■ VOLUME 10 NUMBER 2 19 9 5 Western Australian Herbarium Department of Conservation and Land Management Como, Western Australia NUYTSIA Published by the Department of Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152. All papers should be submitted to Dr Barbara Rye, Editor, Nuytsia. SCIENCE PUBLICATIONS UNIT Co-ordinator: Kevin F. Kenneally Editor: Marianne R.L. Lewis Assistant Editor: Wendy Searle The journals Nuytsia and CALMScience are products of the Science Publications Unit which links the work of two CALM divisions: Science and Information, and Corporate Relations. They form part of the latter's Programs and Publications section. Their purpose is to present the scientific work of CALM to a professional readership on a regular basis. NUYTSIA EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Barbara L. Rye (Nuytsia Editor) Wendy Searle (Page Preparation) N.S. Lander T.D. Macfarlane N.G. Marchant J.R. Wheeler ENQUIRIES Enquiries regarding distribution and subscriptions should be addressed to the Marketing Manager, Corporate Relations Division, Department of Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 104, Como, WA 6152. Phone: (09) 334 0296 Fax: (09) 334 0498 © Copyright CALM, 1995 ISSN 0085-4417 All material in this journal is copyright and may not be reproduced except with the written permission of the publishers. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia CONTENTS Page Two new species of Tetratheca (Tremandraceae), from the Coolgardie and Austin Botanical Districts, Western Australia. By Jenifer J. Alford 143 Acacia Miscellany 13. Taxonomy of some Western Australian phyllocladinous and aphyllodinous taxa (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae). By B.R. Maslin 151 Acacia Miscellany 14. Taxonomy of some Western Australian “Uninerves-Racemosae” species (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Phyllodineae). By B.R. Maslin 181 Acacia Miscellany 15. Five groups of microneurous species of Acacia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Plurinerves ), mostly from Western Australia. By R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin 205 New and priority taxa in the genera Cryptandra and Stenanthemum (Rhamnaceae) of Western Australia. By B.L. Rye 255 Cryptandra monticola (Rhamnaceae), a new species from the Pilbara region of Western Australia. By B.L. Rye and M.E. Trudgen 307 Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora 311 Publication date of Nuytsia Volume 10 Number 1 311 Notes for Authors 312 Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 104, Como. Western Australia 6152 Cover Nuytsia floribunda (Labill.) R. Br. ex Fenzl (Loranthaceae) - Ihe Western Australian Christmas Tree is one of the few arborescent mistletoes in the world. This endemic tree is a semi-parasite common in sandy soil from the Murchison River to Israelite Bay. The journal is named after the plant, which in turn commemorates Pieter Nuijts, an ambassador of the Dutch East India Company, who in 1627 accompanied the “Guide Zeepard” on one of the first explorations along the south coast of Australia. Cover design by Sue Marais Photograph A S. George Nuytsia 10 (2): 143-149 (1995) 143 Two new species of Tetratheca (Tremandraceae), from the Coolgardie and Austin Botanical Districts, Western Australia Jenifer J. Alford C/- Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152 Abstract Alford, Jenifer J. Two new species of Tetratheca (Tremandraceae), from the Coolgardie and Austin Botanical Districts, Western Australia. Nuytsia 10 (2): 143-149(1995). Two new species of Tetratheca (Tremandraceae), T. chapmanii, endemic to the Carnarvon Range in the Austin Botanical District, Eremaean Province and T. paynterae, endemic to one small range of hills north of Bullfinch in the Coolgardie Botanical District, South-Western Interzone, are described and illustrated. A key and a table of differences are provided to facilitate recognition of the two newly described species and the morphologically-similar species T. aphylla and T. halmaturina. Introduction The endemic Australian genus Tetratheca (Tremandraceae) comprises 41 species, 23 of which are restricted to Western Australia. The conservation and taxonomic status of Western Australian Tetratheca is being investigated by the author. Several Western Australian species of Tetratheca are very geographically restricted and appear to be relics. Three such species are T. aphylla F. Muell. and two new species described here. The distribution and habit of T. aphylla were unknown until it was rediscovered in 1980, and Thompson (1976) had access only to the holotype for her treatment of this species. Extensive surveys since 1980 have located seven small populations of these erect, almost leafless shrubs to 50 cm in height in the Coolgardie Botanical District (Beard 1980). A collection from what was at first believed to be a new, disjunct population of T. aphylla, 55 km north-northwest of the species’ known distribution, was brought to the author’s attention in 1988 by Ms Ray Paynter. Subsequent collections of flowering and fruiting material in 1990 confirmed that this was a new species. In 1993, a second new species was collected by Mr Andrew Chapman 520 km beyond the previously known range of the genus. This represents a significant range extension for the family Tremandraceae and the first record from the Austin Botanical District. The two new species are here named in honour of their discoverers as Tetratheca chapmanii and T. paynterae respectively. 144 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2(1995) Although readily distinguished from one another and from other members of the genus, the two new species appear to be very closely related and also to be closely related to two named species, T. aphylla and T. halmaturina J.M. Black. The latter is a South Australian species found only on Kangaroo Island. As these four morphologically-similar species are allopatric, it is highly unlikely that pollen transfer or hybridization occurs between any of them. The following description of T. paynterae is based on measurements obtained from 30 individual plants and that of T. chapmanii from four herbarium collections. Taxonomy The primary distinguishing characters of T. aphylla, T. chapmanii, T. halmaturina and T. paynterae are summarized in Table 1 . Some of the diagnostic characteristics of Tetratheca aphylla are also illustrated for comparison with the two new species. (Figure 1A,E,I) Key to species in the Tetratheca aphylla group la. Ovules 2 (1/loculus) 2 2a. Peduncles densely hispidulous T. aphylla 2b. Peduncles glabrous T. halmaturina lb. Ovules 4 (2/loculus) 3 3a. Peduncles 2. 3-4. 4 mm long. Calyx segments 1. 9-2.3 mm long. Stamens 2.7 -2.9 mm long, pairs joined along bottom half of filament. Seeds c. 4.7 mm long. Stems sparsely tuberculate with resin-tipped hairs near flowers and in leaf axils T. chapmanii 3b. Peduncles 5.1-1 1 mm long. Calyx segments 3. 3-5.5 mm long. Stamens 3.7-5. 1 mm long, pairs share a common filament. Seeds c. 3.6 mm long. Stems densely tuberculate, glabrous or with resin-tipped hairs T. paynterae Tetratheca chapmanii Alford, sp. nov. (Figure 1C,D,G) T. paynterae affinis a qua imprimis differt planta sparse tuberculata, pedunculo caule ovario et calyce pilis glandulosis rubro-apicibis ornatis, staminibus parvioribus (2.7-2. 9 vs 3.7-5. 1 mm longis), seminibus grandioribus (4.7 vs 3.6 mm). Typus : Carnarvon Range, near Virgin Spring, 270 km north-east of Meekatharra, Western Australia, 25”06T4"S, 120°43'25"E, 24 October 1993, 4. Chapman s.n. (halo: PERTH 03284085; iso: NSW, PERTH). J.J. Alford, Two new species of Tetratheca 145 Small shrub, to 0.4 m high, erect to decumbent, stock not seen. Stems divaricate; branches alternate, often terminating in a brown slender point, terete, 0.7- 1.9 mm diameter, longitudinally unevenly ridged, with sparse minute tubercles and resin-tipped hairs on leaf axils and flowering stems. Leaves early deciduous and often apparently absent; petiole 0.7 mm long; blade 1.3 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, hispid, also with some resin-tipped hairs on lower surface, pubescent on upper surface. Flowers usually occurring singly in axils of leaf-bases. Bracts clustered, fleshy, 0.6 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, with hairs resin-tipped outside, pubescent inside. Peduncles slightly recurved, 2. 3-4.4 mm long, 0.3 mm in diameter gradually thickened towards apex, longitudinally striate, glossy green and red, with scattered resin-tipped hairs; receptacle 0.7- 1.0 mm diameter. Calyx segments 5, persistent, 1 .9-2.3 mm long, 1 .3- 1 .7 mm wide, broadly elliptic, broadly acute; green but red near base and on margins, with sparse resin-tipped hairs outside, glabrous and shiny green inside except for c. 0.5 mm around edge which is scabrous. Petals 5, obovate to elliptic, acuminate, deciduous; 11-11.2 mm long and 6. 3-6. 5 mm (widest part being c. 1/4 from the apex), deep lilac-pink. Stamens 10, 2.7-2.9 mm long, pairs of stamens joined along bottom half of filament, strongly infolded together in bud; filament 0.3-0.6 mm long; body of anther 1.7- 1.8 mm long; anther tube 0.6-0.7 mm long, almost straight, with a few minute stiff hairs. Ovary greenish yellow with red on junction of carpels and on margins, covered in resin-tipped hairs which become sparse as fruit develops; ovules 4, 2 per loculus. Fruits compressed obovoid; 5.8 mm long, 2. 5-3. 8 mm wide; green, almost glabrous but minutely puberulous on margin. Seeds 4.7 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, medium brown, covered in short antrorse hairs; elaiosome prominent, c. 1 .2 mm long, cream-coloured; embryo narrowly elliptic, bright green. Specimens examined. None other than type material. Distribution. Occurs in the Austin Botanical District of Western Australia, known only from Carnarvon Range, near Virgin Spring, 270 km north-east of Meekatharra. Ecology. This species occurs in crevices of vertical cliffs of sandstone massif and on the plateau surface of the range. Associated vegetation is limited to occasional Ficus platypoda. Flowering period. July, October. Probably flowers opportunistically after rain, as do other species occupying these habitats. Conservation status. Approximately 1000 individual plants have been recorded at the only known population of this species. Until further surveys are undertaken to ascertain its conservation status, this species has been recommended as Priority 1 for inclusion on the Priority Flora List of the Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management. Affinities. This species is very similar to the other new species described below, Tetratheca paynterae, in that the two are almost identical in habit. Either they must be closely related relictual species or examples of convergent evolution, probably the former. Both species have four ovules (two in each loculus) which immediately differentiates them from T. aphylla and T. halmaturina. As indicated in the key, T. chapmanii can be readily distinguished from T. paynterae by its smaller peduncles, calyx and stamens (although its seeds appear to be larger), also it has more numerous resin-tipped hairs. Etymology. The specific epithet honours the efforts of Mr Andrew Chapman, an ecologist from Kalgoorlie, who collected the original specimen and subsequent material of this species in the course of his biological survey work. 146 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Figure 1 . Peduncle and developing fruits (petals and calyx segments removed, hairs not illustrated) A - T. aphylla, B - T. paynterae, C - T. chapmanii. Calyx segments (hairs not illustrated) D - T. chapmanii, E - T. aphylla, F - T. paynterae. Stamens G - T. chapmanii, H - T. paynterae, I - T. aphylla. Tetratheca paynterae Alford, sp. nov. (Figures 1B,F,H & 2) Tetratheca paynterae a T. aphylla F. Muell. caulis verrucosis, sepalis magis acutis, pedunculo sub-glabro, et ovulis 4 statim dignoscenda. Typus: Unnamed hills, approximately 120 km north of Bullfinch [precise locality withheld], Western Australia, 8 November 1989, J.J. Alford 1360 (holo: PERTH 03284093; iso: CANB, NSW). Small shrub, 0. 15-0.4 m high, erect to decumbent with a woody stock. Stems divaricate; branches alternate, often terminating in a brown or silver slender point, terete, 0.7-2. 3 mm diameter; irregularly longitudinally striate, glabrous but with dense minute tubercles; new growth densely hispid. Leaves sparse, early deciduous and often apparently absent, scattered along the stems, sessile, narrowly triangular, 1.7 mm long, 0.6 mm wide, both surfaces hispidulous; seedling and resprouting leaves elliptic to ovate, 5.1-8 mm long, 2. 3-2. 8 mm wide. Flowers with distinctive dank musky odour, occurring singly (occasionally paired) in axils of leaf-bases. Bracts clustered, fleshy, keeled, acuminate, 0.5- 1 .5 mm long, reddish, tuberculate, scabrous outside, pubescent inside. Peduncles often slightly recurved, 5.1-11.0 mm long, 0.3-0. 5 mm in diameter gradually thickened towards apex, longitudinally striate, glossy green and red, sparsely tuberculate, scabrous with the hairs minute and occasionally resin-tipped; receptacle 1.0-1. 5 mm diameter. Calyx segments 5(6), deciduous, 3. 3-5. 5 mm long, 1.1 -1.7 mm wide, narrowly triangular, acute, green but red near base and on margins J.J. Alford, Two new species of Tetratheca 147 Table 1. Morphological characters which distinguish T.paynterae, T. chapmanii, T. aphylla and T. halmaturina. Morphological Tetratheca Tetratheca Tetratheca Tetratheca character paynterae chapmanii aphylla halmaturina Number of specimens 30 4 15 (including From literature examined holotype) Thompson (1976) Stem: diameter 0.7-2.3 mm 0.7-1. 9 mm 1.2-3. 6 mm 1.1-1. 8mm Peduncle: length 5.1-1 1 mm 2. 3-4.4 mm 2. 0-4.5 mm 5-8 mm width 0. 3-0.5 mm 0. 3-0.4 mm 0. 3-0.7 mm not recorded vestiture almost glabrous almost glabrous or dense, minute glabrous few resin-tipped numerous resin- stiff hairs and hairs tipped hairs occasional resin- tipped hairs Receptacle: diameter 1.0-1. 5 mm 0.7-1. 0mm 1.0- 1.6 mm 1 .5 mm Calyx segments: number 5(6) 5 5 5 length 3. 3-5.5 mm 1.9-2. 3 mm 2. 0-3. 3 mm 2.5-3 mm width 1.1 -1.7 mm 1.3- 1.7 mm 1.0- 1.4 mm not recorded Stamens: number 10(12) 10 10 10 total length 3.7-5. 1 mm 2. 7-2.9 mm 3.5-4. 1 mm 3. 2-3. 5 mm filament 0.4-0.7 mm 0.3-0. 6 mm 0. 5-0.7 mm <0.25 mm anther body 2.5-3.4mm 1.7-1. 8mm 1. 7-2.4 mm 2.25-2.5 mm tube 0.7- 1.2 mm 0. 6-0.7 mm 0.6- 1.4 mm 0.75-1 .5 mm other pairs joined pairsjoined all free not recorded along entire along bottom filament length half of filament Fruit: length 5. 6-8. 4 mm 5.8 mm 6. 9-7. 8 mm 6-8 mm width 4. 0-6.0 mm 2. 5-3. 8 mm 3.4 mm 2.5-3 mm widest point upper third centre upperquarter narrowly obovate Ovules: number 4 (2 per loculus) 4 (2 per loculus) 2 ( 1 per loculus) 2(1 per loculus) Seeds: length 3.6 mm 4.7 mm 3. 6-4.8 mm 3.5-4 mm width 1.3 mm 1.2 mm 1.2 mm not recorded in fresh material, with short stiff hairs and strigose hairs on both surfaces, pubescent close to the margin on upper surface, the strigose hairs occasionally resin-tipped on lower surface. Petals 5(6), obovate to elliptic, acuminate, deciduous, 6.9-12.8 mm long and 4. 1-7.8 mm wide (the widest point being c. 1/3 from the apex), deep pink with yellow spot at base. Stamens 10(12), 3.7-5. 1 mm long, pairs of stamens share a common filament, strongly infolded together in bud; filament 0.4-0.7 mm long; body of anther 2. 5-3.4 mm long; anther tube 0.7- 1.2 mm long, slightly curved, sparsely hispidulous. Ovary tapered upwards to the stigma, green with red on margins of carpels, densely hispidulous and sparsely glandular pilose; ovules 4, 2 per loculus. Fruits compressed obovoid, 5. 6-8.4 mm long, 4-6 mm wide, sparsely to densely hispid, with occasional resin-tipped hairs; rim of receptacle prominent and persistent; style persistent, 2-3 mm long. Seeds c. 3.6 mm long, 1.3 mm wide, pale to medium brown, silky with long simple hairs; elaiosome prominent, 0.9-1. 8 mm long, cream-coloured; embryo narrowly elliptic, pale green. 148 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2(1995) Figure 2. Tetratheca paynterue. A - habit, B - half of septicidal capsule showing seeds. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Type locality, 23Junel990,F. &N. Mollemans 2967, 2972, 2973, 2975, 2976 (PERTH). Distribution. Endemic to the Coolgardie Botanical District. South-Western Interzone of Western Australia, occurring approximately 120 km north of Bullfinch, Yilgarn Shire [precise location withheld]. J.J. Alford, Two new species of Tetratheca 149 Ecology. This species occurs in crevices of rich red loam amongst massive banded ironstone rock. The associated vegetation is an open shrubland of Melaleuca filifolia, Exocarpos aphyllus, Alyxia buxifolia, Calycopeplus ephedroides, Acacia tetragonophylla and Dodonaea viscosa, all to 3 m over a sparse understory of Chenopodium, Ptilotus, Olearia stuartii and Isotoma petraea. Flowering period. April to November, flowering opportunistically after rain. Conservation status. The habitat of this species has been surveyed extensively and to date approximately 1000 individual plants have been found at the only known location. Since this population is not within a conservation reserve, the species has been formally gazetted as Declared Rare Flora (Schedule of Declared Rare Flora, 1991). Affinities. The affinities of this species are discussed under Tetratheca chapmanii, which appears to be its closest relative. Etymology. The specific epithet honours the efforts of Ms Ray Paynter of Toodyay, who has contributed greatly to the conservation of the flora and vegetation of Western Australia. Acknowledgements I wish to thank both Ms Ray Paynter and Mr Andy Chapman for collecting the original specimens and bringing them to my attention. I thank Mr Greg Keighery for his encouragement and for enabling me to pursue my studies of Tetratheca. I also thank Mr Paul Wilson for his Latin diagnoses and comments on the manuscript and Mr Francisco Neira for the illustrations. Mr Bruce Maslin and an anonymous referee kindly provided their constructive advice. References Thompson, J. (1976). A revision of the genus Tetratheca (Tremandraceae). Telopea 1:139-215. Beard, J. S. (1980). A new Phytogeographic map of Western Australia. Western Australian Herb. Res. Notes No. 3:37-58. Schedule of Declared Rare Flora (1991). Government Gazette 17“' May, 70:2468-2473. 150 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2(1995) Nuytsia 10(2): 151-179(1995) 151 Acacia Miscellany 13. Taxonomy of some Western Australian phyllocladinous and aphyllodinous taxa (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) B.R. Maslin Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152 Abstract B.R. Maslin. Acacia Miscellany 13. Taxonomy of some Western Australian phyllocladinous and aphyllodinous taxa (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae). Nuytsia 10 (2): 151-179(1995). Descriptions are provided for eleven endemic Western Australian species of Acacia characterized by phyllodes which are either decurrent on the stems and forming prominent opposite wings, or which are reduced to scales or minute, horn-like projections. Seven new species and two new infraspecific taxa of Acacia are described, namely, A. aemula Maslin w'hich comprises two subspecies, subsp. aemula and subsp. muricata Maslin (syn. A. tetragonocarpa var. scabra Benth.), A. alata var. tetrantha Maslin, A. applanata Maslin, A. bifaria Maslin, A. carens Maslin, A. cerastes Maslin, A. cummingiana Maslin and A. pterocaulon Maslin. The taxonomy of A. alata R. Br. is briefly assessed and the species is now viewed as comprising four varieties, namely, var. alata, var. biglandulosa Benth., var. platyptera (Lindl.) Meisn. and var. tetrantha Maslin. A description is provided for A. volubilis F. Muell.; this species is possibly extinct and seems related to A. aemula. Acacia glaucoptera Benth., a close relative of A. bifaria, and A. willdenowiana H. Wendl. (based on A. diptera Lindl.), a close relative of A. applanata, are lectotypified. Introduction The species included in this paper are endemic in Western Australian and most are characterized by phyllodes which are either decurrent on the stems and forming prominent opposite wings, or which are reduced to scales or minute, horn-like projections. Not all species with these characteristics are included here, only those that need to be formalized so that the names are available for inclusion in the forthcoming “Flora of Australia” treatment of Acacia. Bentham (1864) recognized two series, Continuae Benth. and Alatae (Benth.) Benth., to accommodate the relatively few species of Acacia with continuous or decurrent phyllodes. The Continuae has long been recognized as an artifical group but the Alatae was accepted in Pedley’s ( 1 978 & 1986) classifications as a distinct section. Prior to 1978 Vassal (1972) had proposed a new classification of Acacia in which a number of new infrageneric taxa were recognized. One of these, section Pulchelloidea Vassal, was created to accommodate certain species from a number of Bentham’s (1864) series (including the Alatae and Continuae). However, the results of preliminary 152 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) cladistic analyses of Acacia by Chappill and Maslin (1995) suggest that both the Pulchelloidea and Alatae are polyphyletic assemblages; decurrent phyllodes were interpreted as a highly homoplastic feature. This result is consistent with the findings of Pettigrew and Watson (1975) and indicate that it is unlikely the Alatae or Continuae will be recognized as formal, higher-order categories in future classifications. There are six species included below under the heading “Phyllocladinous taxa”. Although these species all have decurrent phyllodes that form prominent, opposite wings along the stems they are not all closely related to one another. Acacia bifaria sp. nov. and its close relative A. glaucoptera Benth. differ significantly from the others, particularly in carpological features; these two species are related to the A. merrallii F. Muell. group whose members do not have winged stems and only rarely have decurrent phyllodes. Acacia applanata sp. nov. is closely related to A. willdenowiana H. Wendl. and taxonomically not far from A. a lata R. Br. The precise affinities of A. pterocaulon sp. nov. are not altogether clear. Bentham’s ( 1 864) classification included three species where the phyllodes were reduced to scales; these were included in series Pungentes subseries Aphyllae Benth. (A. spinescens Benth.) and series Calamiformes subseries Subaphyllae Benth. (A. tetragonocarpa Meisn. and A. restiacea Benth.). Neither of these subseries has been recognized in the recent classifications of Acacia and there are no indications that aphyllodinous taxa (of which there are about five now recognized) represent a monophyletic group. Of the five species included below under the heading “Aphyllodinous taxa” only A. cummingiana sp. nov. has all its phyllodes reduced to horizontally flattened scales (like those found in A. tetragonocarpa). It seems likely that in these two species at least the scales are homologous to fused phyllodes and stipules (see note under A. cummingiana). While A. aemula sp. nov. has for the most part normal phyllodes (which closely resemble the branchlets) a few terminal ones are sometimes reduced to horizontally flattened scales. In A. caretis sp. nov. and A. cerastes sp. nov. the phyllodes are very rudimentary and are represented by minute, stipule-like or horn-like projections. Acacia volubilis F. Muell., which like A. aemula has distant, normal phyllodes which resemble the branchlets, is included within this group for comparative purposes because the name had until now commonly been misapplied to some of the new species described in this paper. Methods The taxa included in this paper are arranged alphabetically under two headings, Phyllocladinous taxa and Aphyllodinous taxa. My approach to both typification and the application of rank are discussed elsewhere (Maslin and Cowan 1994a, Cowan and Maslin 1995). Phyllocladinous taxa 1. Acacia alata R. Br. in W.T.Aiton, Hortus Kew. ed. 2, 5: 464 (1813) Mimosa alata (R. Br.) Poir. Encycl. Meth. (Bot.) Suppl. 5: 530 (1817), nom. inval. (combination not actually made); Phyllodoce alata (R. Br.) Link, Handbuch 2: 132 (1831); Acacia alata var. genuina B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 13 153 Meisn. in J.G.C. Lehmann, PI. Preiss. 1: 4 (1844), nom. inval. Lectotype (see Maslin and Cowan 1995): “Mimosa platycaulis.” Observatory Hill, Princess Royal Harbour, Albany, Western Australia, December 1801, R. Brown (BM - upper right hand flowering specimen on sheet titled “Iter Australiense, 1802-5” and bearing [Britten tio.J 4314; isolecto : K, E. Paralectotype : sterile and fruiting specimens mounted with lectotype and isolectotype at BM, K and E. A. uniglandulosa Seem. & J.A. Schmidt, Flora 27: 495 (1844). Typus: cultivated at Hanover botanic garden in 1844, as A. latifrons\ holo: HBG, specimen ex herb. J.A. Schmidt. 1A. alata var. glabrata Hort. ex Seem., Verh. K.K. Gartenbauges. Wien 1846: 9 (1846). Typus : none cited (n.v.). Much-branched shrubs to c. 2 m tall. Branchlets often flexuose. Stipules spinose to innocuous. Phyllodes continuous with branches, bifariously decurrent and forming opposite wings with each one extending to the next below, the wings usually 2-20 mm wide, narrowest on inflorescence-bearing region, thinly coriaceous, slightly undulate, green, glabrous to pilose or hirsute-hirsutellous, commonly tuberculate-scabridulous on margins; free portion of phyllodes 5-70 mm long, sometimes acuminate and/or uncinate, apical points spinose to innocuous, central nerve obvious. Glands 1-3 along adaxial margin of free portion of phyllode, prominent, each normally situated at apex of a triangular spur. Peduncles mostly 2 per axil, sometimes in racemes, 4-12 mm long, glabrous or hirsutellous to shortly pilose; heads globular, 4-15-flowered, white to golden. Flowers 5-merous, the buds obtuse to acute; calyx gamosepalous. Pods stipitate, 2-8 cm long, 5-11 mm wide, crustaceous, normally curved, flat, densely hairy, margins thick. Seeds transverse to oblique, oblong to elliptic, 2. 5-4. 5 mm long, arillate. Distribution. Occurs from Port Gregory (c. 70 km north of Geraldton) south to Albany, southwest Western Australia. Affinities. Acacia alata is related to A. willdenowiana from which it is most readily distinguished by the free portion of the phyllodes having one or more prominent gland-bearing angles along its upper margin and an obvious central nerve. Infraspecific taxa. As defined here A alata comprises four varieties; however, this should be viewed as an interim classification until further studies can be undertaken to ascertain if this is an appropriate rank for these taxa. Variety is used as a rank of convenience and has been adopted simply because two varieties had already been recognized within the species. The name var. biglandulosa Benth. has long been applied to the distinctive form of the species occurring in the Geraldton district. However, in preparing the “Flora of Australia” treatment of A. alata it became evident that plants with large, rather soft, ± innocuous phyllodes which occurred predominantly in areas just north of Perth cannot be easily accommodated within what remained as var. alata. Consequently, var. platyptera (Lindl.) Meisn. (restricted to near Mogumber) is here resurrected and var. tetrantha (Eneabba- Cervantes and Yanchep) is described as a new variety. Additionally, two informal variants are recognized, one allied to var. platyptera (restricted to the Tuttanning Flora Reserve near Pingelly) and the other allied to var. biglandulosa (restricted to a small area east of Mingenew); further studies are needed to confirm the status of these variants. 154 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2(1995) Key to varieties of A. alata 1. Free portion of phyllodes with 2 or 3 gland-bearing angles, sharply pungent; heads 4-7-flowered lb. var. biglandulosa la. Free portion of phyllodes with 1 gland-bearing angle (rarely 2 or 3 in var. tetrantha) 2 2. Heads 4-flowered; free portion of phyllodes 10-70 mm long, innocuous or scarcely pungent Id. var. tetrantha 2a. Heads more than 4-flowered 3 3. Free portion of phyllodes 5-20 mm long, sharply pungent la. var. alata 3a. Free portion of phyllodes 10-70 mm long, acuminate to caudate- acuminate, innocuous or slightly pungent lc. var. platyptera la. Acacia alata R. Br. var. alata Illustrations. H.L. Wendland, Comm. Acac. Aphyll. t. 1 (1820); A. Colla, Hortus Ripul. t. 17 (1824); H.G.L. Reichenbach, Mag. Aesth. Bot. [Mag. Gart.-Bot.] 2; pi. 88, fig. 1 (1825); R. Erickson et al„ FI. PI. W. Australia 2nd edn, 50 (1979); M. Simmons, Acac. Australia 1: 19 (1981), left hand illustration. Shrubs 0.5-1. 5 m tall. Stipules spinose or sub-spinose. Phyllodes on non-flowering region of stems 2-10 mm wide; free portion of phyllodes 5-20 mm long, apex spinose. Peduncles glabrous or hairy; heads 6-10-flowered, creamy white to lemon yellow, occasionally golden. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Mount Clarence, Albany, A.M. Ashby 4325 (PERTH); c. 6 miles [c. 10 km] W of Three Springs, 27 June 1974, C. Chapman (MEL, PERTH 00723061); 6 miles [c. 10 km] W of Sullivan Rock, along track from picnic area on Albany Highway, R.J. Camming 971 (PERTH, TLF); 26 miles [41 .8 km] E of Irwin Inlet, near Denmark, 19 February 1913, S.W. Jackson (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH 00723622, TLF); Dingo Beach Track, West Cape Howe, 25 km W of Albany, G.J. Keighery 8755 (PERTH); Cape Leeuwin, F. Lullfitz L2052 (PERTH); c. 6 miles [c. 1 0 km] S of Mount Williams, B.R. Maslin 432 (MEL, PERTH); 1 .6 km due S of Palgarrup, B.R. Maslin 2851 (MEL, PERTH); 2 km N of Mundijong township on Soldiers Road, B.R. Maslin 6157 (CANB, PERTH); NE of Yallingup, 5. Paust 205 (PERTH); Canning River, L. Preiss 997 (LUND, MO, W); Cookernup, R.D. Royce 3842 (PERTH); Helena Valley, J. Seabrook 41 (CANB, PERTH); near Hamelin Bay, 13 August 1975, R. Tinettis.n. (PERTH 00867470); between Cowaramup and Margaret River, D.J.E. Whibley 5064 (AD, PERTH). CULTIVATED: Kew Gardens, 1808, [W. McNab] (DBN, photo PERTH), see Maslin and Cowan 1995. Distribution. Southwest Western Australia occurring mainly in the Darling Botanical District with an outlier in the Irwin Botanical District (1:250,000 maps H50-6,14; 150-2,5,6,9,10,11,15). This variety has a discontinuous distribution, occurring from Perth south to Collie, from Cape Naturaliste (c. 30 km west- northwest of Busselton) southeast to Manjimup, and from Denmark east to Albany, with an outlier at Three Springs (c. 200 km north of Perth). Habitat. Grows in a variety of habitats but often along creeks with laterite or loam in forest and woodland in the Darling Range, and in sand over granite in coastal heath and low woodland near Albany. B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 13 155 Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers have been recorded from May to December, with the main flush occurring between June and October. Pods with mature seeds have been collected in November and January. Variation. Peduncles on specimens from Cape Naturaliste to Albany are hirsutellous to shortly pilose, further north they are normally glabrous. Smallest pods occur on plants from around Albany, i.e. 2-4 cm long and 5-6 mm wide. Hybrids. Appears to hybridize with A. applanata in a few places in the Darling Range near Perth (see A. applanata below for discussion). Conservation status. Widespread, not considered rare or endangered. Cultivation. Widely cultivated in Europe last century, sometimes as A. scolopendria which is presumed to be a nomen nudum. lb. Acacia alata var. biglandulosa Benth., FI. Austral. 2: 321 (1864) Syntype : Port Gregory, Western Australia, A. Oldfield (K, sheet stamped “Herbarium Hookerianum 1867”), see discussion below. Illustration. M. Simmons, Acac. Australia 1: 19, pi. 15 (1981), right hand illustration. Shrubs 0.5- 1.5 m tall. Free portion of phyllodes to 5-20 mm long, apex spinose. Glands 2 or 3, normally shortly stipitate, sometimes becoming spinose. Peduncles usually hirsutellous; heads 4-7-flowered, cream to white; buds pink. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: near Nanson on Howatharra-Nanson road, A.M. Ashby 3804 (CANB, K, PERTH); c. 16 miles [c. 25.7 km] NNE of Geraldton on the road to Nabawa, R. Coveny 3049 (NSW, PERTH); 12.3 km N of junction of Yerina Springs road with Port Gregory-Northampton road, R.S. Cowan A845 with R.A. Cowan (CANB, K, MEL, NSW, NY, PERTH, US); 10 miles [16 km] S of Northampton, North West Coastal Highway, R. Filson 8684 (MEL, PERTH); Mount Michael on Walkaway-Nangetty road just E of Burma road junction, S.D. Hopper All 1 (PERTH); 30 miles [48 km] E of Geraldton, J. Long 290 (PERTH); Eradu turnoff on Mullewa Road, R.D. Royce 8025 (PERTH). Distribution. Southwest Western Australia in the Irwin Botanical District (1:250,000 map H50-1). Occurs from Port Gregory south to Mount Michael (c. 35 km southeast of Geraldton). Habitat. Grows in loam and sand on lateritic and sandstone hills and also in sometimes saline clay, usually in heath. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers have been recorded from May to October, with the main flush occurring between June and September. Pods with mature seeds have been collected once, in October. Typification. Bentham (1864: 321) based his brief description of this variety on material located “Amongst Oldfield's and other specimens.” The only specimen I have seen which can be regarded 156 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) as original material is the syntype cited above. This sheet is annotated (? by Bentham) as “ Acacia alata var.” and was determined as holotype by A.B. Court on 24 November 1966. Judging from the type citation it is probable that further original material of var. biglandulosa will come to light in time. Variation. Peduncles are glabrous on specimens from near Port Gregory (including the type), elsewhere they are hirsutellous. A population from about 15 km east of Mingenew is treated here as a variant of var. biglandulosa, however, future studies may possibly show that it warrants formal status; this site is c. 70 km southeast of the most southerly known population of var. biglandulosa. These plants differ most obviously from var. biglandulosa in having a preponderance of phyllodes with only a single gland (although occasionally some have two glands) and light golden heads. Although the phyllodes have spinose tips and stipitate glands like var. biglandulosa the phyllode shape and size is sometimes very similar to var. platyptera which occurs much further south. Specimens examined: H R. Maslin 6237 & 6237A and A. Carr 40 (all PERTH). Conservation status. Typical var. biglandulosa is not known to be under threat. lc. Acacia alata var. platyptera (Lindl.) Meisn. in J.G.C. Lehmann, PI. Preiss. 1: 4 (1844) A. platyptera Lindl., Edwards’ Bot. Reg. 27: misc. 3 (1 841). Type citation'. “A greenhouse shrub from the Swan River, recently raised in the Exeter nursery, by Messrs. Lucombe Pince, and Co.” (holo: CGE, sheet annotated “A. platyptera ” by Lindley but without collection details). Illustration. W.J. Hooker, Bot. Mag. 68: t. 3933 (1842), but not a good representation of the species in that the free portion of the phyllodes is shorter than normal. Shrubs 0.5-1 m tall and forming dense clumps 1-2 m across. Stipules innocuous. Phyllodes 7-20 mm wide or occasionally 40 mm towards base of stems, narrower on inflorescence-bearing region; tree portion of phyllodes acuminate to caudate-acuminate, 1-7 cm long, longest at base of stems, straight to shallowly recurved, apical points innocuous or slightly spinose and frequently recurved. Glands 1. Peduncles hirsutellous; heads 12-15-flowered, golden; flower buds obtuse. Pods 10 mm wide. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: north of Mogumber [precise localities withheld for conservation reasons] C. Chapman 6 (PERTH), C. Chapman s.n., 1972 (PERTH 00723517), C. Chapman s.n., 20 July 1971 (PERTH 00723509), R.J. Cumming 1548 (PERTH) and B.R. Maslin 6557 (BRI, CANB, K, MEL, MO, NSW, NY, PERTH). Distribution. Southwest Western Australia in the northern area of the Darling Botanical District (1:250,000 maps H50-10,14). Seemingly occurs in a very restricted area just north of Mogumber (c. 100 km north of Perth). The one collection recorded from outside this range (C. Chapman s.n., 23 August 1971 (PERTH 00617806)) is possibly erroneously labelled. Flowering and fruiting periods. Few collections to hand; however, flowers have been recorded from June to August and although mature seed has been collected the specimen was not dated. B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 13 157 Typification. There is a sheet at herb. CGE which has been determined as holotype of A. platyptera. It is annotated “A. platyptera ” by Lindley but there are no collection details given. The two specimens on this sheet are rather depauperate but accord with the description given in the protologue. Affinities. Vegetatively this variety is rather similar to some forms of var. tetrantha in having broad phylloclades with the free portion of the phyllodes drawn out into long, innocuous or scarcely pungent points. Both varieties occur in regions north of Perth but they are not sympatric; var. platyptera is readily distinguished from var. tetrantha by its golden, 12-15-flowered heads. Variants. A variant known only from the Tuttanning Flora Reserve east of Pingelly (c. 200 km southeast of Mogumber) is not included in the above description and probably represents an undescribed taxon. It keys out closest to var. platyptera, however, it differs in its very narrow (2-8 mm wide), glabrous or minutely hirsutellous phylloclades, shorter phyllodes (the free portions being 10-40 mm long), and glabrous, narrower pods (6-7 mm wide). Further study is needed to confirm the status of this entity. Specimens examined are the following: M.L. Cody s.n., PERTH 00617792, A. S. George 7781, K.F. Kenneally UWA567 and B.K. Maslin 6759 (all PERTH) A northern variant (from near Mingenew) is discussed under var. biglandulosa above. Conservation status. A Priority 1 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Id. Acacia alata var. tetrantha Maslin, var. nov. Frutices 0.3-0. 6 m alti et 1.5 m extendentes. Phyllodia in ramis non-florentibus 3-10 mm lata sed interdum 15 mm lata, phyllodiorum parte discreta 1-7 cm longa acuminata recta usque ad recurvata apicaliter innocua usque ad vix spinosa et recta vel recurvata usque ad valde uncinata; angulus glandulifer saepe perprominens et normaliter solitarius sed raro 2 vel 3. Stipulae innocuae. Pedunculi glabri vel hirsutelli usque ad pilosi. Capitula tetramera alba, alabastris acutis usque ad subacutis. Legumina arcuata usque ad fere recta 7-1 1 mm lata. Typus: Hill River crossing on Jurien-Cervantes road, 22 May 1978, R.J. Cumming 81 ( holo : PERTH 00724173). Shrubs 0.3-0. 6 m tall, spreading to 1.5 m across. Phyllodes on non-flowering region of stems 3-10 mm wide, occasionally 15 mm; free portion of phyllodes acuminate, 1-7 cm long, straight to recurved, apices innocuous to scarcely spinose and straight or recurved to strongly uncinate; gland- angle often very prominent, normally 1, rarely 2 or 3. Stipules innocuous. Peduncles glabrous or hirsutellous to shortly pilose. Heads 4-flowered, white; flower buds acute to sub-acute. Pods curved to almost straight, 7-1 1 mm wide. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 9 km SSE of Eneabba, R.J. Hnatiuk 770907 (PERTH); Yanchep National Park, A.M. James 297 (PERTH); Hill River crossing, c. 10 miles [16 km] due E of Jurien Bay, B.R. Maslin 2621 (BRI, CANB, PERTH), 2621 A (K, PERTH) and 6570 (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH); Cockleshell Gully crossing on the Jurien-Leeman road, B. R. Maslin 6571 (MEL, PERTH) and 6572 (K, MEL, PERTH); Cockleshell Gully, R. Pullen 9684 (PERTH, also CANB but n.v.f Mount Lesueur, N.H. Speck UWA561 (PERTH). 158 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Distribution. Southwest Western Australia in the Darling Botanical District and southern area of the Irwin Botanical District (1:250,000 maps H50-5.9.14). Disjunct, occurring from Eneabba (c. 130 km north of Lancelin) south to Cervantes (c. 60 km northwest of Lancelin), also at Yanchep (c. 130 km south of Cervantes). Habitat. Usually grows near watercourses on sand and sandy clay in eucalypt low open forest and woodland, also in Mallee and Paperbark ( Melaleuca sp.) communities. