We dedicate this issue of NUYTSIA to the memory of our friend and colleague, Jennifer Anne Chappill. Jenny made significant contributions to both our knowledge of the Western Australian flora and to the local systematics community, and it is fitting that she be honoured in this way.
Coprinopsis stangliana - a recently introduced fungus expanding in urban bushlands of the Perth region of Western Australia
Successively for the past ten years a distinctive, large fungus superficially resembling the northern hemisphere Magpie Fungus Coprinopsis picacea syn. Coprinus picaceus has been observed for the first time in Western Australia (WA). The fungus is a member of the section Coprinus subsection Alachuani. Based on morphological and habitat attributes, the WA fungus is considered in this paper to be affiliated with Coprinopsis stangliana syn. Coprinus stanglianus. C. stangliana is known from calcareous soil, limestone, and chalk in Europe and Turkey, but has not been confirmed in Australia. In WA, C. stangliana generally has larger fruit bodies than reported for this species elsewhere. The fungus produces abundant fruit bodies in highly disturbed patches within numerous urban bushlands of the Perth region. The apparent recent establishment of such a conspicuous fungus, and observations of its fruiting patterns over successive years suggest that it is rapidly spreading following a relatively recent introduction into the Perth region.
Logania wendyae (Loganiaceae), a new species from south-west Western Australia
CRANFIELD, R.J. AND KEIGHERY, G.J., Nuytsia16 (1): 11–14 (2006)
Logania wendyae Cranfield & Keighery, a new species endemic to the Jarrah Forest bioregion of south-western Western Australia is described, illustrated and mapped.
Boronia barrettiorum (Boronia subseries Filicifoliae: Rutaceae), a new species from the Kimberley Region of north-western Australia
Boronia barrettiorum Duretto sp. nov. (Boronia subseries Filicifoliae: Rutaceae) is described and its relationships discussed. Variation in B. pauciflora W.Fitz. is also discussed and a key to the species of Boronia found in the Kimberley Region is provided.
Reinstatement of Patersonia occidentalis var. angustifolia and Patersonia occidentalis var. latifolia (Iridaceae)
Patersonia occidentalis R.Br. var. angustifolia Benth. and Patersonia occidentalis R.Br. var. latifolia (F.Muell.)Benth. are reinstated and a lectotype for P. occidentalis var. angustifolia is selected. Both P. occidentalis var. angustifolia and P. occidentalis var. latifolia are endemic to south-west Western Australia. P. occidentalis var. angustifolia occurs along drainage lines and in seasonal swamps while P. occidentalis var. latifolia occurs in drier habitats generally on clays or loams associated with laterite, granite or sandstone. The three varieties can be separated using a combination of leaf width, scape length and leaf aspect ratio.
Contributions to Western Australian orchidology: 3. New and reinstated taxa in Eriochilus
HOPPER, STEPHEN D. AND BROWN, A.P., Nuytsia16 (1): 29–61 (2006)
The systematics of Western Australian members of Brown’s (1810) genus Eriochilus R.Br. has been controversial, confused and poorly understood. This paper provides a revision drawing upon recent fieldwork, collections and herbarium studies that considerably resolve the taxonomic situation. We describe the following taxa as new: E. helonomos, E. pulchellus, E. valens, E. dilatatus subsp. magnus, E. dilatatus subsp. orientalis, E. dilatatus subsp. undulatus, and E. scaber subsp. orbifolia. New combinations are E. dilatatus Lindley subsp. multiflorus (Lindley) Hopper and A.P. Br. and E. dilatatus Lindley subsp. brevifolius (Benth.) Hopper and A.P. Br. The genus is thus enlarged in Western Australia to 6 species. E. dilatatus is geographically variable, now with six subspecies. E. scaber subsp. orbifolia is the only threatened taxon in Western Australia, known from a single locality near Walpole.
