Review of nomenclature for Actinidiaceae in Australia

A lectotype is chosen for Australia’s only native species of Actinidiaceae, Dillenia andreana F.Muell. A case is made for Saurauia andreana (F.Muell.) Oliv. ex F.Muell. to be treated as a new combination based on Dillenia andreana rather than as the name of a new taxon. Notes are provided on the classification of Yang-tao (Chinese Gooseberry or Kiwifruit), Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa (A.Chev.) A.Chev., a taxon occasionally naturalised in Australia, for use on the online Flora of Australia.

Progress towards resolution of the Indigofera monophylla complex (Fabaceae: Faboideae)

The application of the name Indigofera monophylla is clarified by reference to the type held in the Geneva herbarium and a revised description provided. The name has been widely applied to plants with rounded, unifoliolate leaves and some workers have suggested that there are multiple species within this broadly defined group. One of these, with restricted distribution within the Pilbara bioregion, has previously been given the phrase name Indigofera sp. Bungaroo Creek (S. van Leeuwen 4301) and is formally named here as Indigofera rivularis Peter G.Wilson. Two additional species in this complex are also described: Indigofera deserticola Peter G.Wilson & Rowe, is a species of sandplains occurring within the Great Sandy Desert and Dampierland Bioregions, and Indigofera rotula Peter G.Wilson, which is a species with smaller leaves and flowers that occurs primarily in areas south of the Pilbara. A key to these species is provided.

Lechenaultia peregrina, a new species of Goodeniaceae from northern Australia, New Guinea and the Moluccas

Morphological studies of Lechenaultia filiformis R.Br. have determined that more than one taxon is presently included under that name. We here recognise the suite of disjunct populations from north-east Queensland, north-east Northern Territory, New Guinea and the Moluccas as a new species, Lechenaultia peregrina R.W.Jobson & R.L.Barrett. This is the third tropical species of Lechenaultia currently recognised, however further studies are required to assess the status of about five additional entities in the Northern Territory and Western Australia currently included in L. filiformis s.l. Seed article morphology is critical for species delimitation in tropical Lechenaultia, but seed articles are often absent from collections, or only immature, as they fall quickly once ripe.

The moss family Calymperaceae (Bryophyta) in Australia Part 1: Introduction and key to genera

This paper is the first of five constituting a synopsis of the family Calymperaceae for Australia. An expanded concept of the family is followed, including Arthrocormus, Exostratum and Leucophanes as well as the traditional genera Calymperes, Mitthyridium and Syrrhopodon. A key to genera is provided.

A review of Dendrobium kingianum Bidwill ex Lindl. (Orchidaceae) with morphological and molecularphylogenetic analyses

Populations of Dendrobium kingianum Bidwill ex Lindl. from near Newcastle, New South Wales to southern and central west Queensland and encompassing all regions of the distribution were studied using field observations, morphometric analysis and nrITS sequences. A total of 281 individuals were used to construct regional descriptions of D. kingianum and 139 individuals were measured for 19 morphological characters, and similarities and differences among specimens summarised using multivariate statistical methods. Patterns of morphological variation within D. kingianum are consistent with a single variable species that expresses clinal variation, with short-growing plants in the south and taller plants in the northern part of the distribution. The nrITS gene tree suggests two subgroups within D. kingianum subsp. kingianum, one comprising northern, the other southern individuals, which may overlap in the vicinity of Dorrigo, New South Wales. The disjunct D. kingianum subsp. carnarvonense Peter B. Adams in central west Queensland, which can be distinguished by a predominately subterranean habit and a narrower labellum midlobe, was resolved sister to D. moorei F.Muell., which renders D. kingianum paraphyletic in the nrITS gene tree, but this position was not supported. Regional descriptions documenting clinal variation are provided. All previously described varieties, including D. kingianum var. pulcherrimum Rupp, are colour and growth forms of D. kingianum subsp. kingianum.

Contribution to the bryoflora of Australia, V. Radula tonitrua sp. nov. from Queensland

Study of two recognised geographic lineages within Radula novae-hollandiae sens. lat. have resulted in the detection of morphological differences between individuals from the Queensland Wet Tropics, and those from New South Wales. Individuals from the Wet Tropics have perianths that are shorter at maturity (1.6–2.0 v. 3.8–4.4 mm), leaf lobes that usually bear numerous marginal gemmae, and leaf-lobules that are smaller and more quadrate. The morphological differences, particularly in perianth length, were not fully appreciated previously and provide evidence supporting the recognition of the Queensland Wet Tropics lineage as a distinct and new species, Radula tonitrua, which is here described. The degree of phylogenetic divergence and fixed molecular difference between R. tonitrua and R. novae-hollandiae, are comparable with the separation observed between R. ocellata and R. pulchella, another species pair exhibiting the same geographic disjunction.

