Editorial Committee

P.I.Forster (editor)

P.D.Bostock (technical advisor)

G.P.Guymer (technical advisor)

Graphic Design

Will Smith

Desktop Publishing

Yvonne Smith

Austrobaileya

Vol. 1, No. 1 was published on 1 December 1977

Vol. 7, No. 1 was published on 21 December 2005

Vol. 7, No. 2 was published on 4 December 2006

Austrobaileya is published once per year.

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All correspondence relating to exchange, subscriptions or contributions to this journal should

be addressed to: The Editor, Austrobaileya, Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection

Agency, Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia.

Email: paul. forster@epa. qld. gov. au

ISSN 0155-4131

Web site: www.epa.qld.gov.au/herbarium

Austrobaileya is the journal of the Queensland Herbarium and publishes peer-reviewed research

on plants, algae, fungi and lichens (systematics, morphology, geography, anatomy, karyology,

conservation biology and botanical history), with special emphasis on taxa from Queensland.

Opinions expressed by authors are their own and do not necessarily represent the policies or

view of the Queensland Herbarium.

Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-385

Contents

A taxonomic revision of Ixora R.Br. (Rubiaceae: Ixoroideae ) in Australia

S.T. Reynolds & P.I. Forster . 253-278

Mischarytera megaphylla RI.Forst. (Sapindaceae), a new species from the

‘Wet Tropics’ of north-east Queensland

P.I. Forster . 279-283

Synima reynoldsiae RI.Forst. (Sapindaceae), a new species from the ‘Wet

Tropics’ of north-east Queensland

P.I. Forster . 285-291

Cupaniopsispapillosa RI.Forst. (Sapindaceae), a new species from the ‘Wet

Tropics’ of north-east Queensland

P.I. Forster . 293-298

Cryptandra triplex K.R.Thiele ex Kellermann, a new species of Rhamnaceae

(Pomaderreae ) from Arnhem Land, Northern Territory

J. Kellermann . 299-303

Eucalyptus megasepala A.R.Bean (Myrtaceae), a new species from

Queensland allied to E. tetrodonta F.Muell.

A.R. Bean . 305-310

The enigmatic Ipomoea polpha R.W. Johnson (Convolvulaceae)

R. W. Johnson .311-317

Nepenthes tenax C.Clarke & R.Kruger (Nepenthaceae), a new species from

Cape York Peninsula, Queensland

C. Clarke & R. Kruger .319-324

New species of Gossia N.Snow & Guymer and Rhodomyrtus (DC.) Hassk.

(Myrtaceae) from Papua New Guinea

N.Snow . 325-340

Chromosome records for four species of Pellaea section Platyloma (J.Sm.)

Hook. & Baker (Adiantaceae) from Australia

G. Kokubugata, P.D. Bostock & P.I Forster . 341-345

Notes on Acacia Mill. (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae), chiefly from

Queensland, 5

L.Pedley . 347-356

Gynochthodes oresbia Halford & A.J.Ford (Rubiaceae), a new and cryptic

species from north-east Queensland

A.J. Ford &D. A. Halford . 357-364

Three new species of Commersonia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Sterculiaceae)

from Queensland

G.P. Guymer . 365-372

Reduction of Carex rhytidocarpa Nelmes (Cyperaceae) to a synonym of

C. inversa R.Br.

R. Booth & D. Moore . 373-375

A new combination in Alphitonia Endl. (Rhamnaceae)

A.R. Bean . 377-378

(continued)

Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-385

Jagera madida P.I.Forst. (Sapindaceae), a new name and change of rank for

J. javanica subsp. australiana Leenh.

P.L. Forster .379

Nomenclatural notes on Acacia Mill. (Leguminosae - Mimosoideae ),

consequential to the conservation of its name

L.Pedley . 381-382

Bryophyllum x houghtonii (D.B.Ward) P.I.Forst., a new combination in

Crassulaceae for the hybrid Mother of Millions

P.L Forster .383

Arthrochilus lavarackiana (D.L.Jones) Lavarack, a new combination in

Orchidaceae

P.S. Lavarack .385

A taxonomic revision of Ixora L. (Rubiaceae:

Ixoroideae) in Australia

S.T. Reynolds & Paul I. Forster

Summary

Reynolds, S.T. & Forster, RI. (2006). A taxonomic revision of Ixora L. (Rubiaceae: Ixoroideae) in

Australia. Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-278. The genus Ixora L. has seven species in Australia. Five species

are endemic - Ixora baileyana Bridson & L.G. Adams, I. beckleri Benth., I. biflora Fosberg, I. oreogena

S.T.Reyn. & P.I.Forst. sp. nov. and I. queenslandica Fosberg, and one species I. timorensis Decne., occurs

elsewhere in Malesia. Ixora coccinea L. occurs as a semi-naturalised adventive at a small number of

localities in Queensland and Western Australia. All species are described, native species illustrated and

a key to native and naturalised species and a key to Australian cultivated species are provided.

Key Words: Rubiaceae, Ixoroideae, Ixora baileyana, Ixora beckleri, Ixora bflora, Ixora coccinea,

Ixora oreogena, Ixora queenslandica, Ixora timorensis, Ixora tr flora, new species, Australian flora,

Queensland flora, taxonomy, identification keys

S.T.Reynolds & PI.Forster*, Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency,

Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia. *author for

correspondence. Email: paul.forster@,epa.qld.gov.au

Introduction

The genus Ixora was named by Linnaeus in

1753; although historically it has been often

combined with the genus Pavetta L. which

was described at the same time (e.g. Lamarck

1789). Some early authors including Blume

(1826) treated Ixora as a section under Pavetta,

whereas other authors such as Bentham (1867)

combined Pavetta under Ixora and recognised

the former as one of the sections under the

latter. De Candolle (1830) disagreed with

Lamarck and his followers, and considered

that the characteristics of the stigma and style,

together with flower colour were sufficient

to distinguish Ixora and Pavetta. This view

was later accepted by Bentham (1873) and

Schumann (1897). The latter author further

distinguished the two genera on the form of

the bracts at the base of the inflorescence.

These two genera have since been recognised

as distinct by various authors including

Bailey (1900), Valeton (1911), Bremekamp

(1934, 1937), Bridson (1988), Risdale (1988),

Robbrecht (1988), Smith & Darwin (1988),

Husain & Paul (1989), De Block (1998) and

Andreasen & Bremer (2000).

Accepted for publication 7 September 2006

In its present circumscription Ixora is a

pantropical genus of trees and shrubs with

up to 400 species (Ridsdale 1988; Robbrecht

1988; De Block 1998). Recognition of Ixora as

a genus is largely unequivocal, due especially

to the articulate nature of the leaf petiole, the

inflorescences that are terminal or terminal

on side branches or short side shoots, and

the stipules with apices that are apiculate or

cuspidate (De Block 1998). On the basis of

morphology Ixora was included in Rubiaceae,

subfamily Ixoroideae Raf., tribe Pavetteae

A.Rich. ex Dum. by Robbrecht (1988,

1993) together with Captaincookia Halle,

Cladoceras Bremek., Coleactina Halle,

Dictyandra Welw. ex Hook.f., Doricera

Verde., Dupperrea Pierre ex Pit., Hitoa Nad.,

Leptactina Hook.f., Myonima Comm, ex Juss.,

Nichallea Bridson, Pachystylus Schumann,

Pavetta, Rutidea DC., Tarenna Gaertn.,

Tennantia Verde, and Versteegia Valeton.

An initial molecular ( rbcL ) study by

Andreasen & Bremer (1996) found that

Pavetteae sensu Robbrecht (1988, 1993) was

paraphyletic with Ixora included. Subsequent

studies using nuclear (Ribosomal rbDNA) and

chloroplast regions {rbcL) indicate that Ixora

is most closely related to the genera Myonima

and Versteegia (Andreasen & Bremer 2000)

or when sequences from the plastid region

254

trnL-F were studied, to Aleisanthia Ridley,

Aleisanthiopsis C.Tange and Greenea Wight

& Arn. forming a clade that is sister to

the Vanguerieae clade (Rova et al. 2002).

Andreasen & Bremer (2000) formally placed

Ixora in Rubiaceae, subfamily Ixoroideae

Raf., tribe Ixoreae A.Gray and provided an

updated morphological description of the

tribe. Robbrecht & Manen (2006) reduced the

number of subfamilies in Rubiaceae to two,

with Ixora placed in subfamily Cinchonoideae

Raf., supertribe Ixoridinae Robbr. & Manen,

alliance Vanguerieae , tribe Ixoreae , together

with Aleisanthia, Aleisanthiopsis, Greenea,

Myonima, Scyphiphora and Versteegia.

The first reference to Ixora with respect

to the native Australian flora was by Mueller

(1865) when he described I. klanderiana

F.Muell. (now a synonym of I timorensis

Decne.). Mueller (1861) had previously

described I. thozetiana F.Muell.; however,

this is now considered a synonym of Aidia

racemosa (Cav.) Triveng. Bentham (1867)

recognised seven species of Ixora L. under

three sections for the Australian species viz.

(1) sect. Pavetta with two species. I.pavetta

sensu Benth. and I. tomentosa sensu Benth.

(flowers 4-merous, stigma lobes coherent). (2)

sect. Ixora with four species I. beckleri Benth.,

I coccinea L., I. timorensis and I. triflora

R.Br. ex Benth. (flowers 4-merous, stigma

with 2 recurved lobes). (3) sect. Pentadium

with one species I. pentamera Benth.

(Flowers 5-merous, stigma undivided). Three

of these species have been transferred to

other genera, viz. I. pavetta and I. tomentosa

to Pavetta (P. australiensis Bremek. and

P. brownii Bremek. respectively) (Reynolds

1993), I pentamera Benth. to Tarenna

(as T. pentamera (Benth.) S.T.Reynolds)

(Reynolds & Forster 2005), whereas one

species viz. I. triflora R.Br. ex Benth. is a

nom. ill eg., being predated by I. triflora

(G.Forst.) Seem. Moreover the type elements

(description and syntypes) of I. triflora R.Br.

ex Benth. consist of several distinct species,

one is an Ixora (subsequently renamed as

I. queenslandica Fosberg), whereas the other

is not an Ixora and referrable to Diplospora

ixoroides F.Muell. (now Triflorensia ixoroides

(F.Muell.) S.T.Reynolds (Reynolds & Forster

Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-278

2005)). Bailey (1900) dispensed with an all

encompassing concept of Ixora, recognising

both this genus and Pavetta, the former with

the species I beckleri, I. timorensis and

I pentamera.

Four species Ixora orophila C.T.White,

I biflora Fosberg, I queenslandica Fosberg

and I baileyana Bridson & Adams have since

been added to this genus. Ixora biflora was

based on new material and is still recognised.

Ixora orophila was transferred to Psydrax with

a new name as P. montigena S.T.Reynolds &

R.J.F.Hend. (Reynolds & Henderson 2004).

Ixora queenslandica was a new species based

in part on elements applicable to the invalidly

named I triflora R.Br. ex Benth. (Fosberg

1938a). Ixora baileyana was a new name for

the plant previously known as Lasianthus

graciliflorus F.M.Bailey (Adams et al. 1987).

These descriptions and transfers resulted in

five, named native species being recognised

for Australia (Forster & Halford 2002). A sixth

native species, I. oreogena S.T.Reynolds &

RI.Forst. is described in the current paper.

Materials and methods

The initial draft of this revision was undertaken

by the first author prior to 1999. It has been

updated in 2005 and 2006 by the second

author, particularly in terms of introductory

information about recent generic phylogenies,

the typification and application of some

names (especially the Ixora queenslandica

- I. triflora conundrum) and new data

pertaining to species distribution, habitat and

conservation status.

The revision is based on morphological

characters derived from herbarium specimens

(dried sheets, spirit material) at BRI, CANB,

DNA, K, NSW and QRS examined by the

first author, with supplementary observations

and measurements by the second author of

specimens accessioned at BRI since 1995.

All taxa have been examined and collected in

the field by the second author. Measurements

encompass the main range of variation, with

aberrant or unusual data indicated in brackets,

e.g. (8—)12—15.

Common abbreviations in the specimen

citations are L.A. (= Logging Area), N.R (=

Reynolds & Forster, Ixora in Australia

National Park), S.F. (= State Forest), S.F.R.

(= State Forest Reserve) and T.R. (= Timber

Reserve). Two species keys are presented,

the first to the native and naturalised species

that occur in Australia, and the second to

commonly cultivated species in Australian

horticulture.

The species concepts used in this revision

have been discussed previously (Forster 2005;

Reynolds & Forster 2005).

Taxonomy

Ixora L., Sp. PI. 110 (1753). Pavetta section

Ixora (L.) Blume, Bijdr. FI. Ned. Ind. 1:

949 (1826). Type: I. coccinea L. [lecto, fide

Hitchcock & Green (1929: 124)].

Derivation of name : Portuguese form of the

Sanskrit word igvara (Lord), for the Hindu

God Cfiwa.

Shrubs or small trees, erect. Stipules

interpetiolar, with a truncate or triangular

limb connate for most of its length, bearing

a cuspidate or aristate apical awn, glabrous

or variously hairy, especially near base

inside. Leaves opposite, rarely ternate (not in

Australia), entire, domatia absent, petiolate or

± sessile; petioles markedly articulate at base.

Inflorescences terminal, pedunculate or sessile

above the last pair of leaves, or occasionally

terminal on very short axillary branchlets,

the flowers arranged in 1-3-flowered cymes

enclosed in a pair of broad foliaceous bracts,

or in many-flowered compact cymes, corymbs

or open trichotomously branched panicles with

patent, opposite or alternate, often articulate

branches; bracts showy or small; bracteoles

small, usually paired. Flowers 4 (or rarely 5)

-merous, usually showy and fragrant; sessile

or pedicellate. Calyx tube ovoid, limb as wide

as the tube, with small or well developed

lobes at apex; lobes imbricate. Corolla white,

yellow, orange, pink or red; tube cylindrical,

straight, erect, slender, only slightly wider at

mouth, glabrous outside, glabrous or hairy

inside; corolla lobes as long as or shorter than

the tube, contorted in bud, lanceolate, ovate or

oblong, patent, reflexed or revolute in flower.

Stamens attached near the mouth of the corolla

tube, exserted, spreading and erect; filaments

very short, anthers dorsifixed, submedifixed,

255

narrowly ovate or ovate, base usually sagittate,

apex with an apiculate and aristate connective,

spreading or erect, hanging down in open

flowers. Disc annular, fleshy. Ovary 2-4 (-6)

locular, ovule solitary in each locule, immersed

in the fleshy placenta attached to the septum;

style filiform, exserted or included in corolla

tube; stigmatic lobes 2-4 (-6 in I. biflora ),

divaricate, recurved. Fruits drupaceous,

globose to subglobose and flattened at both

ends, red or black, containing 1-4 (-7 in

I. biflora ), subglobose, thin-walled pyrenes

that are solitary in each cell of the fruit; seeds ±

same shape as pyrenes, plano-convex, brown,

with a deep round excavation on the ventral

side.

Distribution : Pantropical, about 400 species

(De Block 1998); seven species in Australia

(six native, five endemic).

Diagnostic characters: The genus Ixora is

characterised by the articulate base of the leaf

petiole, the inflorescences that are terminal or

terminal on side branches or short side shoots,

the stipules with apices that are apiculate or

cuspidate, inflorescences and cymes enclosed

in a pair of large foliaceous bracts, flowers

that are 4 (rarely 5) -merous with stigmatic

lobes that are divergent and recurved. Ixora

may be readily distinguished from the allied

genera Tarenna Gaertn. and Pavetta by the

above characters.

Sectional Classification: Bremekamp (1937)

recognised subgenera, sections and series

under Ixora , whereas other authors including

Fosberg (1942) and Smith & Darwin (1988)

recognised the major species groups of

Ixora as sections only. The latter authors are

followed here.

Species from five sections are present

in Australia; however, since each of these

sections are represented by one or two species

only, the species are keyed out together in a

combined species key, rather than under each

section. In the species account, native taxa

are arranged alphabetically, followed by the

naturalised species. Their sectional affinity is

indicated in the following conspectus of the

sections.

256

Conspectus of Ixora sections represented

in Australia

1. Ixora sect. Ixora (‘ Ixorastrum’) Bremek.,

Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg ser. 3, 14: 208

(1937). Type: I. coccinea L.

Inflorescence branches opposite, articulate

in axil of bracts; inflorescence corymbiform,

much branched and densely flowered;

bracteoles shorter than ovary; flowers red,

pink, orange or yellow; calyx with minute

lobes.

One species in Australia (/. coccinea) that is

widely cultivated and occasionally naturalised

as a localised adventive since European

settlement.

2. Ixora sect. Phylleilema A.Gray, Proc.

Amer. Acad. Arts Sci. 4: 40 (1858). Type: not

designated.

Inflorescences with 1-3 flowered subumbellate

cymes enclosed in a pair of large ovate

cuspidate bracts; flowers sessile.

Two species in Australia, both endemic

(I. biflora and I. queenslandica).

3. Ixora sect. Vitixora Fosberg, Sargentia 1:

124 (1942). Type: not designated.

Inflorescence small, comprising head-like

cymes with many-flowers that are borne at

the apices of short axillary branchlets; flowers

surrounded by linear bracts; calyx lobes

well developed, lanceolate or elliptic-ovate,

elongate in fruit.

Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-278

One endemic species in Australia

(I. bailey and).

Note : This section was previously thought to

be endemic to Fiji where it is represented by

four species (Fosberg 1942; Smith & Darwin

1988).

4. Ixora sect. Pavettopsis Bremek., Bull.

Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg ser. 3, 14: 210 (1937).

Type: I. blumei Zoll. & Mor.

Stipules showy, with a long aristate awn;

inflorescences paniculiform, few branched,

lower branches opposite and articulate at

base, the ultimate branches terminated by 2 or

3-flowered cymules, one flower always sessile

and articulate at base, the others stalked;

pedicels articulate at base; corolla glabrous at

throat.

Two endemic species in Australia (I. beckleri

and I. oreogena).

5. Ixora sect. Pogonanthus Bremek., Bull.

Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg ser. 3, 14: 210 (1937).

Type: I. timorensis Decne.

Stipules small, shortly cuspidate; inflorescences

pedunculate or subsessile, paniculiform, many-

flowered, laxly branched with patent opposite,

subopposite or alternate branches; ultimate

cymules 2-5-flowered; bracts subtending the

inflorescence branches showy or small; corolla

throat hairy.

One non-endemic species in Australia

(I. timorensis ).

Key to the species of Ixora present (native and naturalised) in Australia

1 Inflorescences 1-3-flowered, enclosed in a pair of large bracts.2

Inflorescences usually more than 3-flowered, never enclosed in a pair of

large bracts.3

2 Feaves broadly elliptic; inflorescences sessile; fruits broadly ellipsoid, up to

7-seeded, red; stigma 2-6-lobed, style hardly exceeding the corolla tube;

anthers ovoid.3.1. biflora

Feaves narrowly elliptic; inflorescences pedunculate; fruits globose, 2-

seeded, black; stigma 2-lobed, style long exserted from the corolla tube;

anthers elongate, narrowly ovoid or lanceolate.5.1. queenslandica

Reynolds & Forster, Ixora in Australia 257

3 Inflorescences borne at apex of short axillary branchlets, subcapitate;

bracts linear, hairy. 1 . 1 . baileyana

Inflorescences terminal on the main branchlet, open paniculiform or

comprised of corymbs and subumbels; bracts ovate or subulate, glabrous.4

4 Corolla red, orange or yellow, tube 20-45 mm long; inflorescences compact,

corymbiform or umbelliform, much branched with opposite articulate

branches; bracts and bracteoles foliaceous and well developed. 1.1. coccinea

Corolla white or cream, corolla tube 2-8 (-10) mm long; inflorescences

open, loosely branched, paniculiform, with only the lower branches

usually opposite and articulate; bracts subtending the inflorescences

showy or small, others minute; bracteoles minute or absent.5

5 Stipules shortly cuspidate; leaves (115-) 157-230 x (45-) 65-90

mm, base subcordate, obtuse or subacute; bracts subtending

the three inflorescence branches showy or small; corolla tube

densely hairy at mouth; style hairy in the middle; calyx and

pedicels hairy or glabrous . 6.1 . timorensis

Stipules cuspidate with a long aristate awn; leaves 65-135 x 21-55 (-70)

mm, base acute or obtuse; bracts subtending the inflorescence branches

stipule-like; corolla tube glabrous inside; style, calyx and pedicels

glabrous.6

6 Leaf lamina 95-135 x 35-70 cm; petioles 10-14 mm long; inflorescences

shortly pedunculate (primary peduncle 5-7 (-12) mm long), ultimate

cymules 3-flowered, middle flower sessile, lateral ones shortly

pedicellate (pedicels 0.5-1.5 mm long); corolla tube 2-4.5 mm long,

lobes obtuse . 2.1 . beckleri

Leaf lamina 65-95 x 21-31 cm; petioles 5-10 mm long; inflorescences

sessile, ultimate cymules 2 or 3-flowered, one flower sessile, the others

pedicellate (pedicels 2.5-3 mm long); corolla tube 7-8 mm long, lobes

acuminate.4.1. oreogena

A. Native Australian species of Ixora

1. Ixora baileyana Bridson & L.G.Adams,

Kew Bull. 42: 214 (1987).

Lasianthus graciliflorus F.M. Bailey,

Queensland Dept. Agric. Bull. 18:18 (1892);

non Ixora graciliflora Benth., Linnaea 7: 448

(1850). Type: Queensland. Cook District:

Tringilburra (Behana) Creek, Bellenden

Ker, in 1889, F.M. Bailey s.n. (holo: BRI

[AQ318077]; iso: K).

Illustrations: Hyland et al. (1999, 2003).

Subshrubs with erect to decumbent slender

stems to 1.5 m high; indumentum of erect

to spreading, short (<0.5 mm long), simple

trichomes; branchlets terete to somewhat

angular, cream-grey, indumentum scattered to

sparse. Stipules 4-9 mm long, with sparse to

dense indumentum externally and internally,

colletors at base internally; shortly connate

for up to 2 mm, limbs ovate-triangular and

up to 2 mm long, keeled towards apex and

aristate (awn 1.8-7 mm long). Leaves thinly

coriaceous, subsessile to shortly petiolate;

petioles 2-4 mm long; lamina elliptic-ovate,

lanceolate, oblanceolate, occasionally wider

above the middle, 100-210 x 25-65 mm;

apex acute or abruptly acuminate, narrowing

towards base; base subcordate or obtuse

at base; upper surface dark glossy-green

when live, drying dark brown with reddish

nerves, glabrous; lower surface with scattered

indumentum especially on the midrib and

nerves; lateral nerves 9-14 pairs, ± patent and

looping near margins, interlateral venation

258

reticulate and prominent on the lower surface.

Inflorescences in small dense clusters

at branchlet apices, ± sessile or shortly

pedunculate; bracts small, c. 2 mm long,

ciliate. Flowers usually bisexual (unisexual

in one collection), 4-merous, sessile, scented.

Calyx c. 1 mm long, lobes lanceolate, < 0.2

mm long, fimbriate and with sparse to dense

indumentum. Corolla white; tube 8-10

mm long, with dense indumentum inside;

lobes acuminate, 4-4.5 x 1-1.3 mm, ciliate.

Stamens at mouth of tube (only the anther

tips exserted), anthers lanceolate-ovoid,

0.8-1 mm, filaments 7-8 mm long. Ovary

4-locular; style and stigma 10-12 mm long,

shortly exceeding corolla tube, style glabrous,

stigmatic arms 4, linear and spreading, 1—1.2

mm long. Fruits subglobose, depressed on

top and bottom and obscurely 4-lobed, c. 10

mm long and wide, red, with persistent sparse

indumentum, crowned by persistent calyx,

pyrenes 1 or 2; seeds subglobose, c. 4 mm

long and 4 mm wide. Fig. 1.

Additional selected specimens examined: Queensland

Cook District: N.P.R. 133, Daintree, above tributary

of McKenzie Creek, WNW of Mt Hutchinson, 16°11'S,

145°24'E, Nov 2002, Ford AF3677 & Holmes (BRI);

Baileys Creek, N of Daintree, 1962, Webb & Tracey

6529 (BRI); S.F. 310 Goldsborough, 12 km along

Goldsborough Valley road, 17°12'S, 145°45'E, Oct 2001,

Forster PIF27675 et al. (A, BRI, K, L, MEL, NSW);

S.F. 310 Goldsborough, 13.5 km along Goldsborough

road, 17°13'S, 145°45'E, Jul 2000, Forster PIF25891

et al. (BRI, MEL); base of Bellenden Ker Cable Car

installation, N of Babinda, 17°16'S, 145°54'E, Aug 1989,

Bostock 954 & Gnymer (BRI); S of junction of E and

W Mulgrave Rivers, S.F.R. 310, Goldfield L.A., 20 km

SSE of Little Mulgrave township, 17°18'S, 145°47'E,

Nov 1988, Jessup GJM1624 et al. (BRI); Fishery falls,

between Gordonvale & Babinda, 1962, Webb & Tracey

7477 (BRI); W of lower Kraft Creek, Wooroonooran

N.P., 17°18'S, 145°47'E, Jul 1995, Hunter JH3368 (BRI);

Kraft Creek, Wooroonooran N.P, 17°19'S, 145°48'E,

Jul 1995, Hunter JH4719 (BRI); Mulgrave River,

WooroonooranN.P, 17°21'S, 145°46'E, Apr 1995, Hunter

JH3266( BRI); S.F.R. 755, Bartle Frere, Gosschalk L.A.,

17°24'S, 145°47'E, Nov 1991, Hyland 14335 (BRI, QRS);

Barong L.A., S.F.R. 755, 17°30'S, 145°50'E, Oct 1976,

Unwin GU87 (BRI, QRS); Cooroo Lands, Canal L.A.,

17°30'S, 145°55'E, Nov 1974, Dansie 20102 (BRI,

QRS); 1.4 km SE of Cooroo Peak at head of Culla Creek,

17°31'S, 145°53'E, Oct 1988, Jessup GJM2515 et al.

(BRI); Gregory Falls, lower Palmerston via Innisfail,

1962, Webb & Tracey 6588 (BRI); Miriwinni near Mt

Bartle Frere, 1962, Webb & Tracey 6714A (BRI); Boobaa

Creek, Basilisk Range, 2 km SW of Moresby, 17°38'S,

146°00'E, Oct 1997, Forster PIF21791 et al. (BRI);

Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-278

S.F.R. 756, West McNamee L.A., 17°41'S, 146°52'E,Nov

1977, Gray 797 (BRI, QRS). North Kennedy District:

Mission Beach, 17°52'S, 146°07'E, Oct 1965, Altena

4055 (BRI).

Distribution and habitat : Ixora bailey ana is

endemic to the Wet Tropics bioregion of north¬

eastern Queensland (Map 1). It grows as an

under storey subshrub in lowland rainforests

(semi-deciduous, complex notophyll to

mesophyll vineforests) on substrates (often

alluvial) derived from granite or metamorphic

rocks.

Notes : Ixora baileyana is distinguishable

from the other Australian species by its hairy

lanceolate or ovate-elliptic, subsessile leaves,

inflorescences that are borne on short axillary

(or supra-axillary) branchlets, linear bracts

surrounding the flowers, style with four

stigmatic arms and 4-locular fruits.

This species is referable to Ixora sect.

Vitixora Fosberg, previously thought to be

endemic to Fiji. Ixora baileyana is putatively

androdioecious (Adams et al. 1987) whereas

all other species in the genus are thought to be

hermaphroditic (De Block 1998).

Conservation status : Ixora baileyana is

infrequent, although reasonably widespread

throughout its known range. It is not considered

threatened. Present in various National Parks,

e.g. Daintree and Wooroonooran.

Etymology : The specific epithet honours

Frederick M. Bailey (1827-1915), Queensland

Colonial Botanist, who originally described

this species as Lasianthus graciliflorus.

2. Ixora beckleri Benth., FI. Austral. 3: 416

(1867) (as ‘ beckleri! ). Type: New South

Wales. Richmond River & Clarence River,

Beckler s.n. (holo: K)

Illustrations : Floyd (1989: 311); Hauser &

Blok (1998: 292); Logan River Branch SGAP

(QLD Region) Inc. (2005: 290).

Shrubs or small trees to 5 m high with stiff

branches; indumentum largely absent, where

present of erect, short (<0.5 mm long), simple

trichomes; branchlets terete to somewhat

flattened and angular, glabrous, cream-

grey. Stipules 3.5-8 mm long, glabrous,

internally with dense colletors near base;

Reynolds & Forster, Ixora in Australia

259

Fig. 1. Ixora bailey ana. A. habit of flowering stem x 0.5. B. leaf viewed from below showing detail of venation x 0.8.

C. lateral view of flower on peduncle showing bracts x 6. D. face view of flower x 6. E. peduncle with bracts x 8. F.

lateral view of fruit x 4. A-E from Forster PIF27675 (BRI); F from Webb & Tracey 6714a (BRI). Del. W. Smith.

shortly connate for up to 2 mm long, limbs

broadly ovate-triangular to truncate, 1-2

mm long, keeled towards apex and aristate

(awn 1.5-6 mm long). Leaves coriaceous,

petiolate, glabrous; petioles slender, 7-8

mm long; lamina elliptic, ovate-elliptic or

subovate, (50-) 110-165 x (25-) 40-58 mm;

apex acute, abruptly shortly acuminate or

obtuse; base acute or obtuse; upper surface

glossy, dark-green when live, drying dark

brown; lower surface matt, pale-green; lateral

nerves 6-12 pairs, patent or suboblique and

looping near margins, interlateral venation

reticulate and prominent on lower surface.

Inflorescences shortly pedunculate, glabrous

or with scattered indumentum; peduncle

7-10 mm long, terminated by 3 branches

each carrying cymes at their apex; branches

260

(secondary peduncles) 16-22 mm long, lateral

ones patent, the central one sometimes with

one internode; bracts at top of the peduncle

foliaceous, or small, broadly ovate, aristate

with fine points, bracts at apex of the branches

(those subtending the cymes), broadly ovate,

obtuse, finely aristate or represented by

lateral, narrowly ovate subulate lobes. Flowers

bisexual, 4-merous, sessile, scented. Calyx

1.5- 2 mm long, shortly 4-toothed with the

lobes truncate-ovate and up to 0.2 mm long.

Corolla white; tube 3-5 mm long; lobes ovate,

acute or acuminate, 2.5-3 mm long. Stamens

near mouth of tube, anthers linear-oblong,

1.5- 1.8 mm long, filaments 3-5 mm long.

Ovary 2-locular; style and stigma 4-6 mm

long, style shortly exceeding the corolla tube,

glabrous, stigmatic lobes 2, ± erect, linear,

1-1.2 mm long. Fruits obovoid or subglobose,

8-12 x 8-12 mm, crowned by persistent

calyx, black, glabrous, pyrenes 1 or 2; seeds

subglobose, 5-8 x 5-6.5 mm. Fig. 2.

Additional selected specimens examined : Queensland.

Port Curtis District: Keppel Bay, in 1872, Eaves s.n.

(MEL); S.F. 585 Wietalaba, 32 km S of Calliope, 24°17'S,

151°12'E, May 1993, Gibson TOI1309 (BRI); Wietalaba

S.F., c. 31 km S of Calliope, 24°'17'S, 151°12'E, Nov 1997,

Halford Q3444 (BRI); Bulburin S.F. 67, Scott Road, c. 3

km ENE of Forest Station, Apr 1980, McDonald 3184 et

al. (BRI). Burnett District: Pine Mountain Creek, N

of Monto, 24°36'S, 151°09'E, Jul 1995, Bean 8772 (BRI,

MEL); S.F. 695, Kalpowar, Mt Fort William, 24°38'S,

151°20'E, Mar 2000, Forster PIF25438 & Booth (A,

BRI, MEL, QRS); T.R. 533, Mungore L.A., Pine Creek

headwaters, 25°37'S, 152°00'E, Dec 1989, Forster

PIF6155 (BRI, L, MEL, MO, QRS). Wide Bay District:

Upper reaches of Broken Creek, SE of Builyan, 24°39'S,

151°29'E, Nov 1995, Bean 9166 & Turpin (BRI); Mudlow

Gap, T.R. 26, 8 km N of Kilkivan, 26°01'S, 152°13'E,

Nov 1990, Forster PIF7629 (BRI, K, MEL, QRS); Imbil,

Aug 1935, White 1411 (BRI, CANB). Moreton District:

Pedwell Road, edge of Wamuran Basin, Mt Mee, Delany

Creek S.F., 27°02'S, 152°48'E, Dec 1993, Grimshaw

G231 & Franks (BRI); Waterfall Gully No. 2, Somerset

Dam, c. 20 km SW of Kilcoy, 27°06'S, 152°33'E, Apr

1989, Sharpe 4855 & Forster (BRI); Sankeys scrub, Dec

1887, Simmonds 227 (BRI); Brisbane, Coomera, Logan

River, in 1887, Scortechini 52 (MEL). New South Wales.

Lismore, Apr 1891, Bauerlen (NSW); Tumbulgam, Apr

1898, Bauerlen (NSW); Booyong Recreation Reserve,

May 1982, Floyd 1872 (NSW); Clarence River, s.dat,

Moore 223 (MEL1537266); Turnstall, Lismore, Dec

1910, Tanner 35 (NSW).

Distribution and habitat : Ixora beckleri is

endemic to eastern Australia where it is found

from central Queensland south to northern

Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-278

New South Wales (Map 1), in dry rainforests

(araucarian microphyll to notophyll

vineforests).

Notes : Ixora beckleri is distinguishable

by its glossy green elliptic leaves, shortly

pedunculate, trichotomously-branched

inflorescences, each branch ending in a small

cyme, and by its short corolla tube with short,

acute lobes (which are usually as long as the

tube).

Conservation status : Ixora beckleri is

common and widespread and is present in

numerous State Forests and National Parks,

viz. Main Range, Mt Bauple, Mt Pinbarren,

Noosa, Mapleton Falls, Kondalilla, Moogerah

Peaks, Burleigh Head, Nicoll Scrub (Forster

etal. 1991).

Etymology : The specific epithet honours

Hermann Beckler (1828-1914), medical

doctor, botanist and plant collector.

3. Ixora biflora Fosberg, J. Bot. 76:235 (1938);

I. biflora var. biflora (as var. ‘typica’), Fosberg,

loc. cit. 76: 276 (1938). Type: Queensland.

Cook District: Slopes of Mt Demi, W of

Daintree, 6 February 1932, L.J.Brass 2050

(holo: BRI).

Ixora biflora var. fleckeri Fosberg, J. Bot.

76: 277 (1938). Type: Queensland. Cook

District: Intake, Mossman Gorge, 20 June

1937, H.Flecker 3521 (holo: BRI; iso: QRS).

Illustrations : Jones (1986: 90); Hyland et al.

(1999, 2003); Cooper & Cooper (2004: 443).

Small shrubs to 2 m high; indumentum of

erect, short (<0.2 mm long), simple trichomes;

branchlets terete, brown, glabrous. Stipules

2-8 mm long; shortly connate for up to 3

mm long, limbs broadly ovate to truncate,

keeled towards apex and aristate (awn

0.5-5 mm long), glabrous. Leaves thinly

coriaceous, petiolate, glabrous; petioles 3-8

mm long; lamina elliptic, elliptic-oblong or

narrowly elliptic, (56-) 74-116 (-160) x (18-)

22-44 mm; apex subacute, abruptly shortly

acuminate or obtuse; base acute or obtuse;

upper surface dark glossy-green, paler on

lower surface; lateral nerves 8-13 pairs,

patent or suboblique, looping at margins,

faint above, prominent below (drying reddish

Reynolds & Forster, Ixora in Australia

261

Fig. 2. Ixora beckleri. A. habit of fruiting stem x 0.5. B. leaf viewed from below showing detail of venation x 0.8. C.

lateral view of flower on peduncle showing bracts x 8. D. face view of flower x 8. E. peduncle with bracts x 12. F. lateral

view of fruit x 3. G. apical view of fruit x 3. A & B from Forster PIF25438 & Booth (BRI); C-E from Forster PIF7597

(BRI); F & G from Sharpe 4885 (BRI). Del. W. Smith.

brown), interlateral venation reticulate and

largely obscure. Inflorescences sessile at

branchlet apices, 2 or 3-flowered, subtended

by a pair of elliptic and apiculate bracts;

bracts conspicuous, (8-) 12-20 x 5-12 mm,

elliptic-ovate, shortly aristate at apex, obtuse

or subcordate at base, prominently nerved

with 11-15 pairs of fine patent lateral nerves,

colletors occasionally present inside. Flowers

bisexual, 4-merous, sessile, scented. Calyx c.

4 x 2.5 mm, with sparse indumentum; lobes

broadly ovate or ± rounded, 0.7-1 x 0.2-0.6

mm, thin. Corolla small and inconspicuous,

white to pale pink, glabrous; tube slender, 10-

262

15 mm long; lobes elliptic, obtuse, 4-7 x 2-

3.2 mm, recurved; stamens much shorter than

lobes, anthers squat, ovoid, 0.8-1.5 x 0.5-1

mm; filaments c. 0.5 mm long; ovary 2-many

locular; style and stigma 13-14 mm long, the

style not exceeding the corolla tube, glabrous,

stigmatic lobes 5 or 6, erect, ellipsoid, 0.8-1

mm long. Fruits subglobose, 7-14 x 12-18

mm, squat and flattened at both ends, red,

glabrous, pyrenes 1-7; seeds rounded on top,

angular on side, c. 7x5 mm. Fig. 3.

Additional selected specimens examined : Queensland.

CookDistrict: MtFinnigan, west slopes, Sep 1948, Brass

20042 (BRI); Gap Creek, c. 38 km S by E of Cooktown,

15°43'S, 145°14'E, Aug 1959, Smith 10735 (BRI); 1 mile

[0.6 km] NW of Stuckies’ Gap, Bloomfield River area,

15°50'S, 145°19'E, May 1969, Webb & Tracey 8419

(BRI, QRS); Mt Misery, 15°52'S, 145°13'E, Jun 1992,

Forster PIF10756 et al. (BRI, L, MEL, QRS); Daintree

N.R, Mt Sorrow track, 2.5 km W of Cape Tribulation,

16°04'S, 145°27'E, Dec 1997, Forster PIF21973 et al.

(BRI, MEL, QRS); Oliver Creek, a tributary of Noah

Creek, 16°06'S, 145°27'E, May 1972, Webb & Tracey

11211 (BRI, CANB, QRS); Entrance to Coconut Village,

Cape Tribulation, 16°07'S, 145°27'E, Aug 1993, Cooper

WWC597 & Cooper (QRS); Daintree N.R, Noah Creek,

16°08'S, 145°26'E, May 2000, Forster PIF25755 &

Booth (A, BRI, K, L, MEL); 1 km N of Cyanide Creek

- Cape Tribulation Road, 16°08'S, 145°27'E, Sep 1976,

Williams 76062 (BRI); Baileys Creek, 16°13'S, 145°25'E,

Oct 1962, Smith 11531 (BRI); Pinnacle Rock track, 2

km W of Karnak, 16°23'S, 145°18'E, Jun 1992, Forster

PIF10684 et al. (BRI); Creek behind Karnak, Daintree

River N.R, tributary of Whyanbeel Creek, 16°24'S,

145°19'E, Nov 1996, Jago 4155 (BRI); Saltwater Creek,

4 km NW of Mossman, 16°25'S, 145°20'E, Nov 2001,

Forster PIF27797 & Booth (BRI, MEL); Rex Range, c.

2.8 km from Mossman - Julatten road intersection, c. 9

km NE of Julatten, 16°32'S, 145°22'E, Dec 1988, Jessup

GJM5201 et al. (BRI, DNA); Rex Range, NE of Julattan,

16°34'S, 145°23'E, Jan 1993, Bean 5681 & Forster

(BRI); Devil Devil Creek, c. 9.6 km S of Mossman, Sep

1948, Smith 3951 (BRI).

Distribution and habitat : Ixora biflora is

endemic to north-eastern Queensland in the

Wet Tropics bioregion from a northern limit

at Mt Finnigan, south to Rex Range (Map

2). The species occurs in lowland (<850 m

altitude), wet rainforest (evergreen, complex

notophyll to mesophyll vineforest) on ridges,

sides of gorges or along permanent streams or

in sand behind beach, on substrates derived

from metamorphics or stabilised sand-dunes.

Notes : Ixora biflora is characterised by

its elliptic or narrowly elliptic leaves with

fine parallel nerves; large red subglobose

Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-278

squat fruits, and sessile 2 or 3-flowered

inflorescences enclosed in finely nerved

large bracts. It resembles I. qiieenslandica in

its 2 or 3-flowered inflorescences enclosed

in large bracts but that species differs by

its pedunculate inflorescences, and small

ellipsoid, black fruits.

This species has no close relative in

Australia. It differs from all the Australian

Ixora species by its many-lobed stigmas

and many-celled large fruits. The leaves

are variable, ranging from broad, elliptic or

elliptic-oblong (typical of the type collection)

to narrow-elliptic (as in the type of I. biflora

var. fleckeri). Fosberg (1938b) recognised

two varieties in this species on the basis of

leaf size; however, they are not recognised

here because the leaves can vary on the same

branchlet.

Conservation status : Ixora biflora is

widespread and common throughout its

range. It is not considered threatened. Present

in Cedar Bay and Daintree National Parks.

Etymology : The specific epithet is derived

from the Latin bi- (two) and flos (flower) and

refers to the floral arrangement as viewed by

Fosberg (1938a).

4. Ixora oreogena S.T.Reynolds & PI.Forst.,

species nov. I beckleri Benth. valde simile

autem inflorescentiis et foliis parvioribus,

floribus fructibusque majoribus, corollae lobis

acuminatis differt. Typus: Queensland. Cook

District: State Forest 194, MtBaldy, Herberton

Range, 17°18'S, 145°24'E, 24 January 2001,

P.I.Forster PIF26596 & R.Booth (holo: BRI

[1 sheet + spirit]; iso: MEL).

Ixora sp. (North Mary LA B.P.Hyland 8618 )

(Forster & Halford 2002).

Ixora sp. (N. Mary L.A. B.Hyland 8618 )

(Hyland et al. 2003).

Illustrations : Hyland et al. (1999, 2003).

Shrubs or small trees 4-18 m high; indumentum

of spreading, short (<0.2 mm long), simple

trichomes; branchlets terete, pale cream or

reddish brown, glabrous. Stipules 3-7 mm

long, externally glabrous, internally with

dense trichomes and colletors at base; shortly

connate for up to 1.2 mm, limbs broadly ovate,

Reynolds & Forster, Ixora in Australia

263

Fig. 3. Ixora biflora. A. habit of flowering stem x 0.6. B. leaf viewed from below showing detail of venation x 0.8. C.

lateral view of flower on peduncle showing large bract x 3. D. lateral view of flower x 3. E. face view of flower x 3. F.

peduncle with bracts x 6. G. lateral view of fruit x 2. H. apical view of fruit x 2. A, C-H from Bean 5681 (BRI); B

from Smith 11531 (BRI). Del. W. Smith.

keeled towards apex and aristate (awn 1-5 mm

long). Leaves coriaceous, petiolate, glabrous;

petioles 5-10 mm long; lamina narrowly

elliptic, 65-95 (-112) x 21-31 (-42) mm; apex

acute, or shortly acuminate and apiculate; base

acute to obtuse; upper surface dark glossy-

green, drying ± glossy; lower surface matt

pale-green; lateral nerves indistinct, 8-10

pairs, patent or arcuate, interlateral venation

reticulate, visible on lower surface only in

dried specimens. Inflorescences glabrous,

the three branches sessile at apex of reduced

264

leaves or shortly pedunculate (peduncle

2-4 mm long); each of the three branches

articulate at base, trichotomously branched,

and sometimes each of these branches are

branched again (internodes 2-7 mm long);

ultimate cymules or cymes 2-6-flowered,

one flower oldest (usually the central flower

of the cymule) sessile or subsessile, flanked

by stalked 2 or 3-flowered cymules; bracts

subtending the main inflorescence branches

foliaceous, ovate-elliptic, to 16 x 5 mm,

obscurely nerved, those subtending the cymes

at apex of the three branches shortly connate,

fimbriate at apex, and often with lateral ovate

lobes; those subtending 5-flowered cymes

with erose margin, whereas those subtending

the 2 or 3-flowered ultimate cymules small,

ovate. Flowers bisexual, 4-merous, sessile

to subsessile (the oldest flower sessile or

subsessile (pedicels to 1.5 mm long); the

pedicellate flowers on slender pedicels (2.5-3

mm long), scented; pedicel bracteoles paired,

ovate, 0.5-0.75 mm long and wide. Calyx 2-3

x 1.5-2 mm, glabrous; lobes broadly ovate

or ± hemispherical, 0.5-1 x c . 1 mm, slightly

fimbriate. Corolla white; tube slender, slightly

dilated near apex, 7-8 mm long, glabrous

inside; lobes elliptic-ovate, acuminate, 4-5 x

c. 2 mm, ciliolate, reflexed. Stamens slightly

shorter than corolla lobes, anthers ovoid,

acuminate, c. 2 mm long, filaments 0.2-0.3

mm long. Ovary 2-3-locular; style and stigma

5-6 mm long, style barely exceeding tube,

glabrous, stigmatic lobes 2, erect, linear,

1.8-2 mm. Fruits globose to subglobose, 8-18

x 8-22 mm, black, glabrous, pyrenes 2 or 3;

seeds obovoid to subglobose, 5-8 mm long,

5-6 mm diameter. Fig. 4.

Additional specimens examined (*tentative

identification on sterile collection): Queensland. Cook

District: S.F.R. 143, Kanawarra, Carbine L.A., 16°29'S,

145°16'E, Nov 1987, Hyland 25244RFK (BRI, QRS);

Daintree N.R, near end of Mt Lewis road, 12 km SW of

Mossman, 16°29'S, 145°16'E,Nov 1988, Jessup GJM116

et al* (BRI); North Mary L.A., S.F.R. 143 Mt Lewis,

16°30'S, 145°16'E, Sep 1973, Sanderson 368* 430 (QRS);

S.F.R. 143, North Mary L.A., 16°32'S, 145°15'E, Feb

1976, Hyland 8618 (QRS); Mt Lewis road. South Mary

L.A., 16 kmNNW of Mt Molloy, 16°32'S, 145°17'E,Nov

1988, Jessup GJM1581 et al * (BRI); S.F.R 143, Carbine

L.A., 16°33'S, 145°15'E, Dec 1974, Hyland 3157 (BRI,

QRS); S.F.R. 143, Carbine L.A., 16°33'S, 145°15'E,

Feb 1988, Gray 4729 (BRI, QRS); T.R. 66, Mt Lewis,

16°34'S, 145°17'E, Sep 1978, Moriarty 2456 (QRS);

Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-278

Kaarru L.A., SW corner, 14.5 km SSE of Millaa Millaa,

17°37'S, 145°40'E, Oct 1988, Jessup GJM5035 et al *

(BRI); Davies Creek, 1962, Webb & Tracey 8016* (BRI);

Forestry track, Mt Formartine, 16°44'S, 145°37'E, Nov

1988, Jessup 922 et al * (BRI); Peeramon, s.dat., Bick

s.n. (BRI [AQ124623]); Mt Misch, Herberton Range,

tributary of Rocky Creek, 17°14'S, 145°25'E, Dec 1996,

Ford 1838 (BRI, QRS); S.F.R. 194, 17°15'S, 145°17'E,

Aug 1968, Hyland 1749 (QRS); E fall of Bellenden Ker,

WooroonooranN.P., 17°16'S, 145°52'E, Jan 1995, Hunter

JH929* (BRI); Palmerston Track ridge, Wooroonooran

N.P., 17°24'S, 145°45'E, Jun 1995, Hunter JH3828*

(BRI); Tick Camp, Bellenden Ker, Aug 1959, Webb &

Tracey 3736 { BRI).