New species of Xanthoria (Teloschistaceae) from Australia
KONDRATYUK, S.Y.,KÄRNEFELT, E.I. AND THELL, A., Nuytsia16 (1): 63–76 (2006)
Xanthoria elixii S. Kondr. & Kärnefelt, sp. nov. and X. streimannii S. Kondr. & Kärnefelt, sp. nov. are described, illustrated and compared with allied taxa, and a detailed description of the common and widespread species X. filsonii Elix is also given. A key to Australian taxa of Xanthoria is provided.
A new species of Tribonanthes (Haemodoraceae) from saline wetland margins in Western Australia
LYONS, M.N. AND KEIGHERY, G.J., Nuytsia16 (1): 77–80 (2006)
A new species, Tribonanthes minor, is described and illustrated. The new species is confined to the sandy margins of primary saline lake systems in southern Western Australia.
Acacia splendens (Leguminosae : Mimosoideae), a new rare species from near Dandaragan, Western Australia
MASLIN, B.R. AND ELLIOTT, C.P., Nuytsia16 (1): 81–86 (2006)
A new species, Acacia splendens Maslin & C.P. Elliott, is described and illustrated. It is most closely related to A. microbotrya Benth. and A. daphnifolia Meisn. and is geographically restricted to near Dandaragan, Western Australia. Acacia splendens is Declared Rare Flora (ranked as Endangered) under the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and is also listed as Endangered under Commonwealth legislation.
Formal recognition of Eucalyptus platydisca (Myrtaceae), an arid-zone monocalypt from south-western Australia
NICOLLE, D. AND BROOKER, M.I.H., Nuytsia16 (1): 87–94 (2006)
The new species Eucalyptus platydisca is formally described, the species having been long recognised as a distinct taxon under the manuscript name E. platydisca and under various phrase names including the common name Jimberlana mallee. The new species is known from just two populations near Norseman in Western Australia and is included in Western Australia’s Schedule of Declared Rare (Endangered) Flora. The new species is closely related to, but readily distinguishable from, E. diversifolia, differing in the narrower juvenile leaves, the consistently 7-flowered inflorescences, the longer, conical to horn-shaped operculum, the broader fruits with a consistently broad disc and the granite hill habitat. Eucalyptus platydisca is probably a relictual species and occurs in the lowest rainfall environment of any monocalypt (Eucalyptus subgenus Eucalyptus). The new species is part of E. subser. Neuropterae, and a key for the subseries is presented.
A review of the tuberous Calandrinia species (section Tuberosae), including three new species for Western Australia
Background on the current systematic status of Australian Calandrinia is explained. Three new species of section Tuberosae von Poellnitz are described and illustrated: Calandrinia crispisepala Obbens, C. kalanniensis Obbens and C. translucens Obbens. A key to section Tuberosae is provided. Additional descriptive material for the previously named species is provided along with notes that explain the important differences and similarities between the six species now belonging to this section.
A partial revision of the south-western Australian species of Micromyrtus (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae)
This partial revision of the genus Micromyrtus Benth., deals mainly with species that have a ten-ribbed hypanthium, but excludes the M. racemosa complex. All of the new species are endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Eight taxa are named: M. acuta Rye, M. chrysodema Rye, M. clavata J.W. Green ex Rye, M. elobata subsp. scopula Rye, M. placoides Rye, M. navicularis Rye, M. redita Rye and M. triptycha Rye. A key is given for Western Australian members of the genus. Micromyrtus is compared with its close relative Corynanthera J.W. Green, and the morphological specialisations of both genera and their possible affinities to other genera in tribe Chamelaucieae are discussed. The compressed winged diaspore of Corynanthera, which has the peduncle fused to both the bracteoles and fruit, is of particular interest, and an illustration compares it with diaspores from five- and ten-ribbed species of Micromyrtus.
New combinations and lectotypifications for the south-western Australian genus Astartea (Myrtaceae)
Three new combinations, Astartea affinis (Endl.) Rye, A. arbuscula (Benth.) Rye and A. astarteoides (Benth.) Rye, are made for species that were initially described in the genus Baeckea L. Lectotypes are selected for two of the base names, Baeckea affinis Endl. (including its synonym Astartea endlicheriana Schauer nom. illeg.) and B. astarteoides Benth., and also for Astartea laricifolia Schauer.
