Xerochrysum hispidum T.L.Collins & I.Telford, 2022

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 : 157-159

Xerochrysum hispidum T.L.Collins & I.Telford , sp. nov.

Type: AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: South Western Plains: Mid Western Highway , 21 km from Rankins Springs towards West Wyalong , 12 Oct. 2019, I.R. Telford 13546, J.J. Bruhl & S. Dema, (holo: NSW!; iso: BRI!, CANB!, MEL!, NE 109359 !, US!).

[ Xerochrysum bracteatum auct . non (Vent.) Tzvelev: N.N. Tzvelev, Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 27: 151 (1990), p.p. populations in south-western New South Wales, inland South Australia and inland Victoria with prominent, robust, hispid septate trichomes scattered on the leaf lamina adaxial surface, leaf margin and abaxial midvein only].

Diagnosis

Distinguished from X. bracteatum and X. bicolor by the presence of foliaceous bracts subtending capitula 15–35 mm long (8–10 mm long in X. bracteatum ; 5–6 mm long in X. bicolor ), and the prominent, robust, hispid septate trichomes scattered on the leaf lamina adaxial surface, leaf margin and abaxial midvein. Further distinguished from X. bicolor by a strictly annual life form ( v. perennial ), and the attenuate leaf base ( v. auriculate ).

Erect, taprooted, annual herb, 10–80 cm tall, depending on rainfall. Stems and branches cobwebby and hispid with septate trichomes, and with glands; internode length 15–30 mm. Basal leaf rosette may be present or absent at flowering. Basal leaves obovate to spathulate, 50–150 mm long and 10–40 mm wide, base amplexicaul, margin hispid and pilose with septate trichomes, apex mucronate and apiculate; abaxial indumentum with glands, midvein indumentum pilose with septate trichomes; adaxial leaf surface glabrous (with scattered septate trichomes). Cauline leaves oblanceolate to obovate, 60–160 mm long and 10–30 mm wide, base amplexicaul and attenuate, margin cobwebby and hispid with septate trichomes, apex acute and mucronate; abaxial indumentum with glands, midvein indumentum hispid or pilose with septate trichomes; adaxial indumentum hispid with septate trichomes, and with additional scattered large septate trichomes, and with glands. Foliaceous bracts subtending capitula 15–35 mm long, margin hispid. Capitula 35–50 mm wide, terminal, in panicles. Outer phyllaries broad-ovate, brown or straw-coloured, basal margin fimbriate and hispid, abaxial surface smooth, apex apiculate. Medial phyllaries oblong to ovate, abaxially yellow, apex acuminate to cuspidate, or apiculate. Stylar appendages narrowly triangular to deltoid. Cypsela oblong, ~ 3.3 mm long and 1 mm wide, cross-section squarish; pericarp brown, idioblasts present. Pappus deciduous, ~ 8.5 mm long.

Distribution

Occurs sporadically following winter rainfall over a broad area of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, in the Eyre Yorke Block, Gawler, Flinders Lofty Block, Murray–Darling Depression, and Riverina bioregions ( Fig. 29 ).

Phenology

Recorded flowering August–October ( Fig. 30 ).

Habitat

Shrubby and grassy eucalypt woodlands and Acacia shrublands, on orange–red sandy loams and red, gravelly, clay soils.

Conservation status

Occurs over a wide geographical area, including in several conservation reserves and is not considered to be rare or threatened. We recommend a status of ‘ Least Concern ’ ( IUCN 2019).

Notes

The informal phrase name Xerochrysum sp. Flinders Range NE Herbarium has been used at NE for curatorial purposes and this study.

Etymology

The specific epithet is from the Latin, hispidus (rough, shaggy, hairy), in reference to the indumentum, comprising scattered, large, spreading septate trichomes, occurring abaxially along the leaf midrib and adaxially over the lamina, which are particularly helpful in identifying specimens.

Selected specimens examined

SOUTH AUSTRALIA: unincorporated: Balcanoona, near Nudlamutana Well , 26 Oct. 1967, H. Eichler 19646 ( AD!) . Elliston: Hambidge Flora and Fauna Reserve , 18 Sep. 1966, C.R. Alcock 1023 ( AD!) . Cleve: Hincks National Park, summit of Verran Hill , 6 Oct. 1968, J.R. Wheeler 733 ( AD!) . NEW SOUTH WALES: unincorporated: Scotia Sanctuary , 22 May 2011, D. Wood 240 ( CANB!) . Lachlan: 2.5 miles [~ 4 km] E from Euabalong turn-off from Lake Cargelligo , 23 May 1969, P.N. Martensz 178 ( CANB *) . Cobar : 10.5 miles [~ 16.8 km] S of Cobar on Nymagee road, 30 Sep. 1966, C.W.E. Moore 4487 ( CANB *) . Coolamon: Near Ariah Park , ~ 40 km WNW of Temora, 28 Oct. 1978, C.J. Shepherd 870 ( CANB *) . VICTORIA: Mildura: Murray-Sunset National Park , 10 Oct. 2014, V. Stajsic 7611 ( MEL!) ; Hattah Lakes National Park , 1 Oct. 1948, A.C. Beauglehole 1101 ( MEL!) ; ~ 10.5 miles [~ 16.8 km] NW of Warooka , 25 Oct. 1967, T. Smith 774 ( AD!) .

Figures

Fig. 29. Distribution of Xerochrysum hispidum.

Fig. 30. Isotype of Xerochrysum hispidum (I.R.Telford 13546, J.J.Bruhl & S.Dema, NE 109359).