Pyroleae (Ericaceae) consist of four genera, all of which are distributed widely in temperate coniferous or sometimes deciduous forests of the Northern Hemisphere. To investigate the phylogenetic relationships among these genera and to explore the evolution of the characteristics of the subfamily, we conducted maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses with nrDNA ITS and three cpDNA intergenic spacers (atpB-rbcL, trnS-trnG and trnL-trnF). The results from cpDNA and combined cpDNA + ITS data sets strongly support the monophyly of Pyroleae as well as a sister relationship between Pyrola and Moneses–Chimaphila, with Orthilia as the basal lineage. The sister-group relationship between Moneses and Chimaphila is supported by a set of synapomorphies, e.g., single flower, colpate pollen, five bundles in the style, straight fruiting pedicel orientation, complete capsule dehiscence, and the basic chromosome number, x = 13. The Moneses–Chimaphila–Pyrola clade is supported by at least one homologous character of pollen in tetrads. Conflicts associated with the phylogenetic position of Orthilia may imply a hybrid origin for it, and therefore further study is needed.

The Carlemanniaceae comprises two small genera that are restricted to East Asia: the Carlemannia and Silvianthus. These genera were previously placed in the Rubiaceae or Caprifoliaceae, but are now considered a distinct family that is probably related to the Oleaceae in the Lamiales. The family is still poorly understood with respect to its morphological characteristics. Here, we present the first report of the chromosome numbers of the family using species from both genera, i.e., Carlemannia tetragona, Silvianthus bracteatus ssp. bracteatus, and S. bracteatus ssp. clerodendroides. The species were compared with the chromosome numbers of Oleaceae and associated families using a Bayesian tree that was generated from rbcL and ndhF sequence data from Genbank. C. tetragona had 2n = 30 (x = 15), whereas the two subspecies of Silvianthus had 2n = 38 (x = 19). Comparisons of chromosome numbers support the distinctness of the Carlemanniaceae, not only from the Oleaceae (x = 11, 13, 23), but also from the Tetrachondraceae (x = 10, 11), a family that is possibly related to the Carlemanniaceae and/or Oleaceae in the Lamiales. The notable difference in chromosome number between Carlemannia and Silvianthus, as well as the differences in other characteristics (pollen, seed, and fruit morphology), suggests that the family split early in its evolution.

Yunnan's biodiversity is under considerable pressure and subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in this area have become increasingly fragmented through agriculture, logging, planting of economic plants, mining activities and changing environment. The aims of the study are to investigate climate change-induced changes of subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in Yunnan and identify areas of current species richness centers for conservation preparation. Stacked species distribution models were created to generate ensemble forecasting of species distributions, alpha diversity and beta diversity for Yunnan's subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in both current and future climate scenarios. Under stacked species distribution models in rapid climate changes scenarios, changes of water-energy dynamics may possibly reduce beta diversity and increase alpha diversity. This point provides insight for future conservation of evergreen broad-leaved forest in Yunnan, highlighting the need to fully consider the problem of vegetation homogenization caused by transformation of water-energy dynamics.

With the accumulation and accessibility of information about plant species, it is time to re-evaluate and further divide a global biodiversity hotspot region, Yunnan, located in southwestern China. In this study, we combined data on the distribution of 1010 stenochoric endemic seed plants, vegetation constitution, geological history and climate change, and used these to propose a new system of floristic regions. We identified 11 distinct floristic subregions and 84 floristic provinces within Yunnan. Our work confirmed some views emphasized by Wu Zhengyi that the stenochoric endemic species play a key role in defining floristic provinces; that stenochoric endemic plants with long collection and publication histories are more valuable; that greater attention should be paid to woody plants; and that for Yunnan, a border region, some trans-border distributed elements should be treated cautiously.

The micromorphology of trichomes of the leaves of 17 taxa (including two varieties) of the genus Chelonopsis Miq. and of six species representing four additional genera (Bostrychanthera deflexa Benth., Colquhounia coccinea Wall. var. coccinea, Co. seguinii Vaniot. var. seguinii, Gomphostemma chinense Oliv. var. chinense, G. crinitum Wall. ex Benth. and Physostegia virginiana (L.) Benth.) was surveyed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Two basic types of trichomes can be identified: non-glandular and glandular trichomes. The non-glandular trichomes can be subdivided into two subtypes: simple unbranched and branched trichomes. Based on the cell number, simple unbranched trichomes are further divided into four shapes (unicellular, two-celled, three-celled, and more than three cells), whilst branched trichomes are separated into three shapes (biramous, stellate, and dendroid trichomes). The glandular trichomes can in turn be subdivided into four subtypes: subsessile, capitate, clavate, and sunken. Non-glandular trichomes with two cells (NGTW) and subsessile glandular trichomes (GSU) are most widespread in all taxa examined. The indumentum shows considerable variation among different sections or species. Consequently, trichome micromorphology and distribution have high taxonomic value for Chelonopsis at both infrageneric and interspecific levels. The presence of capitate glandular trichomes (GCA) provides an additional morphological character to clarify the boundaries between subgenus Chelonopsis and Aequidens Wu and Li. Within subgenus Aequidens, non-glandular trichomes with more than three cells (NGMT) and clavate glandular trichomes (GCL) are important characters for sectional division between sect. Aequidens Wu and Li and sect. Microphyllum Wu and Li. Again, three forms of three-celled trichomes can be used as a distinctive taxonomic character at specific level between C. albiflora Pax et K. Hoffm. ex Limpr., C. forrestii J. Anthony, and C. souliei (Bonati) Merr. in sect. Aequidens. This study supports Wu's delimitation of subgenus and sections and the subsequent review work by Xiang et al. Additionally, distribution of trichome types is correlated with the altitudinal distribution and habitats of some species in Chelonopsis.