Three new species of Lechenaultia (Goodeniaceae) from south-west Western Australia, and a new key to the genus
The new species, Lechenaultia galactites L.W. Sage, L. magnifica L.W. Sage and L. hortii L.W. Sage are described and illustrated. All three species are known from the South West Botanical province of Western Australia and all have conservation priority. A new key to Lechenaultia is provided.
New taxa of Goodenia subgenus Goodenia section Caeruleae subsection Scaevolina (Goodeniaceae), from the Eremaean Botanical Province of Western Australia
SAGE, L.W. AND ALBRECHT, D.E., Nuytsia16 (1): 167–174 (2006)
Goodenia hartiana L.W. Sage and G. azurea subsp. hesperia L.W. Sage & Albr. are described, illustrated and mapped with notes on the distribution, conservation status, habitat preferences and relationships to other taxa. Keys to distinguish the new taxa are also provided.
Lasiopetalum pterocarpum (Malvaceae s.l.: Lasiopetaleae), a new and and rare species from south-west Western Australia
Lasiopetalum pterocarpum E.M. Benn. & K.A. Sheph. sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The distinct winged fruit, for which L. pterocarpum is named, is unique within Lasiopetaleae. Lasiopetalum pterocarpum is allied to L. floribundum, which shares a similar habit, large ovate leaves and loose dichasial inflorescences. It can be readily distinguished from L. floribundum by its discolorous and strongly-lobed leaves, the absence of glandular hairs on the peduncles, and its larger seeds. This species is known from only one population south of Perth and is classified as critically endangered.
Stylidium diplotrichum (Stylidiaceae): a new scale-leaved trigger plant from south-west Western Australia, with taxonomic and anatomical notes on allied species
A new scale-leaved trigger plant with conservation priority, Stylidium diplotrichum Wege, is described and illustrated. Revised taxonomic descriptions and notes are also provided for the priority species S. pseudohirsutum Mildbr. and S. expeditionis Carlquist, and the more commonly occurring S. hirsutum R.Br. and S. crossocephalum F.Muell. Leaf anatomy data are provided for all species. The location of the stomata is shown to be taxonomically informative.
Reinstatement of Stylidium rigidulum (Stylidiaceae), with notes on the morphologically allied S. kalbarriense
Stylidium macrocarpum (Benth.) F.L.Erickson & J.H.Willis and S. leptophyllum DC. var. glabrescens Mildbr. are placed into synonymy under S. rigidulum Sond. and a revised taxonomic description provided. A modified description is also provided for the morphologically allied S. kalbarriense Lowrie & Kenneally. A chromosome number of n = 13 is reported for S. kalbarriense, and a count of n = 11 confirmed for S. rigidulum. These species are noted to grow in sympatry east of Dongara. Both taxa are susceptible to infection by the rust Puccinia stylidii McAlpine.
Taxonomic notes on the locket trigger plants from Stylidium subgenus Tolypangium section Repentes
Two new trigger plants from south-west Western Australia, Stylidium perula Wege and Stylidium thylax Wege, are described and illustrated. Revised descriptions are provided for the morphologically allied S. sacculatum F.L.Erickson & J.H.Willis and S. pseudosacculatum Lowrie, A.H. Burb. & Kenneally. Features of trichome structure are argued to provide important taxonomic characters at the species level in Stylidium. The morphology and function of the column cunabulum is explored.
Taxonomic observations on the Stylidium leptocalyx complex (Stylidiaceae)
The name Stylidium leptocalyx Sond. has been misapplied for many years. This trigger plant is now recognised to be of restricted distribution in the wandoo country south-west of York, and is characterised by pink flowers with linear calyx lobes, arranged in a loose, corymb-like raceme. Stylidium stenosepalum E.Pritz. is reinstated to account for the northern sandplain entity previously known as S. leptocalyx. This species differs from S. leptocalyx in possessing white flowers with a longer corolla tube and column. Amended descriptions and floral images are provided for both species, along with the morphologically-allied S. scabridum Lindl.
