Phylogenetics of (Cactaceae) on Hispaniola: clarifying species limits in the complex and a new species from the Sierra de Bahoruco.

The Antillean genus represents an radiation among the Greater and Lesser Antilles of 19 currently recognized species. Extensive fieldwork carried out in the Dominican Republic over recent years has revealed that the species limits of of Hispaniola are more complex than previously thought. There are four currently recognized species that occur on the island, , , and .

Myrteae phylogeny, calibration, biogeography and diversification patterns: Increased understanding in the most species rich tribe of Myrtaceae.

Myrteae (c. 2500 species; 51 genera) is the largest tribe of Myrtaceae and an ecologically important groups of angiosperms in the Neotropics. Systematic relationships in Myrteae are complex, hindering conservation initiatives and jeopardizing evolutionary modelling.

Sweet drinks are made of this: conservation genetics of an endemic palm species from the Dominican Republic.

Pseudophoenix ekmanii is a threatened palm species endemic to the Dominican Republic. Sap from trees is extracted to make a local drink; once they are tapped the individual usually dies. Plants are also illegally harvested for the nursery trade and destroyed by poachers hunting the endemic and threatened Hispaniolan parrot.

The importance of botellas and other plant mixtures in Dominican traditional medicine.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Plant mixtures are understudied in ethnobotanical research.

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the importance of plant mixtures (remedies consisting of at least two plants) in Dominican traditional medicine.

Materials And Methods: A Spanish language questionnaire was administered to 174 Dominicans living in New York City (NYC) and 145 Dominicans living in the Dominican Republic (DR), including lay persons (who self-medicate with plants) and specialists (traditional healers).