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from April to July; in the other varieties flowering commences in June. Pods with mature seeds have been collected in November. Affinities. The 4-flowered heads distinguish var. tetrantha from the other varieties of A. alata except var. biglandulosa which is readily recognized by the free portion of its phyllodes being shorter and possessing rigid, spinose tips. The flower buds on the new variety are acute to sub-acute (at least when seen dry) whereas in the other varieties they are obtuse or obtuse-apiculate. Vegetatively var. tetrantha it is similar to var. platyptera. Variation. There appears to be clinal variation in the morphology of the free portion of phyllodes. Around Yanchep (the southern end of the geographic range) the free portion of the phyllodes are long, narrow, clearly recurved and have distinctly uncinate apices; around Eneabba (the northern end of the geographic range) they are shorter, broader and commonly straight. Most collections are from the Hill River district in the middle of the geographic range; the phyllodes here appear to be intermediate in form. Conservation status. Not known to be under threat. Etymology. From the Greek tetra - four, and anthos - flower, an allusion to the consistently 4-flowered heads. 2. Acacia applanata Maslin, sp. nov. Suffrutices graminiformes 10-40 cm alti erecti vel aliquando decumbentes e basi pauci- vel multi- ramosi, ramis infirmis et plus minusve prostratis, aliquando per sarmentis extendentes. Phyllodia pauca cum ramulis continua, bifarie decurrentia alas oppositas formantes, utraque ala ad alam infra extendente, alis plerumque 0.5-3 mm latis, glabris vel pubescentibus vel hirsutis vel scabridulis et atro-viridibus; phyllodiorum pars discreta plerumque 1.5-5 mm longa, inflorescentias subtendtes vulgo dentiformia, acuta, nervo ad marginem adaxialem apposito. Gians nulla. Stipulae minutae. Racemi 0.5-10 mm longi 1-4 capitulis, axibus gracilibus, capitula globularia aurea 10-20-floribus, alabastris obtusis usque ad subacutis. Flores pentameri, calyce gamosepalo. Legumina stipitata usque 3 cm longa et 7-8 mm lata, tenuiter Crustacea, arcuata, plana, villosa, seminibus transversalibus oblongis usque ad ellipticis, 3-4 mm longis, arillatis. Typus : E side of Luyer Avenue, 75 m from junction with Station Street, East Cannington, Western Australia, 9 September 1992, R.S. & M.N.S. Cowan RSC A877 ( holo : PERTH 02433699; iso: AD, CANB, K, G, MEL, MO, NSW, NY, PERTH 02568969). A. diptera Lindl., Edwards’ Bot. Reg. Sketch Veg. Swan R. xv (1839), pro parte, not as to lectotype, as to Vasse River, Mrs. Molloy paralectotypes at CGE and K (see discussion under A. willdenowiana below). B.R.Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 13 159 A. dip ter a var. angustior Meisn. inLehm.,Pl. Preiss. 1 : 5 (1844);/!. benthamii var. angustior (Meisn.) Heynh., Nom. Bot. Hort. 2: 2 (1 846). Lectotype (/L/e Maslin and Cowan, 1994): In glareosis ad jugum montium Darlingsrange, haud procul a catarrhacta [i.e. Susannah Brook], 3 August 1839, legit. L. Preiss 993 (sphalm. “393” in protologue) (NY); isolecto'. HBG, K, FI, G, GOET, L, LD, P, STR. Paralectotype 1 : In asperis ad latus occidentale rnontis “Wuljenup” (i.e. Willyung Hill, near Albany], Western Australia, 14 October 1840, legit. L. Preiss 994 (sphalm. “394” in protologue) (G, LD, NY). Paralectotype 2: In arenosis subumbrosis silvae ad fluvium Cygnorum [Swan River] hinc inde, Western Australia, 23 July 1839, legit. L. Preiss s.n. (LD). 2A. diptera var. eriocarpa W. Fitzg., J. W. Austral. Nat. Hist. Soc. 1: 44 (1904). Typus: None cited; n.v. Grass-like sub-shrubs 10-40 cm tall, erect or sometimes sprawling with weak, ± prostrate stems, few- or multi-stemmed from the base, sometimes spreading by subterranean runners. Stipules minute. Phyllodes few, continuous, bifariously decurrent and forming opposite wings with each one extending to the next below, the wings usually 0.5-3 mm wide, sometimes 5-7 mm, glabrous, pubescent, hirsute or scabridulous and dark green; free portion of phyllodes 1.5-5 mm long, sometimes to 10 mm at base of stems, commonly tooth-like where subtending inflorescences, acute, main nerve near upper margin and often not prominent. Gland absent. Racemes 0.5-10 mm long with 1-4 heads; raceme axes slender and terete, rarely a few narrowly winged as in A. willdenowiana. Peduncles solitary or rarely the distal pair twinned, 5-12 mm long, slender, glabrous. Heads globular, golden, 10-20-flowered; flower buds obtuse to sub-acute. Flowers 5-merous. Calyx gamosepalous, 1/3-2/5 length of corolla, shortly divided, lobes triangular. Petals nerveless or very obscurely 1 -nerved. Pods stipitate, to 3 cm long, 7-8 mm wide, thinly crustaceous, curved, flat, raised over seeds, villous, margins thickened. Seeds transverse in pods, oblong to elliptic, 3-4 mm long, dark brown; pleurogram continuous; aril once-folded below seed. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Boonanarring Brook near Gingin.i.7. Alford 161 (PERTH); Albany, 9 miles [14.5 km] along Lower King Road from Emu Point turn-off, E.M. Bennett 1113 (PERTH); Jurien Bay Road, W.E. Blackall 3671 (PERTH); 38.3 miles [61 .5 km] from Collie towards Williams, E.M. Canning WA/68 3790; Luyer Avenue between Station Street and Beckman Close, East Cannington, R.S. Cowan A.865 (PERTH); Darling Range, southern foot of Mount Cooke, M.G. Corrick 8362 (PERTH); Mount Barker hill, N. Hoyle 1046 (PERTH); “Caladenia Hill” farm, corner of Knight and Washpool roads, Woogenilup, c. 30 km ENE of Mount Barker, 30 September 1984, P. Luscombe s.n. (PERTH 00717401); 0.6 km W of Bussell Highway on Ruabon Road, between Bunbury and Busselton, B.R. Maslin 2812 (PERTH); c. 3.5 km due ENE of BullsbrookEast, B.R. Maslin 5583 (BRI, MEL, NSW, PERTH); Kent Road, 0. 1 km S of Crawler Road, 25 km due SW of York, B.R. Maslin 6183 (CANB, G, PERTH); Great Northern Highway at intersection of North Road (between Bindoon and New Norcia), B.R. Maslin 655 1 (CANB, K, MEL, NSW, PERTH); 20 km N of Dandaragan on Badgingarra Road, B.R. Maslin 6559 (NSW, PERTH); Yanchep National Park, 0.4 km N of Park Entrance on road to Lancelin, B.R. Maslin 6564 (B, NSW, PERTH); Bays water, 10 July 1900, A. Morrison s.n. (PERTH 00723185); Cannington, 29 July 1909, A. Morrison s.n. (PERTH 00723193); Lower Helena Valley, J. Seabrook 52 (CANB, PERTH); 24 miles [38.5 km] S of Fremantle on Mandurah road, 1 mile [1.6 km] E on Serpentine road, C.L. Wilson 818 (PERTH). Distribution. Southwest Western Australia occurring principally in the Darling Botanical District, but also adjacent Irwin, Avon and Eyre Botanical Districts (1:250,000 maps H50-9,10,14; 150-2,5,6,1 1,15). Sporadic from near Jurien (c. 80 km northwest of Lancelin) south to Albany. As 160 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) with A. willcLenowiana many of the habitats of A. applanata around the Perth metropolitan area have probably been destroyed through urban development. Habitat. Grows mostly in sand, loam and lateritic soils, often in winter wet depressions, usually in open woodland, woodland and forest or occasionally in shrubland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers have been recorded from June to October, however the main flush occurs in August and September. A single collection with mature fruit was collected in November. Typification. A type was not cited by Fitzgerald (1904) when he described A. diptera var. eriocarpa and I have seen no original material of this entity. While it is probable that this name is referable to A. applanata it is curious that Fitzgerald described the flowers as 4-merous. Variation. Plants from the Bindoon (c. 20 km east of of Gingin) to Jurien area are multi-stemmed at the base whereas elsewhere they are usually single-stemmed or few-branched at ground level. Compared with populations occurring further south these northern plants also tend to have a greater proportion of phyllodes exceeding 3 mm wide (they reach 5-7 mm) and with free portions greater than 5 mm long (sometimes reaching 10 mm at base of stems). Affinities. Until now this species was included under A willdenowiana with which it is closely related and sometimes sympatric or parapatric (see A. willdenowiana for discussion). Vegetatively resembling the very rare A. anomala C.A. Gardner ex Court but readily distinguished by its globular heads and its short, broad, curved pods with transverse seeds; the two species are sympatric near Bullsbrook East. Acacia anomala is fully described and illustrated in Court (1978). Hybrids. Judging from herbarium material it appears that this species hybridizes with A. alata R. Br. var. alata in the Darling Range near Perth. Two such records exist, i.e. R.J. Cumming 1090 (PERTH) and R. & M. Hamilton 125 (PERTH). Label details for Cumming 1090 show that both A. alata and “A. willdenowiana ” (I presume that this was a misidentification for A. applanata ) were common in the area but only two plants of the putative hybrid were seen. Conservation status. Widespread, not considered rare or endangered. Common name. Grass Wattle. Etymology. From Latin applanatus , flattened or horizontally spreading, referring to the winged stems. 3. Acacia bifaria Maslin, sp. nov. Frutices prostrati vel semiprostrati ad 0.5 m alti et 2 m expansi, ramulis leviter ad manifeste flexuosis glabris. Phyllodia cum ramulis continua, bifarie decurrentia et alas oppositas formantes, utraque ala ad alam infra extendente, alis 1 -3.5 longis et 4- 10 mm latis, coriaceis glabris praeter axillas dense et minute pilosas resinosas, viridibus usque ad subglaucis, ad marginem interdum undulatis; phyllodiorum pars discreta 5-15 mm longa, marginem adaxialem manifeste rotundatum, excentrice mucronatum, nervo principali plus minusve obscuro vel ut videtur destituto. Gians non prominens. Stipulae persistentes. Racemi valde reducti monocephali 0.5- 1.5 mm longi, pedunculis 2-12 mm B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 13 161 longis glabris, aliquando fructu descendente, capitula globularia dilute aurea 16-23-fIoribus. Sepala plus minusve discreta; petala enervia. Legumina valde curvata usque ad bispiralia, plus minusve teretia usque ad 2 cm longa et 2-3 mm lata, tenuiter Crustacea plus minusve glabra nigra. Semina longitudinalia oblonga, circa 3 mm longa arillo terminali et conico. Typus : near intersection of Old Newdegate Road and Floater Road, c. 2 km north of Ravensthorpe, Western Australia, 30 August 1980, B.R. Maslin 4771 ( holo: PERTH 00713082; iso: CANB, K, NY, PERTH 00713074). Prostrate or semi-prostrate, commonly domed shrubs to 0.5 m tall and 2 m across. Branchlets slightly to prominently flexuose, glabrous, light brown to red. New shoots reddish. Stipules persistent, triangular to narrowly triangular or oblong-triangular, 1-5 mm long. Phyllodes continuous with branchlets, bifariously decurrent and forming opposite wings with each one extending to the next below, 1-3.5 cm long (measured along outer margin from mucro to point of attachment to branchlet), 4-10 mm wide, coriaceous, glabrous except axils invested with dense, minute, red-brown resin-hairs (sometimes intermixed with white, non-resinous, appressed hairs), green to sub-glaucous, flat or occasionally undulate along margins, marginal nerve reddish but aging yellow; free portion of phyllodes 5-15 mm long, 4-10 mm wide, adaxial margin obviously rounded, excentrically mucronate, main nerve ± obscure or superficially absent. Gland not prominent, situated near or below middle of the rounded upper margin, c. 0.5 mm long. Inflorescences extremely reduced 1 -headed racemes, 1-4 per axil; raceme axes 0.5- 1.5 mm long, sometimes growing out at anthesis, glabrous except for minute resin hairs which rim the base of the peduncle. Peduncles 2-12 mm long, glabrous, straight and ± erect except sometimes strongly recurved from the base when in fruit; receptacle glabrous to sub-glabrous; basal peduncular bracts solitary, caducous or persistent, 1-2 mm long, dark brown. Heads globular, light golden, 16-23-flowered. Bracteoles absent. Flowers 5-merous; sepals 1/3- 1/2 length of petals, joined at extreme base, oblong to narrow'ly oblong, sparsely puberulous, slightly thickened adaxially at apex; petals 1.5 mm long, glabrous, nerveless. Pods strongly curved to twice-coiled, ± terete, slightly constricted between seeds along the inner edge, to 2 cm long, 2-3 mm wide, thinly crustaceous, finely longitudinally rugulose, resinous (but not viscid) when very young, glabrous or sparsely strigulose, black, marginal nerves light brown and not thickened. Seeds longitudinal with aril facing apex of pod, oblong, c. 3 mm long and 1.5 mm wide, dark brown, dull; pleurogram very fine, oblong, open at hilar end; areole c. 1 mm long and 0.5 mm wid e\funicle filiform, c. 1 mm long, abruptly expanded into a conical, terminal, yellow-brown (when dry) aril c. 1 mm long. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Ravensthorpe, C. Davies 116 (PERTH); E side of Fitzgerald River, Ongerup-Ravensthorpe road, 4 September 1976, A.S. George s.n. (PERTH 00712094); 9 miles [14.4 km] NW of Ravensthorpe, J. Goodwin 229(3950) (PERTH); Fitzgerald River crossing on Jerramungup-Ravensthorpe road, B.R. Maslin 802 (AD, CANB, K, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH); 2.5 km S of Ravensthorpe towards Hopetoun, B.R. Maslin 2559 (PERTH); c. 7 km from Ravensthorpe towards Lake King, B.R. Maslin 2577 (AD, B, BRI, MEL, PERTH); 10 km W of Ravensthorpe, K.R. Newbey 8052 (PERTH); c. 20 miles [32 km] W of Ravensthorpe, S. Paust 700 (PERTH); rest area on road to Lake King, 4 miles (6.4 km) NW of N.R. 1 and NW of Ravensthorpe, T. & J. Whaite 4306 (PERTH, also CANB, K, NSW but n.v.). Distribution. Southern Western Australia occurring in the Eyre Botanical District (1:250,000 maps 150-8,12; 151-5). Occurs from Ravensthorpe west-southwest to the Fitzgerald River (c. 30 km east of Jerramungup). 162 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Habitat. Grows on clay, loam and sand in scrub, Mallee communities and woodland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering specimens have been collected from August to October and in December. Pods with mature seed have been collected in December. Variation. The phyllodes on some specimens from around Ravensthorpe are occasionally undulate (e.g. R.J. Camming 1072; C. Davies 1 17; B. Barnsley 500, all PERTH). A similar looking undulate phyllode variant occurs in A. glaucoptera near Bremer Bay (c. 110 km southwest of Ravensthorpe). Affinities. Closely related to A. glaucoptera but A. bifaria is most readily distinguished by its green to sub-glaucous phyllodes and 1 6-23-flowered heads. Other characters useful in discriminating the new species include the following. The phyllode axils of the new species are densely resin-haired, the hairs are red-brown and minute (best observed at xlO mag., these hairs are sometimes intermixed with short, appressed non-resinous hairs) whereas in A. glaucoptera the phyllode axils are densely tomentulose by a tuft of white, erect, non-resinous hairs that are usually visible to the unaided eye. In A. bifaria the free portion of the phyllode is generally shorter and narrower than in A. glaucoptera and its upper margin is distinctly rounded and ends in an excentric mucro (while A. glaucoptera sometimes has similar phyllodes, they are more commonly narrowed to an elongated, acute or shortly acuminate, ± centric point). The pods of A. bifaria often only strongly curved, and in the less common coiled condition they are not twisted as in A. glaucoptera. Furthermore, there appears to be habit differences between the two species: A. bifaria is a prostrate or semi-prostrate, commonly domed plant to c. 0.5 m tall and although A. glaucoptera may also have this habit it commonly grows to a taller shrub (reaching 1 .5 m) with a discrete, single trunk and a somewhat open growth form with rather gangly branches. Acacia bifaria has a more restricted distribution than A. glaucoptera and although both are common around Ravensthorpe it is not known if they are ever sympatric. The inflorescence and pod characters suggest that A. bifaria and A. glaucoptera are related to A. excentrica Maiden & Blakely and the A. merrallii F. Muell. and its allies; however, these relatives do not have bifarious, decurrent phyllodes which form prominent wings along the branchlets. Conservation status. A Priority 3 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Etymology. The epithet is derived from the Latin bi-, two and -farius, a multiplication in numbers of parts. It alludes to the phyllocladinous branchlets where the phyllodes are in two ranks on opposite sides of the branchlet axis. 4. Acacia glaucoptera Benth., Linnaea 26: 604 (1855) Lectotype (here selected): Swan River, Western Australia, J. Drummond 5: 1 (K, sheet stamped “Herbarium Benthamianum 1854”, see discussion below; isolecto: BM, CGE - sheet labelled “Swan River to Cape Riche”, K - sheet stamped “Herbarium Hookerianum 1 867”). ?Paralectotype: on clayey flats near the Gardner and Salt R., Western Australia, G. Maxwell (BM). ?A. sinuata Hort. ex Jacques, J. Soc. Imp. Centr. Hort. 6: 672 (1860), non (Lour.) Merrill (1935). Typus: cultivated in May 1860 in Paris by Mr Rougier-Chauviere\ n.v. [A. bossiaeoides auct. non A. Cunn. ex Benth.: B. Seemann, Eur. Acac. 7 tab. 1 (1852).] B.R.Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 13 163 Illustrations. B. Seemann, loc. cit.; R. Erickson et al., Flowers PI. W. Australia 2nd edn 94 (1979); M. Simmons, Acacias of Australia 1: 17 (1981). Prostrate or semi-prostrate, mid-dense to moderately open shrubs to c. 1 .5 m across, also growing single-stemmed and erect to 1.5 m tall, branches often somewhat gangling. Branchlets straight to slightly flexuose, glabrous. New shoots red. Stipules deciduous or persistent, trianglar or oblong- trianglar, 1-3 mm long. Phyllodes continuous with branchlets, bifariously decurrent and forming opposite wings with each one extending to the next below, usually 2.5-7 cm long (measured along outer margin from apex to point of attachment to branchlet) and 0.6-2 cm wide, coriaceous, glabrous except axils densely tomentulous, glaucous, occasionally undulate, main nerve evident, marginal nerve reddish but aging yellow; free portion of phyllodes usually 1-4 cm long and acute to shortly acuminate. Gland not prominent, situated near or below middle of the upper margin, 0.5-1 mm long. Inflorescences extremely reduced 1 -headed racemes, 1-2 per axil; raceme axes to 0.5 mm long, glabrous; peduncles 3-18 mm long, glabrous, ± erect except often strongly recurved from the base when in fruit so that the peduncle is patent or descending; receptacle sub-glabrous or tomentulous; heads globular, golden, 30-80- flowered. Flowers 5-merous; sepals c. 1/2 length of petals, free or joined at base, narrowly oblong to narrowly oblong-oblanceolate, sparsely puberulous; petals 2 mm long, glabrous, nerveless. Pods somewhat irregularly coiled and twisted, sub-terete to compressed, slightly constricted between seeds along the inner edge, to 2 cm long, 2-3 mm w'ide, thinly crustaceous, smooth or finely longitudinally rugulose, glabrous, black. Seeds longitudinal with aril facing apex of pod, ± oblong, 2. 5-3. 5 mm long, 2 mm wide, dark brown, dull; pleurogram very fine, open at hilar end; areole 1-1.5 mm long, 0.5 mm wide; funicle filiform, c. 1 mm long, abruptly expanded into a ± conical, terminal, yellow-brown (when dry) aril c. 1 mm long. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Dunn Rock Nature Reserve, K.J. Atkins 108408 (PERTH); Swan River, J. Drummond 1 (BM, CGE, G, FI, OXF, P, TCD); Little White Lake Nature Reserve No. 26786 [Carmody Nature Reserve, 25 km SE of Narrogin], G. Durrell s.n. (PERTH 00870617); between Hamersley River and East Mount Barren, B.R. Maslin 810 (MEL, PERTH); 4 km NNE of Hawes Hill, Cape Arid National Park, c. 98 km E of Esperance, K.R. Newbey 7889 (PERTH); 45 km W of Grass Patch, K.R. Newbey 81 14 (PERTH); 17 km W of Israelite Bay Telegraph Station towards Mount Ragged, R.A. Saffrey 1356 (CANB, K, PERTH); c. 5 km NE of Ravensthorpe towards Esperance, M.D. Tindale 3805 (PERTH, also BRI, CANB, K, L, MEL, US, but n.v.y, 40 km ESE of Lake King township near No. 1 Vermin Proof Fence, P.G. Wilson 6875 (CANB, K, L, NT, PERTH, SP). Distribution. Southern Western Australia occurring principally in the Eyre Botanical District, but also adjacent Avon, Darling and Roe Botanical Districts (1:250,000 maps 150-7,8,1 1,12; 151-5,6,7). Occurs from near Narrogin south to near Manypeaks (c. 35 km northeast of Albany) and east to Israelite Bay (c. 180 km east of Ravensthorpe). Habitat. Grows in clay and gravelly soils in woodland, tall shrubland and Mallee communities. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers have been recorded from August to December, however the main flush occurs from August to October. Pods with mature seeds have been collected in November and December. Typification. When Bentham (1855) originally described 4. glaucoptera he did not cite any specimens, however, in “Flora Australiensis” he listed a number of collections under this name, namely, “Towards Cape Riche, Drummond, 5th Coll. n. 1, and in leaf only, 4th Coll. n. 1 ; Clay flats, 164 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Fitzgerald, Gardner and Phillips ranges, Maxwell (Bentham 1864: 320). At herb. K there are four sheets determined as A. glaucoptera by Bentham; these support either sterile material of Drummond 4: 1 (specimens with broad phyllodes) and/or flowering material of Drummond 5: 1 (specimens with narrow phyllodes). There is no direct evidence that Bentham actually used this material to prepare the original description of A. glaucoptera, however, the Drummond 5: 1 specimens accord quite well with the (rather brief) protologue as to stipule, phyllode and flower characters. Therefore, the Kew specimen of Drummond 5: 1 on the sheet stamped “Herbarium Benthamianum 1 854” has been selected as the lectotype; there is a duplicate of this collection on a sheet stamped “Herbarium Hookerianum 1867” at K. The Drummond 4: 1 collection is not regarded as a type because it is without stipules and flowers (these were described in the original description). Athough there are duplicates of both Drummond gatherings at herb. BM and CGE no record was made of the handwriting on these, therefore, I am not sure if they have been seen by Bentham. The CGE specimen of Drummond 5: 1 is labelled “Swan River to Cape Riche” which accords with the designation given by Bentham ( 1 864: 320). I have seen a Maxwell specimen at herb. BM which is annotated “on clayey flats near the Gardner and Salt River”. This is probably the gathering cited by Bentham (loc. cit.) under A. glaucoptera, however, I did not record the morphological characteristics of this specimen or whether Bentham actually annotated the sheet; this specimen is here regarded as a probable paralectotype of A. glaucoptera. Synonymy. Judging from Jacques’ original description of A. sinuata it appears as though this name is synonymous with A. glaucoptera. Between 1837 and 1863 Jacques published a number of new names referable to Australian taxa of Acacia, based on plants cultivated in Paris. However, I have been unsuccessful in locating the types of any of these names, despite having searched for them at herb. P. Variation. Specimens from the western extremity of the range (Pingrup, Broomehill, Borden, Ongerup, Manypeaks areas) differ from those elsewhere in having smaller phyllodes (1.5-3 cm long; free portion of phyllodes 5-15 mm long and (3)4-6 mm wide). The phyllodes appear to be glaucous (colour determined from herbarium specimens) and have obviously tomentulose axils, the free portion of the phyllodes is usually acute but in some specimens (from Ongerup and Pingrup) it is rounded and excentrically mucronate as in A. bifaria. Field and laboratory studies are needed to assess the status of these western populations. Typical A. glaucoptera occurs along the south coast from Bremer Bay east to Israelite Bay but there are a few records from inland localities, e.g. near Lake King, Narrogin and the Stirling Range; it also occurs at Broomehill (same locality as the variant). Selected specimens examined: 95 mile peg, Borden - Pingrup road [c. 32 km N of Borden towards Pingrup], A.M. Ashby 4316 (PERTH); 6 miles [9.6 km] SE of Broomehill, K. Newbey 3586 (CANB, K, MEL, NY, PERTH); 1 mile [1.6 km] N of Ongerup, K.R. Newbey 462 (PERTH); c. 20 miles [32 km] NE of Albany towards Jerramungup, S. Paust 507 (PERTH); 34 km SE of Ongerup, N. Stevens KRN9514 (MELU, PERTH) and KRN9514-1 (MELU, PERTH); 2 km S of Borden along Chester Pass Road, J. Taylor and P. Ollerenshaw JT 1870 (PERTH, also CBG, NSW but n.v.). A seemingly rare but distinctive variant with very undulate phyllodes is recorded from north of Bremer Bay (Bremer Bay is c. 65 km southeast of Jerramungup). Specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Swamp Road, N of Bremer Bay, September 1958, J.M. Laws s.n. (PERTH 00713139 & PERTH 00713120); road between Bremer Bay Road and Gairdner River, S. Paust 653 (MO, PERTH). Affinities. Closely related to A. bifaria (see this species for discussion). B.R.Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 13 165 Conservation status. Widespread, not considered rare or endangered. Common names. Clay wattle; Flat wattle. 5. Acacia pterocaulon Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex multiramosus erectus vel decumbens ad 1.3 m altus, ramulis glabris. Phyllodia cum ramulis continua, bifarie decurrentia alas oppositas formantes, utraque ala ad alam infra extendente, alis 2-6 mm latis coriaceis glabris subglaucis, nervo marginali prominenti, phyllodiorum pars discreta 1-5.5 mm longa lanceolata usque ad triangularis erecta recta vel pervadose incurva, nervo principali centrali. Gians basalis. Racemi 1-10 cm longi, axibus normaliter sub anthesi angusto-alatis; pedunculi 10-15 mm longi, glabri, capitulis globularibus. 10-15 mm diametro (sub anthesi sicco) confertim 60-70-floribus aureis. Flores pentameri, sepalis plus minusve discretis lineari-spathulatis. Legumina linearia ad 12 cm longa et 4-5 mm lata, coriaceo-crustacea glabra, plus minusve pruinosa. Semina longitudinalia oblonga 4.5-5 mm longa, arillo subconico. Typus: W of Morawa [precise locality withheld for conservation reasons]. Western Australia, 1 September 1976, B.R. Maslin 4273 (holo: PERTH 00719978; iso: CANB, K, MEL, NY). Much-branched, intricate, erect or sprawling shrubs to 1.3 m tall, occasionally 2 m; terminal branches sparingly divided and often gangling, shallowly sinuous to slightly flexuose, glabrous, furnished with a fine yellow medial nerve. Stipules often caducous, 1-2 mm long. Phyllodes continuous with branchlets, bifariously decurrent and forming opposite wings with each one extending to the next below, the wings 2-6 mm wide, coriaceous, glabrous, sub-glaucous, marginal nerves prominent and yellow or light brown; free portion of phyllodes 1-5.5 cm long, shortest on inflorescence-bearing portion of branches, lanceolate to narrowly triangular, erect, straight or very shallowly incurved, acute, main nerve central, lateral nerves absent or very obscure. Gland not prominent, situated on upper margin of free portion of phyllode near the base, oblong-elliptic, 0.5-1 mm long. Racemes 1-8(10) cm long, usually branch-like at anthesis by axes becoming narrowly winged through the development of decurrent phyllodes, 1 or 2 per axil; raceme axes glabrous, with 2, small, semi-persistent, alternate, supra-basal bracts. Peduncles 10-15 mm long, alternate, usually to c. 5 per raceme; basal peduncular bracts caducous. Heads globular, densely 60-70-flowered, golden, 10-15 mm diam. at anthesis (dry). Bracteoles resembling the sepals. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 2/3 length of petals, ± free, linear-spathulate, fimbriolate apically otherwise ± glabrous. Petals 3-3.5 mm long, glabrous, midrib obscure. Pods linear, to 12 cm long, 4-5 mm wide, coriaceous-crustaceous, pendulous, straight to very slightly curved, slightly raised over seeds and not or scarcely constricted between them, glabrous, purplish brown and pruinose or faintly pruinose, margins not thick. Seeds longitudinal with aril facing apex of pod, oblong, obliquely truncate on margin adjacent to aril, 4.5-5 mm long, 3 mm wide, dark brown to black, ± shiny; pleurogram obscure with narrow opening at hilar end; areole 1.5-2 mm long, c. 0.5 mm wide; funicle minute, abruptly expanded into the aril; aril sub-conical, oblique at end of seed, white (drying yellow), dull greyish green at hilum (drying brownish). Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: type locality, A.M. Ashby 4884 (PERTH, also AD but n.v.) and 5202 (PERTH), R.J. Cranfield & P.J. Spencer 7855 (PERTH), R.J. Camming 1655 (PERTH), 2194 (MELU, NSW, PERTH), B.R. Maslin s.n. (PERTH 00719943) and 6597 (PERTH), K. Newbey 2126 (PERTH), Morawa School 1 (PERTH). 166 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2(1995) Distribution. Southwest Western Australia occurring in the northern area of the Avon Botanical District (1:250,000 map H50-6). Seemingly restricted to a small area within a range of hills west of Morawa. Further survey is needed to determine the frequency and geographic range of the species; it is currently known that several hundred plants exist. Habitat. Grows in rocky (chert) clay-loam on slopes of hills in Eucalyptus woodland or dense casuarina scrub. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers in August and September. Pods with mature seeds have been collected in late November. Affinities. The precise affinities of A. pterocaulon are not altogether clear. Although its vegetative characters resemble those of the more southerly distributed A. glaucoptera and A. willdenowiana, the new species is readily distinguished by its long, linear, ± straight pods. Acacia glaucoptera has a similar habit to A. pterocaulon but has much smaller heads (5-6 mm diam. at anthesis when dry even though the number of flowers is 30-80 per head), much shorter racemes and is densely tomentulous in the axils of its phyllodes. Although A. willdenowiana often has long, branch-like racemes and heads that can reach c. 10 mm when dry, it differs significantly from A. pterocaulon in its rush-like growth habit, twinned peduncles, pale yellow to white heads with 1 3-2 1 flowers, gamosepalous calyx and transverse seeds. Conservation status. A Priority 1 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Etymology. From the Greek, pteron - winged, and kaulos - stem, an allusion to the prominently winged branches. 6. Acacia willdenowiana H.L. Wendl., Verz. Berggart. Flannover 5 (1845) Typus: Based on the following. A. diptera Lindl., Sketch Veg. Swan R. xv ( 1 839), non Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. (1 809); A. benthamii Heynh. (as “ benthami ”), Norn. Bot. Hort. 2: 2 (1846), non Meisn. (1844). Lectotype (here selected, see discussion below): Swan River, Western Australia, 1839,7. Drummond s.n. (CGE; isolecto: CGE, K; 1 isolecto: CGE, K, see discussion below). Paralectotypes: see A. applanata above. A. diptera var. erioptera Graham, Bot. Mag. 68: t. 3939 (before May 1842), non Bentham (about June 1 842). Typus: Cultivated plant received in 1 840 at Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, from Glascow, where it was raised from Swan River seeds sent by J. Drummond ; n.v., see note below. A. diptera var. erioptera Benth., London J. Bot. 1: 325 (about June 1842), nom. illeg. (later homonym). Syntype 1. Swan River, Western Australia, J. Drummond 182 (K). Syntype 2. Swan River, Western Australia, J. Drummond s.n. (K). A. diptera var. latior Meisn. in J.G.C. Lehmann, PI. Preiss. 1: 4 (1844); A. benthamii var. latior (Meisn.) Heynh. (as ‘Benthami’), Nom. Bot. Hort. 2: 2 (1846). Lectotype (see Maslin and Cowan 1994): near Halfwayhouse [Halfway House, 31° 54'S, 1 16° 20'E], Western Australia, 12 September B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 13 167 1 839, L. Preiss 996 (NY ; isolecto : G, GOET, HBG, L, LD, STR). Paralectotype: near Perth, Western Australia, 8 May 1 839, L. Preiss 995 (B, FI, G, GOET, HBG, K, L, LD, NY - sphalm. “595”, P, STR). Illustrations. W.J. Hooker, Icon. PI. ser. 1, 4: t. 369 (1841); R. Graham, loc. cit.; M. Simmons, Acac. Australia 2: 1 1 , pi. 36 (1988). Erect shrubs 30-60 tall, sometimes to 1 m tall or stems scrambling, few- or multi-stemmed from the base. Stipules minute. Phyllodes continuous with branchlets, bifariously decurrent forming opposite wings with each one extending to the next below, the wings variable in width but commonly 1-5 mm wide, sometimes to 15 mm, glabrous, rarely pilose, pubescent or puberulous, grey-green to glaucous;/ree portion of phyllodes 5-20(50) mm long, acute, nerve close to upper margin and usually not prominent. Gland absent. Racemes 2-1 1 cm long, commonly patent and 2 per axil; raceme axes normally very narrowly winged (through development of decurrent phyllodes) at antheses, if wings expand the peduncles appear simple and axillary. Peduncles 6-15 mm long, twinned, slender, glabrous. Heads globular, 10-12 mm diam. (fresh), white to cream, sometimes pale lemon yellow, 13-21 -flowered; flower buds normally acute to sub-acute (when dry). Flowers 5-merous. Calyx gamosepalous, 1/5- 1/3 length of petals, shortly lobed, lobes triangular. Petals nerveless or very obscurely 1-nerved. Pods to 6 cm long, 10-15 mm wide, thinly crustaceous, curved, flat, raised over seeds, often lightly pruinose, glabrous, rarely pilose on the thick margins. Seeds transverse in the pods, ± oblong, 5-6 mm long, dark brown, arillate. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Boonanarring Brook near Gingin, J.J. Alford 391 (PERTH); Subiaco, May 1901, C. Andrews s.n. (PERTH 00723118); Bibra Lake, W.M. Came, 16 June 1923 (PERTH 00725 145); c. 40 miles [c. 64 km] SW of Winchester on Coorow- Green Head road, 12 June 1974, C. Chapman s.n. (CANB, K, MEL, NSW, NY, PERTH 0072001 1); 4.8 km W of Great Northern Highway along North road, 15 km SW of New Norcia, R.J. Cranfield 4263 (PERTH); Leederville, June 1897, Col. Goadby s.n. (PERTH 00725110); Stirling Range, T. Hales for A.M. Ashby 4592 (PERTH); Cottesloe, 22 July 1897, R. Helms (PERTH 00718416); “Caladenia Hill” farm, corner of Knight and Washpool roads, Woogenilup, c. 30 km ENE of Mount Barker, 25 May 1983, P. Luscombe s.n. (K, PERTH 00717428); 16 km W of Harvey, B.R. Maslin 443 (MEL, PERTH); Kent Road, 0.1 km S of Crawler Road, 25 km due SW of York, B.R. Maslin 6183 (CANB, G, NY, PERTH); 12 km due E of The Lakes roadhouse, Inkpen Road 0.5 kmN of Perth- York road, B.R. Maslin 6525 (PERTH); 24 miles [38.5 km] S of Fremantle on Mandurah road, 1 mile [1.6 km] E on Serpentine road, C.L. Wilson 817 (PERTH). Distribution. Southwest Western Australia occurring in Irwin and Darling Botanical Districts and adjacent area of the Eyre Botanical district (1:250,000 maps H50-6,9,10, 14; 150-2,6,1 1). Sporadic from near Coorow south to near Stirling Range (Stirling Range is east of Cranbrook). Judging from herbarium records A. willdenowiana was formerly common around Perth, however, many of its habitats have been destroyed through urban development. Habitat. Grows in sand, loam and lateritic soils, often in winter wet depressions, usually in open woodland and woodland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers have been recorded from May to October, however, the main flush occurs June to September. A single collection with mature fruit was collected in November. Typification. The type sheet of A. diptera at herb. CGE and is annotated by Lindley “ Acacia diptera m”and supports a number of elements, not all of which are labelled. The specimens appear to represent 168 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) both A. diptera sensu lectotypico and A. applanata and there are duplicates of most of them at herb. K. 1 . Left hand specimen on the CGE sheet is without collecting details; the probable duplicate of this at Kew is also without collecting details. It is likely that these specimens form part of the lectotype gathering of A. dipteru (see no. 2 below) and are therefore regarded as probable isolectotypes. 2. Central specimens on the CGE sheet are labelled “Swan River, 1839, Drummond” ; there are duplicates of these at Kew. One of the CGE specimens has been selected as the lectotype of A. diptera (originally chosen by A.B. Court, 18 June 1969); the K specimens are regarded as isolectotypes. These specimens accord well with the protologue. 3. Upper right hand specimen on the CGE sheet is labelled “Sandy light soil dry above” (probably in Mrs G. Molloy’s hand); the Kew duplicate of this is labelled “Vasse River, Mrs. Molloy”. These specimens appear to be A. applanata (but with unusually broad phyllodes, i.e. 3-7 mm wide) and are regarded as paralectotypes of A. diptera. 4. Lower right hand specimen on the CGE sheet is labelled “Swan River, Capt. James Mangles ”; there are no specimens at herb. K which are attributed to Mangles. This specimen may possibly be part of the Molloy collection (see no. 3 above), it is A. applanata and is regarded as a paralectotype of A. diptera. The type of A. diptera var erioptera Graham seems not to be extant, however, there is a specimen at herb. E (a probable duplicate at herb. K) which was probably taken from the type plant. The specimen is annotated by R. Graham “ Acacia diptera var. erioptera Grah. Greenhouse R. Bot. Gard. Edin. 24 Decb. 1842.” Bibliographic note. The name A. diptera var. erioptera was published separately by both R. Graham and G. Bentham in 1842; the two descriptions were identical. Ascertaining the precise dates of publication for the respective works is difficult, however, it seems probable that Graham’s appeared before May 1842 (Chapman 1991) and Bentham’s in about June 1842 (Stafleu and Cowan 1979). Additional evidence that Graham’s name was published first is seen from Bentham ( 1 864) where var. erioptera is attributed to Graham. Variation. Phyllode width is very variable, e.g. 1-6 mm and 5-13 mm wide respectively on two plants from the population where B.R. Maslin 6525 was collected. The free portion of the phyllodes on specimens from the north of the range sometimes reach 50 mm long, elsewhere they are rarely exceed 20 mm. Specimens from the southern end of the range have pale lemon yellow heads, elsewhere they are white to creamy white. Affinities. Until recently A. willdenowina was commonly called A. diptera (Court 1972) and has long been confounded with A. applanata (see above). Confusion between these two species occurred because both are low shrubs with winged stems and globular heads, furthermore, they are sometimes sympatric or parapatric. As discussed above even the type collection of A. diptera contained elements of both species. Meisner ( 1 844) recognized the differences between the two, describing A. willdenowiana as A. diptera var. latior and A. applanata as A. diptera var. angustior. B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 13 169 Acacia xvilldenowiana is distinguished from A. applanata by inflorescence, vegetative and carpological features. It’s racemes are long (2-1 1 cm) with twinned peduncles and white to pale yellow, larger heads; furthermore, at anthesis the raceme axes are commonly very narrowly winged through the development of decurrent phyllodes which sometimes expand considerably before flowering is finished so that the peduncles appear to be simple and axillary. In A. applanata the racemes do not exceed 1 cm in length and the axes are slender and terete (only very rarely winged), the peduncles are singular (except occasionally the distal pair is twinned) and the heads are a rich golden colour. Vegetativeiy A. willdenowiana tends to be a taller, more robust plant than A. applanata and has grey-green to glaucous (not green) phyllodes. Also, its phyllodes are only rarely hairy (includes the types of A. diptera var. erioptera Graham and var. erioptera Benth.), are commonly broader and have a longer free portion. The pods and seeds of A. willdenowiana are larger than those of A. applanata , also, its pods are usually glabrous. Otherwise the carpological features of the two species are very similar except that A. applanata is apparently a more shy seeder. Acacia willdenowiana is also related to A. alata (see above). Common name. Two-winged Acacia. Conservation status. Not known to be under threat. Aphyllodinous taxa 7. Acacia aemula Maslin, sp. nov. Suffrutex aperto-ramosus junceus 0.2-0.4 m altus, plerumque plus minusve prostratus, ramulis teretibus striatis cum costis prominentibus, laevibus vel muricatis glabris. Phyllodia rami simulantes remota quinquangulo-teretia usque ad plus minusve plana et linearia mucronata, pulvino obscuro, 1-11 mm longa, 1-2 mm lata, laevia vel muricata glabra, quinqinerva (in quoque facie uninervata et cum phyllodiis plana margine superiore nervoidea. Stipulae 2-3 mm longae. Gians non prominens, super basem 1-3 mm disposita. Pedunculi 5-15 mm longi saepe reflexi glabri vel appresso-puberuli, capitulis globularibus cremeis vel aureis laxe 6- 1 1-floribus. Flores tetrameri, alabastris ovatis usque ad ellipticis acutis, calyce gamosepalo parvo; petala flabellato-striata glabra. Legumina 3-6 cm longa, 4-5 mm lata stipitata acuminata, plus minusve tenuiter coriaceo-crustacea, arcuata, acute quadrangularia marginibus alatis circa 2 mm latis, glabra, rubello-brunnea. Semina longitudinalia oblonga 4-5 mm longa, arillo terminali et conico. Typus: Rawlinson Road, Munglinup area east of Ravensthorpe, Western Australia, 1 June 1979, B.R. Maslin 4483 ( holo : PERTH 00724262; iso : MEL, distributed as A. tetragonocarpa). Openly branched, rush-like sub-shrubs 0. 