Introduction:The pantropical genus Lasianthus Jack is identified for high phenotypic plasticity making traditional taxonomic identification difficult. Having some members with important medicinal properties, a precise complimentary identification through DNA barcoding is needed for species delineation.Materials and Methods:In this study, 12 samples representing six Philippine Lasianthus species were used to determine the most efficient barcoding loci among the cpDNA markers (matK, rbcL, rps16, and trnT-F) and nrDNA (ITS) based on the criteria of universality, discriminatory power, and resolution of species.Results:The results revealed that ITS has the recommended primer universality, greatest interspecific divergences, and average resolution of species. Among the cpDNA markers, matK and rbcL are recommended but with minimal resolution of species. While trnT-F showed moderate interspecific variations and resolution of Lasianthus species, rps16 has the lowest interspecific divergence and resolution of species.Conclusion:Consequently, ITS is the potential ideal DNA barcode for Lasianthus species.SUMMARY ITS, matK, and rps16 markers have the excellent amplification and sequence qualityITS marker has the highest interspecific divergence with the maximum values, followed by matK, rbcL, trnT-F, and rps16, respectivelyAll markers except rps16 yielded average resolution to Lasianthus speciesITS marker is the most ideal locus in terms of excellent universality, high interspecific discriminatory ability, and average species resolution. Abbreviations used: ITS: Internal Transcribe Spacer, matK: maturase K, rbcL: ribulose-1,5-biphospahte-carboxylase, rps16: ribosomal protein 16 small subunit gene.

A neotype is designated for Marsdenia parasita Blanco and lectotypes are designated for its synonyms Dischidiopsis philippinensis Schltr. and Conchophyllum merrillii Schltr. ex Merr. The new combination, Dischidia parasita (Blanco) Arshed, Agoo & Rodda is proposed. We explain why a specimen collected by Llanos and identified by him as Marsdenia parasita is not original material and thus cannot serve as a lectotype. Moreover, this gathering belongs to a different species, Dischidia vidalii Becc. Dischidia bulacanensis Kloppenb. et al. is here treated as a synonym of D. parasita.

A new species named as Lasianthus halconensis from Mt. Halcon, Mindoro, Philippines is described and illustrated. This species is easily distinguished from the other Lasianthus by having strigose indumentum on branches, abaxial leaf surface, petioles and calyx; lanceolate leaves, cuneate at base; obconical calyx and drupes with 8 pyrenes. This species is allied to L. obliquinervis and L. chrysoneurus but differs in stem, leaf and calyx indumentum, leaf and calyx shape and the absence of bracts. Moreover, three new records of Lasianthus in the country are reported including their diagnosis.

The new species Dischidia glabrata Arshed and Tandang is described and illustrated from material collected on Mt Hamiguitan, Davao Oriental. The lack of pubescence throughout the plant and the lack of a corolline corona separate this species from the rest of native Dischidia in sect. Conchophyllum (Blume) K. Schum. We also document the rediscovery on Mt Hamiguitan of Dischidia elmeri Schltr., a species previously known only from its type collection.