Distribution and habitat : Ixora oreogena is

endemic to the Wet Tropics bioregion of north¬

east Queensland (Map 3) where it occurs

in montane rainforests (complex notophyll

vineforests) between 600 and 1100 m on

substrates derived from basalt or granite.

Notes : Ixora oreogena is characterised by

its elliptic leaf lamina, inflorescences that

are small and open paniculiform, flowers

with slender long corolla tubes, fruits that

are subglobose or globose and black. It

resembles I. beckleri Benth. in its leaves and

inflorescences, but that species differs by

its larger inflorescences, smaller fruits and

flowers with shorter corollas.

Conservation status : The species is

widespread, although never locally common,

in the Wet Tropics. No conservation status

listing is necessary. It occurs in various Forest

Reserves and National Parks (Daintree and

Wooroonooran).

Etymology : The specific epithet alludes to

the mountainous habitat for the species and is

derived from the Greek oreogenus (mountain-

born).

5. Ixora queenslandica Fosberg, J. Bot. 76:

234 (1938). Type: [Queensland. Port Curtis

District:] Bay of Inlets, May 1770, Banks &

Solander s.n. (holo: BM; iso: BRI).

Ixora triflora R.Br. ex Benth. pro parte, non

(G.Forst.) Seem.; FI. Austral. 3:416 (Jan 1867),

nom. illeg.

Diplospora ixoroides auct. non F.Muell.:

Britten (1901); Bailey (1912).

Illustration : Britten (1901: t. 141 [as

Diplospora ixoroides ])

Reynolds & Forster, Ixora in Australia

265

Fig. 4. Ixora oreogena. A. habit of flowering stem x 0.5. B. leaf viewed from below showing detail of venation x 0.8.

C. lateral view of flower x 5. D. face view of flower x 5. E. peduncle with bract x 12. F. lateral view of fruit x 3. A-E

from Forster PIF26596 & Booth (BRI); F from Hyland 25244RFK (BRI). Del. W. Smith.

Shrubs or small trees to 4 m high;

indumentum of spreading, short (<0.5 mm

long), simple trichomes; branchlets terete to

somewhat angular and flattened, brown grey

to light brown blotched, glabrous. Stipules

2.5-4.5 mm long, externally glabrous or with

scattered to sparse indumentum near base,

internally with sparse indumentum and dense

colletors at base; shortly connate for c. 0.5

mm, limbs ovate to lanceolate-ovate and up to

2 mm long, keeled towards apex and aristate

(awn 17-3.5 mm long). Leaves coriaceous,

petiolate, glabrous; petioles 5-7 mm long;

lamina elliptic, obovate or suborbicular

(the suborbicular leaves often subtending

branchlets carrying normal elliptic leaves or

inflorescences), 47-108 x 25-45 mm; apex

obtuse to rounded; base obtuse to subacute;

266

upper surface glossy dark green; lower

surface pale green; lateral nerves 7-9 pairs,

suboblique, interlateral venation reticulate,

indistinct. Inflorescences pedunculate;

peduncles 20-35 mm long, side branches to

6 mm long with 3-flowered cymes that are

terminated by a pair of large bracts enclosing

the 3 sessile flowers; bracts ovate, acute or

cuspidate at apex, obtuse or subcordate at

base, 15-28 x 11-22 mm, faintly nerved

(nerves 5 or 6 pairs, patent). Flowers bisexual,

4-merous, sessile, scented. Calyx c. 2.5 x l-

1.5 mm, glabrous; limb subentire or broadly

and indistinctly 4-lobed with acute lobes <0.2

mm long, ciliate. Corolla white; tube slender,

4-17 mm long, 1-1.5 mm diameter at throat;

lobes elliptic, acute, 4.5-10 x 1.5-2.5 mm,

patent or recurved. Stamens slightly shorter

than the corolla lobes to shortly exserted,

anthers oblanceolate to narrowly ovoid,

apiculate, 2.5-5 x 0.8-1 mm; filaments 1-1.5

mm long. Ovary 2-locular; style and stigma c.

19 mm long, style slender, hardly exceeding

the corolla tube, glabrous; stigmatic arms

2, linear, recurved, 1.8-2 mm long. Fruits

ellipsoid, 9-12 x 8-8.5 mm, dark brown or

blackish, glabrous, pyrenes single; seeds

ellipsoid, 6.5-8 x 4.5-5 mm. Fig. 5.

Additional selected specimens examined : Queensland.

South Kennedy District: Port Mackay, May 1869,

Dietrich 2450 (MEL); Keswick Island, Singapore Bay,

20°54'S, 149°23'E, Sep 1996, Batianoff 960929 (BRI);

Prudhoe Island NR, 53 km SE of Mackay, 21°19'S,

149°41'E, Nov 1992, Batianoff 92113K & Robins (BRI);

Irving Island, SE of Sarina, 21°27'S, 149°28'E, Dec

1989, Thompson 168 (AD, BRI). Port Curtis District:

coast just S of Bluewater Creek, c. 12.5 km SE of

Carmila, 21°59'S, 149°29'E, Jul 1994, McDonald 6039

et al. (BRI); S of Stanage Bay, NW end of Shoalwater

Bay, Apr 1945, Blake 15678 & Webb (BRI, CANB);

Clairview Beach, 25 km N of St Lawrence, 22°06'S,

149°32'E, Apr 1985, Rodd 4414 & Hardie (BRI, NSW);

Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Reef Point, 22°19'S,

150°34'E, Sep 1993, McDonald 5776 & Tweedie (BRI);

Wedge Island, 23°17'S, 150°53'E, Nov 1987, Batianoff

9814 & Dillewaard (BRI, NSW); Pine Island, Percy

Islands, Mar 1906, Tryons.n. (BRI [AQ124688]); Bluff at

northern end of Keppel Sand Beach, 23°19'S, 150°47'E,

Apr 1986, Anderson 4139 (BRI); Keppel Sands, 8 km S

of Emu Park, 23°20'S, 150°48'E, Jul 1977, Batianoff 207

& McDonald { BRI); S.F. 150, 12 km SW of Gladstone,

23°57'S, 151°11'E, Feb 1995, Worthington 1482 (BRI);

Eurimbula Holding between Eurimbula & Middle

Creeks, 24°10'S, 151°50'E, Dec 1970, Tracey 14561

(BRI); c. 1.8 km WSW of Eurimbula Beach, 24°11'S,

151°50'E, May 1981, Guymer 1536 & Jessup (BRI,

Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-278

CANB); Deepwater Creek N.P, on track to Deepwater

Creek, 24°21'S, 151°58'E, Sep 1992, Sharpe 5175 (BRI);

Rules Beach near Baffle Creek, NW of Bundaberg,

24°29'S, 152°02'E, Oct 1996, Bean 11068 (BRI). Wide

Bay District: Sloping Hummock, 3 km SW of Bargara,

24°50'S, 152°25'E, Feb 1997, Forster PIF20210 et al.

(BRI); Coonarr Creek, 24°59'S, 152°29'E, Jul 1983,

Young 654 (BRI); Coonarr Creek, adjoining Kinkuna

N.P, 25°01'S, 152°26'E, Sep 2001, Schmitt s.n. (BRI

[AQ551495]).

Distribution andhabitat : Ixoraqueenslandica

occurs in coastal and subcoastal central and

south-eastern Queensland, from a northern

limit at Keswick Island, south to Kinkuna

National Park (Map 2). Plants occur in

coastal or subcoastal locations and offshore

islands where they grow in dry rainforests

(araucarian microphyll vineforest, littoral

microphyll vineforest) on stabilised sand-

dunes and rocky headlands.

Notes : Ixora queenslandica is distinguishable

by its long pedunculate, 3-flowered

inflorescences, and sessile flowers enclosed

in showy ovate-cuspidate bracts. It resembles

Ixora biflora in its 3-flowered cymes, but that

species differs by its sessile inflorescences,

greater number of nerves on its bracts

and larger, subglobose, red fruits that are

depressed at both ends.

There is considerable variation in leaf

size and shape depending on the degree of

exposure to radiation, wind sheer and salt

spray. Material from exposed situations tends

to have small, thickened foliage, often with

more orbicular leaf laminas, whereas that

from within the canopy or understorey tends

to be thinner and with more elliptic or obovate

leaf laminas. Material from either extreme

may appear markedly dissimilar; however,

this is typical of other plants that occur in

similar situations. In some instances both

extremes may be found on the same plant

(e.g. McDonald et al. 6039; Sharpe 5175 [both

BRI]).

Typification : The correct application of the

earliest, legitimate validly published name

of this taxon has been beset with difficulty

and complications that have not been helped

with long term misidentifications and

misapplications of names by several authors.

Since 1938 this taxon has been known in

Reynolds & Forster, Ixora in Australia

267

Fig. 5. Ixora queenslandica. A. habit of flowering stem x 0.6. B. leaf viewed from below showing detail of venation

x 0.8. C. side view of flower x 4. D. face view of flower x 4. E. peduncle with bract x 12. F. lateral view of fruit x 4.

G. apical view of fruit x 4. A from Gibson 549 (BRI); B from Forster PIF20210 (BRI); C-G from Champion 1083c

(BRI). Del. W. Smith.

Australia as Ixora queenslandica Fosberg

(McGillivray 1972; Reynolds 1997; Forster

& Halford 2002). Prior to this it was known

as Ixora triflora R.Br. ex Benth. (Bentham

1867) based on material collected on the east

coast of Australia; however, this name is

invalid as it is predated by I. triflora (G.Forst.)

Seem, that is based on material collected in

Polynesia. Forster (1787) originally named his

Polynesian collection (made jointly with his

father) as Coffea triflora.

In respect to Ixora triflora R.Br. ex

Benth., the following sequence of events is

worth repeating. Both Daniel Solander and

268

Robert Brown left manuscript names on

many specimens that they collected whilst in

Australia. As outlined by McGillivray (1972)

Banks and Solander collected flowering

material at Thirsty Sound that they labelled

Pavetta triflora and Solander prepared a

manuscript description of it. Robert Brown

revisited the general locality in 1802 and

collected fruiting material of what he

thought was the same taxon, labelling the

material as Ixora triflora , directly taking up

Solander’s specific epithet, but in another

genus. Solander’s name was never published

and Bentham (1867) subsequently validated

Brown’s manuscript name (itself based on the

Solander ms.); however, Bentham {op. cit .)

cited several different collections at the time,

including the Brown collection from 1802

that is a mixture of two species (Reynolds &

Forster 2005). Bentham’s (1867) “species”

description reflects this, being an amalgam

of data from species in two genera. Both

Moore (1926) and Fosberg (1938a) correctly

concluded that Ixora triflora R.Br. ex Benth.

was based on several elements; however,

Moore (1926) was unaware of the earlier

name I. triflora (G.Forst.) Seem.

After exclusion of the Brown material

(flowering) that was referable to Diplospora

ixoroides F.Muell. (Reynolds & Forster 2005),

Fosberg (1938a) considered that the remaining

elements cited by Bentham (1867) under

Ixora triflora R.Br. ex Benth. were indeed

referable to Ixora and in need of a new name

(as a nom. nov.) - I. queenslandica. Fosberg

(1938a) did not provide a Latin diagnosis for

I. queenslandica , nor did he clearly indicate a

type in the traditional sense, citing specimens

collected by Tryon (A, BRI) that he had

examined and referring to the material seen by

Moore (1926). McGillivray (1972) pointed out

that “Fosberg refers to S.Moore’s paper [Moore

1926]....as a source of information of the

colour of the flowers and shape of the fruit, but

in so doing gives “a reference to a previously

and effectively published Latin description....”

(I.C.N.B. Article 36) viz., Moore’s citation on

p. 215 of that portion of Brown’s description

which Brown transposed, in a slightly modified

form, from Solander’s manuscript.... All the

requirements of valid publication are fulfilled

Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-278

provided that one is prepared to accept the

name as a “sp. nov.” instead of a “nom. nov.”.

The name Ixora queenslandica Fosberg is

typified by the specimen:- Bay of Inlets, Banks

and Solander, May 1770 (BM, holotype).”

McGillivray (1972) made this conclusion on

the basis of the flowering material that Moore

(1926) was referring to, namely the collection

at BM made by Banks and Solander and

from which the Latin diagnosis was derived.

Lectotypification of this name is not considered

necessary, as the application appears to be tied

to the single collection of Banks and Solander

in BM. A duplicate of this specimen is present

in BRI and is considered an isotype.

Conservation status: Ixora queenslandica is

widespread and common. No conservation

status listing is necessary. It occurs in National

Parks such as Deepwater, Eurimbula, Keppel

Bay Islands, Prudhoe Island and South

Cumberland Islands.

Etymology : The specific epithet is for the

occurrence of this plant within Queensland.

6. Ixora timorensis Decne., Nouv. Ann. Mus.

Hist. Nat. 3: 418 (1834).

Pavetta timorensis (Decne.) Miq., FI. Ind. Bat.

2: 278 (1857). Type: Timor, [Decaisne s.n.]

(holo: ?S n.v.'fide Bremekamp (1937: 338); iso:

L908217977).

Ixora klanderiana F.Muell., Fragm. 5: 18

(1865). Type: Queensland. North Kennedy

District: Seaview Range, 4 November 1864,

Dallachy (lecto [here designated]: MEL

1537416-7).

Ixora kochii Bremek., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenz.,

ser. 3, 14: 340 (1937). Type: Indonesia. Papua

Province: Merauke, 1904, J.W.R.Koch 566

(holo: BO n.v., fide Bremekamp (1937: 340);

iso: L908217929).

Illustrations : Brock (2001) [as Ixora

klanderana (sic)]; Hyland et al. (1999, 2003)

[as I. klanderiana ]; Nicholson & Nicholson

(2004: 45).

Slender shrubs or small trees 2-8 m high;

indumentum of spreading, short (<0.5 mm

long), simple trichomes; bark smooth or

scaly, brown, grey brown; branchlets terete

to somewhat flattened, glabrous. Stipules

Reynolds & Forster, Ixora in Australia

4- 6 mm long, externally glabrous, internally

with dense indumentum and colletors at base;

shortly connate for 1-2 mm, limbs ovate-

triangular, 2-3 mm long, keeled towards apex

and aristate (awn 1.5-4 mm long). Leaves

coriaceous, petiolate, glabrous; petioles 6-15

mm long, thickened; lamina elliptic, elliptic-

lanceolate, broadly elliptic-oblong or ovate-

elliptic, (102-) 120-230 (-260) * (30-) 45-90

(-110) mm; apex acuminate, abruptly shortly

acuminate or obtuse; base broad truncate,

subcordate (usually with the opposite sides of

lamina folded inwards), or obtuse, subacute,

oblique and sometimes shortly decurrent

into the petiole; upper surface olive green,

drying pale or dark brown, paler below;

lateral nerves distinct, 10-14 (-18) pairs,

subpatent or arcuate; interlateral nerves

reticulate. Inflorescences loosely branched,

paniculiform, the three branches clustered on

a short or long peduncle (this 0.6-6.8 cm long),

subtended by a pair of large or small bracts; the

central branch with 1 or 2 internodes (these

2-11 mm long) ultimately 10-80-flowered;

branches (lateral) patent 52-85 mm long,

trichotomously branched, occasionally with

one internode, ultimate branches 5-16 mm

long terminated by trichotomously branched

cymes (these 6-42-flowered), the ultimate

cymules 2 or 3-flowered, one flower (the

oldest) on a shorter pedicel; bracts subtending

the inflorescence branches either large (then

ovate or broadly elliptic-ovate (sometimes

represented by reduced leaves), apiculate

at apex, obtuse or subcordate at base), or

small, then stipule-like, 10-50 (-95) x 12-24

(-45) mm; bracts higher on the inflorescence

branch (usually at junction of the branches)

smaller, ovate, often represented by lateral

subulate lobes only. Flowers 4 or occasionally

5- merous, pedicellate; pedicels slender,

(2-) 4-10 mm long, glabrous or with sparse

indumentum. Calyx ellipsoid, lobes minute,

ovate, (<0.2 mm long), finely puberulous or

glabrous. Corolla small and inconspicuous,

cream, sometimes with pinkish tinge, sweetly

scented; tube (3-) 6-10 mm long, slightly

dilated at mouth (to 1.5 mm wide at mouth),

finely hairy at throat; lobes twisted to the left in

bud, elliptic, subacute or obtuse, 5-7 x 1.5-2.5

mm, spreading or reflexed. Stamens inserted

at mouth of corolla tube, anthers linear-ovate,

269

apiculate, 4.5-7 x 0.5 mm, filaments 1.5-2.5

mm long. Ovary 2-locular; style and stigma

10-17 mm long, shortly exserted from tube,

the style usually sparsely hairy from below

lobes, stigmatic lobes 2, glabrous, 1.8-2.2

mm long, linear, recurved or suberect. Fruit

subglobose, 6-9 x 6-10 mm, black when ripe,

glabrous, pyrenes single; seeds subglobose,

rounded on top, 4.5-5 x 4.5-5 mm. Fig. 6.

Additional selected specimens examined: Northern

Territory. Melville Island, Snake Bay, Sep 1986,

Fensham 287* (DNA); Croker Island, Minjilang,

11°09'S, 132°34'E, Oct 1986, Wightman 3220 & Smith*

(DNA); 8 km W of Three Ways, Melville Island, 11°40'S,

130°38'E, Apr 1987, Russell-Smith 2127 & Lucas (DNA);

Ganpura turnoff, Elcho Island, 11°53'S, 135°48'E, Jun

2002, Mitchell 7298 (BRI, DNA); Inverell Bay, 6 km

W of Nhulunbuy, 12°12'S, 136°43'E, Nov 1989, Forster

PIF5956 (BRI, DNA); 1.5 kmNW of Yirrkala, 12°15'S,

136°52'E, Nov 1989, Forster PIF5972 (BRI, DNA);

Koolatong River, near road crossing, 13°06'S, 135°44'E,

Oct 1996, Cowie 7383 (BRI, DNA); Angurugu, Groote

Eylandt, 13°59'S, 136°27'E, Jul 1973, Levitt 319*

(DNA). Queensland. Cook District: Dauan Island,

Torres Strait, 9°25'S, 142°30'E, Jul 1975, Cameron

2324* (QRS); Yorke Island, 9°45'S, 143°24'E, Oct 1981,

Clarkson 3976 (BRI, QRS); Lockerbie, Cape York road,

10°48'S, 142°28'E, Sep 1985, Williams 85190 (BRI);

Bolt Head, Temple Bay, 12°15'S, 143°05'E, Jun 1996,

Forster PIF19380 (BRI, MEL); Lake Patricia, Weipa,

12°39'S, 141°49'E, Jun 1994, Forster PIF15267 (BRI);

Rocky River, 13°55'S, 143°30'E, Sep 1971, Hyland

5483* (QRS); Fishtail Hill, Mcllwraith Range, Silver

Plains, 13°41'S, 143°26'E, Jul 1997, Forster PIF21399

et al. (BRI, MEL, QRS); Bonanza Creek, Peach River,

Aug 1948, Brass 19824 (BRI, CANB); Kowanyama

Aboriginal Reserve, South Mitchell River, c. 6 km from

the river mouth, 15°24'S, 141°33'E, Aug 1980, Clarkson

3384 (BRI); Craiglie, c. 5 km S of Port Douglas, 16°31'S,

145°28'E, Sep 2002, Halford Q7388 (BRI, DNA). North

Kennedy District: Conway Beach, 20°28'S, 148°44'E,

Nov 1985, Sharpe 4087 (BRI, CANB). South Kennedy

District: Cathu S.F. 658 Macartney, 20°45'S, 148°34'E,

Nov 1989, McDonald 4423 et al. (BRI, QRS); St Helen’s

Gap, Eungella N.P, 20°55'S, 148°30'E, Mar 1995,

Pearson SP586 (BRI).

Distribution and habitat: Ixora timorensis

has a wide distribution in Indonesia (Lesser

Sunda Islands, Moluccas, Celebes, Papua),

Papua New Guinea, East Timor and northern

Australia in the Northern Territory and

Queensland (Map 4). It occurs in coastal

vine thickets on dunes, riparian rainforests,

sometimes on sandstone in gorges, hillsides

and gullies.

Notes: Ixora timorensis is readily

recognisable from the other species here

270

by the shortly stalked elliptic-oblong or

lanceolate, coriaceous leaves that are

somewhat amplexicaule at the base and the

large, many-flowered, loose-paniculiform

inflorescences that are subtended by showy

bracts.

Bentham (1867) considered Ixora

timorensis and I klanderianato be conspecific

and combined I. klanderiana under the

earlier name. Use of the name I. timorensis

was accepted by Bailey (1900), Ewart &

Davies (1917) and Domin (1929). Bremekamp

(1937) kept the species separate because the

flowers of I. klanderiana were described

as 5-merous (as compared to 4-merous in

I. timorensis ); however, he was not able to

check the Australian specimens to confirm

this distinction. Australian specimens in

herbaria largely remained under the name

I. klanderiana after Bremekamp’s account.

Ixora klanderiana is considered here to be a

synonym of I. timorensis as the flowers are di¬

merous in the majority of specimens seen in

this study (including some of the syntypes of

I. klanderiana) and the Australian specimens

are hardly distinguishable from specimens

of I. timorensis from Indonesia (especially

Timor) and New Guinea in their aspect,

leaves, inflorescence, bracts and corolla size

and shape.

Ixora timorensis was recorded from New

Guinea by Valeton (1911) who also recognised

I. timorensis var. pauciflora Valeton from the

same island. Bremekamp (1937) however,

considered the New Guinea specimens to

be distinct from I. timorensis and described

two new species viz, I. brachypogon Bremek.

(previously known as I. timorensis var.

pauciflora Valeton) and I. kochii Bremek.

and cited one or two specimens under each.

His new species were distinguished from

I. timorensis by their hairy inflorescences and

from each other by their leaf shape (base),

size of corolla and hairiness of calyx). Most

specimens seen from New Guinea have

glabrous inflorescences which are typical of

I. timorensis. Both hairy and glabrous variants

are present in the Australian specimens, and

one of the specimens Bremekamp (1937) cited

under I. kochii is hardly distinguishable from

the Australian specimens under I. timorensis.

Moreover, the other distinguishing characters

Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-278

he used, namely the shape of leaves, size of

flowers and hairiness are unreliable because

they are all very variable in the specimens

seen in this study. His two new species appear

to be just local forms of the very variable

I. timorensis.

As indicated above, pubescent (indicated

* in list of specimens above) and glabrous

variants are distinguishable in the Australian

specimens available for study, but are not

formally recognised here because with the

exception of hairiness (of the inflorescences)

the specimens have more or less the same

leaves, inflorescences, bracts and corollas.

The variant with glabrous peduncles,

pedicels and calyx is typical for the species.

The majority of specimens from Queensland

(including syntypes of I. klanderiana ) are of

this type. These possess a distinct (usually

long) main peduncle which is terminated by a

pair of large showy bracts (at the base of the

trichotomous inflorescence branches). These

specimens resemble collections from Timor

and New Guinea in their inflorescence axes

and calyx, shape and size of leaves and corolla

(corolla tube 4-7 mm long), but the showy bracts

which are usually present (at the base of the main

inflorescence) in the Queensland specimens

are sometimes absent on the specimens from

those places; however, specimens seen from

those regions are too few to be certain of this.

The character of the bract is variable in the

Australian collections, with the majority of

specimens from the Northern Territory (and a

few from far northern Queensland) having the

small bracts as in specimens from the above

islands.

The majority of collections from Northern

Territory are of the pubescent variant. It

resembles the above type in the shape and

size of its leaves, inflorescences and flowers,

but differs by its hairy inflorescence axes and

hairy calyx, and a short, usually reduced main

peduncle subtended by the uppermost pair of

leaves or the main inflorescence subtended

by stipule-like small bracts (the showy bracts

typical of the glabrous variant only occasionally

present), and also by its longer corollas (corolla

tube 8-12 mm long). This variant appears to

be the same as the plant described as I. kochii

Bremek. from New Guinea (see above).

Reynolds & Forster, Ixora in Australia

271

Fig. 6. Ixora timorensis. A. habit of fruiting branchlet x 0.5. B. leaf viewed from below showing detail of venation x

0.6. C. lateral view of flower x 4. D. face view of flower x 4. peduncle with bract x 8. A from Forster PIF19380 (BRI);

B from Forster PIF19349 (BRI); C-E from Halford Q813 (BRI). Del. W. Smith.

Typification: Mueller cited three syntypes in

the protologue for Ixora klanderiana (Herbert

River, Dallachy; Mt Elliot, Dallachy; Seaview

Range, Dallachy). All of these syntypes are

represented by multiple sheets in MEL. The

best specimen is the Seaview Range collection

of 4 November 1864 by John Dallachy that is

fully fertile with many flowers. This specimen

(MEL1537416-7) is selected as lectotype for

the name.

Conservation status: The species is common

and widespread.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the

island of Timor from where the species was

first described.

272

Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-278

B. Exotic species of Ixora naturalised in Australia

A single species (I. coccinea) is sparingly naturalised as an adventive in Australia. It is commonly

cultivated and likely to be confused with other cultivated species in the genus.

Key to commonly cultivated species of Ixora in Australia

1 Bracts and calyx lobes similar in shape; calyx lobes much longer than tube,

lanceolate, veined, 4-5 mm long, drying paler than tube, persistent in

fruit; flowers white, very fragrant.I. finlaysoniana Wall, ex G.Don

Bracts and calyx dissimilar in shape; calyx lobes much shorter than tube,

ovate; flowers red, pink, yellow or orange, usually not fragrant.2

2 Inflorescences longer than leaves, open, paniculiform with few

widely spaced opposite or alternate branches, terminated by

densely-flowered cymes or corymbs; flowers very small (corolla

tube 7-9 mm long, lobes c. 2 mm long); style usually hairy

.I. parviflora Vahl

Inflorescences usually shorter than the leaves, corymbiform or

subumbellate, compact with opposite branches, terminated by densely

flowered corymbs or subumbels; flowers showy (corolla tube 20-35 mm

long, lobes 5-10 mm long); style glabrous.3

3 Leaves obtuse or cordate and clasping the stem at base, very shortly

petiolate; corolla red or sometimes yellow, lobes 9-10 mm long,

lanceolate or rhomboidal, acute, acuminate or obtuse.I. coccinea L.

Leaves cuneate or subobtuse at base, usually distinctly petiolate; corolla

reddish-pink or orange, lobes 5-7 mm long, obovate, rounded.I. chinensis Lam.

7. Ixora coccinea L., Sp. PI. 110 (1753). Type:

Rheede, Hot. Mai. 2: 17, t. 13 (1679) (lecto

[icono]: Fosberg & Sachet 1989b: 486).

Illustrations: Whistler (2000: 278).

Shrub or small tree 1-2 m high, usually much

branched with stiff branches; indumentum of

erect, short (<0.2 mm long), simple trichomes;

branchlets flattened angular, with short,

dense indumentum when young, green-grey,

glabrescent. Stipules 2-6 mm long, externally

glabrous, internally with sparse indumentum

and colletors near base; shortly connate for

up to 0.8 mm, limbs ovate-truncate, 1-3 mm

long, keeled towards apex and aristate (awn

1.5-4 mm long). Leaves coriaceous, subsessile

to shortly petiolate, glabrous; petioles 0-5

mm long; lamina elliptic, elliptic-oblong or

obovate, 35-100 x 20-50 mm; apex acute or

obtuse and shortly mucronate; base cuneate,

obtuse or subcordate, sometimes slightly

amplexicaul; lateral nerves 10-13 pairs,

suboblique, interlateral venation reticulate.

Inflorescences sessile, three branched,

corymbiform, densely flowered, subtended

by leaf-like bracts; the three branches

branched again (to about 5 times ramified),

each terminated by dichasial cymes; ultimate

cymules 3-5-flowered, the oldest (central

flower) usually sessile, laterals pedicellate;

bracts at base of inflorescence consist of

reduced leaves, those on branches smaller,

ovate-subulate, acuminate; bracteoles paired,

ovate-acuminate, 1-10 mm long. Flowers

bisexual, 4-merous, pedicellate, inodorous;

pedicels 2-4 mm long. Calyx red; tube ±

urceolate, 2-3 mm long, with short, sparse

indumentum; lobes triangular, acute, 1.5-3.5

mm long. Corolla large and showy, red, orange

or orange-red; tube slender, 10-45 mm long;

lobes ovate-elliptic, acute, 7-15 x 3-5 mm.

Stamens exserted, anthers linear-oblong,

2.5-3 mm long, filaments 0.7-2 mm long.

Ovary 4-locular; style and stigma 10-50 mm

long, exserted for 3-4 mm, stigmatic lobes 2,

glabrous, 1.8-2 mm long. Fruits globose to

subglobose, 5-6 x 5-6 mm, reddish black,

glabrous, pyrenes 2-4; mature seeds not

seen.

Reynolds & Forster, Ixora in Australia

Additional selected specimens examined (naturalised):

Western Australia. Black Madonna Retreat near

Gregory’s Well, c. 10 km N of Lombadina Mission,

16°28'S, 122°54'E, Jul 1997, Mitchell 4813 (BRI).

Queensland. North Kennedy District: Daydream Island,

Whitsunday Region, 20°15'S, 148°53'E, Mar 1990,

Batianoff 900349 (BRI); Sinclair Bay, Cape Gloucester,

20°07'S, 148°27'E, Sep 1992, Batianoff 9209198 (BRI);

Sinclair Bay, 20°05'S, 148°26'E, Mar 1994, Batianoff

9403257 (BRI). South Kennedy District: Netherdale, E

of Eungella, Nov 1981, McConnell & McConnell s.n.

(NSW193804).

Distribution and habitat : Ixora coccinea

is a native of India and widely cultivated in

the tropics, especially in south-east Asia,

Africa, Malesia, Pacific Islands and northern

Australia, as an ornamental shrub or hedge

plant (Whistler 2000). It is undoubtedly the

most widely cultivated species of this genus

in the tropics and is now naturalised in many

countries, albeit as a localised adventive.

Ixora coccinea was reported as occurring in

Australia from very early times (Hooker 1859:

44); however, it is unclear as to the application

of the name by Hooker. Bentham (1867) stated

“this may have been one of the exotic shrubs

planted during the time that Port Essington

was colonised”. It has never become fully

naturalised and at the most should be regarded

as a persistent adventive. Despite Ewart &

Davies (1917) reporting it as naturalised

in the Northern Territory, and subsequent

widespread cultivation in gardens until the

present day, it has not persisted as a weed and

is not currently regarded as naturalised there

(I. Cowie, pers. comm. August 2005). The

273

species has been collected as a naturalised

adventive on a handful of occasions in central

coastal Queensland (Map 2).

Notes : Ixora coccinea is readily recognisable

by its densely flowered corymbiform

inflorescences, with clusters of red or orange-

red flowers, long slender corolla tube, broad

acute corolla lobes, thick leaves that are sessile

or shortly stalked, and usually subcordate and

slightly amplexicaule at their base. It may

be distinguished from the other cultivated

species of Ixora in Australia (I. chinensis

Lam., I. finlaysoniana Wall, ex G.Don and I.

parviflora Vahl) by the above key. A single

record of ‘naturalised’ I. finlaysoniana from

Cooktown in 1980 (Scarth-Johnson 1167A

- BRI) has not been corroborated in recent

times (B. Waterhouse, pers. comm. 2006) and

is discounted.

Ixora coccinea is reported to be very

variable by Smith & Darwin (1988), Fosberg

& Sachet (1989a) and Rajaseger et al. (1999).

The penultimate authors recognised four

varieties and two forms in Micronesia. At

least two of these are present in Australia,

namely var. coccinea and var. bandhuca, as

well as a number of cultivars with Spencer

(2002) listing over thirty. They are not further

treated here.

Etymology: The specific epithet is from the

Latin coccineus (deep red, crimson) and refers

to the corolla colour.

Excluded species and misapplications

Ixora dallachiana (F.Muell.) F.Muell., Census Austral, pi, 1: 75 (1882) = Tarenna dallachiana

(F.Muell. exBenth.) S.Moore

Ixora expandens (F.Muell.) F.Muell., Census Austral, pi. 1: 75 (1882) = Tarenna dallachiana

subsp. expandens (F.Muell.) S.T.Reynolds & P.I.Forst.

Ixora indica Kuntze, Rev. Gen. PI. 1: 286 (1891) = Pavetta australiensis Bremek.

Ixora orophila C.T.White, Proc. Roy. Soc. Queensland 53: 220 (1942); non Bremek. = Psydrax

montigena S.T.Reynolds & R.J.F.Hend.

Ixora pavetta sensu Benth., FI. Austral. 3: 414 (1867) = Pavetta australiensis Bremek.

Ixora pentamera Benth., FI. Austral. 3: 416 (1867) = Tarenna pentamera (Benth.)

S.T.Reynolds

Ixora thozetiana F.Muell., Fragm. 2: 132 (1861) = Aidia racemosa (Cav.) Triveng.

274 Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-278

Ixora tomentosa sensu Benth., FI. Austral. 3: 414 (1867); Ewart & Davies, FI. Northern Territory

258 (1917) = Pavetta brownii Bremek.

Ixora triflora R.Br. ex Benth., FI. Austral. 3: 416 (1867) p. p. = Triflorensia ixoroides (F.Muell.)

S.T.Reynolds (see also under Ixora foetida (L.f.) Fosberg)

Ixora vinosa F.Muell. ex Rchbf. (1866), nomen = Pavetta australiensis Bremek.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Les Pedley for the

Latin diagnosis, Rod Henderson for his advice

on nomenclature and for checking specimens

from Timor at Kew, Gordon Guymer and

Juliet Wege for checking and photographing

types during their terms as ABLO at Kew,

Val Stajsic for images of Ixora klanderiana

syntype material at MEL, Aaron Davis (Kew)

for helping resolve aspects of the application of

I. triflora and for his constructive criticism of

the manuscript, Will Smith for the illustrations

and maps, the Australian Biological Resources

Study for funding support for this revision,

and the curators of the following herbaria

AD, BM, CANB, DNA, K, L, MEL, NSW,

PERTH and QRS for the loan of specimens

including types, or for access to specimens at

their institutions.

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277

Map 1. Distribution in 1 ° grids in Australia for Ixora bailey ana A and Ixora beckleri i

15 120 125 130 135 140 145 150 155

Map 2. Distribution in 1° grids in Australia for Ixora biflora A , Ixora coccinea X , Ixora

queenslandica • .

278

Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-278

Map 3. Distribution in 1° grids in Australia for Ixora finlaysoniana ▲ and Ixora oreogena i

115 120 125 130 135 140 145 150 155

Map 4. Distribution in 1° grids in Australia for Ixora timorensis • .

Mischarytera megaphylla P.I.Forst. (Sapindaceae), a new

species from the ‘Wet Tropics’ of north-east Queensland

Paul I. Forster

Summary

Forster, P.I. (2006). Mischarytera megaphylla P.I.Forst. (Sapindaceae), a new species from the ‘Wet

Tropics’ of north-east Queensland. Austrobaileya 7(2): 279-283. The new species, Mischarytera

megaphylla, is described and illustrated. It is known from lowland tropical rainforest in a small area

at Oliver and Noah Creeks in the ‘Wet Tropics’ of north-east Queensland. A key to the Australian

species of Mischarytera is provided.

Key Words: Sapindaceae, Mischarytera megaphylla , new species. Wet Tropics biodiversity. Cape

Tribulation, Australian flora, Queensland flora, identification key

P.I.Forster, Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic Gardens,

Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia. Email: paul.forster@epa.qld.gov.au

Introduction

The genus Mischarytera H.Turner was

described in 1995 to accomodate three species

from Australia and New Guinea that had been

previously included in Arytera Blume (Turner

1995). Mischarytera was distinguished from

Arytera by the fruit being glabrous inside

(versus glabrous or variously hairy inside)

and having a sclerenchymatic layer inside the

pericarp that radiates from the placenta and

separates from the endocarp when ripe (versus

lacking); a punctate calyx with teeth that have

a membranous margin (versus lacking); the 3-

11-jugate leaves (versus 1—4—(6-) jugate) and

leaflets that are densely punctate (versus not,

or only sparsely) (Turner 1995). Arytera has

fruit that always open loculicidally, whereas

in Mischarytera the fruit open loculicidally or

loculifragally, as in the new species described

below.

In 1972, Len Webb and Geoff Tracey

collected fruiting material of a large leaved

Sapindaceae plant at Oliver Creek in the

Cape Tribulation area. This collection was

tentatively identified as an Harpullia sp. by

the collectors, then later as H vaga Merr. &

Perry by P.W.Leenhouts in 1980 with the note

that the “fruit does not belong here!”. This

small tree has been rarely and irregularly

collected at Noah Creek and Oliver Creek in

the intervening 30+ years and ended up being

Accepted for publication 27 June 2006

listed at BRI as “ Mischarytera sp. (Oliver

Creek L.J. Webb+ 10903)” (Forster & Jessup

2002) and at QRS as “Sapindaceae sp. (Noah

Creek BG 6026)” (Hyland et al. 2003).

The collection of both flowering and

fruiting material of this tree by Bruce Gray

has enabled critical examination of both its

generic and specific placement. In nearly all

respects, this species fulfills the character

states necessary for it to be included in

Mischarytera , viz. fruit glabrous inside; calyx

punctate, teeth with a membranous margin;

leaves 3-11-jugate; leaflets densely punctate.

From the very limited fruiting material to hand

it does not appear to have the sclerenchymatic

layer on the inside of the pericarp that radiates

from the placenta and separates from the

endocarp when ripe (Turner 1995: 143). The

regular occurrence of this layer in the fruits of

the species referred to Mischarytera requires

further study utilising fresh or spirit material

as although it was illustrated (from dried

material) for M. lautereriana (F.M.Bailey)

H.Turner by Turner (1995) it appears absent

from the illustrations of fresh material of that

species and for M macrobotrys (Merr. &

L.M.Perry) H.Turner (Cooper & Cooper 1994,

2004).

This new species is named here in

Mischarytera , although with some reservations.

It will be interesting to see where its relationships

lie once molecular analyses are undertaken for

the Arytera - Mischarytera group of species

280

and whether recognition of the latter genus is

justified on molecular grounds.

Materials and methods

The data presented in this paper are derived

from herbarium collections at BRI and QRS.

The species description is modelled partly

on those of Turner (1995) for Mischarytera

species with amendments to enable accurate

venation description.

Species of Arytera and Mischarytera

appear to possess functionally unisexual

flowers, with the ‘male’ and ‘female’ flowers

generally having rudimentary components

of the other sex (Turner 1995). Male flowers

usually predominate in inflorescences and

careful observation is required to ensure

that flowers of both sexes are collected. As a

result separate descriptions are provided for

male (below) and female (not seen at anthesis)

flowers.

Venation terminology largely follows

Hickey (1973) and Ash et al. (1999) with

the recognition of a midrib (1° vein order),

lateral veins (2° vein order) and intercostal

veins (3° and onwards vein orders) within

any leaf lamina. When an intercostal vein

comprises a continuous raised line of cells it

is termed ‘distinct’; if it is discontinuous or

fades away into the body of the lamina, it is

termed ‘indistinct’. Indumentum cover is

described using the terminology of Hewson

(1988), except that ‘scattered’ is used instead

of‘isolated’. The shapes of leaves, sepals and

petals are described using the terminology

of Hickey & King (2000). Length and

width dimensions are indicated as length

measurement x width measurement followed

by the measurement unit.

Taxonomy

Mischarytera megaphylla P.I.Forst., species

nov. affinis M. macrobotryi sed foliis majora

(31-75 cm longitudine contra 14-43 cm),

foliolis elliptico-oblongis (adversum elliptica

usque obovata) et apicibus caudatis usque

longe acuminatis (contra breviter acuminatos),

cymulis circinalibus (in ilia dichasialibus),

pedicellis longioribus (2-4 mm longitudine

adversum 1.5-2 mm ), floribus masculinis

majoribus (2.5-3.5 mm diametro contra 1-1.2

Austrobaileya 7(2): 279-283

mm) et seminibus majoribus ( c . 28 x 23-24

mm adversum c. 13 x 12 mm) differens.

Typus: Queensland. Cook District: Cape

Tribulation road, 16°09'S, 145°26'E,21 March

1995, B.Gray 6026 (holo: QRS; iso: BRI).

Mischarytera sp. (Oliver Creek L.J.Webb+

10903) in Forster & Jessup (2002).

Sapindaceae sp. (Noah Creek BG 6026) in

Hyland et al (2003).

Illustration : Hyland et al. (2003).

Trees to 8 m high. Indumentum of simple

trichomes, dirty-straw in colour. Branchlets

lenticellate, with sparse to dense indumentum

when young, glabrescent; flowering twigs

5- 6 mm diameter. Leaves 31-75 cm long,

6- 8-jugate; petiole 15-24 cm long, pulvinate,

sparsely lenticellate; rhachis 29-41 cm long,

slightly flattened and somewhat winged to

± rounded; leaflets opposite, subopposite

to alternate, petiolules 5-12 x 0.6-1.5 mm,

distinctly grooved above, rounded below;

lamina coriaceous, elliptic-ovate to elliptic-

oblong, rarely slightly falcate, (8-) 11.2-32 x

(23-) 4-8.2 cm, length/width ratio 2.2-4.6;

apex caudate to long-acuminate; base acute to

cuneate, unequal; margin entire, flat to slightly

undulating; venation brochidromous, 2° lateral

veins 15-21 per side of midrib (1° vein), 3-22

mm apart; upper surface dark green, glossy,

venation + flat and inconspicuous, 2° veins

slightly raised towards 1° vein, intercostal

veins inconspicuous; lower surface pale

green, matt, venation prominent, 2° veins

prominently raised, 3° intercostal veins

slightly raised to indistinct, 4° intercostal

veins reticulate and indistinct. Inflorescences

axillary or pseudoterminal; rhachis terete,

3.4- 57 cm long; first order branches 2-13

cm long, cymules cincinnate, 1-4-flowered;

bracts triangular, 0.5-1.2 x 0.2-0.4 mm.

Flowers functionally unisexual. Male flowers

2.5- 3.5 mm diameter; pedicels filiform, 2-4

x 0.2-0.3 mm, with dense indumentum,

bracteoles lanceolate-ovate, 1-2 x 1-1.5

mm, with dense indumentum, margin entire;

calyx 0.6-1 mm high, teeth ovate, 0.5-0.8

x 07-0.8 mm, externally weakly punctate

and with sparse indumentum, margin entire

to dentate, apex acute; petals ovate, 0.8-1 x

0.6-0.8 mm, externally weakly punctate with

Forster, Mischarytera megaphylla

sparse indumentum in centre, internally with

claw 0.3-0.4 mm long, blade not abruptly

decurrent into claw, with short indumentum,

margin glabrous or with scattered cilia;

stamens (7-) 8; filaments 0.7-0.8 mm long,

pilose for entire length, denser towards base;

anthers 1-1.2 x 0.5-0.7 mm, with sparse

indumentum; pistillode c. 0.5 mm long, with

dense antrorse indumentum; ovary c. 0.5

mm long, with dense antrorse indumentum.

Female flowers not seen. Fruit capsule slightly

obcordate to globose, with 1 well-developed

lobe, opening loculifragally, 28-30 mm high,

23-28 mm wide; exocarp smooth, green;

endocarp entire, glabrous; stipe 2-4 mm long,

glabrous. Seed orbicular-ovoid, c. 28 x 23-24

mm, brown; arilloid + entirely enclosing seed

(apart from tip), unwinged (non-alate), fleshy,

orange-yellow; hilum ellipsoid c. 8x6 mm.

Fig. 1.

Additional specimens examined : Queensland. Cook

District: Oliver Creek, a tributary of Noah Creek, Cape

Tribulation area, 16°06'S, 145°27'E, Aug 1972, Webb &

Tracey 10903 (BRI); Oliver Creek, V.C.L. Noah, EP/41,

Jun 1978, Sanderson 1549 (QRS); Hewitson property

on the southern side of Noah Creek, 16°09'S, 145°26'E,

Oct 2002, Cooper WWC1784 & Cooper (BRI); Cape

Tribulation road, 16°09'S, 145°26'E, Jul 1995, Gray 6245

(QRS); Joe. cit. , Oct 1995, Gray 6318 (QRS).

281

Distribution and habitat : Mischarytera

megaphylla is endemic to the Noah Creek

- Oliver Creek area at Cape Tribulation

in the Wet Tropics bioregion of north-east

Queensland. Plants occur in lowland tropical

rainforest (complex mesophyll vineforest) on

alluvial/colluvial soils derived from a mixture

of metamorphic and mudstone at altitudes

below 100 m.

Notes : Mischarytera megaphylla has some

similiarities to M. macrobotrys that occurs in

New Guinea and on Cape York Peninsula in

Queensland; however it differs noticeably from

that species in the much larger leaves (31—75

cm long versus 14-43 cm long) with generally

much longer leaflets that are elliptic-ovate to

elliptic-oblong (versus elliptic to obovate)

and that have a caudate to long-acuminate

tip (versus short-acuminate), the cincinnate

cymules (versus dichasial), male flowers with

longer pedicels (2-4 mm versus 1.5-2 mm)

and a greater diameter (2.5-3.5 mm diameter

versus 1-1.2 mm diameter), and seeds that are

twice as large (28 x 23-24 mm versus c. 13 x

12 mm).