2-0.4 m tall, stems commonly prostrate or semi- prostrate. Branchlets terete, striate, sulcate and green between the yellow ribs, smooth or muricate, glabrous. Stipules triangular to lanceolate, 2-3 mm long, 0.5- 1 mm wide at base, glabrous. Phyllodes resembling branchlets, occasionally continuous with branchlets or a few terminal ones reduced to horizontally flattened scales as in A. tetragonocarpa , distant, pentagonal-terete to ± flat and linear, mucronate, pulvinus indistinct, 1-11 cm long, 1-2 mm wide, smooth or muricate, glabrous; 5-nerved in all (2 adaxial, 2 lateral and 1 abaxial), nerves rather prominent, 1 -nerved on each face and upper margin flattened, c. 0.5 mm wide and nerve-like when phyllodes flat. Gland not prominent, situated 170 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) 1-3 mm above base of phyllode. Peduncles 1 or 2 per axil, rarely more, 5-15 mm long, often reflexed, glabrous or appressed-puberulous; basal peduncular bracts solitary, usually caducous, minute; heads globular, cream or golden, loosely 6-1 1 -flowered; bracteoles 0.5-1 mm long, ± navicular, acute to shortly acuminate, sub-sessile, glabrous or sometimes margins ciliolate. Flowers 4-merous; buds ovate to elliptic, occasionally narrowly elliptic, 1.5 mm wide, acute; calyx 1/4- 1/3 length of corolla, gamosepalous, divided for 1/4- 1/3 its length into oblong-rounded or more commonly triangular lobes, calyx tube nerveless or obscurely nerved; petals 2-3 mm long, flabellate-striate, glabrous, acute. Pods stipitate, 3-6 cm long, 4-5 mm wide, acuminate, ± thinly coriaceous-crustaceous, curved, not raised over the seeds, acutely quadrangular due to broad, flat, “winged” margins which are c. 2 mm wide on each valve, glabrous, reddish brown, finely longitudinally reticulate on the faces. Seed longitudinal, oblong, 4-5 mm long, 3 mm wide, very dark brown to blackish, rather dull, finely rugulose; pleurogram not prominent, with a narrow opening at hilar end; areole 2-3.5 mm long, 1-2 mm wide, funicle filiform, c. 1 mm long; aril terminal, conical, 2-2.5 mm long, 1-2 mm wide. Distribution. Southern Western Australia in the Eyre, Darling and Roe Botanical Districts. Occurs from Stirling Range (Stirling Range is east of Cranbrook) east to Cape Arid (c. 110 km east of Esperance). Affinities. Until now the new species has been confused with A. tetragonocarpa Meisn. and it is probable that Bentham’s (1864: 336) description and specimen citations under the latter name included elements of both species. Acacia aemula appears most closely related to A. tetragonocarpa and A. cummingiana Maslin but is readily distinguished from them both by the presence of phyllodes. These three species share a number of unusual inflorescence and carpological characters, for example, flowers 4-merous, petals striate, pods acutely quadrangular (“winged”) and seeds with a terminal, conical aril. In its phyllode nervature, few-flowered heads and striate petals A. aemula appears to be also related to the more northerly distributed species, A. volubilis F. Muell. from which it is distinguished by ± straight stems, generally longer phyllodes and 4-merous flowers. As discussed below, A. volubilis is a possibly extinct species known only from the type. Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin aemulus, meaning rivalling or more or less equalling. It alludes to the fact that the branchlets and phyllodes are superficially very similar and at first glance difficult to distinguish. However, upon inspection the (short) phyllodes are seen to have a gland on their upper surface and usually (indistinctly) pulvinate at their base. Key to subspecies Stems and phyllodes smooth 7a. subsp. aemula Stems and phyllodes muricate 7b. subsp. muricata 7a. Acacia aemula Maslin subsp. aemula Stems and phyllodes smooth and slender. Heads golden. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: base of Mondurup, near car park, Stirling Range, R.J. Cumming 998 (PERTH); Condingup, T.C. Daniell 11 (PERTH); Pfeiffer Road, South Stirling, A.S. George 6304 (PERTH); W of race course, c. 4 miles [6.4 km] N of Esperance, A.S. George 9862 (PERTH); Cape Arid Point, G.J. Keighery 7831 (PERTH); West Mount Barren, E&S. Pignatti 1092 (PERTH). B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 13 171 Distribution. Southwest Western Australia throughout Eyre and adjoining Avon Botanical District (1:250,000 maps 150-1 1,12; 151-5,6,1 1). Scattered from Stirling Range (base of Mondurup Peak) east to Cape Arid. Habitat. Grows on sand and sandy clay flats, also on rocky outcrops, in scrub and Mallee shrubland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers in late May to mid-June. Pods with mature seeds have been collected in late November. Conservation status. A Priority 4 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. 7b. Acacia aemula subsp. muricata Maslin, subsp. nov. A subsp. aemula ramis crassioribus et plus manifeste costatis, muricatis (interdum excrementisa sparsis), phyllodiis muricatis subrigidis. Capitulis cremeis differt. Typus: 16 miles [25.7 km] south of Jerramungup towards Albany, Western Australia, 2 October 1970, B.R. Maslin 1017 ( holo : PERTH 00724254; iso: MEL, distributed as A. tetragonocarpa ). Acacia tetragonocarpa var. scabra Benth., FI. Austral. 2: 336 (1864); A. tetragonocarpa forma scabra (Benth.) E. Pritzel, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 35: 292 (1904). Typus: without locality, A. Oldfield s.n. (iso: PERTH-fragment, presumably ex K). Stems thicker and more prominently ribbed than on the typical subspecies, muricate, excrescences sparse on plants east of Jerramungup. Phyllodes muricate, sub-rigid. Heads cream. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Stirling Range, A.M. Ashby 5001 (PERTH); locality unknown, 19 November 1972, T. Hales for A.M. Ashby Tag no. 45 (PERTH 00725250); SW of Peak Donnelly, Stirling Range, R.J. Cumming 985 (PERTH); 26 miles [41.8 km] E of Jerramungup, A. S. George 4406 (PERTH); Scaddan, H.E. Knox 1 (PERTH); c. 30 km ENE of Mount Barker, ?June 1984, P. Luscombe s.n. (PERTH 00725242); Stirling Range, Chester Pass, B.R. Maslin 4015 (PERTH); 11 miles [17.7 km] E of Ongerup, K. Newbey 241 (PERTH); West Kalgan, Albany District, R.D. Royce 6392 (PERTH). Distribution. Southern Western Australia in the western part of the Eyre and adjoining Darling and Roe Botanical Districts (1:250,000 maps 150-8,11,12; 151-6). Disjunct, occurring from Stirling Range (southwest of Donnelly Peak) to midway between Jerramungup and Ravensthorpe, with one collection from Scadden (c. 50 km north of Esperance). Habitat. Usually white sand, sometimes near watercourses, in open Mallee shrubland dominated by Eucalyptus tetragona or stunted E. marginata. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers occur in late May and in June. Pods with mature seeds have been collected in mid-November and mid-December. Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. 172 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2 (1995) 8. Acacia carens Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex diffusus scopiformis usque ad 0.6 m altus. Ramis teretibus striatis vulgo glabris et viridibus praeter costas prominentes luteas. Phyllodia pauca et remota cum ramis continua rudimentaria stipuliformia 0.5-1 mm longa redacta sed interdum phyllodia subteretia usque ad compressa mucronata 1-2 mm longa expansa. Stipulae anguste triangulares usque ad angusto-oblongae, 1.5-3 mm longae. Pedunculi vulgo solitarii, 2-5 mm longi, plus minusve appresso-tomentoso- pubescentes; capitulis globularibus, 8 mmdiametro, subcon ferim 13- 1 4-floribus, bracteolis tomentosis. Flores vulgo 5-meri, alabastris obovatis apiculatis; sepala discreta ad circa 1/4-connata oblonga, marginibus tomentosis; petala flabellato-striata. Legumina linearia usque 10 cm longa et circa 4 mm lata, arcuata acuminata Crustacea usque ad sublignea, plus minusve quadrangularia marginibus prominentibus planis vel leviter convexis 2 mm latis, glabra vel appresso-puberula. Semina (parum immatura) longitudinalia oblonga, 5 mm longa, arillo terminali et conico. Typus : Cockleshell Gully area, Western Australia, 28 May 1973, C. Chapman s.n. ( holo : PERTH 00722103; iso : CANB, K, MEL). Open, broom-like, sub-erect, shrubs to 0.6 m tall. Branches terete, striate, deeply sulcate and green between the yellow ribs, smooth, glabrous except appressed-puberulous in axils at flowering nodes and sometimes at base of branchlets. Stipules narrowly triangular to narrowly oblong, acute, 1.5-3 mm long, c. 0.5 mm wide at base, glabrous or sub-glabrous. Phyllodes few and distant, continuous with branches, rudimentary and commonly represented as a minute, stipule-like appendages 0.5-1 mm long with a swollen base, sometimes expanded to minute, sub-terete to compressed, nrucronate phyllodes 1-2 mm long with a gland on the adaxial surface. Peduncles mostly solitary, 2-5 mm long, tomentose to pubescent, hairs ± appressed; basal peduncular bract solitary; receptacles tomentose-pubescent; heads globular, 8 mm diam. (when dry), sub-densely 13-14- flowered; bracteoles persistent, 1-2 mm long, oblong to lanceolate, acute to acuminate, sub-sessile, shallowly concave, conspicuously tomentose adaxially, hairs sometimes partially wearing away with age. Flowers mostly 5-merous, petals occasionally 6 on some flowers; buds obovate-apiculate, c. 1 .5 mm wide; sepals 1/4- 1/3 length of corolla, free or united for c. 1/4 their length, oblong, sub-acute, ± glabrous except for conspicuously tomentose margins, dark brown, obscurely 1-nerved; petals c. 3 mm long, flabellate-striate, the central nerve slightly more pronounced than the rest and thickened at its apex. Pods linear, to 10 cm long, c. 4 mm wide, curved, acuminate, straight-edged or shallowly constricted between seeds, crustaceous to sub-woody, ± quadrangular due to prominent, flat or shallowly convex, glabrous margins which are 2 mm wide on each valve, faces of pod somewhat obscurely longitudinally nerved and glabrous or appressed-puberulous. Seeds (slightly immature) longitudinal in pod, oblong, 5 mm long, 2 mm wide, brown; pleurogram open at hilar end; areole 3 mm long, 1 mm wide; funicle minute, abruptly expanded into a thick, conical, terminal aril. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Cockleshell Gully area [precise localities withheld for conservation reasons], C. Chapman s.n., 23 October 1977 (MEL, PERTH 00722065) and 27 April 1979 (MEL, PERTH 00722138), C. Chapman s.n., 28 May 1973 (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH 00722103), R.J. Cranfield & P.J. Spencer 7995 (PERTH), E.A. Griffin 2437 (PERTH), B.R. Maslin 6573 (PERTH) and M. Simmons 514 (PERTH). Distribution. Southwest Western Australia on the border of the Darling and Irwin Botanical Districts (1 :250,000 map H50-09). Known only from a very restricted area between Jurien (c. 200 km northwest of Perth) and Eneabba (c. 60 km northeast of Jurien). B.R.Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 13 173 Habitat. Lateritic uplands on gravel or sandy gravel in low heath. Flowering and fruiting periods. The only two flowering specimens were collected in late April and early May. Pods with immature seeds have been collected in late September and late October. Affinities. Until now, specimens of A. carens were referred to as A. volubilis F. Muell., presumably because both species have large, globular, few-flowered heads and 5-merous flowers with striate petals. Furthermore, A. volubilis has very reduced phyllodes which resemble the striate branches, thus rendering it vegetatively superficially similar to A. carens. Although A. volubilis is known only from the type (a flowering specimen) it can be distinguished from A. carens by its tortuous branches, recurved, sub-spinose stipules c. 0.5 mm long (only the thickened basal portions remaining, as blunt tooth-like projections, at most nodes), better developed and usually longer phyllodes, and gamosepalous calyx dissected to c. 1/2 its length into triangular lobes. As discussed below A. volubilis is a possibly extinct species known only from the type. Acacia carens can be confused with short peduncle forms of A. cummingiana Maslin (see below), another species formerly confused with A. volubilis and which occurs a little to the southeast of the range of A. carens. Superficially A. carens and A. cummingiana have a similar habit, furthermore, they both possess rather large, globular, few-flowered heads, flowers with striate petals and rather large seeds with an open pleurogram and a terminal, conical aril. The differences between them are discussed below under A. cummingiana. Conservation status. A Priority 1 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. This species is known from only the four collections cited here. Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin - carens, meaning lacking, and refers to the characteristic absence of normal phyllodes on this species. 9. Acacia cerastes Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex glaber intricatus multiramosus usque ad 1.5 m altus, ramulis tortuosis viridibus vel brunneis teretibus et striatis. Phyllodia rudimentaria vel projecturas minutas continuas cornuatas 1 mm longas redacta, teretia plerumque recurvata, nervis non manifestis vel in utroque latere glandis perobscuris, a glande obliquo prominente abaxialiter terminata, mucrone 0.5-1 mm longo, rigido et subulato sed non pungente. Racemi maxime redacti unicapitati ad basem bracteis brunneis persistentibus; pedunculi 3-4 mm longi; capitulis globularibus 30-floribus aureis, bracteolis atro- brunneis in alabastro leviter exsertis. Flores 5-meri; sepalis discretis vel partialiter connatis linearibus usque ad lineari-spathulatis, interdum inaequalibus. Leguminum valvae (fructi aperti) lineares, ad 4.5 cm longae, 3-4 mm latae, tenuiter coriaceae, inter semina constrictae et supra semina manifeste elevatae. Semina non visa. Typus: Mount Gibson Station, between Wubin and Paynes Find, Western Australia, 29 August 1976, B.R. Maslin 4226 (holo: PERTH 00137634; iso: CANB, K). Erect, intricate shrubs to 1 .5 m tall, single-stemmed but much-branched from c. 0.5 m above ground level. Bark smooth, grey on main stems, green on upper branches. Branchlets terete, finely striate-ribbed (ribs yellow and tuberculate), tortuous, glabrous, olive green or brown. Stipules semi- persistent, triangular, to c. 1 mm long, scarious, dark brown. Phyllodes rudimentary, reduced to 174 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) minute, horn-like projections to 1 mm long, continuous with branchlets, terete, usually recurved, nerves not evident or very obscure on either side of the gland, terminated on adaxial side by a prominent, oblique gland; mucro 0.5-1 mm long, rigid and subulate but not pungent. Inflorescences extremely reduced 1 -headed racemes; raceme axes < 0.5 mm long, subtended at base by 2, dark brown, scarious, oblong bracts 1 mm long and 1 mm wide, a vegetative shoot sometimes arising from apex of axis at anthesis; peduncles 3-4 mm long, glabrous; basal peduncular bracts 1 or 2, obliquely oblong-elliptic, dark brown, scarious, 1.5-2 mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide; heads not prolific, globular, 30-flowered, golden; bracteoles spathulate, 1.5 mm long, slightly exserted in mature buds, dark brown; claws to c. 0.5 mm long and gradually expanded into the lamina; lamina 0.4-0.6 mm wide, concave, scarious, ciliolate, sometimes puberulous abaxially at base otherwise glabrous, acute. Flowers 5-merous, few 4-merous interspersed; sepals free or partially fused, 1/2-2/3 length of petals, linear to linear-spathulate, dark brown on upper half, ciliolate at apex otherwise glabrous, sometimes the abaxial pair (subtended by the bracteole) smaller and/or shape different than the rest; petals 2.5 mm long, glabrous, obscurely 1-nerved. Pod valves (dehisced) linear, to 4.5 cm long, thinly coriaceous, 3-4 mm wide, slightly to moderately constricted between seeds, obviously rounded over seeds, glabrous, dark brown; margins 0.5 mm wide, not thickened. Seeds not seen. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Mount Gibson Station, November 1952, C.A. Gardner s.n. (PERTH 00137626, PERTH 00719536 and MEL) and B.R. Maslin 6638 (PERTH); Ninghan Station, S. Patrick 1111 (PERTH). Distribution and habitat. Western Australia near the border of the Austin and Avon Botanical Districts ( 1 :250,000 map H50-7). Known only from Mount Gibson Station where it occurs in skeletal soil pockets on rocky hills, and at Ninghan Station (c. 40 km northeast of Mount Gibson Station) in a gully on brown sandy loam in woodland. Flowering periods. Of the four flowering collections known, two were gathered in August and the other two in November. It is noted, however, that the plants of B.R. Maslin 6638 which were collected in early October, had finished flowering. Affinities. Acacia cerastes is a most distinctive species on account of its tortuous branchlets and minute phyllodes (which are probably the smallest recorded for the genus). It is closely related to A. daviesioides C. Gardner on account of its continuous phyllodes and globular heads arranged in very short racemes which are usually bracteate at their base. Acacia daviesioides is most readily distinguished from A. cerastes by its glaucous to sub-glaucous, non-tortuous branches and its longer (2-10 mm, sometimes 20 mm), pungent, 5-nerved phyllodes. Also, its bracteoles are usually inconspicuous and its calyx is gamosepalous, shallowly to deeply dissected, and often < 1/2 length of the petals. Pods and seeds may show additional differences, however, carpological material of A. cerastes seen to date is very inadequate (comprising old, dehisced pod valves). The branches on A. daviesioides are normally ± straight, however, in some specimens (including the type) they are flexuose and have minutely tuberculate ribs as in A. cerastes. Acacia daviesioides occurs mainly between Mingenew southeast to Ballidu-Kalannie in the South-West Botanical Province, some 80 km to the west of Mount Gibson Station. It also has outliers in the Eremaean Botanical Province, one on Jingemarra Station about 200 km north of Mount Gibson Station, another north of Mount Jackson about 200 km southeast of Mount Gibson Station. Superficially the new species may be mistaken for A. restiacea Benth., however, the latter is easily distinguished by its straight branches, absence of phyllodes (except occasionally at the base of the stems where they are 7-25 mm long), long racemes (1-6 cm) with 4-12 heads and very short calyx B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 13 175 ( c . 1/6 length of corolla). Acacia restiacea mainly occurs from the north of the Murchison River south to Chidlow and east to near Merredin, also at Hospital Rocks (c. 90 km west of Menzies) and an early collection from Mount William in the Darling Range. Conservation status. A Priority 1 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Although further survey is required to accurately ascertain the conservation status of A. cerastes, current indications are that it is very localized. Etymology. From the Greek - cerastes, a horned serpent. An allusion to the serpentinous branches supporting extremely reduced phyllodes. 10. Acacia cunimingiana Maslin, sp. nov. Suffrutex decumbens effusus junceus usque ad 0.4 m altus. Ramis teretibus striatis viridibus glabris praeter costas luteas. Phylloclia ad squamas continuas tenues applanatas horizontaliter anguste oblongas usque ad anguste triangulares 1.5-4 mm longas redacta. Pedunculi squanrarum in axilla solitarii vel geminati, 4-15 mm longi, glabri; capitulis globularibus, circa 8 mm diametro (in sicco), vivide pallido-aureis, plus minusve apertis 8-12-floribus. Flores tetrameri, alabastris obovatis apiculatis, 2 mm latis; calyx gamosepalus, petala circa duplo brevior; petalis flabellato-striatis. Leguminum valvae (fructi aperti) 4-7 cm longae et 8-10 mm latae, stipitatae acuminatae coriaceo- crustaceae leviter curvatae, acute quadrangulares marginibus alatis planis 3-4 mm latis, glabrae. Semina apparenter obliqua oblongo-elliptica, 5.5 mm longa, arillo terminali et conico. Typus\ NE of Dandaragan, Western Australia, 24 May 1979, R.J. Cranfield 1261 ( holo : PERTH 00722049). Sprawling, straggly, rush-like sub-shrubs to 0.4 m tall, the wiry stems to 1 m long and commonly entangled in associated vegetation. Branches straight to shallowly curved, terete, green except striate with yellow, ± raised ribs 0.2-0. 5 mm apart, glabrous. Stipules (see discussion below). Phyllodes reduced to continuous, thin, horizontally flattened, narrowly oblong to narrowly triangular scales 1.5-4 mm long. Stipular traces running into the scales. Peduncles I or 2 in axil of scales, 4-15 mm long, occasionally recurved from the base, glabrous, finely longitudinally sulcate; basal peduncular- bract solitary, persistent, ± triangular, 1-1.5 mm long, glabrous or sparsely puberulous, dark brown, thickened at base; heads globular, c. 8 mm diam. (when dry), bright light golden, somewhat loosely 8-12-flowered; bracteoles persistent, ± navicular, 1-1.5 mm long, fimbriolate otherwise glabrous, dark brown. Flowers 4-merous; flower buds obovate-apiculate, 2 mm wide; calyx c. 1/2 length of petals, gamosepalous, divided for 1/3-1/2 its length into ± broadly triangular, fimbriolate lobes; calyx tube glabrous, brown, rather obscurely striate; petals 3 mm long, glabrous, flabellate-striate. Pod valves (dehisced) stipitate, 4-7 cm long, 8-10 mm wide, acuminate, coriaceous-crustaceous, shallowly curved, scarcely raised over seeds, acutely quadrangular by broad (3-4 mm wide), flat “winged” margins, glabrous. Seeds (one old seed seen) obliquely placed in pod (judging from empty seed chambers), oblong-elliptic, 5.5 mm long, 4 mm wide, chestnut brown, dull; pleurogram obscure, open at hilar end; areole 4 mm long, 2 mm wide, funicle not seen; aril terminal and conical. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: NE of Badgingarra, T.E.H. Aplin 3150 (CANB, PERTH); NE of Dandaragan, R.J. Cranfield 1261 (PERTH); 4 km from Brand Highway on West Wannamal Road, R.J. Cumming 715 (K, PERTH); 3.3 km W of Barberton West Road on Wandawulla Road, R. Cumming 3572 (PERTH); farm N of North West Road, W of Moora, 176 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) E.A. Griffin 5101 (PERTH); 8 miles [13 km] E of Dinner Hill, R.T. Lange 60 (PERTH); 8 miles [13 km] W of Barberton, 26 September 1971, A.H. Popplewell s.n. (PERTH 00725277); Watheroo National Park, R.D. Roy ce 9637 (PERTH); 10 miles [16 km] W ofMoora, E. Wittwer W832 (PERTH). Distribution. Southwest Western Australia at the northern extremity of the Darling Botanical District and the adjacent southern extremity of the Irwin Botanical District (1:250 000 maps H50-10,14). Restricted to a small area from Watheroo National Park (c. 40-60 km northwest of Moora) south to Wannamal (c. 25 km northeast of Gingin). Habitat. Grows in sand or lateritic gravel in closed heath or low open woodland (of Banksia prionotes and Eucalyptus todtiana) over heath. Collectors notes accompanying R.J. Cumming 715 show the species confined to a creek line, halfway up the slope of a small breakaway. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers mainly in May and June, but also recorded for August. Specimens with immature pods (sometimes with flowers persisting) have been collected in late September and early October. Affinities. Until now this new species was confounded with A. volubilis F. Muell., a rare (perhaps extinct) species. Because of past confusion surrounding the application of the name A. volubilis a number of taxa, including A. cummingiana, had been referred to it. It is not surprising that A. volubilis and A. cummingiana were confused because they share some distinctive floral features, namely, large, globular, few-flowered heads and striate petals. Furthermore, A. volubilis has very reduced phyllodes which resemble the striate branchlets, thus rendering it vegetatively superficially similar to A. cummingiana. In addition to possessing phyllodes, A. volubilis is distinguished from A. cummingiana by its tortuous branchlets, appressed-puberulous peduncles and 5-merous flowers. Furthermore, A. volubilis has a pair of stipules flanking the base of its phyllodes. Each stipule, as well as the phyllode, is served by a vascular trace. In A. cummingiana (and A. tetragonocarpa), however, the equivalent three traces enter the scale. This suggests that the scales in these species are homologous to fused phyllodes and stipules. Acacia cummingiana is closely related to A. tetragonocarpa Meisn. on account of its habit, phyllodes reduced to continuous scales, 4-merous flowers with gamosepalous calyces and striate petals, and quadrangular pods with wide, flat margins. However, A. tetragonocarpa is distinguished from the new species by its narrower pods (4-5 mm wide) with longitudinal seeds and by its floral characters, i.e. heads 1-4-flowered, flower buds cylindrical to narrowly obovate and 1 mm wide, and calyx c. 1/3 length of corolla. Acacia tetragonocarpa occurs in swampy or seasonally wet habitats in forest regions to the south of A. cummingiana (i.e. Perth to Margaret River and Albany). Also related to A. aemula (see above). Specimens of A. cummingiana with short peduncles can be confused with A. carens (see above), however, A. cummingiana is most readily distinguished in the following ways: phyllodes reduced to flattened scales 1.5-4 mm long, stipules seemingly fused with the scales, peduncles glabrous, flowers 4-merous, calyx gamosepalous with triangular lobes, pods 8-10 mm wide, stipitate, acutely quadrangular with margins 3-4 mm wide and seeds seemingly oblique. Conservation status. A Priority 3 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 13 177 Etymology. Named after Russell Cumming in recognition of his valuable contribution to the taxonomy of southwest acacias through his perceptive field observations and numerous, well- preserved collections. 11. Acacia volubilis F. Muell., Fragm. 10: 98 (1877) Typus: Boxvale, Western Australia, Julia Wells s.n. ( holo : MEL; iso; K, PERTH). Branchlets tortuous, having the appearance of Alexgeorgea nitens (Restionaceae), terete, glabrous or sparsely appressed-puberulous, obscurely and finely tuberculate, striate, ribs slightly raised. Stipules c. 0.5 mm long, recurved, sub-spinose, only the thickened basal portions remaining as blunt tooth-like projections at most nodes. Phyllodes distant, resembling branchlets but not continuous with them, the basal articulation difficult to observe, pulvinus absent, rudimentary (<1 mm long) to 9 mm long, 1 mm wide, pentagonal-terete, thick, straight or shallowly curved, mucronate; 5-nerved in all, midrib prominent and raised on each face, upper margin 2-nerved, flat and 0.5 mm wide, lower margin 1 -nerved. Gland not prominent, circular, situated on upper margin of phyllode between the two adaxial nerves, c. 2 mm above above the base on longest phyllodes. Inflorescences'. see discussion below. Distribution and habitat. Known only from the type collection which is annotated by Mueller as having been collected by Julia Wells from “Boxvale” (in the protologue Mueller gives the type locality as “Ad Boxvale trans urbem York”). The precise location of “Boxvale” is unknown, however, current indications are that it is probably somewhere in the vicinity of Quairading, about 70 km east-southeast of York. According to Erickson (1988) “Boxvale” was the name of a property owned by John R.F Wells, and it is assumed that it is here where his unmarried sister, Julia, resided during the late 1870’s when she collected plants for Mueller. There is circumstantial evidence to suggest that “Boxvale” may have been an earlier name for a property known as “Coraling”, located near Cooalling Hill, about 12 km southeast of Quairading. This assumption is based on the following quotation from Eaton (1979: 42): “It was during 1860 that John Wells selected land at Coraling Springs. He built a small hut and grazed a few sheep on his holding It was in 1883 therefore that Charles Heal bought “Coraling”a block of 640 acres, from John Wells.” The property is owned to this day by descendants of the Heal family. That “Boxvale” was probably located somewhere near Quairading is supported by the fact that Julia Wells was reported by Mueller ( 1 878: 3) as having collected Comesperma volubile Labill. from the Cubbine Hills which are located 15 km north of Quairading towards Cunderdin. Furthermore, Acacia anarthros Maslin which was originally collected by Julia Wells from “Boxvale” (fide Maslin 1979) is an uncommon species known only from two general areas, namely, about 40 km south of Quairading and in the New Norcia district. Typification. Both the holotype at MEL and the isotype at K are annotated “ Acacia volubilis F. v. M. Boxvale. Julia Wells” by Mueller and comprise a single sheet supporting a number of small pieces of sterile stems together with detached flowers in a packet. While the stems appear to represent the same taxon, the flowers on these two sheets are significantly different and most probably represent different species. On both specimens the heads were probably globular and c. 10-tlowered (judging from the receptacles), the flowers 5-merous and rather large, the calyx divided to c. 1/2 its length into triangular, fimbriate lobes, and the calyx tube is glabrous. They differ, however, in the following ways. (a) MEL specimen. Peduncles appressed-puberulous, the hairs short and shallowly curved; calyx scarcely 1/2 length of corolla, tube obscurely 5-nerved; petals 2.5 mm long, sparsely puberulous at apices, flabelliform-striate. 178 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) (b) The K specimen flowers. Peduncles densely hispidulous, hairs spreading, rather long and straight; calyx slightly exceeding 1/2 length of corolla, tube rather prominently 5-nerved; petals 3 mm long, glabrous, with a single, thickened, central nerve. The protologue clearly describes the flowers of the MEL specimen and it seems most likely that the flowers on the K specimen belong to a species other than A. volubilis. Affinities. In the past many apparently aphyllodinous taxa with few-flowered heads and striate petals (including A. carens and A. cummingiana) were referred to A. volubilis, however, it is now known that this is a rare, possibly extinct, species currently known only from the type collection. In the absence of pods for A. volubilis it is difficult to be certain as to its true affinities. Nevertheless, it seems likely that it is less closely related to A. carens and A. cummingiana than it is to A. aemula (see discussion above under this species). Conservation status. The species is currently gazetted a Declared Rare Flora-Extant Taxa on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. If A. volubilis is not extinct then relocating it could prove troublesome even if the plants are in flower because I suspect that the species will be an insignificant sub-shrub, perhaps with a scandant or sedge- like habit, and may well grow ± concealed within dense heath. It is unfortunate that the type does not include a collecting date because without it the flowering period is unknown. A further complication is the uncertainty concerning the location of “Boxvale”, currently the only locality known for the species (see discussion under Distribution and habitat above). Acknowledgements Peter Luscombe is thanked for providing notes on the discrimination of A. applanata and A. willdenowiana at Woogenilup (east of Mount Barker). Karina Knight is thanked for her competent technical assistance and Richard Cowan for providing the Latin descriptions. I am very indebted to Mr Ian Elliot (Department of Land Administration, Midland, W.A.) for providing valuable information concerning the possible location of “Boxvale” (see discussion under Acacia volubilis). The work was undertaken with some financial assistance from the Australian Biological Resources Study. References Bentham.G. (1842). Notes on Mimoseae, with a Synopsis of Species. LondonJ.Bot. 1:318-528. (Published around tune.fide Chapman 1991.) Bentham, G. (1855). “ Plantae Muellerianae”. Linnaea26: 603-630. Bentham.G. (1864). “Flora Australiensis”. Vol. 2. (Lovell Reeve: London.) Chapman, A.D. (1991). “Australian Plant Name Index. A-C. Australian Flora and Fauna Series Number 12”. (Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra.) Chappill, J.A.&Maslin,B.R.(1995). A phylogenetic assessment of tribe Acacieae. In: Crisp, M.& Doyle J.J.(eds) “Advances in Legume Systematics7: Phylogeny” pp. 77-99. (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: London.) Court, A. B. (1972). Notes on Acacia - 1. Muelleria 2(3): 155-163. Court, A. B. (1978). Three new species of Acacia (Mimosaceae) from Western Australia. Nuytsia2: 164-177. Cowan, R.S. &Maslin, B.R. (1995). Acacia Miscellany 10. New taxa and notes on previously described taxa of Acacia, mostly section 7«////arac (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae), in Western Australia. Nuytsia 10: 15-62. B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 13 179 Eaton, F. (1979). “The Golden Grain and the Silver Fleece” (Published by the author: Quairading.). Erickson, R. (ed.) ( 1 988). 'TheBicentennialDictionaryofWestemAustralians.pre 1829-1888”, Volume4. (University of Western Australia Press: Nedlands.) Fitzgerald, W.V. (1904), Notes on some West Australian species of Acacia. J. W. Austral. Nat. Hist. Soc. 1:44-52. Graham, R (1 842). Acacia diptera', B. erioptera. Two-winged Acacia; downy var. Bot, Mag. 68: t. 3939. (Published before May, fide Chapman 1991.) Maslin, B.R. (1979). Studies in the genus Acac/a (Mimosoideae)- 9. Additional notes on the Series PulcliellaeBenih. Nuytsia2: 354-367. Maslin, B.R. & Cowan R.S. (1994). C.F. Meissner’s species of Acacia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae): typification of the names. Nuytsia9: 399-414 Maslin, B.R. & Cowan, R.S, (1994a). What type of type? Austral. Syst. Bot. Newsletter 81 : 2-7. Maslin, B.R. & Cowan R.S. (1995). Robert Brown, the typification of his new Acacia names in edition 2 of Aiton’s “Hortus Kewensis”. NuytsialO: 107-118, Mueller, F. (1878). “Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae". Volume 1 1. (Melbourne.) Pedley, L. (1978). A revision of Acacia Mill, in Queensland. Austrobaileya 1:75-234. Pedley, L. ( 1 986). Derivation and dispersal of Acacia (Leguminosae), with particular reference to Australia, and the recognition of Senegalia anil Racnsperma. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 92: 219-254. Pettigrew, C.J.& Watson, L. (1975). On the classification of Australian Acacias. Austral. J. Bot. 23: 833-347. Stafleu, A. & Cowan, R.S. (1979). “Taxonomic Literature" Vol. 2: H-Le(Bohn etal.: Utrecht.) Vassal, J. (1972). Apport des recherches ontogeniques etseminologiques a 1’etude morphologique.taxonomique etphylogenique du genre Acacia. Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Toulouse 108: 105-247. 180 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Nuytsia 10(2): 181-203(1995) 181 Acacia Miscellany 14. Taxonomy of some Western Australian “Uninerves-Racemosae” species (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Phyllodineae ) B.R. Maslin Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152 Abstract Maslin, B.R. Acacia Miscellany 14. Taxonomy of some Western Australian “Uninerves- Racemosae” species (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Phyllodineae). Nuytsia 10 (2): 181-203 (1995). Eight new species of Acacia section Phyllodineae from Western Australia are described, namely, A. anthochaera Maslin, A. brumalis Maslin, A. chamaeleon Maslin (syn: A. stowardii S. Moore non Maiden, and provisionally A. leiophylla var. microcephala Meissner), A. dorsenna Maslin, A. gelasina Maslin, A. scleroclada Maslin, A. subrigida Maslin and A. wilcoxii Maslin. Lectotypes are selected for A. stowardii S. Moore, A. harveyi Benth. and A. leptopetala Benth. The ten species included in the paper have racemose inflorescences and are referable to series Uninerves subseries Racemosae as defined by Bentham (1864). Introduction The ten species included here belong to Acacia section Phyllodineae DC. and are characterized by having “1-nerved” phyllodes (i.e. one nerve on each face when phyllodes are flat, or, a total of usually four nerves when phyllodes are terete, quadrangular, etc.) and globular or sometimes oblongoid heads arranged in elongated racemes. The term “Uninerves-Racemosae” is an often-used and convenient term applied to species having this combination of characters. However, the “Uninerves-Racemosae” comprises disparate groups of taxa (see below) and is probably polyphyletic (see Figure 2 in Chappill & Maslin, 1995); it was not recognized as a natural taxonomic entity in the classifications of Vassal (1972) and Pedley (1978 & 1986). A number of discrete clusters of closely related taxa have been recognized within the “Uninerves- Racemosae”, for example, the “Acacia bivenosa Group” (Chapman and Maslin 1992), the “ Acacia victoriae Group” (Maslin 1992), the “ Acacia myrtifolia Group” (Maslin 1995) and the “ Acacia microbotrya Group”, “Acacia prainii Group” and “Acacia murrayana Group” which are discussed below. The phylogenetic relationships between these Groups, and their relationships to other taxa within subgenus Phyllodineae , have not been fully resolved. In one case, however, a number of independent lines of evidence have shown that some “Uninerves-Racemosae” species are closely 182 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) related to certain bipinnate-leaved species of section Botrycephalae (Benth.) Taub. (see Tindale & Roux 1969 & 1974, Anderson et al. 1971 & 1984, Anderson 1978, Vassal 1972, Chappill & Maslin 1995, Brain 1987, and Brain & Maslin in prep.). While phyllode nerve number and inflorescence form are useful characters for recognizing “Uninerves-Racemosac” species these are not completely reliable characters for ascribing taxa to this (artificial) group. For example, A. difformis R. Baker has 2 longitudinal nerves on each face of its phyllodes yet its inflorescence and carpological characters suggest its inclusion in the “Acacia microbotrya Group”; similarly, A. binervata DC. and A. wardellii Tind. have prominently 2- or 3-nerved phyllodes but are clearly related to A. bancroftii ( 1 -nerved phyllodes) which is placed in the “Acacia microbotry'a Group” (see notes below under A. brumalis sp. nov). There are also a number of taxa, especially from southwest Western Australia, with 2 nerves along the (often thickened) upper margin of the phyllodes, thus making a total of 5 nerves per phyllode (2 along the upper margins, 1 on each face and 1 along the lower margin); these taxa uncommonly have racemose inflorescences (e.g. A. scleroclada sp, nov. below). Similarly there are some cases where species with simple inflorescences are closely related to racemose taxa, e.g. A. synchronicia Maslin in the “Acacia victoriae Group” (Maslin 1992). The length of the raceme varies considerably but within section Phyllodineae there seems to be a significant taxonomic discontinuity between those taxa having very reduced racemes (the axes generally not above about 1 mm long and supporting 1 or 2 heads) and those having more elongated racemes with more numerous heads. A recent study by Brain and Maslin (in prep.) using serological data suggests that species with very reduced racemes are most closely related to non-racemose species and that there is little or no relationship between this combined group and the “Uninerves-Racemosae”. These relationships based on biochemical data were an unexpected result of the Brain and Maslin study, however, if they are corroborated by other evidence then a major rearrangement of the classification of section Phyllodineae will be needed. This paper is not a revision of the “Uninerves-Racemosae”; the intention here is simply to describe new species and lectotypify names ahead of their inclusion in the forthcoming “Flora of Australia” volumes. Methods The taxa included in this paper are arranged alphabetically by species name. Unless otherwise stated all plant measurements are taken from dried herbarium material. Botanical Districts referred to under the Distribution of each new species are defined by Beard (1980). Species distributions are also expressed by 1: 250 000 map number (see Maslin and Pedley 1982 for maps of the Australian Acacia flora published in this same format). My approach to both typification and the application of rank are discussed elsewhere (Maslin & Cowan 1994a and Cowan & Maslin 1995 respectively). B.R. Maslin, Acacf'a Miscellany 14 183 New species and lectotypifications 1. Acacia anthochaera Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex densus, plerumque rotundatus, multicaulis glaber 2-5 m sed interdum 7 m altus. Cortice saepe albo in truncos et ramos principalibus fissurato. Ramulis ad extremitas angulatis vel compressis cuticula alba. Phyllodia anguste linearia acuta, 9-15 cm longa, 2-5(6) mm lata, tenuia flexilia, plerumque ascendentia ad erecta, recta ad leviter incurvata et ad apicem saepe leviter recurvata, viridia vel subglauca uninervata, nervis lateralibus obscuris vel nullis. Racemi (4)7-15(22) mm longi, 4-9 capitulis, juventute a bracteolis imbricatis inclusi. Pedunculi (5)7-12(15) mm longi graciles. Capitulis permultis aromaticis globularibus vivide diluto-aureis, 25-35-floribus, sine bracteolis. Flores 5-meri sepalis discretis. Legumina anguste oblonga usque ad 8.5 cm longa et 5-8 mm lata chartacea diluto-brunnea. Semina longitudinalia oblonga ad elliptica vel ovata, 4-5 mm longa, obscura atro-brunnea ad nigra sed centra luteola, exarillata. Typus: 104.5 km S of Paynes Find on Great Northern Highway, Western Australia, 3 September 1984, B.R. Maslin 5584 ( holo : PERTH 00137340; iso: AD, CANB, G, K, MEL, NSW, NY - all distributed as A. hemiteles, long phyllode variant). Glabrous shrubs or trees 2-5 m tall, sometimes 7 m, trunks 30-40 cm diam. at base, rounded or obconic with a rounded crown, 2-6 (or more)-branched at ground level, crowns dense. Bark grey, longitudinally fissured on trunks and main branches otherwise smooth, smooth and light brown or green on young plants. Branchlets angled or flattened at extremities, soon terete, finely ribbed, green, yellow or light brown, cuticle often white. Stipules early caducous, present only on very young shoots. Phyllodes narrowly linear, (7.5)9-15(20) cm long, 2-5(6) mm wide, length to width ratio 20-60, rather thin and flexible, smooth, mostly ascending to erect, sometimes spreading, straight to shallowly incurved, often shallowly recurved at apices, green or subglaucous, cuticle sometimes white; midrib and marginal nerves yellow or light brown, sometimes resinous (but not viscid), lateral nerves obscure or superficially absent; apex acute, not pungent; pulvinus 2-3 mm long, finely transversely wrinkled. Gland on upper margin of phyllode 0-6(10) mm above the pulvinus, not prominent, c. 0.5 mm long. Racemes 1 or 2 per axil, (4)7-15(22) mm long with 4-9 heads, enclosed when young by conspicuous, brown, scarious, imbricate bracts, bract scars evident at base of raceme axes where bracts have fallen; raceme axes straight, slender, sometimes beginning to grow out at anthesis. Peduncles (5)7-12(15) mm long, slender; basal peduncular bracts caducous, conspicuous in buds where they completely enclose the heads, c. 4 mm long, brown, scarious, concave. Heads prolific, fragrant, globular, bright light golden, 25-35-flowered. Bracteoles absent. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals free, c. 1/2 length of petals, linear-spathulate, brown towards apices. Petals 2 mm long, nerveless. Pods narrowly oblong, to 8.5 cm long, 5-8 mm wide, ± straight, chartaceous, Hat, rounded over seeds, straight-edged or slightly constricted between seeds, light brown, obscurely transversely reticulate. Seeds longitudinal in the pod, oblong to elliptic or ovate, 4-5 mm long, 3-3.5 mm wide, dull, dark brown to blackish, yellowish at centre; pleurogram obscure, open at hilar end, shallowly “U”-shaped; areole small; funicle filiform, 2 mm long, dark reddish, exarillate. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 1 8 km N of Pindar, A.M. Ashby 504 1 (AD, PERTH); Wubin, September 1934, E.M. Barker s.n. (PERTH 00131563); W of Kalannie (intersection ofWarren and Dalwallinu North roads), G. Craig 1614 (MEL, PERTH); 14 km SSW of Mount Gibson, R.J. Cranfield 8499 (PERTH); 13.5 km E of road to Burakin at Kalannie towards Kulja, R. Cumtning 3663 (PERTH); 24 km N of Murchison River on North West Coastal Highway, B.R. Maslin 3149 (PERTH); 7.5 km from Morawa towards Three Springs, B.R. Maslin 4270 (CBG, MO, NT, PERTH); 184 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2(1995) 2.5 km NW of Carnamah on Midlands Road to Three Springs, B.R. Maslin 6583 (MEL, PERTH); Mouroubra Station, 68.5 km S of Paynes Find, B.R. Maslin 6666 (PERTH); East Yuna Reserve, A28415, 29231, c. 70 km NE of Geraldton, B.G. Muir 158(2.7) (PERTH); 5 km E of Karroun Hill, P. Roberts 223 (PERTH); Cowcowing, F. Stoward 310 (PERTH). Distribution. Southwest Western Australia in the Irwin and Avon Botanical Districts with one collection from the extreme northwest of the Coolgardie Botanical District (1 :250,000 maps G50-13, H50-l,2,6,7,10,l 1). Occurs from near Yuna (which is c. 35 km east of Northampton) southeast to Cowcowing (c. 20 km north-northeast of Wyalkatchem), also near Galena (which is c. 35 km northwest of Yuna) and Karroun Hill (c. 75 km northwest of Cowcowing). Habitat. Grows in flat, low-lying areas on red-brown sand or loam in woodland or shrubland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering has been recorded from August to December, however, the main flush occurs in September. Pods with mature seeds have been collected from November to January. Conservation status. Widespread, not known to be threatened. Etymology. From the Greek, anthos -flower, and c/miro- rejoice. Alluding to the bright golden heads clustered in short terminal racemes. The name is also a very appropriate commemoration of the birth of my daughter, Kimberly Sarah, in March 1991, around the time that the original draft of this description was prepared. Affinities. Acacia anthochaera belongs to the “Acacia prainii Group” (see discussion under A. dorsenna sp. nov. below) and until now was regarded as a long phyllode variant of A. hemiteles Benth. While these two species have very similar inflorescence and carpological features they are readily distinguished by their growth habit, bark characteristics and phyllode proportions. The principal characters which set A. hemiteles apart from the new species are the following: shrub 0.5-2(3) m tall; bark smooth, sometimes grey and fissured at the extreme base of the relatively thin stems; phyllodes narrowly elliptic to ± narrowly oblong or linear, 4-10 cm long, 4-9(11) mm wide, length to width ratio 5-15, coriaceous and somewhat rigid, straight to recurved, rarely shallowly incurved, mucro commonly coarsely pungent. The distributions of the two species overlap in the region between about Beacon (c. 55 km northeast of Koorda) and Morawa, and the morphology of a few herbarium specimens suggest that hybridization may occur (e.g. c. 15 km NW of Kalannie towards Dalwallinu, B.R. Maslin 3977, PERTH; 13 km E of Coorow towards Latham, B.R. Maslin 4128 & 4128A, PERTH). Like A. prainii Maiden, A. anthochaera grows to a beautiful, shapely tree with a dense canopy and masses of fragrant, bright golden heads. Occasionally the two are sympatric, for example, on Mouroubra Station, c. 70 km south of Paynes Find: B.R. Maslin 6666 (A. anthochaera ) and B. R. Maslin 6667 (A. prainii). At this locality the general facies of the two species was similar, however, A. anthochaera occurred as a tree 7 m tall (which seems to represent the maximum height attained by the species) whereas A. prainii reached only 4 m; A. prainii was further distinguished by its shorter (to c. 5 cm long), pungent phyllodes. In phyllodes and sometimes in habit A. anthochaera may resemble A. aestivalis E. Pritz. which has light-golden, appressed-puberulous raceme axes, united sepals and has seeds with a long, red- brown (brittle) funicle and a thick aril. B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 14 185 2. Acacia brumalis Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex vel arbor 2-3 m alta ramulis glabris, interdum rubris. Phyllodia magnitudine et forma variabilia, plerumque oblanceolata ad anguste elliptica vel oblongo-elliptica sed interdum late linearia et versus basem angustata, (3.5)5-13 cm longa, (3)4-20 mm lata, aliquantum firma et coriacea patentia ad adscendentia glabra, in utraque superficie uninervata nervis lateralibus obscuris; glans non prominens, plerumque 1 vel 2, infima plerumque supra pulvinam 2-30 mm disposita. Racemorum axes (3)6-25(40) mm longi appresso-puberuli pilis aureis vel albis, in fructo interdum glabri. Pedunculi plerumque 3-5 mm longi appresso-puberuli cum pilis aureis vel albis. Capitula globularia ad oblongoidea, sub anthesi 5-8 mm diametro, aurea 17-45-fIoribus. Flores 5-meri. Calyce gamosepalo. Legumina linearia, plerumque marginibus rectis ad inter semina leviter constrictis, ad 10 cm longa et 5-6 mm lata, tenuiter coriacea ad firme chartacea glabra fusca. Seminibus longitudinalibus oblongis ad elliptica 4-5 mm longis, obscuris atris, funiculo semen cingente uniplicato dilute rubello-brunneo sed vivo luteo, arillo crasso. Typus : Mortlock River, about 12 km S of Goomalling towards Toodyay, Western Australia, 27 August 1976, B.R. Maslin 4198 (holo: PERTH 00743089; iso: CANB, K, MEL, NY). [A. leiophylla auct. non Benth.: C.F.Meissn. in J.G.C.Lehmann, PI. Preiss. 2: 203 (1848)] Shrubs or trees 2-3 m tall, bushy or somewhat openly branched, sometimes infundibular. Bark smooth or (at least at base of main trunks) finely fissured, grey, red or sometimes (? new bark) bronze- green. Branchlets terete but angled at extremities, finely ribbed, glabrous, yellow-brown or red, rarely moderately pruinose. Stipules caducous. Phyllodes variable in shape and size, oblanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate, elliptic to narrowly elliptic or narrowly oblong-elliptic, sometimes broadly linear, narrowed at base, rather abruptly or somewhat gradually narrowed at the uncinate or sub- uncinate apex, (3.5)5-13 cm long, (3)4-20 mm wide, length to width ratio 5-27, rather firm and coriaceous, mostly patent to ascending, never pendulous; straight or very shallowly incurved or recurved, glabrous, light green to glaucous; midrib rather prominent, central or slightly towards upper margin, marginal nerves narrow but evident, lateral nerves very obscure; pulvinus 1-2 mm long, transversely wrinkled. Glands not prominent, 1 or 2, rarely 3, the lowermost situated 2-30(50) mm above pulvinus, occasionally at distal end of pulvinus. Racemes (3)6-25(40) mm long with (1-2)4-12(17) heads; raceme axes ebracteate at base, the indumentum of appressed pale yellow or silvery white hairs, sometimes glabrous in fruit. Peduncles (2)3-5(7) mm long, 0.4-0.7 mm diam. (dry), 0.6-1 mm diam. (reconstituted), indumentum as on raceme axes. Heads showy and prolific, globular to oblongoid, 5-8 mm diam. at anthesis (reconstituted), bright mid-golden to deep golden, 17-45-flowered. Bracteoles spathulate to sub-peltate, c. 1 mm long, claws linear; laminae more or less circular to transversely elliptic, 0.4-0.5 mm wide, pale yellow- or white-fimbriolate, otherwise glabrous, brown and observable between flowers in unexpanded heads. Flowers 5-rnerous. Ca/ywgamosepalous, 1/2-3/4 length of corolla, divided for c. 1/6 its length, lobes often pale golden puberulous, tube drying brown. Petals 1.5- 1.8 mm long, glabrous to moderately appressed-hairy, hairs pale yellow to white. Pods linear, to 10 cm long, 5-6 mm wide, slightly to obviously rounded over seeds, slightly or sometimes moderately constricted between the seeds, usually straight-edged to slightly (rarely moderately, see note under Variant 1 below) constricted between seeds with a few random deep constrictions sometimes occurring, pendulous, thinly coriaceous to firmly chartaceous, more or less straight, not reticulate, glabrous, dark purplish brown to blackish. Seeds longitudinal, oblong to elliptic, 4-5 mm long, 2-3 mm wide, dull but sometimes sub-shiny bordering the pleurogram, 186 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) black; pleurogram continuous or with a narrow opening at hilar end; areole 2.5-3 mm long, c. 1 mm wide; funicle filiform, yellow when fresh but drying light brown to light reddish brown, sometimes with a fold near attachment to pod then encircling the seed in a single fold and terminating in a thick, dull yellow-brown (dry) aril. Distribution. Southwest Western Australia, principally in the Avon Botanical District but extending to peripheries of the adjoining Roe and Darling and Irwin Botanical Districts (1:250,000 maps H50- 1,2,6, 10,1 1,14,15,16 and 150-4). Most common in the region from Regans Ford (on the Moore River north of Perth) and Wubin (c. 20 km north of Dalwallinu) south to near Hyden, but also extending north to near Morawa and near Northampton. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from late May to September. Pods with mature seeds have been collected from late November to early January. Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. Etymology. The epithet brumalis (Latin for wintry) refers to the predominantly winter flowering phenology of the species. Affinities. Acacia brumalis is a member of a large Australia-wide group of species within section Phyllodineae which is informally referred to here as the "Acacia microbotrya Group”. The following characters are found in species of the Group but not all characters are present in all species. Phyllodes 1 -nerved per face (occasionally 2-nerved, e.g. A. dijformis), glabrous; inflorescences normally racemose; heads globular, sometimes shortly oblongoid; bracteoles peltate or sub-peltate, commonly golden-fimbriolate; pods normally firmly chartaceous to thinly coriaceous; seeds normally black; pleurogram commonly continuous; funicle filiform, normally partially or completely encircling the seed in a single or double fold, usually dark red-brown to light brown, occasionally pale yellow (e.g. A.jennerae, A. steednumii and A. validinervia). A provisional list of species referred to the Group includes the following; A. aestivalis E. Pritz. (W.A.), A. alcockii Maslin & Whibley (S.A.), A. amblyophylla F. Muell. (W.A., perhaps better treated as an infraspecific taxon under A. microbotrya), A. arnoena H.L. Wendl. (N.S.W.), A. angusta Maiden & Blakely (Qld), A. araneosa Whibley (S.A.), A. anceps DC. (W.A., S.A.), A. attenuata Maiden & Blakely (Qld), A. bancroftii Maiden (Qld), A. brumalis Maslin (W.A.), A. calamifolia Sweet ex Lindley (S.A., Vic., N.S.W.), A. chamaeleon Maslin (W.A., see below), A. chalkeri Maiden (N.S.W.), A. chrysella Maiden & Blakely (W.A.), A. confluens Maiden & Blakely (S.A.), A. cretacea Maslin & Whibley (S.A.), A. deuteroneura Pedley (Qld), A. difformis R. Baker (N.S.W., Vic.), A.falcata Willd. (Qld, N.S.W.), A. flocktoniae Maiden (N.S.W.), A. forsythii Maiden & Blakely N.S.W.), A. gillii Maiden & Blakely (S.A.), A. gladiiformis Cunn. ex Benth. (N.S.W.), A. x grayana J.H. Willis (S.A., Vic., a hybrid involving A. brachybotrya and A. calamifolia), A. harveyi Benth. (W.A.), A.jennerae Maiden (W.A., S.A., N.T., N.S.W.), A. kydrensis Tind. (N.S.W.), A. leichhardtii Benth. (Qld, precise affinities unknown but the funicle encircling the seeds suggests inclusion in the “A. microbotrya Group”), A. leiophylla Benth. (S.A.), A. leptopetala Benth. (W.A.), A. mabellae Maiden (N.S.W.), A. meisneri Lehm. ex Meissn. (W.A.), A. merrickiae Maiden & Blakely (W.A.), A. microbotrya Benth. (W.A.), A. nematophylla F. Muell. ex Benth. (S.A.), A. notabilis F. Muell. (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.), A. quornensis J. Black (S.A.), A. retinodes Schldl. (S.A., Vic.), A. rivalis J. Black (S.A., also recorded for N.S.W. but possibly not native in this State), A. rubida Cunn. (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.), A. steedmanii Maiden & Blakely (W.A.), A. subulata Bonpl. (N.S.W.), A. validinervia Maiden & Blakely (W.A., N.T., S.A.) and A. wattsiana F. Muell. ex Benth. (S.A.J. Acacia binervata DC. (N.S.W., Qld) and A. wardellii Tind. (Qld) appear to be closely related to certain members of this Group (e.g. A. bancroftii) on account of their seeds having encircling funicles, however, they are readily distinguished by their 2-3-nerved B.R.Maslin. Acacia Miscellany 14 187 phyllodes. Further studies are needed to ascertain whether the “A. microbotrya Group” is monophyletic (I have been strongly influenced by the character of the funicle in ascribing species to this Group). In particular, its relationship to species (primarily from eastern Australia) having seeds with non- encircling funicles needs critical examination, for example, A. hakeoides Cunn. ex Benth. (related to A. difformis), A. penninervis Sieb. ex DC. and A. falciformis DC. (perhaps close to A. falcata). In Western Australia all members of the “A. microbotrya Group”, except the following, have glabrous raceme axes and peduncles at anthesis: A. aestivalis, A. amblyphylla, A. brumalis, A. chamaeleon, A. chrysella, A. harveyi and A. microbotrya. In these eight species the racemes and/or peduncles are invested with minute, appressed, golden to white hairs which are frequently shed by the time the pods are formed. The species with which A. brumalis is most likely to be confused is A. microbotrya which is distinguished in the following ways: pods wider (6-8 mm) and more obviously moniliform; seeds larger (5.5-8 mm long, 4-5 mm wide); heads usually paler coloured (cream to pale yellow, rarely mid- golden) and reaching anthesis earlier in the season (March-June); glands often fewer (usually 1 per phyllode, very rarely a second gland occurs on a few phyllodes). Although the phyllodes of A. microbotrya are somewhat variable they differ from those of A. brumalis in being more thinly textured, frequently pendulous and usually falcately recurved. As discussed below Variant 2 of A. brumalis may resemble A. chamaeleon and Variant 3 may resemble A. chrysella. Variation. As circumscribed here A. brumalis is a very polymorphic species and almost certainly comprises more than one taxon. As a basis for future studies much of the observed variation is here accommodated in three informal variants, however, not all specimens of this species can be satisfactorily accounted for by these variants. Variant 1 (the typical variant) Phyllodes variable, oblanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate or narrowly elliptic to narrowly oblong- elliptic, usually 5-9 cm long and 5-10 mm wide with length to width ratio 6-17, straight or sometimes very shallowly incurved or (especially near apices) very shallowly recurved, subglaucous to glaucous. Gland 10-30(40) mm above pulvinus. Heads mid-golden, 5-7 mm diam. at anthesis, 17-25-flowered. Distribution. Occurs from the Regans Ford, Goomalling and Pithara areas east to the Koorda- Wyalkatchem area, also near Northampton and southeast of Hyden. Habitat. Usually grows on clay or loam in low-lying saline flats or creeklines with saltbush; sometimes occurs on sand or loam in low woodland or scrubland. Like many species of this genus this variant grows well on disturbed sites, particularly gravelly road verges. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 2 miles [3.2 km] N of Wyalkatchem, T.E.H. Aplin 508 (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH); 1 mile [1.6 km] N of Dowerin towards Cadoux, R. Cumming 1844 (PERTH); 16.3 miles [26.2 km] W of Mogumber towards Regans Ford, R. Camming 2092 (CANB, PERTH); Swan River, J. Drummond 2: 1 42 (BM, K, LUND, OXF, P, W) and 29 1 (BM, G, K, MEL, OXF, P, W); Dragon Rocks Reserve, S.D. Hopper 5244 (PERTH); 8.8 km SW of Goomalling towards Toodyay, B.R. Maslin 20 1 7 (CANB, K, MEL, NY, PERTH); c. 8 km S of Pithara on the road to Wongan Hills, B.R. Maslin 4972 (G, PERTH); c. 25 km W of Northampton, P.C.Ryan 101 (PERTH); 1 30 mile peg on Great Northern Highway, 8 km N of Miling, R.A. Saffrey 871 (K, MEL, MO, NY, PERTH). 188 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Variation. Specimens from near Northampton have pods which are a little more constricted between the seeds than normal but otherwise they seem typical of this variant. Variant 2 Bark dark red throughout or only on upper branches. Branchlets sometimes pruinose. Phyllodes narrowly oblanceolate, 5- 10 cm long, 6-20 mm wide, length to width ratio 5-15, straight or sometimes very shallowly recurved, glaucous to subglaucous. Gland usually 2-10 mm above pulvinus, occasionally to 20 mm or at distal end of pulvinus. Heads globular or oblongoid, 6-8 mm diam. at anthesis, (26)30-45-flowered. Distribution. Most common from Cowcowing (c. 20 km north-northeast of Wyalkatchem) southeast to near Merredin, but also occurring further southeast to the Hyden area. Habitat. Loam, sand or clay, sometimes with laterite in low woodland or open shrubland. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 1 1.6 km E of Merredin on Great Eastern Highway to Kalgoorlie, N. HallW6/4l (PERTH); 8.5 miles [13.6 km] E of Hyden on the Lake Varley road, B.R. Maslin 535 (AD, PERTH); 4.5 miles [c. 7 km] W of Rabbit Proof Fence No. 1 on the Narembeen to Southern Cross Road, B.R. Maslin 573 (PERTH, NSW, NT,); 10 km N of Wyalkatchem towards Koorda, B.R. Maslin 4103 (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH); Cowcowing, E. Wittwer 1211 (PERTH). Affinities. This variant resembles Variant 2 of A. chamaeleon (see below for discussion). It may also resemble A. jennerae which is distinguished by its broader pods (6-8 mm wide), glabrous to sub- glabrous raceme axes and peduncles, frequently obviously acuminate phyllodes and smaller seeds. Variant 3 Phyllodes broadly linear to narrowly oblanceolate, 8-13 cm long, 4-8 mm wide, length to width ratio 12-27, usually shallowly and uniformly incurved, green to ± subglaucous. Gland 10-30(50) mm above pulvinus. Heads globular, deep golden, 5-6 mm diam. at anthesis, 1 8-30-flowered. Pods and seeds not seen. Distribution. Occurs mainly in the Wubin-Pithara-Kalannie area (near Dalwallinu), but also north to near Morawa. Habitat. Usually in loam, sometimes sand or clay in shrubland. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: along rabbit-proof fence, 15 miles [24 km] NNW of Kalannie, T.E.H. Aplin 543 (MO, NSW, PERTH); 6 km N of Wubin towards Latham, B.R. Maslin 4131 (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH); 10.5 km SW of Pithara on the road to Miling, B.R. Maslin 6128 (PERTH); Gutha, K.W. McLean , 5 April 1934 (PERTH 00861693); 35 km E of Perenjori, A. A. Mitchell 1532 (PERTH); Buntine Reserve, 10.5 km N of Wubin, B.G. Muir 188 (PERTH). Affinities. This variant is closely related to A. chrysella, especially the form that occurs between Wyalkatchem and Holt Rock (c. 60 km southeast of Hyden), which is distinguished by its shorter, narrower phyllodes (5-7 cm long and 1 .5-3 mm wide). B.R.Maslin./tcadaMisceliany 14 189 3. Acacia chamaeleon Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex effusus glaber 2-3 m altus Phyllodia magnitudine et forma variabilia, anguste linearia ad filiformia vel oblanceolata, subteretia ad quadrangularia ubi filiformia, uncinata ad subuncinata vel (in phyllodiis latis) excentrice rostellata, 6-21 cm longa et 1-12 mm lata, subdistantia recta vel interdum leviter curvata, costa plus minusve prominenti sed nervis ceteris obscuris. Gians supra pulvinam (1)3-10(15) mm disposita. Racemi plerumque 10-42 mm longi et 4-7 capitulis, axibus glabris ad subglabris; pedunculi 4-6(9) mm longi, plus minusve appresso-puberuli pilis diluto-luteis vel albis; capitula globularia, plus minusve aurea 23-37-floribus. Flores 5-meri; calyce gamosepalo. Legumina linearia usque ad 10 cm longa et 4-5 mm lata, inter semina vix constricta fume chartacea ad tenuiter coriacea. Semina longitudinalia oblongoo-elliptica, 4-5 mm longa, funiculo filiformi rubro-brunneo, semen cingente vel 3/4-cingente uniplicato, arillo crasso. Typus: about 8 Ion N of Ongerup towards Pingrup, Western Australia, 21 December \91\,B.R. Maslin 2585 (holo: PERTH 00690503; iso: K, MEL, NY). 1A. leiophylla var. microcephala Meissn. in J.G.C. Lehmann, PI. Preiss. 1 : 15 (1844). Lectotype (fide Maslin & Cowan, 1994): interior of southwest Western Australia, October 1840, L. Preiss 921 (NY; isolecto: G-DC, LD, MEL, NAP, PERTH 02484684-fragment ex MEL, W). A. stowardii S. Moore, J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 45: 173 (1920), non J.H. Maiden (1917: 269). Type citation : “East of Katanning, Western Australia, F. Stoward 177”. Lectotype (here selected): E of Katanning, Western Australia, 1916, F. Stoward 177 (BM - right hand, flowering specimen on sheet; iso: BM, PERTH 00772690). Paralectotype: BM - fruiting specimen mounted on sheet with lectotype (BM, PERTH 03626091 -fragment ex BM). Shrubs 2-3 m tall, canopy not dense, single-stemmed or sparingly branched near ground level, main trunks and branches rather straight. Bark smooth, grey at base of trunks on mature shrub, often red-brown to light brown higher up, dark (purplish) red towards ends of branches. Branchlets terete but somewhat angular towards extremities, very finely ribbed, very slightly flexuose, glabrous, leaf bases raised and rather evident especially at base of branchlets where phyllodes have fallen. Stipules insignificant, deltate, 0.5 mm long. Phyllodes variable in shape and size, narrowly linear (but narrowed at base) to filiform or oblanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate, flat or (filiform phyllodes) sub- terete to quadrangular, 6-21 cm long, frequently 2-5 mm wide but ranging from 1 mm (filiform phyllodes) to 12 mm (narrowly oblanceolate phyllodes), length to width ratio usually 20-50 but 6-14 on oblanceolate phyllodes or to 130 on filiform phyllodes, not rigid, when narrow often finely longitudinally wrinkled when dry, sub-distant (internodes c. 10-20 mm long), patent to ascending or erect, straight or sometimes shallowly incurved or recurved, glabrous, dull, dark green; midrib central, usually rather prominent, yellowish to light brown when dry; lateral nerves absent or few and scarcely evident; marginal nerves not thickened, yellowish to light brown when dry; apices uncinate to sub- uncinate or (broad phyllodes) with a short laterally positioned, innocuous, brown apical point; pulvinus rather coarsely transversely wrinkled, 1. 5-2.5 mm long, dark brown when dry. Gland on upper margin of phyllode usually 3-10 mm above the pulvinus, rarely 1 mm or to 15 mm, occasionally a few phyllodes with 2 glands, laminae often very slightly swollen about the gland, circular or oblong, 0.3-0.6mmlong. Racemes 1 per axil, occasionally a few paniculate, variable in length even on a single specimen, usually 10-42 mm long but occasionally interspersed with longer (to 60 mm) or shorter (to 5 mm) ones, with (2)4-7 heads the lowermost inserted 5-15 mm above the base; raceme axes straight to slightly or moderately flexuose, somewhat angular especially towards the apex, frequently finely longitudinally sulcate when dry, glabrous or appressed-hairy, hairs white or pale yellow, minute, 190 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2 (1995) usually sparse and confined to extremity of rachides, base ebracteate; peduncles 4-6 (rarely 9) mm long, solitary or occasionally twinned, sparsely to densely ± appressed puberulous with pale yellow to white hairs which are sometimes confined to the upper half of the peduncle; basal peduncular bracts 2, triangular, c. 0.5 mm long, brown, glabrous or ciliolate; heads globular, 4-5 mm diam. just prior to anthesis, 7-8 mm diam. at anthesis (fresh), 5.5-7 mm diam. (dry), light to medium golden, 23-37-flowered but mostly 25-35, the flowers not very densely arranged; bracteoles spathulate to sub- peltate, 1-1.5 mm long; claws linear but dilated at apex, glabrous to glabrescent; laminae broadly ovate, 0.4-0.6 mm diam., minutely fimbriolate (hairs golden or white) otherwise glabrous, light brown when dry. Flowers 5-merous; calyx 1/2-2/3 length of corolla, gamosepalous, divided for 1/6- 1/4 its length into broadly triangular, not or very slightly thickened, sparsely hairy, slightly inflexed lobes; calyx tube glabrous and not obviously nerved; petals 1.5-2 mm long, joined for 1/2-2/3 their length but readily splitting to the base upon dissection, narrowly elliptic with acute, very slightly thickened apices, glabrous to glabrescent (hairs white or light golden, antrorsely appressed); ovary glabrous to minutely and densely white-villous, minutely stipitate. Pods linear, obviously raised over but normally only slightly constricted between the seeds although a few random rather deep constrictions can occur, to 1 0 cm long, 4-5 mm wide, with up to 12 seeds per pod, pendulous, firmly chartaceous to thinly coriaceous, more or less straight, glabrous, not reticulate, very dark brown (almost black), not pruinose, interior of valve red-brown, basal stipe c. 5 mm long, apex acute; margins not thickened, light brown. Seed longitudinal in pod, oblong-elliptic but obliquely truncate along margin adjacent to aril, 4-5 mm long, c. 2.5 mm wide, slightly compressed (c. 2 mm thick), dull, black; pleurogram obscure, continuous or more commonly with a narrow opening at hilar end, often bordered by a diffuse and obscure band of slightly shiny tissue; areole c. 2 x 1 mm;funicle flattened-filiform, c. 20 mm long (expanded), 0.5-0. 6 mm wide, very brittle when dry, red brown, 3/4 to wholly encircling the seed in a single fold and terminating in a brownish yellow, clavate aril 3-4 mm long which extends nearly 1/2-way down one side of the seed. Distribution. Southwest Western Australia, confined to the southwest part of the Roe Botanical District and the southern extremity of the adjacent Avon Botanical District (1:250,000 maps 150-7,8,11). Restricted to a small area bounded by Broomehill, Nyabing (c. 60 km northeast of Broomehill) and Jerramungup. Habitat. Grey-brown, (gravelly) clay or loam over clay in eucalypt shrubland. Biology. A fast-growing pioneer species which regenerates well from seed following fire and also along disturbed road verges. It has a life-span of 10-15 years (K. Newbey, pers. comm.). Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering specimens collected throughout the year with a predominance in May and December. Pods with mature seeds collected in December. Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. Etymology. The epithet is derived from the Greek word - chamaileon (a lizard that is changeable with respect to its colours) and alludes to the phyllodes which are very variable in shape and size. Typification. The type collection of A. stowardii at BM consists of both flowering and fruiting specimens. Although these undoubtedly represent the same taxon it seems probable that they were gathered from different plants. The lectotype is one of the two flowering specimens. B.R. Maslin, /icacia Miscellany 14 191 Affinities. Acacia chamaeleon is a member of the “ Acacia microbotrya Group” (see discussion under A. brumalis above) and appears to be most closely related to A. harveyi and A. brumalis. The distinguishing features between these taxa are discussed below under the variants. Variation. The phyllodes of A. chamaeleon are extremely variable in shape and size. The range of variation is accommodated by the three variants which are discussed below and further studies may show that some or all of these may warrant formal status. Variant 1 (typical variant) Phyllodes linear (but narrowed at base), 2-5 mm wide, flat. Distribution. Confined to the Ongerup area. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: near 94 mile peg on Borden-Pingrup road [c. 32 km N of Borden] , AM. Ashby 4315 (PERTH) and 47 1 9 (PERTH 00 163678 and 00 1 637 1 6); 83 .5 miles from Albany on Borden-Pingrup road [c. 16 km N of Borden], A.M. Ashby 4725 (CANB, K, PERTH); about 1 1 km due NW of Ongerup on Foster Road, B.R. Maslin 3489 (PERTH); 22.5 km W of Jerramungup on the road to Ongerup, B.R. Maslin 5556 (PERTH); 6 miles [9.7 km] NW of Ongerup, K. Newbey 19D (AD, BM, BRI, CANB, G, K, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH); 12 miles [19.2 km] E of Ongerup, K. R. Newbey 3022 (PERTH); 6 miles [9.6 km] NW of Ongerup, K. Newbey s.n. (PERTH 00163201); 26 km NE of Ongerup, N. Stevens for K.R. Newbey 9524-1 (MELU, PERTH); 5 km S of Broomehill along main road to Borden, A. Strid 22487 (B, C, CANB, K, MEL, NY, PERTH); Forster Road, c. 10.4 km NNW of Ongerup, M. Tindale 3891 (PERTH). Affinities. This variant often closely resembles the more southerly distributed A. harveyi but is distinguished by its sub-distant phyllodes (internodes 10-20 mm long), light- to mid-golden, sub- densely flowered heads measuring 7-8 mm diam. at anthesis (when fresh), and its normally open pleurogram. ( Acacia harveyi. phyllodes rather crowded with internodes 0.5-1 cm apart, heads cream or sometimes lemon yellow, densely flowered and c. 4.5 mm diam. at anthesis, and pleurogram usually continuous). Variant 2 Phyllodes oblanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate, to 12 mm wide. Distribution. Occurs in the Broomehill-Borden area (Borden is c. 65 km east-southeast of Broomehill). Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Laurier [siding] near Gnowangerup, W.B. Alexander B.1529 (PERTH); 81 mile peg on Gnowangerup-Ongerup road, F.W. Humphreys 4 (PERTH); 0.5 miles [0.8 km] E of Broomehill, K. Newbey 3665 (CANB, PERTH). Affinities. Resembling the more northerly distributed Variant 2 of A. brumalis (see above) but is distinguished by its presumably green phyllodes (colour judged from dry specimens), pruinose branchlets, usually white-haired peduncles and globular heads which reach anthesis in summer (December-February). Variant 2 of A. brumalis has glaucous to subglaucous phyllodes, sometimes pruinose branchlets, golden or pale yellow hairs on its peduncles and globular or oblongoid heads that reach anthesis in the winter/spring period (late May-August). 192 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Note. The type of A. leiophylla var. microcephala Meissner seems referable to this entity. Variant 3 Phy llodes filiform, 1-2 mm wide, drying sub-terete to ± quadrangular. Distribution. Found mostly around Nyabing. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 3.3 miles [5.3 km] N of Nyabing Hotel towards Kukerin, R.J. Cumming 2697 (CANB, K, PERTH); 11 miles [17.6 km] SE of Nyabing, K.R. Newbey 744 and 744D (both PERTH); 12 miles [19.2 km] E of Ongerup, K.R. Newbey 3003 (PERTH); 24 miles [38.5 km] NE of Ongerup, K. Newbey 3663 (CANB, K, PERTH); 5 km S of Broomehill along main road, A. Strid 21858 (AD, BM, C, MEL, NY, PERTH). Note. This variant includes the type of A. stowardii S. Moore. 4. Acacia dorsenna Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex densus tholiformis glaber usque ad circa 1 .5 m altum. Phyllodia inaequilateraliter elliptica ad obovatos, margine superno valde convexo, rotundato et mucronulato cum mucrone plus minusve laterali, 10-15 mm longa et 5-9 mm lata, subcarnosa laevia subglauca demum hebeti-viridia, costa et nervis lateralibus nullis vel obscuris, nervis marginalibus brunneolis. Gians parva, supra pulvinam 0.5-2 mm. Racemi 1-2.5 cm longi, capitulis 7-10 juventute a bracteolis imbricatis parvis inclusi sed saepe ultra crescentibu cum pedunculis ultimis a phyllodiis secondariis subtends; pedunculi 4-16 mm longi graciles; capitula globularia vivide medio-aurea, 15-21-floribus, bracteolis nullis. Flores 5-meri; sepalis discretis. Legumina (immatura) anguste oblonga, supra semina secus medio-lineam conspicue rotundata alternatim in uterque lato, usque 6 cm longa et 1 1 mm lata, firme chartacea brunnea. Semina (immatura) transversalia oblongo-elliptica, usque ad 4 mm longa, vix arillata. Typus: north of Norseman [precise locality withheld for conservation reasons], 31 August 1986, B.R. Maslin 6112 (halo: PERTH 00769096; iso: CANB, K, MEL, NY). Dense, domed, glabrous shrubs to c. 1.5 m tall and to 3 m diam. Bark smooth, light grey. Branchlets terete, slightly angled at extremities, finely ribbed, ribs not resinous, light brownish to yellowish green at extremities, cuticle often grey-white. Stipules early caducous, linear, to 2 mm long, scarious. Phyllodes inaequilaterally elliptic to obovate, abaxial margin more or less straight, upper margin convex and abruptly rounded at apices with a ± lateral, minute (0.3-0.4 mm long), innocuous, brown mucro, 10-15 mm long, 5-9 mm wide, length to width ratio 1.5-2, sub-fleshy, smooth but sometimes very finely wrinkled when dry, somewhat crowded, subglaucous and slightly pruinose at ends of branchlets, ageing dull green; midrib very obscure and situated near abaxial margin, sometimes a less prominent second nerve diverging from near the pulvinus, lateral nerves absent or few and obscure, marginal nerves light brown to yellow-brown and ± shiny; pulvinus 0.5 mm long, finely wrinkled when dry. Gland not prominent, situated on upper margin of phyllode 0.5-2 mm above pulvinus, c. 0.5 mm long. Racemes confined to upper axils, 1-2.5 cm long with 7-10 heads, enclosed when very young by small, scarious, commonly caducous, brown bracts, often growing out at anthesis with secondary phyllodes subtending the peduncles; raceme axes slender and straight; peduncles 4-16 mm long, slender; basal peduncular bracts absent (normally replaced by minute resin hairs); heads globular, 9 mm diam. at anthesis (fresh), 5-6 mm diam. (dry), bright mid-golden, 1 5-2 1-flowered; B.R.Maslin,^cat'/«MisceIlany 14 193 bracteoles absent. Flowers 5-merous; flower buds dull reddish brown when young; sepals c. 1/2 length of petals, free, linear or linear-spathulate, membranous, glabrous or sparsely hairy; petals 1.8 mm long, nerveless. Pods (slightly immature) narrowly oblong, conspicuously rounded over seeds alternately on each side along the midline, to 6 cm long, 1 1 mm wide, firmly chartaceous, brown, slightly shiny, finely and somewhat sparingly transversely reticulate, stipitate, marginal nerve narrow. Seeds (slightly immature) transverse, oblong-elliptic, to 4 mm long and 2.3 mm wide, funicle filiform and scarcely arillate. Other specimens examined (all PERTH). WESTERN AUSTRALIA: between Norseman and Coolgardie [precise localities withheld for conservation reasons/, E.M. Canning WA/68 2652 and 2662 (both ex CBG), G.F. Craig 2477, B. Maloney 1/69 (ex NSW), D.J.E. Whibley 5455 (ex AD). Distribution and habitat. Southwest Western Australia in the Coolgardie Botanical District (1:250, 000 map 151-02). Known only from two populations located between Norseman and Coolgardie where it grows on red-brown, rocky, sandy loam or clayey loam. Flowering and fruiting periods. The paucity of collections makes it difficult to accurately assess the phenology of this new species. However, flowering specimens have been collected from late August to late September and a specimen with partially mature seeds has been collected in mid-November. Conservation status. APriority 1 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. From the Latin dorsennus - humpbacked, alluding to the prominently rounded upper margin of the phyllodes. Affinities. Acacia dorsenna belongs to a group of closely related taxa which is informally referred to here as the “Acacia prainii Group”. Members of the Group include A. anthochaera Maslin (see above), A. camptoclada C.R.P. Andrews, A. hemiteles Benth. and A. prainii Maiden. The more important characters shared by these glabrous species include the following: inflorescences in short racemes which are enclosed, when young, by scarious brown bracts, sepals free, bracteoles absent, pods thinly textured (usually chartaceous) and funicles exarillate. Acacia suaveolens (Smith) Willd. and its allies, A. iteaphylla F. Muell. and A. subcaerulea Lindley, have similar inflorescences but the funicles are clearly arillate. Superficially A. dorsenna might be mistaken for a large phyllode form of A. camptoclada which grows in the general region of the new species but it is not known whether the two are ever sympatric. Acacia camptoclada is readily distinguished from A. dorsenna in the following ways: branchlets often slightly viscid or vernicose, phyllodes smaller (7-17 mm long, 2-5 mm wide, length to width ratio 2-4), mucro ± pungent, gland near or above the middle of the phyllode, racemes <1-4 mm long with 2-5 heads, pods once- or twice-coiled and 4-5 mm wide, and seeds longitudinal in the pod. In phyllode shape and size A. dorsenna resembles some forms of A. merrallii F. Muell. which occurs within the geographical range of the new species but which is distinguished by its small, curved or coiled pods, conspicuous yellow or orange arils, extremely reduced, 1-3-headed racemes, and phyllodes with a ± pungent mucro. Some forms of the eastern Australian species, A. cultriformis A. Cunn. ex Benth. and A. furfuracea Don also resemble A. dorsenna in phyllode shape and size but are not especially closely related to the new species. 