Table Of ContentNuytsia 13(1):61-74(1999) 61
A taxonomicrevisionofPithocarpa (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae)
B.J. Lepschi
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management,
Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Western Australia 6983
Present address: Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research,
GPO Box 1600, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Abstract
B.J. Lepschi. A taxonomic revision ofPithocarpa (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae). Nuytsia 13(1)
:
61-74 (1999). The endemic Australian genus Pithocarpa Lindl. is revised, and three taxa are
recognized:P.corymbulosaLindl„P.pulchellaLindl.wav.pulchellaandP.pulchellavar.melanostigma
(P. Lewis&Summerh.)Lepschi. Akey isprovided,andalltaxaareillustratedandtheirdistributions
mapped.
Introduction
PithocarpaLindl. (Asteraceae) isanendemicAustraliangenusoftwospecies ofperennial herbs
orsubshrubs, confined to the south-westofWestern Australia. The latesttaxonomic revision ofthe
genusisthatofLewis&Summerhayes(1951),whichwasbasedonlimitedherbariummaterial. Since
that time, many more collections of Pithocarpa have been gathered, and these have eroded the
distinctivenessofthetaxadescribedbyLewis&Summerhayes. Examinationofherbariumcollections
atPERTHhasalsoindicatedfurtherproblemswithregardtotheapplicationofsomenamesinthegenus.
A taxonomic revision ofPithocarpa is thereforeconsideredappropriate.
Taxonomichistoryand genericdelimitation
Pithocarpa was erected by Lindley (1839), who recognized two species, P. corymbulosa and
P.pulchella. Steetz(1845)recognizedtwospecies: P. corymbulosa (misappliedtoP.pulchella and
)
a new taxon, P. majorSteetz, considered by later authors (e.g. Lewis & Summerhayes 1951) to be
conspecific with P. pulchella. Bentham (1867) adopted a broad circumscription of Pithocarpa,
recognizingonlyonetaxontowhichheappliedthenameP. corymbulosa.Thisconceptwasfollowed
bysubsequentauthors(e.g.Hoffmann1890,Mueller1893,Gardner1931),untilLewis&Summerhayes
(1951) provided a critical assessment ofthe genus. They recognized four species: P. corymbulosa,
P. pulchella, and two new taxa, P. achilleoides and P. melanostigma (both segregated from
P.pulchella). However,Lander(1987)andWheeler(inprep.),haveexpresseddoubtastothevalidity
ofbothofthenew speciesdescribedby Lewis & Summerhayes.
62 Nuytsia Vol. 13, No. 1 (1999)
Thegeneric delimitationofPithocarpahasbeen largely stable, withmostauthors accepting itas
a separate taxon. However, Mueller(1893) suggested reducing Pithocarpa to sectional rank within
HumeaSm.,andHeine(1967)relegatedPithocarpatosynonymyunderCalomeriaVent. Neitherof
these approaches have been adoptedby otherworkers.
Genericrelationships
The generic relationships ofPithocarpa are notclear, and earlier authors appear to have placed
undue significance on the lack ofapappus in the genus, a feature which is now considered to have
evolved independently in a numberofgenera in the Asteraceae (Anderberg 1991). Lindley (1839)
suggested arelationshipbetweenPithocarpaand the genusHumea Sm., presumably because ofthe
lack ofa pappus in both taxa. The type ofHumea is now considered to be synonymous with the
monotypicCalomeria,agenuswithwhichPithocarpawouldnotappeartohaveanycloserelationship
(Anderberg 1991).ThelackofapappuswasalsoconsideredtobeofsignificancebyHemsley(1905),
whosuggestedthatPithocarpamayberelatedtoThiseltoniaHemsl.,althoughrecentwork(Anderberg
1991, Wilson 1992a) points to Hyalosperma Steetz orAcomis F. Muell. as the closest relatives of
Thiseltonia.
Anderberg (1991) included Pithocarpa in his study of the phytogeny of the Gnaphalieae, and
suggested that it was probably closest to taxa within the broadly defined ‘Lawrencella complex’
(generic limitsofthetaxa withinthisgroup have sincebeen redefined by Wilson (1992b-e)). These
findings were supportedby apreliminary phylogenetic analysisofPithocarpa andaselectionofsix
of its putative relatives (inferred from Anderberg’s work) undertaken by Lepschi (1997). In that
analysis,PithocarpaappearsassistertoArgentipalliumniveum(Steetz)PaulG. Wilson, includedby
Anderberg (1991) in the ‘Lawrencella complex’ [asHelichrysum obtusifolium F. Muell. ex Sond.].