Taxonomic observations on Stylidium spathulatum (Stylidiaceae), with the description of three allied species from section Saxifragoidea
Stylidium spathulatum R.Br. (n=14) is lectotypified and a revised species description provided. On the basis of cytological and morphological evidence Stylidium planirosulum Wege (n=13) and S. glandulosissimum Wege (n=13) are described as new. A third morphologically allied species with conservation priority, Stylidium gloeophyllum Wege, is also described. Variation in trichome structure and distribution is shown to be highly diagnostic. Illustrations are provided for the three new species.
Stylidium hymenocraspedum (Stylidiaceae) - a new species for Western Australia, and the lectotypification of S. maitlandianum
A new species of trigger plant with conservation priority, Stylidium hymenocraspedum Wege, is described and illustrated. The morphologically allied S. maitlandianum E.Pritz. is lectotypified and an amended taxonomic description provided.
Rhetinocarpha (Asteraceae : Gnaphalieae) - a new genus from Western Australia
WILSON, PAUL G. AND WILSON, M.A., Nuytsia16 (1): 255–260 (2006)
Myriocephalus suffruticosus Benth. is transferred to a new genus Rhetinocarpha Paul G. Wilson & M.A. Wilson. One new species combination is made: R. suffruticosa (Benth.) Paul G. Wilson & M.A. Wilson.
Volume 16 Number 2 (23 November 2007)
A new rare and geographically restricted Ptilotus (Amaranthaceae) from the Pilbara Bioregion of Western Australia
A distinctive, rare and geographically restricted species, Ptilotus subspinescens R.W. Davis (Amaranthaceae), is described from the Pilbara Bioregion of Western Australia. Ptilotus subspinescens is only known from several small populations adjacent to the Brockman mine site, 100 km west-south-west of Wittenoom.
Ficus carpentariensis - a new sandpaper fig for northern Australia and a revision of the F. opposita complex (Moraceae: Ficus subg. Ficus sect. Sycidium informal group F. copiosa)
The Ficus opposita Miq. complex is revised. Four taxa in three species are recognized, F. opposita from Queensland and Papua New Guinea, Ficus aculeata Miq. with two varieties, one, var. aculeata occurring across the tropical north of Australia, the other, var. indecora (Miq.) D.J. Dixon restricted to the Northern Territory and Western Australia. A new species Ficus carpentariensis D.J. Dixon which is endemic to the Northern Territory is described. A key to identification is provided along with distribution and habitat and typification notes. Type material has been lectotypified where necessary.
A new species and a new combination in Acrotriche (Ericaceae: Styphelioideae: Styphelieae), with keys to the Western Australian members of the genus and its closest relative Lissanthe
Descriptions, illustrations and distribution maps are given for a new species, Acrotriche lancifolia Hislop and its closest relative A. patula R.Br. with which it has hitherto been confused. A lectotype is also selected for A. patula. A new combination, A. parviflora (Stschegl.) Hislop is made. The case is argued for the removal of A. depressa R.Br. from the West Australian plant census. Keys are provided at the generic level to separate Acrotriche R.Br. from Lissanthe R.Br. and at the species level for all Western Australian members of these two related genera.
Blackallia, Serichonus and Papistylus: three closely related genera of Rhamnaceae (Pomaderreae) from south-western Australia
KELLERMANN, J.,RYE, B.L. AND THIELE, K.R., Nuytsia16 (2): 299–316 (2007)
Recent molecular and morphological studies of Pomaderreae indicate that a number of species that have traditionally been of uncertain affinity require new genera. Blackallia C.A. Gardner is lectotypified and restricted to one species, B. nudiflora (F. Muell.) Rye & Kellermann, for which a new combination is made. Two new genera are described, Serichonus K.R. Thiele comprising the single species S. gracilipes (Diels) K.R. Thiele, and Papistylus Kellermann, Rye & K.R. Thiele with two species, P. grandiflorus (C.A. Gardner) Kellermann, Rye & K.R. Thiele and the new species P. intropubens Rye. All three genera are restricted to the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia. They are closely related but can be readily distinguished from one another by some significant morphological differences, especially in their inflorescences. A revised key to the genera of Pomaderreae is presented and lectotypes are chosen for B. nudiflora and S. gracilipes.