Revision of generic concepts in Schoeneae subtribe Tricostulariinae (Cyperaceae) with a new genus Ammothryon and new species of Tricostularia

The Tricostularia Nees ex Lehm. group of genera is reviewed and formally recognised as Cyperaceae tribe Schoeneae subtribe Tricostulariinae R.L.Barrett, K.L.Wilson & J.J.Bruhl. Molecular data from plastid rbcL and trnL–F and nuclear ITS and ETS regions are combined with a novel assessment of morphological characters to support our new classification. Six genera are included: a new genus, Ammothryon R.L.Barrett, K.L.Wilson & J.J.Bruhl, and the named genera Chaetospora R.Br., Morelotia Gaudich., Tetraria P.Beauv., Tricostularia, and Xyroschoenus Larridon. Ammothryon, Chaetospora and Tricostularia are all endemic to southern Australia. Morelotia has one species each in Hawaii, French Polynesia and New Zealand, and three species in southwest Western Australia. Tetraria has a disjunct distribution in Southern Africa, Borneo, New Guinea and New Caledonia. Xyroschoenus is endemic to the Seychelles. Tetrariopsis C.B.Clarke (based on Tetrariopsis octandra (Nees) C.B.Clarke) is included under an expanded concept of Morelotia, which also includes Tetraria australiensis C.B.Clarke and Tetraria microcarpa S.T.Blake from south-west Western Australia. Tricostularia bennettiana R.L.Barrett & K.L.Wilson, Tricostularia davisii R.L.Barrett & K.L.Wilson, Tricostularia lepschii R.L.Barrett & K.L.Wilson, Tricostularia newbeyi R.L.Barrett & K.L.Wilson, and Tricostularia sandifordiana R.L.Barrett & K.L.Wilson are described as new species from south-west Western Australia. The following new combinations are made: Ammothryon grandiflorum (Nees ex Lehm.) R.L.Barrett, K.L.Wilson & J.J.Bruhl, Morelotia australiensis (C.B.Clarke) R.L.Barrett & K.L.Wilson, Morelotia microcarpa (S.T.Blake) R.L.Barrett & K.L.Wilson, Morelotia octandra (Nees) R.L.Barrett & J.J.Bruhl and Tricostularia drummondii (Steud.) R.L.Barrett & K.L.Wilson. Tricostularia drummondii is reinstated from synonymy (formerly Discopodium drummondii Steud.), having previously been confused with T. exsul (C.B.Clarke) K.L.Wilson & R.L.Barrett. Lectotypes are selected for Chaetospora flexuosa var. gracilis Boeckeler, Discopodium drummondii Steud., Elynanthus grandiflorus Nees ex Lehm., Lampocarya affinis Brongn., Lepidosperma exsul C.B.Clarke, Morelotia gahniiformis Gaudich. var. minor A.Rich., Tetraria australiensis C.B.Clarke, Tetraria capillacea var. intercedens Kük., Tricostularia compressa Nees ex Lehm. and Tricostularia neesii Lehm.

Reassessment of the taxonomic status of Cyperaceae on Rapa Iti, Austral Islands, French Polynesia, with a new combination, Morelotia involuta

We reassess the current taxonomic status and distribution of Cyperaceae on Rapa Iti, Austral Islands, French Polynesia. This includes the poorly known Machaerina involuta H.St John (Cyperaceae, tribe Schoeneae), 86 years after it was first collected. Detailed morphological examination revealed that M. involuta belongs in Morelotia Gaudich., and the new combination, Morelotia involuta (H.St John) J.J.Bruhl & R.L.Barrett, is made here. Nineteen species of Cyperaceae are reported for Rapa Iti (10% of the vascular flora). The high diversity of Cyperaceae invites further discussion of the biogeographic connections and environmental conditions of Rapa Iti and a summary is provided. Notes on additional Cyperaceae named from Rapa Iti (Carex rapaensis (H.St John) K.L.Wilson, Carex stokesii F.Br., C. stokesii var. aristata F.Br., Cyperus rapensis F.Br., Eleocharis caribaea var. stokesii F.Br., Gahnia stokesii F.Br. and Rhynchospora stokesii F.Br.) are presented and a presently unidentified Carex is noted.

Netrostylis, a new genus of Australasian Cyperaceae removed from Tetraria

A new genus, Netrostylis R.L.Barrett, J.J.Bruhl & K.L.Wilson is described for Australasian species previously known as Tetraria capillaris (F.Muell.) J.M.Black (Cyperaceae tribe Schoeneae). The genus is restricted to southern and eastern Australia, and the North Island of New Zealand. Two new combinations are made: Netrostylis capillaris (F.Muell.) R.L.Barrett, J.J.Bruhl & K.L.Wilson and Netrostylis halmaturina (J.M.Black) R.L.Barrett, J.J.Bruhl & K.L.Wilson. Netrostylis is a member of the Lepidosperma Labill. Clade.

The moss family Calymperaceae (Bryophyta) in Australia. Part 2: The genera Arthrocormus, Exostratum and Leucophanes

This is the second in a five-part series of papers that constitute a synopsis of the family Calymperaceae for Australia. It treats the genera Arthrocormus (one species), Exostratum (one species) and Leucophanes (four species) and includes detailed descriptions and illustrations of each species, critical identification features, notes on similar species, and distribution maps.