Key to Australian Mischarytera

1 Leaflets 0.9-3.7 mm wide; lateral (2°) veins in leaflets narrowly spaced

(1.5-7 mm apart); fruit capsule 9—19 x 5-20 mm; seeds 6.5-12 x 4.8-8

mm.M. lautereriana

Leaflets 3.3-8.2 mm wide; lateral (2°) veins in leaflets widely spaced (3-

22 mm apart); fruit capsule 18—30 x 18-28 mm; seeds 13—28 x 12-24

mm.2

2 Leaves 31-75 cm long; leaflet blade elliptic-oblong to elliptic-ovate, apex

caudate to long-acuminate; cymules cincinnate; pedicels 2-4 mm long;

male flowers 2.5-3.5 mm diameter; seeds c. 28 x 23-24 mm.M. megaphylla

Leaves 14-43 cm long; leaflet blade elliptic to obovate, apex short-

acuminate; cymules dichasial; pedicels 1.5-2 mm long; male flowers

1-1.2 mm diameter; seeds c. 13 x 12 mm.M. macrobotrys

Mischaryera megaphylla may also occur

in the Mcllwraith Range as three sterile

collections at BRI greatly resemble the

material from the Cape Tribulation area (viz.

headwaters of Massey Creek near old mining

site, Mcllwraith Range, 13°50’S, 143°20’E,

Oct 1969, Webb & Tracey 9270 ; Rocky

River, eastern foothills of Mcllwraith Range,

13°47’S, 143°25’E, Oct 1969, Webb & Tracey

9401; headwaters of Lankelly Creek, western

fall of Mcllwraith Range, 13°52’S, 143°20’E,

Oct 1969, Webb & Tracey 9570).

282

Austrobaileya 7(2): 279-283

Fig. 1. Mischarytera megaphylla. A. leaf x 0.3. B. individual leaflet showing 1° and 2° venation x 0.5. C. detail of

intercostal 3° and 4° venation x 1.5. D. lateral view of male flower x 12. E. apical view of male flower x 12. F. lateral

view of intact fruit x 1. G. lateral view of seed enclosed in arilloid x 1. H. basal view of seed enclosed in arilloid

showing point of attachment x 1. I. basal view of seed showing hilum x 1.5. A, Gray 6245 (BRI); B-E, Gray 6026

(QRS); F—I, Gray 6318 (QRS). Del. W. Smith.

Forster, Mischarytera megaphylla

If Mischarytera megaphylla is truly restricted

to the Cape Tribulation area, then it adds to

the growing list of narrow or near endemics

that are known only from there, viz. Euodia

hylandii T.G.Hartley, E. pubifolia T.G.Hartley

and Gardenia actinocarpa Puttock.

Conservationstatus: Mischarytera megaphylla

occurs infrequently at Oliver and Noah Creeks.

There is no information as to its occupancy or

to the number of individuals that exist and

urgent survey work is required to determine its

overall distribution and abundance. Although

most of its known occurrences are within

the Daintree National Park, the species may

still warrant conservation coding based on

its restricted distribution and apparent small

population sizes. It should be regarded as Data

Deficient ( cf. IUCN 2001) at this stage.

Etymology : The specific epithet is derived

from the Greek mega (big, large) and

phyllus (leaved) and alludes to the large

size of the leaves and leaflets in this species

when compared to the other species from

Australia.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to W. Smith (BRI) for the illustrations,

P.D. Bostock for translation of the diagnosis

into Latin, the Australian National Herbarium

(QRS) for the loan of material, and the referee

for comments on the manuscript.

References

Ash, A., Ellis, B., Hickey, L.J., Johnson, K., Wilf, P. &

Wing, S. (1999). Manual of Leaf Architecture.

Smithsonian Institution: Washington.

Cooper, W. & Cooper, W.T. (1994). Fruits of the Rain

Forest: a guide to fruits in Australian tropical

rain forests. RD Press: Surry Hills.

- (2004). Fruits ofthe Tropical Australian Rainforest.

Nokomis Editions Pty Ltd.: Melbourne.

Forster, PI. & Jessup, L.W. (2002). Sapindaceae. In

R. J.F. Henderson (ed.). Names and Distribution

of Queensland Plants, Algae and Lichens , pp.

181-185. Environmental Protection Agency:

Brisbane, t

Hewson, H. (1988). Plant Indumentum. A Handbook of

Terminology. Australian Flora & Fauna Series

No. 9. Australian Government Publishing

Service: Canberra.

283

Hickey, L .J. (1973). Classification of the architecture of

dicotyledonous leaves. American Journal of

Botany 60: 17-33.

Hickey, M. & King, C. (2000). The Cambridge Illustrated

Glossary of Botanical Terms. Cambridge

University Press: Cambridge.

Hyland, B.P.M., Whiffin, T., Christophel, D.C., Gray, B.

& Elick, R.W. (2003). Australian Tropical Rain

Forest Plants. Trees, Shrubs and Vines. CD-

ROM. CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.

Iucn (2001). IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Version 3.1. Gland: IUCN - The World

Conservation Union.

Turner, H. (1995). Cladistic and biogeographic analyses

of Ary ter a Blume and Mischarytera gen. nov.

(Sapindaceae) with notes on methodology and a

full taxonomic revision. Blumea Supplement 9.

Rijksherbarium/ Hortus Botanicus: Leiden.

Synima reynoldsiae P.I.Forst. (Sapindaceae), a new species

from the ‘Wet Tropics’ of north-east Queensland

Paul I. Forster

Summary

Forster, P.I. (2006). Synima reynoldsiae P.I.Forst. (Sapindaceae), a new species from the ‘Wet Tropics’

of north-east Queensland. Austrobaileya 7(2): 285-291. A new species from the ‘Wet Tropics’

rainforest of north-east Queensland, Synima reynoldsiae is described and illustrated. This species is

restricted to upland rainforest (simple to complex notophyll vineforests) on basalt, granite or rhyolite

derived substrates. A revised key to the Australian species of Synima is provided.

Key Words: Sapindaceae, Synima reynoldsiae , new species. Wet Tropics biodiversity, Australian

flora, Queensland flora, identification key

P.I.Forster, Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic Gardens,

Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland, Australia. Email: paul.forster@,epa.qld.gov.au

Introduction

The genus Synima Radik, is endemic to

Australia and New Guinea with two species

recognised (Reynolds 1985b; Leenhouts

& Adema 1994). Synima is thought to be

related to genera such as Mischocarpus

Blume, Sarcotoechia Radik, and Toechima

Radik., at least with respect to its placement

in taxonomic accounts of the family. These

putative affinities have been based on floral

and fruit morphology and it is likely that

molecular analyses will provide alternative

data sets to build future generic classifications

in the Sapindaceae.

Sterile collections of a Sapindaceous

tree, superficially similar to Guioa montana

C.T.White, have been made in the ‘Wet

Tropics’ bioregion of north-east Queensland

since the early 1950’s. Fertile specimens of

flowers (both sexes), fruits and seeds of this

tree, collected mainly in the late 1980’s and

early 1990’s, led Sally Reynolds to place

tentative identifications of several fruiting and

sterile collections as Sarcotoechia sp. nov.

(November 1979) and later as Synima sp. nov.

(November 1985); however, the latter generic

assignation was not taken up at the time.

Features of its fruit morphology led to it being

listed at BRI as Sarcotoechia sp. (Mt Carbine

L.W.Jessup+ GJM995) (Reynolds 1987b;

Forster & Jessup 2002) and at QRS as S. sp.

Accepted for publication 27 June 2006

(Mountain Sarcotoechia WWC100) (Hyland

et al. 2003); however, this generic assignation

was based on an incomplete character data

set. Several characters, especially those of the

petals (crested, versus uncrested) and seed

sarcotesta (covering the seed apart from an

adaxial dorsal strip, versus annular around

the hilum to cupular and covering up to

one-third of the seed) negate its inclusion in

Sarcotoechia and reinforce its placement in

Synima.

The genus Synima is distinguished by the

leaflets without domatia, a shortly cupular

calyx with ovate sepals that are hairy on both

surfaces, crested scales on the petals, the

unwinged and shortly stipitate fruit capsule

with valves that are thin when dried, villous

hairy inside and with keeled sutures, and the

seed with a fleshy, yellow-orange sarcotesta

that is small and basal or mantle-like and ±

covering the seed (Reynolds 1985b; Leenhouts

& Adema 1994). The fruit are bright red and

the black or dark brown seeds are ± entirely

covered by the sarcotesta in S. cordieriorum

(F.Muell.) Radik., whereas in S. macrophylla

S.T.Reynolds this structure is small and only

at the base of the seed. Although this fleshy

seed covering has been described as an aril

(Reynolds 1985b; Hyland et al. 2003; Cooper

& Cooper 2004) it is more correctly termed a

sarcotesta as it is adnate to the exotesta of the

seed (Adema et al. 1994).

286

Austrobaileya 7 ( 2 ): 285-291

All of the above mentioned generic features

of Synima are present in the undescribed

species being considered here, with the seed

sarcotesta being most similar to that of S.

cordieriorum. The foliage of this undescribed

species is markedly different to that of both

S. cordieriorum and S. macrophylla in size,

colour and indumentum cover. Florally it is

similar to both these species, apart from the

unkeeled petals and several aspects of size and

indumentum cover. The flowers are unisexual

as with most Sapindaceae (Adema et al.

1994; Gross 2005) and the two other species

of Synima. Although plants may appear

dioecious, observations over a period of

time usually reveal that they are functionally

monoecious. The fruits of the new species are

very similar to those of S. cordierorum but

differ slightly in shape and most noticeably in

the colour of the interior of the valves (Cooper

& Cooper 2004). It is here described as the

new species Synima reynoldsiae.

Material & methods

The data and description presented in this

paper are based on holdings at BRI and

QRS. Latitude and longitude records on QRS

specimens have not been corroborated or

localised, so may be inaccurate due to the use of

‘generic’ site records. The species description

is loosely modelled on that for Cupaniopsis

cooperorum (Forster 2002), but with more

detail given to venation description following

the terminology of Hickey (1973) and Ash

et al. (1999). In their scheme the different

components of venation are described using

a numerical system with the recognition of a

midrib (1° vein order), lateral veins (2° vein

order) and intercostal veins (3° and onwards

vein orders) within any leaf lamina. When

an intercostal vein comprises a continuous

raised line of cells it is termed ‘distinct’;

if it is discontinuous or fades away into the

body of the lamina, it is termed ‘indistinct’.

Indumentum cover is described using the

terminology of Hewson (1988), except that

‘scattered’ is used instead of ‘isolated’.

The shapes of leaves, sepals and petals are

described using the terminology of Hickey &

King (2000). Length and width dimensions

are indicated as length measurement x width

measurement followed by the measurement

unit.

Taxonomy

Synima reynoldsiae PI.Forst., species nov.

a S. cordierorum foliolis integris (adversum

foliola dentata in foliis juvenilibus, saepe

apicem versus dentata in foliis adultis), venis

secundariis lateralibus 12-22 utrinque costae

(non 8-14) et paginis inferioribus impolitis

cremeo-flavis usque fere albis (adversus

paginas subvirides in sicco brunneas);

pedicellis longioribus (2-5 mm non 1-1.5

mm longis); petalis quam sepalis longioribus

(in ilia adversum petala sepala aequantia

vel eis longioribus) et indumento denso

externe (adversus indumentum sparsum

adspersum vel localiter dispositum), carina

absente (adversum carinam praesentem) et

squamis cristatis (in ilia incristatis); et fructu

subgloboso (non obovoideo) differt. Typus:

Queensland. Cook District: Harrington

Property, Seamark road, Tarzali, 17°26'S,

145°32'E, 25 November 2002, W. Cooper &

W.T. Cooper WWC1798 (holo: BRI [3 sheets];

iso: A, L, MEL, MO, NSW, Z distribuendi).

Sarcotoechia sp. (Mt Carbine L.W.Jessup+

GJM995) in Forster & Jessup (2002).

Sarcotoechia sp. (Mountain Sarcotoechia

WWC100) in Hyland et al. (2003) & Cooper

& Cooper (2004: 484).

Illustrations: Hyland et al. (2003); Cooper &

Cooper (2004: 484).

Trees to 20 m high, functionally monoecious.

Stem surface shallowly corrugated, lenticels

small, round, in longitudinal vertical lines;

blaze granular and layered, cream, then

pink-brown, with ‘Poison Peach’ ( Trema

tomentosa) odour. Indumentum (unless

otherwise stated) of pale, fawn-yellow,

antrorse simple trichomes, rarely sessile,

stellate trichomes or short, papillate trichomes.

Branchlets angular, somewhat winged, dark

black-grey, with scattered, longitudinally

distributed lenticels; new growth with dense

indumentum, glabrescent; flowering twigs

1-3 mm thick. Leaves (1-) 2-4 (-6) -jugate,

rarely unifoliate; petiole angular, 18-115

x 0.8-1.5 mm, deeply grooved on top, with

sparse indumentum of simple trichomes and

short papillate trichomes; rhachis ± flattened,

unwinged, 10-160 (-240) mm long, with

Forster, Synima reynoldsiae

sparse indumentum of simple trichomes and

short papillate trichomes. Petiolules 5-13

x 0.8-1 mm, deeply grooved on top, with

scattered to sparse indumentum; pulvini 2-5

mm long. Leaflets alternate to subopposite,

coriaceous, elliptic to oblanceolate, rarely

elliptic-ovate, oblong or obovate, (24-)

32-115 (-175) x (9-) 18-55 mm, length-

width index 2.4-4.3, base acute, obtuse

or rounded, often assymetric; apex acute,

shortly acuminate or obtuse, rarely retuse;

margins entire, flat; upper suface dark-green,

glossy, glabrous; lower surface cream-yellow

to almost white, with scattered indumentum

mainly on veins. Leaflet lamina venation

prominent; 1° venation comprising a midrib

that is prominently raised below and visible,

but flat to the leaflet surface above; 2° venation

comprising 12-22 lateral vein pairs per side

of the midrib, 4-12 mm apart in the central

part of the leaflet, visible on both surfaces

but prominently raised, dark-yellow and with

scattered indumentum below; 3° venation

markedly reticulate, prominently raised below,

visible but not raised above, dark-yellow and

with scattered to occasional indumentum

below; 4° venation reticulate, indistinct above

and below; 5° venation very indistinct on both

surfaces. Inflorescences erect to decumbent,

axillary or pseudoterminal, thrysoid, not

branching from base, 8-15 mm long and

with side branches to 7 cm long, with sparse

to dense indumentum; bracts and bracteoles

deltoid-triangular, 0.8-1.2 mm x 0.3-0.6 mm,

with dense indumentum. Flowers in shortly

pedunculate cymules. Male flowers 1-5 per

cymule, 2-4 x 2.5-5 mm; pedicels filiform,

2-5 x c. 0.3 mm, with dense indumentum;

calyx cupular, sepals 5, fleshy, elliptic-ovate,

1.8-3 x 1.3-2 mm, weakly imbricate at base,

green, externally with dense indumentum,

internally with sparse indumentum; petals 5,

spathulate, as long or shorter than the sepals,

1.8-3 x 1.8-2 mm wide at top, c. 0.5 mm wide

at base, cream, externally unkeeled and with

scattered long indumentum, internally with

crested scales 1.5-2 x c. 1 mm, with dense,

shaggy indumentum; disk fleshy-annular,

2-2.5 mm diameter, glabrous; stamens (7 or)

8; filaments 1.2-3.5 x 0.1-0.3 mm, thicker

towards base, with shaggy indumentum;

anthers 0.6-0.8 x c. 0.5 mm, with scattered

287

indumentum; pistillodes 1-1.2 mm long, with

dense indumentum. Female flowers generally

one per cymule, not seen at anthesis; calyx

cupular, sepals 5, fleshy, elliptic-ovate, 2.2-3

x 1.8-2.2 mm, weakly imbricate at base,

externally with dense indumentum, internally

with sparse indumentum; petals ?absent; disk

fleshy-annular, c. 3.5 mm diameter; pistil

1.8-2 x c. 0.4 mm, with sparse to dense

indumentum, style slightly lobed; ovary c. 4 x

2 mm, with dense indumentum. Fruit a fleshy,

subglobose capsule, very shortly stipitate, 10-

18 x 14-21 mm, 2 or 3-lobed, pink-red; valves

opening loculicidally, slightly rugose and with

scattered indumentum at dehiscence, thinly

keeled to 2 mm on sutures, internally with

dense, shaggy white or pink trichomes, suture

edges recurving at dehiscence exposing the

seeds, yellowish. Seeds obovoid, 12-14 x

7-10 mm, black, + entirely covered in orange-

yellow sarcotesta apart from area around

pseudohilum and a dorsal slit. Fig. 1.

Additional specimens examined (*sterile collections,

tentative identification; "flowering collection;

fr fruiting collection): Queensland. Cook District:

S.F.R. 0.5 km past W Spencer Creek forestry camp,

S.F. 144, Cockatoo L.A., 33 km NNW of Mt Carbine,

16°15'S, 145°02'E, Nov 1988, Jessup GJM1148 et al*

(BRI); 0.4 km before W Spencer Creek forestry camp,

S.F. 144, Cockatoo L.A., 16°15'S, 145°02'E, Nov 1988,

Jessup GJM1296 et al.* (BRI); Joe. cit., Nov 1988,

Jessup GJM1385 etal. " (BRI); 144, Fantail L.A., E/P 44,

16°12'S, 145°05'E, Nov 1980, Sanderson 1815* (QRS);

Mt Windsor, S.F.R 144, E/P 30, 16°17'S, 145°05'E, Jul

1976, Unwin 10* (QRS); Mt Misery, E of Mt Spurgeon,

16°26'S, 145°13'E, Nov 1988, Jessup GJM959 et al*

(BRI); 15.4 km NNE of Mt Carbine, track near Mt

Spurgeon - Mt Carbine Tableland near 7-cornered

house, 16°27'S, 145°12'E, Nov 1988, Jessup GJM995

et al. " (BRI); S.F.R. 143, Cow L.A., near Schillers Hut,

16°27'S, 145°12'E, Sep 1996, Ford 1766* (QRS); Mt

Lewis road, boundary of Round L.A. & Carbine L.A.,

20 km NNW Mt Molloy, Nov 1988, Jessup GJM218

et al* (BRI); North Mary L.A., S.F.R. 143 Mt Lewis,

16°30'S, 145°16'E, Oct 1973, Sanderson 465* 488*

(QRS);; Davies Creek Plot (ridge), 17°05'S, 145°34'E, 5.

dat ., Webb & Tracey 13119* (BRI); Noel L.A., 17°05'S,

145°35'E, Feb 1978, Risley 475 fr (BRI, QRS); Emerald

LA., S.F.R. 607, 17°09'S, 145°33'E, Jul 1973, Sanderson

301* (QRS); E/P 3, S.F.R. 607, Emerald L.A., 17°09'S,

145°38'E, Nov 1977, Sanderson 1328* (QRS); Mt Misch,

Herberton Range, near Bones Knob, 17°15'S, 145°25'E,

Sep 1996, Ford 1762* (QRS); S.F. 194, Mt Baldy, 6 km

from Rifle Range end, 17°16'S, 145°25'E, Jun 1996,

Forster PIF19219 et al* (BRI); Mt Baldy, 5.4 km W

of Atherton near Walsh Falls, 17°17'S, 145°25'E, Nov

1988, Jessup GJM1973 et al* (BRI); Herberton Range,

1962, Webb & Tracey 7958* (BRI); S.F.R. 194, Moomin,

288

Austrobaileya 7 ( 2 ): 285-291

Fig. 1 .Synimareynoldsiae. A. leaf x 0.6. B. detail of venation in individual leaflet viewed from below x 1. C. side view

of male flower x 6. D. internal view of petal showing two scales covered in indumentum x 12. E. stamen x 12. F. side

view of female flower x 6. G. side view of intact capsule x 1.5. H. face view of intact capsule x 1.5.1. lateral view of

dehising capsule with seed in situ x 1.5. J. face view of dehisced, empty capsule x 1.5. K. lateral view of seed covered in

sarcotesta showing dorsal split x 2. A-E, Cooper WWC1798 (BRI); F, Cooper WWC449 (BRI); G-K, Cooper WWC100

(BRI). Del. W.Smith.

Forster, Synima reynoldsiae

17°17'S, 145°27'E, May 1971, Dockrill 115* (BRI, QRS);

S.F.R. 194, Cpt 53, Western, 17°18'S, 145°26'E, Jan 1990,

Bragg 20111* (QRS); S.F.R. 194 Western, Cpt. 59, E/P

36, 17°19'S, 145°26'E, Mar 1977, Unwin 270* (QRS);

Harrington Property, Seamark road, Malanda, 17°26'S,

145°32'E, Jan 1992, Cooper & Cooper WWC100 fr (QRS);

loc. cit., Nov 1992, Cooper & Cooper WWC449 B (QRS);

along Microwave tower access road, Longlands Gap,

17°28'S, 145°29'E, May 1996, Ford 1712* (BRI, QRS);

Mt Fisher, off Sluice Creek road, 17°32'S, 145°32'E,

Dec 1996, Jensen 808* (QRS); Portion 25, Ravenshoe,

17°33'S, 145°31'E, Oct 1951, Volck AFO70* (QRS);

S.F.R. 251, SouthCoochimbeerumL.A., 1.5kmSEofMt

Koolmoon, 17°42'S, 145°32'E, May 2001, Ford AF2843

& Hewett* (BRI); S.F.R. 605, Hilton L.A., 17°50'S,

145°35'E, Dec 1984, Gray 3791 tr (QRS).

Distribution and habitat: Synima reynoldsiae

occurs widely in the Wet Tropics bioregion of

north-east Queensland with a northern limit

at Mt Windsor Tableland in State Forest 144

and a southern limit near Mt Koolmoon in

State Forest 251 (Map 1). There appears to

289

be a natural disjunction in the populations

between Mt Lewis south-west of Mossman

and Davies Creek south-east of Mareeba,

presumably due to the lack of suitable habitat.

Plants occur as scattered individuals in upland

rainforest (simple to complex notophyll

vineforests) on substrates derived from basalt,

granite or rhyolite at altitudes between 1000

and 1300 m.

Notes: Synima reynoldsiae is unique within

this genus by its leaflets that are always

entire with cream-yellow to almost white

undersides; the petals that are not keeled

externally, not longer than the sepals, with

dense indumentum externally; and the fruit

capsule valve sutures that are pale yellow.

It is distinguished from the other species of

Synima by the following key.

Key to the species of Synima

1 Branchlets 6-10 mm diameter; inflorescences unbranched,

or with only 1 to 3 side branches; cymules subsessile; sarcotesta

covering only base of seed.S. macrophylla

Branchlets less than 5 mm diameter; inflorescences thyrsoid with 3 or

more branches; cymules pedunculate; sarcotesta covering lower third

or nearly whole of seed.2

2 Leaflets toothed in juvenile foliage, often toothed towards apex in adult

foliage; 2° lateral veins 8-14 per side of leaflet midrib, leaflets glossy pale-

green (drying brown) below; pedicels 1-1.5 mm long; petals slightly

keeled and with scattered to localised sparse indumentum externally,

scales uncrested; fruit capsules obovoid, valve sutures white.

Leaflets entire in juvenile and adult foliage; 2° lateral veins 12-22 per

side of leaflet midrib, leaflets matt cream-yellow to almost white below;

pedicels 2-5 mm long; petals unkeeled and with dense indumentum

externally, scales crested; fruit capsules subglobose, valve sutures

yellowish.

S. cordierorum

S. reynoldsiae

Conservation status: Based on current

knowledge of its distribution Synima

reynoldsiae is widespread and relatively

common within the Wet Tropics bioregion.

It is present in State Forests 143, 144, 194,

251, 605 and 607. No conservation coding is

required.

Etymology: The specific epithet honours Sally

T. Reynolds, formerly a Principal Botanist

at the Queensland Herbarium and specialist

on Australian Sapindaceae (Reynolds 1981,

1982, 1984, 1985a, 1985b, 1987a, 1991). Sally

established the modern taxonomic framework

for this family in Australia with the description

of 45 new species and four subspecies or

290

Austrobaileya 7 ( 2 ): 285-291

Map 1 . Distribution of Synima reynoldsiae in north-east

Queensland.

varieties in the genera Alectryon (4 spp.,

2 subsp.), Arytera (3 spp.), Atalaya (6 spp.),

Cossinia (1 sp.), Cupaniopsis (4 spp., 1 var.),

Diploglottis (6 spp.), Distichostemon (1 sp.),

Elattostachys (2 spp.), Jagera (1 sp., 1 var.),

Lepiderema (3 spp.), Mischocarpus (4 spp.),

Rhysotoechia (1 sp., 1 subsp.), Sarcopteryx

(3 spp.), Sarcotoechia (3 spp.), Synima (1 sp.)

and Toechima (2 spp.).

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Wendy Cooper for collecting

material and providing observations, Will

Smith (BRI) for the illustrations, Peter

Bostock (BRI) for translation of the diagnosis

into Latin and production of the distribution

map and the referee for comments on the

manuscript.

References

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Wing, S. (1999). Manual of Leaf Architecture.

Smithsonian Institution: Washington.

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Australian Rainforest. Nokomis Editions Pty

Ltd.: Melbourne.

Forster, P.I. (2002). Cupaniopsis cooperorum

(Sapindaceae), a new species from the Wet

Tropics, Queensland. Austrobaileya 6: 267-

271.

Forster, P.I. & Jessup, L.W. (2002). Sapindaceae. In

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of Queensland Plants, Algae and Lichens , pp.

181-185. Environmental Protection Agency:

Brisbane.

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in the trees from the Australian tropics with

other tropical biomes - more monoecy but why?

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Terminology. Australian Flora & Fauna Series

No. 9. Australian Government Publishing

Service: Canberra.

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dicotyledonous leaves. American Journal of

Botany 60: 17-33.

Hickey, M. & King, C. (2000). The Cambridge Illustrated

Glossary of Botanical Terms. Cambridge

University Press: Cambridge.

Hyland, B.P.M., Whiffin, T., Christophel, D.C., Gray, B.

& Elick, R.W. (2003). Australian Tropical Rain

Forest Plants. Trees, Shrubs and Vines. CD-

ROM. CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.

Leenhouts, P.W. & Adema, F. (1994). Synima. InF. Adema,

P.W. Leenhouts & P.C. van Welzen (eds.). Flora

Malesiana 11(3): 730-732. Rijksherbarium:

Leiden.

Reynolds, S.T. (1981). Notes on Sapindaceae in Australia,

I. Austrobaileya 1: 388-419.

- (1982). Notes on Sapindaceae in Australia, II.

Austrobaileya 1: 472-496.

_ (1984). Notes on Sapindaceae, III. Austrobaileya 2:

29-64.

- (1985a). Notes on Sapindaceae, IV. Austrobaileya 2:

153-189.

- (1985b). Sapindaceae. In A.S. George (ed.). Flora

of Australia 25: 4-101. Australian Government

Publishing Service: Canberra.

Forster, Synima reynoldsiae

- (1987a). Notes on Sapindaceae, V. Austrobaileya 2:

328-338.

- (1987b). Sapindaceae. In R.J.F. Henderson (ed),

Queensland Plants: Names and Distribution,

pp. 188-192. Department of Environment:

Brisbane.

- (1991). New species and changes in Sapindaceae

from Queensland. Austrobaileya 3: 489-501.

Cupaniopsis papillosa P.I.Forst. (Sapindaceae), a new

species from the ‘Wet Tropics’ of north-east Queensland

Paul I. Forster

Summary

Forster, P.I. (2006). Cupaniopsis papillosa P.I.Forst. (Sapindaceae), a new species from the ‘Wet

Tropics’ of north-east Queensland. Austrobaileya 7(2): 293-298. A new species from the ‘Wet

Tropics’ rainforest, Cupaniopsis papillosa is described and illustrated. This species is restricted to

upland rainforest (complex notophyll vineforest) on basalt-derived substrates near Ravenshoe. A

revised key to the species of Australian Cupaniopsis is provided.

Key Words: Sapindaceae, Cupaniopsis dallachyi, Cupaniopsis papillosa , new species. Wet Tropics

biodiversity, Australian flora, Queensland flora, identification key

P.I.Forster, Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic Gardens,

Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland, Australia. Email: paul.forster@,epa.qld.gov.au

Introduction

The genus Cupaniopsis Radik, comprises at

least 61 species and is distributed in Malesia

(New Guinea, Celebes, Moluccas), various

islands in the Western Pacific and Australia

(Adema 1991). Fifteen described species have

been recognised for Australia (Forster 2002),

although Adema (1991) only recognised twelve

more broadly defined ones in his monograph.

The new species Cupaniopsis papillosa is

described in the current paper. Specimens of

this species were first collected by Bruce Gray

in 1978 near Ravenshoe and were referred

to C. dallachyi S.T.Reynolds in the original

description of that species (Reynolds 1985).

Field observations and collections of fruiting

plants near Ravenshoe led Wendy Cooper to

realise that a second species was involved

due to the highly distinctive fruit and seed

of those plants when compared to plants of

C. dallachyi near to the type locality at Jaggan

near Malanda (Cooper & Cooper 2004).

Material & methods

The data and description presented in this

paper are based on holdings at BRI and QRS.

The species description is modelled on that for

C. cooperorum (Forster 2002), but with more

detail given to venation description following

the terminology of Hickey (1973) and Ash

Accepted for publication 27 June 2006

et al. (1999). In their scheme the different

components of venation are described using

a numerical system with the recognition of a

midrib (1° vein order), lateral veins (2° vein

order) and intercostal veins (3° and onwards

vein orders) within any leaf lamina. When

an intercostal vein comprises a continuous

raised line of cells it is termed ‘distinct’;

if it is discontinuous or fades away into the

body of the lamina, it is termed ‘indistinct’.

Indumentum cover is described using the

terminology of Hewson (1988), except that

‘scattered’ is used instead of ‘isolated’.

The shapes of leaves, sepals and petals are

described using the terminology of Hickey &

King (2000). Length and width dimensions

are indicated as length measurement x width

measurement followed by the measurement

unit.

Taxonomy

Cupaniopsis papillosa P.I.Forst., species

nov. a C. dallachyi foliolorum numero in

eodem folio (5-6 (-7)-jugato non 2-4-jugato),

intervallo secundario laterali minore venarum

in parte media foliolorum (3-9 mm non 10-16

mm), fructus pagina minute papillosa (in ilia

glabra) et colore hinnuleo-flavo non fulvo,

arilli colore (rubro non aurantiaco-flavo) et

seminibus ellipsoideo-obovoideis (adversum

semina planato-ellipsoidea) differt. Typus:

Queensland. Cook District: Gold Coast road,

near Ravenshoe, 17°38'S, 145°31'E, 19 March

294

2004, W.Cooper WWC1838 & R. Jensen (holo:

BRI [3 sheets + spirit]; iso: A, L, MEL, MO,

NSW, NE distribuendi).

Cupaniopsis sp. (Tully Falls) in Cooper &

Cooper (2004: 484).

Illustrations : Hyland et al. (2003) as

C. dallachyi pro parte [leaf x-ray image based

on Gray 1037 ]; Cooper & Cooper (2004:

484).

Shrubs or small trees to 12 m high, often

multistemmed, functionally monoecious.

Indumentum (unless otherwise stated)

of uncoloured simple trichomes, rarely

comprising stellate trichomes. Branchlets

terete, longitudinally lenticellate, brown-

grey, new growth with short, sparse to

dense indumentum of simple trichomes

(sometimes stellately clustered), glabrescent;

flowering twigs 3-4 mm diameter. Leaves

5-6 (-7) -jugate; petiole somewhat flattened

and slightly winged, 50-75 mm long, 2.5-3

mm diameter, glabrous; rhachis somewhat

flattened and slightly winged, 40-275 mm

long, glabrous. Petiolules 7-12 mm long,

often indistinct from the leaflet lamina base;

pulvini grooved on top, 4.5-6 mm long,

glabrous. Leaflets subopposite to strongly

alternate, coriaceous, elliptic, oblanceolate or

obovate, 42-185 x 15—56 mm, length-width

index 2.3-5.3, glabrous; domatia in 172°

vein axils below, dome-shaped, ± ellipsoid,

0.2-0.4 mm long; base attenuate to cuneate,

often unequal; apex obtuse, retuse, truncate,

rarely acute; margins flat, entire; both sides

glabrous and glossy. Leaflet lamina venation

prominent; 1° venation comprising a midrib

that is prominently raised below and visible

but only slightly raised above; 2° venation

comprising 11-14 lateral vein pairs per side of

the midrib, 3-9 mm apart, prominently raised

below, visible but not prominently raised

above; 3° venation reticulate, prominently

raised below, visible but not raised above;

4° venation reticulate, indistinct above and

below; 5° venation very indistinct on both

surfaces. Inflorescences pendulous, axillary

or ramiflorus, occasionally branching from

base, 70-300 mm long, panicles with long

side branches to 250 mm long, with scattered

to sparse, antrorse indumentum; bracts and

Austrobaileya 7 ( 2 ): 293-298

bracteoles triangular-ovate, 0.8-1.8 x 0.6-

0.8 mm, with sparse to dense indumentum;

flowers either functionally male or female,

and with reduced sterile organs of the opposite

sex. Male flowers 3-5 x 5-9 mm, cream;

pedicels 3-4 x 0.5-0.8 mm, thicker towards

top, with sparse, antrorse indumentum; sepals

5, 2-seriate, weakly imbricate, ciliolate,

green, externally with scattered to sparse

indumentum, internally glabrous, outer ones

broadly-elliptic to ovate, concave, 3-4.5 x

2.5-3 mm, inner ones broadly-elliptic, 2.8-4

x 3-3.5 mm; petals 5, broadly flabellate, 1.8-3

x 1.8-2.5 mm, white, apex margin irregularly

lobed, externally glabrous, internally with

two scales 0.5-0.7 mm long that are densely

pilose with antrorse indumentum; disc

glabrous, 1.6-2 mm diameter. Stamens 8

(probably reduced to staminodes in female

flowers), filaments 1.2-1.5 x 0.2-0.3 mm,

with dense shaggy indumentum along entire

length, anthers 1.7-2.2 x 1-1.3 mm, with

an occasional trichome. Pistillodes c. 0.2 x

0.2 mm; ovary 3- (4)-locular, 0.8-0.9 mm

long, with scattered long simple trichomes

and scattered to sparse, short-papillate

trichomes. Female flowers not seen. Fruit

capsule with (1-) 3 (-4) well developed lobes,

22-35 x 15-30 mm; outside initially smooth,

becoming slightly rugose when ripe, fawn-

yellow, surface covered in scattered to sparse,

minute papillate trichomes; inside densely

villous, pale pink-brown; stipe 4-5 mm long.

Seeds ellipsoid-obovoid, 15-22 x 8-12 mm,

glossy tan-brown; hilum 2.8-3 mm wide,

pseudohilum 3-6 mm wide; arilloid ribbed,

red, covering around three-quarters to four-

fifths of the seed. Fig. 1.

Additional specimens examined : Queensland. Cook

District: Tully Falls road, Charmillan L.A., [S.F. 251],

just below start of Wabunga Wayemba walking track,

17°41'S, 145°31'E, Apr 2002, Booth 3055 & Jensen

(A, BRI, MEL); Gold Coast road. Cassowary Heights,

near Ravenshoe, 17°38'S, 145°31'E, Nov 1995, Cooper

& Cooper WWC956 (BRI, QRS); loc. cit, Oct 2004,

Cooper & Cooper WWC1900 (BRI, L, MEL, NSW);

S.F.R. 251, Blunder L.A., 17°43'S, 145°31'E, Oct 1978,

Gray 1037 (BRI, QRS).

Distribution and habitat : Cupaniopsis

papillosa is highly restricted in its occurrence

and known only from a small area south-south-

east of Ravenshoe with most collections from

State Forest 251 (Map 1). Plants have been

Forster, Cupaniopsis papillosa

295

Fig. 1. Cupaniopsis papillosa. A. stem segment with leaf and inflorescence x 0.25. B. detail of venation in individual leaflet

x 0.5. C. domatia in axil of 1° and 2° venation x 30. D. side view of male flower x 5. E. face view of male flower x 5. F. internal

view of petal showing two scales covered in indumentum and the irregular apex x 10. G. stamen x 10. H. side view of intact

fruit capsule x 1.1. face view of intact fruit capsule x 1. J. papillose surface of fruit capsule. K. lateral view of dehiscing fruit

capsule with seed in situ x 1. L. face view of dehisced, empty fruit capsule showing hairs x 1. M. lateral view of seed covered

in arilloid with pseudohilum at top x 1.5. N. base view of seed showing pseudohilum at top x 1.5. A-G, Cooper & Jensen

WWC1838 (BRI); H-N, Cooper & Cooper WWC1900 (BRI). Del. W. Smith.

296

found in upland rainforest (complex notophyll

vineforest) on red soils derived from basalt at

altitudes between 840 and 1100 m.

Notes : This new species has a superficial

resemblance to Cnpaniopsis dallachyi (in

the sense of the type collection) when only

foliage is compared. Material of Gray 1037

(here referred to C. papillosa ) was used by

both Reynolds (1985) and Adema (1991) in

construction of their descriptions for the

earlier described species, especially with

respect to leaflet number. Critical examination

of the foliage, fruit and seed of the two species

reveals a number of differences (Table 1) and

the markedly different fruit and seed are well

Austrobaileya 7(2): 293-298

illustrated in Cooper & Cooper (2004). The

two species are allopatric in the Wet Tropics

bioregion with C. dallachyi occurring to the

east and north of C. papillosa (Map 1).

Cupaniopsis papillosa is functionally

monoecious, as are many Australian

Sapindaceae (Gross 2005) and species of this

genus in particular (Adema 1991). Individual

trees may first produce inflorescences

comprising solely male flowers (e.g. Cooper

& Jensen WWC1838 ), but later the same tree

will produce fruit (e.g. Cooper & Cooper

WWC1900 ) (W. Cooper, pers. comm. Sept.

2005).

Table 1. Comparison of characters for Cupaniopsis dallachyi and C. papillosa

Character State

Cupaniopsis dallachyi

Cupaniopsis papillosa

Number of leaflets per leaf

2-4-jugate

5-6 (-7)-jugate

2° lateral vein spacing in central

part of leaflet

10-16 mm

3-9 mm

Capsule surface

glabrous

minutely papillose

Capsule colour

tan-brown

fawn-yellow

Arilloid colour

orange-yellow

red

Seed colour

glossy dark-brown

glossy tan-brown

Seed shape

flattened ellipsoid

ellipsoid-obovoid

A revised key is presented here to the

Australian species of Cupaniopsis based on

that published by Forster (2002), but now

including C. papillosa. The key requires

flowering and/or fruiting material to be

successful. Collectors should also ensure that

they procure young shoot tips in order that

the character of stem apex indumentum is

accurately determined.

Key to the Australian species of Cupaniopsis

1 Leaflets mainly cuneate, widest at or near apex.2

Leaflets elliptic, ovate, obovate or oblanceolate, widest well below apex.3

2 Leaves 2-8(-10)-jugate, with pseudostipules. Leaflets spinose-dentate

.C. shirleyana (F.M.Bailey) Domin

Leaves l-2(-3)-jugate, without pseudostipules. Leaflets apically with

2-4 obtuse teeth, rarely entire.C. wadsworthii (F.Muell.) Radik.

C. cooperorum P.I.Forst.

3 Young stem-apices glabrous

Young stem-apices pubescent

Forster, Cupaniopsis papillosa 297

4 Young stem-apices villous or tomentose (noticeably hairy with dense

indumentum cover).5

Young stem-apices strigose (finely puberulent with scattered to sparse

indumentum cover).9

5 Sepals internally glabrous. Fruit capsules 15-20 x 22-28 mm, internally

glabrous.C. tomentella (F.Muell. exBenth.) S.T.Reynolds

Sepals internally with appressed hairs, rarely glabrous. Fruit capsules

9-20 x 13-18 mm, internally villous.6

6 Margin of leaflets entire. Fruit pericarp 2.4 mm thick or more . C. diploglottoides Adema

Margin of leaflets ± dentate to crenate. Fruit pericarp 0.5-1.8 mm thick.7

7 Teeth of leaflets hard. Inflorescences 1.5-6.5 cm long. Disc glabrous

.C. serrata (F.Muell.) Radik

Teeth of leaflets soft. Inflorescences (6.5-) 11-60 cm long. Disc with hairs

in five tufts.8

8 Petiole 3.5-9 cm long; leaves 4-10-jugate. Anthers hairy

.C. flagelliformis (F.M.Bailey) Radik.

Petiole 8-16 cm long; leaves (8-) 10-12-jugate. Anthers glabrous

.C. newmanii S.T.Reynolds

9 Leaflets crenate-dentate.10

Leaflets entire.11

10 Trees over 10 m high. Leaflets with dome-shaped to pocket-like domatia

below. Fruit capsules 18-22 x 18-20 mm; seeds 17—18 xc. 9 mm (SE

Qld, NE NSW).C. baileyana Radik.

Shrubs or small trees to 12 m high. Leaflets with pustulate domatia below.

Fruit capsules c. 15 x 13-15 mm; seeds 8-10 x 6.5-7 mm (north Qld)

.C. foveolata (F.Muell.) Radik.

11 Leaflets with domatia below. Disc glabrous or short hairy all over.12

Leaflets without domatia below. Disc with hairs in 5 tufts.14

12 Leaflets ovate to narrow-ovate.C. dallachyi S.T.Reynolds

Leaflets elliptic, oblanceolate, obovate.13

13 Leaflets small (18-72 (-85) x 8-32 (-37) mm). Petals ± ovate, 1.3-1.8 mm

long. Fruit capsules 11-12 mm long, orange; arilloid yellow, seed black

(Cape York Peninsula).C. fleckeri S.T.Reynolds

Leaflets large (42-185 x 15-56 mm). Petals ±flabellate, 1.8-3 mm long. Fruit

capsules 22-35 mm long, fawn-yellow; arilloid red, seed tan-brown (Wet

Tropics).C. papillosa P.I.Forst.

14 2° veins in leaflets 2-5 mm apart.C. parvifolia (F.M.Bailey) L.A.S.Johnson

2° veins in leaflets 6-20 mm apart.15

15 Small spreading tree to 15 m tall. Leaflet upper surface vernicose;

3° and 4° venation fine. Fruit capsules externally glabrous

.C. anacardioides (A.Rich.) Radik.

Tall straight trees to 25 m tall. Leaflet upper surface slightly shiny; 3° and

4° venation coarse. Fruit capsules externally puberulent . . . C. simulatus S.T.Reynolds

298

Austrobaileya 7(2): 293-298

Map 1 . Distribution of Cupaniopsis dallachyi • and C.

papillosa A in north-east Queensland.

Conservation status : Cupaniopsis papillosa

has a highly restricted area of distribution

(less than 10 km 2 ) and is known from three

populations, two in State Forest 251. No

obvious threats are known, although the

degree of population fragmentation remains

to be determined and survey work is required

to determine the area of occupancy, number

of individuals and whether other populations

exist. Under IUCN (2001) conservation

coding it should be regarded as Data Deficient

at this stage.

Etymology : The specific epithet is derived

from the Latin word papillosus (papillose,

covered with papillae) and alludes to the

highly reduced hairs on the ripe fruit exocarp

that are papillate in appearance.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Wendy Cooper for bringing this

species to attention and for collecting material

and providing observations; Will Smith (BRI)

for the illustrations; Peter Bostock (BRI) for

translation of the diagnosis into Latin and

production of the distribution map; and the

referee for comments on the manuscript.

References

Adema, F. (1991). Cupaniopsis Radik. (Sapindaceae):

a monograph. Leiden Botanical Series 15.

Rijksherbarium/Hortus Botanicus: Leiden.

Ash, A., Ellis, B., Hickey, L. J., Johnson, K., Wilf, P &

Wing, S. (1999). Manual of Leaf Architecture.

Smithsonian Institution: Washington.

Cooper, W. & Cooper, W.T. (2004). Fruits of the Tropical

Australian Rainforest. Nokomis Editions Pty

Ltd.: Melbourne.

Forster, PI. (2002). Cupaniopsis cooperorum

(Sapindaceae), a new species from the Wet

Tropics, Queensland. Austrobaileya 6: 267-

271.

Gross, C.L. (2005). A comparison of the sexual systems

in the trees from the Australian tropics with

other tropical biomes - more monoecy but why?

American Journal of Botany 92: 907-919.

Hewson, H. (1988). Plant Indumentum. A Handbook of

Terminology. Australian Flora & Fauna Series

No. 9. Australian Government Publishing

Service: Canberra.

Hickey, L.J. (1973). Classification of the architecture of

dicotyledonous leaves. American Journal of

Botany 60: 17-33.

Hickey, M. & King, C. (2000). The Cambridge Illustrated

Glossary of Botanical Terms. Cambridge

University Press: Cambridge.

Hyland, B.PM., Whiffin, T., Christophel, D.C., Gray, B.

& Elick, R.W. (2003). Australian Tropical Rain

Forest Plants. Trees, Shrubs and Vines. CD-

ROM. CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.

Iucn (2001). IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Version 3.1. Gland: IUCN - The World

Conservation Union.

Reynolds, S.T. (1985). Sapindaceae. In A.S. George

(ed.). Flora of Australia 25: 4-101. Australian

Government Publishing Service: Canberra.

Ciyptandra triplex K.R.Thiele ex Kellermann,

a new species of Rhamnaceae ( Pomaderreae )

from Arnhem Land, Northern Territory

Jurgen Kellermann

Summary

Kellermann, J. (2006). Cryptandra triplex , K.R.Thiele ex Kellermann, a new species of Rhamnaceae

(.Pomaderreae) from Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Austrobaileya 7(2): 299-303. A new species

of Cryptandra Sm. is described from the Kakadu and Nitmiluk National Parks in Arnhem Land,

Northern Territory, viz., C. triplex K.R.Thiele ex Kellermann. It is closely related to C. intratropica

W.Fitzg. and C.filiformis A.R.Bean. A distribution map, a photograph of the holotype and a key to

Cryptandra species from northern Australia are provided.

Key Words: Rhamnaceae, Pomaderreae , Cryptandra triplex , new species, Australian flora, Northern

Territory flora, Arnhem Land, identification key

J.Kellermann, National Herbarium of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood

Avenue, South Yarra, Victoria 3141, Australia and School of Botany, The University of Melbourne,

Victoria 3010, Australia. Email: juergen.kellermann@rbg.vic.gov.au.

Introduction

Cryptandra Sm. is a genus of about 55 species

and occurs predominantly in the temperate to

subtropical, semi-aridregions of Australia with

centres of diversity in south-western Western

Australia and south-eastern Australia. There

are also a few species distributed in northern

tropical Australia. Two species occur in

northern Western Australia, Cryptandra

intratropica W.Fitzg. and C. monticola Rye &

Trudgen from the Kimberley and the Pilbara,

respectively, one species has been described

from Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory,

C. gemmata A.R.Bean, and three species are

known from the Cook District of Queensland,

C. debilis A.R.Bean, C. filiformis A.R.Bean

and C. pogonoloba A.R.Bean (with two

subspecies: C.pogonoloba subsp .pogonoloba

and C. pogonoloba subsp. septentrionalis

Kellermann).

This paper recognises a further new

species of Cryptandra for northern Australia,

C. triplex K.R.Thiele ex Kellermann. It was

first collected in fruit by Lyn Craven in 1980

from an area near Jabiru in Kakadu National

Park (N.P.) in the Northern Territory (N.T.),

and in flower the following year. Subsequently,

more collections were made from Kakadu

N.P. and the adjoining Nitmiluk N.P. During

the preparation of the ‘Flora of Australia’

treatment of Rhamnaceae, Kevin Thiele

recognised it as a distinct taxon, closely allied

to C. intratropica. However, uncertainties

regarding the circumscription of the genera

of Australian Rhamnaceae prevented formal

naming of the species. I have here adopted

Kevin Thiele’s manuscript name, but am solely

responsible for the validating description of

this species.

