Callitriche umbonata Hegelmaier (1867: 20

Lansdown, Richard V., 2022, The genus Callitriche (Plantaginaceae, Callitricheae) in Australasia and Oceania, Phytotaxa 547 (3), pp. 243-284 : 273-275

21. Callitriche umbonata Hegelmaier (1867: 20 , fig. 1–10).

Type: — AUSTRALIA. TASMANIA. Tasmania. South Esk , 1848–1857, C. N. Stuart s.n. (lectotype [designated by Bean 2007: 550]: STU; isolectotypes MEL 2289182B & 2289185) .

Description: —Stem and leaf scales present. Leaf bases connate. Lingulate leaves ± parallel-sided or tapering slightly from base, 5–10 mm long × 0.4–0.5 mm wide; expanded submerged or floating leaves ± orbicular to obovate, (4–) 6–8 mm long ×1.5–2.0 mm wide, 3 to 5-veined, usually with a number of short free veins, with a broad petiole 0.5–5 mm long; leaves of terrestrial plants unknown. Flowers solitary. Bracts broad, falcate, ca. 0.7 mm long. Styles spreading, caducous, (0.6–)1.0–2.0 mm long. Filament <3.5mm long; anthers 0.1 mm long x 0.1 mm wide, number of locules unknown; pollen yellow. Fruit strumose, subsessile, slightly higher than wide, dark brown when mature, 1.1–1.5 mm long × 1.0– 1.2 mm wide, broadly winged throughout.

Illustrations: — Figures 5 (a–c) and 5A(a) in Mason (1959); Figures 1G–I in Orchard (1980). Fig. 10k .

Recognition: — C. umbonata can be distinguished from all other Callitriche species in the region by the fruit which when mature are blackish, higher than wide and broadly winged, combined with the solitary flowers. It most closely resembles C. cyclocarpa from which it can be distinguished by the fruit which are typically higher than wide in C. umbonata and the venation is typically complex in C. cyclocarpa but relatively simple in C. umbonata .

Distribution: —Native. Callitriche umbonata is endemic to Australia where it is scattered in southern New South Wales, throughout much of inland Victoria and eastern Tasmania ( Mason 1959), with a few records from South Australia ( Willis 1972, Curtis and Morris 1975, Orchard 1980, Jeanes 1999, Bean 2007) ( Fig. 18 ).

Habitats and Ecology: — Callitriche umbonata occurs in rock pools, ice melt pools, shallow streams, billabongs, creeks, roadside pools, swamps and gilgai, often on clay or on black soils, as well as on the margins of larger water bodies including lakes and rivers. It has been recorded from Acacia harpophylla F.Muell. ex Benth. (1864: 389) and Eucalyptus camaldulensis forest, growing with species such as Agrostis avenacea var. perennis Vickery (1941: 114) , Alternanthera denticulata R.Br. (1810: 417) , Amphibromus neesii Steud. (1854: 328) , A. nervosus (Hook.f.) Baill. (1894: 203), Calandrinia eremaea , Cardamine moirensis I.Thomps. (1996: 167) , Carex tereticaulis F.Muell. (1874: 256) , Centipeda cunninghamii (DC.) A.Braun & Asch. (1867: 6) , Crassula helmsii (Kirk) Cockayne (1907: 349) , Damasonium minus , Dianella longifolia R.Br. (1810: 280) , Elatine gratioloides , Eleocharis acuta , E. pusilla , Euchiton sphaericus (Willd.) Anderb. (1991: 167) , Gratiola pedunculata R.Br. (1810: 435) , Juncus flavidus L.A.S.Johnson in J.M. Black (1978: 325), J. holoschoenus R.Br. (1810: 259) , Lilaeopsis sp. , Limosella australis , Marsilea drummondii A. Braun (1852: 721) , Myriophyllum crispatum Orchard (1985: 210) , Nitella sp. , Potamogeton cheesemanii , Ranunculus pumilio R.Br. ex DC. (1817: 271) var. pumilio , Triglochin dubia R.Br. (1810: 343) , T. turrifera Ewart (1906: 43) and Wahlenbergia species ( Cook et al. 2009, specimens in CANB, HO, MEL, NSW). In Tasmania it has been recorded from wet sandy soil among rocks in a river, above the water but clearly subject to frequent inundation. 10–1800 m elevation.

Conservation Status: —This species is classed as Least Concern (LC) as it is widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats. It is classed as Vulnerable in South Australia (National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972) and Rare in both Tasmania (Threatened Species Protection Act 1995: Rare species: June 2019 list) and Victoria ( Advisory List of Rare or Threatened Plants in Victoria: 2014).

Notes: — C. cyclocarpa was reduced to synonymy under C. umbonata ( Bean 2007) however the differences between the two species are sufficient to justify their treatment as separate species (see under C. cyclocarpa above).