However,asthisanalysisdealtwithonlyaselectionofthepossiblerelativesofPithocarpa,the ‘true’
sister taxon to this genus may have been excluded.
Materialsandmethods
This study isbasedon examination ofherbariumcollections from AD, CANB, MEL, NSW and
PERTH,aswellasselectedmaterialfromCGE(photographs)andK,alongwithobservationsmadeon
liveplantsofallrecognizedtaxa. Allmeasurementsweremadefromherbariummaterial(reconstituted
wherenecessary).ConservationcodesusedarethoseadoptedbytheDepartmentofConservationand
Land Management(see theend ofthis issue fordefinitions ofconservationcodes).
Taxonomictreatment
PithocarpaLindl.,Edwards’sBot.Reg.Appendixvols 1-23:xxiii(1839). Type:P.pulchellaLindl.,
lectotypt,fide Lewis& Summerhayes (1951).
Perennial herbs orsubshrubs, vegetative parts covered with whitish, cobwebbed indumentum.
Leavesalternate, sessile,entire, usually witheredby anthesis;clusteredtowards thebaseofthe main
(reproductive)stemsandbecomingprogressivelymoredistantandsmallerupthestems,gradinginto
the outer involucral bracts; also densely clustered on very short, lateral vegetative seasonal growth
units. Capitulaeithersolitaryorinopentomoreorlesscompactcorymbs,insertedterminallyonthe
B.J. Lepschi, A taxonomic revision of Pithocarpa 63
branches, homogamous. Involucre obconic, cup-shaped orbroadly campanulate. Involucralbracts
in numerous whorls, continuously variable from the outerbracts to the inner bracts, herbaceous or
scarious to chartaceous; outer bracts without lamina, inner bracts with coloured, radiating lamina;
stereomeundivided, c. one-totwo-thirds thelengthofthebract, verynarrowlyto narrowly winged,
hairy with whitish, cobwebbed indumentum as well as somemulticellularhairs on the innerbracts;
laminaofallbractsglabrous.Involucralreceptacleconvex,glabrous,epaleate.Floretsactinomorphic,
allhermaphrodite;corollatubecylindricalproximallybutbecomingslightlyflaredtowardstheapex,
yellow to greenish-yellow, distal portion flushed purplish; some scattered, multicellular, vesicular
mm
hairs to c. 0.1 long on the abaxial surface (mostly in the proximal part ofthe tube), glabrous
adaxially;corollalobes5,triangulartoroundedtriangular,spreadingorslightlyrecurvedtoreflexed,
venationnotextendingtolobeapices;abaxialsurfacewithadensecoveringofmulticellular,vesicular
mm
hairs to c. 0.1 long, adaxial surface glabrous. Anthers ecalcarate, caudate, connate along the
locules;anthertailsdelicateand membranaceous, slender, slightlyshortertoslightly longerthanthe
narrowly oblong filament collar; filament collar slightly narrower than or as wide as the filament,
endothecialcellspolarized;antherappendageoblong-elliptic tooblong, slightlynarroweroras wide
as locules, unpigmented or with purplish pigment in central portion, 0.2 mm long, one-cell thick,
shallowlyconcaveabaxially;constituentcellsnarrowlyoblong(thoseonthe marginsandattheapex
shorter and more or less quadrate), without thickened walls. Style swollen at the base, becoming
abruptly linear above, branches spreading to recurved, stigmatic surfaces marginal (adaxial), not
medially confluent, venation continuous to style apex; style apex rounded-truncate, 0.05-0.1 mm
long,slightlybroaderthanstigmaticbranches,withshort,obtusesweepinghairs.Cypselamoreorless
cylindrical,glabrousorwithnon-myxogenicduplexhairs;carpopodiumannular,c.0.15mmdiameter;
pericarpthinlycoriaceous, smooth,glabrous,colourless,cellswiththickened walls;vascularstrands
two, diametrically opposed, running the entire length ofthe seed, laterally placed with reference to
cotyledons; testa free from pericarp, thinly coriaceous, reddish-brown, crystals present or absent,
vascularstrandrunningc. two-thirdsthe lengthofthecypselaorreaching (butnotpassingover) the
apex, laterally placed with reference to the cotyledons; cotyledons flattened-planoconvex to
planoconvex; pappus absent.
