Xerochrysum alpinum 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 : 175-176

Xerochrysum alpinum Paul G.Wilson , Nuytsia 28: 36 (2017)

Type: Lake Lea Road , Tasmania, 17 Feb. 1998, A.M. Buchanan 15101 (holo: HO 324393 ) .

Erect, perennial, rhizomatous herb up to 20 cm. Stems and branches cobwebby and with glands, internode length 10–35 mm. Basal leaf rosette present at flowering. Basal leaves obovate, 20–60 mm long and 10–25 mm wide, base attenuate, margin cottony and with glands, apex apiculate; abaxial indumentum with glands, midvein glabrous; adaxial indumentum hispid and with glands (hispid indumentum on midvein basally). Cauline leaves obovate, 20–50 mm long and 1–3 mm wide, base attenuate, margin cobwebby or cottony, apex apiculate; abaxial indumentum with glands, midvein indumentum with glands; adaxial indumentum with glands. Foliaceous bracts subtending capitula 10–12 mm long (with fimbriate apical hairs), margin cobwebby and with glands. Capitula 30–45 mm wide, terminal, solitary. Outer phyllaries ovate, straw-coloured, basal margin fimbriate, extending to apex, abaxial surface scabridulous towards apex, apex fimbriate. Medial phyllaries lanceolate, abaxially yellow, apex cuspidate. Stylar appendages clavate. Cypsela 2.3 mm long and 0.75–1 mm wide, cross-section with oblique angles; pericarp grey–brown, idioblasts absent. Pappus persistent, ~ 5–6 mm long.

Distribution

Occurring in the Tasmanian Central Highlands and Ben Lomond bioregions ( Fig. 45 ).

Phenology

Recorded flowering February–March and fruiting in March.

Habitat

Alpine herbfields and shrublands at>900-m altitude.

145°0 ̍ 0 ̎ E

145°0 ̍ 0 ̎ E

Conservation status

Considered widespread ( Wilson 2017), and recorded in several conservation reserves, currently listed as ‘ Data Deficient ’ in 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 area of extent, population sizes and health be conducted to determine appropriate conservation status.

Selected specimens examined

TASMANIA: Vale of Belvoir Conservation Reserve , Lake Lee Road , 2 Mar. 2018, T.L. ttp://anpsa.org.au/APOL2006/ju Collins 1024 & R.L. Andrew ( CANB!, HO!, NE!) ; Cradle Mountain National Park , Face Track , 3 Mar. 2018, T.L. Collins 1030 & R.L. Andrew ( CANB!, HO!, NE!) , summit of Blue Tier , 23 Feb. 1878, A. Simson 1101 ( MEL 0061148A ) .

Figures

Fig. 45. Distribution of Xerochrysum alpinum.