Recent molecular systematic analyses

(Kellermann et al. 2005) showed that

Cryptandra triplex and C. intratropica

were nested deep within a clade of typical

Cryptandra species. Cryptandra intratropica ,

C. triplex and C. filiformis are unique within

the genus in having a consistently dense

indumentum of stellate hairs on both surfaces

of the leaves, flowers and stems, in addition

to having flowers in few-flowered contracted

cymes, which are sometimes arranged in short

panicles. More typical species of Cryptandra

have single flowers which are subtended by

one to several rows of bracts, and are usually

glabrous on the upper surface of the leaves

(Thiele & West 2004).

Accepted for publication 19 July 2006

300

Taxonomy

Cryptandra triplex K.R.Thiele ex

Kellermann, species nov. a Cryptandra

intratropica W.Fitzg. ovario tri-loculari et

fructu parviore toro fere basali differt. Typus:

Northern Territory, Arnhem Land: 15 km

NNE of Jabiru East, 12°32'S, 132°57'E, 22

March 1981, L.A. Craven 6546 (holo: MEL;

iso: CANB, DNA n.v., MEL; A, AD, B, BISH,

BRI, CHR, E, G, HO, K, L, NE, NSW, NY, P,

PRE, RSA, UC, US, distribuendi).

Cryptandra D019989 Jabiru, Dunlop (1995:

21 ).

Cryptandra sp. 5 (Jabiru; L.A.Craven 6484),

Briggs & Leigh (1996: 161).

Cryptandra sp. Jabiru (L.A.Craven 6484),

Cowie & Albrecht (2005).

Cryptandra sp. ‘Jabiru East’, Kellermann et

al. (2005), Ladiges et al. (2005).

Evergreen shrub to 1.2 m high; young stems,

leaves and flowers densely and closely greyish

stellate-pubescent. Leaves alternate: stipules

linear-filiform or narrowly triangular, (1.5-)

2-3.5 mm long, persistent, free, moderately to

densely stellate-pubescent; petiole 0.5-2 mm

long; lamina narrowly elliptical tooblanceolate

or obovate, 10-22 mm long, (2.5-) 3-6 mm

wide, flat with the margins narrowly recurved,

base cuneate, apex obtuse to subacute or

slightly emarginate, venation penninerved,

the veins clearly visible below or obscure,

± concolorous. Inflorescences contracted

cymes with 1-5 flowers, axillary towards the

branch tips, the cymes sometimes forming

short, leafy panicles. Pedicels up to 0.5 mm

long, subtended by 3-5 bracts; bracts ovate,

0.6-1 mm long. Flowers bisexual, 5-merous,

white or cream to yellowish. Hypanthium tube

0.4-0.6 mm long, 1.8-2 mm diameter. Sepals

1-1.2 mm long, incurved or erect at anthesis,

persistent in fruit. Petals cucullate, 0.8-1

mm long, erect, distinctly clawed. Stamens

subequal to petals, 0.8-0.9 mm long, erect;

anthers 0.3-0.4 mm long. Disk conspicuous,

pubescent, forming a narrow rim around the

ovary at the base of the hypanthium tube.

Ovary inferior to half-inferior at anthesis; roof

densely stellate-hairy; carpels 3; style (0.6-)

0.8-1.3 mm long, glabrous, unbranched. Fruit

an obovoid schizocarpic capsule, 1.6-2.2 mm

Austrobaileya 7(2): 299-303

long, grey or brown, apex obtuse; torus in the

lower third ^fruitlets splitting along their inner

surface to release the seeds. Seed 1.1-1.4 mm

long, reddish brown, arillate; aril c. 0.4 mm

long. Fig. 1.

Additional specimens examined : Northern Territory.

Arnhem Land. 15 1cm NNE of Jabiru East, Jun 1980,

Craven 6484 (MEL, CANB, DNA n.v.; A, AD,

distribuendi); Kakadu N.P., N outliers, 14 km NE

Jabiru Airstrip, Mar 2004, Brennan 6133 (DNA, MEL;

duplicates not seen: AD, B, BRI, CANB, MO, NSW, NT,

PERTH); Kakadu N.P., S end of N Outliers, 13 km NE of

Jabiru Airfield, Mar 2004, Kerrigan 801 (DNA); N UDP

Range, Map 5371 Mundogie, Apr 1990, Brennan 64 &

Orr (DNA); Kakadu N.P., Gravesite Gorge, Mar 2004,

Brennan 6202 (DNA); Kakadu N.P., Gravesite Gorge,

Feb 2005, Egan 5506 (DNA); Nitmiluk N.P, Art Site,

Edith Region, May 2001, Short 5116 & Kerrigan (DNA);

Nitmiluk N.P, Feb 2001, Michell 3147 & Boyce (DNA);

Nitmiluk N.P, Feb. 2001, Michell 3148 (DNA); Nitmiluk

N.P, W side of site 496, Apr 2001, Risler 1631 & Waetke

(DNA).

Distribution & habitat : Known only from

Kakadu and Nitmiluk National Parks in the

N.T. Occurs on sandstone plateaux, cliffs and

outcrops with mixed shrubland, woodland of

Eucalyptus phoenicea F.Muell. and Acacia

latescens Benth., or localised Allosyncarpia

S.T.Blake forests. Map 1.

Affinities : Cryptandra triplex is closely

related to C. intratropica , which differs in its

2-carpellate flowers, and longer capsule (2.5-

3 mm long) with the ovary roof less domed

so that the torus lies in the middle or upper

third. Both species can be distinguished from

C. filiformis by their obovate flat or recurved

leaves, compared to the narrowly elliptic to

linear, revolute leaves of C. filiformis', the torus

of that species is also in the middle third.

Phenology : Flowers recorded February to

April; fruits April to May.

Conservation status : The species is known

only from Kakadu and Nitmiluk National

Parks, in isolated and rugged country. It is

probably highly localised but not under any

known threat. A conservation code of 2RC-

was suggested by Briggs & Leigh (1996).

Etymology : The epithet is derived from the

Latin triplex (three-fold), as the species has

a 3-carpellate ovary, in comparison to the 2-

carpellate gynoecium of the closely related

C. intratropica.

Kellermann, Cryptandra triplex

301

Tephrastrum triplex K.Thiele lioTYPC

Nature of sample:

Purpost: J1U4 S*iV»iAV^ / SS-H

Person: IXkLitXu^^

D *>' : « Z,~l2oe 2.

Seen for the Flora of Austral]a

dct. K.R. Thiele (CANB) January 1995

Flora of AUSTRALIA

Ex AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL HERBARIUM (CANB)

RHAM.NACEAE

Tephrastrum triplex MS

dot. K.R. Thiele 1995

AUSTRALIA: Northern Territory

Site 121,15 km NNEolJatiim East.

12* 32'S 132*57' E

Strongly dissected sandstone plateau; massive outcrops: mixed

shrub-land and localised Allosyrtcarpla forest. Species collected -

Trislantapsidioldes, Cryptandra sp. 2, Solaglnells uliginosa,

Hlbbertia sp. 6. Sderia sp. 1 . Taxa observed: Eucalyptus

herbertiana. E. phoenicea, E. tetrodonta, E. bloeseri. Melaleuca

magnitlca, Templetonla, Acacia spp.. Terminalla. Calytnx

decussata. Grevfflea rublcunda, G. ep.. Livistona Inormls.

Flagellaria indtea. Lablchea nltida. Cuscula, Calycopeptus

easuarinoides, Leplocarpus, Pityrodia, Triodla ploctrachnoldes,

T. mlcrostnchya, Pseudopogonatherum conlortum.

Schtzachyrium. Ertachno cspillaits, E. avenacea. E. pattescens.

FLORA OF AUSTRALIA PROJECT

-frk.R.TUf^ ^

nOLOTypE

Micralra tenuis. Alloayncarpia tomala,

Shrub 1 m tall; flowers yellowish.

L.A. Craven 6546

22 Mar 1981

lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillllllllisi

CANB 338137

HOLO-

TYPE

national HERBARIUM of

VICTORIA (MEL), AUSTRALIA

Fig. 1. Holotype of Cryptandra triplex (MEL).

302

Austrobaileya 7(2): 299-303

Key to species of Cryptandra from northern Australia

1 Ovary 2-locular; Kimberley, W.A.C. intratropica

Ovary 3-locular; north Qld, N.T. and Pilbara, W.A.2

2 Flowers pedicellate in open cymose inflorescences; densely stellate-

pubescent on young stems, leaves, inflorescences and flowers.3

Flowers sessile, single or clustered into conflorescences at the branch tips;

indumentum of stellate and simple hairs.4

3 Leaves narrowly elliptic to linear, revolute; eastern Qld.C. filiformis

Leaves obovate, flat or recurved; northern N.T.C. triplex

4 Leaves minute, 0.8-1.6 (-2) mm long, strongly revolute, glabrous above,

northern N.T.C. gemmata

Leaves 2.3-12 (-18) mm long, recurved or revolute,

glabrous or with papillae, simple and/or stellate hairs above.5

5 Young stems soon becoming glabrous or near glabrous, often with

reddish bark; leaves with an incurved dark mucro; shrubs to 0.3 m high;

south-eastern Cape York Peninsula, Qld.C. debilis

Young stems with stellate and/or simple hairs presisting to

older stems of current season’s growth, bark brown to dark

brown; mucro erect or recruved, if present; shrubs 0.2-2 m high.6

6 Leaves 1-2.5 (-3) mm wide, margins recurved, upper surface covered in

stellate hairs and longer antrorse simple hairs; conflorescence of 4-12

flowers; hypanthium tube 1.1-1.4 mm long; Pilbara, W.A.C. monticola

Leaves 0.4-1.2 mm wide, margins recurved or revolute, indumentum not

as above; conflorescences of 1-5 flowers; hypanthium tube 0.6-0.8 mm

long; Qld.7

7 Leaves (1.4—) 3-9 mm long, 0.5-1.2 mm wide, margins recurved or

revolute; lower surface or at least midrib partly visible; upper leaf

surface with papillae or tubercles, simple or stellate hairs; flowers

solitary or in clusters; southern Cape York Peninsula, Qld

.C. pogonoloba subsp. pogonoloba

Leaves 2.3-4.5 mm long; 0.4-0.6 mm wide, margins strongly revolute;

lower surface and midrib usually concealed; upper leaf surface glabrous,

smooth; flowers always solitary; northern Cape York Peninsula, Qld

.C. pogonoloba subsp. septentrionalis

Acknowledgments

I thank Kevin Thiele (CANB) for sharing for the ‘Flora of Australia’ treatment of

his knowledge of Rhamnaceae and his Rhamnaceae, supported by the Australian

notes on the northern Australian taxa of Biological Resources Study (ABRS).

Cryptandra. An anonymous referee provided

helpful comments and corrections. Dale

Dixon (DNA), Catherine Gallagher (MEL)

and Jo Palmer (CANB) kindly organised loan

requests .This paper was written in preparation

Kellermann, Cryptandra triplex 303

References

Briggs, J.D. & Leigh, J.H. (1996). Rare or Threatened

Australian Plants (1995 revised edition). Centre

for Plant Biodiversity Research: Canberra.

Cowie, l.D. & Albrecht, D. A. (eds) (2005). Checklist of

NT vascular plant species. Herbarium of the

Northern Territory, Dept, of Natural Resources,

Environment and the Arts (N.T.). http://

www.nt.gov.au/nreta/wildlife/plants/pdf/nt_

checklist_oct_05.pdf [accessed 16 June 2006],

Dunlop, C.R. (ed.) (1995). Checklist of the vascular

plants of the Northern Territory. Conservation

Commision of the Northern Territory: Darwin.

Kellermann, J., Udovicic, F. & Ladiges, P.Y. (2005).

Phylogenetic analysis and generic limits of

the tribe Pomaderreae (Rhamnaceae) using

internal transcribed spacer DNA sequences.

Taxon 54: 619-631.

Ladiges, P.Y., Kellermann, J., Nelson, G., Humphries,

C.J. & Udovicic, F. (2005). Historical

biogeography of Australian Rhamnaceae, tribe

Pomaderreae. Journal of Biogeography 32:

1909-1919.

Thiele, K.R. & West, J.G. (2004). Spyridium burragorang

(Rhamnaceae), a new species from New South

Wales, with new combinations for Spyridium

buxifolium and Spyridium scortechinii. Telopea

10: 823-829.

Map. 1 . Distribution of Cryptandra triplex in the

Northern Territory.

Eucalyptus megasepala A.R.Bean (Myrtaceae), a new

species from Queensland allied to E. tetrodonta F.Muell.

A.R. Bean

Summary

Bean, A.R. (2006), Eucalyptus megasepala A.R.Bean (Myrtaceae), a new species from Queensland

allied to E. tetrodonta F.Muell. (Myrtaceae). Austrobaileya 7(2): 305-310. Full descriptions,

illustrations and distribution maps are provided for both Eucalyptus tetrodonta and E. megasepala

sp. nov., the latter found in north-east Queensland.

Key Words: Myrtaceae, Eucalyptus megasepala , Eucalyptus tetrodonta , taxonomy, new species,

Australian flora, Queensland flora, identification key

A.R.Bean, Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic Gardens,

Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong 4066, Queensland

Introduction

Eucalyptus tetrodonta F.Muell. is a very

common species occurring right across

the north of Australia, from the northern

Kimberley of Western Australia to north¬

eastern Queensland. Frequently it is a

dominant or co-dominant species of tropical

woodlands or open-forest. It is commonly

called Darwin stringybark, stringybark, or

sometimes messmate. It is a useful timber

tree species. The heartwood is pale red, fairly

hard, dense, and moderately durable. It is

used for poles and general house construction

(Boland etal. 1984).

Eucalyptus tetrodonta sens. lat. is highly

distinctive in the field because of its grey

stringy bark (the only species with that bark

type in its area of occurrence, except Corymbia

jacobsiana) and long grey-green falcate

leaves. It is also readily distinguished in the

herbarium, because of its 3-flowered axillary

inflorescences, opposite or sub-opposite

adult leaves and buds with conspicuous free

sepals.

Hill & Johnson (1998) recognised its

taxonomic isolation by placing it into a new,

monotypic but informal section (Eucalyptus

sect. ‘ Fibraria ’). This section does not, and

was not intended to conform to the rules

of the ICBN. Brooker (2000) maintained

E. tetrodonta in a monotypic section, which

Accepted for publication 19 July 2006

he named Eucalyptus sect. Complanatae

Brooker, validly published under the ICBN

rules.

Boland et al. (1984) documented an

unusual form of Eucalyptus tetrodonta

known from near Laura in north Queensland.

This taxon has been collected numerous

times from numerous locations since that

time. It is described here as E. megasepala.

Surprisingly, Hill & Johnson (1998) made no

mention of variation within E. tetrodonta , or

the possibility of undescribed taxa within it.

At least one of the specimens that they cited

under E. tetrodonta belongs in E. megasepala.

Their description of E. tetrodonta included

the following erroneous statements: the adult

leaves ‘disjunct’, the lateral veins ‘at 30° to the

midrib’, the mature buds 10-25 mm long, the

peduncles 1-5 mm long and the stamens as

being arranged ‘in 4 fascicles’.

Materials and methods

When the leaves are more or less evenly spaced

along the branchlet, the often used terms

‘alternate’ or ‘alternating’ are suitable. The

term ‘disjunct’ has been used in taxonomic

eucalypt descriptions only by L.A.S. Johnson

and his co-authors. This term, as applied

by those authors, has the same meaning as

‘alternate’, judging by its usage in the great

majority of species descriptions.

The arrangement of the adult leaves for

E. tetrodonta was described by Brooker &

Kleinig (1994) as ‘alternating’, when in fact it

is either ‘sub-opposite’ or opposite.

306

Detailed descriptions, illustrations and

distribution maps are provided for both

E. tetrodonta and E. megasepala. Stigma

morphology follows Boland & Sedgley

(1986).

Taxonomy

Eucalyptus tetrodonta F.Muell., J. Proc.

Linn. Soc., Bot. 3: 97 (1859). Type: [Northern

Territory] entrance to Victoria River,

September 1855, F. Mueller (lecto: MEL n.v.,

photo! \fide Maiden (1921).

Illustrations : Brooker & Kleinig (1994: 139);

Milson (2000: 230-231); Boland et al. (1984:

241).

Tree 10-20 metres high, occasionally to

30 metres, lignotuberous. Bark persistent

throughout, fibrous to stringy, grey when

exposed. Juvenile leaves opposite, ovate

to broad-lanceolate, 15-30 x 3.5-10 cm,

concolorous, petiolate. Adult leaves lanceolate

or falcate, 9.5-19.5 x 1.5-3.5 cm, opposite or

sub-opposite, leathery, concolorous, dull; apex

attenuate, base cuneate to attenuate, lateral

veins at 45-60° to the midrib, intramarginal

vein present; reticulation sparse or moderately

dense, with small island oil glands; petioles

12-18 mm long, flattened. Inflorescences

axillary, unbranched, 3-flowered, floral bracts

sometimes present, c. 3 mm long; peduncles

erect or recurved, 6-16 mm long, 1.9-2.9

mm wide, terete to angular; pedicels 2.5-5

mm long, angular. Mature buds obovoid

to globular, 8.5-11.5 mm long, 6.5-10 mm

in diameter. Hypanthium unribbed to 2-

ribbed; sepals 4, 1-2.5 mm long, persistent,

lower part fused to hypanthium, upper part

free; operculum hemispherical, smooth to

faintly ribbed; stamens white, inflexed, all

fertile, arranged in a continuous ring on the

staminophore. Anthers oblong, versatile,

dorsifixed, opening in longitudinal slits. Style

terete, stigma blunt. Ovary 3-locular. Fruiting

peduncles 1.8-3 mm wide, terete or angular;

fruits cupular, cylindrical or truncate-ovoid,

circular in cross-section, 15-20 mm long,

11-14 mm diameter, longitudinal ribs absent

or 2, disc descending, valves 3, enclosed or

at rim level. Seeds grey, ± circular, concavo-

convex, surface not reticulate, hilum ventral.

Chaff brown, cuneate to cuboid. Fig. 1.

Austrobaileya 7(2): 305-310

Additional selected specimens examined : Queensland.

Burke District: 45 km NW of Torrens Creek, Apr

1993, Thompson HUG390 et al. (BRI); Glenore, S of

Normanton,May 1998, Wannan839{BBA). CookDistrict:

above Little Laura River, SSW of Laura, Jul 1990, Bean

1691 (BRI); 8.4 km S of ‘Burlington’ crossroads, N of

Mt Surprise, Aug 1997, Bean 12232 (BRI, CANB); 46

miles [74 km] by road from Laura towards Coen at Hann

River crossing, Aug 1973, Brooker 4054 (BRI, CANB);

Bulleringa N.P., 80 km NW of Mt Surprise, Apr 1998,

Forster PIF22676 & Booth (BRI, DNA, MEL); near

Lynd River, on Dimbulah-Normanton road, Jul 1999,

Fox IDF412 & Middleton (BRI); 11.3 km E of Wenlock

River crossing on road to Iron Range, Aug 1977, Hind

2039 & Ingram (BRI, CANB, NSW); ‘Kalpowar’, c. 45

km N of homestead towards outstation, Aug 1978, Kanis

1988 (BRI, CANB); 45 km along Palmerville road, from

Cape York development road, Jul 1994, Slee et al. 3627

(BRI, CANB, MEL). Northern Territory. Cutta Cutta,

Jul 1990, Evans 3274 (BRI, CANB, DNA, MEL); 40 km

E of Calvert River crossing, Jun 1974, Maconochie 2042

(BRI, CANB, DNA, NSW); Frenchmans Landing, NW

ofPeppimenaiti, Aug 1988, Orr217 (CANB, DNA); 2 km

E of Borroloola, Jun 1988, Smith 1224 (DNA); Oenpelli

road, 2.25 km NE of Ja Ja, Aug 1980, Waterhouse

UNSW10547 (BRI); Yapilika, Melville Island, Sep 1986,

Wilson 10 (DNA). Western Australia. 20 miles [32

km] NW of Beverley Springs Station, Jul 1973, A pi in

5678 (BRI, CANB); 24 miles [40 km] SE of Kimberley

Research Station, Jul 1952, Perry 2939 (CANB, DNA); E

of Kununurra, Aug 1978, Petheram 112 (DNA); 12 miles

[20 km] NE of Kalumburu Mission, Sep 1954, Speck

4893 (CANB, DNA).

Distribution and habitat : Eucalyptus

tetrodonta is widespread from the northern

Kimberley of Western Australia to Cooktown

in Queensland, and inland to roughly the 800

mm isohyet (Map 1). It is most often recorded

from sandy soils, on plains, creekbanks and

hillsides, but also on laterite. It is associated

with wide variety of other eucalypt species,

but especially E. miniata.

Phenology : Flowers are borne from July to

October; fruits from October to April.

Notes : The protologue for Eucalyptus

tetrodonta cited specimens collected by

Cunningham and Armstrong, in addition to

Mueller’s broad description of where he saw

the species. However, Hill & Johnson (1998)

correctly pointed out that the Cunningham and

Armstrong citations were added by the editor

of the journal in London, and that Mueller did

not have access to those specimens.

Maiden (1921) effectively lectotypified

Eucalyptus tetrodonta with the words “the

type came from the entrance to the Victoria

Bean, Eucalyptus megasepala

307

Fig. 1 . Eucalyptus megasepala. A. branchlet showing opposite to sub-opposite leaves and axillary inflorescences x

0.5. B. single umbel of buds, close to maturity x 1.5. C. bud, showing the conspicuously ribbed operculum and the

large sepals x 2. D. single umbel of fruits x 1.5. E. fruit viewed from above x 2. Eucalyptus tetrodonta. F. single

umbel of buds, close to maturity x 1.5. G. bud, showing the unribbed operculum and the relatively small sepals x 2. H.

single fruit x 1.5.1. fruit viewed from above x 2. A, Forster PIF10108; B-C, Hyland 5178 ; D-E, Clarkson 9725 ; F-G,

Clarkson 10563 ; H-I, Mil son 1193 (all BRI). Del. W. Smith.

308

River and the elevated sterile districts of

Arnhem’s Land. Stringybark. (Mueller)”. The

latter part of this statement is taken from the

protologue, but the reference to “entrance to

the Victoria River” can only have come from

the label of Mueller’s specimen at MEL. The

lectotype bears fruits only, and the fragment

packet contains fruits only (V. Stajsic pers.

comm.). There is a photograph of it in Blake

(1953: plate 9). Chippendale (1988) incorrectly

referred to this specimen as the holotype.

Conservation status: Common and wide¬

spread.

Eucalyptus megasepala A.R.Bean, species

nov. ab E. tetrodonta alabastris pervalde 4-vel

8-costatis, 12-17 x 10-14 mm sub maturitate;

operculo conico usque apiculato; sepal is

5-9 mm longis; pedunculis ubi fructiferis

valde complanatis, 4-7.5 mm latis, fructibus

in sectione transversali ± quadratis, costis

longitudinalibus 4 differt. Typus: Queensland.

Cook District: 7 km W of Jowalbinna, 5 July

1990, A.R. Bean 1732 (holo: BRI; iso: CANB,

NSW, distribuendi).

Tree 10-20 metres high, lignotuberous. Bark

persistent throughout, fibrous to stringy, grey

when exposed. Juvenile leaves unknown.

Adult leaves lanceolate or falcate, 10.5-22

x 1.5-3.2 cm, opposite or sub-opposite,

leathery, concolorous, dull; apex attenuate,

base cuneate to attenuate, lateral veins at

45-60° to the midrib, intramarginal vein

present; reticulation sparse or moderately

dense, with small island oil glands; petioles

10-22 mm long, terete or somewhat flattened.

Inflorescences axillary, unbranched, 3-

flowered, floral bracts sometimes present, 5-7

mm long; peduncles erect or recurved, 9-21

mm long, 3-5 mm wide, strongly flattened;

pedicels 3-9 mm long, flattened. Mature

buds broadly ellipsoid, 12-17 mm long,

10-14 mm diameter. Hypanthium strongly

4- ribbed, sometimes 8-ribbed; sepals 4,

5- 9 mm long, persistent, lower part fused

to hypanthium, upper part free; operculum

conical to apiculate, strongly ribbed; stamens

white, indexed, all fertile, annular on the

staminophore. Anthers oblong, versatile,

dorsifixed, opening in longitudinal slits. Style

terete, stigma blunt. Ovary 3-locular. Fruiting

peduncles 4-7.5 mm wide, strongly flattened;

Austrobaileya 7(2): 305-310

fruits cupular, cylindrical or truncate-ovoid,

quadrangular in cross-section, 18-23 mm

long, 12-16 mm in diameter, longitudinal ribs

4, disc descending, valves 3, enclosed or at rim

level. Seeds grey, ± circular, concavo-convex,

c. 3 mm long, part of margin with rudimentary

wing, surface not reticulate, hilum ventral.

Chaff brown, cuneate to cuboid. Fig. 1.

Additional selected specimens examined : Queensland.

Cook District: 41.5 km from Almaden towards Mt

Surprise, Jun 1987, Bean 599 (BRI); 15 km from

Wrotham Park-Chillagoe road, towards ‘Blackdown’,

Jan 1993, Bean 5585 & Forster (BRI); Wenlock, Batavia

River, Jul 1948, Brass 19723 (BRI, CANB); 17.3 km N of

the Archer River crossing on the Peninsula Development

road, Aug 1983, Clarkson 4864 (BRI, CANB, NSW,

QRS); 6.7 km E of the Peninsula Development road on

the road to Iron Range, Jul 1985, Clarkson 6120 (BRI,

CANB, DNA, NSW, PERTH, QRS); c. 14 km from

Laura on Cairns road, Apr 1975, Craven 3236 (BRI,

CANB); Killarney Road, 12 km N of Kimba-Laura

road, Jun 1988, Dalliston CC54 (BRI, CANB); 10 km

along road to Leo Creek mine, Mcllwraith Range, Jun

1992, Forster PIF10108 (BRI); Pannikin Springs area,

Blackdown Station, May 1999, Forster PIF24374 &

Booth (BRI); Wrotham Park station, c. 10 miles [16

km] S of the Mitchell River, May 1971, Gill s.n. (BRI

[AQ3821]); Kennedy road N of Morehead River, Jul

1965, Gittins 985 (BRI); 28 miles [45 km] NW of Laura,

Jun 1971, Hyland 5177 (BRI, CANB, QRS); between

Maytown and Spring Creek, Jun 1975, Hyland 8277

(BRI, CANB, QRS); Iron Mountain, 8 km S of Emuford,

Mar 1990, Liddle s.n. (BRI [AQ484358], CANB); 5 km

S of Laura road, c. 68 km SW of Cooktown, Apr 1975,

McDonald 1634 & Batianoff (BRI); c. 20 miles [32 km]

NW of Chillagoe, Nov 1965, Pedley 1828 (BRI); near

Normanby River, 32 miles [51 km] ENE of Laura, Jun

1968, Pedley 2636 (BRI, CANB).

Distribution and habitat: Eucalyptus

megasepala is endemic to Queensland, and

has a considerable north-south range from

south-west of Iron Range to near Irvinebank

(Map 2). It is most often recorded from

sandstone ridges, plateaux or outcrops, but

also on gently undulating areas with sandy-

loam soils. In sandstone areas, it is commonly

associated with Corymbia stockeri subsp.

stockeri, C. pocillum or C. gilbertensis; on

more gentle landforms, it grows with E.

platyphylla, E. cullenii and C. stockeri subsp.

peninsularis.

Notes: While Eucalyptus megasepala and

E. tetrodonta are clearly closely related sister

taxa, they are as distinct, or more distinct,

than several other eucalypt pairs currently

recognised at species rank e.g. E. biturbinata

Bean, Eucalyptus megasepala

and E. longirostrata; E. lirata and E. similis;

E. pleurocarpa and E. extrica; E. notabilis

and E. resinifera; E. seeana and E. inter starts;

E. moluccana and E. microcarpa; Corymbia

pocillum and C. ellipsoidea; C. dallachiana

and C. aparrerinja. They are very readily

distinguishable with either budding or fruiting

material.

Species rank for Eucalyptus megasepala

is further supported by the fact that although

309

it often occurs in the same general vicinity

as E. tetrodonta , its habitat is different, and

there is no evidence of intergradation with the

related species.

Eucalyptus megasepala is known only

from Queensland. In the Northern Territory,

E. tetrodonta appears to be quite variable, and

additional taxa may exist within it.

The two species are distinguished by the following key:

Mature buds 8.5-12 x 6.5-10 mm; sepals 1-3 mm long; buds smooth or

with very faint ribs, operculum hemispherical; fruiting peduncles

1.8-3 mm wide, terete or angular; fruits circular in cross-section,

longitudinal ribs absent or 2.E. tetrodonta

Mature buds 12-17 x 10-14mm;sepals5-9mmlong;budsverystrongly4-or

8-ribbed, operculum conical to apiculate; fruiting peduncles 4-7.5 mm

wide, strongly flattened; fruits ± square in cross-section, longitudinal

ribs 4.E. megasepala

Phenology : Flowers are borne from April to

July; fruitsfrom July to January. Thephenology

of Eucalyptus tetrodonta (in Queensland) and

E. megasepala is significantly different, as is

the habitat. I have observed both species in the

Laura area; trees of E. tetrodonta {Bean 1691 )

were on sandy alluvium, and bore mature

buds but no flowers; trees of E. megasepala

{Bean 1732 ) were on a sandstone outcrop, and

were in full flower. Judging by the extensive

herbarium collections at BRI, E. megasepala

flowers earlier than E. tetrodonta in any given

location, and July is the only month when

both species are in flower. It seems clear that

the correlations between morphology-habitat

and morphology-phenology apply throughout

the ranges of the species in Queensland.

Conservation status : Common and

widespread.

Etymology : From the Greek mega (large) and

sepalum (sepal). This refers to the sepals of

this species that are much larger than those on

the related E. tetrodonta.

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to the Director of the Darwin

Herbarium (DNA) for access to their

specimens, to Will Smith for the illustration,

to Les Pedley for the Latin diagnosis and

to Val Stajsic (MEL) for checking the type

specimen for me.

References

Blake, S.T. (1953). Studies on northern Australian

species of Eucalyptus. Australian Journal of

Botany 1: 185-352.

Boland, D.J. & Sedgley, M. (1986). Stigma and style

morphology in relation to taxonomy and

breeding systems in Eucalyptus and Angophora

(Myrtaceae). Australian Journal of Botany 34:

569-584.

Boland, D.J., Brooker, M.I.H., Chippendale, G.M.,

Hall, N., Hyland, B.P.M., Johnson, R.D.,

Kleinig, DA. & Turner, J.D. (1984). Forest

Trees of Australia, 4 th edition. Thomas Nelson

& CSIRO: Melbourne.

Brooker, M.I.H. (2000). A new classification of the genus

Eucalyptus L’Her. (Myrtaceae). Australian

Systematic Botany 13: 79-148.

310

Austrobaileya 7(2): 305-310

Mapl. Distribution of Eucalyptus tetradonta •

Map2. Distribution of Eucalyptus megasepala • .

Brooker, M.I.H. & Kleinig, D.A. (1994). Field Guide to

Eucalypts , Volume 3. Inkata Press: Sydney.

Chippendale, G.M. (1988). Eucalyptus, Angophora

(Myrtaceae). In A.S. George (ed.). Flora of

Australia , Volume 19. Australian Government

Publishing Service: Canberra.

Hill, K.D. & Johnson, La.S. (1998). Systematic studies

in the eucalypts. 8. A review of the Eudesmioid

eucalypts. Eucalyptus subgenus Eudesmia.

Telopea 7: 375-414.

Maiden, J.H. (1921). Critical Revision of the Genus

Eucalyptus, Volume 5, part XLV. Government

Printer: Sydney.

Milson, J. (2000). Trees and shrubs of north-west

Queensland. Queensland Department of

Primary Industries: Brisbane.

The enigmatic Ipomoeapolpha R.W.Johnson (Convolvulaceae)

R.W. Johnson

Summary

Johnson, R.W. (2006). The enigmatic Ipomoea polpha R.W. Johnson (Convolvulaceae). Austrobaileya

7(2): 311-317. Variation within Ipomoea polpha is discussed and three subspecies recognised, two

subspecies, I. polpha subsp. latzii R.W. Johnson and I. polpha subsp. weirana R.W. Johnson are

described as new. Causes of the widely disjunct current distribution of the three subspecies are

postulated.

Key Words: Convolvulaceae, Ipomoea polpha , Ipomoea polpha subsp. polpha , Ipomoea polpha

subsp. latzii , Ipomoea polpha subsp. weirana , new subspecies, Australian flora. Northern Territory

flora, Queensland flora, identification key

R.W. Johnson, cl- Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic

Gardens, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia

Introduction

The taxonomic problems associated with

Ipomoea polpha R.W. Johnson began when

Mueller & Hill described I. calobra from a

specimen collected by Hill from the Barcoo

River (Mueller 1879). The specimen was

collected from a vine climbing up mulga

trees and only one flower was available for

description. This specimen was associated

with the name “Calobra”. Later in the

same volume Mueller (1881) added further

information to the description following

receipt of a specimen with flowers and fruit

from Fitzgerald, collected from between the

Moonie and Balonne Rivers. The common

name “Weir” was associated with the

latter specimen. However, the Fitzgerald

specimen was not of I. calobra but of the

south Queensland population now associated

with I. polpha. The description of I. calobra

provided by Bailey (1901) in the Queensland

Flora was based on these mixed collections.

Ipomoea polpha was described from

a specimen collected south of Mareeba in

northern Queensland (Johnson 1986). The

author noted that beside the populations

from North Queensland, a population in

the Northern Territory probably belonged

to this species and warranted subspecific

rank. In addition, populations from the Surat

- St George district in southern Queensland

Accepted for publication 18 July 2006

also appeared to be related to the other

populations.

Austin et al. (1993) treated these three

population groups under I polpha sensu lato.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism

(RFLP) analysis was used in their study

on a group of species related to I. gracilis

R.Br. This showed the three population

groups were tightly grouped. Molyneux et

al. (1995) studied the glycosidase inhibitors

swainsonine and calystegine B 2 in each of

the three population groups. They suggested

a close chemotaxonomic relationship among

the populations but noted differences in the

composition of minor constituents suggesting

they may be specifically distinct.

These three population groups are very

discrete geographically and are separated

from each other by more than 1000 km

(Map 1). All three taxa have well-developed

tuberous root systems which provided a very

valuable source of food for local aboriginal

tribes. The close morphological similarity and

the very discrete distribution indicate these

populations should be regarded as subspecies

of I polpha.

The three population centres are:

1. North Queensland populations. These

populations extend along coastal ranges

from southwest of Lakeland Downs (north of

Mareeba) in the north to southwest of Home

Hill and west to Hughenden.

312

2. Northern Territory populations. These

populations are confined to approximately

100 km 2 on Stirling and Ti Tree stations, c.

200 km northeast of Alice Springs.

3. South Queensland populations. These

populations are found in the Roma- Surat- St

George area of southern Queensland except

for an outlier c. 42 km northwest of Adavale.

Taxonomy

Ipomoea polpha R.W. Johnson, Austrobaileya

2: 220 (1986). Type: Queensland. Cook

District: c. 3.5 km N of Walkamin on road to

Mareeba, 30 January 1980, J.R.Clarkson 2754

(holo: BRI).

Perennial herb with a well-developed tuberous

root system, with trailing, terete, annual stems

to 4 m, becoming thick, hollow and ribbed,

glabrous to sparse or rarely moderately hairy

with very short hairs. Leaves petiolate; petiole

15-80 mm long, petiole length to blade length

0.25-0.6; leaf blade broadly ovate, oblong-

ovate to elliptic, 50-280 mm long, 25-230

mm wide, length: breadth ratio 1-3.5, apex

obtuse to rounded, rarely acute, slightly

emarginate, mucronate, base tapering, obtuse,

truncate to cordate, glabrous to sparsely

or rarely moderately hairy with very short,

tubercle-based, weakly ascending to erect

hairs, 0.1-0.2 mm long, with a midrib and

7-14 pair of secondary veins, bearing at the

base dark red irregularly linear to narrowly

oval glands, 0.3-2 mm long. Inflorescence

axillary, cymose, compound, bearing 1-10

flowers; peduncle terete, becoming slightly

ribbed, stout, 20-300 mm long, hairs as for

the stem; bracteoles opposite to sub-opposite,

occasionally alternate, ovate to triangular,

rarely oblong, 2-7 mm long, 2-3 mm wide,

apex rounded or obtuse, rarely acute, shortly

mucronate, ± glabrous, often with short hairs

at mucro, deciduous at flowering; pedicel

stout, terete, dilated upwards, 8-55 mm

long, glabrous to sparsely, rarely moderately

hairy, bearing at the base of the calyx 5

linear to lens-shaped dark reddish-purple

glands, with raised margins, 0.5-3 mm long.

Outer sepals concave, ovate, ovate-elliptic or

oblong-elliptic, 7.5-16 mm long, 4-11 mm

wide, apex obtuse to rounded, occasionally

emarginate, mucronulate, base rounded, ±

Austrobaileya 7(2): 311-317

glabrous, with a few very short hairs at the tip,

thick, becoming leathery, with a thin hyaline

margin, surface smooth, with 3-5 or more

fine darker longitudinal veins; inner sepals

concave, ovate, ovate-elliptic, oblong-elliptic

to ovate-oblong, 10-18 mm long, 6-14 mm

wide, apex obtuse to rounded, occasionally

emarginate, shortly apiculate, mucronulate,

base slightly cordate, truncate or rounded,

thick with a narrow hyaline margin, ±

glabrous, occasionally with a few very short

hairs at tip. Corolla funnel-shaped, deep pink

to pinkish-purple with a darker throat and

midpetaline bands, 50-100 mm long, 75-120

mm across, glabrous, except for occasional

short hairs in the upper part of the midpetaline

band; petal segments 60—110 mm long, 40-

75 mm wide at the limb, distally rounded,

bilobed, often apiculate. Stamens affixed for

6-15 mm from base of corolla, terete, dilated

downwards, free for 8-30 mm with dense,

cylindrical, sinuate, 2-celled hairs, 0.5-1.5

mm long, around the point of attachment and

for 2.5-11 mm up the filament; anthers linear,

linear-oblong to narrowly ovate-lanceolate,

5-11 mm long, 1.5-2.5 mm wide, apex

obtuse to rounded, apiculate, occasionally

emarginate, base sagittate, lobes 0.8-1.5 mm,

splitting lengthwise, curling back and slightly

twisted. Ovary ovoid, 2-2.5 mm high, on a

raised yellow disk, glabrous; style 20-42 mm

long, glabrous, stigma biglobular. Capsule

ovoid to globular-ovoid, with a persistent style

base, 15-25 mm long, 10-13 mm diameter,

glabrous, splitting longitudinal into 4 valves.

Seeds 1/4 pear-shaped, light brown to black,

10-12 mm long, 5-7 mm wide, ± glabrous to

sparsely hairy, with short brown hairs to 0.5

mm around hilum and occasionally along the

2 outer margins.

The three populations mentioned above

are morphologically very similar. They

are certainly isolated geographically, and

are evolving independently of each other.

However, finding clear-cut diagnostic features

to discriminate the populations has been

difficult.

Johnson, Ipomoea polpha

Key to subspecies of Ipomoea polpha

313

1 Leaves ovate to oblong-ovate, length:breadth >1.4; leaf base rounded

to truncate, occasionally sub-cordate in older parts; outer sepals

at fruiting 11-14 mm long.I. polpha subsp. polpha

Leaves broadly ovate to ovate-orbicular, length:breadth <1.4.2

2 Outer sepals at fruiting 13-16 mm long; leaf base obtuse to truncate,

becoming sub-cordate in older parts.I. polpha subsp. latzii

Outer sepals at fruiting 8-12 mm long; leaf base sub-cordate to cordate,

occasionally rounded to truncate.I. polpha subsp. weirana

Ipomoea polpha R.W. Johnson subsp. polpha

Leaves ovate to oblong-ovate, base rounded

to truncate, rarely sub-cordate, length:breadth

>1.4; outer sepals at fruiting 11-14 mm long.

Additional selected specimens examined : Queensland.

Burke District: main track W of Blackbraes, N

of Hughenden, Apr 2002, Bean 18866 (BRI); off

Hughenden road opposite Yarramulla, 1977, Mitchell

s.n. (BRI [AQ228696]); Chudleigh Park, Hughenden,

Mar 1958, Walter s.n. (BRI [AQ348164]). Cook District:

Yarramulla Stn, off Gulf Development road, 100 km

SSW of Mt Garnet, Jan 1990, Batianoff900119 & Smith

(BRI); Davies Creek Forestry Access road, 16 km from

Mareeba, Mar 1973, Broadley 123 (BRI [AQ9236]); the

jump up, c. 3.5 km N of Walkamin on road to Mareeba,

Jan 1980, Clarkson 2754 (BRI); 12 km SE of Mount

Janet, c. 11.5 km SW of Lakeland Downs Township, Jan

1986, Clarkson 6290 (BRI); “Whitewater” (Grid Ref

7861-470892), Jan 1993, Fensham 449 (BRI); Biboohra,

Dec 1935, Flecker s.n. (BRI [AQ276641); Jump Up,

Mareeba, Mar 1977, Gray 346 (BRI); Price Creek road,

40 km W of Mareeba, Apr 1973, Halfpapp 127 (BRI);

the jump-up, c. 20 km S of Mareeba on road to Atherton,

Mar 1977, Henderson H2460 (BRI); Mt Surprise, Dec

1981, Hinton 221 (BRI); 82 km N of Lynd Junction,

Dec 1999, McDonald KRM196 (BRI); St Ronan’s Stn,

Mt Garnet, Dec 1960, Myers s.n. (BRI); “The Jump

Up”, 3.5 km N of Walkamin, Feb 1990, Neldner 2860

(BRI); Maitland Downs Station - Upper Einasleigh

River, Apr 2003, Sankowsky 1906 (BRI); 81 km from

Mt Garnet along Kennedy Highway towards the Lynd,

Feb 1983, Telford & Butler 9481 (BRI); Davies Creek,

E of Mareeba, Feb 1963, Wyatt 22 (BRI); 10 km S of

Mareeba by roadside, Dec 1973, Wyatt 2 (BRI). North

Kennedy District: N of Cardwell, Jul 1978, Collet A4

(BRI); Connolly near pig-trap, S of Ravenswood, Mar

1981, Jackes 3 (BRI); 13 km N of Greenvale, Mar 1991,

Jeffrey TWR449 (BRI); Me[a]dowbank Station, c. 100 km

S of Mt Garnet, Dec 2002, Kerr s.n. (BRI [AQ771223]);

Home Hill - Bowen road c. 17 km from Home Hill, Oct

1974, Moriarty 1624 (BRI); c. 100 km NW of Greenvale,

Jan 1982, Pedley 4826 (BRI); 20 km S of Irvinebank, Jan

1985, Sankowsky & Sankowsky 390 (BRI); 4 miles [6.4

km] S oflnkerman, 11 miles [17.6 km] S of Home Hill,

Oct 1968, Williams 224 (BRI); Meadowbank Station

road, 3 km from Kennedy Development road, Apr 1980,

Williams 80013 (BRI).

Distribution and habitat : This subspecies

extends along coastal ranges from southwest

of Lakeland Downs (north of Mareeba) in

the north to southwest of Home Hill and

as far west as Hughenden (Map 1). This

subspecies is commonly found in grassy

eucalypt woodlands and open forests with

Eucalyptus crebra, E. cullenii, E. leptophleba

and Corymbia clarksoniana prominent. It is

commonly found on tablelands (jump-ups)

and is frequently found along roadsides where

disturbance promotes growth from tubers.

Notes : Notes on a specimen collected from

the Burdekin ( Bowman 366 , MEL95512) state

“The yam which is produced at the root of this

Ipomoea is one of the principal articles of food

of the aborigines in this district”. There is also

one record of this taxon being suspected of

poisoning stock (Jeffrey TWR 449).

Conservation Status : This subspecies is not

rare or threatened.

Ipomoea polpha subsp. latzii R.W. Johnson,

subsp. nov. differt a I. polpha subsp. polpha

foliis plus late ovatis rationibus longitudinum

latitudinibus minus quam 1.4 et a I. polpha

subsp. weirana sepalis exterioris ubi

fructiferis longioribus. Typus: Northern

Territory. 39 km ENE of Ti Tree roadhouse, 6

November 1986, P.K. Latz 10406 (holo: BRI;

iso: DNA, n.v).

Leaves broadly ovate to ovate-orbicular,

length:breadth <1.4, base obtuse to truncate,

becoming sub-cordate in older parts; outer

sepals at fruiting 13-16 mm long.

Additional specimens examined: Northern Territory.

Stirling-Tea Tree boundary. May 1979, Latz 8252 (BRI,

DNA); 39 km ENE of Ti Tree roadhouse, Nov 1986,

Latz 10406 (BRI, DNA); Alice Springs Arid Zone

Research Institute (cultivated), Feb 1988, Soos s.n. (BRI

[AQ368008]); 20 km SE of Merino Bore, Stirling Station,

Mar 1983, Thomson 511 (BRI, DNA).

314

Distribution and habitat : This subspecies

is confined to approximately 100 km 2 on

Stirling and Ti Tree stations, approximately

200 km north-east of Alice Springs (Soos &

Latz 1987) (Map 1). It is commonly found in

grassy shrublands of mulga {Acacia aneura)

and witchetty bush (A. kempeana) in sandy to

red clay loam soils on run-on areas. In moister

areas, it can occur under mature bloodwood

{Corymbia opaca) and coolibah (E. coolabah)

(Soos & Latz 1987).

Notes : The current and past status of this

population and its management has been

intensively studied (Soos & Latz 1987).

They found “the native sweet potato was a

favoured and reliable food for the Anmatyerre

[Anmatjirra] people [of the Northern

Territory], its large edible tuber being

collected at any time of the year”. Because

this subspecies was widely known among the

aboriginal people beyond those living within

its current geographical distribution, they

believed the plant was either previously more

widespread in the Northern Territory, traded

or that neighbouring tribes were involved in

sweet potato ceremonies.

Conservation status : This subspecies is listed

under ‘Ipomoe a A&3192 Stirling’ as Vulnerable

in the Northern Territory and under Apomoea

sp. Stirling (P.K. Latz 10408)’ as Vulnerable

under the Environmental Protection and

Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Etymology : It is named in honour of the

botanist Peter Latz, a colleague, who with

Antal Soos studied the uses, status and

conservation management of this plant.

Ipomoea polpha subsp. weirana

R.W. Johnson, subsp. nov. differt a 1. polpha

subsp. polpha foliis plus late ovatis rationibus

longitudinum latitudinibus minus quam 1.4 et

a I. polpha subsp. latzii sepal is exterior is ubi

fructiferis brevioribus. Typus: Queensland.