Selected specimens examined:— AUSTRALIA: NEW SOUTH WALES. Tumbarumba, October 1916 , J. Boorman s.n. ( NSW 33800); Albany, s.d ., J. Wilson s.n. ( MEL 528973 ); Booligal Wetland, October 2000 , P. Lloyd-Jones 0898:17 ( NSW 495292 ); Inglewood, 18 October 1976 , A. C. Beauglehole 55250 & M. Needs ( MEL 717647 ) . SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Wandilo , 10 October 1963 , D. N. Kraehenbuehl 976 ( AD 96417161 ); Bangham Forest Reserve , October 1991 , R. J. Bates 26074 ( AD 99146324 ); Mount Monster Conservation Park , 2 October 1994 , D. E. Murfet 2060 & R. L. Taplin ( AD 99605162 ); Comaum, 10 October 1965 , H. Eichler 18336 ( AD 96649232 ); Muddy Flat NFR, 18 November 2010 , D. E. Murfet 7068 & D. J. Duval ( AD 243581 ); Mount Monster Conservation Park , 30 August 2007 , P. J. Ainsley No. 154 & T. S. Te , ( AD 223679 ) . VICTORIA. In stagnis prope Melbourne, Müller 52 ( STU), Darebin Creek , Müller s.n. (K, STU), Swan River , 1867, Drummond s.n. (K); Mount Cobberas , 7 January 1992 , R. Bates 27241 ( AD99205072 ); Mount Arapiles , 22 September 1968 , A. C. Beauglehole 28642 ( MEL 2248512 ); Mt. Arapiles , 24 August 1896 , F. M. Reader s.n. ( MEL 2248519 ); Terrick State Forest , 2 September 1979 , A. C. Beauglehole 64474 ( MEL 567195 ); Barrabool Flora and Fauna Reserve , 13 October 1986 , A. C. Beauglehole 59780 ( MEL 717664 ); Barrabool Flora and Fauna Reserve , s.d ., A. C. Beauglehole 85775 ( MEL 717663 ); The Range Flora Reserve , 24 October 1979 , A. C. Beauglehole 65369 & Donald History Group 186 ( MEL 567175 ); Brighton, December 1909 , L. Roberts s.n. ( MEL 2248522 ); Port Fairy, 1894, Williamson s.n. ( MEL 528972 ); Lucyvale Creek Reference Area , 2 November 1981 , A. C. Beauglehole 90501 & A. D. J. Pierre ( MEL 717651 ); Craigieburn Grasslands, 17 November 1989 , D. Frood 034/89 ( MEL 1588546 ); Mt. Arapiles , 18 September 1952 , R. Melville 1024 , P. Morris , A. Hicks and D. Williams s.d. ( MEL 2246478 ); Black Rock, October 1908 , A. J. Tadgell 181 ( MEL 2246479 ); Black Range Scenic Reserve , 2 September 1983 , A. C. Beauglehole 74568 ( MEL 663815 ); John Smith Reserve , 26 September 1969 , A. C. Beauglehole 31005 ( MEL 2248514 ); Ninjip, 1890 , J. S. Eckert s.n. ( MEL 528971 ); Kamarooka State Park , 2 November 1981 , A. C. Beauglehole 69677 ( MEL 597292 ); Kooyoora Reference Area , 23 October 1981 , A. C. Beauglehole 69461 ( MEL 597291 ); Horsham, 6 September 1961 , A. C. Beauglehole 6767 ( MEL 2248511 ); Geelong, s.d ., B. Wilson s.n. ( MEL 2248515 ); Gaulbourne River , s.d., Lewis s.n. ( MEL 2248517 ); Wimmera, 1890 , J. P. Eckert s.n. ( MEL 2248518 ); Tattiana County, s.d., Walter s.n. ( MEL 2248521 ); [illegible] Wimmera , 1890, Davis s.n. ( MEL 2248520 ); Chard Green , s.d., Mueller s.n. ( MEL 2248516 ); Hawkesdale, Dec. 1898 , H. B. Williamson s.n. ( MEL 2247537 ); Holmes Plain, 27 December 1972 , A. C. Beauglehole 40748 ( MEL 518344 ); Terrick National Park , 10 September 2013 , D. J. Murphy 623 , F. Udovicic , J. Milne & C. L. Gallagher ( MEL 2376437 ); December 1898, Walter s.n. ( NSW 33822); Melville Caves area , 11 September 1979 , A. C. Beauglehole 64858 & Maryborough F. N. C. 197 ( MEL 567174 ); Hawkesdale, 1900 , H. B. Williamson s.n ( MEL 2247538 ); [illegible], s.d., St. Elroy Dalton s.n. ( MEL 1539096 ) . TASMANIA. s.d., s.coll. s.n. ( MEL 224851 ); Harridge Falls , 12 February 2014 , R. Skabo s.n. ( HO 575897) ; Tasmania ( MEL 2248513 ); Jericho, 8 October 1970 , D. I. Morris s.n. HO 34459).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Fruits of Callitriche in Oceania and Australasia: a—C. antarctica, b—C. aucklandica, c—C. brachycarpa, d—C. brutia, e—C. capricorni, f—C. chathamensis, g—C. cyclocarpa i face on and ii end on, h—C. cycloptera, i—C. deflexa, j—C. fuliginea.

FIGURE 5. The distribution of confirmed specimens of C. capricorni

FIGURE 10. Fruits of Callitriche in Oceania and Australasia: a—C. heterophylla, b—C. insularis, c—C. muelleri, d—C. palustris, e—C. papuana, f—C. peploides, g—C. petriei, h—C. platycarpa, i—C. sonderi, j—C. stagnalis, k—C. umbonata.

FIGURE 18. The distribution of confirmed specimens records of C. umbonata