Agenusoftwospeciesendemicto south-westernWesternAustralia.
Etymology. FromtheGreekpithos,awinejar,andcarpos,afruit,inreferencetotheshapeofthecypsela
(Sharr1996).
Notes. Pithocarpa species areperennial. Previous authors (e.g. Steetz 1845, Lewis& Summerhayes
1951,Lander 1987), however, haveconsistently treated alltaxaas annuals, althoughthisisclearly a
misinterpretation, probably a result ofthe unusual phenology exhibited by the genus.
Keytospeciesand varieties
1 Involucral bracts without darkpigment; capitula in more orless compact,
well-defined corymbs of2-11 capitula, rarely solitary on lateral branches
within the flowering region; ovary and cypsela glabrous. Darling Range
eastofPerth P.corymbulosa
1. Atleastsome involucral bracts marked with darkreddish-maroon on the
abaxial surface; capitula in open, loose corymbs of2-6 capitula, as well
as solitary on lateral branches within the flowering region; ovary and
cypselawith antrorse, clavateduplex hairs. Widespread in south-western
WesternAustralia 2
64 Nuytsia Vol. 13, No. 1 (1999)
2 Stylebranchesyellowish-browntobrown (inlife),dryingbrown ...P.pulchellavar. pulchella
2. Stylebranchesblackorvery darkbrownish-black,both inlife
and when dried P.pulchellavar. melanostigma
1. PithocarpacorymbulosaLindl.,Edwards’sBot.Reg.Appendixvols 1-23:xxiii(1839).-Humea
corymbulosa(Lindl.)F.Muell.,VictorianNat.9: 144(1893).-Calomeriacorymbulosa(Lindl.)Heine,
Adansoniaser.2:7(1967). Type: SwanRiver,WesternAustralia,Towards.n.(holo:CGE,n.v.(photo
seenatPERTH)).
Illustration. Blackall & Grieve (1975: 849).
Perennial herb or subshrub 0.7-1 m tall; stems erect, basal portions becoming woody and
glabrescentwithage,denselycoveredwithawhitish,cobwebbedindumentumcomprisedofappressed
to spreading flexuose hairs to 2.5 mm long. Leaves densely covered with a whitish, cobwebbed
indumentum on the abaxial surface, somewhat sparseradaxially; laminaentire, narrowly elliptic or
narrowly obovate-elliptic to very narrowly obovate, or very-narrowly ovate to linear-ovate, very
mm mm
narrowly elliptic to linear-elliptic orsubulate for smallest leaves, 2.5-26.5 long, 0.25-6.5
wide; base weakly amplexicaul, apex acuminate, margins weakly recurved. Synflorescence of
terminal,moreorlesscompacttoopencorymbsof2-11capitula(thesesometimeslooselyaggregated
toformalargercorymbosepanicle),insertedterminallyonthebranches,orcapitulararelysolitaryon
lateral branches within the flowering region; lateral capitula within a corymb frequently lacking
developed florets. Involucre narrowly ellipsoid to more or less cylindrical when young, narrowly
obconic to cup-shaped or broadly campanulate (due to spreading laminae of the inner bracts) at
mm mm
anthesis,turbinate tocylindrical withaslightmedialconstrictionin fruit;4.5-6 long,2-3.5
wide at anthesis. Involucralbracts 30—45; stereome with a whitish, cobwebbed indumentum (dense
mm
onthe outerbracts, less so on the innerbracts which alsobearsome multicellularhairs toc.. 0.1
long);outermostbracts2-3mmlong,0.4-0.65mmwide,clawnarrowlyoblong,laminanarrowlyovate
to narrowly ovate-elliptic, scarious to chartaceous, translucent to straw-coloured when dry; median
bractssimilartoinnermostbractsbutto6mmlongand 1.3mmwide,withanelliptictonarrowlyelliptic
lamina;innermostbracts4.2—4.8mmlong,0.6-1 mmwide,clawnarrowlyoblongtonarrowlycuneate,
lamina narrowly elliptic to oblong-elliptic, chartaceous, white in life and when dry (although bract
mm
apicesinveryyoungbudsmaybeflushedpink). Involucralreceptacle0.9—1.2 diameter. Florets
12-21 Corollatube2-2.6mmlong,0.3-0.4mmwideatthebase,0.4-0.5mmwideinthethroat;cells
.