A new species of Hypoxis (Hypoxidaceae) from saline wetland margins in Western Australia
LYONS, M.N. AND KEIGHERY, G.J., Nuytsia16 (2): 317–320 (2007)
A new species, Hypoxis salina Lyons & Keighery, is described and illustrated. The species is confined to the margins of naturally saline wetlands in the Mallee Bioregion of southern Western Australia.
Drosera gibsonii (Droseraceae), a new Pygmy Drosera from south-west Western Australia
Drosera gibsonii (Drosera subgenus Rorella section Lamprolepis) is described from the Stirling Range National Park. Its closest relative is Drosera silvicola Lowrie & Carlquist and the features that distinguish this taxon from Drosera gibsonii are presented together with its habitat preferences and conservation status.
New species and keys for Cryptandra and Stenanthemum (Rhamnaceae) in Western Australia
A generic key for the Rhamnaceae of central and southern Western Australia and keys to Western Australian members of Cryptandra Sm. and Stenanthemum Reissek are given. Two taxa previously described as varieties are raised to the species level with the new combination Cryptandra intermedia (Rye) Rye and the new name C. multispina Rye. The new taxa Cryptandra beverleyensis Rye, C. craigiae Rye, C. crispula Rye, C. dielsii C.A. Gardner ex Rye, C. exserta Rye, C. imbricata Rye, C. inconspicua Rye, C. pendula Rye, C. micrantha Rye, C. stellulata Rye, Stenanthemum bremerense Rye, S. pumilum subsp. majus Rye, S. radiatum Rye and S. yorkense Rye are described. Lectotypes are selected for Cryptandra connata C.A. Gardner and for the base name of Cryptandra sect. Wichurea Benth. Some of the newly named taxa are illustrated, distribution maps are given for the south-western species of Cryptandra and new taxa in Stenanthemum, and the distribution patterns of the south-western genera are discussed in relation to their morphology. There is also a generic description for Cryptandra, and new data are given for a few of the previously described taxa in both genera.
Tecticornia bibenda (Chenopodiaceae: Salicornioideae), a new C4 samphire from the Little Sandy Desert, Western Australia
SHEPHERD, K.A. AND VAN LEEUWEN, S., Nuytsia16 (2): 383–391 (2007)
Tecticornia bibenda K.A. Sheph. & S.J. van Leeuwen, a new species of conservation significance is described and illustrated. Previously Tecticornia indica (Willd.) K.A. Sheph. & Paul G. Wilson (formerly Halosarcia indica (Willd.) Paul G. Wilson) was the only member of the Salicornioideae that was known to have a modified Kranz anatomy indicative of the C4 photosynthetic pathway. Anatomical evidence indicates that T. bibenda shares a similar modifi ed anatomy. While T. bibenda is related to T. indica, it is distinguished by the presence of unusually large vegetative and fertile articles and having paired cymes of (4)5–7 flowers rather than the more typical 3-flowered cymes. This species is restricted to the flood zones and fringing spinifex/samphire heath of several gypsiferous playa and salt lake systems in the Little Sandy Desert of Western Australia. Due to its restricted distribution this species has a Priority three conservation status.
A revision of the Western Australian genus Agonis (Myrtaceae) and two new segregate genera Taxandria and Paragonis
WHEELER, J.R. AND MARCHANT, N.G., Nuytsia16 (2): 393–433 (2007)
Two new genera, Taxandria (Benth.) J.R. Wheeler & N.G. Marchant (11 species) and the monotypic Paragonis J.R.Wheeler & N.G. Marchant are segregated from Agonis (DC.) Sweet s. str. (4 species). The three genera are revised; all are endemic to the south-west of Western Australia and together comprise 16 species. Two new species are described, two species reinstated and several new combinations and lectotypifications are made. Keys are provided to the three genera and their taxa. All taxa are illustrated and mapped.