Maranoa District: 26 km from St George

towards Dalby, 25 January 1998, A.R. Bean

13086 (holo: BRI; iso: DNA, n.v).

Leaves broadly ovate to ovate-orbicular,

length:breadth <1.4, base sub-cordate

to cordate, rarely rounded or truncate; outer

sepals at fruiting 8-12 mm long.

Austrobaileya 7(2): 311-317

Additional selected specimens examined : Queensland.

Warrego District: 41.5 km from Adavale on Adavale

- Blackall road, Apr 1973, Percy s.n. (BRI [AQ9461]).

Maranoa District: St George, May 1962, Allison s.n.

(BRI [AQ276178]); St George on Wanganui property.

Mar 1970, Barnes & McEwan s.n. (BRI [AQ276180]); 90

km S of Mitchell on St George road. Mar 1994, Burton

s.n. (BRI); South Coogoon turnoff, 73 km S of Roma,

Nov 1986, Dowling s.n. (BRI [AQ407777]); c. 70 km S

of Roma on old southern road opposite entrance to South

Coogoon, Oct 1986, Dowling s.n. (BRI [AQ407774]);

91.6 km W of Westmar, Moonie Highway, just past

Drain Creek, Oct 1984, Forster PIF1920 (BRI); between

Condamine and St George, May 1920, Gunn s.n. (BRI

[AQ276183]); c. 10 miles [16 km] N of St George on Surat

road, Nov 1972, Johnson & Blaxell 983 (BRI, NSW);

65 km S of Roma on the southern road, Dec 1994,

McKenzie s.n. (BRI [AQ633648]); 6.4 km W of Moonie

River [along Moonie Highway?], Nov 1973, Pederson

s.n. (BRI [AQ12437]); 15 miles [24 km] E of St George

on Moonie Highway, Nov 1961, Pedley 910 (BRI); 36

miles [57.6 km] E of St George, Apr 1963, Pedley 1238

(BRI); c. 16 km from Ballaroo on Ballaroo - Surat

road, Apr 1973, Percy s.n. (BRI [AQ9460]); 20 km E

of St George on the St George - Dalby road. Mar 1976,

Purdie s.n. (BRI [AQ400762]); Nindigully District, Nov

1938, Roe 7694 (BRI); Glenearn Station, 40 miles [64

km] S of Surat, Mar 1963, Sewell s.n. (BRI [AQ276175]);

“Glenearn”, Surat, 90 miles [144 km] SSE of Roma,

Apr 1963, Webster s.n. (BRI [AQ276177]); 70 km W of

Westmar on Moonie Highway, Oct 1981, Williams 81235

(BRI).

Distribution and habitat : This subspecies

is found in the Roma - St George - Moonie

area of southern Queensland except for an

outlier c. 42 km NW of Adavale. It is known

locally as “Weir Vine” (Map 1). It occurs

in mulga {Acacia aneura) and poplar box

{Eucalyptus populnea ) grassy woodlands on

red brown loam soils. It is frequently found

along roadsides where disturbance promotes

growth from tubers.

Notes : Associated with a specimen collected

from the Balonne & Weir River in 1880 {Done

s.n. , MEL 95475) is a letter of 10 May 1881

from George L. Done to Robert D. Fitzgerald.

This letter was forwarded to Mueller and

states “I have seen an old resident of the

Moonie River and he states that the “Weir”

grows wild all over the country between the

Moonie and Balonne Rivers wherever the soil

is red and rich but he never saw it growing on

sand ridges. On the roots it produces a fruit

which is like a turnip when cut but which he

states is as juicy as a watermelon and which

he has seen as large as 15 inches in diameter.

Johnson, Ipomoea polpha

The fruit is relished by blacks and whites, by

the former especially. He is certain the plant

was growing wild when the country was first

taken up and says he does not think it bears

until it is 4 years old. The fruit is not good

when cooked but is very much relished when

eaten as soon as it is dug up”.

Following the opening up of the area

for pastoral activities this subspecies has

proved to be highly toxic to sheep and also

cattle (Everist 1974). Major stock losses have

occurred following grazing of fresh growth

particularly when other feed is scarce.

Conservation status : Though the area of

distribution of this taxon has been greatly

developed for pastoral and agricultural uses

it has persisted under this disturbance largely

due to its ability to regrow from its protected

tubers. It is not regarded as threatened.

Etymology : The subspecific epithet and

common name, Weir vine, refer to the Weir

River, which passes through the geographic

range of this taxon.

General Discussion

(a) Glasshouse studies

Seed from the three populations was grown

in a glasshouse at Alice Springs. Specimens

taken from the glasshouse plants are housed

at BRI and DNA. The differences which are

apparent from a study of the field specimens

become blurred when the cultivated specimens

are compared. The specimens grown from

seed collected near Mareeba {Ipomoeapolpha

subsp. polpha) have the shorter outer sepals

and sub-cordate leaf bases of I. polpha subsp.

weirana while the specimens from seed from

Surat (/. polpha subsp. weirana) has longer

outer sepals and more rounded leaf bases.

It is possible the seed forwarded to Alice

Springs was incorrectly labelled or that some

irregularity occurred at Alice Springs. If these

populations have been only recently isolated

it may be that differences in the subspecies

as noted in the field may be caused as much

by disparate environmental conditions as by

genetic divergence. Certainly genetic and

chemical analyses suggest these populations

are distinct (Austin et al ., 1993; Molyneux et

al., 1995).

315

(b) Comments on the disjunct distribution

of the three subspecies

The morphological and genetic similarity ofthe

three subspecies and their disjunct distribution

poses questions as to their origin. All three

subspecies seem to have been intensively

used by local aboriginal populations. The two

most likely explanations are that either the

species was formerly widespread throughout

northeastern Australia and has suffered

extreme fragmentation or that its original

distribution was more restricted but the tubers

were widely traded and cultivated.

If it had a much wider distribution in

the past then some explanation of the cause

of the fragmentation is necessary. Two

possible causes might be climate change or

overexploitation by aboriginals. Because the

subspecies currently occur in climatically

and ecologically different areas it is hard

to evoke climatic change. Overexploitation

of the tubers for food could fragment the

original population but there appears to be no

historical evidence to support this claim.

To explain the current distribution on

the basis of trading in tubers or seed is also

difficult. Mulvaney (1976) remarked that food

was rarely exchanged and I was unable to

find any record of the widespread distribution

of food over vast distances through trading.

Soos & Latz (1987) provide evidence of

trading of the tubers among neighbouring

tribes in the Northern Territory. Similarly

Hynes & Chase (1982) obtained evidence

that yams {Dioscorea sp.) were transported

from the mainland of northeastern Australia

to offshore islands where they were planted.

Though in both these cases distances involved

were small, it does indicate aboriginals did

transport food materials for growing in areas

beyond their current range.

There is much evidence that a chain of

connection existed between distant tribes in

northern Australia (Mulvaney 1975, 1976).

Trade and exchange networks crisscrossing

the arid and semi-arid zones served as the

main lines of communication between

far-flung tribes (Mulvaney & Kamminga

1999). Many items such as shell, ochre and

wooden tools were traded over long distances

316

(Mulvaney 1975). Perhaps the most striking

example of diffusion concerns the occurrence

of shell pendents, which were prized and

sacred objects in rituals, more than 1000 miles

[1600 km] away from their source. He cites

a boomerang which was found at least 1200

km from its point of manufacture. Reports

of long distance trading of pituri (Duboisia

hopwoodii ) are common (Mulvaney 1975;

Latz 1995).

If past trading activities have played a role

in the development of the disjunct distribution

pattern of the species, then those populations

in northeastern Australia being the most

extensive and diverse may have been the

original source of the traded material.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Dr Gordon Guymer for

providing me with space at BRI to continue

my research and the curator at DNA for loan

of their specimens. I would especially like to

thank John Mulvaney, Jack Golson and Doug

Yen for their ethnobotanical advice and to the

referee for his valued comments.

References

Austin, D.F., Jarret, R. & Johnson, R.W. (1993).

Ipomoea gracilis R.Brown (Convolvulaceae)

and its allies. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical

Club 120: 49-59.

Bailey, F.M. (1901). Ipomoea. The Queensland Flora 4:

1054-1067. H. J. Diddams & Co.: Brisbane.

Everist, S.L. (1974). Poisonous Plants of Australia.

Angus & Robertson: Sydney.

Hynes, R.A. & Chase, A.K. (1982). Plants, sites and

domiculture: Aboriginal influences upon

plant communities in Cape York Peninsula.

Archeology in Oceania 17: 38-50.

Johnson, R.W. (1986). Four new species of Ipomoea L.

(Convolvulaceae) from Australia. Austrobaileya

2: 217-223.

Latz, P. (1995). Bushfires and Bushtucker. Aboriginal

plant use in central Australia. I AD Press: Alice

Springs.

Molyneux, R.J., Mckenzie, R.A., Sullivan, B.M.

& Elbein, A.D. (1995). Identification of the

glycosidase inhibitors swainsonine and

calystegine B, in weir vine ( Ipomoea sp. Q6

[aff calobra ]) and correlation with toxicity.

Journal of Natural Products 58: 878-886.

Austrobaileya 7(2): 311-317

Mueller, F. (1879). FragmentaPhytographiaeAustraliae

11: 73. Government Printer: Melbourne.

- (1881). Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 11:

137. Government Printer: Melbourne.

Mulvaney, D.J. (1975). The Prehistory of Australia.

Penguin Books: Ringwood, Victoria.

Mulvaney, D.J. (1976). The Chain of Connection:

the material evidence. In N. Peterson (ed.).

Tribes and Boundaries in Australia. Social

Anthropology Series No. 10: 72-94. Australian

Institute of Aboriginal Studies: Canberra.

Mulvaney, D.J. & Kamminga, J. (1999). Prehistory of

Australia. Allen & Unwin: St Leonards, NSW.

Soos, A. & Latz, P. (1987). The Status and Management

of the Native Sweet Potato Ipomoea polpha in the

Northern Territory. Conservation Commission

of the Northern Territory: Darwin.

Johnson, Ipomoea polpha

317

Mapl. Distribution of Ipomoea polpha subsp. polpha ▼ I. polpha subsp. latzii A and I. polpha subsp, weirana ♦.

Nepenthes tenax C.Clarke & R.Kruger (Nepenthaceae),

a new species from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland

Charles Clarke 1 & Rodney Kruger 2

Summary

Clarke, C. & Kruger, R. (2006). Nepenthes tenax C.Clarke & R.Kruger (Nepenthaceae), a new species

from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. AustrobaiJeya 7(2): 319-324. Nepenthes tenax , endemic to

the Cape York region of Queensland, is newly described and illustrated. The distribution, habitat

and conservation status of this species are discussed, as well as the differences between N. tenax

and its close relative, N. mirabilis (Lour.) Druce. An identification key to Australian Nepenthaceae

is provided.

Key Words: Nepenthaceae, Nepenthes mirabilis , Nepenthes rowanae, Nepenthes tenax , new species,

Australian flora, Queensland flora. Cape York, identification key

'C.Clarke, School of Tropical Biology, James Cook University, P.O. Box 6811, Cairns, Queensland

4870, Australia. Email: charles.clarkel@jcu.edu.au

2 R.Kruger, P.O. Box 706, Kuranda, Queensland, 4881, Australia

Introduction

The tropical pitcher plant genus Nepenthes

consists of approximately 85 species, the

majority of which occur in Southeast Asia,

with outlying species in Madagascar, Sri

Lanka, Seychelles, India, New Caledonia

and Australia (Cheek & Jebb 2001; Clarke

1997, 2001). Bailey (1881, 1897, 1898, 1900,

1905) and Mueller (1866) described eleven

species from the Cape York peninsula region

of Queensland, but Danser (1928) reduced

all of these to synonyms of the widespread

species, N. mirabilis (Lour.) Druce. Danser’s

interpretations have been upheld in recent

revisions or flora accounts of the genus

(Stanley 1982; Jebb & Cheek 1997; Cheek &

Jebb 2001), but the types of Bailey’s taxa held

at the Queensland Herbarium (BRI) have not

been studied in detail since Danser’s revision.

Moreover, detailed field observations of

Australian Nepenthes have perhaps never been

conducted - much of the key material at BRI

was collected by Frank Jardine in the 1890’s

and specimens collected after that time are

mostly from well-explored, easily accessible

localities where N. mirabilis (typical facies)

is abundant. The most distinctive of Bailey’s

taxa, N. rowanae F.M.Bailey, is confined to

low-lying swamps near the Jardine River

Accepted for publication 19 July 2006

which are flooded - and therefore inaccessible

- for much of the year. As a result, this

species has remained poorly known until very

recently.

In 2001, the second author made several

expeditions to Cape York to relocate the type

locality of Nepenthes rowanae in the wild. He

was successful and our subsequent research

showed that N. rowanae is indeed a distinct

species, which we recently reinstated at

species rank (Clarke & Kruger 2005). While

conducting field observations of N. rowanae

in the Jardine River system, we encountered

another Nepenthes taxon which could not be

readily identified. After examining all of the

Nepenthes specimens at BRI we concluded

that it was an undescribed species, which is

described as Nepenthes tenax here.

Taxonomy

Nepenthes tenax C.Clarke & R.Kruger,

species nov. N. mirabilis similis sed ascidiis

infundibuliformibus, lamina subpetiolata et

habitu erecto nee scandenti differt. Typus:

Queensland. Cook District: Head of Cowal

Creek near Cape York, F.W.Whitehouse s.n.

(holo: BRI [AQ46887]).

Monopodial shrub, new stems generally

arising from the rootstock after the main stem

dies. Indumentum: all young parts of the plant

320

sparsely to densely covered with short simple

and stellate hairs, most of which are caducous.

Stems terete, up to 0.5 (-1) m long, 2-6 mm

thick, internodes 8-10 mm long. Rosette

leaves sessile, very narrowly linear, up to 60

mm long and 8 mm wide, margins more or less

parallel throughout, contracting gradually;

apex acute; base slightly widened, clasping

the stem for two-thirds of its circumference;

tendrils up to 25 mm. Leaf blades of the

erect stems subpetiolate, lanceolate, up to

110 mm long and 25 mm wide, the margins

held close together so that the blade forms

a highly pronounced “V-shape” in cross

section; longitudinal veins 3 or 4 on each

side of the mid-rib, often indistinct on dried

specimens, pennate veins forming a densely

branched network arising from the midrib and

spreading towards the margins; apex acute;

base clasping the stem for half to two-thirds

of its circumference, not decurrent. Tendrils

up to 60 mm long, highly tensile, with a tight

curl (or occasionally a pronounced kink) in

the middle, insertion simple. Upper two-

thirds of the aerial pitchers held above the leaf

blade. Rosette pitchers rarely produced, ovoid

to infundibular in the lower third, cylindrical

above, up to 55 mm high and 10 mm wide; two

wings, up to 2 mm wide, bearing multicellular

fringe elements (up to 2 mm long) that run

from the peristome to the lower quarter of the

pitcher. Tendril insertion at the front or side.

Mouth round, oblique throughout, peristome

cylindrical, up to 2 mm wide, ribs distinct

but minute, teeth distinct, but very short (up

to 0.2 mm long). Inner surface glandular

in the portion below the hip, glands round,

recessed in the upper portion, up to 0.1 mm

wide, c. 1500 per cm 2 Lid wider than the

pitcher mouth and held close to the peristome,

resulting in a narrow opening to the pitcher,

broadly ovate, indented at the apex, no

appendages. Spur simple or bifid, up to 2 mm

long. Aerial pitchers infundibular throughout,

with or (more commonly) without a hip about

one quarter of the way up from the bottom, up

to 110 mm high and 20 mm wide, broadest at

the mouth. Wings reduced to ribs and lacking

multi-cellular fringe elements. Tendril

joins the pitcher at the rear, but is generally

positioned so that the apex of the leaf blade

is pressed against the side of the pitcher in

Austrobaileya 7(2): 319-324

the lower quarter. Inner surface glandular in

the lower one-quarter to one-third, glands as

in the lower pitchers. Mouth round, oblique

throughout, peristome cylindrical, up to 2

mm wide, ribs distinct but minute, up to 0.3

mm wide, teeth distinct but short, up to 0.4

mm long. Lid ovate, indented at the apex, no

appendages, considerably broader than the

mouth and positioned close to the peristome, so

that the opening of the pitcher is very narrow.

Glands on the underside of the lid ovate, up to

0.2 mm long, c. 100 per cm 2 near the centre.

Towards the margins, the glands are smaller

(up to 0.1 mm long) and somewhat more

numerous (up to 150 per cm 2 ) Inflorescence

a raceme, peduncle up to 80 mm long, rachis

up to 80 mm long. Pedicels (or, occasionally,

two-flowered partial peduncles) up to 8 mm

long, lacking bracteoles, sepals ovate, up to

4 mm long; column of male flowers < 4 mm

long. Mature fruits up to 12 mm long. Fig. 1.

Additional specimens examined: Queensland. Cook

District: Somerset, Cape York, Jar dine s.n. (BRI

[AQ46886]); S edge of Jardine swamp c. 3 km S of

Jardine River on Old Telegraph Line road. Mar 1992,

Wilson 8190 (BRI); Jardine River N.R, swamp near head

of Olive Creek, c. 2 km north of Jardine River, Aug 2003,

Clarke & Kruger 1, 2 (BRI).

Distribution and habitat : Biogeographic

region: CYP. This species is apparently

confined to open sandy substrates or saturated

peat in the lower portions of swamps on

floodplains surrounding the Jardine River

on northern Cape York peninsula. The

surrounding habitat is described by Fox et al.

(2001) as open heath, Type Cl5 - dominated

by Asteromyrtus lysicephala (F.Muell. &

F.M.Bailey) Craven (Kennedy’s Heath).

Other conspicuous plants in this habitat are

various Cyperaceae, Banksia dentata L.f..,

Utricularia spp., Byblis liniflora Salisb.,

Dr os era burmanii Vahl. and D. petiolaris

R.Br. ex DC.

Phenology : This is yet to be fully

documented. Mature fruits were observed on

wild plants in August 2002. The period from

which flowers open to the ripening of fruits

in Nepenthes is usually about three months,

which suggests that flowering in that year

may have commenced in May. However, very

few plants flowered in 2003, suggesting that

flowering cycles are irregular.

Clarke & Kruger, Nepenthes tenax

321

Fig. 1. Nepenthes tenax. A. fragment of stem bearing upper pitchers. B. rosette bearing lower pitchers. C. detail of

glands on lower surface of lid (larger glands on left of illustration lie near the midline of the lid, smaller ones towards

the margins). D. fruit. E. underside of lid. (A & B drawn from photographs of plants taken at the type locality, C-E

from Clarke & Kruger 1, 2, 1 respectively).

322

Notes : Nepenthes tenax is a diminutive

plant, with free-standing, erect stems up to

1 m in length and pitchers rarely exceeding

15 cm in height. The pitchers are borne on

very short tendrils, with 3-6 operative at

any one time, giving the plant a “cartwheel”

appearance when viewed from above. The

tendrils generally have a tight curl in the

middle, but unlike other species, they do not

grip surrounding objects. Rather, they are

highly tensile, holding the pitchers erect (even

in strong winds), with the upper 2/3 of the

pitcher held above the leaf blade. This habit

is highly distinctive with only Nepenthes

madagascariensis Poir recorded as growing

in a similar manner. The pitchers and leaf

blades are generally light greenish-yellow in

colour. This combination of characteristics

makes N. tenax instantly recognisable in the

field, but at some localities there appears to

be introgression with N. mirabilis , which can

make identification of some plants difficult. In

our explorations along the Jardine River we

found a single population of an extraordinary

“small form” of N. tenax that bears the smallest

functional aerial pitchers of any Nepenthes.

These are at most 50 mm high and 8 mm wide

(but are usually half this size), while the leaf

blades are < 40 mm long and the stem rarely

exceeds 150 mm in height. The inflorescences

of these plants are approximately 100 mm

long. The site at which the small form grows

appears to be permanently inundated - even

after two consecutive below-average wet

seasons, as we were wading waist-deep

through water and muddy peat when we came

across them (during June 2003). In most years,

this site would be inaccessible.

Nepenthes tenax has rarely been collected.

At BRI there were, prior to this study, only

three specimens that could be equated with

this taxon. Whitehouse s.n. (BRI [AQ46887])

is a beautifully preserved specimen bearing

upper pitchers and an inflorescence, and is

designated here as the holotype.

Nepenthes tenax bears a superficial

resemblance to the taxon described as

N. alicae F.M.Bailey (reduced to a synonym

of N. mirabilis by Danser (1928), an

interpretation that we support), but several

characteristics of the types serve to distinguish

Austrobaileya 7(2): 319-324

them. The holotype of N. alicae {Jardine s.n.,

BRI [AQ278786]) consists only of a pair of

short stems bearing several lower pitchers,

plus a single upper pitcher and its tendril.

According to notes on this specimen, Frank

Jardine collected more material of N. alicae to

assist Bailey in preparing his description. He

put the material in his pocket for the trip home

from the type locality, but most of it fell out on

the way and was lost, except for the two short

stems and single upper pitcher! N. alicae is

similar in stature to N. tenax , but the tendrils

of the rosette pitchers are approximately 60

mm long, whereas those of N. tenax rarely

exceed 25 mm. The tendril of the sole aerial

pitcher of N. alicae appears to be considerably

longer than the pitcher itself, is not curled and

based on its arrangement, the pitcher mouth

would have been held below the leaf blade.

In N. tenax , the tendrils of the upper pitchers

are tightly curled (or have a very pronounced

kink in the middle), shorter than the pitchers

are tall, with the upper half of the pitcher held

well above the leaf blade. The short, gnarled

stems of the holotype of N. alicae appear to

have grown slowly for a number of years prior

to being collected. The stems had reached

lengths of about 100 mm, yet the leaves were

still producing rosette pitchers. All plants of

N. tenax that we have seen produce aerial

pitchers on stems that exceed 50 mm in

length. Indeed, rosette pitchers are very rarely

observed in N. tenax. Jardine made a further

collection of material for Bailey’s work on

N. alicae {Jardine s.n. BRI [AQ46886]). This

contains several fragments of N. tenax and

it is quite possible that it was this taxon that

Jardine felt was of primary interest. However,

Bailey did not equate the N. tenax fragments

with N. alicae , noting that the plants were

merely “near alicae Bail.” on the label. On this

evidence, we conclude that the taxon Bailey

described as N. alicae was based on stunted

plants of N. mirabilis , or perhaps hybrids of

N. mirabilis and N. tenax.

We have observed two putative natural

hybrids involving Nepenthes tenax in the

wild: N. tenax x N. mirabilis and N. tenax x

N. rowanae. The former appears to be rather

common, forming large swarms in some

swamps, whereas the latter is rare and has

Clarke & Kruger, Nepenthes tenax

only been observed as singletons at a few

sites where N. rowanae and N. tenax are

sympatric.

Conservation status : We observed twelve

discrete populations of Nepenthes tenax

in various swamps along and around the

Jardine River, but few of these are currently

represented by collections in herbaria. It

is highly probable that further populations

exist in swamps that are yet to be explored.

According to the IUCN guidelines (IUCN

2001), a category of LR(cd) (= lower risk,

323

conservation dependent) is proposed, as all

known populations occur within protected

areas.

Etymology : The Latin, tenax , means

tenacious and refers to the ability of this

species to produce stems and pitchers that

remain upright in open areas, despite regular

exposure to strong winds and without the

support of surrounding objects or plants, a

characteristic that is not observed in other

Nepenthaceae.

Key to Australian Nepenthes

1 Upper pitchers with a horizontal ridge (or “hip”) immediately beneath the

peristome; margins of leaf blade very gradually tapered towards the

apex, which is obtuse and slightly peltate.N. rowanae F.M.Bailey

Upper pitchers with hip lacking entirely or present in the lower quarter;

margins of leaf blade generally contracted abruptly towards the apex.2

2 Leaf blades with a distinct petiole at the base; upper pitchers bulbous or

narrowly ovoid below the hip, stems climbing to 3 m, supported by

surrounding vegetation.N. mirabilis (Lour.) Druce

Leaf blades sub-petiolate at the base, upper pitchers infundibular

throughout, stems free-standing to 0.5 (-1) m.N. tenax C.Clarke & R.Kruger

Acknowledgements

We thank the Australian Geographic

Society for their generous support of this

research. C.M. Wilmot-Dear kindly provided

the Latin diagnosis. Permission to enter

National Parks for the purposes of research

and specimen collection was provided by

the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service

(QPWS) in accordance with permit numbers

WITK01337603 AND WISP01337403. Dr.

Paul Forster and staff of the Queensland

Herbarium (BRI) gave freely of their time

and knowledge during our visits. We thank

the staff of QPWS for their kind support

throughout. We are also grateful to Datuk

Chan Chew Lun and Professor John Beaman

for their invaluable assistance.

References

Bailey, F.M. (1881). On a new species of Nepenthes.

Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New

South Wales 5: 185.

- (1897). Contributions to the Flora of Queensland.

Queensland Agricultural Journal 1: 228-235.

- (1898). Contributions to the Flora of Queensland.

Queensland Agricultural Journal 3: 353-356.

- (1900). Contributions to the Flora of Queensland.

Queensland Agricultural Journal 7: 441.

- (1905). Contributions to the Flora of Queensland.

Queensland Agricultural Journal 16: 189-193.

Cheek, M. & Jebb, M.H.P. (2001). Nepenthaceae. Flora

Malesiana Series 1, Vol. 15: 1-164.

Clarke, C.M. & Kruger, R. (2005). Nepenthes rowanae

(Nepenthaceae), a remarkable species from

Cape York, Australia. Carnivorous Plant

Newsletter 34(2): 36-41.

Clarke, C.M. (1997). Nepenthes of Borneo. Natural

History publications (Borneo): Kota Kinabalu.

- (2001). Nepenthes of Sumatra and Peninsular

Malaysia. Natural History publications

(Borneo): Kota Kinabalu.

Danser, B.H. (1928). The Nepenthaceae of the

Netherland’s Indies. Bulletin de Jardin de

Botanique, Buitenzorg. Serie III. 9 (3-4): 249-

438.

Austrobaileya 7(2): 319-324

324

Fox, I.D., Neldner, V. J., Wilson, GW. and Bannink, P.J.

(2001). Vegetation of the Australian Tropical

Savannas. Environmental Protection Agency:

Brisbane.

Iucn (2001). IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria:

Version 3.1. IUCN: Gland & Cambridge, (url:

http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/redlists/

redlistcatsenglish.pdf).

Jebb, M.H.P. & Cheek, M. (1997). A skeletal revision

of Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae). Blumea 42(1):

1-106.

Mueller, F. (1866). Nepenthes. Fragmenta

Phytographiae Australiae 5: 154. Government

Printer: Melbourne.

Stanley, T.D. (1982). Nepenthaceae. In A.S. George

(ed.). Flora of Australia 8: 7-8. Australian

Biological Resources Study: Canberra.

New species of Gossia N.Snow & Guymer and Rhodomyrtus

(DC.) Hassk. (Myrtaceae) from Papua New Guinea

Neil Snow

Summary

Snow, N. (2006). New species of Gossia N.Snow & Guymer and Rhodomyrtus (DC.) Hassk.

(Myrtaceae) from Papua New Guinea. Austrobaileya 7(2): 325-340. Two new species each of Gossia

N.Snow & Guymer (G. scottiana N.Snow, G. longipetiolata N.Snow) and Rhodomyrtus (DC.) Hassk.

( R. kaxveaensis N. Snow, R. mengenensis N. Snow) in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) are described

from Papua New Guinea. All four species are known only from the type collections. Each species is

considered “Data Deficient” following IUCN guidelines, and all are probably narrowly distributed.

The new species of Gossia bring to six the number of species in this genus now known from the

island of New Guinea. The newly described species in Rhodomyrtus, along with another undescribed

species in preparation from Papua New Guinea, suggest that ten species of Rhodomyrtus occur on

New Guinea. The new species of Rhodomyrtus have brochidodromous nervation, relatively long

petioles, and narrowly elliptic to elliptic leaves. Included are photographs of the type specimens,

a distribution map of the new species, separate keys to species of Gossia and Rhodomyrtus from

Malesia, and a discussion of the biogeography of Gossia and Rhodomyrtus.

Key Words: Myrtaceae, Myrtineae, Gossia longipetiolata, Gossia scottiana, Rhodomyrtus

kaweaensis, Rhodomyrtus mengenensis, new species, Malesian flora, Papua New Guinean flora.

New Guinean flora, Australasian flora, biogeography, conservation, identification keys. Archbold

Expeditions

N.Snow, School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA

Email: neil.snow@unco.edu

Introduction

During the examination of previously

indetermined material of Myrtaceae on loan

to the author for several revisionary projects

and a graduate thesis (Csizmadi 2006) two

specimens each of Gossia N.Snow & Guymer

and Rhodomyrtus (DC.) Hassk. from Papua

New Guinea could not be assigned to known

species. In light of the recent revision of

Gossia from Australia (Snow et al. 2003),

the transfer of several Malesian species of

Myrtus L. and Austromytrus (Nied.) Burret

into Gossia (Snow 2005), and the author’s

nearly completed treatment of Gossia for New

Caledonia (Snow in prep.), it became clear

that the two species of Gossia represented

undescribed taxa. Because the new species

of Rhodomyrtus described herein were

recognized as such relatively late during

preparation of the thesis (Csizmadi 2006),

they are described here.

Accepted for publication 23 August 2006

Materials and methods

Each of the newly described species was

recognized as being distinct only after

comparison against specimens representing

all known taxa in their respective genera.

Additional duplicates of Gossia were

searched for by the author in some herbaria,

and he was assisted by colleagues in several

other herbaria (see Acknowledgements) who

kindly searched for more duplicate material

of the new species of Rhodomyrtus. Each of

the new species is diagnosably distinct from

congeners following species concepts and

species criteria outlined previously (Snow

1997; Snow et al. 2003). The descriptive

information provided for each species varies

somewhat given the limited material available

for study and because differing amounts of

information are contained on the labels of the

specimens themselves.

Taxonomy

Gossia scottiana N.Snow, species nov.

similis G. longipetiolatae a qua floribus 5-

merous, petiolis brevioribus, laminis foliorum

326

Austrobaileya 7 ( 2 ): 325-340

sine glandibus manifests, et nervo medio

adaxiali prominente differt. Typus: Papua

New Guinea. Western Province: Fly River,

528 mile camp, May 1936, L.J. Brass 6766

(holo: L [photo, GREE]; iso: A, BRI, CANB).

Tall slender trees, to unknown height. Bark

smooth, thin, bright brown with hard brown

wood beneath. Branchlets rounded, brownish-

grey, smooth or somewhat flaking, glabrous,

lacking evident oil glands. Leaves opposite,

coriaceous, entire, concolorous, matt above

and below. Stipular hairs ([Snow et al. 2003:

6-7], “acicular appendages” of some authors

[e.g., Holst 2002]) not evident. Petioles

2-4.5 mm long, flat above. Leaf venation

pinnate; blades elliptic, 65-125 x 30-45 mm,

base rounded to cuneate, apex acuminate;

adaxial and abaxial surfaces glabrous and

lacking evident oil glands; adaxial midvein

flush to somewhat raised; secondary and

intramarginal veins indistinct to prominent.

Flowers solitary, terminal, anthopodia and

metaxyphylls absent (see Briggs & Johnson

[1979] for specialized terminology regarding

inflorescences), other features unknown.

Peduncles rigid, 4.5-17 mm long, glabrous.

Bracteoles and flowers unknown. Hypanthium

in fruit densely covered with small glands;

sepal lobes 5, glabrous, 1.5-2 mm long, apex

broadly rounded, persistent and erect in fruit.

Fruits, globose, 10-12 mm long (dry; the label

indicating “up to 1.7 cm” when presumably

fresh), black (dried). Seeds rounded, testa

hard, embryo circinnate. Figs. 1 & 2.

Presently known only from the type

collection.

Distribution and habitat : The Fly River 528

camp of the Archbold Expedition, the location

of the type collection, was located far inland

near Macrossan Island at a point where the

Fly River makes a sharp bend (Rand & Brass

1940). From an accompanying map in Rand &

Brass (1940), it appears the camp was about 15

air-kilometres southwest of Palmer Junction

Camp, which is in the Western Province of

Papua New Guinea. This general region is

downstream from where the Fly River meets

the Palmer River at approximately c. 6°S

and 141.5°E (Map 1; F.Lohrer, pers. comm.

2005). The local topography is hilly (Rand

& Brass 1940), the specimen label indicating

Map 1 . Distribution of Gossia scottiana m .

G. longipetiolata •, Rhodomyrtus kaweaensis A, and

R. mengenensis ★.

the species was growing at 80 m elevation in

rainforest. Rand & Brass (1940: 368) report

the ridges of this area as having reddish clay

soils containing rounded or angular pebbles

of quartz. The general vegetation of the area

consisted of a very tall rainforest heavy with

epiphytes (Rand & Brass 1940). Additional

details regarding the vegetation are presented

in Brass (1938).

Phenology : Flowering and fruiting in May,

but likely fruiting well into June given that

young fruits occur on some of the duplicates.

For example, the specimen at BRI has just

finished flowering and has young fruits.

Diagnostic attributes : Leaves elliptic; oil

glands on blades not visible on dried material;

adaxial midvein of leaf raised; secondary and

tertiary veins of leaf prominent above and

below; flowers 5-merous.

Affinities : Among species of the genus

from New Guinea and on the basis of leaf

morphology Gossia scottiana most resembles

G. longipetiolata. However, G. scottiana

has much shorter petioles, lacks evident

oil glands on the leaf, and has pronounced

secondary and tertiary veins on both laminar

surfaces. Among Australian species the

gross morphology of G. scottiana somewhat

resembles G. grayi N.Snow & Guymer (Snow

et al. 2003). However, G. scottiana has 5-

merous flowers, a slightly raised midrib on the

adaxial leaf surface and leaf surfaces lacking

Snow, New species of Gossia & RJhodomyrtus

327

^Holotvpe^ Isotype

Lcctotype

(foaiu scotftenc, hi'

£fs, not), itirjr.

Del. R Snow /? 2005

GnsSk

det. N. Sn<

[fn./lor*. 1* A) s/.

w tWM * rt -So- 2<

r. Nonhcm Colorado (GREE)

rjWi*4bv

wJUW

tf/T,

„t« of P«p»« (British New GuW.«), collect ell by the IBM Fly

nr Expedition of tlie American Museum of Natural History, Mr,

linn] Archbold, lender.

DUIributed by ihc Arnold Arboretum

rtu3

Fig. 1. Holotype specimen of Gossia scottiana (L.J.Brass 6766 [L]).

evident oil glands. In addition, G. grayi lacks

the raised secondary and tertiary veins on the

leaves. G. scottiana also resembles to some

degree the widespread Australian species

G. bidwillii (Benth.) N.Snow & Guymer, but

the latter has a more deeply channeled petiole,

moderately to densely glandular leaves, and

lacks the pronounced attenuated leaf apex of

G. scottiana. The description from the type

specimen label indicates “with conspicuous

328

Austrobaileya 7(2): 325-340

Isotype

Lectotype

CoH~)<knc, M*£n**> «

Xf>. riotf. hr Of'

Det, N. Snow /r (^kc2005

University of Northern Colorado {GREE)

(foaia s

Fig. 2. Close up of fruits on holotype of Gossia scottiana.

bright brown, v.[ery] thin bark and hard brown

wood”, suggesting the species may be related

to members of the genus from Australia known

commonly as the “python barks” (Snow et al.

2003), such as G. bidwillii and G. acmenoides

(F.Muell.) N.Snow & Guymer.

Notes : The placement of this taxon in Gossia

is supported in part by a detailed pencil

illustration of a circinate embryo on the

isotype from A, which appears just to the left

of the collection label. Presumably drawn

by Merrill, the drawing reflects the coiled

embryo that in part diagnoses Gossia from

related genera (Snow et al. 2003). The hard

testa of seeds in the fragment packet and other

aspects of the fruit confirm its placement

in Gossia. This same specimen evidently

was seen and cited by Landrum (1988: 121;

misspelled therein as Bass rather than Brass)

while discussing embryo types as part of a

revision of the neotropical genus Myrteola

O.Berg. Additional material is needed to

more fully characterize the inflorescence,

bracteoles, flowers (which are unknown) and

fruit.

Etymology : The specific epithet honours

Dr. Andrew John Scott (1950-) for his

important contributions to our understanding

of the berry-fruited genera of Myrtaceae (pro

parte, Scott 1978a,b, 1979a,b, 1980a,b, 1984,

1985, 1990).

Gossia longipetiolata N.Snow, species nov.

floribus 4-meris; petiolis 7-10 mm longis;

laminis foliorum glandibus densis in quoque

pagina, nervo medio adaxiali piano. Typus:

Papua New Guinea: Western Province:

Tarara, Wassi Kussa River, December 1936,

L.J.Brass 8588 (holo: L [photo, GREE]; iso:

A, n.v.' BO, «.v., BRI, CANB).

Slender trees 4-5 m tall. Bark smooth, thin,

brown to grey. Branchlets rounded, light

brown, smooth to slightly flaky, glabrous,

oil glands common but indistinct. Leaves

coriaceous, venation pinnate. Stipules not

evident. Petioles 7-10 mm long, somewhat

channeled above. Leaf blades elliptic, 75-120

x 33-55 mm, base cuneate, apex acute to

acuminate. Adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces

matt, glabrous, with dense covering of oil

Snow, New species of Gossia & RJhodomyrtus

glands. Adaxial midvein flush. Secondary

and intramarginal veins of abaxial surface

indistinct to more or less prominent.

Inflorescence terminal or lateral, monads or

few-flowered racemes, solitary or paired in leaf

axils. Anthopodia and metaxyphylls lacking.

Peduncles rigid, 4-18 mm long, glabrous.

Bracteoles two, linear, scale-like (lacking

midrib), 0.5-1 mm long, <0.5 mm wide,

glabrous, persistent or (mostly) deciduous

329

in fruit. Flowering material unknown.

Hypanthium in fruits 4-merous, 1-1.5 mm

long, upper surface sparsely sericeous, lower

surface glabrous, held more or less erect in

fruit. Fruits subglobose to globose, rounded

at base, 5-8 x 5-8 mm, glabrous, dark blue-

black at maturity. Figs. 3 & 4.

Known only from the type collection.

Fig. 3. Holotype specimen of Gossia longipetiolata {L.J.Brass 8588 [L]).

330

Austrobaileya 7(2): 325-340

Fig. 4. Close up of fruits on holotype of Gossia longipetiolata.

Distribution and habitat : The type locality

(Map 1) occurs on the coastal lowlands of the

Arafura Sea at the old village of Tarara on the

Wassi Kusa River (Rand & Brass 1940: 355).

Brass (1938) reports that Tarara is located

about 55 km (35 miles) from the mouth of

the river and indicates that the region (at the

time) supported small communities of semi-

nomadic agricultural residents. This general

area forms the western boundary of Strachan

Island at approximately 9°S, 142°E, (F.Lohrer,

pers. comm. 2005). Brass (1938) indicates the

country consists of a plain with low ridges

that gradually increases in elevation further

inland. The climate of the area is said to be

markedly seasonal with the majority of rain

occurring from December to April (Rand

& Brass 1940). The area is underlain by

limestone and mostly covered with savanna,

but rainforest occurs along waterways in

thin strips (Brass 1938; Rand & Brass 1940).

The specimen label indicates the species as

being common in the underbrush of light

rainforests.

Phenology : Known in mature fruit

from December; presumably flowering

approximately 4-6 weeks earlier.

Diagnostic attributes: Petioles 7-10 mm

long; oil glands dense on both leaf surfaces;

adaxial midvein of leaf flush; secondary veins

of leaves visible but not raised on adaxial

surface; flowers 4-merous.

Affinities: Among species of Gossia from the

island of New Guinea the leaf morphology

most resembles G. scottiana, but the dense

oil glands of G. longipetiolata and longer

petioles immediately distinguish it from the

former. Using the “key for sterile specimens”

for Australian species (Snow et al. 2003:

34-35), G. longipetiolata would key out with

G. bidwillii , but it differs from that species by

its longer petioles and acuminate leaf apices.

More details are needed about the flower and

inflorescence structure of G. longipetiolata

and a molecular-based study of the genus will

be necessary before the closest relatives of

this species can be inferred.

Snow, New species of Gossia & RJhodomyrtus

Notes : The label indicates that the bark is

“very smooth, thin”, suggesting this species,

as with Gossia scottiana , might be related to

the “python” group of species in this genus

(Snow et al. 2003).

Etymology : The specific epithet refers to the

long petioles, which with an average length of

about 8 mm are the longest within Gossia.

331

Conservation status : Given its occurrence in

only one known locality and following IUCN

(2001) guidelines the appropriate designation

is “Data Deficient” unless additional

populations are found. The following key

separates species of Gossia presently known

from Malesia.

A key to the Malesian species of Gossia

1 Flowers 5-merous (rarely 4-merous in G. floribunda)\ leaf apex

acuminate to attenuate.2

Flowers 4-merous; leaf apex obtuse, acute, or acuminate.3

2 Leaf blades mostly < 55 mm long; hypanthium sericeous; ovary apex

villous.G. eugenioides

Leaf blades mostly > 75 mm long; hypanthium glabrous; ovary apex

glabrous.G. scottiana

3 Branchlets 4-angled.4

Branchlets rounded to compressed.5

4 Leaves broadly elliptic, 12-28 mm long; hypanthium densely appressed-

pubescent; stipular hairs (see Snow et al. 2003) prominent, much

elongated apically.G. versteeghii

Leaves narrowly elliptic to ovate, 15-75 mm long; hypanthium glabrous to

sparsely sericeous; stipular hairs somewhat obscure, only somewhat

elongate apically.G. floribunda

5 Short, spine-like bracts in inflorescence present.G. salomonensis

Short, spine-like bracts in inflorescence absent.6

6 Leaves membranous, narrowly elliptic.G. randiana

Leaves coriaceous, elliptic to ovate.7

7 Petioles 7-10 mm long; leaf apex acuminate.G. longipetiolata

Petioles 2-4 mm long; leaf apex acute.G. aneityensis

Rhodomyrtus kaweaensis N.Snow, species

nov. a R. pinnatinervi C.T.White foliis

pagina abaxiali sericea et apice acuto usque

acuminato, et pedunculis tenuioribus differt.

Typus: Papua New Guinea: Morobe Province:

Lae Subdistrict, Mt. Kawea, 600 m, 7 July

1973, D.B.Foreman LAE 52304 (holo: BISH;

iso: CANB, BRI, K, US).

Slender trees to 4.5 metres, up to 3 cm

d.b.h. Outer bark medium brown, smooth to

flaky; inner bark rich brown; wood straw-

coloured. Younger branchlets with two

shallow longitudinal channels on each side of

laterally compressed internodes, sericeous.

Petioles 9-11 mm long, deeply channeled on

upper surface, longitudinally striated when

young, densely sericeous. Stipular hairs

of two to several ferrugineous to dark red

hairs up to 0.8 mm long. Leaves discolorous,

matt above and below. Leaf blades narrowly

elliptic, 55-100 x 17-27 mm, base cuneate to

attenuate, apex acute to acuminate, margin

flat; upper surface pannose while developing

but becoming glabrous, oil glands not visible,

midvein impressed throughout; lower surface

moderately short-hairy throughout (use

332

magnification), oil glands common but faint,

intramarginal vein lacking. Inflorescence

terminal or ramiflorous, of solitary flowers;

anthopodia and metaxyphylls absent.

Peduncles 3-10 mm, densely short-sericeous.

Bracteoles 2, ovate, 2.2-2.3 x 0.8-1.0 mm,

tightly appressed to base of hypanthium,

thickened and keeled abaxially, sericeous to

densely tomentose. Hypanthium obconic, 3.5—

Austrobaileya 7(2): 325-340

4.5 mm, hypanthium tube not extended above

ovary apex, densely sericeous-tomentose;

ovary apex hairy. Calyx lobes 5, fused below,

distinct in bud, c. 2.5 mm, light green, ovate

to oblate, apex obtuse; upper surface densely

sericeous, lower surface moderately to densely

sericeous-tomentose. Petals ovate to obovate,

5-8 x 3-4.2 mm, white, glabrous above and

below, oil glands common and relatively

FLORA OF NEW GUINEA

Botanical Collections of the Division

of Botany, Department of Forests, Lae.

LAE 52304 D.U. Foreman 7/1/73

Locality : Mt. Kama. Lae Subdistrict,

Iterobe District, Altitude 600 a,

Lat. 7 25 S Long. 147 10 F.

Habitat : nidge forest

Annot .: Small tree. Height 6.0 a.

Bark brown, smooth, inner bark pale

brown. Wood pale brown loaves ll.

Fig. 5. Holotype specimen of Rhodomyrtus kaweaensis (D.B.Foreman LAE 52304 [BISH]).

Snow, New species of Gossia & RJhodomyrtus

prominent. Stamens 130-150, multiseriate,

excluded, yellow; filaments 3-4 mm, pink;

anthers subglobose, basifixed, c. 0.5 mm;

connectives with a single apical gland and

1-6 additional glands between anther sacs;

staminal disk shortly villous, diamter c.

2.5 mm. Style c. 5 mm, glabrous, capitate.

Locules (in flower) 6, placenta one per locule,

axile; ovules numerous. Fruit unknown. Figs.

5 & 6.

Presently known only from the type

collection.

Distribution and habitat : At the present time

Rhodomyrtus kaweaensis is known only from

forests on ridges at c. 600 metres altitude on

Mt. Kawea in Morobe Province west of the

Huon Gulf, about 80 air km south-southeast

of Lae (Map 1).

Phenology : Flowering in January, presumably

fruiting in late January through much of

February or longer.

Diagnostic attributes : Internodes of

flowering branchlets 2-7 mm long; leaves

brochidodromous, narrowly elliptic;

hypanthium irregularly creased longitudinally,

densely sericeous-tomentose; petals sparsely

hairy abaxially, densely sericeous adaxially;

stigma peltate.

Affinities : Rhodomyrtus pinnatinervis

C.T.White is relatively common in New

Guinea and differs from R. kaweaensis by its

narrower leaves, acuminate (versus typically

acute) leaf apex, less hairy abaxial leaf surface,

completely glabrous petals, and glabrous

styles lacking glands. On the basis of the

shape and venation of leaves R. mengenensis

also resembles R. kaweaensis , but the latter

is easily diagnosed by its shorter (2-7 mm)

internodes at the tips of branches.

Notes : According to the label the leaves are

light green, but in dried material they are dark

brown (above) to light brown (below). The

flowers are said to lack a scent.

Etymology : The specific epithet is in reference

to the type locality of Mt. Kawea.

Conservation status : Since analyses have not

been carried out to better document the range

333

of the species the IUCN (2001) guidelines

require a designation of “Data Deficient”.