oftheadaxialepidermisquadratetooblongatverybaseoftube,becomingnarrowly tolinear-oblong
abovethis; walls more or less straight to slightly undulate forcells in proximal c. one-halfoftube,
mm mm
distinctly sinuous incells ofthe distal portion. Corolla lobes0.2-0.4 long, 0.15-0.3 wide;
cells ofthe adaxial epidermis rounded-oblong to strongly rounded-quadrate (particularly at apex),
walls undulate tomoreorless straight(sometimesdistinctly sinuous atvery baseoflobes). Stamens
exserted0.1-0.35mmbeyondthecorollamouth,attached0.35-0.5mmupfromthecorollatubebase;
filaments 0.6-0.8 mm long, filament collar 0.2-0.25 mm long; anther thecae 0.8-1.1 mm long,
0.15-0.25 mm wide, anther tails c. 0.1-0.15 mm long, anther appendage unpigmented. Style
1.5—1.8mmlong,yellowish-browntobrown(inlife),dryingbrown,stigmamtmicbranches(andsometimmems
distal portionofstyle) occasionallydarker; stigmatic branches0.6-0.7 long. Cypsela 1-1.2
long,0.4-0.45mmwidewhenmature,glabrous;cellsofpericarpnarrowlyoblong,wallsstraight;cells
of testa generally more or less quadrate to oblong (sometimes narrowly so, often rounded), walls
undulatetomoreorlessstraight, scatteredHatcrystalsalsopresent, vascularstrandrunningc. three-
quarters the length ofthe cypsela, notpassing overthe apex; pappus absent. (Figure 1A-F)
:
B.J. Lepschi, A taxonomic revision of Pilhocarpa 65
Selectedspecimensexamined.WESTERNAUSTRALIA:c.200mdownstreamfromLesmurdieFalls,
LesmurdieFallsNationalPark,Forrestfield,Perth, 10Feb. 1996,B.J. Lepschi& T.R. Lcdly2494(AD,
BRI,CANB,HO,K,L,MEL,NSW,P.PERTH,US);samelocality,30Sep. 1996,B.J.Lepschi,J.LMorris
&P.K. Murer3012(CANB.MEL,PERTH);0.8kmNofOldYorkRdonThrossclRd,justinsideJohn
ForrestNationalPark,EedgeofPerth, 14Apr. 1996,B.J. Lepschi&T.R.Lally2570(AD,BRI,CANB,
K,MEL,PERTH,US);samelocality, 15Sep. 1996,B.J.Lepschi&T.R. Lcdly2994(CANB,PERTH);
samelocality, 12Jan. 1997,B.J. Lepschi & T.R. Lcdly3335 (PERTH);ReserveC8120,CoulstonRd,
Boya, 28 Jan. 1986, P. Sawyer 134 (PERTH); Helena Valley, Feb. 1978, J. Seabrook 543 (CANB,
PERTH);LesmurdieFalls,Perth, 19Jan. 1947,7. Souster623(NSW, [Kn.v.]).
Distribution. OccupiesaveryrestrictedrangebetweenJohnForrestNationalParkandLesmurdieFalls
National Parkin the DarlingRangeontheeasternedgeofPerth,Western Australia. Itispossiblethat
thisspeciesisunder-recordedduetoitssummerfloweringtime,andthefactthatplantsareverydifficult
tolocatewhennotinflower.Consequently,itsrangemayextendbeyondthedistributionstatedabove.
(Figure2A)
Habitat. Grows in gravelly or sandy loam close to granite outcrops. Recorded from Corymbia
calophylla(Lindl.)K.D.Hill&L.A.S.Johnsonwoodlandwithashrubbyunderstorey(Lepschi&Lally
2494), open shrubland with scattered trees ofC. calophylla (Lepschi & Lally 2570), and ‘wandoo’
(possibly EucalyptusaccedensW. Fitzg. orE. wandoo Blakely) woodland (Seabrook543).
