily derived from biological collections—fundamental to national and international conservation, restoration and sustainable use commitments. However, it is estimated that some 15% of all plant species and over 90% of all fungal species have not yet been scientifically described, hampering our ability to assess and demonstrate the impact of efforts to halt biodiversity loss. In addition, organisations and researchers around the world lack a concerted strategy for increasing complementarity and avoiding overlap in botanical and mycological research, particularly in relation to the collection of specimens. We here present the 2030 Declaration on Scientific Plant and Fungal Collecting, summarising a commitment towards such a necessary strategy. Its components were identified from discussions during and after a series of four workshops and plenary discussions at the 2023 State of the World's Plants and Fungi symposium convened by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and were then consolidated into the present form by the authors. The Declaration was subsequently opened up for endorsement by signatories. Collectively, we agree on a set of five commitments for cataloguing the world's flora and funga, designed to maximise efficiency, facilitate knowledge exchange and promote equitable collaborations: (1) use evidence‐based collection strategies; (2) strengthen local capacity; (3) collaborate across taxa and disciplines; (4) collect for the future; and (5) share the benefits. This Declaration is a first step towards increased global and regional coordination of scientific collecting efforts. Biological samples and their associated information are an essential resource used by scientists, governments, policymakers, practitioners and communities to ensure that biodiversity can be appropriately protected and sustainably used. Yet, considering the enormous task of documenting the vast numbers of as‐yet‐unknown plant and fungal species, greater international coordination for biological collecting and recording is necessary, built on equitable collecting practices and standards. Here, we propose five commitments to accelerate and enhance scientific knowledge of plant and fungal diversity, while increasing collaboration, benefit sharing and efficiency.

Societal Impact Statement: Biological samples and their associated information are an essential resource used by scientists, governments, policymakers, practitioners and communities to ensure that biodiversity can be appropriately protected and sustainably used. Yet, considering the enormous task of documenting the vast numbers of as-yet-unknown plant and fungal species, greater international coordination for biological collecting and recording is necessary, built on equitable collecting practices and standards. Here, we propose five commitments to accelerate and enhance scientific knowledge of plant and fungal diversity, while increasing collaboration, benefit sharing and efficiency. Summary: Almost all life depends on plants and fungi, making knowledge of their diversity and distribution—primarily derived from biological collections—fundamental to national and international conservation, restoration and sustainable use commitments. However, it is estimated that some 15% of all plant species and over 90% of all fungal species have not yet been scientifically described, hampering our ability to assess and demonstrate the impact of efforts to halt biodiversity loss. In addition, organisations and researchers around the world lack a concerted strategy for increasing complementarity and avoiding overlap in botanical and mycological research, particularly in relation to the collection of specimens. We here present the 2030 Declaration on Scientific Plant and Fungal Collecting, summarising a commitment towards such a necessary strategy. Its components were identified from discussions during and after a series of four workshops and plenary discussions at the 2023 State of the World's Plants and Fungi symposium convened by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and were then consolidated into the present form by the authors. The Declaration was subsequently opened up for endorsement by signatories. Collectively, we agree on a set of five commitments for cataloguing the world's flora and funga, designed to maximise efficiency, facilitate knowledge exchange and promote equitable collaborations: (1) use evidence-based collection strategies; (2) strengthen local capacity; (3) collaborate across taxa and disciplines; (4) collect for the future; and (5) share the benefits. This Declaration is a first step towards increased global and regional coordination of scientific collecting efforts.

We definitively place Keraunea, a genus of showy forest climbers from remnants of the Mata Atlantica of Brazil, in Ehretiaceae. Previously Keraunea had been ascribed to Convolvulaceae based on morphology, or divided between Malpighiaceae and Ehretiaceae based on molecular analyses (polyphyletic). Keraunea is morphologically anomalous in the Ehretiaceae, having fruits which are held in the centre of a large wing-like bract by adnation of the pedicel, and due the stem-twining habit of some species. However, morphologically Keraunea shares two apomorphies with monotypic Cortesia Cav., halophytic shrubs of Argentina: 1) two parted endocarps (the fruit contains two endocarps each with two 1-seeded cells, while four 1-seeded endocarps are plesiomorphic in Ehretiaceae) and 2) a large bract that subtends the flower (absence of bracts is plesiomorphic in Ehretiaceae). A combined tree using four markers (ITS, trnL-F, rbcL and matK) places the three species of Keraunea sampled unambiguously in a clade with Ehretia + Cortesia + Halgania and monophyly for Keraunea is shown with high support. In an ITS tree Keraunea is sister to Cortesia with low support. We expand the generic description of Keraunea including the first account of the internal fruit structures and the seed, and present new data on the vegetative architecture including variation within the genus, some species being stem twiners while one species at least, is described as a scandent shrub. Keraunea lombardiana, previously included within K. brasiliensis, is formally described from Minas Gerais and Bahia as the third species of the genus and both these species are described. In all five species are recognised but two, known to us only from digital images, are not formally described because sufficiently detailed descriptions cannot be made. All five species are mapped, and provisional conservation assessments are recorded, of either Endangered or Critically Endangered. The state of Bahia, with three species, has the highest species diversity, mainly in dry forest. Three species appear confined to moist coastal forest, extending southwards from Bahia to the state of Rio de Janeiro. Keraunea remains incompletely known. Not one of the species has both anthetic flowers and fruits described. Studies on pollen, germination, anatomy, embryology and phytochemisty are entirely lacking. Field observations of pollination, seed dispersal and phenology are also required. However, the most urgent requirement is undoubtedly a formal taxonomic revision based on a full herbarium search and targeted fieldwork, with full IUCN 2012 extinction risk assessments for each taxon. This is urgent because it seems that all the taxa that we present in this paper (and more that can be expected to be found) appear to be highly range restricted and generally not to occur in protected areas, and so appear to be highly threatened.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.