Rhodomyrtus mengenensis N. Snow, species

nov. a R. pinnatinervi C.T.White indumento

sericeo, et ramulis compressis et in quoque

latere bicanaliculato differt. Typus: Papua

New Guinea. East New Britain: Subdistrict

Pomio, near mapping site at edge of Mengen

Massif, 1200 m, 5°04'S, 151°48'E, 10 June

1973, P.F. Stevens & Y. Lelean LAE58784

(holo: BRI; iso: A, CANB, E, K).

Slender trees to 4.5 metres tall, c. 3 cm dbh.

Outer bark medium brown, flaky; inner

bark darker brown; wood straw-coloured.

Branchlets laterally compressed, those of the

current year’s growth with two longitudinal

grooves on each side of the stem, moderately

to densely sericeous. Petioles 10-16 mm

long, deeply channeled on adaxial surface,

densely short-sericeous. Leaves discolorous,

matt above and below. Leaf blades narrowly

elliptic, 75-100 x 22-30 mm, base cuneate

to attenuate, apex acuminate, margin flat;

adaxial surface sericeous-lanate adaxially

when young, becoming glabrous (remaining

sericeous around midvein), oil glands

not visible, midvein deeply impressed;

abaxial surface sparsely to moderately

short-sericeous, especially along midvein

and veins; oil glands sparse to moderate

(best seen with magnification), secondary

veins distinct, intramarginal vein lacking.

Inflorescence terminal, axillary, or on naked

branches, flowers solitary. Anthopodium and

metaxyphylls lacking. Peduncles solitary, 9-

11 mm, densely sericeous, typically reflexed

away from stem (in fruit). Bracteoles 2, ovate,

relatively thick and somewhat conduplicate

at base, c. 2 mm x 1 mm, rigid and tightly

appressed to base of hypanthium, sericeous-

tomentose, persistent in fruit. Calyx lobes 5,

fused below, broadly rounded, apex obtuse,

1.5-2 mm long, ascending in fruit; adaxial

surface somewhat hairy; abaxial surface

densely short-tomentose. Petals 3-4 mm

long; glabrous above and below, oil glands

common and relatively large. Stamens

multiseriate; filaments c. 3 mm long; anthers

subcylindrical, c. 0.6 mm long; staminal disk

hairy. Styles glabrous; ovary apex hairy.

Immature fruit a berry, globose, 5-6 x

334

Austrobaileya 7(2): 325-340

Fig. 6. Close up of flowers of holotype specimen of Rhodomyrtus kaweaensis {D.B.Foreman LAE 52304 [BISH]).

5-6 mm, shortly sericeous-tomentose, dull

orange. Locules 6; placentation axile. Seeds

numerous, ovate, testa hard. Embryo slightly

curved to c-shaped. Figs. 7 & 8.

Presently known only from the type

collection.

Distribution and habitat: Rhodomyrtus

mengenensis is presently known only in

Papua New Guinea from East New Britain

on the edge of the Mengen Massif west of

Wide Bay (Map 1); growing at 1200 metres

in Nothofagus-dominatQd mossy forests with

Nastus Juss.

Phenology: Probably flowering at least May

and June and fruiting June at least into July.

Diagnostic attributes: Younger branchlets

with two longitudinal grooves on each side of

the somewhat compressed internode; leaves

narrowly elliptic, venation brochidodromous;

fruits reflexed from stem.

Affinities: The combination of narrowly

elliptic leaves with brochidodromous venation

most closely resembles R. kaweaensis , which

is restricted to the main island of New

Guinea.

Notes: The label from the type specimen

reports the leaves as being slightly shiny

above when fresh. The fruits are reportedly

dull orange in color, although it is unlikely

that they are fully developed.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the

type collection from the Megen Massif.

Conservation status: IUCN (2001) guidelines

require a designation of “Data Deficient”

General discussion

Rhodomyrtus sensu lato is demonstrably

polyphyletic based on data from DNA

sequences and morphological differences

in leaf venation and aspects of the flower

(Csizmadi 2006). For example, cladograms

Snow, New species of Gossia & Rhodomyrtus

based on maximum likelihood and parsimony

analyses of DNA sequence data grouped

species of Rhodomyrtus that possess

brochidodromous venation into a clade

distinct from the species having acrodromous

venation, which were in a second clade

(Csizmadi 2006). The work of Csizmadi

(2006) included two or more representative

species of the putatively related genera

Octamyrtus Diels, Archirhodomyrtus (Nied.)

Burret, Decaspermum J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.,

Pilidiostigma Burret, and an undescribed

335

new genus from New Caledonia (Snow 2004).

Representatives from each of these genera

were present in at least one of the two clades

comprised largely of species of Rhodomyrtus.

Neither of the new species described here

of Rhodomyrtus were sampled by Csizmadi

(2006), but on the basis of leaf venation and

certain aspects of floral morphology, they

probably would fall out with other species in

the brochidodromous clade.

Key to species of Rhodomyrtus outside of Australia

1 Leaf venation acrodromous (trinerved).2

Leaf venation brochidodromous (pinnate).7

2 Calyx lobes narrowly triangular.R. sp. nov. Csizmadi & N.Snow ined.

Calyx lobes ovate or broadly semicircular.3

3 Abaxial leaf surface densely ferruginous villous.4

Abaxial leaf surface glabrous or pubescent, lacking ferruginous hairs.6

4 Mature fruits ellipsoidal.5

Mature fruits globular.R. montana

5 Abaxial leaf surface moderately to densely villous.R. lanata

Abaxial leaf surface sparsely villous.R. novoguineensis

6 Mature leaves glabrous abaxially.R. salomonenesis

Mature leaves tomentose abaxially.R. tomentosa

7 Leaves narrowly elliptic to elliptic.8

Leaves ovate, broadly elliptic or obovate.10

8 Branchlets, developing leaves, abaxial leaf midvein, and hypanthium

woolly-tomentose (hairs bright white).R. pinnatinervis

Branchlets, developing leaves, abaxial leaf midvein, and hypanthium

sericeous or sericeous-tomentose (hairs dull white or somewhat

yellowish).9

9 Internodes of flowering branchlets 2-7 mm long, without longitudinal

channels.R. kaweaensis

Internodes of flowering branchlets 12-22 mm long, bearing two

longitudinal channels on each side.R. mengenensis

10 Hypanthium smooth in flower.11

Hypanthium ribbed or rugulose in flower.12

11 Mature fruit globular; stigma peltate; leaf apex acute or occasionally

acuminate; style glandular.R. pinnatinervis

Mature fruit cylindrical; stigma capitate; leaf apex acuminate; style

eglandular.R. surigaoensis

336

Austrobaileya 7(2): 325-340

LAE 58784

ARNOLD ARBORETUM

Rhodomyrtus pinnatinervis C. T. White

Scott, K. B. 33: 317. 1978.

harvard university herbaria

FLORA OF NEW BRITAIN

SYll

Sing

Botanical Collections of the Division

of Botany, Department of Forests, Lae.

F. Stevens & Y. LeLean

10.6.73.

Locality : Near Mapping site at edge of

Mengen Massif. District E. New Britain,

Subdistrict Pomio. Altitude 1200 m.

Lat .: 5 4 S Long .: 151 48 E

Habitat :

Nothofagus-dominated mossy

forest with much Nastus.

Annot .: Slender tree, height 4.5 m,

d.b.h. 3 cm.

Bark mid brown, flaking; inner bark

rich brown.

Wood straw.

Leaves mid slightly shiny green above,

whitish green below.

Fruit dull orangeish.

Fam.: Myrtaceae

Name: Rhodomyrtus

Dupl. sent to

• L Bri. Canb, A.

' Bish. PNtU ^

Fig. 7. Holotype specimen of Rhodomyrtus mengenensis (P.F.Stevens & Y.Lelean LAE 58784 [A]).

Snow, New species of Gossia & Rhodomyrtus 337

12 Locules 1 or 2.13

Locules 3 or more.14

13 Locules 1; placentation parietal; stigma peltate.R. macrocarpa

Locules 2; placentation axile; stigma capitate.R. elegans

14 Leaves oblong or elliptic; inflorescence a simple cyme to a raceme; one

row of ovules per locule.R. locellata

Leaves obovate, leaf apex rounded.R. obovata

Based on the two new species reported here,

and revisionary work in progress for species

from New Caledonian (Snow in prep.), it now

appears that Gossia consists of approximately

45 species (Snow et al. 2003; Snow 2005).

This figure exceeds a recent previous estimate

of 35 species (Snow 2000a) and suggests that

Gossia may be the most species-rich genus

of berry-fruited genera traditionally placed

in subtribe Myrtineae in Australasia (Snow

2000a; see Landrum & Kawasaki (1997)

for estimates of species richness among

neotropical berry-fruited genera). The two

species described here bring to six the number

of species of Gossia known from the island

of New Guinea (Table 1). Based on current

knowledge it appears that eastern Australia

and New Caledonia each have 20 species of

Gossia (Snow et al. 2003, in prep.). None

of the species are shared between Australia

and New Caledonia, although G. floribunda

occurs in both Australia and New Guinea

(Table 1). Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands

each have a single species of Gossia (Table

1; Snow etal. 2003, Snow 2005, in prep.). The

geographical distrubution of Gossia now can

be stated with some certainty as occupying

the Eastern Australian, New Caledonian,

Malesian, and Fijian floristic provinces

of Takhtajan (1986), which provides the

necessary context to include Gossia in more

general biogeographical studies in this

geologically complex region.

The two new species of Gossia described

here join others in Myrtaceae also described

from the 1936-37 Archbold Expeditions,

including the following taxa newly described

by White (1942,1951): the genera Basisperma

and Eucalyptopsis\ the species Mearnsia

[= Metrosideros ] scandens, Octamyrtus

lanceolatus , Rhodomyrtus obovata ,

Rhodamnia propinqua, Tristania ferruginea\

and the variety Melaleuca cunninghamii

Schauer var. glabra.

In light of a species from Papua New

Guinea soon to be described (Csizmadi 2006)

and the two new species described herein,

the 20 species of Rhodomyrtus presently

recognized is double that of a recent estimate

(Snow 2000a). As mentioned above, however,

Rhodomyrtus is demonstrably polyphyletic

(Csizmadi 2006) and likely will need to be

partitioned into two genera. Of the 20 species

of Rhodomyrtus sensu lato , eleven occur on

the island of New Guinea (Table 1), although

R.macrocarpaBrnth. has its main distribution

in Australia (Scott 1978a; Guymer 1991).

Species restricted to areas other than the island

of New Guinea are R. locellata (Guillaumin)

Burret of New Caledonia and R.tomentosa

(Aiton) Hassk. of southern Asia and much

of Malesia. In addition, R. salomonensis

(C.T.White) A. J. Scott has its main distribution

over much of the Solomon Islands (Scott

1978a), with its northeastern-most occurrence

being on the island of Bougainville, Papua

New Guinea. Rhodomyrtus thus occurs in

the Indian, Indochinese, Malesian, Northeast

Australian, and New Caledonian floristic

regions of Takhtajan (1986).

Several berry-fruited species of Myrtaceae

occur in northern Australia and southern

Papua New Guinea. These include Gossia

floribunda (A.J.Scott) N.Snow & Guymer

(Snow et al. 2003), Rhodomyrtus macrocarpa ,

Rhodamnia spongiosa (F.M.Bailey) Domin &

C.T.White (Snow in press), and Pilidiostigma

papuanum (Lauterb.) A. J.Scott (Snow 2004).

Their occurrence in both countries mirrors a

pattern found in other genera (e.g., Brass 1938;

Snow 2000b, in press) and likely is explained

by southern New Guinea being geologically

338

Austrobaileya 7(2): 325-340

Table 1: Geographical distribution of species of Gossia and Rhodomyrtus occurring

outside of Australia and their associated floristic regions following Takhtajan (1986).

Species and authors

Countries (islands in

parentheses)

Floristic region

Gossia aneityensis (Guillaumin) N.Snow

Vanuatu (Aneityum)

Fijian

Gossia eugenioides (A.J.Scott) N.Snow

Indonesia (Papua)

Malesian

Gossiafloribunda (A.J.Scott) N.Snow &

Guymer

Australia, Papua New

Guinea

Northeast

Australian,

Malesian

Gossia kaweaensis N.Snow

Papua New Guinea

Malesian

Gossia longipetiolata N.Snow

Papua New Guinea

Malesian

Gossia mengenensis N.Snow

Papua New Guinea

Malesian

Gossia randiana (Merr. & L.M.Perry)

N.Snow

Papua New Guinea

Malesian

Gossia salomonensis (A. J.Scott) N.Snow

Solomon Islands (Gizon)

Malesian

Gossia scottiana N.Snow

Papua New Guinea

Malesian

Gossia versteeghii (Merr. & L.M.Perry)

N.Snow

Indonesia (Papua)

Malesian

Rhodomyrtus elegans (Blume) A. J.Scott

Indonesia (Papua,

Moluccas), Papua New

Guinea

Malesian

Rhodomyrtus lanata Guymer

Papua New Guinea

Malesian

Rhodomyrtus locellata (Guillaumin)

Burret

New Caledonia

New Caledonian

Rhodomyrtus sp. nov. J.Csizmadi &

N.Snow ined.

Papua New Guinea

Malesian

Rhodomyrtus macrocarpa Benth.

Australia, Papua New

Guinea, Indonesia

(Moluccas)

Australia,

Malesian

Rhodomyrtus montana Guymer

Papua New Guinea

Malesian

Rhodomyrtus novoguineensis Diels

Indonesia (Moluccas),

Papua New Guinea, (East

New Britain, Papua)

Malesian

Rhodomyrtus obovata C.T.White

Papua New Guinea (Papua)

Malesian

Rhodomyrtuspinnatinervis C.T.White

Papua New Guinea (Papua),

Indonesia (Papua)

Malesian

Rhodomyrtus salomonensis (C.T.White)

A. J. Scott

Papua New Guinea,

Solomon Islands

Malesian

Rhodomyrtus suriagoensis Elmer

Philipppines (Mindanao)

Malesian

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk.

Southern Asia

Indochinese,

Malesian

Snow, New species of Gossia & RJhodomyrtus

339

Botanical Col:

of Botany, De]

LAE 58784 P.

Locality : Nea

Mengen Massif

Subdistrict P

Lat .: 5 4 S

Habitat :

Mott

forest with n

Annot .: Slei

d.b.h. 3 cm.

Bark mid broi

rich brown.

Wood straw.

Leaves mid s

whitish gree

Fruit dull o

Fam„: M Y rt

Name : Rhoc

Dupl* sent

Bog. ? Sing.

Fig. 8. Close up of young fruits of holotype specimen of Rhodomyrtus mengenensis (P.F. Stevens & Y.Lelean LAE

58784 [A]).

a part of the Australian continent with the

Torres Strait becoming dry during the last

glacial period (BMR Palaeogeographic Group

1990).

It is nothing new to restate the obvious

fact that New Guinea and neighboring areas

remain biologically among the least explored

and poorly known areas on the planet.

Reflecting our limited knowledge of the

region is the remarkable fact that specimens

collected seventy years ago by Leonard Brass

during the 1936-37 Archbold Expedition

to New Guinea are only now understood to

represent species new to science (i.e., Gossia

scottiana and G. longipetiolata). Further

details of that particular Archbold Expedition

are provided by Brass (1938) and Rand & Brass

(1940). Given its tropical location, high levels

of biodiversity and endemism, and relatively

low levels of general plant collecting in many

areas, additional collecting from New Guinea

should remain a high priority. To help expand

our knowledge of plant biodiversity the author

will gladly accept fertile specimens of berry-

fruited Myrtaceae as gifts for determination

from this poorly known region.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the curators of A, BISH, BRI,

CANB, E, L, NY, QRS and US for permission

to borrow or view specimens. Special thanks

to Lucia Kawasaki (F), Gordon Guymer

(BRI), Peter Wilson (NSW), Sunarti Supeno

(BO), Eve Lucas (K) and Andrew Ford

(QRS) for checking for duplicates amongst

indetermined material. Lyn Craven (CANB)

kindly provided the Latin diagnoses. Special

thanks also to Fred Lohrer of the Archbold

Biological Station in Florida for providing

additional details about the collecting

localities of the Gossia species and alerting

me to earlier publications. The editorial

suggestions by an anonymous reviewer and

Paul Forster clarified the manuscript.

340

References

BMRPaleogeograpic Group. (1990). Australia:

Evolution of a continent. Australian Government

Publishing Service: Canberra.

Brass, L.J. (1938). Botanical results of the Archbold

Expeditions, IX. Notes on the vegetation of

the Fly and Wassi Kussi Rivers, British New

Guinea. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 19:

175-193.

Briggs, B.G. & Johnson. L.A.S. (1979). Evolution in

the Myrtaceae - evidence from inflorescence

structure. Proceedings of the Linnaean Society

of New South Wales 10: 157-256.

Csizmadi, J. (2006). An assessment of generic

boundaries of Rhodomyrtus (Myrtaceae)

based on morphology and the nuclear internal

transcribed spacer (ITS—1, 2) region sequence

data. M.S. Thesis. University of Northern

Colorado: Greeley.

Guymer, G.P (1991). Revision of the Rhodomyrtus

trineura (F.Muell.) F.Muell. ex Benth.

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Holmgren, P.K. and Holmgren, N.H. 1998 onwards

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Chromosome records for four species of Pellaea section

Platyloma (J.Sm.) Hook. & Baker (Adiantaceae) from Australia

G. Kokubugata, P.D. Bostock & Paul I. Forster

Summary

Kokubugata, G., Bostock, P.D. & Forster, P I. (2006). Chromosome records for four species of Pellaea

section Platyloma (J. Sm.) Hook. & Baker (Adiantaceae) from Australia. Austrobaileya 7(2): 341-345.

Somatic chromosomes (2n) from nine populations of all four currently recognised Australian Pellaea

species, P. falcata , P. nana, P. paradoxa and P. calidirupium , were observed by the standard aceto-

orcein staining method. Pellaea falcata , P. nana and P. paradoxa respectively showed a chromosome

number of 2 n = 58 (2x; x = 29). One of two populations of P. calidirupium showed a chromosome

number of 2n = 87 (3x) with the other showing 2/7 =116 (4x). The diploid counts obtained for P. falcata

and the triploid result for P. calidirupium differ from previously published reports, which were based

on New Zealand collections.

Key Words: Pellaea calidirupium, Pellaea falcata, Pellaea nana, Pellaea paradoxa , chromosomes,

polyploidy, Australian flora. New Zealand flora

G.Kokubugata, Tsukuba Botanical Garden, National Science Museum, Tokyo, Amakubo 4, Tsukuba,

Ibaraki, 305-0005, Japan. Email: gkokubu@kahaku.go.jp

P.D.Bostock & P.I.Forster, Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane

Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia

Introduction

Pellaea Link is a genus of at least 35 species

with the majority in the southwestern United

States and Mexico, but with scattered taxa

also occurring in South America, Africa,

India, Malesia, Australia and the western

Pacific (Tryon et al. 1990). Four sections

have been recognized, viz. sect. Pellaea with

c. 16 species in America and one in Africa,

sect. Ormopteris (J.Sm.) R.M. & A.F.Tryon

with six species in South America, sect.

Holcochlaena Hook. & Baker with ten species

from Africa to India and Sri Lanka, and sect.

Platyloma (J.Sm.) Hook. & Baker, presently

with five species, from India and Sri Lanka to

Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia

(Tryon 1990; Bostock 1998).

Pellaea sect. Platyloma presents some

difficulties taxonomically. Until recently

this section comprised only three species,

P. falcata, P. paradoxa and P. rotundifolia,

the last endemic to New Zealand. Field

surveys and laboratory analysis (Brownsey

& Lovis 1990; Garrett 1992, 1995; Bostock

1998) have resulted in the publication of a new

Accepted for publication 7 August 2006

species, initially considered a New Zealand

endemic but later accepted for Australia

(P. calidirupium ), the raising of a variety to

specific status {P.falcata var. nana to P. nana )

and speculation as to whether further ‘cryptic’

species might be present (Bostock 1998).

Two haploid chromosome numbers

have been determined in the genus, n =

29 (Britton 1953; Brownlie 1954, 1957;

Knobloch & Britton 1963; Lovis 1977; Tryon

& Tryon 1982; Benham & Schaack 1988;

Brownsey & Lovis 1990; Gastony 1990; Lin

et al. 1990; Tryon et al. 1990; Bostock 1998;

Tindale & Roy 2002) and n = 30 (Manton

& Sledge 1954; Kato et al. 1992; Manickam

& Irudayaraj 1998). In Australia and New

Zealand, thus far, counts of n = 29 (2x), n =

31 (2x + 2) and 58 (4x) at meiotic metaphase I

have been recorded for taxa in sect. Platyloma

(Brownlie 1954, 1957; Brownsey & Lovis

1990; Bostock 1998; Tindale & Roy 2002).

Apomixis has been noted in the genus (Tryon

& Britton 1958; Tryon 1968, 1972) but has not

yet been proven for sect. Platyloma. Some

forms of Pellaea recorded from Australia

are strongly suggestive of hybrid origin but

again this has not been proven (Bostock pers.

obs.). Regardless of taxonomic problems,

342

cytotaxonomic determinations of species

in sect. Platyloma are few in Australia and

although taxa distributed in New South Wales

and Queensland were included by Tindale &

Roy (2002), populations found in the latter

have been poorly investigated.

The present study aims to investigate the

somatic chromosomes of Australian Pellaea

species as a contribution to cytotaxonomic

knowledge of the genus, and to compare

chromosome numbers of P. calidirupium and

P. falcata from Australian populations with

those reported for the same taxon from New

Zealand localities.

Materials and methods

The taxonomic treatment of Pellaea in the

present study follows Bostock (1998). Nine

populations of the four species of Pellaea

currently recognised in Australia were used

as materials in the present study (Table 1,

Fig. 1). Voucher specimens are deposited in

the Queensland Herbarium (BRI).

Root tips were collected and pretreated

in 2 mM 8-hydroxi-quinoline at 20° for 4

hours after which they were fixed in acetic

ethanol (1:3) at 4° for at least 2 hours. Fixed

root tips were macerated in a mixture of IN

hydrochloride and 45% acetic acid at 60° for

15 seconds and stained in 2% aceto-orcein

on slide glasses at 20° for 6 hours. After

being squashed with 45 % acetic acid, the

chromosome numbers at mitotic metaphase

(2 n) were counted for each population.

Results and discussion

(1) Pellaea falcata (R.Br.) Fee

The three populations of Pellaea falcata

investigated showed a chromosome number

of 2n = 58 (2x; x = 29) at mitotic metaphase

(Fig. 1A-C). The diploid counts recorded in

this study agree with those of Tindale & Roy

(2002) based on accessions collected from two

localities in New South Wales. Previously,

Brownlie (1961) and Brownsey & Lovis (1990)

reported that a New Zealand population of P.

falcata showed n = 58 at meiotic metaphase

I, and was therefore tetraploid (4x). Based on

the available cytological data for this species,

there appears to be at least two polyploid series

Austrobaileya 7(2): 341-345

(2x and 4x) in P. falcata , with the tetraploids

occurring in New Zealand and the diploids in

Australia.

(2) Pellaea nana (Hook.) Bostock

The populations of P. nana investigated

both had a chromosome number of 2 n =

58 (2x) at mitotic metaphase (Fig. ID &

E). A tetraploid cytotype (4x) distributed

in northeast Queensland (Tindale & Roy

2002) and an aneuploid cytotype (2x + 1),

which is considered as being of hybid origin

in Queensland (I. Manton in Tindale, 1972),

were previously reported for this species.

This species was recently raised from a

variety of P. falcata to specific rank and is

considered an endemic Australian species.

It is morphologically closest to P. falcata

(Bostock 1998). In the present study, there is

not enough data to reveal the cytotaxonomic

relationship of the two species, but it is quite

plain that they not only share morphological

similarities but also diploid and tetraploid

cytotype s.

(3) Pellaea paradoxa (P.Br.) Hook.

The two populations of P. paradoxa

investigated showed a chromosome number

of 2 n = 58 (2x) at mitotic metaphase (Fig. IF

& G). The chromosome numbers counted in

the present study was consistent with Bostock

(1998) reporting a diploid cytotype (n = 29;

2x) for Queensland material, and Tindale &

Roy (2002) reporting a diploid cytotype (2 n

= 58; 2x) for material collected in New South

Wales. Moreover, Tindale & Roy (2002) also

reported a tetraploid cytotype (2 n = 116) from

New South Wales material. The present study

shows that P. paradoxa has multiple polyploid

cytotypes (two at least), similar to the other

three Pellaea species investigated here.

(4) Pellaea calidirupium Brownsey & Lovis

Two Australian populations of P. calidirupium

were examined in the present investigation.

One population showed a chromosome

number of 2 n = 116 (4x; Fig. 1H) and the other

showed 2 n = 87 (3x; Fig. II). The chromosome

number of 2n= 116 (4x) of the former agrees

with that of the tetraploid cytotype (n = 58) in

New Zealand reported by Brownsey & Lovis

(1990). On the other hand, the triploid count

343

Kokubugata et al.. Chromosomes of Pellaea

Table 1. Chromosome counts for four species of Pellaea species together with the localities

of collection and voucher details (NSW = New South Wales; Qld = Queensland)

Species

Voucher

Location

2 n

P. falcata

P.D.Bostock 358

Hell Hole Creek, c. 34 km ENE of

Warwick, Qld

J.Bruhl s.n.

cultivated Armidale, ex Gosford,

NSW

P.D.Bostock 2005 &

G. Kokubugata

Broken Head, NSW

P. nana

P.D.Bostock 794A et al.

Swan Creek, c. 29 km ENE of

Warwick, Qld

P.D.Bostock 2001 &

G. Kokubugata

Mt. Maroon, 25 km SSE of Boonah,

Qld

P. paradoxa

P.D.Bostock 2002 &

G. Kokubugata

East Kipper Creek, 16 km WSW of

Esk, Qld

P.D.Bostock 2004 &

G. Kokubugata

Mt. Tamborine, c. 55 km SSE of

Brisbane, Qld

P. calidirupium

P. I. Forster PIF11602

et al.

Wilgavale near Texas, Qld

116

P.I.Forster PIF12688 &

P.Machin

Sundown National Park, c. 45 km

SW of Stanthorpe, Qld

detected in the present study is a new cytotype

for the genus in Australia. Previously Tindale

& Roy (2002) reported a diploid cytotype (n =

c. 29; 2x), and the present results indicate that

three polyploid series (2x, 3x and 4x) occur in

the species.

Some Australian collections of Pellaea

have been considered to be of hybrid origin,

this opinion being based on comparative frond

morphology (Bostock 1998 & pers. obs.).

Previously two triploid species of Pellaea ,

from sections other than sect. Platyloma , have

been reported to be of hybrid origin (Manton

& Sledge 1954; Tryon & Britton 1958).

Morphologically P. calidirnpium in

Australia has the appearance of an inter¬

mediate between P. falcata and P. paradoxa ,

both of which occur sympatrically with

P. calidirupium in some northern parts

of its range. Aborted spores indicative of

hybrid origin have not been recorded for

P. calidirupium , at least in Australia. However,

Brownsey & Lovis {op. cit .) noted that the

New Zealand distribution of P. rotundifolia

is contiguous with P. calidirupium in some

places, and they mention, without further

discussion, that ‘in some areas, hybrids may

be found’. Further investigation is necessary

to determine whether the triploid cytotype

of P. calidirupium is sterile or is able to

reproduce by apomixis.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr. P. J.Brownsey (Museum

of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa) for

valuable comments and Dr G.Guymer

(Queensland Herbarium), for inviting the

first author to undertake scientific research

at the Herbarium in 2000. Also, we thank

Mr W.K.Harris (Queensland Herbarium), for

arranging essential microscopy equipment,

and Mr. R.Pattison for supplying some plant

specimens for the present study.

344

Austrobaileya 7(2): 341-345

£k ^ 9 ^

9 ^ f i| % ,

^ V* 4W- 5|

r<« B 4r\ ^ ^

^7 '4 V

V7 ✓ * ;

v/asS/ -

Fig. 1. Chromosomes at mitotic metaphase in nine Australian populations of Pellaea. A. P.falcata {Bostock 358 ; 2/7 =

58). B. P.falcata (Bruhl s. n.\ 2 n = 58). C. P. falcata (Bostock 2005 & Kokubugata', 2 n = 58). D. P. nana (Bostock 794A

et al.; 2n = 58). E. P. nana (Bostock 2001 & Kokubugata, 2n = 58). F. P. paradoxa (Bostock 2002 & Kokubugata, 2n =

58). G. P. paradoxa (Bostock 2002 & Kokubugata ; 2n = 58). H. P. calidirupium (Forster PIF11602 et al, 2n - 116). 1.

P. calidirupium (Forster PIF12688 & Machin ; 2n = 87). Bar represents 10 pm.

Kokubugata et al.. Chromosomes of Pellaea

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Benham, D M. & Schaack, C.G. (1988). Adiantaceae.

In A.Love (ed.), ‘Chromosome number reports

XCIX’. Taxon 37: 396-399.

Bostock, P.D. (1998). Pellaea. In P.M. McCarthy (ed.).

Flora of Australia 48: 266-269. ABRS/CSIRO

Publishing: Melbourne.

Britton, D.M. (1953). Chromosome studies on ferns.

American Journal of Botany 40: 575-583.

Brownsey, P. J. & Lovis, J.D. (1990). Pellaea calidirupium

- a new species from New Zealand. New

Zealand Journal of Botany 28: 197-205.

Brownlie, G. (1954). Introductory note to cytotaxonomic

studies of New Zealand ferns. Transactions of

the Royal Society of New Zealand 82: 665-666.

- (1957). Cytotaxonomic studies in New Zealand

Pteridaceae. New Phytologist 56: 207-209.

_ (1961). Additional chromosome numbers in New

Zealand Pteridaceae. Transactions of the Royal

Society of New Zealand (Botany) 1: 1-4.

Garrett, M. (1992). Pteridophytes of north-east

Tasmania. Tasforests 4: 57-68.

- (1995). Distribution and ecology of ferns on dry

outcrops in Tasmania, with special reference to

Fingal Tier. Tasforests 7: 77-92.

Gastony, G.J. (1990). Electrophoretic evidence for

allotetraploidy with segregating heterozygosity

in South African Pellaea rufa A.F.Tryon

(Adiantaceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical

Garden 77: 306-313.

Kato, M., Nakato, N., Cheng, N.-X. & Iwatsuki,

K. (1992). Cytotaxonomic study of ferns

of Yunnan, southwestern China. Botanical

Magazine (Tokyo) 105: 105-124.

Knobloch, I.W. & Britton, D.M. (1963). The

chromosome number and possible ancestry

of Pellaea wrightiana. American Journal of

Botany 50: 52-55.

Lewis, W.H. (1979). Polyploidy in species population.

In W.H.Lewis (ed ). Polyploidy , pp. 102-114.

Plenum Press: New York.

Lin, S.-J., Iwatsuki, K. &Kato,M. (1996). Cytotaxonomic

study of ferns from China I. Species of Yunnan.

Journal of Japanese Botany 71: 214-222.

Lovis, J.D. (1977). Evolutionary patterns and processes

in ferns. Advances in Botanical Research 4:

229-415.

Manickam, V.S. & Irudayaraj, V. (1988). Cytology

of Ferns of the Western Ghats (South India).

Today & Tomorrow’s Printers & Publishers:

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345

Manton, I. & Sledge, W.A. (1954). Observations on

the cytology and taxonomy of the Pteridophyte

flora of Ceylon. Philosophical Transactions of

the Royal Society of London 238: 127-185.

Tindale M. D. (1972). Pteridophyta. In N.C.W. Beadle,

O.D. Evans, R.C. Carolin (eds.) Flora of the

Sydney Region 2nd ed ., pp. 36-94. Reed:

Sydney.

Tindale M.D. & Roy, S.K. (2002). A cytotaxonomic

survery of the Pteridophyta of Australia.

Australian Systematic Botany 15: 839-937.

Tryon, A.F. (1968). Comparisons of sexual and

apogamous races in the fern genus Pellaea.

Evolution 12: 137-145.

_ (1972). Spores, chromosomes and relations of the

fern Pellaea atropurpurea. Rhodora 74: 220-

241.

Tryon, A.F. & Britton, D.M. (1958). Cytotaxonomic

studies on the fern genus Pellaea. Evolution 12:

137-145.

Tryon, R.M. & Tryon, A.F. (1982). Ferns and Allied

Plants with Special Reference to Tropical

America. Springer-Verlag: New York.

Tryon, R.M., Tryon, A.F. & Kramer, K.U. (1990). Genus

Pellaea. In K.U. Kramer & P S. Green (eds ).

The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants I.

Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms , pp. 243-244.

Springer-Verlag: New York.

Notes on Acacia Mill. (Leguminosae:

Mimosoideae ), chiefly from Queensland, 5.

Les Pedley

Summary

Pedley, L. (2006). Notes on Acacia Mill. (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae ), chiefly from Queensland,

5. Austrobaileya 7(2): 347-356. Acacia argent ina. A. burr ana. A. lumholtzii, A. rubricaulis and

A. webbii are described as new. Notes on their taxonomic affinities, habitats and geographical

distributions are given and illustrations provided. Acacia tindaleae Pedley is treated as a synonym of

A. conferta A.Cunn. ex Benth. and A. mariae is described for A. tindaleae as usually understood (for

example, in Flora of Australia). Acacia microcybe Pedley is a nomen novum for the illegitimate name

A. microcephala Pedley. A lectotype is chosen for A. leptostachya Benth.

Key Words: Leguminosae, Mimosaceae, Mimosoideae, Acacia argent ina, Acacia burrana, Acacia

leptostachya, Acacia lumholtzii, Acacia mariae, Acacia microcephala. Acacia microcybe, Acacia

rubricaulis, Acacia tindaleae. Acacia webbii, new species, Australian flora, Queensland flora,

taxonomy, nomenclature

Les Pedley, cl- Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic Gardens,

Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia

Introduction

The molecular and serological studies of

Murphy et al. (2005) and Brain (1987, 1990)

respectively indicate that the relationships

among Australian species of Acacia are

complex and need further study. Consequently

there is no entirely satisfactory infrageneric

classification. Species considered here,

however, are referred to sections recognised

by Pedley (1978). A slightly modified version

of this classification was adopted for the Flora

of Australia (Orchard & Wilson 2001).

Previously published papers in this series

are Pedley (1964a, 1964b, 1969, 1974).

Taxonomy

Phyllodes uninerved; heads not in racemes

[Acacia sect. Phyllodineae DC. 1 , in part].

Acacia conferta A.Cunn ex Benth., London

J. Bot. 1: 345 (1842).

Acacia tindaleae Pedley, Austrobaileya 1:

248 (1980); Racosperma tindaleae (Pedley)

Pedley, Austrobaileya 2: 356 (1987); syn.

nov.

In his account of Acacia tindaleae , Maslin

(in Orchard & Wilson 2001) noted that the

Accepted for publication 8 September 2006

description applied to plants from New South

Wales and to G. Russell 78/102 from near

the type locality in Queensland. He added:

“Other Qld specimens from the type locality

(including the type itself) ... are unusual

in having some characters approaching

those of A. conferta ...”. The type and two

other specimens from near the type locality

{B.O’Keefe s.n. AQ348651 and G.Russell

78/102 , both BRI) represent a minor variant of

A. conferta A.Cunn. ex Benth. characterised

by the ± spreading hairs of its phyllodes and

its flowers slightly larger than is usual for the

species. It does not warrant formal taxonomic

recognition. Consequently the name

Acacia tindaleae is treated as a synonym

of A. conferta. The plants from New South

Wales, to which the name is usually applied,

represent a distinct species. It is described

below as A. mariae.

1 At the 17th International Botanical Congress in

Vienna in 2005 the name Acacia was conserved with

A. penninervis Sieber ex DC. as type (see McNeill et

al. 2005). It has been added to Appendix IIIA of the

International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, but its

conservation should be considered only provisional

until the entire “Vienna Code” is adopted at the 18th

International Botanical Congress in Melbourne in

2011. On its adoption Acacia sect. Phyllodineae, since

it includes the type of the conserved Acacia, becomes

Acacia sect. Acacia. For the time being. Acacia nilotica

(L.) Del. is accepted here as the type of Acacia and the

status quo is maintained.

348

Acacia mariae Pedley, species nov.

affinis A. conferta A.Cunn. ex Benth. a

qua ramulis pedunculisque pubescentibus

pilis densis implexis ± adpressis, phyllodiis

pilis longiusculis persistentibus adpressis

tenuibus debilibus modice obtectis, capitulis

amplioribus, petalis longioribus (2-2.2

mm vice plerumque usque 1.5 mm) differt.

Typus: New South Wales. Pilliga, August

1977, J. Simmons s.n. (holo: BRI [AQ264814];

iso ( n.v.y. A, CANB, K, MEL, MO, NSW).

Acacia tindaleae auct. non Pedley; Maslin, FI.

Australia 11 A: 347 (2001), pro parte majore

(inch t. 33 A-C, but excl. type and specimen

from Queensland cited).

Etymology : The species is named in honour

of Dr Mary Tindale who has made significant

contributions to the systematics of Australian

acacias and ferns. It is regrettable that the

name Acacia tindaleae has been relegated to

the synonymy of A. conferta.

Leaves not phyllodinous; heads in axillary

racemes

[Acacia sect. Botrycephalae( Benth.) Taub.].

Acacia argentina Pedley, species nov.

affinis A. chinchillensi Tindale autem

foliolis grandioribus, racemis capitulorum

brevioribus et plerumque calycibus plus

profunde divisis differt. Typus: Queensland.

Leichhardt District: “Jarwood” Station,

25°19'S 150°01'E, 25 September 1996,

P.I.Forster PIF19673 (holo: BRI; iso: AD,

CANB, K, MEL, NSW).

Acacia sp. (Gwambagwine F.Carter 2)

(Holland & Pedley 2002: 114).

Shrub to 4 m tall; branchlets ± terete, glaucous,

sparse to moderately dense indumentum

of spreading hairs 0.3-0.5 mm long, hairs

extending to leaf axes; stipules absent; young

tips silvery grey tinged with yellow. Leaves

grey-green; axis (pulvinus, petiole and rachis

included) 8-24 mm long, a poorly defined

gland between or slightly below lowest pair of

pinnae, and another between most distal pair,

petiole (pulvinus 1.5-2 mm long included)

4-8 mm long, 2 or 3 pairs of pinnae, their

axes 13-20 mm long, each with 6-9 pairs of

leaflets, a small gland occasionally between

most distal pair; leaflets oblong, rounded at

base and tip, 6-9 mm long, 1.4-2.8 mm wide,

Austrobaileya 7(2): 347-356

(2.5-) 3-4.5 (-5) times longer than wide,

rather thick, midrib obscure beneath, ciliolate

with long hairs; petiolule c. 0.5 mm long.

Heads (described as yellow) of 20-24 flowers,

c. 5 mm diameter, in axillary racemes with up

to 8 branches, axis to 4.5 cm long, peduncle

5-12 mm long, branches 3-5 mm long,

subtended by bract c. 1 mm long. Flowers 5-

merous; calyx obconical, somewhat angular,

0.6-0.7 mm long, lobes obtuse, ciliate, slightly

inrolled, c. 0.2 mm long, tube usually with

white spreading hairs on angles and a few

long adpressed hairs on faces; corolla 1.5-1.6

mm long, lobed to about the middle, the lobes

indistinctly uninerved in lower half; stamens

c. 3 mm long; ovary with dense hyaline hairs,

erect at its apex. Pods seen only immature

(possibly 6 to 8 weeks to maturity) linear, to

c. 6 cm long, hirsute. Seeds not seen. Fig. 1.

Additional specimens examined : Queensland.

Leichhardt District: Ruined Castle Creek catchment,

Gwambagwine, 25°13'S, 149°27'E, Jul 1995, Carter

FC2 (BRI); Precipice N.P., Catchment of Precipice

Creek, 25°19'S, 150°01'E, Sep 1996, Forster PIF19740

et al. (BRI, MEL); Gwambagwine, Ruined Castle

Creek catchment, 25°12'S, 149°27'E, Sep 1996, Forster

PIF19649 et. al. (BRI, MEL, NSW).

Distribution and habitat : Acacia argentina

is confined to the sandstone areas in the upper

catchment areas of creeks draining into the

Dawson River north of Taroom. Associated

trees are Corymbia bunites, C. watsoniana

subsp. watsoniana. Eucalyptus fibrosa subsp.

fibrosa, Angophora leiocarpa and Lysicarpus

angusifolius.

Notes : Acacia argentina differs from

A. chinchillensis in its considerably wider

leaflets, usually taller stature and more deeply

divided calyx.

Etymology : The specific epithet is derived

from Latin argentum (silver) with the suffix -

ina, indicating resemblance; a reference to the

appearance of its foliage.

Phyllodes plurinerved; flowers in heads

[Acacia sect. Plurinerves (Benth.) Maiden &

Betche]

Acacia burrana Pedley, species nov. affinis

A. simsii A.Cunn. ex Benth. autem phyllodiis

saepe minus elongatis crassis nervatione

obscura ornatis, et praecipue leguminis

valvis valde tholutis super semina alternatim

Pedley, Notes on Acacia , 5

349

Fig. 1. Acacia argentina. A. twig with leaves (underside) and inflorescences x2. B. part of leaf with proximal parts of

pinnae and jugal gland x8. A from Carter FC2 (BRI); B from Forster PIF19649 et al. (BRI). Del. W. Smith.

in superficiebus ambabus differt. Typus:

Queensland. North Kennedy District: 25 km

W of Pentland on Great Dividing Range (area

known locally as Burra Range), 20°14'E,

145°14'S, 23 July 1975, AD. Chapman 1310

(holo: BRI; iso (w.v.): CANB, DNA, K, L,

US).

Acacia sp. (Burra Range R Jobson 467)

(Holland & Pedley 2002: 114).

Shrub to 5 m tall; branchlets slender, angular,

dark reddish brown, occasionally lenticellular;

stipules minute (less than 0.5 mm long).

Phyllodes straight or slightly curved, narrowly

elliptic to narrowly ovate, usually obtuse at tip

with a short sometimes oblique mucro, (3.5-)

4-7.5 cm long, (2.5-) 4-7 (-9) mm wide, 6.5-

14 (-15.5) times longer than wide, glabrous,

thick, nervature obscure, 3-7 longitudinal

nerves with occasional anastomoses visible,

marginal nerves yellowish; gland small,

usually not projecting from margin, 3-10

(rarely 13) mm from base, occasionally a

second gland c. 20 mm from base, rarely glands

absent; pulvinus 1-2 mm long, transversely

wrinkled, contrasting with lamina. Heads

(described as dark yellow) of 20-30 flowers,

c. 5 mm diameter, peduncles 7-10 mm long,

glabrous, arranged in pairs or several pairs

in upper axils, one head maturing before the

other of the pair, basal bract 0.5-1 mm long,

occasionally the paired heads in axillary

racemes, axis 1.5-2.5 mm long. Flowers 5-

merous; bracteoles peltate, stipe slender, c.

0.4 mm long, head c. 0.3 mm diameter, calyx

divided to the base into lobes 0.7-0.9 mm

long, linear, slightly expanded at tip, fringed

with hyaline hairs; corolla c. 1.5 mm long,

divided to about the middle, glabrous, lobes

with distinct midribs; stamens c. 3 mm long;

ovary glabrous. Pods straight, linear, glabrous

and slightly pruinose, the valves strongly

domed over the seeds alternately on each

side, the convexity extending to the marginal

nerve, with a depression on the valve opposite

the convexity, slightly constricted between

the seeds, to 9 cm long with up to 10 seeds,

5-6 mm wide, the isthmuses 3-4 mm wide.

Seeds longitudinal, obloid, 3.2-4 mm long,

2.8-3.2 mm wide, 2-2.5 mm thick, black,

not markedly shiny; funicle expanded into a

keeled leaf-like aril on one side of seed, c. 1.5

mm wide; pleurogram thick, closed or slightly

open; areole concolorous with rest of surface.

Fig. 2

350

Austrobaileya 7(2): 347-356

Fig. 2. Acacia burrana. A. twig with phyllodes and inflorescences x 1. B. portion of phyllode x 4). C. proximal

end of phyllode x 4. D. pod on axillary peduncle x 1.5. A-C from Jobson 467 (BRI); D from Fletcher 8 (BRI); Del.

W. Smith.

Additional selected specimens : Queensland. Burke

District: “Warang” Holding, White Mountains, 22°29'S,

144°48'E, Jul 1988, Fell DF1307A et al. (BRI). Cook

District: Fishermans Waterhole, Walsh River, 17°03'S,

144°36'E, Jun 2005, McDonald KRM4290 et al. (BRI).

North Kennedy District: 12 km WSW of Mt Stewart,

W of Charters Towers, 25°05'S, 146°16'E, Sep 1994,

Cumming 13327 (BRI); Mt Garnet aerodrome, 17°41'S,

145°09'E, Apr 2005, Forster PIF30644 et al. (BRI, DNA,

K, MEL); Burra Range lookout, 20°43'S, 145°13'E, Mar

1989, Jobson 467 (BRI; also n.v. CANB, HO, MEL);

head of Archer Creek, S.F.R. 754, W of Ravenshoe,

18°36'S, 146°26'E, Jul 2004, McDonaldKRM2942 et al.

(BRI); White Mountains N.P., Jul 1999, Simmons 3929 et

al. (BRI); 7.5 km W of “Windsor” homestead, 20°18'S,

146°02'E, Aug 1992, Thompson CHA234 et al. (BRI).

Mitchell District: near Red Gorge, White Mountains

N.P., 20°30'S, 144°56'E, Jun 1992, Bean 4585 (BRI; also

n.v. AD, MEL). South Kennedy District: Cudmore N.P,

22°50'S, 146°20'E, Sep 2000, Fletcher 8 (BRI).

Distribution and habitat : Acacia burrana

occurs in the Petford-Herberton-Mt Garnet

area and the Great Dividing and Lolworth

Ranges at the headwaters of the Cape River

and Torrens Creek, with an isolated occurrence

some 300 km to the south in the Cudmore

National Park. It occurs at above 500 m

altitude on shallow sandy soils often derived

from sandstone, reported in association with

Pedley, Notes on Acacia, 5

351

Fig. 3. Acacia lumholtzii. A. twig with phyllodes and inflorescences x0.8. B. portion of phyllode x6. C. stem showing

unusual pale bark xl.5. D. pod x0.8. A-C from Fell DF1704 (BRI); D from Camming 13813 (BRI). Del. W. Smith.

Corymbia trachyphloia or Acacia shirleyi

and occasionally at lower elevations on sandy

creek banks.

Notes : Acacia burrana is closely related to

A. simsii , but differs most conspicuously in

having pods strongly domed over the seeds

alternately on each side. Its phyllodes are also

thicker with obscure nervature and the basal

gland more remote from the pulvinus. Few

flowering specimens have been seen.