Phenology. Production of new shoots begins by at least September, with advanced flower buds
producedbylateDecember.FlowersrecordedbetweenJanuaryandApril,thoughthemainflowering
periodappearstobeJanuary-March,withleaveswitheredbytheonsetofflowering. Fruitshavebeen
recorded in March and April.
Chromosomenumber, n= 13 recordedby Lepschi& Keighery (1999).
Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for the Western Australian Flora: Priority Two.
Pithocarpacorymbulosaoccupiesaverysmallrange,ontheedgeofanexpandingcityinanareaunder
pressurefromurbandevelopment.TwopopulationsoccurinNationalParks,butboththeseabuturban
areas and are subject to considerable human activity. The Lesmurdie Falls population is being
encroacheduponbyinvadingWatsoniameriana(L.)Mill.var.bulbillifera(L.Bolus)D.A.Cookethat
is extending upslope from a nearby creekline.
Notes. Bentham(1867)adoptedabroadconceptofP. corymbulosa, includingwithinitP.pulchella,
and althoughLewis&Summerhayes (1951) showedconclusivelythatthetwospecies weredistinct,
the name P. corymbulosa has been persistently misapplied to P. pulchella (e.g. Marshall undated,
Gibson etal. 1994).
2. PithocarpapulchellaLindl.,Edwards’s Bot. Reg.Appendixvols 1-23:xxiii(1839). Type:Swan
River,WesternAustralia,Drummonds.n. (holo CGE,n.v. (photoseenatPERTH)).
PithocarpamajorSteetz,inLehm.,PI. Preiss. 1: 446(1845). Type: Inmuddygravel inwoodlanMdEoLn
theplainbeyondthevillageofGuildford,WesternAustralia,9August 1839,L. Preisss.n.(syn:
238727).
Pithocarpa corymbulosaauct. non Lindl., Edward’s Bot. Reg. App. vols 1—23: xxiii (1839).]
[
66
Nuytsia Vol. 13, No. 1 (1999)
Figure 1. A-F. Pithocarpa corymbulosa. A - flowering branchlet, B - median involucral bract, C - outer involucral
bract, D - cypsela, E - floret, F-vesicularhair from corolla tube; G-L. P, pulchella var.pulchella. G-flowering
branchlet, H-branchlet with vegetative seasonal growth units, I-median involucral bracts, J -outer involucral bract,
K-cypsela, L-cypseladuplexhair; M. P.pulchellavar.melanostigma-style. Drawn fromSeabrook543 (A),Lepschi
& tally 2570 (B-F), GNT 191 (G). Alford 361 (H), Lepschi & Lilly 2602 (I. J), Lepschi & Lolly 2561 (K, L), Grieve
s.n.,PERTH 00828033 (M). Scalebars: 10 mm (A, G, H). 1mm (B-E,I-K),0.05mm (F, L). AH drawn byM. Pieroni,
except F and L (drawn by the author).
B.J. Lepschi, A taxonomic revision of Pithocarpa 67
&
Illustrations. Blackall Grieve (1975: 849); Lander (1987: 696); Marshall (undated: 200) [as
P.corymbulosa].