194 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) 5. Acacia gelasina Maslin sp. nov. Frutex glaber 1-2.5 m altus. Phyllodia oblanceolata ad lineari-oblanceolata versus basem angustata obtusa mucronata, 4-10 cm longa et (3)5-8(10) mm lata, coriacea subrigida erecta glauca ad subglauca, costa et nervis marginalibus luteis, nervis lateralibus obscuris. Gians obscura sed plerumque supra pulvinam 1-3 mm et etiam mucronis ad basem ornata. Racemi (1)2-20 mm longi; pedunculis 1-2 cm longis; capitula globularia dense 35-50-floribus. Flores 5-meri; sepalis plus minusve discretis, aliquando 2 ve 3 connatis. Legumina anguste oblonga plana, supra semina rotundata et inter semina leviter constricta, usque 15 cm longa et 12-14 mm lata, firme chartacea ad tenuiter coriacea, plerumque luteo-brunnea. Semina longitudinalia circularia ad late elliptica vel late ovata, 7-8 mm longa, aliquantum compressa leviter lucida atro-brunnea ad nigra sed in centra leviter depressa pallida, exarillata. Typus: 46.5 km north of Murchison River, North West Coastal Highway, Western Australia, 23 July 1972, A.M. Ashby 4638 ( holo : PERTH 00992844; iso: CANB, PERTH 00167975). Dense, spreading, shrubs 1-2.5 m tall, much-branched at ground level. Bark smooth or finely fissured, grey. Branchlets terete, angled at extremities, finely ribbed, glabrous, reddish or light brown, yellow on new growth. Stipules insignificant, <0.5 mm long, early caducous. Phyllodes oblanceolate to linear-oblanceolate, narrowed at base, obtuse, mucronate, 4-10 cm long, (3)5-8(10) mm wide, 1: w = (6)8-15(25), thickly coriaceous, sub-rigid, erect, straight, glabrous, glaucous to subglaucous, midrib and marginal nerves yellow, lateral nerves not prominent, two nerves on upper margin coalescing just above the gland; pulvinus 0.5-1 mm long, dilated at base, smooth or with a few coarse wrinkles. Glands not prominent, situated on upper margin of phyllode normally 1-3 mm above pulvinus, usually a second gland at base of mucro. Racemes 1 or 2 per axil, (1)2-20 mm long with (1)2-6 heads, rarely growing out; raceme axes glabrous, lightly pruinose, base ebracteate but occasionally a solitary supra-basal bract is present; peduncles 1-2 cm long, rarely a few twinned, glabrous, lightly pruinose when young; basal peduncular bract persistent or deciduous, 0.5- 1 mm long, brown, thickened at base, solitary, occasionally on uppermost peduncles replaced by a pair of stipules with prophyll arising between them, the prophyll presumably expands with age; heads globular, densely 35-50 flowered; bracteoles 0.5-1 mm long, claws linear and ciliolate, abruptly expanded into a dark brown, commonly inflexed, sparsely ciliolate lamina which is thickened in its lower half. Flowers 5-merous; sepals usually variable within a single flower, free or sometimes 2 or 3 united, spathulate to oblong, 1/3- 1/2 length of petals; petals 2.5-3 mm long, free, glabrous, nerveless. Pods narrowly oblong, flat but obviously rounded over seeds, convexities rugulose and not extending to the margins, shallowly constricted between seeds, occasionally deeply constricted, to 15 cm long, to 12-14 mm wide, up to 10 seeds per pod, pendulous, firmly chartaceous to thinly coriaceous, straight to slightly curved, sometimes sparingly and obscurely transversely nerved, glabrous, yellow-brown, sometimes mid-brown, commonly lightly pruinose, marginal nerves c. 1 mm wide. Seeds longitudinal in the pod, circular to widely elliptic or widely ovate, 7-8 mm long, 6-7 mm wide, somewhat flattened (c. 3 mm thick), slightly shiny, dark brown to blackish except for the shallow, circular depression in centre of seed which is usually yellow or light brown; pleurogram obscure, open at hilar end; areole widely to transversely elliptic, 1-1.5 mm wide; funic le filiform, c. 5 mm long, exarillate. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: type locality, A.M. Ashby 3874 (K, MEL, PERTH) and 19 November 1972, s.n. (PERTH 00993298, CANB: fruiting collection from the type plant); 15 km N of Murchison River on North West Coastal Highway, H. Demarz 10490 (PERTH); 48.5 km N of Murchison River on North West Coastal Highway, B.R. Maslin 2786 (NSW, PERTH); 48 km S of Billabong Roadhouse, B.R. Maslin 4330 (PERTH); 45 km N of Murchison River on North West Coastal Highway, B.R. Maslin 3346 (BRI, G, NY, PERTH). B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 14 195 Distribution. Western Australia in the Irwin Botanical District (1 :250 000 map G50-13). Restricted to a small area along the North West Coastal Highway north of the Murchison River (east of Kalbarri). It is possible that future collecting from the extensive sand plains north of the Murchison River will extend the range of this species. Habitat. Grows on yellow sand in closed scrub. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from early June to September. Mature pods have been collected from mid-November to January. Conservation status. A Priority 2 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin - gelasinus, a dimple, referring to the shallow, circular depression on the lateral faces of the seeds. Affinities. Acacia gelasina is a member of the “ Acacia murrayana Group” (see discussion under A. subrigida below) and appears to be most closely related to A. murrayana F. Muell. ex Benth. which is a widespread and common species of the Australian Arid Zone. Characters shared by the two species include the following. Plants mostly glabrous, phyllodes long and 1 -nerved on each face, gland situated near the pul vinus and also adjacent to the mucro, inflorescences short racemes, heads globular and densely many-flowered (up to 50), sepals ± free, pods broad, flat but obviously rounded over seeds, thin-textured, seeds with shallow central depression on both faces, and funicle filiform and not arillate. Acacia murrayana is most readily distinguished from A. gelasina by its thin, pliable phyllodes and its transverse to oblique, smaller seeds (4-5.5 mm long, 3-4 mm wide). Other characters useful in recognizing A. murrayana include its commonly arborescent habit (to 5 m tall), often pruinose branchlets, phyllodes with the gland situated at the distal end of the pulvinus, generally shorter peduncles (4-10 mm long, infrequently 15 mm) and chartaceous pods to 9 cm long and 8-12 mm wide. 6. Acacia harveyi Benth., FI. Austral. 2: 368 (1864) Lectotype (here selected): between King George’s Sound and Cape Riche, Western Australia, March 1854, W.H. Harvey s.n. (K; iso: K, MEL, PERTH 01941046-fragment ex K). Typification. Bentham’s (1864) original description of A. harveyi was based on two collections, one in flower (W.H. Harvey s.n.) and one in fruit (, J . Drummond 4: 130). These gatherings represent different taxa and the lectotype has been selected from among the flowering specimens. The fruiting paralectotype is A. aestivalis E. Pritzel, a closely related species recognized by its golden heads (cream to lemon yellow in A. harveyi ) and broader pods (12-22 mm wide compared with 5-6 mm in A. harveyi). Acacia aestivalis occurs from near Mingenew southeast to Corrigin and east to Bullfinch (c. 35 km northwest of Southern Cross); A. harveyi has a more southerly distribution, occurring principally in the Fitzgerald River National Park (southwest of Ravensthorpe) but extending west to near the Stirling Range (east of Cranbrook) and east to Munglinup (c. 75 km east-southeast of Ravensthorpe). In his discussion under A. harveyi Bentham (loc. cit.) referred toaspecimen of Priess 941 of whose identity he was unsure. I have examined a specimen of Preiss 941 at herb. G and it is A. cupularis Domin, a species which is sometimes sympatric with A. harveyi and which resembles it in having 196 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2(1995) linear, 1 -nerved phyllodes and racemose inflorescences. Acacia cupularis, however, is readily distinguished from A. harveyi by its glabrous (not appressed puberulous) raceme axes, golden heads and its crustaceous, ± erect pods containing seeds with short funicles and scarlet arils (pods coriaceous and pendulous in A. harveyi, the long funicle 1/2- 3/4 encircles the seed in a single fold and ends in a cream- white aril). Acacia cupularis is described and illustrated in Chapman & Maslin (1992). 7. Acacia leptopetala Benth., Linnaea 26: 619 (1855) Lectotype (here selected): south-western Australia, J. Drummond 52 (K, upper right-hand specimen on herb. Hooker sheet; isolecto: BM, K - other specimens on lectotype sheet, MEL, OXF, P, PERTH 00763144 and 01941070-fragment ex MEL and 01941089-fragment ex K). Typification. There are four specimens mounted on the lectotype sheet of A. leptopetala at Kew, all representing the species and apparently part of the same collection. The sheet is labelled “52 J. Drummond. S.W. Australia 1850” [this date presumably being when the specimen was received at Kew], stamped “Herbarium Hookerianum 1867” and annotated “ Acacia leptopetala ” , in pencil, by Bentham. Another sheet at K is labelled “Swan River (Suppl. to 5th coll.) Drummond”, is stamped “Herbarium Benthamianum 1854” and supports a single specimen of A. leptopetala which Bentham has annotated “cf. leptopetala”. As the phyllode dimensions on this specimen slightly exceed those given in the protologue, I do not regard it as a type of A. leptopetala. The type of A. leptopetala was presumably collected on Drummond’s 1847 expedition to Mounts Caroline and Stirling which are situated about 15 km south of the present-day township of Kellerberrin. The specimens collected on this trip were sent to Hooker and subscribers as “Supp. to 5th Coll.” (see Erickson 1969). During the journey from Toodyay (where Drummond lived) he would most probably have crossed the quite limited geographic range of the conspicuously pruinose element of A. leptopetala which accords well with the type (i.e. the Bungalla-Kellerberrin area). Nomenclature. The “Murchison river, Oldfield” specimen cited by Bentham (1864: 370) under A. leptopetala is A. murrayana. This error led Bentham (1875: 472) and Mueller (1887) to misapply the name A. leptopetala to A. murrayana and Maiden (1916: 495) to regard the two names as synonymous. 8. Acacia scleroclada Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex aliquantum effusus et diffusus 0.5-1 m altus, ramulis +/- rectis et ascendentibus striato- costatis glabris subglaucis, interdum grosse spinosis. Phyllodia distantia anguste linearia ad lineari- elliptica, ad basem et apicem angustata, pungentia, 2-7 cm longa et plerumque 1-3 mm lata, subrigida ascendentia ad erecta recta vel incurvata glabra subglauca 5-nervata, costa paulo prominenti et plus minusve excentrica, margine supero binervato et leviter incrassato. Racemi 1-20(30) mm longi capitulis 1-4, praecoci juventute a bracteolis imbricatis inclusi sed aliquando ultra crescentibu, axibus glabris; pedunculis 7-12 mm longis glabris; capitula globularia vivide aurea 25-40-floribus; bracteolis nullis. Flores plerumque 5-meri; sepalis plus minusve discretis. Legumina supra semina rotundata et inter semina leviter ad profunde constricta, usque 1 1.5 cm longa et 4-6 mm lata, coriacea glabra brunnea. Semina longitudinalia elliptica, 5-6 mm longa, turgida lucida atro-brunnea arillo longitudine \ 12-2/3 seminum partes aequantia. Typus: 9.6kmEof Edah towards Mount Magnet, Western Australia, 1 August 1974, B.R. Maslin 3618 (holo: PERTH 00168939; iso: CANB, G, K, MEL, NSW, NY). B.R.Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 14 197 Spreading, somewhat straggly shrubs 0.5-1 m tall, dividing at ground level into few to many spreading to erect, rather rigid branches with sparse foliage. Bark smooth, light grey on main branches. New shoots dull, maroon, drying blackish. Branchlets rather rigid, sometimes entangled, more or less straight and ascending, sometimes coarsely pungent, glabrous, terete, finely yet evidently striate-ribbed, the ribs yellowish and 0.3-0. 5 mm apart, intercostal region subglaucous. Stipules caducous, present on very young new shoots, narrowly oblong to triangular, to 5 mm long, shallowly concave, striate, fimbriolate otherwise glabrous, bright green but drying yellowish or light brown. Phyllodes narrowly linear to linear-elliptic but gradually narrowed to a slender, straight, brown cusp c. 1 mm long, 2-7 cm long, 1-3(4) mm wide with length to width ratio 15-30, sub-rigid, distant (nodes c. 15-25 mm apart), ascending to erect, straight to shallowly (moderately) incurved, flat, glabrous, subglaucous; 5-nerved in all, nerves yellow, the upper 2 forming a slightly thickened adaxial margin, midrib rather prominent on each face and somewhat excentric (situated towards the solitary abaxial marginal nerve), lateral nerves absent or scarcely visible; pulvinus not prominent, c. 0.5 mm long, slightly dilated at base. Glands not prominent, 1-3 on upper margin, the lowermost 2-5 mm above phyllode base, circular or oblong, 0.2-0. 5 mm long. Racemes 1(2) per axil, 1-20(30) mm long with 1-4 heads; raceme axes variably flexuose, sometimes striate and resembling branchlets, glabrous, sometimes growing out and/or becoming leafy (i.e. a phyllode developed at base of peduncles) so peduncles appear simple, enclosed when very young by scarious, brown, imbricate, caducous bracts, bract scars visible below lowermost peduncle at anthesis; peduncles 7-12 mm long, glabrous, basal bract absent at anthesis (? present in buds); heads globular, bright golden, 25-40- flowered; bracteoles absent. Flowers mostly 5-merous (but sepals occasionally 6-7); sepals c. 2/5 length of petals, free or shortly united at base, linear or linear-spathulate, often slightly unequal in length, usually sparsely ciliolate at apex; petals 2. 5-2. 8 mm long, joined for 2/3-3/4 their length, glabrous, nerveless, slightly thickened at apices; ovary sessile, glabrous. Pods to 1 1 .5 cm long, 4-6 mm wide, rounded over seeds and slightly to deeply constricted between them, coriaceous to slightly crustaceous, more or less straight, finely reticulate, glabrous, brown, marginal nerve narrow and yellow to light brown. Seeds longitudinal in the pod, elliptic but obliquely truncate on margin adjacent to aril, 5-6 mm long, 3-3.5 mm wide, turgid (3 mm thick), glossy, dark brown; pleurogram very obscure, open at hilar end; areole c. 0.5 mm long and 0.3 mm wide; funicle c. 1 mm long, reflexed below and gradually expanded into the large aril which extends 1/2- 2/3 down one side of seed and thickened near the hilum. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 100 yards W of 172 mile peg from Geraldton on Mount Magnet road, A. M. Ashby 4780 (AD, BRI, CBG, MO, PERTH); Weiragoo Range, AM. Ashby 5058 (PERTH, also AD but n. v.)\ 30 miles [48 km] W of Yalgoo, W.E. Blackall 501 (PERTH); 20 km NE of Mount Hope, Wooleen Station, R.J. Cranfield 5135 (CANB, PERTH); 3 km NE of Anzac Bore, Koonmarra Homestead, R.J. Cranfield 5930 (PERTH); 12 km S of Jingemarra Homestead, R.J. Cranfield 6047 (PERTH); 25 miles [40.2 km] N of Yalgoo, C.A. Gardner 2519 (PERTH); 8 miles [12.8 km] from Paynes Find on Yalgoo road, A.R. Main 2 (PERTH); 9.6 km E of Edah on road to Mount Magnet, B.R. Maslin 4508 (MO, PERTH); Meka Station, A.A. Mitchell 838 (PERTH); Geraldton district, A. Williams 670 (PERTH). Distribution. Western Australia in the Austin Botanical District (1:250,000 maps G50-10,l 1,14,15; H50-2,3,7). Occurs from Weiragoo Range (c. 170 km west of Meekatharra) and Koonmarra Station (c. 80 km northwest of Meekatharra) south to near Paynes Find. Habitat. Grows in shallow sand or clayey sand, normally on low granite outcrops, in open scrub. The type plant grew in association with Acacia acuminata, A. quadrimarginea, A. ramulosa and A. tetragonophylla. 198 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from mid-June to early September. The single fruiting specimen was collected in December. Conservation status. Not known to be under threat. Etymology. The name is derived from the Greek - skleros, tough or hard, and klados - branch. Affinities. Acacia scleroclada is perhaps most closely allied to A. wiseana C. Gardner on account of the following characters which are shared by the two species: foliage rather sparse; branchlets glabrous and striate; phyllodes distant, 5-nerved with the upper two close together and forming a slightly thickened upper margin; racemes short and sometimes resembling the branchlets; peduncle bases ebracteate (at least at anthesis); heads globular; sepals ± free; bracteoles absent; pods long; seeds longitudinal. Acacia wiseana is more widely distributed than the new species (see Maslin & Pedley 1982) and is clearly distinguished in the following ways: it is a larger, intricate shrub to 4 m tall and has divaricate, light green branchlets; phyllodes 5-20 mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide and patent todeflexed; pods 6-12 mm wide; seeds globose, 5-9 mm diam. The general facies of A. scleroclada often resembles that of the typical variant of A. inaequiloba W. Fitzg. which grows on sand in “spinifex” country between Queen Victoria Spring and Streich Mound (well to the southeast of the range of the new species, c. 200 km east-northeast of Kalgoorlie). This variant of A. inaequiloba is most readily distinguished from the new species in the following ways: branchlets less prominently ribbed and ± pruinose; upper margin of the phyllodes 2-nerved below the gland and 1 -nerved above it (2-nerved throughout in A. scleroclada)-, inflorescences comprising very short, 1-headed, racemes subtended by conspicuous, more or less persistent bracts; heads 12-21 -flowered with caducous bracteoles that are conspicuous in the buds; calyx irregularly dissected; pods undulate; seeds c. 3 mm long and mottled black and brown. 9. Acacia subrigida Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex usque ad 2.5 m altum, ramulis glabris. Phyllodia saepe sectione rhombica subsessilia mucrone indurato atro-brunneo recto et erecto, 8- 15 cm longa et 1-1 .5 mm lata, plana subrigida erecta plus minusve recta ad leviter incurvata glabra viridia ad subglauca 4-nervata sed nervo adaxiali prope glandem basalem bifurcato, nervis aureis. Gians supra pulvinam perdiminutam 3-17 mm et etiam ad basem mucronis glans obscura. Racemi plerumque 2-10 mm longi capitulis 2-4, axibus glabris; pedunculi 1-2 cm longi glabres; capitula globularia aurea 15-30-floribus. Flores 5-meri; sepalis discretis et lineari-spathulatis. Legumina anguste oblonga, supra semina elevata, 6-11 cm longa et 7-10 mm lata, chartacea glabra diluto-brunnea. Semina longitudinalia usque ad longitudinaliter obliqua ovata, aliquando oblonga vel elliptica, 5.5-7 mm longa, in centra vadose depressa, paulo lucida nigra exarillata. Typus: 20.5 km E of Mukinbudin towards Bullfinch, Western Australia, 13 October 197 '5, B.R. Maslin 3965 (holo: PERTH 00167444; iso: CANB, G, K, MEL, NSW, NY). Erect shrubs to 2.5 m tall, single-stemmed or with 2-4 main stems from ground level. Bark grey, fissured on main stems, smooth on branches. Branchlets glabrous, not pruinose, terete but often slightly angled at the usually brown to red-brown extremities, penultimate branchlets usually invested with a light grey cuticle which becomes longitudinally fissured and flaking with age; ribs often yellow, fine, scarcely evident on penultimate branchlets. Stipules caducous. Phyllodes rhombic in section, rarely flat, 8-15 cm long but interspersed with a few shorter ones (to c. 5 cm long), 1-1.5 mm wide, B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 14 199 smooth, sub-rigid, erect, more or less straight to shallowly incurved, glabrous, green to subglaucous, with 4 yellow longitudinal nerves (one at the apex of each angle), nerve on adaxial angle bifurcating at or near the gland, lateral nerves absent; mucro somewhat thick and indurate, minute (0.5-0.8 mm long), straight and erect or almost so, dark brown, acute; pulvinus very reduced (0.2-0.5 mm long), slightly dilated at base, transversely rugose, yellowish. Gland situated on upper angle of phyllode 3-17 mm above the pulvinus, not prominent, circular or sometimes oblong, 0.2-0.4 mm long, a second less prominent gland situated at base of the mucro. Racemes 1 per axil, (1)2-10(15) mm long with (l)2-4(5) heads, the lowermost peduncle inserted 0.5-2 mm above the base; raceme axes glabrous, faintly pruinose at least near the ebracteate base; peduncles 10-20 mm long, glabrous; basal peduncular bract solitary, c. 1 mm long, frequently early caducous but sometimes persisting to anthesis on lowermost peduncle; heads globular, mid-golden, 15-30- flowered, 7 mm diam. at anthesis (reconstituted heads); bracteoles sub-peltate, claws linear, 0.6-0.8 mm long; the laminae ± normal to claws, widely ovate to almost circular, c. 0.5 mm wide, slightly thickened and sparsely ciliolate near attachment to claw otherwise glabrous. Flowers 5-merous; sepals 2/5-3/5 length of petals, free, linear- spathulate, claws puberulous abaxially, laminae more or less glabrous and slightly incurved; petals 2. 3-2.5 mm long, glabrous, midrib very obscure. Pods narrowly oblong, 6-1 1 cm long, 7-10 mm wide, flat but raised over seeds and scarcely to moderately constricted between them but random deep constrictions do occur especially where seeds fail to develop, chartaceous, more or less straight, glabrous, light brown, slightly shiny, with a few obscure transverse nerves. Seeds longitudinal to longitudinally oblique, ovate or sometimes oblong or elliptic, 5.5-7 mm long, 3.2-4.8 mm wide, black, slightly shiny except centre of seed surrounding and including the areole which is more shiny, centre of seed shallowly depressed; pleurogram widely “U”-shaped with the broad opening at hilar end; areole 0.2-0.5 mm long, 0.4-1 mm wid e\funicle filiform, 4 mm long, reddish brown, exarillate. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 20 km E of Mukinbudin towards Bullfinch, B.R. Maslin 4470 (CANB, K, PERTH); 99.5 km SE of Sandstone on the road to Menzies, B.R. Maslin 5032 (PERTH); 1.5 km NE of Walyahmoning Rock, c. 60 km NW of Bullfinch, K Newbey 9552 (PERTH). Distribution. Southwest Western Australia in the Avon and Austin Botanical Districts (1:250,000 maps H50-4, 11,12). Occurs i n the Mukinbudin-Bonnie Rock (c. 45 km north-northeast of Mukinbudin) area and near Maynard Hills (c. 100 km southeast of Sandstone and c. 320 km northeast of Mukinbudin). A variant from Shark Bay with flat phyllodes is discussed below. Habitat. From the few collections at hand, the species has only been recorded from deep yellow sand on plains in Acacia coolgardiensis tall shrubland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers in September and October. Pods with mature seeds have been collected in January. Affinities. Acacia subrigida is most closely allied to A. murrayana F. Muell. ex Benth. and A. pachyacra Maiden & Blakely on account of the following characters. Plants essentially glabrous; phyllodes with atotal of 4 longitudinal main nerves (i.e. one at apex of angles when phyllodes rhombic! one on each face and along each margin when phyllodes flat); glands present at base and apex of phyllodes; heads globular and arranged in short axillary racemes; sepals free or almost so; pods flat and chartaceous; funicles exarillate. The principal distinguishing features between these three species are given in Table 1 where it is seen that A. subrigida is most readily recognized by its phyllodes which posssess a ± erect apical mucro and a basal gland which is well removed from the pulvinus- additionally, its peduncles are usually longer and its seeds are differently orientated within the pod! Acacia subrigida is further readily distinguished from A. murrayana by its phyllodes which are 200 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) rhombic in section. Although the phyllodes of A. pachyacra are normally ± rhombic they are narrower and less rigid than those of A. subrigida. Also, upon drying the phyllodes of A. pachyacra are slightly longitudinally wrinkled or grooved whereas in A. subrigida they are perfectly smooth. Acacia subrigida is more southerly distributed than either A. murrayana or A. pachyacra except for the Shark Bay variant referred to below which occurs in the same general region as A. murrayana. Acacia gelasina Maslin (see above) and A. praelongata F. Muell. from Northern Territory are also closely related to the above taxa and together these five species comprise the informal “ Acacia murrayana Group”. This Group is related to the “A. victoriae Group” (see Maslin 1992) but most readily distinguished by non-spinose stipules and peduncles which lack a supra-basal bract. Conservation status. A Priority 2 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. The epithet is derived from the Latin subrigidus and refers to the texture of the phyllodes which is one of the characters distinguishing the new species from its close relatives, A. pachyacra and A. murrayana. Variation. A variant from Shark Bay and known only from the three collections cited below has not been included in the above description. These specimens were in late flower and one ( B.R . Maslin 3682) possessed old pods and seeds collected from the ground under the plant. Better material and additional field studies are required in order to ascertain the status of this variant. It differs from typical A. subrigida in the following ways. Phyllodes 11-21 cm long, 2 mm wide, ± flat but the midrib prominently raised (and sometimes rendering the phyllodes transversely rhombic in section), occasionally with a few, obscure, longitudinally trending lateral nerves (observe when dry). Racemes (4-7)9-30(35-40) mm long with (2)3-6(9) pedunculate heads, sometimes the peduncle fails to develop within axil of lowermost bract on raceme axes; peduncles sometimes subtended by a minute phyllode at anthesis; heads 24-39-flowered, 10 mm diam. at anthesis (reconstituted); claws of bracteoles and sepals sparsely puberulous. Pods c. 1 3 mm wide. Seeds widely oblong-elliptic, 8 mm long, 7 mm wide; pleurogram almost continuous. Specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: c. 6 km W of Overlander-Denham road towards Tamala, Shark Bay area, B.R. Maslin 3682 (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH); c. 9 km from Denham- Overlander road towards Tamala, B.R. Maslin 3714 (BRI, CANB, K, MEL, NSW, PERTH); 7 km W of Denham-Overlander road on road to Tamala Station, B.R. Maslin 6296 (PERTH). Distribution and habitat. Western Australia in the northern extremity of the Irwin Botanical District (1:250,000 map G49-12). Known only from the Shark Bay area (south of Carnarvon) from the collections cited above. Occurs on red-brown sandy loam in tall shrubland. 10. Acacia wilcoxii Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex glaber per ramosus 2-4 m altus, habito Templetoniae egenae simili, ramulis ascendentibus ad erectos teretibus, obscure nervatis, juventute diluto-viridibus sed aetate cinereis, saepe spinosis. Phyllodia ramulos simulans teretia acuta grosse pungentia, plerumque 5-14 cm longa et 1.5-2 mm diametro, crassa erecta, juventute diluto viridibus sed aetate cinereis, per obscure 4-nervatis. Pedunculi 5-25 mm longi, plerumque geminati, alteruter in racemis vel phyllodiorum in axillis in surculis novis; capitula globularia 24-27-floribus. Flores 5-meri; calyce gamosepalo et plus minusve truncato. Legumina linearia, usque ad 10.5 cm longa et 5 mm lata, tenuiter coriacea atro-brunnea. Semina (le viter immatura) longitudinalia late elliptica usque late ovata, circa 4 mm longa, arillo diluto-luteo. B.R.Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 14 201 Table 1 . Principal morphological features distinguishing A. subrigida (excluding the Shark Bay variant), A. pachyacra and A. murrayana A. subrigida A. pachyacra A. murrayana Branchlets Not pruinose Sometimes faintly (rarely markedly) pruinose Often markedly pruinose Phyllodes - length Mostly 8-15 cm 8-20 cm 5-15 cm - width 1-1.5 mm 0.5-1 mm 1.5-8(12) mm - shape in T.S. Rhombic (flat in Shark Bay variant) Rhombic to sub- terete, rarely flat Flat - texture Sub-rigid Not rigid Not rigid - surface when dry Smooth Sparingly and shallowly longi- tudinally grooved or wrinkled Finely longi- tudinally wrinkled - apical mucro ± erect Recurved Recurved Basal gland 3-17 mm above pulvinus At distal end of pulvinus At distal end of pulvinus, rarely absent No. heads per raceme (l)2-4(5) Usually 5-10 2-10 Peduncle length 10-20 mm 4-7 mm 4-10(15) mm Seed orientation in pods Longitudinal to longitudinally oblique Transverse to oblique Transverse to oblique Typus : Landor Station, Western Australia, August 1970, D.G. Wilcox 168 (holo: PERTH 00168440; iso: PERTH 168459). Much-branched, more or less rounded shrubs 2-4 m tall, habit resembling Templetonia egena. Bark grey and slightly roughened on trunks and main branches, becoming smooth and brownish on upper branches. Branchlets ascending to erect, straight to very slightly flexuose, somewhat rigid, often terminating in very coarsely pungent points, terete, very obscurely nerved, glabrous, pale green when young but ageing greyish (due to a whitish, often flaking cuticle). Stipules very early caducous, c. 1 .5 mm long, fused for most of their length, scarious, brown. Phyllodes resembling the branchlets, terete, narrowed at base, length variable, (3)5-14 cm long, 1.5-2 mm diam., smooth, rigid, thick, brittle when dry, erect, more or less straight, glabrous (except mucro), colour as on branchlets except the apical region brown but turning whitish as cells deteriorate, very obscurely 4-nerved (nerves yellowish 202 NuytsiaVol. 10, No, 2(1995) and not or barely raised); pulvinus c. 2 mm long, slightly dilated at base, usually orange-brown; apices on young phyllodes variably hooked and possessing a glabrous or sparsely hairy mucro c. 1 mm long with a gland-like structure at its base on the upper surface, mucro lost with age resulting in straight, coarsely pungent apices (the gland-like structure rarely observable on mature phyllodes). Gland on upper surface of phyllode to 3 mm above pulvinus, circular to oblong, c. 0.5 mm long, a minute gland- like structure at base of mucro (see above). Peduncles 5-25 mm long, commonly twinned, either 2-5 pairs in determinate racemes 1-3 cm long or axillary and arising synchronously with young phyllodes on new shoots, glabrous, base ebracteate; raceme axes with 4-5 minute caducous bracts at its base, sometimes growing out at apex; heads globular, 24-27-flowered; receptacle papillose; bracteoles widely spathulate, c. 1 mm long, concave, sub-sessile. Flowers 5-merous, glabrous; calyx 2/5 length of corolla, gamosepalous, very shallowly divided (for c. 1/6 or less its length), into broadly triangular, non-thickened lobes); petals c. 2 mm long, nerveless. Pods linear, to 10.5 cm long, 5 mm wide, with up to 9 seeds per pod, rounded over seeds and slightly to moderately constricted between them, thinly coriaceous, more or less straight, nerveless, glabrous, dark brown, margins narrow and yellowish. Seeds (slightly immature) longitudinal with aril facing apex of pod, widely elliptic to widely ovate, c. 4 mm long and 3.5 mm wide, brown; pleurogram open at hilar end; areole c. 0.7 mm long and 0.5 mm wid e\funicle straight to shallowly curved, pale-yellow, reflexed above a somewhat thickened aril of the same colour. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA (precise localities withheld for conservation reasons): Erong Springs Station, R.J. Cranfield 5347 (PERTH); Tangadee Station, B.R. Maslin 5287 (CBG, BRI, K, PERTH) and B.R. Maslin 5288 (CANB, G, MEL, NSW, PERTH), A.A. Mitchell 268 (PERTH); Dalgety Downs Station, A.A. Mitchell 1552 (CANB, PERTH). Distribution. Western Australia in the Ashburton Botanical District (1:250,000 maps G50-4, 6). Known only from Tangadee, Landor, Erong Springs and Dalgety Downs Stations, c. 250 km north to northwest of Meekatharra. Habitat. Grows along watercourses and adjacent stony plains and low stony hills, in open or closed scrub. Flowering and fruiting periods. The few specimens to hand have been collected August and September. Slightly immature pods have been collected in early October. Conservation status. A Priority 1 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. See end of this issue. Etymology. Named in honour of David G. Wilcox, formerly of the Western Australian Department of Agriculture, who has collected extensively since 1952 in the pastoral shrubland zone of W.A. between the Ashburton River and the Nullarbor Plain. Affinities. Acacia wilcoxii is very distinctive by its thick, terete, relatively long, erect phyllodes which closely resemble the branchlets and is not likely to be confused with any other Acacia within its known geographic range. It does, however, resemble both A. exocarpoides W. Fitzg. and A. microcalyx Maslin in habit and in having coarsely pungent, ascending to erect branchlets which are frequently invested with a whitish flaking cuticle. These two related species occur south and west of A. wilcoxii (see Maslin and Pedley 1982). Although A. exocarpoides has terete phyllodes they are much shorter than those of A. wilcoxii , i.e. 8-18 mm long, and unlike the new species are frequently shed upon B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 14 203 collection. Additionally, the racemes on A. exocarpoides are usually 1 -headed and extremely reduced (the raceme axes to c. 1 mm long) and its calyx is dissected for at least half its length. Pods on the two species are rather similar. Although A. microcalyx has racemose inflorescences similar to the new species it is readily distinguished by its shorter (20-40 mm long), flat phyllodes which (like A. exocarpoides ) are often shed upon collection, its fewer flowers per head (i.e. 14-16) and its much larger pods (to 20 cm long and c. 10 mm wide). References Anderson, D.M.W. (1978). Chemotaxonomic aspects of the chemistry of Acacia gum exudates. KewBulI. 32: 529-536. Anderson, D.M.W. , Bell, P.C.& McNab, C.G.A, (1971). An analytical study of some Acacia gum exudates of the series Botrycephalae. Carbohyd. Res. 20: 269-274. Anderson, D.M.W., Farquhar, J.G.K.& McNab, C.G.A. (1984). The gum exudates from same Acacia subspecies of (he series Botrycephalae. Phytochemistry 23: 579-580. Beard, J.S. (1980). A new phytogeographic map of Western Australia. W. Austral. Herb. Res. Notes 3: 37-58, plus map. Bentham, G. (1864). “Flora Australiensis”. Vol. 2. (Lovell Reeve: London.) Bentham, G. (1875). Revision of the Suborder Mimoseae. Trans. Linn. Soc. London 30: 335-664. Brain, P. (1987). Immunology and phylogeny: a preliminary study of Acacia. S. Afr. J. Science 83: 422-427. Brain, P. Sc Maslin, B.R. (in prep.). Aserological investigation ofthe classification of Acacia subgenus Phyllodineae (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae). Chapman, A.R. & Maslin, B.R. (1992). Acacia Miscellany 5. A review of the A. bivenosa group (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Phyllodineae ). Nuytsia 8: 249-283. Chappill, J. A.&Maslin, B.R. (1995). AphylogeneticassessmentoftribeAcacieae. In: Crisp, M. and Doyle, J.J.(eds). “Advances inLegumeSystematics7: Phylogeny”, pp. 77-99. (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: London.) Cowan, R.S. &Maslin, B.R. (1995). Acacia Miscellany 10. New taxa and notes on previously described taxa of Acacia, mostly section Juliflorae (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae), in Western Australia. Nuytsia 10: 15-62. Erickson, R. (1969). “ The Drummonds of Hawthomden". (Lamb Paterson: Osborne Park, Western Australia.) Maiden, J.H. (1916). Notes on Acacia, (with descriptions of new species), No. 1. J. and Proc. Roy. Soc. New South Wales 49: 465-513. Maiden, J.H. (19 17). Notes on Acacia, No. 111. - Extra-tropical Western Australia. (With descriptions of new species.) J. and Proc. Roy. Soc. New South Wales 51: 238-274. Maslin, B.R. (1992). Acacia Miscellany 6. A review of Acaciavictoriae and related species (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Phyllodineae). Nuytsia 8: 285-309. Maslin, B.R. (1995). Acacia miscellany 12. Acacia myrtifolia and its allies in Western Australia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Phyllodineae). Nuytsia 10: 85-101. Maslin, B.R. &Cowan, R.S. (1994). C.F. Meissner’s species of Acacia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae): typification ofthe names. Nuytsia 9: 399-414 Maslin, B.R.& Cowan, R.S. (1994a). What type of type? Austral. Syst. Bot. Soc. Newsletter 81 : 2-7. Maslin, B.R.&Pedley, L.(1982). ThedistributionofAcacia(Leguminosae:Mimosoideae)inAustralia.Part 1. Species distribution maps. W. Austral. Herb. Research Notes 6: 1-128. Mueller, F. (1887).“ Iconography of Australian species of Acacia and cognate genera, fifth decade”. (Govt. Printer: Melbourne.) Pedley, L.(1978). A revision of Acacia Mill, in Queensland, Austrobaileya 1: 75-234. Pedley, L. ( 1 986). Derivation and dispersal of Acacia (Leguminosae), with particular reference to Australia, and the recognition of Senegalia and Racosperma. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 92: 219-254. Tindale, M.D.&Roux, D.G.(1969). A phytochemical survey of the Australian speciesofAcacta. Phytochemistry 8: 1713-1727. Tindale, M.D.&Roux, D.G.(1974). An extended phytochemical survey of Australian speciesofAcacta: chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic aspects. Phytochem. 13: 829-839. Vassal, J. (197?; Apport des recherches ontogeniques et seminologiques a l’etude morphologique, taxonomiqueet phylogenique du genre Acacia. Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Toulouse 108: 105 — 247. 204 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Nuytsia 10(2):205-254 (1995) 205 Acacia Miscellany 15. Five groups of microneurous species of Acacia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Plurinerves ), mostly from Western Australia R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management, POBox 104, Como, Western Australia 6 152 Abstract Cowan, R.S. and B.R. Maslin. Acacia Miscellany 15. Five groups of microneurous species of Acacia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Plurinerves ), mostly from Western Australia. Nuytsia 10 (2): 205-254 (1995). Five informal groupings of new and previously described species are reviewed, including a key to the taxa of each group and descriptions or re-descriptions of each taxon. The “A. densiflora Group” includes A. densiflora Morrison, A. eremophila W. Fitzg. and A. mackeyana Ewart & Jean White in addition to the following new taxa: A. dissona R.S. Cowan & Maslin, A. dissona var. indoloria R.S. Cowan & Maslin, A. hadrophylla R.S. Cowan & Maslin, A. kalgoorliensis R.S. Cowan & Maslin, A. papulosa R.S. Cowan & Maslin and A. undosa R.S. Cowan & Maslin. The “A. ancistrophylla Group” comprises two new species (A. amyctica R.S. Cowan & Maslin and A. whibleyana R.S. Cowan & Maslin), in addition to A. ancistrophylla C.R.P. Andrews which is treated here as consisting of three varieties (the typical variety, var. perarcuata R.S. Cowan & Maslin, var. nov. and var. lissophylla (J.M. Black) R.S. Cowan & Maslin). The “A. enervia Group” is made up of A. enervia Maiden & Blakely with two subspecies (the typical subspecies and subsp. explicata R.S. Cowan & Maslin), A. lineolata Benth. with two subspecies (the typical one and subsp. multilineata (W. Fitzg.) R.S. Cowan & Maslin, comb, et stat. nov.) and A. inceana Domin with two subspecies (the typical one and subsp. conformis R.S. Cowan & Maslin). The “A. fragilis Group” includes three new species (A. aulacophylla R.S. Cowan & Maslin, A. consanguinea R.S. Cowan & Maslin and A. ophiolithica R.S. Cowan & Maslin) in addition to A. assimilis S. Moore with two subspecies (subsp. assimilis and subsp. atroviridis R.S. Cowan & Maslin, subsp. nov.), A. fragilis Maiden & Blakely and A. uncinella Benth. Finally, the “A. dielsii Group” comprises two new species (A. nivea R.S. Cowan & Maslin and A. obesa R.S. Cowan & Maslin) in addition to A. dielsii E. Pritz. itself. Selection of lectotypes is recorded for the following taxa: A. eremophila W. Fitzg. var. variabilis Maiden & Blakely, A. ancistrophylla C.R.P. Andrews var. lissophylla (J.M. Black) R.S. Cowan & Maslin, A. lineolata Benth., A. mackeyana Ewart & Jean White and A. assimilis S. Moore. 