Etymology : The specific epithet is an adjective

referring to the Burra Range, the local name

for part of the Great Dividing Range where

the plant is found. Burra is a railway siding

in the area.

Acacia lumholtzii Pedley, species nov.

affinis A. simsii A.Cunn. ex Benth. a qua

cortice eburnea, ramulis dense pubescentibus,

phyllodiisapicemramulorum versus congestis,

nervis phyllodiorum longitudinalibus

prominentibus pubescentibus, leguminibus

plus longioribus angustioribusque super

semina vix elevates, seminibus oblongis

in ambitu longioribus differt. Typus:

Queensland. North Kennedy District: Bishop

Peak, c. 16 km SSE of Cardwell, 18°28'S,

146°07'E, 29 August 2001, P. Williams TH4578

& J.Kemp (holo: BRI).

Acacia sp. (Mt Leach Range D.G.Fell+

DF1704) (Holland & Pedley 2002: 114).

Shrub to 4 m tall; bark cream coloured with

numerous pustules; branchlets ribbed below

insertion of phyllodes, densely, loosely

adpressed pubescent, hairs dark brown;

young tips dark brown; stipules deltoid, c.

0.8 mm long, pubescent, persistent. Phyllodes

crowded at end of branches, ascending,

linear, straight or slightly incurved, 10-11.5

352

cm long, 3.3-4 mm wide, 25-33 times longer

than wide, nerve-like margins, usually 7

widely spaced longitudinal nerves with

occasional anastomoses, midrib a little more

prominent than the rest, hairs adpressed,

confined to nerves when phyllode mature,

apical mucro short, blunt, deciduous; single

gland inconspicuous, 2.5-8 mm from base;

pulvinus c. 2 mm long, adpressed pubescent.

Heads of 25-30 flowers, 4-5 mm diameter,

in axillary centrifugal racemes, axis to 4 mm

long, distal head maturing much before the

others, peduncles to 12 mm long, subtended

by persistent, concave-ovate bracts; axis

and peduncles densely loosely adpressed

pubescent, hairs brown; bracteole spathulate,

the tip slightly oblique. Flowers 5-merous;

calyx obconical, c. 1 mm long with oblong

incurved obtuse lobes c. 0.4 mm long, tube

slightly angular, lobes with dense tangled ±

adpressed hairs, indumentum extending to

distal part of tube; corolla c. 1.5 mm long,

lobed to about level of calyx, lobes coriaceous

without ribs; stamens c. 3 mm long; ovary

pubescent. Pods linear, to 130 mm long, 3.5-

4 mm wide, valves cartilaginous, brown with

paler thickened margins, scattered adpressed

hairs. Seeds arranged longitudinally, oblong

in outline, c. 5 mm long and 2 mm wide,

black; areole large, rectangular; pleurogram

open; aril clavate, creamy. Fig. 3.

Additional specimens examined (both BRI):

Queensland. North Kennedy District: Bishop Peak,

Cardwell Range, 18°28'S, 46°07'E, Oct 1995, Camming

13813 ; Mt Leach Range, c. 26 km S of Cardwell, 18°28'S,

146°08'E, Feb 1989, Fell DF1704 etal.

Distribution and habitat : Acacia lumholtzii

is restricted to Bishop Peak (alt. 866 m) in the

south-eastern part of Girrigun N.P, south of

Cardwell, where it occurs on granite, on rock

pavements and cliffs near the summit.

Notes : The nervature of the phyllodes places

Acacia lumholtzii in the “Oligoneura group”

of species of Racosperma as circumscribed

by Pedley (1987), though the structure of its

inflorescence is unusual in the group. In the

key to species published there it comes to the

couplet R. ramiflorum/R. simsii ; however, it is

rather isolated in the group. The brown hairs

that envelope the developing phyllodes and

inflorescences, the prominent nerves of the

Austrobaileya 7(2): 347-356

phyllodes, and the remarkably long pods set it

apart from all other species.

Etymology : The species is named to

commemorate Carl Lumholtz (1851-1922)

a Norwegian zoologist and ethnologist.

In the 1880’s he lived for several years

among aboriginal people in north-eastern

Queensland. He was based on the Herbert

River within sight of the type locality of

A. lumholtzii , though he never visited the area,

being more interested in catching the tree-

kangaroo Dendrolagus lumholtzi. His book,

rather luridly titled “Among Cannibals”, is an

interesting account of colonial Queensland in

the second half of the nineteenth century.

Acacia microcybe Pedley, nom. nov.

Acacia microcephala Pedley, Austrobaileya

1: 193 (1978) nom. illeg. neque A.Richard

(1846) neque Macfadyen (1837); Racosperma

microcephalum(?Qd\Qy)VQd\Qy,Austrobaileya

2: 352 (1987). Type: Queensland. Mitchell

District: “Corinda”, c. 80 miles [130 km]

N of Aramac, June 1949, S.L. Everist 3869

(holo: BRI; iso: NSW).

Etymology : The specific epithet is derived

from Greek mikros, ‘small’ and kybe, ‘head’.

There appears to be no adjectival form of

the latter; consequently the epithet should

be regarded as a noun in apposition with the

generic name.

Acacia webbii Pedley, species nov. quoad

formam nervationemque phyllodiorum et

structuram inflorescentiarum leguminum

seminumque Acacia oraria F.Muell. similis

autem phyllodiis amplioribus in interdum

longioribus pedunculis vectis et furfure in

ramulis phyllodiisque carenti et praecipue

trichomatibus in pagina phyllodum minutis

(sub lente x 20 necessaria) rubribrunneis

resinosis et inflorescentiis crescentibus resina

velatis differt. Typus: Queensland. Cook

District: St George River, 3 kmN of Fairlight-

Palmerville road, 15°45'S, 144°02'E, 23 April

1980, J.R.Clarkson 3258 (holo: BRI; iso {n.v).

K, MO, MEL, PERTH, QRS).

Single-stemmed shrub or small tree to 6m

tall; branchlets slender, dark brown, angular,

glabrous, somewhat resinous. Phyllodes

usually dimidiate and straight or sometimes

Pedley, Notes on Acacia, 5

353

Fig. 4. Acacia webbii. A. twig with phyllodes and inflorescences x 0.6. B. proximal part of phyllode with inflorescence

in axil x 2. C. pod x l.D. seed with encircling funicle/aril x 5. A&B from Clarkson 3258 (BRI). C & D from Webb &

Tracey 11134 (BRI). Del. W. Smith.

obovate, slightly incurved, 8-11 cm long, lb-

35 mm wide, (3-) 3.5-5.5 times longer than

wide; three longitudinal nerves prominent,

free to base; secondary nerves fine, intricately

anastomosing, tips of young phyllodes dark;

phyllode surface with moderately dense

minute (x 20 magnification necessary) red-

brown resinous trichomes; tip blunt; gland

basal, usually inconspicuous; pulvinus 2-4

mm long. Flowers (described by collectors as

“cream”) in heads of 20-30 flowers arranged

in racemes with 1-7 branches in upper axils;

axis to 30 mm long; branches, each subtended

by small bract, 4-8 mm long at anthesis,

occasionally growing out into a leafy shoot;

bracteoles oblong, as long as calyx, distal

part thick with scattered red-glandular hairs.

Flowers 5-merous; calyx 0.8-0.9 mm long,

dividedto about the middle, tube membranous,

lobes thickened with sparse red-glandular

hairs, midrib obscure; corolla 1.5-1.7 mm long,

glabrous, lobes c. 0.5 mm long, thickened,

strongly reflexed at anthesis; stamens c. 3.5

mm long; ovary glabrous. Pods c. 12 cm long

354

and 1 cm wide, dark brown, yellow thickened

margins, loosely coiled; valves coriaceous.

Seeds (only two examined) ± obovate in

outline, c. 5 x 3.5 mm, c. 2 mm thick, dark

brown, not particularly shiny; funicle/aril

orange, folded back on itself encircling seed;

areole large, oblong; pleurogram fine, open,

slightly darker than rest of seed. Fig. 4.

Additional specimens examined (all BRI): Queensland.

Cook District: East Palmer River immediately east

of confluence with Cherry Tree Creek, 28 km SSE of

Jowalbinna, 15°58’S, 144°23’E, Aug 2003, Fox IDF2300

(also n.v. MBA); Granite Creek, c. 16°10'S, 144°25'E,

Jun 1975, Hyland 8278 (ex QRS); 2 km W of Spion

Kop, 22 km S of “Yarraden” 14°30'S, 143°17’E, Jun

2005, Wannan 4014 et al. (also n.v. CANB, NSW);

Palmer River, [probably 16°10'S, 144°45'E], Nov 1969,

Webb & Tracey s.n. [AQ377877]; Annan River crossing

on Mareeba-Cooktown road, 15°41'S, 145°12'E, Jan

1973, Webb & Tracey 11124 ; Palmer River crossing on

Mareeba-Cooktown road, Oct 1973, Webb & Tracey

11134.

Distribution and habitat : Acacia webbii is

restricted to a small area of north-eastern

Queensland between 14.30° and 17° S latitude.

It occurs in the sandy beds (usually granitic)

of seasonally dry streams and is often

periodically submerged by flood waters

Notes : Acacia webbii is closely related

to A. oraria F.Muell. differing most

conspicuously in lacking the grey scurf

that covers the phyllodes, branchlets and

inflorescence rachises of that species. Its

phyllodes are also somewhat larger, widest

above the middle with minute resin-dots

on the surface. When well developed the

inflorescences are branched, as in A. leptoloba

Pedley.

Etymology : The species is named in honour of

DrL.J (Len)Webb(1920-) whose classification

of rainforests has profoundly influenced

the study of these complex communities in

Australia.

Phyllodes plurinerved; flowers in spikes

\Acacia sect. Juliflorae (Benth.) Maiden &

Betche]

Acacia leptostachya Benth., FI. Austral.

2: 406 (1864); Racosperma leptostachyum

(Benth.) Pedley, Austrobaileya 2: 351 (1987).

Type: Port Denison, Fitzalan (lecto [here

designated]: K; iso: MEL, NSW).

Austrobaileya 7(2): 347-356

Acacia argentea Maiden, Proc. Roy. Soc.

Queensland30: 41 (1918). Type: CookDistrict:

Almaden, August 1913, R.H.Cambage 3893

(iso: BRI).

Notes : Detailed studies have shown that some

widespread variable species, e.g. Acacia

aulacocarpa A.Cunn. ex Benth. (McDonald

& Maslin 2000), A. cowleana Tate (McDonald

& Maslin 1997) and A. tumida F.Muell. ex

Benth. (McDonald 2003), consist of a number

of closely related but distinct taxa. Acacia

leptostachya may be a species complex of

the same sort. A variant with wide pods and

transverse seeds, apparently confined to soils

derived from serpentinite in east-central

Queensland, certainly warrants recognition

taxonomically. Further study could well reveal

other variants of significance. As part of such

a study, the status of A. capillosa Pedley (as

suggested by Maslin in Orchard & Wilson

2001) should be re-assessed.

Since Bentham cited four syntypes

in the protologue of Acacia leptostachya ,

lectotypification to fix the application of the

species name is desirable before the species is

formally fragmented. The specimen chosen is

representative of the species over a large part

of its range, as is the type of Acacia argentea

Maiden.

Acacia rubricaulis Pedley, species nov.

quoad nervos secundarios late separatos A.

leptocarpa A.Cunn. ex Benth. similis autem

ramulis atrorubris crassis valde angulatis,

plerumque in sicco politis, rhachidibus

spicarum conspicue pruinosis, floribus

fortiter constructis, petalis calycibus multo

longioribus, et proprie leguminibus brevibus

oblongis differt. Typus: Queensland. Cook

District: Logan Jack Creek, 11°12'S, 142°45'E,

2 August 1987, H.Git ay HG109 (holo: BRI).

Acacia sp. (Harmer Creek J.R.Clarkson+

9133) (Holland & Pedley 2002: 114).

Shrub to 6 m tall; branchlets strongly angled,

often appearing polished when dry, dark red,

stout, glabrous; stipules deltoid, c. 0.5 mm

long, deciduous; young tips and distal ends

of developing phyllodes dark reddish brown.

Phyllodes ovate or elliptic, straight, dimidiate

or slightly falcate, 13.5—19 cm long, 22-42

mm wide, (4.3-) 5-6.6 times longer than wide,

Pedley, Notes on Acacia , 5

355

Fig. 5. Acacia rubricaulis. A. twig with phyllodes and inflorescences x 0.4. B. portion of phyllode x 1. C. portion of

spike; flowers with stamens and styles removed x 3. D. pod x 1. A-C from Gitay 109 (BRI); D from Clarkson 9133

(BRI). Del. W. Smith.

glabrous, three longitudinal nerves more

prominent than the rest, free to the base or

running together in the middle of the phyllode

(similar to those of A. polystachya ), secondary

longitudinal nerves fine, widely spaced,

1-1.5 mm apart, some anastomoses; gland

basal or up to 5 mm from the base, usually

inconspicuous, orifice small; pulvinus 5-12

mm long, dark red, polished. Flowers in spikes

in pairs in the upper axils; spikes 40-65 mm

long, sparsely flowered, rachis conspicuously

pruinose, peduncles 0-5 mm long, glabrous,

subtended by deciduous concave bract c. 1.5

mm long. Flowers 5-merous, perianth parts

rather leathery; calyx cylindrical, pruinose,

without veins, 0.5-0.6 mm long, sinuolately

lobed, lobes c. 0.1 mm long; corolla 2.2-2.4

mm long, c. 4 times longer than the calyx,

lobed to about the level of the calyx, lobes

spreading widely at anthesis, glabrous,

obscurely uninerved; stamens rather short, c.

2.5 mm long; ovary densely pubescent. Pods

(immature) flat, oblong, to 5 cm long, c. 8 mm

wide, with up to 6 seeds; valves glabrous, only

obscurely nerved. Seeds (extremely immature)

longitudinal, funicle thickened, folded twice,

forming aril beneath seed. Fig. 5.

Additional specimens examined : Queensland. Cook

District: S of Harmer Creek, 37 km E of “Nixon”

homestead, 11°57'S, 142°55'E, Oct 1991, Clarkson 9133

& Neldner (BRI, MBA, PERTH); 10 km N of mouth of

Olive River, 12°04'S, 143°05'E, Apr 1993, Clarkson 9913

& Neldner (BRI, K, PERTH); 4 km W of Rocky River

356

mouth, 37.4 km ENE of Coen, 13°46'S, 143°29'E, Aug

1993, Fell DGF3478 et al. (BRI, MBA); Round Point,

Shelburne Bay, 11°54'S, 143°06'E, Nov 1985, Gunness

AG1923 (BRI); between Rocky River and Massey Creek,

13°40'S, 143°25'E, Sep 1973, Stocker 1073 (BRI; ex

QRS).

Distribution and habitat : Acacia rubricaulis

is restricted to the eastern coast of Cape York

Peninsula between about 11° and 14° S where it

occurs in sand on dune fields, degraded sand-

dunes and creek banks. It has been recorded

once from the margin of rainforest.

Notes : Acacia rubricaulis is a distinctive

plant with obscure relationships. In WATTLE

(Maslin 2001) it keys to a group of species

including Acacia crassa Pedley, A. cowleana

Tate and A. lamprocarpa O.Schwarz, but its

widely spaced secondary nerves (an attribute

not used in the key), point to a relationship

with A. leptocarpa. The stout, red, strongly

angular, polished branchlets, pruinose

spike-rachis, thick perianth parts and short

oblong pods clearly distinguish it from all

other species. Its pods resemble those of an

undescribed species, Acacia sp. (Castletower

N.Gibson TOI345), which; however, has close

parallel nerves similar to those of A. julifera

Benth.

Etymology : The epithet is derived from

Latin rubri- (red) and caulis (stem). Stout red

branchlets are characteristic of the species.

Acknowledgements

My thanks are due to Mr Will Smith for the

fine illustrations and to Dr David S. Seigler

(ILL) for drawing my attention to the double

illegitimacy of Acacia microcephala Pedley

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Gynochthodes oresbia Halford & A.J.Ford (Rubiaceae), a

new and cryptic species from north-east Queensland

A.J. Ford 1 &D.A. Halford 2

Summary

Ford, A.J. & Halford, D A. (2006). Gynochthodes oresbia Halford & A.J.Ford (Rubiaceae), a new

and cryptic species from north-east Queensland. Austrobaileya 7(2): 357-364. Gynochthodes oresbia

Halford & A.J.Ford is described, illustrated and distinguished from other Australian species. Notes

on habitat, distribution, and conservation status are provided. An identification key to the species of

Gynochthodes in Australia is presented.

Key Words: Rubiaceae, Gynochthodes oresbia , new species, taxonomy, Australian flora, Queensland

flora, identification key

1 A. J.Ford, CSIRO, Sustainable Ecosystems and Rainforest-CRC, Tropical Forest Research Centre,

PO Box 780, Atherton, Queensland 4883, Australia

2 D A.Halford, cl- Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic

Gardens, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4068, Australia

Introduction

Gynochthodes Blume is a genus of

approximately 18 species (IPNI 2006)

distributed from south-east Asia to the Pacific

(Mabberley 1997). Blume (1826) in the

original publication of the generic name used

the spelling ‘ Gynochtodes'. However, Blume

(1828) in a footnote deliberately changed

the spelling of several generic names from

his earlier 1826 work. One of the changes he

made was ‘ Gynochtodes ’ to ‘ Gynochthodes ’.

According to Skog (1985) and Brummitt &

Taylor (1990) Blume noted “in the discussion

accompanying the list of ‘corrected’ names

that some of the earlier (1826) spellings were

wrong”. Halford (2004) was unaware of

Blume’s later correction of the spelling of the

generic name Gynochtodes and had agreed

with Smith (1988) that “there appears to be no

justification for such a change”. Other recent

authors (e.g. Johansson 1988; Robbrecht 1988;

Igersheim & Robbrecht 1993) have maintained

the original spelling as does the electronic

version of Index Nominum Genericorum

(ING 2006). However, we believe that

Blume’s change in spelling of ‘ Gynochtodes ’

to ‘ Gynochthodes ’ should be considered a

formal and legal correction of the spelling of

the generic name, acceptable under Art.60.1

Accepted for publication 11 September 2006

of the International Code of Botanical

Nomenclature (Greuter et al. 2000).

Currently two endemic species of

Gynochthodes (G. australiensis J.T.Johanss.

and G. sessilis Halford) are recorded for

Australia (Johansson 1988; Halford 2004).

The genus is included in tribe Morindeae

Miq. (Johansson 1987; Robbrecht 1988;

Igersheim & Robbrecht 1993; Bremer &

Manen 2000) and is closely related to Morinda

L., Caelospermum Blume and Pogonolobus

F.Muell. (Bremer & Manen 2000), all of which

are found in, but not endemic to, Australia.

Gynochthodes can be distinguished from

Morinda , Caelospermum and Pogonolobus

in Australia by the following combination of

characters: axillary inflorescences, usually

non-united flowers, corolla lobes with dense

indumentum on the adaxial surface, lack of

domatia in lateral vein axils of leaves and

leaves drying black. The generic limits of

the above Morindeae are currently being

assessed and revised (S.Razafimandimbison

2005, pers. comm.).

Discussions between the two current

authors about various taxa within the

family Rubiaceae in Queensland led to the

examination of material that was represented

in the Queensland Herbarium (BRI) and

Australian National Herbarium (QRS) under

the ubiquitous and poorly documented genus

358

Morinda. At the time the species described

here as Gynochthodes oresbia was known

from remarkably few fertile specimens,

yet was well collected geographically. Its

superficial vegetative resemblance to other

species of Morinda has led in the past to it

being referred to as an undescribed species in

that genus (Forster & Halford 2002; Hyland

et al. 2003). Critical examination of these few

fertile specimens revealed that it was a new

and undescribed species of Gynochthodes.

Materials and methods

The study is based upon the examination

of herbarium material from BRI and QRS

combined with field observations by the first

author. All specimens cited have been seen by

one or both authors.

Measurements of the floral parts and fruits

of G. oresbia are based on material preserved

in 70% ethanol. Common abbreviations in the

specimen citations are: E.R (Experimental

Plot), L.A. (Logging Area), N.P.R. (National

Park Reserve), S.F.R. (State Forest Reserve)

and T.R. (Timber Reserve).

The abbreviation RE in the distribution and

habitat notes refers to Regional Ecosystem,

descriptions of which can be viewed at

www. epa. qld. gov. au/proj ects/redd/landzone.

cgi?bioregion=7.

Extent of occurrence estimates were

derived from the validation of original

collection localities. These data points were

loaded into ESRI ArcView 3.2 and the draw

polygon feature was used to calculate the area

between the points. The area of occupation

estimates were principally derived from a

digital Regional Ecosystem map supplemented

by the first author’s knowledge of vegetation

types and habitats within the Wet Tropics

bioregion (hereafter referred to as the Wet

Tropics) (Environment Australia 2005).

Taxonomy

Gynochthodes oresbia Halford & A.J.Ford,

species nov. arete affinis G. australiensi et

G. sessili. A G. australiensi apice foliorum

longe acuminato (acumine 5-8 mm longo)

comparate illo G. australiensis quae obtusus

usque breve acuminatus acumine < 3 mm

Austrobaileya 7(2): 357-364

longo, et filamentis staminalis 2.7-3.1

mm longis in vicem 1.2-2.5 mm longis et

inflorescentiis laxis differt. A G. sessili

floribus fructibusque pedicellatis non

sessilis et inflorescentiis laxis axe primario

inflorescentiae 10-40 mm longo (in vicem illo

G. sessilis 1 mm longo) et calycibus glabris non

pilis adornis differt. Quoad inflorescentiam

laxam G. oresbia etiam G. epiphyticam

simulat sed domatia carens et in foliis maturis

venis primariis lateralibus sub angulo 65-75°

(vice 40-50°) a costa divergentibus differt.

Typus: Queensland. Cook District: State

Forest Reserve 194, Western [Herberton

Range State Forest, south-west of Atherton],

30 December 2002, B. Gray 8390 (holo: BRI

[2 sheets + spirit]; iso: QRS [10 sheets to be

distributed + spirit]).

Morinda sp. (Mt Finnigan L.J.Webb+ 12114)

(Forster & Halford 2002).

Morinda sp. (Black Leaves BG 1677) (Hyland

et al. 2003).

Gynochtodes sp. (Lamb Range) (Cooper &

Cooper 2004: 442).

Illustration : Cooper & Cooper (2004: 442),

as Gynochtodes sp. (Lamb Range).

Shrub (when juvenile and before stems twine)

or woody canopy vine with stems to 10 cm

diameter at base, not fluted, lenticellate.

Bark fissured to tessellated or nondescript.

Branchlets green when fresh, turning black on

drying; young branchlets terete when fresh,

longitudinally striated when dried, smooth,

glabrous; older branchlets woody becoming

irregularly lenticellate with age. Axillary

buds enclosed by cataphylls, occasionally

cataphylls conspicuous at basal nodes of

axillary shoots. Stipules interpetiolar, shortly

sheathing, with short triangular lobes, 1.2-2.1

mm long, shortly acuminate, glabrous except

for minute hairs (< 0.2 mm long) on margin,

fragmenting or splitting as node thickens,

moderately persistent. Leaves decussate,

petiolate, discolorous, usually drying black,

glabrous; petiole 5-13 mm long, channelled

adaxially; lamina elliptic to narrow elliptic-

obovate, 6.1-9.6 cm long, 2.1-4.3 cm wide,

coriaceous, dark green to metallic dark

green adaxially when fresh; base attenuate

to narrowly cuneate-obtuse; apex usually

Ford & Halford, Gynochthodes oresbia

359

Fig. 1. Gynochthodes oresbia. A. branchlet with inflorescences x 0.8. B. abaxial surface of leaf showing venation x

1. C. flower at anthesis x 4. D. flower bud x 4. E. calyx (including hypanthium) and style at anthesis x 8. F. calyx rim

with hairs x 50. G. adaxial view of fruit x 3. H. lateral view of fruit x 3. I. adaxial view of pyrene x 5. J. lateral view

of pyrene x 5. A-F from Gray 8390 (BRI); G-J from Gray 1667 (BRI). Del. W. Smith.

360

acuminate with acumen 5-8 mm long;

margins entire; venation brochidodromous,

midrib slightly raised on both surfaces

when fresh and also when dry; primary

lateral veins 5-8 on each side of midrib,

at 65-75° to the midrib; intramarginal and

intralateral veins very slightly raised on

both surfaces when fresh, more strongly

raised on both surfaces when dry but not

conspicuous; intralateral veins reticulate;

domatia absent. Inflorescences usually

axillary, rarely ramiflorous or appearing

terminal, paniculiform, umbelliform cymes,

or often raceme-like, with occasionally lateral

branches of the first node on primary axis with

dichasial triads, lateral branches of subsequent

nodes on primary axis monads and ultimate

node with dichasial triad or 4-flowered

umbelliform cyme, (3-) 5-7(-10) flowered;

peduncle 2-3.6 mm long; primary axis 10-40

mm long; bracts c. 1 mm long, persistent,

similar in appearance to the stipules. Flowers

epigynous, fragrant, bisexual (?), 4-6-merous,

c. 15 mm long and 10 mm diameter; pedicels

3-6 mm long, not elongating after anthesis.

Calyx (including hypanthium) cup-shaped, c.

2.5 x 2.5 mm, green or creamy white (Gray

8390, Jensen 1411 & McKenna :); tube c. 1.1

mm long, glabrous on both surfaces; margin

erase and with sparse minute hairs. Corolla

cream to white when fresh, turning black

when dry or preserved, glabrous abaxially

except for minute hairs distally; corolla tube

± cylindrical, 1.8-2.3 mm long, fenestrated by

short longitudinal splits in lower half; corolla

lobes reflexed at anthesis, 4 or 5 (rarely 6),

narrowly elliptic to lanceolate-elliptic, 6-7.5

mm long, 2-2.8 mm wide, densely villose

with hairs to 1.5 mm long usually for the

proximal two thirds to four fifths adaxially,

± cucullate at apex. Stamens 4 or 5 (rarely

6), exserted, inserted on corolla at lobe

sinuses; filaments terete, 2.7-3.1 mm long,

glabrous; anthers oblong, bilocular, 2.5-3.3

mm long, dorsifixed, point of attachment in

lower third, dehiscing ± laterally. Ovary c. 2.1

mm high, bilocular; ovules 2 in each locule,

slightly domed, c. 0.5 mm long, glabrous;

style glabrous, c. 1.9 mm long, longitudinally

furrowed; stigma bifid, c. 2.1 mm long. Fruit

a drupe, globose to ellipsoid, 11-15 mm

long, 9—12 mm diameter, glabrous, smooth,

black (?), 1-4 seeded (usually 2 or 3); seeds

Austrobaileya 7(2): 357-364

2 or 3-faced, 5.5-6.5 mm long, 2-3 mm wide,

enclosed in a bony pyrene slightly larger than

the seed; testa colour unknown; embryo c. 3

mm x 0.4 mm. Fig. 1.

Additional selected specimens (from 34 examined):

Queensland. Cook District: T.R. 165, track to Mt

Misery, tributary of East Normanby River, site 77, Nov

2002, Ford 3724 & Holmes (BRI, QRS); S.F.R 144,

Agapetes L.A., Apr 1980, Gray 1677 1 (BRI, QRS); Mt

Windsor, S.F.R 144 E.P./30, Jul 1976, Unwin 34 (QRS);

S.F.R. 144, Fantail F.A., Mt Windsor Tableland, Mar

1981, Unwin 831 (QRS); T.R. 165, McDowall Range,

c. 500m NE of tower, site 93, Jun 2003, Ford 3995 et

al. (BRI, QRS); S.F.R. 143, North Mary F.A., Feb 1975,

Hyland 8006 3 (QRS); S.F.R. 607, Emerald F.A., Aug

1980, Gray 20146V(Q RS); EP 3, SFR607, Emerald F.A.,

Oct 1981, Sanderson 1823 (QRS); Tinaroo Range, May

1972, Crome 445 2 (QRS); Famb Range, NE of Atherton,

9.6 km from Tinaroo-Danbulla road via Robson Creek

road. May 1972, Wrigley 398 2 & Telford (BRI); S.F.R.

194, Barron, Scrubby F.A., Jul 1998, Hyland 21281V

(BRI, QRS); S.F.R. 194, E.P. 38, Jan 1978, Risley 276

(QRS); Westcott road. Topaz, Jan 2006, Cooper 1942 3

& Cooper (BRI, QRS); S of Butcher Creek Gadgarra

S.F., S.F. 310, Jun 1995, Hunter 3914 (BRI); N.P.R. 904,

Wooroonooran, c. 700 m S of Towalla Mine, above

Coolamon Creek, site 33, Oct 2001, Ford 3034 et al.

(BRI, QRS); Kenny road, off Millaa Millaa - Malanda

road, Jan 2005, Jensen 141T & McKenna (BRI); E.P. 29,

S.F.R. 650, Mt Fisher, Jan 1976, Sanderson 850 (QRS).

North Kennedy District: S.F.R. 251, Koolmoon F.A.,

1.5km S of Coochimbeerum road off Tully Falls road,

site 74, Nov 2002, Ford 3697 & Holmes (BRI, QRS); E.P

19, Burgoo F.A., Garrawalt, Jul 1975, Sanderson 650

(QRS); S.F.R. 458, off Old Mill road, west of Abergowrie,

site 91, May 2003, Ford 3934 et al. (BRI, QRS); S.F.R.

268, Bluewater Forestry Area, Paluma Range, site 38,

Nov 2001, Ford 3080 & Holmes (BRI, QRS). (fertile

specimens indicated with a superscript numeral after the

collectors number, 1 = flowering specimen, 2 = fruiting

specimen, 3 = post anthesis specimen)

Distribution and habitat : Gynochthodes

oresbia is endemic to the Wet Tropics

bioregion in north-eastern Queensland,

where it is currently known to occur from the

Cooktown area (Mt Finnigan and Mt Misery)

to the Paluma Range (west of Townsville)

(Map 1). It inhabits predominantly the wetter

and more mountainous notophyll vine-forests/

rainforests on soils derived from rhyolite,

granite, fine grained metasediments (including

mudstone and conglomerate) and basalt.

However it is more commonly encountered

on granitic and rhyolitic substrates, with

occurrences on basalt and metasediments

being rare. In addition, a specimen has

also been recorded as occurring in open

forest {Hunter 3914 ) on soils derived from

metasediments. Similar observations from

Ford & Halford, Gynochthodes oresbia

361

Map 1. Distribution of Gynochthodes oresbia • . Shaded

area on map indicates nature conservation reserves

(National Parks, Forest Reserves and Conservation Parks).

this habitat have been made by the first author

in Dinden National Park on granitic substrates.

Common canopy species that grow in

association with G. oresbia include: Balanops

australiana F.Muell., Beilschmiedia collina

B.Hyland, B. recurva B.Hyland, Cardwellia

sublimis F.Muell., Canarium australasicum

F.Muell., Cryptocarya cornigata C.T.White

& W.D.Francis, Elaeocarpus elliffii B.Hyland

& Coode, E.foveolatus F.Muell., Flindersia

bourjotiana F.Muell., Flindersia pimenteliana

F.Muell., Halfordia kendack (Montrouz.)

Guillaumin and Syzygium endophloium

B.Hyland. Common small trees and shrubs

throughout most of its range include: Apodytes

brachystylis F.Muell., Bobea myrtoides

(F.Muell.) Valeton, Bubbia semecarpoides

(F.Muell.) B.L.Burtt, Chionanthus axillaris

R.Br., Pilidiostigma tetramerum L.S.Sm.,

Pittosporum rubiginosum A.Cunn., Polyscias

australiana (F.Muell.) Philipson and

Psychotria sp. (Danbulla S.T.Blake 15262).

Altitudinal range, from existing specimens, is

590-1200 m.

Gynochthodes oresbia has been collected

or reliably reported in the following RE’s: 7.8.2

(rarely), 7.8.4 (rarely); 7.11.12 (rarely), 7.11.29

(rarely), 7.11.31 (rarely); 7.12.16 (commonly),

7.12.19 (commonly), 7.12.26 (rarely), 7.12.48

(occasionally), and 7.12.50 (occasionally).

Phenology: Flowers have been recorded from

December and February; fruits have been

recorded in April and May.

Notes. The only flowering collections of

Gynochthodes oresbia {Gray 8390 and

Jensen 1411 & McKenna) seen by the authors

are tentatively interpreted as having bisexual

flowers. This is in contrast to Halford (2004)

who suspected the flowers examined of

G. sessilis were possibly unisexual, as they

“lacked a well developed style and stigma”

even though “the ovaries are well developed

with what appears to be functional ovules”.

The above flowering specimens of G. oresbia

both had a well developed style with large

bifid stigmas and large ovules. However,

the style and stigmas were not exserted, as

would normally be expected with a bisexual

Rubiaceae flower. This uncertainty about the

reproductive strategy within Gynochthodes is

not new. Backer and Bakhuizen van den Brink

(1965) suggest that the flowers of G. coriacea

Blume are “seemingly” and “probably

bisexual”, yet they also acknowledge that the

flowers are unisexual “according to Boerlage”,

whilst Johans son (1988) reports that the flowers

of G. australiensis were “hermaphrodite or

unisexual”. Further flowering material is

therefore required to assess the reproductive

strategies within G. oresbia.

The flowers of Gynochthodes oresbia have

been recorded as strongly fragrant {Jensen

1411 & McKenna) or perfumed {Gray 8390)

at anthesis. Juvenile leaves of G. oresbia are

similar to adult leaves, but slightly larger. The

dimensions of leaves in the above description

refer to adult leaves only. Leaves are bluish-

green above when fresh {Ford 3934 et al).

Gynochthodes oresbia is a large and

woody vine that grows high into the rainforest

362

canopy (hence its cryptic (concealed) form to

most human collectors) and has been rarely

collected with its growth form as “vine”

clearly recorded. It is more usual to see this

species as a sterile, stiff and languid shrub in

the understory. The closely related G. sessilis

is often seen in a similar state but rarely

becomes quite as shrub-like as G. oresbia.

Affinities: Gynochthodes oresbia is similar to

G. australiensis from the Northern Territory

and North Queensland, and G. sessilis from

Queensland. A comparison of diagnostic

differences between the three Australian

species is provided in Table 1. Also, although

G. oresbia and G. sessilis occur in close

geographic proximity to each other in the Wet

Tropics bioregion they inhabit very different

rainforest communities and currently have

non-overlapping elevations and distributions,

with G. oresbia recorded for 590-1200 m and

Austrobaileya 7(2): 357-364

G. sessilis recorded from sea level to 520 m.

Sterile (and juvenile) dried material of

Gynochthodes oresbia can be distinguished

from G. sessilis by careful examination of the

midrib on the abaxial surface. For G. oresbia

the midrib is longitudinally striated, whereas

G. sessilis has a somewhat pustular or

Tumpy’ appearance. Both G. oresbia and

G. australiensis have longitudinally striated

midribs, and can be distinguished on the basis

of the leaf apex and secondary venation.

Gynochthodes oresbia resembles

G. epiphytica (Rechinger) A.C.Sm. &

S.RDarwin from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and

nearby islands, in its inflorescence, but differs

by its lack of domatia and by its primary

lateral venation on mature leaves arising at

65-75° from the midrib (compared with 40-

50° for G. epiphytica).

Table 1. Morphological comparison between G. oresbia, G. australiensis and G. sessilis

Characters

G. oresbia

G. australiensis

G. sessilis

Leaf apex

acuminate

obtuse to bluntly

pointed

acuminate

Leaf acumen length

5-8 mm

1-3 mm

5-10 mm

Secondary venation

inconspicuous,

slightly raised

conspicuous,

strongly raised

inconspicuous

to conspicuous,

slightly raised

Staminal filament

length

2.7-3.1 mm

1.2-2.5 mm

2-3 mm

Flowers/inflorescence

3 to 10

up to 30

up to 12

Arrangement

of flowers

lax raceme-like,

paniculiform or

umbelliform cymes

congested

paniculiform or

cymose clusters

fasciculate clusters

Length of primary

axis of inflorescence

10-40 mm

4-20 mm

< 1 mm

Corolla lobe length

6-7.5 mm

5.5-7 mm

6-7 mm

Calyx size

c. 2.5 x 2.5 mm

2-3 x 1.5-1.7 mm

c. 2x2 mm

Calyx indumentum

glabrous

sparsely hairy

Pedicel length

3-6 mm

0.5-14 mm

absent

Ford & Halford, Gynochthodes oresbia

ConservationstatusiMostQxistingcollQctions

have been made within the World Heritage

Area of the Wet Tropics. Gynochthodes

oresbia has been collected in Wooroonooran,

Dinden (formerly known as S.F.R. 607),

Danbulla (formerly known as S.F.R. 185, in

part), Maalan (formerly known as S.F.R. 650)

and Girringun (formerly known as S.F.R.

458) National Parks and reported in the vast

mountainous areas within the Daintree N.P.

and the Paluma Range N.P. (A. Ford, pers.

363

obs). It has a wide geographical range, with

an extent of occurrence estimated to be 6,800

km * 1 2 and an area of occupation estimated to be

3,560 km 2 ; hence, it is not considered at risk

at this time.

Etymology : The specific epithet is derived

from the Greek adjective, oresbios, living

on mountains and refers to the habitat of the

species.

Key to the species of Gynochthodes in Australia*

1 Flowers arranged in dense fasciculate clusters; calyx hairy; N Qld to CE

Qld.G. sessilis

Flowers arranged in cymose to paniculate inflorescences; calyx glabrous.2

2 Leaf apex obtuse to bluntly pointed, acumen to 3 mm long; N.T. to N Qld

.G. australiensis

Leaf apex acuminate, acumen 5-8 mm long; NE Qld.G. oresbia

* The above key excludes a probable undescribed species of Gynochthodes from the Northern Territory. It is currently

only known from sterile and fruiting collections (Dale Dixon, 2005, pers. comm.). It differs from the other Australian

species of Gynochthodes by having domatia.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Will Smith for

the illustrations. Peter Bostock provided

the distribution map and Les Pedley the

translation of the diagnosis into Latin. Dale

Dixon (DNA) is thanked for examining

specimens of Gynochthodes sp. (Docherty

Hills G.L.Leach+ 2186) for us. Wendy

Cooper and Rigel Jensen supplied useful

information and/or specimens. Anna Monro

and an anonymous referee provided additional

comments. Permits to collect in the “Wet

Tropics” were issued by the Environmental

Protection Agency and the Queensland Parks

and Wildlife Service. The curators and staff at

BRI and QRS are thanked for allowing access

to specimens and the use of their facilities.

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Guymer, G.P. (2006). New species of Commersonia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Sterculiaceae) from

Queensland. Austrobaileya 7(2): 365-372. The new species Commersonia perkinsiana Guymer,

C. inglewoodensis Guymer and C. macrostipulata Guymer are described and illustrated, and a key

to Queensland species of Commersonia subg. Commersonia is provided. Notes on distribution,

habitat and conservation status are provided for the new species. The new combination Commersonia

procumbens (Maiden & Betche) Guymer is made for Rulingia procitmbens Maiden & Betche.

Key Words: Sterculiaceae, Commersonia inglewoodensis, Commersonia macrostipulata,

Commersonia perkinsiana, Commersonia procumbens, new species, new combination, taxonomy,

Australian flora, Queensland flora, identification key

G.P. Guymer, Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic Gardens,

Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia. Email: Gordon.Guymer@epa.qld.gov.au

Introduction

Commersonia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (including

Rulingia R.Br.) is a genus of more than 60

species of trees or shrubs that occurs in SE

Asia, Madagascar, Malesia, Melanesia and

Australia (Guymer 2005; Wilkins & Whitlock

2005). The new species described in this

paper are endemic to Queensland. Two of

these species (Commersonia inglewoodensis

and C. perkinsiana) have only recently

been collected and identified and require

conservation action.

Materials and methods

The study is based upon the examination of

herbarium material at BM, BRI, CANB, K,

L, MEL, NSW and P, and field collections and

observations by the author. The Herbarium

acronyms follow Holmgren et al. (1990).

All specimens cited have been seen by the

author.

Measurements are sometimes abbreviated

with x indicating length x width. Descriptions

of the flowers were prepared from material

preserved in spirit. Common abbreviations

in the specimen descriptions and citations are

dbh (diameter at breast height), L.A. (Logging

Area), N.P. (National Park), S.F. (State Forest)

andT.R. (Timber Reserve). Recommendations

on the conservation status of species is based

on the criteria of the IUCN (2001).

Accepted for publication 6 October 2006

Vegetation terminology for Queensland

follows that of the Vegetation Management

Act 1999 , its associated regulations, and the

regional ecosystem framework (www.epa.qld.

gov.au/REDD). The abbreviation RE refers to

regional ecosystem.

Taxonomy

Commersonia perkinsiana Guymer,

species nov. affinis C. pedleyi sed ab ea

foliis marginibus serratis (in ilia lobatis),

inflorescentiis 3-4-floris non 7-10-floris,

minor ibus pedunculis (longitudine 1.8-

2.5 mm non 4-5 mm) necnon pedicellis

(longitudine 0.3-0.6 mm non 1—3(—9) mm)

differt.

Typus: Queensland. Port Curtis District:

Stockyard Point, Byfield Conservation Park,

April 2005, B.J.Plumb s.n. (holo: BRI; iso:

BRI).

Small erect shrubs, suckering from rhizomes,

to 10 cm high; branchlets pubescent (trichomes

0.3-0.8 mm diameter), glabrescent. Leaves

grey-green or slightly glaucous, white below;

blades oblong-lanceolate or lanceolate, 2-4

x 0.6-1.1 cm; margins slightly serrate, teeth

5-11 pairs, to 0.7 mm long; bases cuneate or

truncate; apices rounded or obtuse; pubescent

above (stellate trichomes mid-dense, 0.3-0.7

mm diameter), velutinous below (stellate

trichomes 0.3-0.9 mm diameter); 5-veined at

366

the base, lateral veins slightly impressed above,

raised below, 7 or 8 pairs; petioles 2-5 mm

long, stellate-pubescent. Stipules triangular,

2-3 x 0.2-0.3 mm, stellate-pubescent.

Inflorescences 3 or 4-flowered, 8-10 mm

long; peduncles 1.8-2.5 mm long, stellate-

pubescent; bracts narrowly triangular, 1.6-2

x c. 0.1 mm, stellate-pubescent. Flowers 7-8.5

mm diameter, pale magenta; pedicels 0.3-0.6

mm long. Calyces 5-5.5 mm long, stellate-

pubescent; lobes ovate, obtuse or acute,

2-3.5 x 3.4-3.8 mm. Petals 3-lobed, 3.4-4

Austrobaileya 7(2): 365-372

mm long; central lobe ovate, obtuse, 2-2.5 x

0.5-0.8 mm; lateral lobes rounded, 0.8-0.9 x

0.8-0.9 mm. Staminal tube 1.5-1.8 mm long;

central staminodes triangular, caudate, 2.8-3

mm long, 0.9-1 mm wide; lateral staminodes

present or absent, corniculate, erect, smooth,

0.3-0.4 mm long, glabrous. Ovary ovoid,

slightly 5-lobed, 1.3-1.4 mm long, 1-1.2 mm

diameter; ovules 9 per loculus; styles free

at base, coherent above, 0.8-0.9 mm long;

stigmas free, clavate, 0.18-0.2 mm diameter.

Capsules and seeds not known. Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 . Commersonia perkinsiana. A. flowering branchlet x 2. B. flower from above x 8. All from Plumb s.n. (BR1).

Del. W. Smith.

Guymer, New species of Commersonia

Additional specimen examined : Queensland. Port

Curtis District. Stockyard Point, Byfield, 22°49'S,

150°48'E, Dec 1996, Plumb JP29 (BRI).

Distribution and habitat: Commersonia

perkinsiana has only been recorded from

one population at Stockyard Point, NE

of Rockhampton, Queensland. It occurs

in Themeda triandra dominated tussock

grassland (RE 8.12.13; Batianoff & McDonald

(1980) Map Unit 26) on an exposed headland

on shallowly rocky soils derived from

igneous rocks. Associated species include

Acacia julifera, A. juncifolia, Comesperma

oblongatum, Chrysocephalum apiculatum ,

Dodonaea lanceolata var. subsessilifolia,

Grevillea banksii, Hardenbergia violacea,

Helichrysum lanuginosum and Xerochrysum

bracteatum.

Phenology : Flowers have been recorded for

April and December. Fruits and seeds are not

known.

Affinities'. Commersonia perkinsiana is allied

to C. pedleyi but differs from this species

by its slightly serrate leaf margins (lobed in

the latter), 3-4-flowered inflorescences (not

7-10-flowered), shorter peduncles (1.8-2.5

mm compared to 4-5 mm long) and pedicels

(0.3-0.6 mm not 1—3(—9) mm long), and

ovate central petal lobes 2-2.5 mm long (not

linear-lanceolate and 27-4.5 mm long). The

new species is also markedly geographically

disjunct and occurs in different habitat to the

earlier named species (Guymer 2005).

Conservation status : The species is known

only from a coastal headland at Stockyard

Point in Byfield Conservation Park. Further

survey work is required to determine the

species’ distribution, area of occupancy and

number of populations. A conservation status

of Data Deficient is recommended until

further information is obtained.

Etymology : The species is named for David

Perkins (1945-2006) who spent all his

working life furthering the conservation

of Queensland’s coastal environment and

Marine Parks, in the Queensland Government

departments of Fisheries, Co-ordinator

General’s, Marine Parks and Environmental

Protection Agency.

367

Commersonia macrostipulata Guymer,

species nov. affinis C. bartramiae sed ab ea

stipulis ovatis vel ovati-lanceolatis, et foliis

marginibus leviter serratis et tomento abaxiali

subtiliter velutino differt.

Typus: Queensland. Cook District: Rex

Range, bottom lookout, 2.6 km by road N of

Nine Mile Store, Julatten-Mossman road, 19

November 2005, D.Halford Q8843 & R. Jensen

(holo: BRI; iso: BRI, K, MEF, NSW).

Commersonia sp. (Kuranda K.Williams 211)

(Guymer 2002)

Trees 5-10 m high, occasionally shrubs to 2 m

high, rhizomatous, dbhto 20 cm; bark smooth,

grey; branchlets stellate-pubescent (trichomes

0.15-0.3 mm diameter), glabrescent. Feaves

green above, white below; blades ovate or

ovate-lanceolate, 9-19 x (4-) 6-10 (-11) cm;

margins slightly serrate, callosities or teeth

20-30 pairs, 0.1-0.5 (-1) mm long; bases

cordate or truncate; apices acute or acuminate;

sparsely pubescent to glabrescent above

(stellate trichomes 0.1-0.3 mm diameter,

and glandular trichomes to 0.1 mm long),

except for along midrib and lateral veins,

finely velutinous below (stellate trichomes

0.1—0.3 mm diameter); lateral veins 5-7, 5-

veined from the base, first lateral vein (1.5-)

2-4 (-5.5) cm from base, midrib and lateral

veins slightly impressed above, raised below,

tertiary veins slightly raised above and below;

petioles 8-22 mm long, stellate-pubescent.