Perennialherborsubshrub(0.1)0.2-0.8mtall;stemserect,basalportionsbecomingwoody and
glabrescent with age, covered with a dense, or (less often) moderately dense, whitish, cobwebbed
mm
indumentum comprised ofappressed to spreading, flexuose hairs to 2.5 long. Leaves densely
coveredwithawhitish,cobwebbedindumentumontheabaxialsurface,somewhatsparseradaxially;
lamina entire, narrowly obovate to linear-obovate or narrowly elliptic to linear elliptic, narrowly
oblong,narrowlyovate,linear-ovate,linearorsubulateforsmallestleaves,2-40mmlong,0.3-5.5mm
wide; base weakly amplexicaul, apex acuteto acuminate, margins weakly recurved. Synflorescence
ofterminal, open, loosecorymbs of2-5 (6) capitula, as well as solitary, terminal capitulaon lateral
branches within the flowering region. Involucre ellipsoid to narrowly ellipsoid when young, cup-
shapedtoobconic(occasionallybroadlyso),orbroadlycampanulate(duetospreadinglaminaeofthe
mm mm
innerbracts)atanthesisandinfruit;3-6.5 long,2.1-5(8.5) wideatanthesis.Involucralbracts
28-115(160),stereomesparselytodenselyhairywithawhitish,cobwebbedindumentum(mostdense
ontheouterbracts,lesssoontheinnerbractswhichmayoccasionallybealmostglabrous),innerbracts
alsobearingsomemulticellularhairstoe.0.1 mmlong;outermostbracts 1.2-3mmlong,0.2-0.7 mm
wide, narrowly triangularto narrowly ovate ornarrowly oblong to (rarely) narrowlyoblong-elliptic
ornarrowlyoblong-obovate,sometimesspreadingtorecurved,herbaceous,oftenwithanarrow,more
orlesstranslucent, scarious margin, pale brown to brown when dry,frequently tippeddarkreddish-
mm mm
brownormaroon;medianbractssimilartoinnermostbractsbutto9.7 longand2.2 wide;claw
narrowly cuneate, lamina broadly elliptic to narrowly elliptic, obovate-elliptic ornarrowly obovate,
chartaceous, white, variously tipped or streaked (longitudinally) with dark reddish-maroon on the
abaxialsurface(rarelytheentirebractmaybereddishorthiscolourationmaybelargelyabsent),this
mm
oftenfadingand/ordryingtopaleordarkbrownonpreservedspecimens;innermostbracts3.8-7.9
long,0.7-1.9mmwide,clawnarrowlycuneateornarrowlyoblongtovery-narrowlyoblongorlinear;
laminaelliptictonarrowlyelliptic,elliptic-obovate,narrowlyobovate,ovate-elliptic,ovateorbroadly
ovate, chartaceous, generally white, rarely tipped or streaked (longitudinally) with dark reddish-
mm
maroon on the abaxial surface. Involucral receptacle (0.7) 1.2-2.5 (4) diameter. Florets
(12)20-70(118). Corollatube 1.4-2.7 mmlong,0.2-0.45mmwideatthebase,0.4-0.7mmwidein
thethroat,cellsoftheadaxialepidermisquadratetooblonginproximalc.two-thirdsoftube,narrowly
tolinear-oblongabovethis;wallsstraightto(rarely)slightlyundulateforcellsinproximalc.two-thirds
mm mm
oftube, distinctly sinuous incellsofthedistalportion. Corollalobes0.2-0.4 long, 0.2-0.3
wide; cells ofthe adaxial epidermis oblong tonarrowly-oblong (sometimes rounded-oblong), those
attheapex stronglyrounded-quadrate;wallsdistinctlysinuousforcellsinthebasalc. one-thirdofthe
mm
lobes, undulatetomoreorless straightforcells in thedistalportion. Stamensexserted0.15-0.4
beyondthecorollamouth,attached0.3-0.7 mmupfromthecorollatubebase;filaments0.5-0.8mm
long,filamentcollar0.2-0.3mmlong;antherthecae0.7-1 mmlong,0.15-0.25mmwide;anthertails
c. 0.1-0.25 mm long, anther appendage unpigmented or with purplish pigment in central portion.
S0t.y4l5e-01..83-m2.m5 mlomng.loCngy,psyeellalo0w.i8s-1h.-b3rmowmntloonbgl,ac0k.3(-i0n.l6ifme),mdrwyiidnegwbhroewnnmtaotubrlea,ckm;osrteigomratliecssbrdaenncsheelys
covered with antrorse,clavateduplex hairstoc. 0.1 mmlong;cellsofpericarpmoreorlessquadrate
to oblong or narrowly oblong (often rounded), walls more orless straight to undulate; cellsoftesta
generallymoreorlessquadratetooblong(sometimesnarrowlyso,often rounded),wallsundulateto
moreorless straight, flatcrystalsapparently absent, vascularstrandrunningc. two-thirdsthe length
ofthecypselaorextendingto the apex (butnotpassing over it); pappus absent. (Figure 1G-M).
Distribution. OccursfromEneabbasouthwardstoAugusta, AlbanyandCape Riche. Extendsinland
asfarasapproximatelyMogumber,ClacklineandthesouthernedgeoftheStirlingRange. Bentham’s
(1867) record of this species [as P. corymbulosa] from the ‘Mt Barren Range’ (i.e. the Barrens in
68 Nuytsia Vol. 13, No. 1 (1999)
A B
C
pFuilgcuhreell2a.Dviasrt.ripbuultcihoenlloafPiOthoacanrdpaP.sppeuclicehse.llAa -varP.. cmoerlyamnbousltoisgam,aB•-,PO.uptullycihnegllcaol(liencttieornmedoifatvearp.lapnutlsc)h,elCla-(PLietphsocchairp&a
Lally 2581) marked with arrow.