206 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2(1995) Introduction The principal aims of this paper are to describe new taxa ahead of their inclusion in the “Flora of Australia” treatment of Acacia , and to present re-descriptions of some previously described taxa related to the new ones; we have also lectotypified names where necessary. Methods Arrangement of the text. The taxa included here are all referrable to Acacia section Plurinerves (Benth.) Maiden & Betche and are treated in five groups, the “A. densiflora Group”, the “A. ancistrophylla Group”, the “A. enervia Group”, the “A.fragilis Group” and the “A. dielsii Group”. Apart from their globular heads on axillary peduncles these taxa have in common only their microneurous phyllodes ( cf. Maslin & Pedley 1988 for definition), having usually numerous, closely parallel, longitudinal nerves with anastomoses absent or rare. It should be noted that these “Groups” are simply mnemonic devices adopted to bring together taxa that are considered to be most closely related to one another for purposes of communication. These are informal groupings and not all the taxa which could be referred to them are necessarily included herein. Furthermore, the “Groups” are sometimes separated by only small differences, especially in the case of the first three, and future classifications may well combine these into a single infrageneric taxon. Taxonomic rank. Our approach to the application of rank is briefly discussed in Cowan & Maslin (1995). Typification. Our approach to typification is discussed in Maslin & Cowan (1994b). Conservation status. We have assessed conservation status of each taxon included in this treatment. In the case of Western Australian taxa we have used the Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora (see end of this issue). For taxa occurring elsewhere in Australia we have used the conservation codings of Briggs and Leigh (1988). Measurements. All measurements and observations were made from dried specimens unless stated otherwise. The “Acacia densiflora Group” Although they have no unique distinguishing characters, the species of this “Group” can be recognized in section Plurinerves by a combination of their tomentulose branchlets (except glabrous in A. papulosa and appressed-puberulous in A. dissona and some material of A. eremophila ) with the indumentum often extending to the adaxial surface of the pulvinus, cucullate basal peduncular bracts and their small heads on short peduncles. The taxa referred to this Group include the following: A. densiflora Morrison, A. dissona R.S. Cowan & Maslin sp. nov. (including var. dissona and var. indoloria R.S. Cowan & Maslin var. nov.), A. eremophila W. Fitzg. (including var. eremophila and var. variablis Maiden & Blakely), A. hadrophylla R.S. Cowan & Maslin sp. nov., A. kalgoorliensis R.S. Cowan & Maslin sp. nov., A. mackeyana Ewart & Jean White, A. papulosa R.S. Cowan & Maslin sp. nov. and A. undosa R.S. Cowan & Maslin sp. nov. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Masiin, Acacia Miscellany 15 207 Key to taxa of “A. densiflora Group” 1 . Phyllodes terete to sub-terete 2. Branchlets glabrous 7. A. papulosa 2. Branchlets hairy 3. Sepals united for at least 1/4 their length 4. Phyllodes with sharply to coarsely pungent, ± straight tips; peduncles hairy; pods hairy, not undulate 1 . A. densiflora 4. Phyllodes with non-pungent, uncinate to sub-uncinate (sometimes straight) tips; peduncles glabrous or hairy 5. Nerves c. 10, depressed below broad (several times width of nerves), raised inter-nerve spaces 6. Pods glabrous, not undulate; phyllodes 2-6 cm long 3a. A. eremophila var. eremophila 6. Pods hairy, undulate; phyllodes 5-11 cm long 3b. A. eremophila var. variabilis 5. Nerves numerous, inter-nerve spaces scarcely wider than nerves 3. A. eremophila (numerous-nerved variant) 3. Sepals free or almost so 7. Phyllodes not sharply pungent 8. Pulvinus expanded at base, 0.5-2 mm long; mature phyllodes with raised nerves commonly paler than inter-nerve spaces 2b. A. dissona var. indoloria 8. Pulvinus terete, 1-3 mm long; nerves ± depressed, nerves and inter-nerve spaces uniform in colour 9. Pods glabrous, not undulate; phyllodes 2-6 cm long 3a. A. eremophila var. eremophila 9. Pods hairy, undulate; phyllodes 5-11 cm long 3b. A. eremophila var. variabilis 7. Phyllodes sharply pungent lO.Phyllode blades abruptly separated from both pulvinus and apex, commonly recurved, 7-30 mm long; heads 7-12-flowered 6. A. mac key ana 10. Phyllodes gradually tapered to pulvinus and/or apex, straight, 20-70 mm long; heads 15-22-flowered 1 1 . Phyllodes 3-7 cm long with the apex protracted into long spinose points; peduncles normally 0.5-1. 5 mm long 5. A. kalgoorliensis 1 1 . Phyllodes 2-4 cm long with the apex contracted to short pungent tips; peduncles 2-5 mm long 2a. A. dissona var. dissona 1 . Phyllodes flat 12. Peduncles hairy 1. A. densiflora 12. Peduncles glabrous 13. Pods not undulate; phyllodes oblong-elliptic, 5-25 x 2. 5-5. 5 mm 4 .A. hadrophylla 13. Pods undulate; phyllodes linear to linear-oblanceolate, 20-45 x 1-4 mm 8. A. undosa 208 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) 1. Acacia densiflora Morrison, Scott. Bot. Rev. 1: 96 (1912); Trans. &Proc. Bot. Soc. Edinburgh 26: 51 (1917) Typus : Kellerberrin, E Avon district, Western Australia, September 1897, R.B. Leake (iso: K, NSW, PERTH 01017489-fragment ex E). Dense, rounded or obconic shrubs (0. 2)0.5- 1.2(1. 7) m tall, few- to many-stemmed from ground level. Bark grey, smooth, sometimes fissured basally. Branchlets tomentulose with short, dense, crisped white hairs, sometimes reddish resin-hairs intermixed. New shoots with grey, ± matted pubescence and with many rust-coloured resin-hairs. Stipules persistent, subulate to triangular, 0.5-2. 5 mm long, ± puberulous. Phyllodes terete, sub-terete or compressed to flat and linear, 25-50(60) mm long, 1-2 mm wide, rigid, inclined to ascending, straight, glabrous except tomentulose on pulvinus and base of phyllodes, sometimes sparingly appressed-puberulous but glabrescent, dark green; apex ending in a straight or slightly curved, sharply to coarsely pungent point; ± 1 6 nerves plane to slightly raised, closely parallel, sometimes irregularly verruculose, stomata raised; gland small, located on adaxial margin near the middle of blade, occasionally a second gland on upper 1/2 of blade. Peduncles 2 per axil, 0.5- 1.5 mm long, crisped-tomentuiose; basal peduncular bract caducous, cucullate, 1 .5-3 mm long, villose; heads globular, 4-5 mm diam., (1 l)15-18(25)-flowered; bracteoles oblanceolate to obovate, arcuate, puberulous and ciliolate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals less than half as long as petals, 1/2-3/4 united. Petals 1/2 united. Pods linear, raised over and slightly constricted between seeds, to 4.5 cm long and 2.5 mm wide, thin-crustaceous, slightly curved, sometimes slightly flexuose, tomentulose and with many red resin hairs. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, elliptic, c. 3 mm long, 2 mm wide, 1 mm thick, glossy black; pleurogram U-shaped; areole small; aril terminal, short-tubular with scalloped margin, 2 mm long, white. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 30 km W of 90 mile Tank, Frank Hann National Park, T.E.H. Aplin and M.E. Trudgen 5918 (K, MO, NY, PERTH); about 0.5 miles [0.8 km] N of Bendering on road to Narembeen, B.R. Maslin 517 (MEL, PERTH); 18 miles [28.9 km] W of Pederah on road to Kulin, B.R. Maslin 532 (K, MEL, PERTH); 8 km due W of Merredin, B.R. Maslin 2352 (CANB, K, NY, PERTH); 10 km due SW of Chiddarcooping Hill, B.R. Maslin 6379 (CANB, K, PERTH); 15 km SSW of Queen Victoria Rocks, c. 60 km SSW of Coolgardie, K. Newbey 5681 (PERTH); 4.6 km E of Graham Rocks turn-off on Hyden-Newdegate road, J.G. and M.H. Simmons 1325 (PERTH); 97 miles [156 km] E of Southern Cross, E. Wittwer 1298 (PERTH). Distribution. Southwest Western Australia from near Wyalkatchem and Chiddarcooping Nature Reserve (c. 80 km north-northeast of Merredin) south to Ongerup and Frank Hann National Park (which is located 30- 1 1 0 km east-northeast of Lake King). A few collections have been made east of the main distribution in the Coolgardie area (near Coolgardie and Queen Victoria Rocks). Habitat. In sand and loam, occasionally clay, mostly in open mallee shrubland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from June-September; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December. Affinities. Acacia densiflora differs from most of its relatives in its partly united sepals and petals; other characters useful in recognizing the species include its very short, tomentulose peduncles, densely tomentulose branchlets and many-nerved phyllodes with commonly straight, sharply pungent points. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acac/a Miscellany 15 209 Discussion. The gradual progression in phyllode shape within the species from completely terete (as in the type) through sub-terete to flat makes recognition of infraspecific taxa impractical, at least on this basis, even though the extremes look rather different. Several collections from east of the main distribution, i.e. around Coolgardie and in the Frank Hann National Park, have phyllodes with coarser- appearing nervature and often some of the nerves are tuberculate. In both respects, however, these populations intergrade with the typical ones. Conservation status. Widespread, not known to be under threat. 2. Acacia dissona R.S. Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex 0.5-2 m altus, ramis ± contortis, ramulis appresso-puberulis. Stipulae persistentes, triangulares. Phyllodia sub-teretia vel teretia, gradatim contracta ad apicem plus minusve acuto- pungentia vel mucronata et non-pungentia, pulvino 0.5-2 mm longo, ad basem expanso, 2-4 cm longa, 1-1.5 mm lata, ratione horum 15-30, rigida, recta vel fere recta, glabra, nervis numerosis, elevatis, arete parallelis, stomatibus elevatis, interdum tuberculiformibus. Pedunculi 2 in quoque axilla, 1-4 mm longi, glabri; capitulis globularibus, 5-6 mm diametro, 15-20-floribus; bracteolis linearibus. Flores pentameri; sepalis petalisque discretis, sepalis petalis circa dimidia brevioribus, linearibus ad lineari-spathulatis, apicaliter ciliolatis. Legumina linearia, supra semina elevata et inter semina plus minusve constricta, ad 60 mm longa et 2.5 mm lata, tenuiter Crustacea ad tenuiter coriacea, leviter arcuata, plus minusve appresso-puberula. Semina longitudinalia, oblongo-elliptica, 2.5-4. 5 mm longa, 1.5 mm lata, 1 mm in crassitie, nitida vel sub-nitida, brunnea, arillo seminibus 1/2-/3 breviore, conico vel obtuso et cristato, dilute luteo. Typus: 14 km N of Lake Grace, Western Australia, 5 October 1975, B.R. Maslin 3843 (holo: PERTH 00194824; iso : CANB, G, K, MEL, NSW, NY). Low-domed to narrowly obconic, dense shrubs 0.5-2 m tall, branches often ± contorted. Bark light grey, finely longitudinally fissured at base of trunk, smooth on branches. Branchlets more or less ridged, with very short, appressed, straight to shallowly-curved hairs. Stipules persistent, triangular. Phyllodes sub-terete or terete, 2-4 cm long, 1-1.5 mm wide, l:w = 15-30, rigid, inclined to erect, straight or nearly so, green, glabrous or pulvinus often puberulous adaxially; apex more or less sharply pungent or only mucronate to mucronulate; nerves numerous, closely parallel, raised, sometimes paler than inter-nerve spaces; stomata raised in inter-nerve spaces, sometimes appearing as tubercles; pulvinus 0.5-2 mm long, sometimes not well differentiated, usually expanded at base; gland small, near middle of blade on adaxial surface. Peduncles 2 in each axil, 2-4(5) mm long, glabrous; heads globular, golden, 5-6 mm diam. (fresh), 3-4 mm diam. (dry), 15-20-flowered; bracteoles linear. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals c. 1/2 as long as petals, free, linear, ciliolate apically. Petals free, elliptic, glabrous. Pods linear, raised over and variably constricted between seeds, to 6 cm long and 2.5 mm wide, thin-crustaceous or thin-coriaceous, moderately curved, somewhat loosely and irregularly reticulate-nerved, ± appressed-puberulous. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, oblong-elliptic, 2. 5-4. 5 mm long, 1 .5 mm wide, 1 mm thick, dark-brown, glossy or semi-glossy; aril terminal, conical or broadly rounded and crested, 1/2-2/3 as long as seed, pale yellow. Distribution. Discontinuous in southwest Western Australia in an area bounded by Coorow, Ongerup, Norseman and Southern Cross. Affinities. In several respects the new species resembles A. mackeyana Ewart & Jean White (which is described below): the branchlets are appressed-puberulous, the pulvinus is expanded at its base, the 210 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2(1995) peduncles are glabrous and the perianth parts are free. Acacia mackeyana, however, has phyllodes which are commonly recurved and abruptly contracted at both the apex and pulvinus, as well as having 7-12-flowered heads and sub-terete, thick-walled, crustaceous pods. There is considerable similarity also between A. dissona, particularly the typical variety, and A. kalgoorliensis R.S. Cowan & Maslin (see below) which has generally longer phyllodes with the apex drawn out into a long spinose tip, mostly shorter peduncles, pods with appressed, red resin-hairs and seeds with an aril that does not invest the seed apex. Infraspecific taxa. The differences separating the two varieties comprising the species are mostly to be found in the pods and seeds. There are, however, qualitative differences in the degree of pungency of the phyllodes and the colour of the nerves. Etymology. The name given refers to its discordant nature, in relation to its close relatives (from dissonus, Latin for discordant or different). 2a. Acacia dissona R.S. Cowan & Maslin var. dissona. Phyllodes 2-4 cm long, sub-terete, contracted to short, more or less sharply pungent tips, nerves and inter-nerve spaces uniform in colour, stomata sometimes tuberculate. Peduncles 2-5 mm long. Pods distinctly constricted between the seeds, sparingly appressed-puberulous. Seeds 4.5 mm long; aril long-conical. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 45 km E of Norseman, T.E.H. Aplin 1811 (PERTH); Muntadgin, E. T. Bailey 690 (PERTH); 2 1 .6 km ENE of Merredin by road, R. Coveny 8340 and B. Haberley (PERTH); 5 km SE of Coorow, A. Doley 4 (PERTH); Rabbit Proof Fence, Wanarra, C.A. Gardner 13897 (PERTH); New Zealand Gully, Southern Cross, S. Grayling 1 (PERTH); 14 km N of Lake Grace towards Kulin, B.R. Maslin 4067 (PERTH); c. 4 km S of Karlgarin on Pederah Road, B. R. Maslin 6738 (PERTH); 9 km WSW of Lake Cairlocup, K. Newbey 4333 (PERTH); 4.1 km from Hyden on road to Dragon Rocks, J.G. and M.H. Simmons 1319 (PERTH); between Hyden and Kondinin, D.J.E. Whibley 3355 (PERTH). Distribution. Discontinuous in southwest Western Australia in the Merredin-Southern Cross area south to near Ongerup with outliers in the Coorow- Wanarra area (c. 250 km northwest of Merredin) and in the Norseman area (c. 350 km northeast of Ongerup). Habitat. Grows on clay, loam, and sandy soils in eucalypt woodland or mallee, sometimes dominated by Eucalyptus salmonophloia. Flowering and fruiting periods. Most flowering specimens have been collected in September and October, but the northern ones (from the Coorow-Wanarra area) were collected in July and August. Pods with mature seeds have been collected in December. Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 15 211 2b. Acacia dissona var. indoloria R.S. Cowan & Maslin, var. nov. A var. dissona phyllodiis teretibus mucronatis et innocuis ad grosse pungentibus, leguminibus inter semina non-constrictis vel solum leviter constrictis et sparse appresso-puberulis, seminibus 2.5-3.5 mm longis arillo lato-obtuso cristato differt. Typus : 12 km E of Kulja towards Mollerin, Western Australia, 9 January 1979, B.R. Maslin 4448 (holo: PERTH 00153168; iso : CANB, K, NY). Phyllodes terete, mucronate, innocuous to coarsely pungent, mature phyllodes with raised nerves commonly paler than inter-nerve spaces (less clear on juvenile phyllodes), pulvinus expanded at base, 0.5-2 mm long. Pods scarcely constricted between seeds, sparsely appressed-puberulous, at least between seeds. Seeds 2. 5-3. 5 mm long with a broadly obtuse, crested aril. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Bruce Rock, October 1932, E.T. Bailey (PERTH 00195294); 3 miles [4.8 km] NW of Muntadgin, J. Goodwin 67 (PERTH); Caiguna to Southern Cross, C. Herscovitch CH10 (PERTH); 25 km ESE of Tadpole Lake, Frank Hann National Park, K. Newbey 5538 (PERTH); 6 miles [9.7 km] E of Ballidu, R.D. Royce 2103 (PERTH). Distribution. Scattered in inland southwest Western Australia in the Ballidu-Mollerin area (c. 75-145 km east of Moora), Bruce Rock-Muntadgin area (Muntadgin is c. 45 km northeast of Bruce Rock) and the Frank Hann National Park (located 30-110 km east-northeast of Lake King). Habitat. Grows on sand and loam mostly in open mallee shrubland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering occurs from August to September with most specimens collected in September. Pods with mature seeds have been collected in January. Variation. Typically the pulvinus is terete in the upper part but flares basally; however, in one instance (the Newbey collection cited above) it is completely terete. Conservation status. A Priority 3 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Etymology. The name for this taxon alludes to the non-pungent nature of the phyllodes (from indolorius, Latin for painless). 3. Acacia eremophila W. Fitzg., J. Bot. 50: 19 (1912) Lectotype (fide Maslin &. Cowan 1994a): Cowcowing sandplain, Western Australia, August 1904, M. Koch 1024a (BM); isolecto: NSW, PERTH 00838292, 01505246 & 00763136). Paralectotype: Cowcowing, September 1904, M Koch 1024a (NSW, PERTH 00750980). A. leptoneura Benth. var. eremophila W. Fitzg. ex Ewart & Jean White, Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria n. ser. 23: 286, pi. 50, figs 1-4 (1911). Typus: Cowcowing, Western Australia, August 1904, M. Koch 1024a (holo: presumably MEL, n.v., fide Maslin & Cowan, loc. cit.). 212 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Dense, rounded to obconic shrubs usually 0.4-2 m tall and about the same across. Bark grey, smooth. Branchlets terete, slightly ribbed, white- or grey- sub-appressed-tomentulose (often with dark resin-hairs intermixed), appressed-puberulous or crispate-sericeous. Stipules persistent, subulate- triangular, 0.4-0. 8 mm long. Phyllodes terete, 2-1 1 cm long, 0.6- 1.5 mm diam., rigid, patent to erect, straight, glabrous except tomentulose on pulvinus and phyllode base, green to greyish-green or yellowish green, sometimes ± viscid when young; apex commonly reflexed uncinate, rarely straight or sub-uncinate; pulvinus terete, 1-3 mm long; nerves mostly 9 or 10, closely parallel, depressed below raised inter-nerve spaces bearing raised stomata; gland small, mostly at or below middle of phyllode. Peduncles 2 per axil, 1-2 mm long, ± tomentulose, sometimes also with red resin-hairs; basal peduncular bracts caducous, cucullate, 1-2 mm long, glabrous or hairy, red resin-hairs present or absent; heads globular, light-golden, 3-4 mm diam., 10-25-flowered; bracteoles spathulate, ciliolate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals more or less united to 1/2 their length but sometimes only basally, or some even free, narrowly oblong, ciliolate. Petals free, oblanceolate to obovate. Pods linear, raised over and somewhat constricted between seeds, 2-5 cm long, 1 .5-3 mm wide, thinly crustaceous, straight or undulate, tomentulose, appressed-puberulous or glabrous, marginal nerve distinct. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, elliptic to oblong-ovate, 2.5-3 mm long, 1.5- 2 mm wide, dark brown; aril white, terminal, to 2/3 length of seed. Distribution. Widely distributed throughout southern inland Western Australia. Notes. When Ewart & Jean White published A. leptoneura Benth. var. eremophila, they cited A. eremophila W.V. Fitzg. as being in manuscript; at the varietal rank we would cite Ewart & Jean White as the publishing authors but the first available name at the specific rank is Fitzgerald’s name. As is often the case with Max Koch collections, there is some confusion because the numbers he attached to collections were taxon numbers, not collection numbers. Although the protologue lists Koch 1024 and 1024a as the basis for A. eremophila, this is clearly an error; Koch’s own notes in archives of the Western Australian Herbarium lists a Grevillea species for 1024 and A. eremophila for 1024a. Further discussion may be found in the paper on Fitzgerald types by Maslin & R.S. Cowan (1994a). Affinities. Related to A. densiflora Morrison (see above) which has c. 16- nerved phyllodes and 1/2- to 3/4-united perianth parts. Acacia eremophila occurs as two varieties, separated on pod shape and hairiness as well as phyllode length, peduncle pubescence and number of flowers per head. Variation. This species is reasonably constant morphologically, although there is a variant, not encompassed by the above description, which differs from typical A. eremophila in having phyllodes with more numerous nerves and consequently narrower inter-nerve spaces. This “numerous-nerved variant” has a sporadic distribution and has been recorded from Edjudina Station (c. 130 km northeast of Kalgoorlie) (M. Blackwell 47 - PERTH), the Great Victoria Desert between Neale Junction and Plumridge Lakes (B.R. Maslin 5701 - K, MO, NSW, PERTH) and from between Norseman and Balladonia (K. Newbey 7429 - PERTH). It was treated as A. rigens Cunn. ex Don by Maslin (1981) in the “Flora of Central Australia” and specimens were distributed as such. 3a. Acacia eremophila W. Fitzg. var. eremophila Shrubs 0.4-2 m tall. Phyllodes (20)27-45(60) mm long, 0.6-1 mm diam., the tip reflexed or rarely straight. Peduncles 1-2 mm long, glabrous to sparsely puberulous, red resin-hairs present or absent, R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 15 213 rarely densely tomentulose; heads less than 20-flowered. Pods 2-6 cm long, 1 .5-2 mm wide, straight, glabrous or with minute red resin hairs. Seeds elliptic. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Cundeelee, P. Boswell A28 (PERTH); 7 miles [1 1.2 km] N of Cadoux towards Kalannie, R. Cumming 1869 (PERTH); Peak Charles area, 10 September 1972, T. Daniell s.n. (PERTH 00666661); Bendering, September 1923, C.A. Gardner s.n. (PERTH 00667161, 00665614 & 00667153); 1.7 miles [2.7 km] N of Kalgoorlie, 1 September 1954, A.R. Main s.n. (PERTH 00702668); 1 mile [1.6 km] W of Rabbit Proof Fence No. 1 on Norseman-Hyden road, B.R. Maslin 554 (NSW, PERTH); about 16 km due NW of Bruce Rock, B.R. Maslin 2371 (PERTH); 29 km N of Kondinin towards Narembeen, B.R. Maslin 3423 (CANB, K, PERTH); 3.5 km S of Wubin on road to Dalwallinu, B.R. Maslin 4974 (CANB, K, PERTH); 23 km N of Pioneer Tank, c. 80 km S of Zanthus, K. Newbey 7 1 68 (MEL, PERTH); near Lake Dundas, l.V. Newman 771 (PERTH); Wongan Hills, 9 August 1949, E. Salisbury s.n. (PERTH 00665622); railway crossing, S of Dundas Rocks on Highway 1, M.H. Simmons 297 (PERTH); 33 km W of Balladonia on Eyre Highway, M.H. Simmons 1160 (PERTH); 2 km SW of Manmanning, 14 Aug. 1978, B. and M. Smith s.n. (PERTH 00665649); 5 km W of Kitchener, J. Taylor 545, M.D. Crisp and R. Jackson (NSW, PERTH). Distribution. Southern Western Australia, scattered over a wide area bounded by Wubin (c. 20 km north of Dalwallinu), Menzies (c. 1 25 km north-northwest of Kalgoorlie), Kitchener (c. 1 60 km north- northeast of Balladonia), Balladonia and Kondinin. Habitat. Commonly in loam or sand in low eucalypt woodland and mallee or mixed scrubland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers in July-September; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December. Variation. In the Peak Charles (c. 100 km southwest of Norseman) to Dundas (c. 22 km south of Norseman) area, there are populations with all the characteristics of this variety except that the phyllode tip is straight instead of reflexed as is typical. The Gardner collection from Bendering is unusual in having densely tomentulose peduncles. Affinities. In addition to its close relationship with var. variabilis, the typical variety is superficially similar to A. papulosa R.S. Cowan & Maslin which has glabrous, papulose branchlets, smaller heads, longer, glabrous peduncles, linear to fusiform bracteoles, resinous pods and oblong seeds. Conservation status. Widespread, not under threat. 3b. Acacia eremophila var. variabilis Maiden & Blakely, J. & Proc. Roy. Soc. Western Australia 13: 6, pi. 4, figs 12-20 (1928). Lectotype (here selected): Comet Vale, Western Australia, October 1916, J.T. Jutson 84 (NSW 216944); isolecto : K, MEL (p.p.). Paralectotype: (1) Comet Vale, Western Australia, December 1916 J.T. Jutson 9 1 (NSW, PERTH 0101 7535-fragment ex NSW); (2) Comet Vale, 22 October 1916, J.T. Jutson 203 (NSW); (3) Comet Vale, 11 November 1916, J.T. Jutson 208 (NSW, PERTH 00751057); (4) Comet Vale, 27 November 1916, J.T. Jutson 208A (K, NSW, PERTH 01017950- fragment ex NSW). 214 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2(1995) Shrubs 1-1.6 m tall. Phyllodes 5-11 cm long, 1-1.5 mm diam. Peduncles 2 mm long, sparsely to densely tomentulose or appressed-puberulous, resin hairs rarely present; heads 20-25-flowered. Pods to 5 cm long, 1.5-3 mm wide, distinctly constricted between seeds, loosely undulate, tomentulose or appressed-puberulous. Seeds oblong-ovate. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 94 miles [151 km] E of Norseman on Eyre Highway, I. Armitage 562 (PERTH); between Balladonia and Norseman, 20.3 km E of turnoff to Newman Rocks, R.J. Chinnock 3002 (PERTH); 20 miles [32 km] S of Menzies, 1975, N. Pratt s.n. (PERTH 00700541); 34.4 km W of Balladonia on Eyre Highway, M.H. Simmons 1162 (PERTH); 5 km E of Zanthus, P.G. Wilson 7623 (PERTH). Distribution: This poorly collected variety of southern Western Australia is known from only three widely separated localities, near Balladonia, near Zanthus (c. 160 km north of Balladonia) and Comet Vale (c. 85 km north-northwest of Kalgoorlie). Habitat. Probably grows in sand or sandy loam in low woodland or scrub. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers in September; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December. Additional fruiting collections are needed to confirm the separation of this variety from the typical one. Typification. Choice of a lectotype is made because several collections were cited in the protologue, some in flower, others in fruit, even though all apparently represent the same taxon. Variation. One specimen of this variety ( Pratt s.n. from south of Menzies - PERTH) records a maximum height of 3-4.5 m for the taxon, which is considerably larger than is typical. Conservation status. A Priority 3 taxon in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. 4. Acacia hadrophylla R.S. Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex (20)30-50(70) cm altus, ramulis tomentulosis et cum micro-piliis nigris, interdum plus minusve sericeis. Stipulae persistentes, anguste triangulares, 0.5-0.8 mm longae. Phyllodia plana, oblongo-elliptica, obtusa vel subobtusa et cum parvo mucro, pul vino 0.8- 1.5 mm longo, a lamina abrupte separata, valde crassa, rigida, (5)7-25 mm longa, 2.5-5 .5 mm lata, patentia ad inclinata, saepe leviter incurvata, glabra praeter pulvinum tomentulosum, uniglandulosa, in quoque superficie 5-7 nervata, nervis valde elevatis, distantibus. Pedunculi binati, glabri, 0.5-2 mm longi, pedunculorum bracteis basalibus cucullatis, rostratis, 2.5-4 mm longis; capitula 3-3.5 mm diametro in sicco, 14-25- floribus, flores 5-meri, sepalis discretis vel partim connatis, petalis plus minusve discretis. Legumina linearia, inter semina plus minusve constricta, 12-22 mm longa, 2 mm lata, puberula, plus minusve curvata. Semina longitudinalia, oblongo-elliptica, 2.5-3 mm longa, 1-2 mm lata, brunneo-nigra, arillo terminali. Typus: between Bremer Range and Lake King-Kumarl Road, Western Australia, 23 September 1983, B.R. Maslin 5430 ( holo : PERTH 00194913; iso: CANB, K, MEL, NSW, NY). R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 15 215 Dense to moderately open, domed to obconic shrubs (20)30-50(70) cm tall, spreading 40-150(270) cm across. Branchlets tomentulose, sometimes more or less sericeous, and with many black micro-hairlets. Stipules persistent, narrowly triangular, 0.5-0.8 mm long. Phyllodes oblong- elliptic, (5)7-25 mm long, 2.5-5 .5 mm wide, rigid, thick, patent to inclined, often shallowly incurved, glabrous except for the tomentulose pulvinus and phyllode-base, green; apex obtuse or sub-obtuse with small mucro; pulvinus 0.8- 1.5 mm long, abruptly separated from blade; nerves 5-7 on each face, strongly raised, distant; stomata slightly raised. Peduncles 2 per axil, 0.5-2 mm long, glabrous; basal peduncular bract cucullate, rostrate, 2.5-4 mm long, puberulous on rostrum; heads globular, light- to mid-golden, 5 mm diam. (fresh), 3-3.5 mm diam. (dry), 14-25-flowered; bracteoles linear to spathulate, ciliolate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/2 length of petals, free, narrowly oblong, ciliolate. Petals free or some shortly connate basally. Pods linear, somewhat constricted between seeds, 12-22 mm long, 2 mm wide, puberulous with red, glandular(?) papillae, crustaceous, somewhat curved, the marginal nerve distinct, lighter coloured. Seeds longitudinal, oblong-elliptic, 2.5-3 mm long, 1-2 mm wide, brown-black, the aril terminal. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: adjacent to NE part of Nature Reserve A24435, Lake King townsite, K.J. Atkins 1540 (PERTH); 33 km SSW of Peak Charles, M.A. Burgman 1484 and S. McNee (PERTH); Circle Valley, H. Knox 2907831 (PERTH); One Mile Rock Reserve, B.R. Maslin 4484 (CANB, PERTH); 1 3 km SW of Mount Day, K. Newbey 5296 (BM, PERTH); 4 km NE of Peak Charles, Peak Charles National Park, K. Newbey 5407 (MO, PERTH); 22 km WNW of Roberts Swamp, c. 53 km W of Grass Patch, K. Newbey 8141 (PERTH). Distribution. Scattered but locally frequent in small populations from Mount Holland (c. 85 km northeast of Hyden) and Lake King east to Kumarl and Scaddan (which are located between Norseman and Esperance), southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Growing in loam, clay-loam or sand in open shrubland with Eucalyptus transcontinentalis, E. calycogona or E. flocktoniae. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from June to September; pods with mature seeds collected in December. Affinities. The tomentulose branchlets, cucullate basal peduncular bracts, short peduncled heads and pentamerous flowers indicate the placement of the species within the “A. densiflora Group”. The new species differs from most other members of the group in its short, flat, thick, oblong-elliptic phyllodes. Acacia densiflora has an element with flat phyllodes but in that instance the phyllodes are linear. Acacia hadrophylla shares a number of characteristics with A. undosa which also has flat phyllodes but they are generally longer, much thinner, linear to linear-oblanceolate, commonly with 2 glands and A. undosa has undulate pods. Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. Etymology. The specific epithet is formed from two latinized Greek words, hadros , defined as thick, bulky or stout, and phyllon, a leaf, referring to the thick phyllodes that characterize the species. 5. Acacia kalgoorliensis R.S. Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex densus rotundatus multicaulis 0.5-2.5 m altus, ramulis pilis albis sub-appressis et rubris resinosisve. Phyllodia teretia, acute pungentia, ad apicem longum durum fuscatum rectum vel raro 216 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2(1995) curvatum attenuata, pul vino 2-3 mm longo, crispato-sericeo, laminis 3-7 cm longis, plus minusve 1.5 mm diametro, rigidis, erectis, rectis, glabris, 20-nervatis, nervis indistinctis, stomatibus plus minusve elevatis, glande saepe 2. Pedunculi 2 in quoque axilla, 0.5-1 .5(5) mm longi, glabri vel resinoso-pilis dispersis rubris ornatis; capitula globularia ad late ellipsoidea, 3-3.5 mm diametro, 15-22-floribus, bracteolis linearibus ad spathulatis, tomentulosis et ciliolatis. Flores 5-meri. Sepala longitudine 1/2 petali partes aequantia, discreta, villosulosa. Petala discreta. Ovarium papilloso-puberulum. Legumina linearia, supra semina elevata et inter semina constricta, ad 7.5 cm longa, 3 mm lata, chartacea, leviter curvata, appresso-puberula, pilis minutis, resinosis. Semina longitudinalia, anguste elliptica ad oblongo-elliptica, 4-4.5 mm longa, 1.8 mm lata, 1 mm crassitie, hebetato-nigra, arillo terminali. Typus: 4 miles [6 km] N of Broad Arrow toward Menzies, Western Australia, 10 August 1971, B.R. Maslin 1910 (Jiolo: PERTH 00194905; iso: CANB, K, NSW, NY). Dense, rounded shrubs 1-3 m tall, many-stemmed from ground level, the main stems slightly twisted. Bark grey. Branchlets sub-appressed-puberulous, the hairs white, curved antrorsely or somewhat twisted and with red resin-hairs intermixed. Phyllodes terete, 3-7 cm long, c. 1 .5 mm diam., rigid, erect, straight, green, glabrous except for the crispate-sericeous pulvinus; apex tapering into long, hard, dark, straight or rarely curved tip, sharply pungent; pulvinus 2-3 mm long; ± 20 nerves slightly raised, closely parallel; stomata somewhat raised; glands usually 2, one near middle, the other near the phyllode apex. Peduncles 2 per axil, 0.5-1. 5 mm, rarely to 5 mm long, glabrous or with scattered red resin-hairlets; basal peduncular bract cucullate, rostrate, 2.5-3 mm long, appressed- puberulous; heads globular to widely ellipsoid, golden, 3-3.5 mm diam., 15-22-flowered; bracteoles linear to spathulate, tomentulose and ciliolate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/2 length of petals, free, linear to spathulate, villose. Petals free. Pods linear, raised over and constricted between seeds, to 7.5 cm long, 3 mm wide, chartaceous, shallowly curved, appressed-puberulous with minute, red- brown resin hairs. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, narrowly elliptic to oblong-elliptic, 4-4.5 mm long, 1.8 mm wide, 1 mm thick, dull, black; pleurogram U-shaped; areole raised, shiny; aril terminal. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Hampton Hill Station, 23 km E of Kalgoorlie, R. Coveny 8426 and B. Haberley (NSW, PERTH); near Kanowna, C.A. Gardner 783 (PERTH); 22.4 km E of Kalgoorlie along road to Zanthus, January 1991, M. McDonald 1338 (PERTH); 8 miles [12.8 km] SW of Kalgoorlie towards Coolgardie, B.R. Maslin 1897 (MEL, MO, PERTH); about 16 km NNE of Kalgoorlie on road to Edjudina Station, B.R. Maslin 4847 (PERTH); 28.5 km SSE of Marvel Loch on track towards Mount Day, B.R. Maslin 5514 (PERTH). Distribution. Restricted to near Kalgoorlie (with collections within a 50 km radius of Kalgoorlie) and the Marvel Loch area (c. 200 km west-southwest of Kalgoorlie), with a variant scattered c. 320-560 km NW of Kalgoorlie (near Wubin and Noongal and Yuinmery Stns), W.A. Habitat. Rocky loam and clay on slopes of low hills in eucalypt woodland. The variant grows in sandy loam and loam over calcrete in eucalypt open woodland and Acacia open scrub. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from August to October; pods with mature seeds have been collected in January. Variants. Four collections are clearly related to A. kalgoorliensis but may represent a distinct species. These collections differ by having widely ellipsoid, 30-40- flowered heads on peduncles 2-4 mm long: R.S. Cowan andB.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 15 217 Noongal Station, P. Curry 1073 (CANB, PERTH); c. 40 km NE of Wubin, B.R. Maslin 5586 (MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH); and 7.5 kmEof Yuinmery Homestead, / Dell JD95 and JD124B (PERTH). All three localities are widely separated (c. 560 km, 480 km and 320 km to the northwest, respectively) from Kalgoorlie. One collection ( Bale 109, Mount Hunt, Boulder, W.A. - PERTH) has peduncles 4-5 mm long but otherwise is typical of the species. Affinities. The nearest affinity of this species is with A. densiflora Morrison (see above) which has united perianth parts and uniglandular phyllodes with the apex pungent but not drawn out into a protracted spinose tip as in A. kalgoorliensis. The red micro-hairlets intermixed with the appressed white or grey hairs on the branchlets and young phyllodes of A. kalgoorliensis also serve to distinguish it. In the Kalgoorlie area, another similar-appearing species occurs, A. inceana Domin, but its phyllodes appear almost nerveless and its flowers are tetramerous (see discussion below under “A. enervia Group”). Although not closely related, A. donaldsonii R.S. Cowan & Maslin (ms name, in prep.) is superficially similar but it has larger phyllodes (6-14.5 cm x 1 .5-2.5 mm) with four to eight, immersed or slightly raised nerves, larger heads, united sepals and larger compressed-moniliform pods. Conservation status. A Priority 3 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Etymology. The name of the species is derived from the Western Australian goldfields town, Kalgoorlie, where the species is centred. 6. Acacia mackeyana Ewart & Jean White, Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria n. ser. 22(1): 6, pi. 3, 4 (1909) Lectotype (here selected): Cowcowing, Western Australia, August 1904, M. Koch 1013, flowering (MEL 117106; isolecto: BRI, K, NSW, P, PERTH 02482622 and 02482614). Paralectotype: Cowcowing, Western Australia, August 1904, M. Koch 1013, fruiting (K, MEL, PERTH 00764213, 00764221 and 00764205). A. leptoneura var. mackeyana (Ewart & Jean White) Blackall & Grieve, How to Know W. Australian Wildfl., Part 1: 197 (1954), nomen nudum. Dense, domed or obconic, single- or multi-stemmed shrubs (0.3)0.5-l. 7(2.3) m tall; with age the plants can develop a “bonsai” habit with spreading and twisted trunks and a dense, flat-topped crown. Bark grey to branchlet tips, smooth except fissured at base of main stems. Branchlets tomentulose to appressed-tomentulose with red resin-hairs intermixed. New growth bronzish-coloured due to resin- hairs. Stipules persistent, triangular, less than 1 mm long, black, commonly with thick, more or less bulbous base. Phyllodes terete, (7)10-25(30) mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide, rigid, ascending to erect, commonly somewhat recurved, sometimes straight, glabrous except for the ± tomentulose adaxial surface of pulvinus, dark green; apex abruptly short- to long-mucronate, sharply pungent; pulvinus abruptly separated and commonly flared basally, 1-1.5 mm long; 20 nerves closely parallel and sometimes tuberculate; stomata between nerves raised; gland single, mostly at or above middle of phyllode. Peduncles 2 per axil, 2-5 mm long, glabrous; basal peduncular bract cucullate, rostrate, 2-4 mm long, tomentulose and ciliolate; heads globular, prolific and showy, golden, 5-6 mm diam. (fresh), 3-4 mm diam. (dry), 7-12-flowered; bracteoles linear, ciliolate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 218 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) to 1/2 as long as petals, free, linear, ciliolate. Petals free, elliptic, glabrous. Pods sub-terete, oblong- linear, 15-35 mm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, straight or slightly curved, thick-crustaceous, glabrous, longitudinally nerved. Seed longitudinal, narrowly oblong, 3-4 mm long, 1-2 mm wide, dull, dark brown to black, the aril terminal with scalloped margin. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 5.5 km E of Tammin, R. Coveny 831 1 and B. Haberley (PERTH); 2.5 miles [4 km] N of Cadoux towards Kalannie, R. Camming 1 868 (PERTH); 1 1 miles [17.6 km] N of Wyalkatchem towards Koorda, B.R. Maslin 155 (PERTH); 7 miles [1 1 .2 km] W of Moorine Rock on Great Eastern Highway, B.R. Maslin 583a (NSW, PERTH); 5.5 km NW of Wongan Hills towards Piawaning, B.R. Maslin 4203 (PERTH); 29 km NW of Kulin towards Corrigin, B.R. Maslin 4372 (PERTH); near Snake Soak, c. 1 1 km due SW of Wialki, B.R. Maslin 4464 (PERTH); 1 km E of 90 Mile Tank, 32° 39'S, 120° 41 E, B.R. Maslin 5789 (MEXU, PERTH); Chiddarcooping Nature Reserve, B.R. Maslin 6380 (CANB, MEL, NSW, PERTH, Z); Davies property, 10 km due N of Coorow, B.R. Maslin 6577 (PERTH); Nugadong Reserve 12614, 21 km SE of Wubin, B.G. Muir 206 ( 1 .5) (PERTH); 3 miles [4.8 km] E of Billericay, K. Newbey 3237 (CANB, K, MEL); 35 km from Ravensthorpe towards Lake King, R. Perry 674 (PERTH); Cemetery Road, Yorkrakine, M.H. Simmons 1274 (PERTH); Mullewa, 3 July 1952, N.H. Speck (PERTH 00884677); 20 km NE of Ongerup, N. Stevens KRN9520-1 (MELU, PERTH); 5.9 km SE of Bruce Rock on main road to Narembeen, M.D. Tindale 3736 (CANB, K, MEL, NSW, PERTH, US). Distribution. Widely distributed in southwest Western Australia from near Coorow southeast to near Corrigin and Moorine Rock (which is c. 30 km west-southwest of Southern Cross on Great Eastern Highway), with a north-western outlier at Mullewa and south-eastern outliers in the Ongerup, Ravensthorpe and Frank Hann National Park areas (c. 200 km southeast of the Corrigin-Moorine Rock area). Habitat. Gravelly soil, loam, loamy clay and sometimes sand in eucalypt woodland and mallee communities and also in Melaleuca uncinata thickets. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from June to August; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December and January. Typification. In the protologue of A. mackeyana Ewart & Jean White cite only one collection, M. Koch 1013, even though both flowers and fruits were described. As was noted under A. eremophila above, Koch regularly followed the practice of assigning taxon numbers to his collections and consequently the same number appears on quite different collections; in this instance, although both collections are from the same locality and certainly the same taxon, it is desirable to fix the application of the name. Consequently, we have selected the flowering specimen on MEL sheet #1 17 106 as lectotype. Affinities. Acacia mackeyana is related to A. densiflora which has partly united petals and sepals, ± tomentulose peduncles and straight, generally longer, terete to flat phyllodes. Also related to A. dissona which has straight phyllodes, 15-20-flowered heads and linear, thinly crustaceous or coriaceous pods. Discussion. Although the authors of the protologue described the petals as 3/4 united, we have not seen this condition in any of the specimens, including the type collection. Conservation status. Widely distributed, not under threat. R.S. Cowan andB.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 15 219 7. Acacia papulosa R.S. Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutices 0.25-2 m alti, ramulis gracilibus glabris papulosis. Stipulae persistentes angusto- triangulares minutae glabrae. Phyllodia teretia, profundeet longitudinalia8-sulcata, acuta apiculataque, subpungentia, pulvino cylindrico, saepe abrupte separato 1-1.5 mm longo, laminis 2-6 cm longis, 0.7-1 mm diametro, ascendentibus ad erectis, leviter incurvatis, glabris, inter nervos valde elevatis papulosisque, 8 vel 9 nervis principalibus longitudinalibus profunde impressis; glande parve indistincta. Peduncuh 3.5-5 mm longi binati glabri, capitula globularia vel oblongoidea 2. 5-3. 5 mm longa, 2.5-3 mm diametro, 10-20-floribus; bracteolis linearibus ad fusiformibus, leviter puberulis. Flores 5-meri. Sepala petal is dimidia breviora, ad 1/2-connata. Petala oblanceolata, acuta, discreta, glabra. Legumina linearia, inter semina leviter constricta circa 4 cm longa et 2.5 mm lata, erecta, leviter curvata glabra resinosa. Semina longitudinalia oblonga 3-4 mm longa, 1.5-1. 8 mm lata nitida brunneo-nigra, pleurogramma seminibus dimida breviora, arillo terminali, truncato-conico. Typus: gorge of the Fitzgerald River, Western Australia, 23 September 1948, C.A. Gardner 9230 0 holo : PERTH; iso: CANB, K, PERTH). Bushy, dense shrubs 0.25-2 m tall with slender, glabrous, papulose branchlets. Stipules persistent, narrowly triangular, minute, glabrous. Phyllodes terete, deeply 8-sulcate, 2-6 cm long, 0.7-1 mm diam., coriaceous, ascending to erect, slightly incurved, glabrous, papulose on strongly raised inter- nerve intervals, drying dark-coloured; apex acute and apiculate, subpungent; pulvinus cylindric, 1-1.5 mm long; nerves 8 or 9, deeply impressed; gland indistinct, small, 3.5-11.5 mm from base of blade. Peduncles 2 per node, 3.5-5 mm long, glabrous; basal peduncular bracts caducous after anthesis, widely elliptic or ovate, more or less rostrate, glabrous, cucullate; heads globular or oblongoid, 2.5-3. 5 mm long, 2.5-3 mm diam., 10-20-flowered; bracteoles linear to fusiform, acute, slightly puberulous. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/2 as long as petals, to 1/2-united, oblong, obtuse, minutely puberulous. Petals oblanceolate, acute, free, glabrous. Ovary papillate-puberulous. Pods linear, raised over and slightly constricted between seeds on one margin, c. 4 cm long and 2.5 mm wide, erect, thin-coriaceous, slightly curved, glabrous, resinous, dark-brown with strong marginal nerves. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, oblong, 3-4 mm long, 1.5-1. 8 mm wide, 1-1.3 mm thick, glossy, dark brown-black; pleurogram U-shaped; areole c. 1/2 as long as seed; aril terminal, conical with truncate tip, 1/3- 1/2 length of seed, white. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Fitzgerald River, C.A. Gardner 9239 (MEL, PERTH); 6 km NW of Boxwood Hill, K. Newbey 429 1 (PERTH); 6 km N of Boxwood Hill, K. Newbey 4621 (CANB, PERTH). Distribution. Known from only two localities, one in the Fitzgerald River National Park, the other near Boxwood Hill, southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Eucalyptus occidental^ woodland on spongolitic loam. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers August through September; mature fruits with seeds collected late November to early December. Affinities. Acacia papulosa is very similar superficially to the typical variety of A. eremophila in its deeply sulcate phyllodes with the inter-nerve spaces strongly raised and papulose by strongly raised stomata. Acacia eremophila, however, has pubescent branchlets, straight, more or less uncinate- 220 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) tipped phyllodes, heads 3-4 mm in diameter, spathulate bracteoles, shorter, hairy peduncles, non- resinous pods, elliptic to oblong-ovate seeds and it grows in loam or sand. Discussion. C.A. Gardner’s two collections of the species, as nearly as we can decipher his notes in his fieldbook (in the PERTH library archives), were made along the Fitzgerald River from the crossing of Colletts Road north about 6.5 km. That there have only been two collections in the Fitzgerald River National Park is surprising in view of relatively thorough collecting in the area over the past decade, especially by K. Newbey who made two collections from a second population near Boxwood Hill. Conservation status. A Priority 2 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Etymology. The specific epithet is based on the conspicuous papulose surface of the branchlets and the inter-nerve spaces on the phyllodes (from papulosus, Latin for pustulate or pimply). 8. Acacia undosa R.S. Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex densus tholiformis vel obconicus 0.3- 1 .5 m altus, ramulis tomentulosis et cum micro-piliis nigris. Stipulae persistentes, subulatae ad subulato-triangulares, 0.6-2 mm longae. Phyllodia linearia ad lineari-oblanceolata, 20-45 mm longa, 1-4 mm lata, oblique mucronata, innocua ad grosse pungentia, raro acute pungentia, rigida, patentia, recta ad leviter incurvata, glabra, saepe 2-glandulosa, nervis omnino circa 20, arete parallelis, stomatibus valde elevatis. Pedunculi binati, 1-1.5 mm longi, glabri; pedunculorum bracteae basales ovatae, cucullatae, rostratae, 1.5-3.5 mm longae, villosae et ciliolatae; capitula globularia, 3-3.5 mm diametro, 1 8-20-floribus. Flores pentameri ; sepala discreta vel 1/2-connata. Legumina linearia, valde undulata, 10-40 mm longa, 2.5 mm lata, papillata. Semina longitudinalia, elliptico-oblonga ad late oblongo-elliptica, 2. 2-2.7 mm longa, 1.2- 1.8 mm lata, atro-brunnea. Typus: 0.5 km S of Belka Siding (between Bruce Rock and Merredin), Western Australia, 14 December 1971, B.R. Maslin 2361 (halo: PERTH 00191450; iso: CANB, K, NSW). Dense, domed or obconic shrubs 0.3- 1 .5 m tall and spreading to about the same across. Branchlets tomentulose, the very short hairs curved to crisped and with black micro-hairlets intermixed. Stipules persistent, subulate to subulate-triangular, 0.6-2 mm long. Phyllodes linear to linear-oblanceolate, 20-45 mm long, 1-4 mm wide, rigid, spreading, straight to shallowly incurved, dull green, glabrous except for tomentulose pulvinus; apex obliquely mucronate to sub-uncinate with a hard, innocuous to coarsely pungent point, rarely with a straight, sharply pungent point; pulvinus 1-2 mm long; nerves c. 9 per face, 20 in all, closely parallel with very occasional anastomoses, plane or slightly impressed, the inter-nerve spaces with strongly raised stomata; glands not prominent, 1 or 2, one at or near middle of phyllodes and the other on upper half of phyllode. Peduncles 2 per axil, 1-1.5 mm long, glabrous; basal peduncular bract ovate, cucullate, rostrate, 1.5-3. 5 mm long, villose and ciliolate; heads globular, showy, golden, 3-3.5 mm diam., 1 8-20-fIowered; bracteoles oblanceolate to linear- oblanceolate, ciliolate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals linear to oblong, free or to half-united, puberulous at apex. Pods linear, strongly undulate, 10-40 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, papillate, the marginal nerve distinct, much lighter in colour. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, elliptic-oblong to broadly oblong-elliptic, 2. 2-2.7 mm long, 1.2- 1.8 mm wide, dark brown, the aril terminal. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, /icaria Miscellany 15 221 Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Survey Camp N of Warralackin, J.S. Beard 4735 (PERTH); c. 0.25 miles [0.4 km] S of Belka Siding (between Merredin and Bruce Rock), B.R. Maslin 176S (AD, BRI, MO, PERTH); 1 .5 km S of Tammin, B.R. Maslin 2314 (PERTH); 21 km E of Lake Grace, B.R. Maslin 6353 (PERTH, Z); 36 km E of Lake King, K. Newbey 9476-1 (MEL, MELU, PERTH); 45 km E of Pingrup (Lake Magenta Nature Reserve), K. Newbey 1 1734 (PERTH); 20 miles [32 km] W of Newdegate, S. Paust 842 (PERTH); 35 km S of Hyden towards Newdegate (at Pingaring-Mount Varley road intersection), R. Perry 545 (PERTH). Distribution. Known only from scattered localities from near Tammin and Bruce Rock south to Lake Grace and southeast to near Lake King (which is c. 1 15 km east of Lake Grace), southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Commonly in patches of open mallee shrubland in well-drained clayey sand or in moist brown loam. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers in August-September; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December. Variation. Several collections from near Tammin to c. 110 km northeast at Warralakin (e.g., K. Newbey 1948 - PERTH) have half-united sepals but otherwise are referrable to this species. Affinities. The new species is similar in several characteristics to A. hadrophylla R.S. Cowan & Maslin (see above under A. hadrophylla for discussion). Specimens with very narrow phyllodes sometimes resemble the flat-phyllode variants of A. densiflora but that species has tomentulose peduncles and non-undulate pods. Conservation status. A Priority 3 taxon in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the undulate pods, from undosus, Latin for billowy or with many waves. The “ Acacia ancistrophylla Group” Members of this “Group” can be distinguished by a combination of characters. The phyllodes are straight to sigmoidally curved and linear to linear-oblanceolate with numerous, closely parallel, immersed to strongly discrete, non-anastomosing nerves, with one basal or sub-basal gland; new growth is sometimes densely beset with minute red-brown resin-hairs. The flowers are 5-merous with the sepals free to half-united. Pods are linear or narrowly oblong and straight to curved or coiled, often more or less constricted between the longitudinally or obliquely oriented, elliptic to oblong seeds which generally have a relatively large terminal or sub-terminal white aril. Taxa attributed to this Group include the following: A. amyctica R.S. Cowan & Maslin sp. nov., A. ancistrophylla C.R.P. Andrews var. ancistrophylla, A. ancistrophylla var. lissophylla (J.M. Black) R.S. Cowan & Maslin, A. ancistrophylla var. perarcuata R.S. Cowan & Maslin var. nov. and A. whibleyana R.S. Cowan & Maslin sp. nov. 222 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) The “Group” is closely related to the “A. enervia Group” whose members lack the red-brown resin- hairs so common in the “A. ancistrophylla Group”, as well as having longer pods. Key to taxa of “A. ancistrophylla Group” 1. Flowering peduncles 6-15 mm long; pods narrowly oblong, 5-7 mm wide; seeds oblique in pods; phyllodes 2.5-8 mm wide. South Australia 3. A. whibleyana 1. Flowering peduncles 1.5-7 mm long; pods linear, 2-3 mm wide; seeds longitudinal in pods; phyllodes 1-5 mm wide. Western Australia (except A. ancistrophylla var. lissophylla) 2. Phyllode tip sharply to coarsely pungent, the nerves strong, discrete and paler than inter-nerve spaces 1 . A. amyctica 2. Phyllode tip not pungent, the nerves obscure to ± evident, not paler than inter-nerve spaces 3. Pods strongly arcuate to openly once-coiled; phyllode tip rounded with a minute mucro 2c. A. ancistrophylla var. perarcuata 3. Pods straight to shallowly curved; phyllode tip acute to subacute 4. Phyllodes (7)10-20 times longer than wide; pods glabrous. Mostly South Australia, infrequent in Western Australia and northwest Victoria 2b. A. ancistrophylla var. lissophylla 4. Phyllodes mostly 3-8 times longer than wide; pods ± appressed-puberulous. Western Australia 2a. A. ancistrophylla var. ancistrophylla 1. Acacia amyctica R.S. Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex obconicus 0.7- 1.5 m altus, corona aperte ramosa, 1-1.5 m diametro, ramulis leviter angulatis sparse vel parce appresso-puberulis. Stipulae caducae. Phyllodia anguste oblanceolata ad elliptico-oblanceolata, acuta vel sub-obtusa, mucronata, grosse ad acute pungentia, versus basem angustata ad pulvinum 0.5-1 mm longum, laminis 15-25 mm longis, 2.5-4 mm lads, ratione horum 3.5-7, rigidis, ascendentibus ad erectis, rectis ad leviter curvatis, glabris, obscure medio-viridibus; nervi numerosi, arete paralleli, valde discreti, pallidiores quam spatiis internervis, stomatibus distinctis, plus minusve elevatis, glande una, parva, inconspicua, basali. Pedunculi binati in quoque axilla, 4-7 mm longi, plus minusve appresso-puberuli vel glabri. Capitula globularia, aurea, 3-3.5 mm diametro, 18-25-floribus, bracteolis obovatis ad spathulatis, ciliolatis. Flores 5-meri, sepalis longitudine 1/3 petali aequantia, discretis oblongo-spathulatis ciliolatis, petalis discretis glabris. Ovarium albo-appresso-puberulum. Legumina (immatura et valvis apertis) linearia, inter semina non constricta, ad 6 cm longa, 3 mm lata, firme chartacea, valde curvata, glabra, marginibus pallidioribus. Semina longitudinalia, non visa. Typus: 1 km N of Salmon Gums on Coolgardie-Esperance Highway, Western Australia, 25 September 1983, B.R. Maslin 5448 ( holo : PERTH 007005 17; iso: MO, NY, distributed as Acacia ancistrophylla). Obconic shrubs 0.7- 1 .5 m tall with openly branching crown 1-1 .5 m diam. Bark smooth, light grey. Branchlets slightly ribbed, ± appressed-puberulous. New shoots appressed-puberulous. Stipules R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 15 223 caducous. Phyllodes narrowly oblanceolate to elliptic-oblanceolate, 15-25 mm long, 2.5-4 mm wide, l:w = 3.5-7, rigid, ascending to erect, straight to slightly curved, glabrous, dull medium-green; apex acute or sub-obtuse, mucronate, sharply to coarsely pungent; pulvinus 0.5-1 mm long; nerves numerous, closely parallel, strong, discrete and paler than inter-nerve spaces; stomata distinct, raised; gland single, small, inconspicuous, located on adaxial margin at base of blade. Peduncles paired in each axil, 4-7 mm long, more or less appressed-puberulous or glabrous; basal peduncular bract ± semicircular, concave, appressed-puberulous, persistent to anthesis; heads globular, golden, 3-3 5 mm diam., 18-25-flowered; bracteoles obovate to ± spathulate, ciliolate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/3 as long as petals, free or rarely connate basally, oblong-spathulate, ciliolate. Petals free, glabrous. Ovary white appressed-puberulous. Pods (immature, also dehisced valves) linear, not constricted between seeds, to 6 cm long, 3 mm wide, firmly chartaceous, strongly curved to openly 1-1 1/2-coiled, glabrous, red-brown, the margins paler. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, not seen. Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 24.75 km W of Grass Patch, 23.4 km W of Norseman-Esperance Highway on Grass Patch road, M.A. Burgman 1885 and S. McNee (PERTH); 1 1.5 km N of Salmon Gums towards Norseman, B.R. Maslin 2456 (CANB, PERTH); 4 km S of Peak Eleanora, Peak Charles National Park, c. 45 km W of Salmon Gums, K. Newbey 6340 (PERTH); 15 km E of Dunn Swamp, c. 80 km NE of Ravensthorpe, K. Newbey 8132 (PERTH); 95 km S of Norseman, N. Perry 687 (PERTH). Distribution. Most collections are from the Salmon Gums-Grass Patch area (between Norseman and Esperance) but also further west from Peak Charles National Park (c. 50 km west of Salmon Gums) and near Dunn Swamp (c. 80 km northeast of Ravensthorpe), southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Frequent on well-drained loam in flatlands in low woodland of Eucalyptus gardneri or E. flocktoniae\ also on sandy clay in open mallee shrubland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers about August to September; immature pods in November, maturing about December. Affinities. Acacia amyctica differs from other members of the “A. ancistrophylla Group” in its sharply to coarsely pungent phyllodes with the nerves strong, discrete and paler than inter-nerve spaces. It resembles A. whibleyana in its pungent phyllodes but that species, in addition to being well-separated geographically (endemic in South Australia), has wider pods in which the seeds are arranged obliquely, and phyllodes with immersed nerves and obscure stomata. A more distant relative is A. lineolata subsp. multilineata which has persistent stipules, phyllodes about ten times longer than wide with 1-3 supra-basal glands, larger heads, linear bracteoles and straight to slightly curved pods. There is also a superficial resemblance to A. hadrophylla R.S. Cowan & Maslin (see “A. densiflora Group” above). Conservation status. A Priority 2 taxon in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Etymology. The specific epithet is in allusion to the pungent phyllodes, a character separating it from its nearest relatives, from amycticus, Latin for sharp, pungent. 224 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) 2. Acacia ancistrophylla C.R.P. Andrews, J. Western Australia Nat. Hist. Soc. 1: 40 (1904) Typus: nearDundas, Western Australia, October 1903, Herb. Cecil Andrews ( holo : NSW, fide Maslin & Cowan 1994; iso: K, NSW, PERTH 00739995, 00740403 and 00740411). Dense, rounded or flat-crowned shrubs 0.6-2. 5 m tall, spreading 3-6 m diam, rarely obconic, small trees 1 .3- 1 .6 m tall. Bark grey, smooth or fissured at base of main stems. Branchlets angled or terete or scarcely ribbed, sometimes glabrous but usually more or less appressed-puberulous and soon glabrescent. New shoots bronzish-green, sparingly to densely invested with minute, red-brown resin- hairs. Stipules caducous. Phyllodes oblanceolate, narrowly oblanceolate, oblong-oblanceolate, linear or linear-oblanceolate, 12-48 mm long, (1)1. 5-5 mm wide, l:w = 3-20, coriaceous to rigid-coriaceous, patent to erect, straight to slightly curved, glabrous, normally green; apex straight to uncinate, acute, mucronate, sometimes rounded-obtuse with blunt mucro or apiculum; nerves numerous, closely parallel, obscure to ± distinct but then concolorous with the inter-nerve spaces; stomata distinct to obscure; gland single, at or near base of blade. Peduncles 2 per node, 1.5-5. 5 mm long, glabrous or appressed-puberulous with few to many red resin-hairs as well as white or grey non-resinous hairs; basal peduncular bract rounded, concave, appressed-puberulous; heads globular, mid- to dark-golden, 6-7 mm diam (fresh), 3-4 mm diam. (dry), 11-23-flowered; bracteoles obovate, puberulous with red resin-hairs. Flowers mostly 5-merous with some 4-merous ones intermixed. Sepals 1/4- 1/2 as long as petals, free or rarely connate basally, oblong, obtuse or truncate, apex with red resin-hairs. Petals free, glabrous. Ovary papillose, puberulous or appressed-puberulous. Pods linear, somewhat irregularly raised over seeds, slightly constricted or not between seeds, to 4 cm long and 2.5-3 mm wide, chartaceous to thinly coriaceous, straight to strongly curved or openly once-coiled, appressed- puberulous with many red resin-hairs, sometimes also with appressed white hairs, or glabrous, brown, the margins obscure. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, oblong or widely elliptic, 3-3.5 mm long, 1-2.2 mm wide, 1 mm thick, dull tan or dark brown; pleurogram narrowly U-shaped; areole small, c. 1/6 as long as seed; aril terminal, conical, 1/2 or more as long as seed or a small, sub-terminal, closely appressed, thin plate of tissue, white or cream. Distribution. Widespread in southwest Western Australia, with one variety, var. lissophylla, extending to southern South Australia and northwest Victoria. Affinities. Within its group, A. ancistrophylla is nearest A. whibleyana which has longer, glabrous peduncles and broader pods with obliquely oriented seeds. Acacia whibleyana and A. ancistrophylla var. lissophylla are the only members of the “A . ancistrophylla Group” occurring outside W. A. Acacia ancistrophylla is also related to A. lineolata Benth. (see “A. enervia Group” below) which has phyllodes with one to three, mostly more than one, gland along the adaxial margin. The differences among the three varieties comprising the species are subtle and difficult to express: var. ancistrophylla has straight or slightly curved, puberulous pods and its phyllodes have the tip often curved to uncinate; it is most similar to var. perarcuata which has rounded, obtuse phyllodes with a short mucro or apiculum and ± coiled pods. The typical variety is also quite similar to A. amyctica which has sharply to coarsely pungent phyllodes. Variety lissophylla differs from the other varieties by its phyllode proportions, glabrous pods and seed shape. Discussion. In the protologue, Andrews appears confused regarding whether the flowers are 4-merous or 5-merous but examination of representative specimens explains the apparent confusion, for the flowers vary in number of parts. Although they are mostly 5-merous, one specimen has been noted with a preponderance of 4-merous flowers (see under variety ancistrophylla). R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acada Miscellany 15 225 2a. Acacia ancistrophylla C.R.P. Andrews var. ancistrophylla Shrubs 0.6-2.5 m tall, spreading to 3 m diam. Bark grey, smooth throughout. New shoots densely covered with red-brown resin-hairs. Phyllodes oblanceolate to oblong-oblanceolate, 12-25(40) mm long, 2.5-4.5 mm wide, l:w = 3-8(15), ascending, straight; apex acute, curved to uncinate, mucronate; nerves obscure; stomata obscure. Peduncles 2-4 mm long; heads 15-23-flowered. Sepals c. 1/2 as long as petals, free. Pods 2.5 mm wide, straight to shallowly curved, puberulous. Seeds oblong, 3-3.5 mm long, 1-1.8 mm wide, dull tan, the aril conical, terminal, 1/2 or more as long as seed, white. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: near Coolgardie, September 1920, C.A. Gardner s.n. (PERTH 00700436); 12.7 km W of Newdegate, J.W. Green 4464 (PERTH); Cowcowing, M. Koch 1034 (PERTH); 10 km E of Kulja towards Mollerin, B.R. Maslin 4446 (PERTH); 62.5 km by road S of Queen Victoria Rock, B.R. Maslin 5414 (PERTH); 46 km S of Duri, c. 92 km SE of Southern Cross, K. Newbey 6078 (AD, PERTH); on Cundeelee [ 1 : 250 000] map sheet at 651178, B. Severne 74145 (PERTH). Distribution. Scattered from Wubin (c. 22 km north of Dalwallinu) and Newdegate (c. 50 km east of Lake Grace) east to Cundeelee Mission (c. 200 km east of Kalgoorlie) and near Salmon Gums, southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Common to very common in woodland and mallee communities ( Eucalyptus erythronema, E. sheathiana, E. salubris, E. diptera, E. salmonophloia ) on flats, hillsides and ridges in loam, clay or sandy clay. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers in August-September; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December and January. Variation. One collection ( N . Perry 548 from Pingaring) has more or less pungent phyllode tips, similar to those of A. amyctica, but the nerves are obscure as in var. ancistrophylla. The J.W. Green collection cited above has strongly curved phyllodes, some even sigmoidally curved, and a higher proportion of 4-merous flowers than is typical. The Koch collection cited has glabrous peduncles that are longer than usual. Conservation status. Not under threat. 2b. Acacia ancistrophylla var. lissophylla (J.M. Black) R.S. Cowan & Maslin in Whibley & Symon, Acac. S. Australia, 206 (1992). Basionym. Acacia sclerophylla Lindley var. lissophylla J.M. Black, Trans. & Proc. Roy. Soc. South Australia 47: 369 (1923). Lectotype (here selected): Muloowortie, near Pine Point, E coast of Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, R. Tate s.n. (AD 97422173, flowering branchlet on left with slip-on tag; iso: PERTH 00962813-fragment ex AD). Paralectotype: (1) Muloowortie, near Pine Point, Yorke Peninsula, November 1879, J.G.O. Tepper s.n. (AD 97830007); (2) Yorke Peninsula, Ardrossan, 1880, Herb. Tate (AD 97426 161); Yorke Peninsula, Herb. J.M. Blacks.n. (AD 96820232); (3) Yorke Peninsula, Ardrossan, September 1880, J.G.O. Tepper s.n. (AD 97324140). [A. lineolata auct. non Benth.; A.B. Court in J.H. Willis, Handb. PI. Victoria 2: 237 (1973).] 226 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2(1995) Shrubs 1-3 m tall, spreading to 5 m diam. Branchlets angled, glabrous or sparsely appressed- puberulous and soon glabrescent. New growth only sparingly invested with red resin-hairs. Phyllodes linear or linear-oblanceolate, (10)15-48 mm long, (l)1.5-3.5(4) mm wide, l:w = (7)10-20, patent to erect, straight to slightly curved; apex curved, acute; nerves and stomata more or less distinct. Peduncles 2-5.5 mm long, appressed-puberulous with mixture of red resin-hairs and white non-resin hairs; heads 1 1-18-flowered. Sepals 1/4- 1/3 as long as petals, free or rarely connate basally. Pods linear, raised over and slightly constricted between seeds, to 3 mm wide, straight to shallowly curved, glabrous. Seeds widely elliptic, 3 mm long, 2.2 mm wide, dark-brown, the aril sub-terminal, cream- coloured, consisting of a thin plate of tissue closeiy appressed to seed. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 28 km SW of Balladonia Hotel, Dundas Nature Reserve, K. Newbey 1 1745 (PERTH). SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 15 miles [24 km] from Poochera towards Minnipa on Eyre Highway, E.M. Canning WA/68 2267 (PERTH); c. 20 km E of Minnipa, N.N. Donner 2501 (PERTH); 40.7 km W of Kyancutta towards Ceduna on Eyre Highway, N. Hall H80/62 (BRI, PERTH); 18 miles [28.8 km] SE of Ceduna on Flinders Highway, 23 August 1974, H. Henderson s.n. (PERTH 00694711); c. 24 km due E of Kadina, B.R. Maslin 4525 (CANB, MEL, NSW, PERTH); c. 24 km E of Kimba on Eyre Highway, A. E. Orchard2345 (PERTH); c. 10 km NE of Port Neill on Lincoln Highway, D.J.E. Whibley 1977 (K, PERTH). VICTORIA: Goschenarea, 14 September 1989 , T. Langdon s.n. (MEL 118318); Rosebery, September 1913, D.C. Trainor s.n. (MEL 1500550). Distribution. Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria: known by three collections from Western Australia, from near Balladonia, Kalannie and from between Lake Grace and Newdegate; in South Australia scattered from Ceduna on western Eyre Peninsula east to Pine Point on the Yorke Peninsula; and in Victoria by two collections from the north-western region. We have not seen specimens from the Murray region of South Australia, although Whibley (1980) recorded A. sclerophylla var. lissophylla, the basionym, from this area. A.B. Court (1973: 237) recorded A. lineolata Benth. as occurring in Victoria but this apparently referred to the present taxon. Habitat. Grows mostly on Hats in sandy loam over limestone usually in mallee communities. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from August to October; pods with mature seeds have been collected in September and November. None of the Western Australian collections are fruiting and only very few of those from South Australia; additional fruiting material would be valuable. Authorship of the name. During the course of David Symon’s revision of Whibley’s (1980) Acacia handbook, we supplied him with our notes on several taxa, as he acknowledges. At the time, our manuscript of the present paper which incorporated the above combination was in press and the relevant pages were sent to Symon. Unfortunately, publication of our paper was delayed but Symon attributed the combination to us, acknowledged the source, and indicated the combination was “in press”. Consequently, “in” is the correct connecting word, as seems clear from Art. 46.2, Note 1 of the Code (Greuter et al. 1994). Typification. The author responsible for the basionym failed to cite any collections in the protologue, only remarking that it was from the Yorke Peninsula. There are several sheets at AD of this variety but the one chosen as lectotype best fits the protologue morphologically and geographically and also is annotated by Black on a small slip-on label as “ sclerophylla Lindley var. lissophylla” . On another AD sheet (97830007) there are two other branchlets, one in flower, the other in fruit from the type R.S. Cowan andB.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 15 227 locality, collected by J.G.O. Tepper; at least the flowering branchlet is considered part of the original material but the fruiting one may not have been, since Black did not mention pods in the protologue. Discussion. Variety lissophylla is transferred from A. sclerophylla where it was certainly misplaced; although that species is related to A. ancistrophylla , it is very distinct in its phyllode nervature (i.e. 3 nerves per face) and its resinous, usually pustulate, branchlet tips. The distinctions between this variety and the typical one are inconclusive and further investigation of these taxa is needed to resolve their status. Variation. The Henderson collection cited above, as well as another South Australian collection ( M.H . Simmons 1756 from the Gawler Range area), has the widest phyllodes in the variety. The Whibley collection cited has almost sessile flower-heads Conservation status. Widely ranging but poorly known; 3K, using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988). 2c. Acacia ancistrophylla var. perarcuata R.S. Cowan & Maslin, var. nov. A var. ancistrophylla frutice 0.6- 1 .6 m altis et ad 6 m expansis, phyllodiis rotundatis obtusis mucronatis vel apiculatis 1 2-23 mm longis, 2.5-5 mm latis, ratione horum 3-7, ascendentibus, nervis stomatatibusque obscuris ad plus minusve infirme manifestis, capitulis 1 1-15-floribus, sepalis discretis, leguminibus valde curvatisad aperte 1-spiralibus, plus minusve appresso-puberulis, arillo albo, terminali, conico, longitudine seminis 1/2 superanti differt. Typus : c. 3.5 miles [5.6 km] NNW of Korbel towards Hines Hill, Western Australia, 3 August 1971, B.R. Maslin 1758 (holo: PERTH 00700940; iso: CANB, K, NY). Rounded or obconic shrubs 0.6- 1 .6 m tall, spreading to 6 m across. New growth densely covered with red-brown resin-hairs. Phyllodes oblanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate, rounded, obtuse, with blunt, very short mucro, 12-23 mm long, 2.5-5 mm wide, 3-7 times longer than wide, ascending; nerves and stomata obscure to more or less weakly evident. Peduncles 1-3 mm long, somewhat appressed-puberulous with red resin-hairs; heads 1 1-15-flowered. Sepals c. 1/3 as long as petals, free. Pods (sub-mature) not constricted between seeds, strongly arcuate to openly once-coiled, somewhat appressed-puberulous with many red resin-hairs and/or white ones. Seeds (sub-mature) with conical, terminal, white aril, 1/2 or more as long as seed. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Walgoolan, J.S. Beard 6193 (PERTH); 39.4 km from Moorine Rock towards Perth along Great Eastern Highway, E.M. Canning WA/68 273 1 (PERTH); 40 km south of Norseman, P.E. Conrick 1705 (PERTH); Carrabin, R. Coveny 8351 and B. Haberley (NSW, PERTH); 12.3 km E of Wyalkatchem towards Trayning, R.J. Cumming 2251 (MELU, PERTH); Mukinbudin, C.A. Gardner s.n. (PERTH 700428); c. 9 miles [14.4 km] due NE of Bruce Rock, B. R. Maslin 1813 (AD, BRI, PERTH) and 2374 (PERTH); 1 0 km due SE of Hines Hill, B.R. Maslin 6472 (PERTH); 7 km N of Mount Andrew, c. 1 1 6 km SE of Norseman, K. Newbey 7777 (MEL, PERTH); 5.9 km SE of Bruce Rock on main road to Narembeen, M.D. Tindale 3738 (NSW, PERTH). Distribution. Occurring mostly within a radius of about 50-70 km from Merredin, namely, Mukinbudin south to Bruce Rock and southeast to Carrabin with three outliers, two of which are from 228 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2(1995) 35-40 km south of Norseman and one near Mt Andrew which is c. 1 16 km southeast of Norseman, southwest Western Australia. Habitat. In low Eucalyptus (E. salmonophloia, E. salubris, E. diptera, E. eremophila ) woodland on red sand, clayey loam and loam. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from August to September; pods with nearly mature seeds have been collected in December. Mature pods and seeds are needed, especially from the Norseman area, to confirm the distribution given above, since some of the specimens are assigned here largely on the basis of phyllode characters. Conservation status. A Priority 3 taxon in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Etymology. The varietal epithet refers to the strongly arcuate pods, from per , Latin prefix denoting an extreme condition and arcuatus, Latin for curved. 3. Acacia whibleyana R.S. Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex densus 1-2.5 m altus, 2.5-4 m diametro expansus, ramulis initio angularibus demum teretibus glabris, foliorum cicatricibus elevatis ornatis. Stipulae non visae. Phyllodia elliptica ad oblanceolata, plus minusve inaequilateralia, ad apicem arcuata ad rostriformia, aliquando recta, apiculata, pul vino 0.5 mm longo, laminis 9-30 mm longis, 2.5-8 mm latis, rigidis, crassis, vulgo rectis sed interdum leviter curvatis, glabris, nervis numerosis, arete parallelis tenuibus, immersis, glande inconspicua, laminarum prope basem. Pedunculi 2 in quoque axilla, 6-15 mm longi, glabri; capitula globularia, aurea, 2.5-5 mm diametro, 18-19-floribus, bracteolis plus minusve spathulatis, ciliatis. Flores 5-meri. Sepala 1/3-1/2 petalis breviora, discreta, oblongo-oblanceolata. P eta la elliptica, discreta, glabra, patentia. Legumina anguste oblonga, ad 4.5 cm longa, 5-7 mm lata, coriacea, plus minusve undulata et arcuata ad circinnata, glabra, apiculata. Semina obliqua, 2.5-3 mm longa, 2-2.2 mm lata, 1.2 mm crassitie, sub-nitida, atrate brunneo-nigra; areola elevata, arillo magno, terminali, funiculi 2-plicatum formata. Typus : Eyre Peninsula [precise locality withheld for conservation reasons], South Australia, 3 December 1965, C.R. Alcock 831 ( holo : PERTH 00721786; iso: AD, CANB, K). Dense shrubs 1-2.5 m tall, spreading 2.5-4 m diam. Branchlets angular at first but soon terete, glabrous, with raised, prominent old phyllode-scars. Stipules not seen. Phyllodes elliptic to oblanceolate, more or less inequilateral, 9-30 mm long, 2.5-8 mm wide, 2-4.5 times longer than wide, rigid, thick, ascending, mostly straight, occasionally slightly curved, glabrous, dull mid-green; apex curved to rostriform or occasionally straight, apiculate; pulvinus 0.5 mm long; nerves numerous, closely parallel, fine, immersed, anastomoses infrequent; gland small, inconspicuous, near base of blade. Peduncles 2 per node, 6-15 mm long, glabrous, slender; basal peduncular bracts persistent until about anthesis, ± semicircular, ciliolate; heads globular, bright golden, 2.5-5 mm diam., 18-19-flowered; bracteoles spathulate with the blade ciliate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/3- 1/2 petal length, free, oblong-oblanceolate. Petals elliptic, free, glabrous, spreading. Ovary minutely puberulous. Pods narrowly oblong, slightly raised over but not constricted between seeds, to 4.5 cm long, 5-7 mm wide, coriaceous, slightly undulate, shallowly to markedly curved, sometimes circinnate, smooth, glabrous, apiculate, the margins somewhat thickened. Seeds obliquely arranged R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 15 229 in pods, widely elliptic, 2.5-3 mm long, 2-2.2 mm wide, 1.2 mm thick, sub-glossy, dark brown-black; pleurogram U-shaped; areole raised; aril large, formed by two terminal loops of fleshy funicle. Other specimens examined. SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Eyre Peninsula [precise localities withheld for conservation reasons], B. Copley 4762, 4916 and 4917 (all AD), B. Hadlow BH300 and A.B. Court (CBG, PERTH), M. Jahn s.n. (CBG 8803933 and PERTH 01048457), K.B. Warnes 98 (AD) and s.n. (AD 97108520, 97108582 and 97108521). Distribution. Restricted to a near-coastal area south of Tumby Bay on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. Habitat. Grows on limestone and loam, sometimes near salt swamps. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering in August; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December and January. Affinities. Acacia whibleyana is most closely related to A. ancistrophylla C.R.P. Andrews (see above) which differs most obviously in having usually appressed-puberulous branchlets that lack raised phyllode scars, shorter peduncles and narrower pods with the seeds arranged longitudinally. Of the three varieties of A. ancistrophylla, var. lissophylla occurs within the same general region as A. whibleyana-, in addition to the characters already noted this variety is distinguished from the new species by its generally narrower phyllodes of a different shape. Acacia amyctica R.S. Cowan & Maslin from Western Australian (see above) is also related but its phyllodes are coarsely pungent and have distinct, raised nerves that are paler than the inter-nerve spaces, raised stomata, 18-35-flowered heads and pods that are narrower with the seeds arranged longitudinally. Consen’ation status. 