Abstract:
A total of 230 taxa of diatoms belonging to 58 genera were recorded from 12 locations in Peninsular Malaysia and 14 locations in Singapore. The most common genera are Navicula and Nitzschia.

Abstract:
From field and hebarium studies, two new fern and 23 angiosperm taxa were found to have been previously overlooked or newly discovered in Singapore. Brief notes on their description, distribution and collecting localities are made for each.

Abstract:
Karyomorphology of five species in three genera of Myrtaceae, namely Callistemon, Melaleuca, and Syzygium, is investigated. All five species examined have similar chromosome features at mitotic interphase, prophase, and metaphase. Mitotic metaphase of their somatic cells consistently show 2n = 22, of which 18 chromosomes have centromeres at median position and four at subterminal or terminal position. Syzygium aromaticum has a secondary constriction in the longest pair of chromosomes as in several other related and unrelated species of the family, a fact suggesting that the presence of the secondary constriction may be of some taxonomic use.

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Abstract:
Five new species of Didymocarpus are described from Peninsular Malaysia. Two, D. anthonyi Kiew and D. leiophyllus Kiew, are from the east coast and belong to sect. Boeopsis; D. leucanthus Kiew is from the foothills of Selangor; D. stoloniferus Kiew from Gunung Ulu Kali, Pahang; and D. salicinoides Kiew, from Trengganu and southern Kelantan, is raised to specific rank having previously been described as D. salicinus var. major Ridley. The sections Boeopsis and Salicini are defined and keys to their species provided. Didymocarpus lithophilus Kiew is validated.

Abstract:
The development of the fruit-bodies was observed under natural conditions in the forest. Those of A. elata, A. princeps and A. virginea took 12-14 days to reach maturity when they persisted for merely 1-3 days. Expanded fruit-bodies soon became fly-blown and this hastened their decay. A. elata and A. princeps fructify early in the fungus season, as do most Malayan species, but A. virginea appears towards the end of the season. The presence of these species is revealed only for a few days twice each year.

Abstract:
Pteris holttumii C. Chr. was found in the vicinity of the lowland dipterocarp forest of Dent Peninsula, of Lahad Datu. It is the second record for Malaysia, and the only known record from the lowland for the species.

Abstract:
An intense botanical survey of Pulau Ubin, a 1019, 2 ha island within the Republic of Singapore, found at least 332 native and naturalized vascular plant species. These are listed in the paper together with 40 species found to have escaped from cultivation. Previous botanical records for Pulau Ubin are also collated. The contemporary flora is dominated by early successional and ruderal species in addition to mangrove and beach forest elements. The low diversity and relatively high frequency of aliens (71 out of 332 spp.; 21 per cent of the flora) reflects the high degree of human disturbance on the island.

Abstract:
Hymenandra A.DC, with eight species, is revised. Four new species are proposed and one species originally placed in Ardisia is transferred.  The genus is subdivided into two subgenera, Hymenandra and Lacrimopila subg. nov. (the first with 6, the second with 2 species). A key to the species, new descriptions, illustrations, and a list of exsiccatae examined are included.

Abstract:
The following marine algae are newly recorded for Singapore mangroves: Bostrychia pinnata Tanaka et Chihara, Bostrychia simpliciuscula Harvey ex J. Agardh (Rhodophyta, Ceramiales, Rhodomelaceae), Caloglossa angustalata nom. prov. (Rhodophyta, Ceramiales, Delesseriaceae) and Boodleopsis carolinensis Trono (Chlorophyta, Caulerpales).

Abstract:
Two new species, Cinnamomum pubescens and Endiandra scrobiculata, and two new varieties, Actinodaphne sesquipedalis var. glabra and Lindera concinna var. reticulata are described.

Abstract:
This paper reports the findings of an experiment on embryo culture of Howea belmoreana and Howea forsteriana.  It was demonstrasted that growth regulators significantly affect the development of embryo  culture. The medium containing 1 mgl-1 of 2,4-D and 0.5 mgl -1 of 2iP was found to give the best results for both of the Howea palms. Conventional germination of Howea palm seeds generally takes a year or more (Reynolds 1982).  In our experiments, the embryo culture required only 12 -  20 weeks to develop fully rooted plantlets. This saving in time could be significant for commercial production.

Abstract:
The bamboo Schizostachyum terminale Holtt., first recorded and for more than 30 years known only from Peninsular Malaysia, has been documented for north Borneo.  It has a clambering, thicket-forming growth habit and an unusual preference for seasonally inundated swampy riverbanks and alluvial flats.

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Abstract:
Kwan Koriba (1887-1957), a noted Japanese botanist, educator and academic administrator was given the rank of Brigadier General and appointed Director ot the Singapore Botanic Gardens from December 1942 to August 1945 during the World Was II occupation. As Director he performed his duties exceptionally well, carried out first rate scientific research and treated his British colleagues with compassion and understanding. After the war Prof. Koriba was appointed to be the president of Hirosaki National University.

Abstract:
Deficiency symptoms of essential nutrient elements were induced in Hibiscus rosa-sinensis in a nutrient omission trial in acid-washed sand. An atlas of deficiency symptoms was presented with description on individual deficiency symptons. Dry matter of above- and below-ground parts from control and deficient plants as well as their foliar elemental contents were determined and compared.

Abstract:
One new species of Nepenthes, N. borneensis, from Gunong Besar in Kalimantan Selatan Borneo is described.

Abstract:
One hectare of forest in Pantai Aceh F.R. was enumerated for stems > 10 cm d.b.h., and to a 1 cm d.b.h. lower limit in a 0.05 ha subplot. The large plot was found to contain 3'74 stems belonging to 70 or so species. The Dipterocarpacea was the most abundant family (34% of stems >10 cm d.h.h. Shorea curtisii dominated the largest size class (>30cm d.b.h.) with 48 out of 81 stems. The most numerous species in the sub-canopy were: Shorea maxwelliana, Porterandia anisophylla and Pternandra coerulescens. The floristic composition indicates that Pantai Aceh is a coastal hill dipterocarp forest of the Shorea curtisii-Eugeissona tristis segregate.  Analysis of sand tables, together with the known history of logging on the site, lead to the conclusion that the composition of the forest is changing. More shade-tolerant dipterocarp species such as Shorea maxwelliana are taking over the upper canopy as Shorea curtisii fails to regenerate.

Abstract:
A checklist for the 20 Didymocarpus species on Gunung Tahan is given  Three new species, D. codonion, D.  polyanthoides and D. yongii are descibed. The species Ridley called D. kompsoboea is renamed D. lithophilus. D. filicifolius is reduced to synonomy with D. salicinus and reasons for not recognising var. montanus of D. flavobrunneus are given.

Abstract:
This is a taxonomic treatment of Camellia lanceolata (Bl.) Seem., the only Camellia species found in the Malesian region.

Abstract:
A new species of understorey palm, Licuala thoana L.G. Saw & J. Dransf. is described from Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.

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