Xerochrysum collierianum A.M.Buchanan

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 : 178-179

Xerochrysum collierianum A.M.Buchanan , Muelleria 20: 49 (2004)

Type: St Valentines Peak , Tasmania, 13 Jan. 1986, P. Collier 1206 (holo: HO 116970) .

Erect, perennial, fibrous-rooted herb up to ~ 25 cm. Stems and branches hirsute or glabrescent, and with glands; internode length 10–35 mm. Basal leaf rosette present or absent at flowering. Basal leaves obovate to spathulate, 20–80 mm long and 5–10 mm wide, base amplexicaul, margin cobwebby or hirsute, apex mucronate or apiculate; abaxial indumentum with glands, midvein indumentum with glands; adaxial indumentum hirsute and with glands. Cauline leaves oblanceolate, 20–40 mm long and 3–7 mm wide, leaf base attenuate, margin cobwebby or woolly, and hispid; apex mucronate; abaxial indumentum with glands, midvein indumentum with glands; adaxial indumentum hirsute and with glands. Foliaceous bracts subtending capitula 7–12 mm long, margin cobwebby or hispid. Capitula 30–40 mm wide, terminal, solitary. Outer phyllaries ovate, white, basal margin fimbriate or hispid, abaxial surface smooth, apex acute. Medial phyllaries narrow ovate to lanceolate, abaxially white, apex apiculate. Stylar appendages ovate. Cypsela ~ 2.5 mm long and 0.75 mm wide, cross-section with oblique angles; pericarp brown, idioblasts indistinct. Pappus persistent, ~ 6 mm long.

Distribution

Endemic to Tasmania in the Central Highlands Bioregion ( Fig. 48 ).

145°0 ̍ 0 ̎ E

145°0 ̍ 0 ̎ E

Phenology

Fruiting recorded in March.

Habitat

Steep rocky ridges and outcrops on mountain sides, growing in skeletal gravelly soils and cracks in rocks.

Conservation status

Listed as of conservation significance in Tasmania because of occurrence in only one bioregion and being endemic to Tasmania (‘Natural Values Atlas’, see www.natural valuesatlas.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 ‘quartzite paperdaisy’ is in use in Tasmania (‘Natural Values Atlas’, see www.naturalvalues atlas.tas.gov.au).

Selected specimens examined

TASMANIA: Central Highlands: Mount Claude Lookout track from Olivers Road, 2 Mar. 2018, T.L. Collins 1026 & R.L. Andrew ( CANB!, HO!, NE!); on rocky outcrop at intersection of Mount Claude Lookout track and Olivers Road, 2 Mar. 2018, T.L. Collins 1027 & R.L. Andrew ( CANB!, HO!, NE!); Cradle Mountain National Park , 3 Mar. 2018, T.L. Collins 1032 & R.L. Andrew ( CANB!, HO!, NE!) .

Figures

Fig. 48. Distribution of Xerochrysum collierianum.