:
B.J. Lepschi, A laxonomic revision of Pithocurpa 69
FitzgeraldRiverNationalPark,betweenBremerBayandHopetoun)isinerror.Thelocalityrefersto
MtBarrow,c. 6kmdueeastofMountBarkertownship. (Figure2B-C).
Infraspecific laxa. Pithocarpa pulchella exhibits a significant degree of morphological variation
throughout its range, and it was this heterogeneity that led Lewis & Summerhayes (1951) to erect
P. achilleoides and P. melanostigma as segregates from P. pulchella sens. str. However, Lewis &
Summerhayes’staxonomywasbasedonasmallnumberofherbariumcollections,andthisislikelyto
havedisproportionatelymagnifiedotherwiseminormorphologicaldifferences. When agreaterrange
ofmaterial is examined, the characters they used tocircumscribe theirtaxabreakdown.
Lewis & Summerhayes (1951) used sixquantitative and six qualitative characters todistinguish
P. achilleoides,P. melanostigmaandP. pulchella. Datafrom a morphometric study (Lepschi 1997)
indicates that all of the quantitative characters show continuous variation throughout the range of
P.pulchellasens.lat. andassuchdonotallowtherecognitionofanyadditionaltaxa.Ofthequalitative
,
characters, mostareverysubjectiveandarealmostimpossibletoquantify,whileoneappearstohave
been erroneously interpreted (these characters are discussed in more detail under the respective
infraspecifictaxa).Onlyonecharacter,colourofthestylebranches,exhibitsanyusefulvariationwithin
P.pulchella, although even here there are intermediates between the recognized character states.
In plants from the northernpartoftherangeofP. pulchella (i.e. from theEneabbadistrict tothe
Perthdistrict),thestyle-branchesareyellowish-browntobrown(inlife,becomingbrownupondrying),
whileplantsfromthesouthernpartofthespeciesrange(i.e.fromthePerthdistricttotheAlbanydistrict),
exhibit style-branches which are black or very dark brownish-black (both in life and when dried).
Occasionalintermediateplantshavealsobeenseen(e.g.Aplin462,Lepschi&Lally2565),allbuttwo
(thesewithinadequatelocalitydata)fromthePerthregion,wheretherangesofthetwovariantsoverlap.
As theseentities are well defined (notwithstanding occasional intermediateindividuals) andexhibit
acleargeographical pattern, taxonomic recognition atvarietal rank is considered appropriate. Two
furthercharacters (not considered by Lewis & Summerhayes 1951), density ofindumentum on the
vegetativepartsandtheinvolucralbracts,andthewidthofleavesonvegetativeseasonalgrowthunits,
show some correlation with style-branch colouration. However, their usefulness as discriminatory
characters is limited, as both appear to vary clinally within P. pulchella (see Lepschi 1997).
Indumentumdensityisalsoasubjectivecharacterwhichisdifficulttoaccuratelyquantify.Accordingly,
they are most useful as supplementary characters.
2a. P.pulchella Lindl. var. pulchella
PithocarpaachilleoidesP.Lewis& Summerh., KewBull. 5: 437 (1951). Type: Wooroloo,Western
NSW
Australia,November 1907,M. Koch 1895 (holo K; iso: 397293),syn. nov.
Illustrations. See under species.