Two new native species, Puccinellia longior and P. vassica, have been identified from Western Australia. P. longior is restricted to the outer edges of salt lakes and salt-affected pasture land along the lower western margin of the southwest wheatbelt region in WA, and has also been collected from a saline wetland reserve in southeast South Australia. P. vassica is endemic to the outer edges of marine saltmarsh in reserved areas of the Leschenault Inlet near Bunbury. It was previously known from the nearby Vasse-Wonnerup saltmarsh near Busselton but is now extinct there because engineering works have reduced the marine influence in the estuary. It may be on the verge of extinction in the Leschenault Inlet also because (a) it lives on the outer edge of the high tide influence and is thus prone to weed invasion from non-saline areas, (b) its culms disintegrate almost entirely each year so it provides little resistance to competition, and (c) it has a low recruitment rate, with only a few scattered plants surviving at each site. The most common species is Puccinellia stricta, which occurs on the margins of salt lakes and salt-affected pastoral land throughout the southwest wheatbelt region, from Hutt River in the north to the Esperance region in the east. WA collections of this species differ from those elsewhere in southern Australasia, but in a continuous way that did not easily yield taxonomic distinction. The main source of variation is probably that the WA habitats all have to endure long summer drought each year. The agriculturally introduced Middle-Eastern species P. ciliata is well naturalized in saline lands in southwest WA, and a single collection of the introduced P. gigantea is recorded. Other introduced species appear to have not survived.
Occurrence and status of Pentapogon quadrifidus (Poaceae) in Western Australia
MACFARLANE, T.D. AND HEARN, R.W., Nuytsia16 (2): 469–471 (2007)
Pentapogon quadrifidus is thus known from three separate locations where it grows in consistent habitats among native vegetation in good condition. At each site it is scattered through the vegetation at varying densities but never dominating. From this pattern we concluded that the species is most likely to be native to Western Australia. We assume that it has been overlooked because it occurs in only a few sites, is inconspicuous, and superfi cially resembles Austrodanthonia species, especially A. setacea. Because of its apparently localised distribution it had a Priority 1 conservation rating for Western Australia in Atkins (2006). It is now considered to carry a Conservation Code for Western Australian Flora: Priority 2 following the discovery of the population in a nature reserve. This survey has achieved some of the management requirements listed for this species by Hearn et al. (2006).
Agrostis castellana (Poaceae) mis-identified as A. capillaris var. aristata in Western Australia
MACFARLANE, T.D. AND WILLIAMS, A.R., Nuytsia16 (2): 472 (2007)
In the process of assisting with the updating of Western Weeds: a Guide to the Weeds of Western Australia (Hussey & Keighery 1997) we became aware that Batson (1998) had identified Agrostis castellana Bois. et Reuter as the dominant species in ‘bent grass’ pastures in South-eastern Australia, which had previously been reported as being dominated by A. capillaris L. (syn. A. tenuis Sibth.).
Recombinations in Western Australian Orchidaceae 1
THIELE, K.R. AND BROWN, A.P., Nuytsia16 (2): 473–474 (2007)
Two new species from Western Australia were recently described under the segregate genera Hydrorchis (Jones and Brockman 2005) (= Microtis) and Oligochaetochilus (Jones 2004) (= Pterostylis). This paper provides the necessary recombinations of these new taxa into the genera accepted at PERTH, in order that they may be dealt with adequately in Western Australia. Future short communications in this series will deal with any further taxa so described, until a broadly accepted consensus is reached with respect to the boundaries of these genera.
Further recombinations of Dryandra into Banksia
THIELE, K.R. AND MAST, A.R., Nuytsia16 (2): 475 (2007)
Mast and Thiele (2007), in order to resolve a problem caused by the paraphyly of Dryandra with respect to Banksia, reduced the former genus to a synonym of the latter, and published new combinations for the majority of Dryandra taxa in Banksia. However, a paper by George (2005), describing one new species and five new infraspecies of Dryandra, was overlooked at the time. Accordingly, these taxa require new combinations in Banksia.