Xerochrysum milliganii (Hook.f.) Paul G.Wilson

Collins, Timothy L., Schmidt-Lebuhn, Alexander N., Andrew, Rose L., Telford, Ian R. H. & Bruhl, Jeremy J., 2022, There’s gold in them thar hills! Morphology and molecules delimit species in Xerochrysum (Asteraceae; Gnaphalieae) and reveal many new taxa, Australian Systematic Botany 35 (2), pp. 120-185 : 179-180

Xerochrysum milliganii (Hook.f.) Paul G.Wilson , in A.N.Schmidt-Lebuhn et al., Taxon 64: 106 (2015)

Helichrysum milliganii Hook.f., Fl. Tasman. 1: 214 t. LX. B. (1856). Type: Mount Sorell [sic], Macquarie Harbour [Tasmania], 15 Jan. 1847, J. Milligan 755 (lecto, designated by A.N. Schmidt-Lebuhn et al., Taxon 64: 106 (2015): K 000928522 *; isolecto: K 000928518 , K 000928519 , K 000928520 , MEL 1585997 ; residual syntype: Mount Pearse , Surrey Hills , Tasmania, s. dat., R.C. Gunn 1169 ( K)) .

Erect, fibrous-rooted, perennial herb, up to 20 cm. Stems and branches cobwebby, or woolly, or glabrescent; internode length 5–20 mm. Flowering stems unbranched. Basal leaf rosette present at flowering. Basal leaves obovate, 10–15 mm long and 3–6 mm wide, base amplexicaul, apex acute, margin cobwebby and with glands; abaxial leaf surface glabrous, midvein glabrous; adaxial indumentum with scattered glands. Leaf arrangement cauline or radical. Cauline leaves oblanceolate or lanceolate, 15–25 mm long and 3–5 mm wide, base truncate, apex acute, margin cobwebby, or glabrous, or woolly; abaxial indumentum cobwebby, midvein indumentum cobwebby; adaxial indumentum with scattered glands. Foliaceous bracts subtending capitula 5–7 mm long, margin cobwebby or fimbriate. Capitula 30–40 mm wide, terminal, solitary. Outer phyllaries white, basal margin cobwebby or fimbriate, abaxial surface smooth, apex acute. Medial phyllaries abaxially white, apex cuspidate or apiculate. Stylar appendages clavate. Cypsela ~ 3 mm long and ~ 0.75 mm wide, cross-section squarish; pericarp grey–brown, idioblasts absent. Pappus persistent, ~ 6 mm long.

Distribution

Endemic to Tasmania in the Central Highlands Bioregion ( Fig. 49 ).

Phenology

Recorded flowering January–March and fruiting in March.

Habitat

Alpine herbfields and shrublands at>900-m altitude.

Conservation status

Listed as of conservation significance in Tasmania and endemic to Tasmania (‘Natural Values Atlas’, see www. naturalvaluesatlas.tas.gov.au). We recommend a status of ‘ Data Deficient ’ ( IUCN 2019) and suggest that a detailed analysis of the area of extent, population sizes and health be conducted to determine appropriate conservation status.

Notes

The common name ‘snow paperdaisy’ is a name in use in Tasmania (‘Natural Values Atlas’, see www.naturalvaluesatlas. tas.gov.au).

145°0 ̍ 0 ̎ E

145°0 ̍ 0 ̎ E

Selected specimens examined

TASMANIA: Central Highlands : Cradle Mountain National Park , upper slope of Marions Lookout , 3 Mar. 2018, T.L. Collins 1028 & R.L. Andrew ( CANB!, HO!, NE!); Cradle Mountain National Park , Face Track , 3 Mar. 2018, T.L. Collins 1029 & R.L. Andrew ( CANB!, HO!, NE!); Mount Rufus , 25 Jan. 1949, N.T. Burbidge 3341 ( CANB *) . Huon Valley: Moonlight Ridge , hill one , 31 Jan. 1983, P.S. Short 1873 ( CANB *, MEL); Adamsons Peak , 7 Feb. 1969, I.R. Telford EMC2480 ( CANB!, PERTH) .

Figures

Fig. 49. Distribution of Xerochrysum milliganii.