Vegetative parts and outer involucral bracts densely to moderately hairy with a whitish,
mm
cobwebbedindumentum.Leavesonvegetativeseasonalgrowthunits0.8-4 wide.Stylebranches
yellowish-brown tobrown(inlife), dryingbrown. (Figure 1G-L)
Selectedspecimens. WESTERNAUSTRALIA:ClacklineNatureReserve(Wboundary), 15Mar. 1985,
J.Alford 1 (PERTH);BoonanarringV.C.L.offWannamalWestRd,Gingin,21 Mar. 1986,7.7.Alford
507(PERTH);WannerooPinePlantation, 14Apr. 1980,H. Demarz8049(CANB,PERTH);Lesueur
70 Nuytsia Vol. 13, No. 1 (1999)
NationalPark,BeekeepersTrack,6June 1993,W.Evans567(CANB,PERTH);cornerHammondRd
andBartramRd,Jandakot,23Mar. 1960,A.S. George671 (PERTH);NicholsonRd,c.2.5miles[c. 4
km] N ofForrestdale,7 May 1961,A.S. George2350(PERTH);7.4kmENEofPinjarRdonNeaves
W
Rd,MelaleucaParkReserve,7km ofBullsbrook,31 Mar. 1996,B.J.Lepschi&T.R.Lally2552(AD,
BRI,CANB,PERTH);3.5kmEofBrandHighwayonMogumberWestRd,c.36kmSSEofDandaragan,
7Apr. 1996,B.J.Lepschi&T.R.Lally2555(PERTH);c.21.1kmNWofBPCatabyRoadhouseonBrand
HighwaytowardsBadgingarra,7Apr. 1996,B.J. Lepschi&T.R.Lally2557(AD,BRI,CANB,MEL,
PERTH);4.9kmWofCockleshellGullyRdturnoffonCoorow-GreenHeadRd,c. 11.5kmENEofGreen
Head,7Apr. 1996,B.J.Lepschic£T.R.Lally2561(A,AD.B.BRI,CANB,HO,K,L,MEL,MO,NSW,
NY,US);samelocality,1July1996,B.J.Lepschi&T.R.Lally2692(AD,CANB,MEL,PERTH);Bakers
Junction Nature Reserve, 2.5 km NE of Bakers Junction on road to Jerramungup, 2 May 1996,
B.J. Lepschi& T.R. Lally2581 (PERTH);bushlandremnantadjacentKwinanaFreeway ‘onramp’ at
junctionwithSouthStreet,Leeming,Perth,26May 1996,B.J. Lepschi & T.R. Lally2602(AD,BRI,
CANB,HO,PERTH);7miles[c. 11.3km]fromBindoon,26Apr. 1957,//. Lewis32(NSW,[K/j.v.]);
DarlingRange, 1843,L. Preiss27(MEL).
Distribution. This variety occurs in the northern part ofthe range ofP. pulchella, extending from
Eneabba southwards to Jandakot (on the southern edge ofPerth) and inland to nearMogumberand
Clackline.Anisolatedcollection Lepschi&Lally2581)alsoexistsfromnearBakersJunction,north-
(
eastofAlbany.
Pithocarpapulchella var. pulchella overlaps with var. melanostigma in the Perth region. In this
areavar.melanostigmaoccurspredominantlyontheDarlingScarp,withvar.pulchellaontheCoastal
Plain,althoughthisdistributionisnotentirelyexclusive.Todatenoexamplesofactualsympatryhave
beendocumented,butCranfield828fromWanneroomayrepresentamixedpopulationofP.pulchella
var.pulchellaandvar. melanostigma.Thiscollectioncomprisesplantswithbothbrown(MELsheet)
andblacktodarkbrownish-black(CANB,NSWandPERTHsheets)style-branches. (Figure2C)
Habitat. Grows indeepsandorsandoverlaterite, limestoneorsandstone,oftenwith somegravelly
content.Vegetationcommunitiesincludelowheath(oftenwithemergentmallees),banksiawoodland,
eucalypt woodland (mainly Corymbia calophylla and/or Eucalyptus marginata Sm.), or mixed
banksia-eucalypt woodland, the latter three generally with a shrubby understorey.
Phenology. PopulationsnorthofaboutMogumbertendtobeginfloweringandproducingnewgrowth
approximately two months before more southerly populations ofthis taxon (i.e. south to Jandakot),
althoughthereisoverlapinphenologybetweennorthernandsouthernplants. Newshootsareproduced
around late May (for northern populations), and this continues until approximately November (in
southern populations). Flowers have been recorded between December and April for northern
populations,andbetweenMarchandJuneforsouthernpopulations.Fruitshavebeenrecordedbetween
February andJune.
Chromosomenumber, n= 13 recordedby Lepschi & Keighery (1999).
Conservation status.Widespread and common, and notconsidered atrisk. Pithocarpa achilleoides,
hereconsideredsynonymous with P.pulchella var.pulchella has beenregarded as apoorly known
,
species, and was listed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s unpublished
“Declared RareandPriorityFloraList”of 1996.