Stipules ovate or ovate-lanceolate, entire

or serrate, caducous, 3.5-75 x 1.6-4 mm,

teeth 2-4, stellate-puberulent. Inflorescences

2-8 cm long, 50-200-flowered; peduncles

5-19 mm long; axes stellate-pubescent; bracts

narrowly triangular, caducous, 0.6-4 x 0.2-

0.6 mm, stellate-pubescent. Flowers 5-6.5

mm diameter, cream to white; pedicels 3.5-5

mm long, stellate-puberulent. Calyces 3-3.5

mm long, puberulent; lobes triangular-ovate,

2-2.5 x 1.8-2.2 mm. Petals 3-3.2 mm long,

puberulent except for apex, base and margins;

central lobes linear, concave, erect, 2.3-27

x 0.35-0.45 mm; lateral lobes enclosing the

stamen, rounded, 0.3-0.4 x 0.5-0.6 mm.

Staminal tube 0.3-0.4 mm long; central

staminodes triangular, 1.2-2 x 0.5-07 mm,

pubescent outside, glabrous inside except at

apex; lateral staminodes filiform, corniculate,

368

0.6-07 x 0.1-0.15 mm, pubescent. Ovary

5-lobed, with rudimentary bristles, 0.9-1.1

mm diameter, ovules 4 per loculus; styles

free, coherent at apex, 0.22-0.3 mm long;

stigmas connate at base, clavate, 0.08-0.1

mm diameter. Capsules 5-valved, globular or

depressed-globular, 2-3 cm diameter, 1.8-2.8

cm high, with dense bristles 8-17 mm long,

bristles stellate-pubescent (trichomes 0.4-0.7

mm diameter) with larger caducous stellate

trichomes (0.6-1 mm diameter, 7-12-rayed) at

apex. Seeds 2-4 per locule, ovoid or oblong-

ovoid, smooth, 2.4-3 x 1.5-2 mm, black or

dark brown, matt; strophiole 2-3 mm long,

orange or yellow. Fig. 2.

Additional specimens examined : Queensland. Cook

District: 4 km W of Isabella Falls on Battle Camp road,

Nov 1989, Jessup , Guymer & Dillewaard GJD3019

(BRI); lower slopes of Mt Saunders, Aug 1984, Scarth-

Johnson 1589A (BRI); top of Mt Hartley, T.R. 165, Jul

1995, Forster PIF17315 & Figg (BRI); 2 km along Creb

Track from Ayton road, Dec 1989, Jessup , Guymer &

Dillewaard GJD3126 (BRI); Turpentine road. Cooper

Austrobaileya 7(2): 365-372

Creek catchment, Nov 1995, Forster PIF18055 , Jago

& Spokes (BRI, MEL, QRS); Palm road, off Cape

Tribulation road, Oct 1997, Jago 4525 (BRI, DNA); 18

miles [30 km] N of Mossman, Nov 1967, Boyland 376

(BRI); Summit of NW Peak, Snapper Island, Sep 1928,

Tandy 504 (BM, BRI); T.R. 55, Dec 1975, Irvine 1714

(BRI, QRS); S.F.R.72, Salisbury, Nov 1983, Hyland

12863 (BRI, QRS); Rex Range, c. 9 km NE of Julatten,

Nov 1996, Jessup 874 (BRI); Rex Range, north of

Julatten, Feb 2005, Wannan 3865 (BRI, NSW); 500

m from Nine Mile Store towards Julatten, Nov 2005,

Halford Q8842 & Jensen (BM, BRI, CANB); 2 km SE

of The Pinnacle, Sep 1977, Moriarty 2257 (BRI, QRS); 3

miles [5 km] from Kuranda, on highway to Cairns, Oct

1968, Williams 211 (BRI); Mt Lumley, near Cairns, Sep

1978, Jago 80 (BRI); Yarrabah, without date, Michael

642 (BRI); S.F.R. 933, Apr 1968, Hyland 1472RFK(BRI,

QRS). North Kennedy District: Tully River Station,

Tully, Jun 1965, Bailey s.n. (BRI [AQ081469]).

Distribution and habitat : Commersonia

macrostipulata is endemic to north-east

Queensland and is known from Isabella Falls,

north of Cooktown, to Tully in the south,

from near sea-level to 800 m. It occurs in a

variety of rainforests from simple notophyll

Fig. 2. Commersonia macrostipulata. A. twig x 0.8. B. stem node with stipule x 8. C. seed showing hilum and

strophiole x 16. A from Jessup, Guymer & Dillewaard GJD3019 (BRI); C from Wannan 3865 (BRI). Del. W. Smith.

Guymer, New species of Commersonia

vine forest to complex mesophyll vine forest

or on the margins of rainforest communities.

Phenology : The species flowers from August

to December and fruits have been collected

from September to February and in July.

Affinities: Commersonia macro stipulata

is allied to C. bartramia but differs from

this species by its ovate to ovate-lanceolate

stipules, and leaves with shallowly serrate

leaf margins and finely velutinous abaxial

tomentum.

Conservation status: The species has a

distributional range of over 280 km and a

number of populations occur in conservation

areas. It is not considered to be at risk.

Etymology: The epithet is derived from Latin

macro- (large) and stipulatus (with stipules),

referring to the conspicuous ovate to ovate-

lanceolate stipules that characterise the

species.

Commersonia inglewoodensis Guymer,

species nov. affinis C. procumbenti sed

ab ea inflorescentiis floribus paucioribus (3

adversum 9-15) minoribus (diametro 3-3.5

mm non 5-6.5 mm), brevioribus pedunculis

(longitudine 0.3-1 mm adversum 1-2.5 mm)

necnon pedicellis (longitudine 0.1-0.2 mm

adversum 1-2 mm), et foliis minoribus (1.5-2.5

x 1.1-1.9 cm non 1.7—4 x 1.5-3.1 cm) differt.

Typus: Queensland. Darling Downs District:

2.2 km W of Kooroongarra, Anderson’s road,

Bringalily State Forest, 26 February 2006,

D.A.Halford Q8965 & G.P.Guymer (holo:

BRI; iso: AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MO,

MEL, NE, NSW, PERTH distribuendi ).

Prostrate spreading shrubs to 10 cm high,

with trailing stems to 90 cm and a taproot,

not rhizomatous. Branchlets pubescent

(trichomes stellate, 0.1-0.3 mm diameter),

glabrescent. Leaves green, paler below; blades

broadly ovate to ovate, 1.5-2.5 x 1.1-1.9 cm;

margins irregularly serrate, teeth 6-10 pairs,

0.2-1 mm long; bases cordate, oblique; apices

obtuse or rounded; sparsely pubescent above

(stellate trichomes 0.5-1.25 mm diameter),

tomentose below (stellate trichomes 0.75-1.5

mm diameter); veins raised below, impressed

above, lateral veins 3-5 pairs; petioles 2-7 mm

long, stellate-pubescent. Stipules caducous,

369

narrowly triangular, 1.6-1.9 x 0.5-0.6 mm,

stellate-pubescent. Inflorescences 3-flowered

triads, 1.5-3 mm long; peduncles 0.3-1 mm

long; axes stellate-pubescent (trichomes 0.6-

1.2 mm diameter); bracts linear-oblong, 0.8-1

x 0.15-0.2 mm. Flowers 3-3.5 mm diameter,

white or cream; pedicels 0.1-0.2 mm long.

Calyces 1.8-2.1 mm long, stellate-pubescent

outside, pubescent inside (trichomes stellate

& glandular); lobes ovate-acute, 1-1.2 x 1.2-

1.4 mm. Petals 1.4-1.6 mm long; central lobes

oblong, obtuse and slightly 2-lobed at apex,

0.8-0.9 x 0.2-0.35 mm; lateral lobes ovate,

obtuse, 0.3-0.35 x 0.5-0.6 mm long. Staminal

tube 0.3-0.4 mm long; central staminodes

triangular, 0.5-0.6 x 0.3-0.35 mm; lateral

staminodes absent or present and then only

one, filiform, erect, smooth, 0.3-0.4 x c. 0.08

mm, glabrous. Ovary slightly 5-lobed, with

rudimentary bristles, 0.6-0.8 mm diameter,

ovules 3 or 4 per loculus; styles free, 0.2-0.3

mm long; stigmas coherent, clavate, 0.06-

0.08 mm diameter. Capsules 5-(or 4)-valved,

globular or depressed-globular, 6.5-8 mm

diameter, 4.8-5.4 mm high, with moderately

dense bristles 0.4-1 mm long along sutures,

bristles shorter (0.05-0.3 mm long) on faces

of capsule, bristles with stellate trichomes

0.2-0.5 mm diameter, with a larger apical

stellate trichome (0.4-0.7 mm diameter, 20-

30-rayed). Seeds 3 or 4 per locule, angular,

sculptured, 1.5-2 x 1.1-1.6 mm, dark brown

to black, matt; strophiole translucent, cristate,

0.6-1.5 x 0.3-1.5 mm, white. Fig. 3.

Additional specimen examined : Queensland. Darling

Downs District: Bringalily State Forest, Wondul Range,

c. 17 km N of Inglewood, Nov 2003, Halford Q8046 &

Forster (BRI).

Distribution and habitat: Commersonia

inglewoodensis is known from approximately

50 individual plants in State Forest 341, c. 17

km north of Inglewood, southern Queensland.

It occurs on a forestry road in a shrubland

community on natural scalds on deeply

weathered sedimentary rocks. Characteristic

genera in association include Acacia, Boronia ,

Calytrix, Hakea, Babingtonia, Micomyrtus

and Triodia (RE 11.7.5). Apart from the single

patch of plants observed, no further colonies

were located in this shrubland community

and the species may be a component of

the adjoining Eucalyptus crebra , Callitris

370

Austrobaileya 7(2): 365-372

Fig. 3. Commersonia inglewoodensis. A. flowering & fruiting branchlet x 4. B. flower from above x 16. C. flower

showing staminodes x 20. D. internal view of petal x 24. E. longitudinal section of capsule x 8. F. capsule bristle x

40. G. seed with funicle and strophiole x 16. H. seed showing hilum and strophiole x 16. All from Halford Q8965 &

Guymer{ BRI). Del. W. Smith.

Guymer, New species of Commersonia

glaucophylla and Angophora leiocarpa

woodland or open forest (RE 11.5.1 & RE

11.5.4).

Phenology : Flowers have been recorded for

February, March and November; fruits have

been collected in February and March.

Affinities: Commersonia inglewoodensis is

related to C. procumbens from the central

western slopes of New South Wales but

differs from this species in its 3-flowered

inflorescences (in the latter 9-15-flowered),

its smaller flowers (3-3.5 mm diameter versus

5-6.5 mm diameter), its shorter peduncles

(0.3-1 mm long compared to 1-2.5 mm long)

and pedicels (0.1-0.2 mm long not 1-2 mm

long), and its smaller leaf blades (1.5-2.5 x

1.1-1.9 cm compared to 1.7-4 x 1.5-3.1 cm)

and shorter petioles (2-7 mm long not 12-25

mm long).

Conservation status : Commersonia

inglewoodensis is conserved in State Forest

341 but its known area of occurrence (20

371

x 10 m) and its situation on a forestry

road necessitates a conservation status of

endangered using the IUCN (2001) criteria.

The species has been searched for elsewhere

within the State Forest; however, no further

plants have been located.

Etymology : The species epithet

inglewoodensis is derived from the name of

the township Inglewood in which district this

species occurs.

Commersonia procumbens (Maiden &

Betche) Guymer, comb, nov.; Rulingia

procumbens Maiden & Betche, Proc. Linn.

Soc. New South Wales 23: 18 (1898). Type:

New South Wales. Near Dubbo, November

1887, E. Betche s.n. (holo: NSW, iso: K).

Notes: With relegation of Rulingia to the

synonymy of Commersonia , the above

combination is necessary for this species from

New South Wales that appears to be closely

allied morphologically to C. inglewoodensis.

Key to Queensland species of Commersonia subgenus Commersonia

1 Trees or tall shrubs (2-) 4-15 m high.2

Shrubs, prostrate or erect to 1 m high.3

2 Stipules triangular or lanceolate, 2.5-8 x 0.5-0.9 mm. E Qld.C. bartramia s.lat.

Stipules ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 3.5-7.5 x 1.6-4 mm. Wet Tropics,

NE Qld.C. macrostipulata

3 Flowers bright yellow; erect shrubs 0.3-0.6 m high. Central Qld . . . C. leichhardtii s.lat.

Flowers red, pink or white; prostrate or erect shrubs.4

4 Flowers red; leaves broadly ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 3.5-7 x 1.5-5 cm.

NE Qld.C. reticulata

Flowers white, pink or pale magenta; leaves ovate and < 2.6 cm long or

lanceolate.5

5 Flowers 14-17 mm diameter. Springsure area, Central Qld.C. johnsonii

Flowers 3-8.5 mm diameter.6

6 Flowers 3-5.5 mm diameter, white or cream, buds sometimes tinged with

pink.7

Flowers 6-8.5 mm diameter, pink or pale magenta.9

7 Leaf margins with 5-7 rounded or obtuse lobes 1-10 mm long.

Blackdown Tableland, Central subcoastal, Qld.C. pearnii

Leaf margins serrate with 4-7 pairs of teeth 0.5-4 mm long.8

372

Austrobaileya 7(2): 365-372

8 Leaves broadly ovate to ovate, 1.5-2.5 x 1.1-1.9 cm; flowers 3-3.5 mm

diameter; peduncles 0.3-1 mm long. S inland Qld.C. inglewoodensis

Leaves lanceolate, 1.5-11.5 x 0.4-1.6 cm; flowers 4.5-5.5 mm diameter;

peduncles 3-8 mm long. SE Qld.C. leiperi

9 Flowers pale magenta; leaf blades oblong-lanceolate to

lanceolate, 2-4 x 0.6-1.1 cm, margins slightly serrate. Coast, central Qld

.C. perkinsiana

Flowers with pink buds, opening with white petals tinged with pink; leaf

blades linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, sometimes 3-lobed, 2-7 x 0.4-4

cm, margins with lobes 1-4 mm long. S inland Qld.C. pedleyi

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank David Halford, Joel

Plumb and Bruce Wannan for collecting

material of the new species; Will Smith for

the illustrations; Peter Bostock for assistance

with the Fatin diagnoses and the Directors

and staff of BM, CANB, K, F, MEF, NSW

and P for permission to examine specimens

held in their institutions.

References

Batianoff, G.N. & McDonald, T.J. (1980). Capricorn

Coast Sand Dune and Headland Vegetation.

Technical Bulletin No. 6. Botany Branch,

Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane.

Guymer, G.P. (2002). Sterculiaceae. InR.J.F. Henderson

(ed.). Names and Distribution of Queensland

Plants, Algae and Lichens , pp. 191-192.

Environmental Protection Agency: Brisbane.

- (2005). New species of Commersonia J.R.Forst. &

G.Forst. (Sterculiaceae) from eastern Australia

and Vanuatu. Austrobaileya 7: 231-250.

Holmgren, P.K., Holmgren, N.H. & Barnett, L.C. (1990).

Index Herbariorum. Part 1. The Herbaria of the

World. 8 th edition. New York Botanic Garden:

New York.

Iucn (2001). IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Version 3.1. IUCN-The World Conservation

Union: Gland, Switzerland/ Cambridge, United

Kingdom.

Wilkins, C.F. & Whitlock, B.A. (2005). A new species

of Commersonia (Malvaceae s.l .) from the Eyre

Peninsula, South Australia. Muelleria 22:

87-92.

Austrobaileya 7(2): 373-375

Short Communication

373

Reduction of Carex rhytidocarpa Nelmes

(Cyperaceae) to a synonym of C. inversa R.Br.

R. Booth & D. Moore

R. Booth & D. Moore, Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic

Gardens, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia.

Carex inversa R.Br. is widespread in Australia

and New Zealand. In Queensland it occurs

from Crediton in Central Queensland to as

far west as Tregole National Park, and is also

found in all other Australian states apart from

the Northern Territory. It is a variable species,

as seen from previous attempts to recognise

varieties within it.

Brown (1810: 242) described C. inversa

from specimens that he collected at Port

Jackson. Boott (1867: 151-152) described

C. inversa var. major , C. inversa var. minor

and an unnamed variety from the Brisbane

River. This latter ‘variety’ was erroneously

referred to as C. inversa var. perigynium

Boott by Chapman (1991: 615); however, the

‘perigynium’ is part of the latin description

given by Boott (1867: 151) and not a formal

name. Boott (1867) distinguished his var.

major from C. inversa sensu stricta (his

variety minor) by it being a more robust

plant, and having a utricle with a longer beak.

Kiikenthal (1909) subsequently reduced var.

major to a forma under C. inversa. Boeckeler

(1875) described a further variety C. inversa

var. leichhardtii based on material in MEL

(Dowe 2005). No mention was made by any of

these authors about the variability of rugosity

in the utricles.

Bentham (1878) described C. inversa var.

major citing specimens collected by Mueller

and Wilcox and did not refer to Boott’s or

Boeckeler’s varieties or the material that they

cited; hence his publication of the name must

be considered illegitimate. Clarke (1908) later

raised C. inversa var. major sensu Bentham

(1878) to species rank using the name

C. lophocarpa and basing his species on the

same specimens cited by Bentham.

Accepted for publication 4 July 2006

Nelmes (1942) described Carex

rhytidocarpa from a specimen collected at

Wandoan in Queensland. He distinguished it

from C. inversa by the utricle being rugose

between the nerves, but did not discuss the

variability of the species as a whole. At the

time he only published a tentative key to

the species of Carex , using the available

specimens at Kew, explaining “that it is not

likely that a full account can be printed during

the war”.

Study of collections in the Queensland

Herbarium indicate that individuals referred

to by these names possess utricles that display

a continuous character range from smooth

to deeply rugose. Some specimens display

a wide range of rugosity within individual

inflorescences. The amount of rugosity

between the nerves in the utricle, while not

absent, is diminished in coastal districts and

more obvious in inland areas, indicating clinal

variation in this character. Therefore Carex

rhytidocarpa should not be maintained as a

taxon at any rank as it does not differ in any

other character. It may be useful to study the

genetics of this taxon in order to understand

the observed variation. Wilson (1993)

commented that C. lophocarpa is “possibly

not separate from C.inversa ”, however an

examination of specimens of C. lophocarpa

held at BRI supports the retention of this

species (see description and key below). The

reduction of C. rhytidocarpa to the synonymy

of C. inversa is formalised below.

Carex inversa R.Br., Prodr. FI. Nov. Holland.

242 (1810); Vignea inversa (R.Br.) Sojak, Cas.

Nar. Muz. Praze 148: 195 (1979). Type: New

South Wales. Sydney District (Port Jackson),

near Hawkesbury & Parramatta, 1802-1805,

R. Brown Iter Australiense 6078 (holo: BM

[photo!]).

374

Carex inversa var. major Boott, III. Gen.

Carex 4: 151, t. 487 (1867); Carex inversa

f. major (Boott) Kiik., Pflanzenr. (Engler)

38: 189 (1909) [non sensn Bentham (1878:

438)]. Type: Western Australia. Swan River,

Drummond s.n. (syn: n.v); Victoria. Wanduc

Vale, Robertson s.n. (syn: n.v); Queensland.

Dawson River, Mueller s.n. (syn: n.v .).

Carex inversa var. minor Boott, III. Gen.

Carex 4: 151, t. 488 (1867). Type: New South

Wales. Sydney District (Port Jackson), near

Hawkesbury & Parramatta, 1802-1805,

R.Brown Iter Australiense 6078 (syn: BM

[photo!]), Sieber 453 (syn: n.v); Tasmania.

Gunn s.n. (syn: n.v). Archer s.n. (syn: n.v).

Carex inversa var. leichhardtii Boeckeler [as

B Leichardtii ], Linnaea 39: 70 (1875) Type:

Nova Holland. Paramatto, Leichardt [sic] s.n.

(holo: MEL, n.v).

Carex inversa f. parvula Kiik., Pflanzenr.

(Engler) 38: 189 (1909). Type: Neu-Siid-

Wales. Camfield s.n. (syn: n.v); Neuseeland.

Whangaroa, Petrie sub Cockayne 1642 (syn:

n.v).

Carex rhytidocarpa Nelmes, Proc. Linn.

Soc. London 155: 282 (1944), syn. nov. Type:

Queensland. Leichhardt District: Wandoan,

Hubbard 5004 (holo: K n.v.; iso: BRI)

Perennial with long-creeping rhizome,

monoecious, glabrous. Culms tufted, erect,

terete; 5-50 cm long, 0.5-1.5 mm diameter.

Leaves more than half the length of the

culm, erect, flat, 0.7-3 mm wide; sheath pale

to mid-brown, with a membranous ligule.

Involucral bracts foliaceous, erect, longer than

inflorescence, 2-10 cm long. Inflorescence

terminal, of 2-6 sessile spikes, 5-30 mm long,

proximal spike sometimes distant. Spikes

gynaecandrous, ovoid to globose, with 10-40

spikelets, 5-15 mm long, 4-12 mm wide.

Spikelets 1-flowered, unisexual, clustered,

brown to stramineous, 2.2-4.5 mm long,

1-2 mm wide; rachilla persistent, wingless.

Glumes ovate, 2-4 mm long, 1-2 mm wide,

glabrous, membranous, green-keeled with

a straight mucro. Stamens 3; anthers linear,

connective smooth. Style deciduous, 2-fid,

glabrous. Utricle concave-convex, obovoid to

ellipsoid to broadly ovoid, 2.2-4.5 mm long,

Austrobaileya 7(2): 373-376

1-2.5 mm wide, pale green to yellow-brown,

longitudinally nerved, transversely wrinkled

to smooth between nerves; margins entire to

hispid; beak 0.3-1.2 mm long, hispid, bifid.

Nut biconvex, broadly obovoid or broadly

ellipsoid to orbicular, 1.2-1.8 mm long, 1.2-

1.8 mm wide, brown to dark brown, smooth,

apex mucronulate, mucro 0.1-0.2 mm long.

Distribution and habitat : Queensland, New

South Wales, Victoria, South Australia,

Tasmania and Western Australia. In

Queensland the species has been recorded

from South Kennedy, Leichhardt, Port Curtis,

Burnett, Warrego, Maranoa, Darling Downs,

and Moreton pastoral districts. Found in moist

and dry areas in grassland and open forest.

Carex lophocarpa C.B.Clarke, Bull. Misc.

Info. Kew - Addit. Ser. 8: 69 (1908) [as

Tophocarpus’]. Type: [Queensland. Moreton

District:] Brisbane River, F.Mueller s.n. (syn:

n.v); [New South Wales.] Clarence River,

Wilcox s.n. (syn: n.v).

Carex inversa var. major (R.Br.) Benth., FI.

Austral. 7:438 (1878), nom.illeg. etsuperfl. non

Boott (1867). Type: [Queensland. Moreton

District:] Brisbane River, F.Mueller s.n.

(syn: n.v); New South Wales. Clarence River,

Wilcox s.n. (syn: n.v).

Perennial, with long-creeping rhizome,

monoecious, glabrous. Culms tufted, erect,

terete to trigonous; 40-100 cm long, 1.5-2.5

mm diameter. Leaves more than half the length

of the culm, erect, flat, 2-5 mm wide; sheath

pale to mid-brown, with a membranous ligule.

Involucral bracts foliaceous, erect, longer than

inflorescence, 4-17 cm long. Inflorescence

terminal, of 2-6 sessile spikes, 20-50 mm

long, proximal spike sometimes distant. Spikes

gynaecandrous; ovoid, with 50-100 spikelets;

5-17 mm long, 3-9 mm wide. Spikelets 1-

flowered, unisexual, clustered, 3-3.5 mm

long, 1.5-2 mm wide, brown to stramineous;

rachilla persistent, wingless. Glumes ovate

to broadly ovate, 4-5.4 mm long, 2-3 mm

wide, glabrous, membranous, keeled, with

a straight mucro. Stamens 3; anthers linear,

connective smooth. Style deciduous, 2-fid,

glabrous. Utricle concave-convex, ovoid,

3-5 mm long, 1.5-1.8 mm wide, pale brown,

longitudinally nerved, transversely wrinkled

Booth & Moore, Carex rhytidocarpa

between nerves; margins hispid; beak 1.5-2.5

mm long, hispid, bifid. Nut biconvex, ovoid

to broad ovoid, 1.8-2.1 mm long, 1.4-1.8 mm

wide, brown to dark brown, smooth, apex

mucronulate, mucro 0.1-0.2 mm long.

375

Distribution and habitat : Queensland and

New South Wales. In the former it has been

recorded from the Burnett, Darling Downs,

and Moreton pastoral districts. It is found in

damp places in forest and woodland.

Key to distinguish Carex inversa and C. lophocarpa in Queensland

Culm 5-50 cm long, 0.5-1.5 mm diameter; lamina 0.7-3 mm wide; nuts

broadly obovoid or broadly ellipsoid to orbicular, 1.2-1.8 mm long, beak

0.3-1.2 mm long.C. inversa

Culm 40-100 cm long, 1.5-2.5 mm diameter; lamina 2-5 mm wide; nuts

ovoid to broadly ovoid, 1.8-2.1 mm long, beak 1.5-2.5 mm long.C. lophocarpa

Acknowledgement

We thank Dr J. Wege, Australian Botanical

Liaison Officer at the Royal Botanic Gardens,

Kew for locating and photographing material

at the Natural History Museum, London.

References

Bentham, G. (1878). Cyperaceae. Flora Australiensis 7:

246-449. L.Reeve & Co.: London.

Boeckeler, J.O. (1875). Die Cyperaceen des Koniglichen

Herbariums zu Berlin. Linnaea 39: 1-152.

Boott, F.M.B. (1867). Illustrations of the genus Carex 4.

William Pamplin: London.

Brown, R. (1810). Prodromus Florae Nova Hollandiae.

Hafner Publishing Co.: New York, (facsimile).

Chapman, A.D. (1991). Australian Plant Name Index. A—

C. Volume 1. Australian Flora and Fauna Series

Number 12. Australian Biological Resources

Study: Canberra.

Clarke, C.B. (1908). New genera and species of

Cyperaceae. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information.

Additional Series 8. Royal Botanic Gardens

Kew: London.

Dowe, J.L. (2005). Ludwig Leichhardt’s Australian

plant collections, 1842-1847. Austrobaileya 7:

151-163.

Kukenthal, G. (1909). Cyperaceae. Das Pflanzenreich

38. H.R.Engelmann: Leipzig.

Nelmes, E. (1944). A key to the Australian species

of Carex (Cyperaceae). Proceedings of the

Linnean Society of London 155: 277-285.

Wilson, K. (1993). Carex. In G. Harden (ed.). Flora of

New South Wales 4: 395. New South Wales

University Press: Kensington.

Austrobaileya 7(2): 377-378

Short Communication

377

A new combination in Alphitonia Endl. (Rhamnaceae)

A.R. Bean

A.R.Bean, Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic Gardens,

Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia

The new combination Alphitonia

pomaderroides (Fenzl) A.R.Bean is made

based on Ziziphus pomaderroides Fenzl. The

type specimen of Z. pomaderroides Fenzl

(Fig. 1) is clearly referrable to the taxon

currently called Alphitonia obtusifolia Braid.

Therefore a new combination is required

based on the earlier legitimate name that was

overlooked by Braid (1925).

Alphitonia pomaderroides (Fenzl) A.R.Bean,

comb. nov.

Ziziphus pomaderroides Fenzl, Enum. PI.

(Endlicher) 20 (1837). Type: Cape Van

Diemen [Queensland, Mornington Island],

December 1802, F. Bauer s.n. (holo: W, photo

at BRI).

Alphitonia obtusifolia Braid, Bull. Misc.

Info. Kew 182 (1925). Type: “North Coast”

[Queensland, Sweer’s Island], November

1802, R. Brown s.n. (holo: K), syn. nov.

Additional selected specimens examined : Queensland.

Cook District: 20 km NW of Mt Garnet on road to

Lappa, Jan 1993, Bean 5484 & Forster (BRI, DNA,

MEL); Mungana N.P., NW of Chillagoe, Jan 1993,

Bean 5584 & Forster (BRI); 1.6 km from Rocky River

crossing towards Chester River, Jul 1978, Butler 271

(BRI, CANB, K, L); 8.2 km from Kennedy River on the

Fairview to Kimba road, Apr 1980, Clarkson 3185 (K,

MO, QRS); Cape York, around tourist lodge, Nov 1984,

Clarkson 5672 (QRS); Cholmondelay Creek crossing,

on Telegraph Line road, 11 km SW of Heathlands, Mar

1992, Johnson 5137 (BRI, DNA, MEL, NSW); near

granite gorge off Chewko road, near Mareeba, Apr 1990,

van der Werff11509 (MO, QRS). Burke District: 6 km

SW of Normanton, along the road to Magoura Station,

Apr 1974, Pullen 8847 (BRI, CANB); Sweers Island, 0.5

km S of Inscription Point, Nov 2002, Thomas SW155 &

Pedley (BRI, DNA); Appel Channel, Mornington Island,

Jun 1963, Tindale & Aitken s.n. (AD, BRI). Northern

Territory. 7 km W of Borroloola, Jun 1977, Must 1542

(BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L); Mt Young, Nathan River

Station, Jan 1989, Russell-Smith 6728 & Lucas (BRI,

DNA).

Distribution and habitat : Alphitonia

pomaderroides is common in north

Queensland, as far north as Heathlands

on Cape York peninsula and south to near

Croydon and Greenvale. It also occurs in the

adjacent parts of the Northern Territory as

far west as Nathan River Station. It inhabits

eucalypt woodland on sandy to loamy soils.

It is smaller than most other species in the

genus, often flowering when less than 2 m

high, but occasionally reaching 6 metres.

Phenology : Flowers are recorded between

January and May. Fruits are recorded between

April and November.

Affinities : Alphitonia pomaderroides is

related to A. excelsa (Fenzl) Benth. The leaves

of A. pomaderroides are broader, especially

on young plants, and they frequently have a

rusty tomentum, at least on the new growth,

but often persisting on mature leaves. The

apex of the leaves is frequently obtuse, but

this can vary, and some plants may display

a mixture of acute and obtuse leaves. The

flowers and fruits are somewhat larger than in

A. excelsa , but otherwise similar.

Notes : Bentham (1863) noted Ziziphus

pomaderroides and considered it a form

of Alphitonia excelsa restricted to the

Carpentaria islands.

References

Bentham, G. (1863). Alphitonia. Flora Australiensis 1:

414. L.Reeve & Co.: London.

Braid, K W. (1925). A revision of the genus Alphitonia.

Bull. Misc. Info. Kew 1925: 168-186.

Acknowledgement

Dr G.RGuymer photographed the type of

Ziziphus pomaderroides whilst Australian

Botanical Liaison Officer.

Accepted for publication 20 July 2006

378

Austrobaileya 7(2): 377-378

Fig. 1 . Holotype of Ziziphuspomaderroides Fenzl. at W.

Austrobaileya 7(2): 379

Short Communication

379

Jagera madida P.I.Forst. (Sapindaceae), a new name and

change of rank for J. javanica subsp. australiana Leenh.

Paul I. Forster

P I.Forster, Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic Gardens,

Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia. Email: paul.forster@epa.qld.gov.au

Jagera Blume has been considered to comprise

three species in Australia, namely J. discolor

L.S.Sm. ex S.T.Reynolds, J. javanica (Blume)

Blume ex Kalkman and J. pseudorhus

(A.Rich.) Radik. (Reynolds 1981, 1985). The

Australian populations of the second listed

species were identified firstly as J. serrata by

Reynolds (1981) and secondly as J. javanica

by Reynolds (1985), then subsequently

renamed as J. javanica subsp. australiana

by Leenhouts (1987). The two subspecies

of J. javanica were clearly distinguished by

Leenhouts (1987) on a combination of leaflet

number (9-15-jugate versus 13-40-jugate),

the absence or presence of crested petal scales

and the degree of hairiness of the staminal

filaments (densely hairy versus sparsely to

rather densely hairy in the lower part only).

The differences in leaflet number and the petal

scale morphology are considered sufficient to

justify elevating this taxon to specific rank.

The Australian populations are significantly

disjunct from those in New Guinea and

further afield in Malesia. Furthermore there

appear to be no examples of populations that

exhibit intermediate morphology.

Keys to distinguish this taxon from the

other species of Jagera in Australia, together

with descriptions are provided in Reynolds

(1981, 1985).

Jagera madida P.I.Forst., nom. & stat. nov.

Jagera javanica subsp. australiana Leenh.,

Blumea 32: 225 (1987). Type: Queensland.

Cook District: State Forest Reserve 143,

Little Mossman Logging Area, 6 June 1979,

B. Gray 1455 (holo: BRI; iso: L, QRS).

Jagera javanica auct., non (Blume) Blume ex

Kalkman; Reynolds (1985: 67).

Jagera serrata auct., non (Roxb.) Radik.;

Reynolds (1981:411).

Etymology : The replacement name is derived

from the Latin madidus (moist, wet, soaked)

and alludes to the habitat of the species in

moist, lowland rainforests in the Wet Tropics

bioregion of north-east Queensland. Elevation

of the subspecific epithet to species rank is

inappropriate due to the presence of two other

species in Australia.

References

Leenhouts, RW. (1987). A new subspecies of Jagera

javanica (Sapindaceae). Blumea 32: 225.

Reynolds, S.T. (1981). Notes on Sapindaceae in Australia,

1. Austrobaileya 1: 388-419.

Reynolds, S.T. (1985). Sapindaceae. In A S. George (ed.),

Flora of Australia 25: 4-101, 164. Australian

Government Publishing Service: Canberra.

Accepted for publication 27 June 2006

Austrobaileya 7(2): 381-382

Short Communication

381

Nomenclatural notes on Acacia Mill. (Leguminosae -

Mimosaceae), consequential to the conservation of its name

Les Pedley

L.Pedley, cl- Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic Gardens,

Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia.

At the XVII International Botanical Congress

in Vienna in 2005 the name Acacia Mill,

was conserved with A. penninervis Sieber ex

DC. as type, (see McNeill et al. 2005). If the

wide circumscription of Acacia is accepted in

the sense of Bentham (1864, 1874) and most

other subsequent authors (for example: Ross

1979; Neilsen 1992; Orchard & Wilson 2001),

the conservation of its name will have little

effect. One consequence, however, is that the

names, though not the circumscriptions, of

two of the three currently accepted subgenera

will change. Acacia subgenus Phyllodineae

(Type: A. penninervis Sieber ex DC.)

becomes Acacia subgenus Acacia and the

previous Acacia subgenus Acacia (Type: A.

nilotica (L.) Del.) appears to have no name.

The deficiency could be corrected in a few

lines, but it would be premature to do so here.

The conservation, which was approved by

fewer than half the votes at the Nomenclature

Session at Vienna (McNeill op.cit) has not

been well received by some parts of the

botanical community; see, for example, Moll

(2005). The imbroglio is not likely to be settled

before the XVIII International Botanical

Congress in 2011 when the International

Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) as

amended at the Vienna Congress (including

nomina conservanda) will have to be accepted.

Until then it would be prudent to preserve the

status quo as far as possible. The synopsis

of the genus Racosperma (Pedley 2003)

should therefore be disregarded. However,

the transfer of names of three taxa from

Racosperma is necessary, and an explanatory

note on another species is desirable. These

matters are addressed below.

Accepted for publication 23 August 2006

Acacia calligera (Pedley) Pedley, comb,

nov.

Racosperma calligerum Pedley, Austro¬

baileya 6 (3): 455 (2003).

Acacia ligulata var. minor (F.Muell.) Pedley,

comb. nov.

Acacia salicina var. minor F.Muell., J. Proc.

Linn. Soc., Bot. 3: 126 (1859); Racosperma

ligulatum var. minus (F.Muell.) Pedley,

Austrobaileya 3: 473 (2003).

Acacia serpentinicola (Maslin) Pedley,

comb, et stat. nov.

Acacia juncifolia subsp. serpentinicola

Maslin, Nuytsia 6: 47 (1994); Racosperma

serpentinicola (Maslin) Pedley, Austrobaileya

6 (3): 486 (2003).

Acacia eglandulosa DC , Prodr. 2:450 (1825).

Acacia cyclops A.Cunn. ex G.Don, Gen. Hist.

2: 404 (1832).

Acacia mirbelii Dehnh., Rivista Napol. 1: 168

(1839).

Cowan & Maslin (1999) considered it

possible that A. eglandulosa and A. cyclops

were conspecific. They left the resolution of

the species they treated as A. cyclops to a future

monographer. However, they had no doubt

about the status of A. mirbelii Dehnh. Though

they did not see type material, they decided

that the name A. mirbelii ‘surely refers to this

species’that is A. cyclops. They considered the

species to be ‘well known, easily recognised,

[and] widespread.’ Clearly they did not want

a name change. No monographer is likely to

appear and such a one would hardly have the

expertise of the two authors.

382

Austrobaileya 7(2): 381-382

The species is easily recognised and

without doubt A. cyclops and A. eglandulosa

are the same species. It seems that the authors

chose to disregard the priority provisions

of the Code to preserve a name in common

use. The whole issue of Names of Current

Use (NCUs) was widely debated at and after

the XV Botanical Conference at Tokyo. It

became the subject of two proposals to amend

the Code at the XVI Congress at Saint Louis

(Greuter 1998) where it was rejected (Greuter

etal. 2000: 114).

If the species has some economic or other

importance, a proposal to conserve the name

A. cyclops should be prepared.

References

Bentham, G. (1864). Acacia. FloraAustraliensis2. 301—

421. L.Reeve & Co.: London.

- (1874). Revision of the suborder Mimosieae.

Transactions of the Linnean Society, London

30:335-664.

Cowan,R.S. &Maslin,B.R. (1999). Acacia miscellany 17.

Miscellaneous new taxa and lectotypifications

in Western Australian Acacia , mostly section

Plurinerves. Nuytsia 12: 413-452.

Greuter, W. (1998). (86-87) Two proposals on Art. 15,

and report on the Standing Committee on Lists

of names in Common Use. Taxon 47: 895-898.

Greuter, W., Mcneill, J., Hawksworth, D.L. & Barrie,

F.R. (2000). Report on botanical nomenclature.

Saint Louis 1999. Englera 20.

Moll, E. (2005). Acacia for Africa! Veld & Flora 91(4):

178-179.

Mcneill, J., Stuessy, T.F., Turland N. J. & HOrandl, E.

(2005). XVII International Botanical Congress:

preliminary vote and report of Congress action

on nomenclatural proposals. Taxon 54: 1057-

1064.

Neilsen, I.C. (1992). Acacia. Flora Malesiana ser. I. 11:

34-64.

Orchard, A.E. & Wilson, A.J.G. (eds). (2001). Flora

of Australia Vols. 11A & 11B. Australian

Biological Resources Study: Canberra.

Pedley, L. (2003). A synopsis of Racosperma C.Mart.

(Leguminosae: Mimosoideae ). Austrobaileya

6: 445-496.

Ross, J.H. (1979). A conspectus of African Acacia

species. Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of

South Africa. 44: 1-155.

Austrobaileya 7(2): 383

Short Communication

383

Bryophyllum x houghtonii (D.B.Ward) P.I.Forst., a new

combination in Crassulaceae for the hybrid Mother of Millions

Paul I. Forster

P I.Forster, Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic Gardens,

Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia. Email: paul.forster@epa.qld.gov.au

The naturalised occurrence in Australia of

the hybrid Mother of Millions (Bryophyllum

daigremontianum (Raym.-Hamet& H.Perrier)

A.Berger x B.delagoense (Eckl. & J.Zeyh.)

Schinz) has been recognised for some time

(Stanley 1983; Forster 1985, 1992, 1996;

Hannan-Jones & Playford 2002; Hannan-

Jones 2005 et al.) with the earliest herbarium

collection at BRI from 1965. The taxon has

now been formally named at species rank

(Ward 2006), but the epithet is available only

in Kalanchoe. As noted by Forster (1997), the

genera Bryophyllum and Kalanchoe are easily

distinguished on morphological grounds.

To date limited molecular data supports the

continued recognition of the two genera

(Gehrig et al. 2001).

The necessary new combination for the

nothospecies is made here.

Bryophyllum x houghtonii (D.B.Ward)

P.I.Forst., comb. nov.

Kalanchoe x houghtonii D.B.Ward, Cact.

Succ. J. (US.) 78(2): 94 (2006). Type: U.S.A.,

Florida, central Merritt Island, Brevard Co.,

10 February 2000, D.B. Ward 10700 (holo:

FLAS; iso: FTG, NY, SD, US, USF [all n.v .])

Bryophyllum daigremontianum (Raym.-

Hamet & H.Perrier) A.Berger x B.delagoense

(Eckl. & J.Zeyh.) Schinz

References

Forster, PI. (1985). The genera Kalanchoe and

Bryophyllum in cultivation. Anacampseros 1:

37-41, 52-56, 2: 4-8.

- (1992). Notes on the naturalised flora of

Queensland, 2. Austrobaileya 3: 761-763.

- (1996). Naturalized succulents in the Australian

flora. Haseltonia 4: 57-65.

_ (1997). Notes on the naturalised flora of

Queensland, 3. Austrobaileya 5: 113-119.

Gehrig, H., Gaussmann, O., Marx, H., Schwarzott, D.

& Kluge, M. (2001). Molecular phylogeny of

the genus Kalanchoe (Crassulaceae) inferred

from nucleotide sequences of the ITS-1 and

ITS-2 regions. Plant Science 160: 827-835.

Hannan-Jones, M.A. & Playford, J.P. (2002). Biology

of Australian weeds. 40. Bryophyllum Salisb.

species. Plant Protection Quarterly 17: 42-57.

Hannan-Jones, M.A., Lowe, A. J., Scott, K.D., Graham,

G.C., Playford, J.P. & Zalucki, M.P. (2005).

Isolation and characterization of micro satellite

loci from mother-of-millions, Bryophyllum

delagoense (Crassulaceae), and its hybrid with

Bryophyllum daigremontianum, ‘Houghton’s

hybrid’. Molecular Ecology Notes 5: 770-773.

Stanley, T.D. (1983). Crassulaceae. In T.D. Stanley

& E.M. Ross (eds.). Flora of South-east

Queensland, 1: 217-219. Queensland

Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane.

Ward, D.B. (2006). A name for a hybrid Kalanchoe now

naturalized in Florida. Cactus & Succulent

Journal (U.S.) 78(2): 92-95.

Accepted for publication 9 August 2006

Austrobaileya 7(2): 385

Short Communication

385

Arthrochilus lavarackiana (D.L. Jones) Lavarack, a new combination in

Orchidaceae

P.S. Lavarack

P S.Lavarack, 37 Bay Street, Pallarenda, Queensland 4810, Australia

Phoringopsis lavarackiana D.L.Jones was

recently described from material collected

on Cape York Peninsula (Jones & Clements

2004). The genus Phoringopsis D.L.Jones &

M.A.Clem. was described in 2002 (Jones et

al. 2002) for certain species previously placed

in Arthrochilus F.Muell. As this species was

described after the description of the genus

Phoringopsis it does not have a name in the

genus Arthrochilus. The genus Phoringopsis

has not been widely accepted as being distinct

from Arthrochilus so a new combination is

hereby provided within the earlier described

genus.

Arthrochilus lavarackiana (D.L.Jones)

Lavarack, comb. nov.

Phoringopsis lavarackiana D.L.Jones,

Orchadian 14(8) Scientific Suppl: xi (2004).

References

Jones, D.L. & Clements, M.A. (2004). Miscellaneous

new species, new genera, reinstated genera and

new combinations in Australian Orchidaceae.

Orchadian 14(8) Scientific Supplement: i-xvi.

Jones, D.L., Clements, M.A., Sharma, I K., Mackenzie,

A.M. & Molloy, B.P.J. (2002). Nomenclatural

notes arising from studies into the tribe

Diurideae (Orchidaceae). Orchadian 13(10):

437-468.

Accepted for publication 26 September 2006

Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-385

Jagera madida P.I.Forst. (Sapindaceae), a new name and change of rank for

J. javanica subsp. australiana Leenh.

P.I. Forster .379

Nomenclatural notes on Acacia Mill. (Leguminosae - Mimosoideae ),

consequential to the conservation of its name

L.Pedley . 381-382

Bryophyllum x houghtonii (D.B.Ward) P.I.Forst., a new combination in

Crassulaceae for the hybrid Mother of Millions

P.I. Forster .383

Arthrochilus lavarackiana (D.L.Jones) Lavarack, a new combination in

Orchidaceae

P.S. Lavarack . 385

Austrobaileya 7(2): 253-385

Contents

A taxonomic revision of Ixora R.Br. (Rubiaceae: Ixoroideae ) in Australia

S.T. Reynolds & P.I. Forster . 253-278

Mischarytera megaphylla RI.Forst. (Sapindaceae), a new species from the

‘Wet Tropics’ of north-east Queensland

P.I. Forster . 279-283

Synima reynoldsiae RI.Forst. (Sapindaceae), a new species from the ‘Wet

Tropics’ of north-east Queensland

P.I. Forster . 285-291

Cupaniopsispapillosa RI.Forst. (Sapindaceae), a new species from the ‘Wet

Tropics’ of north-east Queensland

P.I. Forster . 293-298

Cryptandra triplex K.R.Thiele ex Kellermann, a new species of Rhamnaceae

(Pomaderreae ) from Arnhem Land, Northern Territory

J. Kellermann . 299-303

Eucalyptus megasepala A.R.Bean (Myrtaceae), a new species from

Queensland allied to E. tetrodonta F.Muell.

A.R. Bean . 305-310

The enigmatic Ipomoea polpha R.W. Johnson (Convolvulaceae)

R. W. Johnson .311-317

Nepenthes tenax C.Clarke & R.Kruger (Nepenthaceae), a new species from

Cape York Peninsula, Queensland

C. Clarke & R. Kruger .319-324

New species of Gossia N.Snow & Guymer and Rhodomyrtus (DC.) Hassk.

(Myrtaceae) from Papua New Guinea

N.Snow . 325-340

Chromosome records for four species of Pellaea section Platyloma (J.Sm.)

Hook. & Baker (Adiantaceae) from Australia

G. Kokubugata, P.D. Bostock & P.I. Forster . 341-345

Notes on Acacia Mill. (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae ), chiefly from

Queensland, 5

L.Pedley . 347-356

Gynochthodes oresbia Halford & A.J.Ford (Rubiaceae), a new and cryptic

species from north-east Queensland

A.J. Ford &D. A. Halford . 357-364

Three new species of Commersonia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Sterculiaceae)

from Queensland

G.P. Guymer . 365-372

Reduction of Carex rhytidocarpa Nelmes (Cyperaceae) to a synonym of

C. inversa R.Br.

R. Booth & D. Moore . 343-375

A new combination in Alphitonia Endl. (Rhamnaceae)

A.R. Bean . 377-378

(continued inside back cover)