A wide range of C-values was found in the New Zealand endemic and indigenous grasses. This variation can be related to the phylogenetic position of the genera, plants in the BOP (Bambusoideae, Oryzoideae, Pooideae) clade in general having higher C-values than those in the PACC (Panicoideae, Arundinoideae, Chloridoideae + Centothecoideae) clade. Within genera, polyploids typically have smaller genome sizes (C-value divided by ploidy level) than diploids and there is commonly a progressive decrease with increasing ploidy level. The high frequency of polyploidy in the New Zealand grasses was confirmed by our additional counts, with only approximately 10 % being diploid. No clear relationship between C-value, polyploidy and rarity was evident.

Polyploidy is common in the widespread genus Plantago, and might be especially important in the evolutionary history of native New Zealand species of the genus. To further understanding of native New Zealand Plantago, mitotic and meiotic chromosome counts are reported from 58 individuals representing most native species and subspecies, and one introduced species, complementing previous studies by extending the number of individuals and the geographic range of taxa counted. Previous counts were confirmed for most Plantago lanigera (2n 0 2x012), all P. raoulii, P. spathulata subsp. spathulata, P. spathulata subsp. picta, P. triandra subsp. triandra and P. triandra subsp. masoniae (2n 0 8x 0 48), most P. unibracteata (2n 0 10x 0 60), and all P. sp. 'Sylvester' (2n 0 16x 0 96). Novel counts include 2n 0 12x 0 72 for four individuals identified as P. unibracteata, and 2n 0 48 for four individuals from Sugarloaf Pass, South Island, referred to here as P. aff. spathulata. One of the eight naturalized species, P. major, was diploid with 2n 0 12. These results, together with other studies, suggest that all native New Zealand Plantago have a base chromosome number of x 0 6 and most polyploids are allopolyploids.

Three new Australian diploid species in Glycine Willd. are described. Two of these (Glycine gracei B.E.Pfeil & Craven and Glycine montis-douglas B.E.Pfeil & Craven) are endemic to the Northern Territory whereas the third (Glycine syndetika B.E.Pfeil & Craven) is endemic to Queensland. G. montis-douglas is only known from one locality. The genetic affinities of G. gracei and G. syndetika are with other A genome species. The species G. syndetika is the closest relative of a diploid parent of the T2 allotetraploid race of the G. tomentella s.l. Hayata species complex, as well as of allotetraploid G. pescadrensis Hayata, which is here formally reinstated from synonymy. Images are included of the leaflet venation for several species discussed in the paper. Thus, the treatment incorporates evidence from morphology, cytology, DNA sequences and crossing experiments. A key to the subgenera and to the species within Glycine subgenus Glycine is provided, which includes all 25 described Australian taxa.

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Clivia robusta B.G. Murray, Ran, de Lange, Hammett, Truter et Swanevelder sp. nov. (Amaryllidaceae) is a tubular, pendulous-flowered Clivia species, restricted to the Pondoland Centre of Endemism, South Africa. The unique morphology, distribution, karyotype and molecular fingerprint distinguish it from all other pendulous-flowered species in the genus.