Brya

Abstract: Five pterocarpenes (bryacarpenes 1–5) and an isoflavan (bryaflavan) have been isolated from the heartwood of Brya ebenus and identified as 4,10-dihydroxy-3,8,9-trimethoxy-, 10-hydroxy-3,8,9-trimethoxy-, 3,8,9,10-tetramethoxy-, 4-hydroxy-3,9,10-trimethoxy-, and 3,9,10-trimethoxy-6H-benzofuro[3,2-c][1]benzopyran, and (3S)-3′,6,7-trihydroxy-2′,4′-dimethoxyisoflavan.Pterocarpenes and pterocarpans can be oxidised to coumestones, and chromans to coumarins, by using dichlorodicyanobenzoquinone.

Abstract: Bryaquinone, the principal purple pigment in the heartwood of Brya ebenus, is 4-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxypterocarpene-9,10-quinone; the corresponding 4-deoxyquinone is also present. Bryebinal, a minor yellow component, is probably a 2-arylbenzofuran-3-carbaldehyde.

Abstract: A new species of the very polymorphic genus Brya (Fabaceae) of West Cuba is described from the nutrient-poor white sand areas of Pinar del Rio Province. Brya depressa is a prostrate low shrub, different from the common B. ebenus by having lanceolate-subulate stipules, narrow glabrous leaves and lanceolate calyx lobes equal long with the tube.

Abstract: Mielichhoferia paroica Shaw & Allen is described from Costa Rica. The plants are very small, paroicous, and have a double peristome that consists of 16 long, papillose exostome teeth and a rudimentary basal membrane that barely reaches above the capsule rim. Mielichho- feria paroica is the only known species of Mielichhoferia that is not dioicous. Brachymenium gemmifarum Shaw & Buck is described from Rdunion. Plants of this species are extremely slender, and have red capsules with a double peristome consisting of long exostome teeth and a high endostomial membrane but no well-defined segments. It differs from all other species of Brachy- menium in having axillary, obconic gemmae. While examining herbarium specimens of brya- ceous mosses from tropical regions, we came upon two collections that appear to represent undescribed species.