2E (Endangered), using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988). The new species is currently known from less than 50 plants growing on road verges in a very localized area (M. Jusiatis and B. Sorensen, pers. comm.). Etymology. The specific name is given to honour David J.E. Whibley who has made a major contribution to our knowledge of the Wattles in South Australia. His 1980 publication on the subject, as well as the Whibley and Symon revised edition in 1992, is an outstanding example of a true handbook with each species described precisely but succinctly and illustrated with habit-photographs as well as line drawings. We take great pleasure in perpetuating his name and recognizing his contributions in this way. The “ Acacia enervia Group” The taxa of this “Group” are characterized by terete to flat phyllodes which commonly have the apex acute to short-acuminate and drawn out in a delicate curving tip; the numerous closely parallel nerves vary from obscure to conspicuously raised. The heads are rather small, borne on filiform peduncles, and the flowers are 4- or 5-merous with the perianth parts free or nearly free. The pods are flat and linear. There are three species, each comprising two subspecies, included in the Group, namely, A. enervia Maiden & Blakely subsp. enervia, A. enervia subsp. explicata R.S. Cowan & Maslin subsp. nov., 230 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2 (1995) A. inceana Domin subsp. inceana , A. inceana subsp. conformis R.S. Cowan & Maslin subsp. nov., A. lineolata Benth. subsp. lineolata, A. lineolata subsp. multilineata (W. Fitzg.) R.S. Cowan & Maslin, comb, et stat. nov. (this last taxon was formerly referred by us to the “ Acacia multilineata Group”, cf. Cowan & Maslin 1990) This informal Group is closely allied to the “A. ancistrophylla Group” whose members differ in having new growth, branchlets and other parts, puberulous with white and/or red-brown resin-hairs and much shorter, often curved to coiled pods. Key to Taxa of “A. enervia Group” 1 . Flowers 4-merous; pods 3-4 mm wide 2. Phyllodes perfectly terete; pods tan; plants from Kalgoorlie area SE to Binneringie Station (E of 120° 30' long.) 2a. A. inceana subsp. inceana 2. Phyllodes sub-terete to flat; pods pale dull brown; plants from Morawa to Kalannie SE to Flines Hill and Boorabbin (W of 120° 30' long.) 2b. A. inceana subsp. conformis 1. Flowers 5-merous; pods 2-3 mm wide 3. Phyllode glands (inconspicuous) 0 or 1, when present situated from distal end of pulvinus to 0.5 (1) mm above; seed aril white; nerves of phyllodes weak to obscure 4. Phyllodes terete to sub-terete, often with pustulate stomata la. A. enervia subsp. enervia 4. Phyllodes flat, linear to narrowly oblanceolate, stomata not pustulate lb. A. enervia subsp. explicata 3. Phyllode glands (inconspicuous) 1-3 along adaxial margin, the lowermost (3)5-21 mm above pulvinus; seed aril yellow; phyllode nerves distinct, slightly raised 5. Phyllodes linear to linear-oblanceolate or oblong-elliptic, ± 20 times longer than broad, curved-acute, not pungent; sepals free or to 1/2-united; plants often of saline situations on sandy or stony loam 3a. A. lineolata subsp. lineolata 5. Phyllodes oblong-oblanceolate to oblong-elliptic, 10-13 times longer than broad, acute to short-acuminate, coarsely to sharply pungent, rigid-coriaceous; sepals always free; plants of sand plains or on rocky clay 3b. A. lineolata subsp. multilineata 1. Acacia enervia Maiden & Blakely, J. Roy. Soc. Western Australia 13: 8, pi. 8, figs 12-19 (1928) Typus : Hines Hill, Western Australia, 2 October ( sphalm . “September” in protologue) 1923, M. Koch 2806 ( holo : NSW 195719; iso: K, MEL, PERTH 00969737, 00969729 and 00750484-fragment ex NSW). Dense, rounded shrubs, often becoming obconic, rarely small trees, 0.6-3.5 m tall, spreading 1-3.5 m diam.. Bark grey, fibrous, fissured. Branchlets slightly angular, glabrous or somewhat appressed-puberulous apically and glabrescent. Phyllodes flat and linear to narrowly oblanceolate or R.S. Cowan and B.R. Mas\m, Acacia Miscellany 15 231 terete, 2-8.5 cm long, 0.8-6 mm wide, inclined to erect, straight, glabrous or more or less appressed- puberulous, glabrescent, pale to dark green; apex acute to short-acuminate, slender and curved; nerves numerous, closely parallel, indistinct to obscure; stomata occasionally somewhat pustulate but indistinct; gland small, inconspicuous, at distal end to 0.5(1) mm above pul vinus or absent. Peduncles 1-3 per axil, 2-9 mm long, filiform, sparsely puberulous, appressed-puberulous or glabrous; heads globular, medium to deep golden yellow, 3-5 mm diam., 18-33-flowered; bracteoles obovate to ± spathulate, ciliolate. Flowers mostly 5-merous, sepals or petals sometimes only 4. Sepals 1/2-2/3 petal length, free or sometimes partly coherent but becoming free. Pods (sub-mature) linear, somewhat constricted between seeds, to 8.5 cm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, thinly coriaceous, straight or shallowly curved, glabrous. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, narrowly elliptic to oblong, 3-4 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, black, the aril terminal, white. Distribution. Wide-ranging in southwest Western Australia from near Jibberding (which is c. 50 km northeast of Dalwallinu) southeast to near Lake Grace, and Lake Magenta (c. 80 km east-northeast of Ravensthorpe) east to near Clear Streak Well (which is c. 70 km east-southeast of Norseman). Typification. The label on the holotype in Koch’s hand clearly states the date of collection as “2 X 1923” but it was apparently mistakenly transcribed by Maiden and Blakely as September. Affinities. Very near A. lineolata Benth. but differing in the number and position of the phyllode glands (one at the distal end or up to 1 mm above the pulvinus in A. enervia , one or more along the adaxial margin (3)5-21 mm above the pulvinus in A. lineolata) and the prominence of the nervature, as well as in the colour of the aril (white in this species and yellow in A. lineolata). Acacia enervia subsp. explicata and A. lineolata subsp. lineolata are especially similar and can easily be confused, particularly when they occur sympatrically (for example, on a saline flat about 2 km west of the Wongan Hills: cf. B.R. Maslin 5368, subsp. explicata and B.R. Maslin 5369, subsp. lineolata). Infraspecific taxa. Acacia enervia comprises two subspecies of which the typical one is recognized by its slightly smaller heads and terete phyllodes which often appear micro-pustulate because of the stomata. la. Acacia enervia Maiden & Blakely subsp. enervia Phyllodes terete to sub-terete, 2-6 cm long, 0.8-2 mm wide; nerves obscure; stomata often micro- pustulate. Heads 3-4 mm diam. Pods to 8.5 cm long, shallowly curved. Seeds oblong. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Bruce Rock, September 1933, E.T. Bailey s.n. (CANB, K, PERTH 00683485 and 00683434); between Corrigin and Quairading, W.E. Blackall 3245A (PERTH); 2.2 miles [3.5 km] E of Warralakin towards Bullfinch, R. Camming 2368 (PERTH); c. 5 miles [8 km] due SE of Hines Hill, B.R. Maslin 1732 (MEL, PERTH); 8 km N of Southern Cross towards Bullfinch, B.R. Maslin 3957 (CANB, K, MEL, NY, PERTH); 3.5 km N of Queen Victoria Rock on road to Coolgardie, B.R. Maslin 5406 (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH); 6 km SE of Cave Hill, c. 75 km NW of Norseman, K. Newbey 6 1 35 (PERTH); 34 km SW of 90 Mile Tank, Frank Hann National Park, Norseman-Lake King road, K. Newbey 6506 (NY, PERTH); 8 km N of Clear Streak Well, c. 70 km ESE of Norseman, K. Newbey 7693 (PERTH); just outside Peak Charles parking ’ area, M.H. Simmons 312 (PERTH); Kununoppin, 8 February 1911, F.E. Victor s.n. (PERTH 00683361). 232 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Distribution. Found from Kununoppin (c. 60 km northwest of Merredin) east to near Coolgardie and south to Frank Flann National Park (located 30-110 km east- northeast of Lake King) and near Clear Streak Well (which is c. 70 km east-southeast of Norseman) in southwest Western Australia. Habitat. In sand or loam, rarely clay, in open eucalypt woodland or open mallee scrub. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering in September and October with one collection in December; immature pods have been collected in November, December and February. Conservation status. Not under threat. lb. Acacia enervia subsp. explicata R.S. Cowan & Maslin, subsp. nov. Phyllodia plana, linearia ad anguste oblanceolata, 2.5-8.5 cm longa, 1-6 mm lata; capitula 4-5 mm diametro; legumina ad 7 cm longa, saepe leviter curvata; semina anguste elliptica vel oblongo- elliptica. Typus: 19 km N of Wongan Hills near Kondut in broad saline “floodway”, Western Australia, 30 September 1984, G. Craig 1608 ( holo : PERTH 01469924; iso: CANB, PERTH 00697850). Phyllodes flat, linear to narrowly oblanceolate, 2. 5-8. 5 cm long, 1-6 mm wide; nerves more or less distinct. Heads 4-5 mm diam. Pods to 7 cm long, often slightly curved. Seeds narrowly elliptic or oblong-elliptic. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Walyahmoning Rock, Baynes Museum 56 (PERTH); Bencubbin, W.E. Blackall 832 (PERTH); 12-14 km E of Lake Grace towards Newdegate, G. Craig 1512 (PERTH); 9.6 km N of Ballidu towards Pithara, G. Craig 1595b (PERTH); 9 km E of Pithara towards Kalannie, G. Craig 1599 (K, PERTH); 18.2 km W of Koorda towards Cadoux, R.J. Cumming 23 1 1 (PERTH); 1 km N of “Koobabbie” House, Coorow, A. Doley 9B (PERTH); 10km E of Mollerin towards Beacon, B.R. Maslin 4140 (PERTH); 4 km W of Wyalkatchem, B.R. Maslin 4449 (PERTH, TLF); about 2 km W of Wongan Hills on road to Piawaning, B.R. Maslin 5368 (MEL, PERTH); 4 km from Coolgardie on road to Queen Victoria Rock, B.R. Maslin 5404 (AD, K, NSW, NY, PERTH); 1 km S of Yellowdine, K. Newbey 5985 (PERTH); 1 km S of Ghooli microwave station, c. 20 km E of Southern Cross, M.H. Simmons 1220 (PERTH); 21.1 km S of Pingrup turnoff on Newdegate-Lake Magenta road, M.H. Simmons 1343 (PERTH). Distribution. Extends from between Jibberding and Whitewells homesteads (c. 50-70 km northeast of Dalwallinu) south to near Lake Grace and east to Coolgardie, common in the Coorow to Wongan Hills region, southwest Western Australia. One collection, B.R. Maslin 5801 from 18 km east of the Norseman-Esperance road on Quast Road about 27 km NNE of Salmon Gums (PERTH), is far southeast of the main range of the subspecies and indicates a considerably wider distribution. Habitat. Mostly in saline situations around salt marshes, flats and lakes; occasionally in rocky clay on hills or in sandy loam near saline areas. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from August to October with the main flush apparently in September; pods with mature seeds have been collected in January. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Mas 1 in, Acacia Miscellany 15 233 Conservation status. Not known to be under threat. Etymology. The name is chosen to refer to the expanded, flattened phyllodes of this taxon, from explicatus , Latin for spread out or expanded. 2. Acacia inceana Domin, Vestn. Krai. Ceske Spolecn. Nauk, Tr. Mat.-Prir. 2: 43 (1923) Typus: Western Australia, W.H. Ince ( holo: K; iso: NSW, PR 527977-fragment ex K). A. inceae Maiden & Blakely, J. Roy. Soc. Western Australia 13: 8, pi. 5, figs 7-10 (1928), synon. nov. Typus: Western Australia, W.H. Ince (holo: K; iso: NSW, PR 527977-fragment ex K). Shrubs 1-3 m tall. Bark grey, smooth or rough at base. Stipules caducous, small indistinct. Branchlets terete, glabrous or appressed-puberulous, glabrescent. Phyllodes terete to flat, 4-8.5 cm long, c. 1-1.5 mm diam. or to 2 mm wide when flat, rather rigid, ascending to erect, straight or slightly- curved, glabrous or appressed-puberulous at first, glabrescent except pulvinus, bright- to olive-green; apex fine, curved or rarely straight, brown, innocuous to ± pungent; nerves numerous, fine, closely parallel, indistinct; stomata sometimes raised; glands 1 or 2, lowest one 10-15 mm above pulvinus. Peduncles 2 per axil, 3-6 mm long, glabrous; heads globular, 3.5-4 mm diam., 10-30-flowered. Flowers 4-merous. Sepals 1/2 petal-length, free, narrowly oblong to ± spathulate or linear-spathulate. Pods linear, slightly raised over but not constricted between seeds, 4-8.5 cm long, 3-4 mm wide, thinly coriaceous, straight, glabrous, tan or pale dull brown. Seeds (subsp. conformis) longitudinally arranged in pods, oblong, 4.5-6 mm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, sub-glossy, dark brown, the aril terminal, white. Distribution. Occurs from near Morawa southeast to Hines Hill (c. 20 km southwest of Merredin on Great Eastern Highway) and east to the Kalgoorlie area, southwest Western Australia. Typification. Both Domin’s name and that of Maiden & Blakely were based on the same collection at Kew; Domin obtained a fragment during a visit to Kew and Maiden received the collection later on loan for naming. Thus the main collection is at Kew with fragments at Prague and Sydney. Affinities. The species is morphologically similar to A. enervia Maiden & Blakely (see above) which has pentamerous flowers and phyllodes with a single gland at the base of the blade (or gland absent). From the limited material available, it appears that the pods differ in width between the two species, wider in A. inceana. It comprises two subspecies. 2a. Acacia inceana Domin subsp. inceana Phyllodes terete, the tip curved or sometimes straight, pungent to coarsely pungent, 4-8.5 cm long, glabrous; peduncles 3-5 mm long; heads 20-30-flowered; sepals narrowly oblong; pods 8-8.5 cm long, tan; seeds not seen. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Binneringie Station, J.S. Beard 6273 (PERTH); 18 kmN of Kalgoorlie on road to Menzies, B.R. Maslin 6019 (PERTH); Bulong, 20 miles [32 km] E of Kalgoorlie, B. Severne 8744 (PERTH); 3.8 km N on Yarri Battery road from Yindi junction [c. 30 km NNE of Kalgoorlie], M.H. Simmons 1 179 (PERTH). 234 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Distribution. All known collections are from north and east of Kalgoorlie within a 35 km radius, excluding one from Binneringie Station, c. 100 km southeast of Kalgoorlie. Habitat. On red soil with scattered eucalypts and low semi-dense shrub association, rarely in saline habitats. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers in August-September; pods with mature seeds not seen. Affinities. This subspecies is quite similar to subsp. conformis which differs by its sub-terete to flat phyllodes, fewer flowers per head and pale dull brown pods, as well as by its habitat preference and distribution. There is also a strong superficial resemblance to A. kalgoorliensis R.S. Cowan & Maslin (see above under “A. densiflora Group”) from the same general region but that species has branchlets with sub-appressed, white hairs and intermixed red resin-hairs, phyllodes with about 20 slightly raised nerves, between which raised stomata are clearly evident, and 5-merous flowers. Discussion. It must be noted that Maiden described the species as 5-merous but all the material seen by us has predominantly 4-merous flowers, 5-merous ones rarely being found among the 4-merous ones. Conservation status. Not known to be threatened. 2b. Acacia inceana subsp. conformis R.S. Cowan & Maslin , subsp. nov. Phyllodia sub-teretia ad plana, apice innocuo, curvato, 4-7 cm longa, 1-2 mm lata, initio appresso- puberula glabrescentia praeter pulvinum puberulum; pedunculi 5-6 mm longi, capitulis 10-15- floribus, sepalis plus minusve spathulatis; legumina 4-7 cm longa. Typus: between Morawa and Perenjori [precise locality details withheld for conservation reasons], Western Australia, 31 August 1982, R.J. Cumming 2199 ( holo : PERTH 00191043; iso : CANB, K). Phyllodes sub-terete to flat, 4-7 cm long, 1-2 mm wide, at first appressed-puberulous but glabrescent except for pulvinus; tip curved, ± innocuous, peduncles 5-6 mm long, bearing 10-15- flowered heads; sepals more or less spathulate; pods 4-7 cm long, pale dull brown. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: [precise localities withheld for conservation reasons], N of Kalannie, G. Craig 1600 (NY, PERTH) and 1632A (NSW, PERTH); NE of Kulja, G. Craig 1 622 (MEL, PERTH); between Mukinbudin and Bencubbin, B.R. Maslin for R.J. Cumming 2303 (MELU, PERTH); between Hines Hill and Nungarin, B.R. Maslin 2339 (PERTH) and 2339A (CANB, K, PERTH); Cowcowing, F. Steward 3 1 1 (PERTH). Distribution. Extends from near Morawa southeast to Hines Hill and east to Boorabbin (c. 90 km west of Coolgardie on Great Eastern Highway), southwest Western Australia. Habitat. A highly salt-tolerant species on alkaline dark red-brown, coarse clay-sand overlying yellow- brown coarse clay-sand or sandy loam at margins of salt pans or lakes. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers in August-September; pods with mature seed have been collected from September to December. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 15 235 Conservation status. A Priority 1 taxon in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Etymology. The epithet is chosen in allusion to the similar appearance of this taxon to A. enervia subsp. explicata, which differs in having 5-merous flowers, from conformis, Latin for similar. 3. Acacia lineolata Benth., Linnaea 26: 626 (1855) Lectotype (here selected): Swan River [Western Australia], 1848, J. Drummond 4: 13 (K, Herb. Hooker; isolecto: G, K-Herb. Bentham, OXF, P, PERTH 00886378-fragment ex K, TCD). Paralectotype: Swan River [Western Australia], J. Drummond 4: 12 (K, Herb. Hooker and Herb. Bentham, mounted with lectotype and isolectotype, see discussion below); we are unable to apply a name to this specimen, but it is not A. lineolata, sensu lectotypico. Dense, rounded or obconic shrubs 0.5- 1.7 m tall with dense or bushy crown to 3 m diam. Bark grey, smooth, sometimes fissured at base. Branchlets somewhat angled at apex, glabrous or appressed- puberulous with the angles glabrous. New growth citron-silvery or silvery grey sericeous. Stipules persistent, triangular, less than 1 mm long. Phyllodes linear to linear-oblanceolate to oblong-elliptic, usually flat, 2-6.5(7.5) cm long, (1)2-5 mm wide, coriaceous to rigid-coriaceous, patent to ascending, straight to somewhat incurved or sigmoidally curved, glabrous or appressed-puberulous when young and glabrescent, olive-green or dull dark-green; apex straight or more or less curved, acute to short- acuminate, innocuous to pungent; nerves numerous, closely parallel, clearly evident and yellow (at least in dry state), immersed to raised, the inter-nerve spaces darker coloured and clearly marked by rows of distinct, sometimes raised stomata, anastomoses absent or occasional; gland(s) 1-3, small, inconspicuous, on adaxial margin, the lowermost (3)5-21 mm above pulvinus. Peduncles (1)2 per axil, 2-1 1 mm long, glabrous to more or less appressed-puberulous; basal peduncular bracts caducous, cucullate; heads globular or slightly oblongoid, golden, 4-6 mm diam., 18-35-flowered; bracteoles linear to fusiform, ciliolate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/4-2/3 as long as petals, free or up to 1/2-united. Petals free or to 1/2-united. Ovary puberulous, appressed-puberulous or papillate- puberulous. Pods linear, raised over and slightly constricted between seeds, to 10 cm long and 2-3 mm wide, thinly coriaceous or chartaceous, straight to shallowly curved, somewhat appressed- puberulous between seeds or glabrous. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, elliptic, oblong-elliptic or oblong, 3-4 mm long, 1.2-2 mm wide, compressed or turgid, glossy, brown or brown-black; pleurogram U-shaped; areole about 1/4- 1/3 as long as seed, paler brown; the aril terminal, 1/3-2/3 as long as seed, conical, bright yellow. Distribution. Occurs in southwest Western Australia from Yuna (c. 35 km east of Northampton) south to Pingrup. Typification. There are two sheets at Herb. K bearing type material, one stamped “Herbarium Hookerianum”, the other “Herbarium Benthamianum”: both have branchlets of two different collections, namely, Drummond 4: 12 and 4: 13. On the first of these sheets the correct collection number is assigned for each of the two elements, as shown by duplicates mounted separately at G, OXF, and P. The collection numbers are reversed on the Herb. Bentham sheet, hence the choice of the specimen of Drummond 4: 13 on the Herb. Hooker sheet as lectotype. The other collection (paralectotype) has not been identified; it is not this taxon, although it is superficially similar. Affinities. Similar to A. enervia Maiden & Blakely (see above for discussion). 236 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Infraspecific taxa. Comprising two subspecies with the typical one differing from subsp. multilineata in having proportionately much longer than wide, often sigmoidally curved phyllodes with the apex recurved. 3a. Acacia lineolata Benth. subsp. lineolata Phyllodes linear to linear-oblanceolate, occasionally ± terete, 2-5(7. 5) cm long, (1)2-4 mm wide, c. 20 times longer than wide, more or less curved, often sigmoidally; apex curved-acute and not at all pungent or rigid. Peduncles 2-6 mm long. Sepals free or to half-united. Seeds glossy brown-black. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: between Pithara and Miling, W.E. Blackall 2893 (PERTH); Pingrup, W.E. Blackall 2987 (PERTH); 11 miles (17.6 km] N of Dandaragan, W.E. Blackall 3671 (PERTH); 0.7 km S of Tammin on road to Gardner Reserve, R.S. Cowan A744 and B.R. Maslin (PERTH); 14.1 km from junction of Gorge road with Ajana-Kalbarri road, Kalbarri National Park, R.S. Cowan A-821 and R.A. Cowan (PERTH); east of Coblinine River crossing on Warren Road (east of Katanning), G. Craig 1586 (PERTH); 7 km S of Miling on Lyons East Road, G. Craig 1590 (PERTH); 41.6 km from Brand Highway towards Coorow, R.J. Cumming 1319 (PERTH); Wilroy, J. Galbraith 347 (PERTH); 12 miles [19.2 km] E of Katanning on road to Nyabing, B.R. Maslin 784 (MEL, PERTH); 32 km W of Kununoppin towards Wyalkatchem, B.R. Maslin 3400 (CANB, K, NSW, P, PERTH); 1 4 km E of Kulja towards Beacon, B.R. Maslin 3975 (CANB, K, MEL, NSW, PERTH); about 2 km W of the Wongan Hills on road to Piawaning, B.R. Maslin 5369 (NY, PERTH); 27 km due NNW of Goomalling, Mortlake River North, B.R. Maslin 6200 (BM, BRI, PERTH); 3 miles [4.8 km] N of Brookton, K. Newbey 891 (PERTH). Distribution. Occurs from Kalbarri National Park (c. 100 km north of Geraldton) southeast to near Katanning and Pingrup (c. 50 km north of Ongerup), southwest Western Australia. Habitat. In sandy or stony, often saline, loam in association with Casuarina spp. and Halosarcia spp. or in eucalypt woodland. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers in August-September; pods and mature seeds have been collected in late November. Variant. In the north-central part of the range from Yuna south to Yorkrakine (c. 25 km due southeast of Wyalkatchem) and east to Kulja (c. 45 km due north-northwest of Koorda), a form with narrow phyllodes (1-1.5 mm wide) occurs, some so narrow as to appear more or less terete, e.g. B.R. Maslin 3975 (CANB, K, MEL, NSW, PERTH) and 6200 (BM, BRI, PERTH). Conservation status. Not under threat. 3b. Acacia lineolata subsp. multilineata (W. Fitzg.) R.S. Cowan & Maslin, comb, et stat. nov. A. multilineata W. Fitzg., J. Western Australian Nat. Hist. Soc. 1: 13 (1904). Lectotype: Arrino, Western Australia, September 1903, W.V. Fitzgerald s.n. (NSW 216915, left-hand specimen on sheet, fide Maslin & Cowan 1994a; isolecto : NSW 216915 (right hand specimen), PERTH 00765813, 00765791 (exherb. C.A. Gardner no. 1306B), 00765805 (Fragment, presumably exherb. W.E. Blackall). R.S. Cowan andB.R. Maslin, /4caaa Miscellany 15 237 Phyllodes oblong-oblanceolate to oblong-elliptic, acute to short-acuminate, 3-6.5 cm long, 3-5 mm wide, 10-13 times longer than wide, rigid-coriaceous, straight to incurved; apical point straight and coarsely to sharply pungent. Peduncles 5-1 1 mm long. Sepals always free. Seeds glossy, brown. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Mullewa area [precise localities withheld for conservation reasons], A.M. Ashby 1571 (PERTH), 4515 (PERTH), 4516 (CANB, PERTH), 4645 (PERTH) and 4646 (PERTH), G. Phillips GP42 (PERTH), B.R. Maslin 3637 (K, MEL, PERTH) ard 5077 (PERTH); near Arrino, B.R. Maslin 6588 (PERTH). Distribution. In addition to the type, which was collected from Arrino, the species is known only from a few localities in the vicinity of Mullewa, southwest Western Australia. The type locality is considerably south and west of most of the other collection localities but a recent collection confirms the continued presence of the species there (B.R. Maslin 6588). Habitat. On sandplains and on rocky clay. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from June to August; pods with mature seeds have been collected in November and December. Affinities. Subspecies multilineata bears a superficial resemblance to A. patagiata R.S. Cowan & Maslin (which has very different phyllode nervature) and A. unguicula R.S. Cowan & Maslin (which has spinose stipules), see Cowan & Maslin (1990) for description of these two species. Conservation status. A Priority 1 on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. The “Acacia fragilis Group” The species of this informal grouping have few characters in common; sub-terete to terete phyllodes with a gland in the basal one-third of the blade; 5-merous flowers with free sepals; and linear, compressed pods. Some of the previously described taxa are re-described here in an attempt to clarify the past confusion regarding their identity. The taxa comprising this “Group” include the following: A. assimilis S. Moore subsp. assimilis, A. assimilis subsp. atroviridis R.S. Cowan & Maslin subsp. nov., A. aulacophylla R.S. Cowan & Maslin sp. nov., A. consanguinea R.S. Cowan & Maslin sp. nov., A. fragilis Maiden & Blakely, A. ophiolithica R.S. Cowan & Maslin sp. nov. and A. uncinella Benth. Key to taxa of “A. fragilis Group” (. Acacia triptycha is not a member of the Group as defined above, but is included in this key because of its superficial similarity to A. assimilis subsp. atroviridis.) 1 . Phyllodes flat (apppearing sub-terete when very narrow) with three longitudinal nerves on each face A. triptycha 1 . Phyllodes terete 238 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2(1995) 2. Phyllodes with numerous (>8), closely parallel nerves 3. Phyllodes commonly light green, mostly 50-95 mm long; pulvinus slender, cylindric, not flared towards base; heads mostly 30-40-flowered la. A. assimilis subsp. assimilis 3. Phyllodes dark green, mostly 80-140 mm long; pulvinus flared towards its base, often strongly compressed dorsi-ventrally (adaxial or abaxial view); heads mostly 50-70-flowered lb. A. assimilis subsp. atroviridis 2. Phyllodes 4- or 8-nerved, the nerves sometimes obscure 4. Phyllodes (6)7.5- 12( 1 6.5) cm long, deeply sulcate between the 8 strongly raised nerves.... 2. A. aulacophylla 4. Phyllodes shorter and/or not deeply sulcate 5. Pulvinus flared at its base, appressed-puberulous on its upper surface; bracteoles acute; phyllodes mostly 25-43 mm long (rarely to 70 mm) with glabrous apical points; heads mostly 20-25-flowered 3. A. consanguinea 5. Pulvinus ± terete, glabrous (except occasionally hairy in A. uncinella)-, bracteoles rounded 6. Heads 10-15-flowered on very slender peduncles (5)7-13 mm long; phyllodes mostly 25-36 mm long, nerves scarcely discernible, apical point minute and glabrous 5. A. ophiolithica 6. Heads 16-31 -flowered on peduncles 4-6 mm long; phyllodes with discernible nerves (xlO mag.) and distinct apical points 7. Phyllodes 3.5-7(8) cm long, the apex drawn out in a delicate, curved, long-acuminate (mostly 2-6 mm), normally persistently hairy tip 4. A. fragilis 7. Phyllodes 1-3.5 cm long, the apex not as above (i.e. shorter and/or glabrous) 6. A. uncinella 1. Acacia assimilis S. Moore, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 45: 172 (1920) Lectotype (here selected): Bruce Rock, Western Australia, 1915, F. Stoward 1 16, BM; isolecto: BM, PERTH 00741477-fragmentexBM. Paralectotype: C'owcowing, Western Australia, 1916, F. Stoward 405 (BM, PERTH 00741485 and 00741469). Low, rounded, dense, spreading shrubs or small trees (0.5)l-2.5(4) m tall. Bark on main stems grey, brown or grey-brown, fissured at base, smooth above. Branchlets terete, light brown, red, grey-red or red-brown, glabrous. New shoots densely yellow pubescent, the hairs appressed. Stipules caducous, scarious-chartaceous, narrowly oblong. Phyllodes terete, filiform, (40)50-140(175) mm long, (0.7)0.8-l .3 mm diam., patent or ascending to occasionally erect, straight to gently curving, light to dark green, glabrous (except apex); apex delicately curved, caudate-acuminate, ± plumose or appressed-puberulous and glabrescent; pulvinus cylindric or flaring towards base, l-2.5(3.5) mm long; nerves numerous, closely parallel, slightly raised and frequently lighter green than inter-nerve spaces; gland single, 2-24(30) mm above pulvinus, widely elliptic, depressed. Peduncles 2 per axil, (3)6-11(14) mm long, hoary appressed-puberulous or glabrous; basal peduncular bract broadly R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 15 239 rounded, glabrous to slightly appressed-puberulous laterally; heads globular to widely ellipsoid or obloid, bright to dull golden or lemon-yellow, 4-5(6) mm diam., (17)30-70(80)-flowered; bracteoles spathulate, the stipe long and slender, the blade rounded, somewhat concave, ciliate, sometimes dark- coloured, the apex sometimes obviously exserted in bud. Flowers normally 5-merous, rarely a few 4-merous interspersed. Sepals about 1/2 length of petals, free or very shortly united basally, spathulate to linear-spathulate, the blade rounded, ciliolate, the stipe elongate, narrow. Petals 1/2-3/4-united, rarely free, oblanceolate. Ovary appressed-puberulous or papillose-puberulous. Pods linear, raised over seeds and slightly or not at all constricted between them, 30-85 mm long, 3-4 mm wide, papery, straight, glabrous or with scattered, appressed hairlets, rather shiny. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, widely elliptic to ovate or oblong-elliptic, unilaterally constricted apically, 2.5-3 mm long, 1.5- 1.8 mm wide, dull, dark-brown to black; pleurogram semicircular or U-shaped; areole tiny; the aril sub-terminal. Distribution. The species is widespread and common from Mullewa southeast to Boxwood Hill and the Norseman-Scaddan area of southwest Western Australia. The southern end of that range is occupied almost exclusively by subsp. atroviridis. The geographic ranges of the two subspecies are contiguous in the Lake King-Newdegate (east of Lake Grace) and Salmon Gums-Norseman areas (south of Norseman). One collection (B.R. Maslin 2447 from 1.5 km N of Salmon Gums, PERTH) has intermediate characteristics, suggesting possible hybridization between the two subspecies. Two further PERTH collections of the typical subspecies ( N.N . Donne r 1392 from c. 28 km southwest of Nannup and W.E. Blackall s.n. from the Darling Range, 32 km from Dwellingup) are considerably southwest and west respectively of the range of the species and are possibly incorrectly labelled with respect to locality or they may represent cultivated specimens. Typification. The protologue lists two collections representing the same taxon, F. Stoward 1 16 from Bruce Rock and 405 from Cowcowing; material of both collections appear on the type sheet at BM and we have designated the specimen nearest the left side of the sheet as lectotype (no. 1 16). There are three other branchlets of what is presumably also Stoward 1 16 in the middle of the sheet and one other branchlet on the right, separated by pencil lines, of Stoward 405, which we regard as a paralectotype. Affinities. This species and A. fragilis Maiden & Blakely are superficially similar but A. assimilis has generally longer phyllodes with at least twice as many nerves. In addition, they differ in the union of the perianth parts: A. fragilis has free petals and sepals, whereas the petals in A. assimilis are normally half or more united. Acacia aulacophylla R.S. Cowan & Maslin (see below) is also closely related but differs markedly in the eight strongly raised nerves of its phyllodes. Infraspecific taxa. The species comprises two subspecies which differ primarily in phyllode colour and length, the form of the pulvinus and the number of flowers per head. la. Acacia assimilis S. Moore subsp. assimilis Phyllodes (40)50-95(150) mm long, (0.7)0. 8-1(1 .3) mm diam., commonly light or bright green; pulvinus slender, about the diameter of the phyllode base (viewed abaxially or adaxially), cylindric, not flaring basally. Heads (17)30-40(44)-flowered; bracteoles dark with at least the apex well- exserted. Sepals more than 1/2 as long as the 1/2-2/3-united petals. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 6 miles [9.6 km] N of Muntadgin, E.T. Bailey 288 (PERTH); about 10 km W of Three Springs, 28 August 1972, C. Chapman s.n. (K, PERTH 00689254); 10 miles [16 km] E of Mullewa, R.J. Cumming 1 934 (BRI, MEL, NSW, PERTH); 240 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Bendering, C.A. Gardner 9461 (CANB, G, NY, PERTH); 8.7 km N from Southern Cross towards Bullfinch, N. Hall H76/45 (PERTH); Wongan Hills, 16 August 1925, E.H. Ising s.n. (PERTH 00689203); 8 km due SSW of Bencubbin, B.R. Maslin 2001 (PERTH); 6.5 miles [10.4 km] S of Merredin towards Bruce Rock, B.R. Maslin 2299 (AD, BRI, CANB, K, MEL, PERTH); 4 km N of Daniell Siding, Norseman-Salmon Gums road, B.R. Maslin 2464 (MEL, PERTH); 10 miles [16 km] W of Moorine Rock, Great Eastern Highway, B.R. Maslin 3201 (AD, NSW, PERTH); 7 km N of Tammin towards Korrelocking, B.R. Maslin 4420 (PERTH); 2.5 km W of Kulja towards Burakin, B.R. Maslin 4445 (MEL, PERTH, TLF); 6 miles [9.6 km] N of Lake Biddy, K. Newbey 1050 (PERTH); 8 miles [12.8 km] NEofHyden, K. Newbey 1067 (PERTH); 4 km SSW ofMcDermid Rock, K. Newbey 5281 (PERTH); Mount Gibbs, K. Newbey 5486 (PERTH); Stennet Rock, c. 48 km SSW of Norseman, K. Newbey 7679 (PERTH); Wallaroo Rock, c. 72 km WNW ofCoolgardie, K. Newbey 8830 (PERTH); 22.5 km W of Paynes Find, R.A. Saffrey 854 (MEL, PERTH, TLF); 1 miles [1.6 km] SW of Manmanning, B.H. Smith 385 (AD, BRI, CBG, NSW, PERTH). Distribution. Common from Mullewa south-southeast to near Lake Biddy (which is c. 45 km northeast of Lake Grace) and east to near Norseman and Coolgardie. Two distributionally anomalous specimens are referred to above in the discussion of distribution. Habitat. Grows in sand, sandy or gravelly loam often in association with granite, less frequently in laterite, in mallee heath and scrub on wet, low-lying areas on hillocks and mountain slopes and open sandplains. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from July to October; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December and January. Conservation status. Widespread and not under threat. lb. Acacia assimilis subsp. atroviridis R.S. Cowan & Maslin, subsp. nov. A subsp. assimilis phyllodiis (60)80-140(175) mmlongis, 1-1.5 mmdiametro, aeque atroviridibus, pulvino versus basem dilato, saepe valde dorsi-ventraliter compresso (adaxialiter vel abaxialiter visus); capitula cum 50-70(80) floribus, bracteolis non exsertis differt. Typus: 83.9 miles [135 km] from Albany on Borden-Pingrup road. Western Australia, 25 May 1973, A.M. Ashby 4724 ( holo : PERTH 00686670; iso: BRI, CANB, K, MEL, NSW, NY, PERTH 00688789). Phyllodes (60)80-140(175) mm long, 1-1.5 mm diam., drying uniformly dark-green, the pulvinus flared towards its base, often strongly compressed dorsi-ventrally (adaxial or abaxial view). Heads 50-70(80)-flowered; bracteoles neither dark-coloured nor obviously exserted. Sepals half or less as long as 2/3-3/4-united petals. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 30 km W of 90 Mile Tank, T.E.H. Aplin and M.E. Trudgen 5917 (K, PERTH); 88 miles [141 km] from Albany on Borden-Pingrup road [c. 20 km N of Borden], A.M. Ashby 4733 (B, BM, MEL, NY, PERTH, W); 28 km due E of Lake King Gate on Rabbit Proof Fence, 33° 04' 30"S, 120° 19’E, K. Bradby 39 (PERTH); 32 kmESEofMuckinwobert Rock on West Point Road, 33° 28'S, 1 20° 37'E, M.A. Burgman 1050 and S. McNee (PERTH); Boxwood Hill-Toompup road, 1 1 km NW from Chillilup Pool turnoff, 34° 17'S, 118° 31'E, M.D. Crisp 5163 (PERTH); Fitzgerald River, C.A. Gardner 9259 (PERTH); Oldfield Location 1002, near Dallinup R.S. Cowan andB.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 15 241 Creek, 33° 34'S, 120° 40'E, A.S. George 15723 (PERTH); Kumarl, L.A. Horbury 102 (PERTH); 2 km S of North Ironcap, 33° 24'S, 1 19° 41’E, G.J. Keighery 3782 (MO, PERTH); 10 km W of Munglinup, B.R. Maslin 2556 (AD, K, PERTH); 20 km S of Salmon Gums on Coolgardie-Esperance Highway, B.R. Maslin 5453 (CANB, PERTH); 6 miles [9.6 km] S of Lake Grace, K. Newbey 1623 (CANB, G, K, NSW, PERTH); Peak Eleanora, Peak Charles National Park, K. Newbey 6384 (PERTH); 6 km S of Mount Gibbs, Frank Hann National Park, K. Newbey 6544 (PERTH); Lake Varley-Holt Rock, May 1961, R.P. Roberts s.n. (PERTH 00689718); 10.9 miles [17.5 km] NE of Dumbleyung towards Kukerin, M.D. Tindale 165 and B.R. Maslin (PERTH); 1 1.3 km from Lake King towards Newdegate, J.W. Wrigley WA/68 5501 (PERTH). Distribution. Common from near Dumbleyung south to near Boxwood Hill (c. 50 km south-southwest of Jerramungup) and east to Coolgardie-Esperance Highway in the Kumarl-Scaddan area, southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Grows in sand, sandy or gravelly loam, often in association with granite, less commonly with laterite in scrub, woodland and heath. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers throughout the year; pods with mature seeds have been collected in November and December. Developing pods may occur on plants that are also in flower. Affinities. Differences between the subspecies are discussed under the species. Subspecies atroviridis is quite similar to A. triptycha F. Muell. ex Benth. in appearance and even in details of flower morphology, including form of bracts and bracteoles. They differ in that the phyllodes of A. triptycha are flat, 8-nerved (3 nerves per face), rather than being terete and multinerved. Geographically, they occur in similar areas, so there is a real possibility of misidentifying collections of both taxa. Conservation status. Widespread and not under threat. Etymology. The colour of the dried phyllodes suggested the name for this taxon, from two Latin words, atratus meaning dark, and viridis, a word for green. 2. Acacia aulacophylla R.S. Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex 1-4 m altus, saepe rotundatus, ramulis teretibus, glabris. Phyllodia teretia, arcuate longo- acuminata, appresso- vel sub-appresso-puberula, interdum partim glabrescentia, pulvino gracili, 2-4 mm longo, laminis (60)75-120(165) mm longis, 1(1.5) mm diametro, semi-rigidis, ascendentibus ad erectis, glabris, diluto- vel medio- viridibus, 8 nervis valdissime elevatis, glande distincta, 2- 1 5 mm supra pulvinum, circulari vel lato-elliptica. Pedunculi 1 vel 2 in quoque axilla, (4)5-8(10) mm longi, raro longiores, appresso-puberuli, pedunculorum bractea basali caduca, late ovata, cucullata, ciliata, appresso-puberula vel glabra. Capitula globularia, lutea, 5-6 mm diametro, 40-87-floribus, dense congesta, bracteolis spathulatis ad sub-peltatis, puberulis, ciliatis. Flores 5-meri, sepalis petalarum circa dimidiis longitudinis, discretis, spathulatis, ciliatis, petalis 1/2-3/4-connatis. Legumina linearia, non constricta, 60-100 mm longa, 5-6 mm lata, pendula, coriacea, recta, glabra, nervis marginalibus distinctis, pallidis. Semina longitudinalia, late elliptica, compressa, 4.5 mm longa, 2.5 mm lata, circum axem longitudinalem cristata, obscure nigra, arillo sub-terminali. Typus: 1.6 km N of Cue towards Meekatharra, Western Australia, 30 July 1974, B.R. Maslin 3594 (holo: PERTH 00187275; iso: CANB, K, MEL, NY). 242 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Often rounded shrubs 1-4 m tall, bushy but becoming openly branched with age, single-stemmed or branched at ground level. Bark grey, smooth throughout or fissured only at base of main stems. Branchlets terete, glabrous, red-brown ageing grey. New shoots often golden appressed-puberulous. Stipules only on very young branchlets, lanceolate-oblong, 1.5-2 mm long, 0.6-1 mm wide, scarious, appressed-puberulous. Phyllodes terete, (60)75-120(165) mm long, 1(1.5) mm diam., semi-rigid, ascending to erect, straight, glabrous, light to medium green; apex long-acuminate, the delicate tip arcuate, appressed to subappressed-puberulous and sometimes partly glabrescent; pulvinus slender, 2-4 mm long; nerves 8, very strongly raised and deeply sulcate between; gland distinct, 2- 1 5 mm above pulvinus, circular or widely elliptic. Peduncles 1 or 2 per axil, (4)5-8(10) mm long, rarely longer, appressed-puberulous; basal peduncular bract caducous, broadly ovate, cucullate, ciliate, appressed- puberulous or glabrous; heads globular, golden, 5-6 mm diam., 40-87-flowered, densely congested; bracteoles spathulate to subpeltate, puberulous, ciliate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals about half as long as petals, free, spathulate, ciliate. Petals 1/2-3/4-united. Ovary densely appressed-puberulous. Pods linear, not strongly raised over nor constricted between seeds, 60-100 mm long, 5-6 mm wide, pendulous, coriaceous, straight, glabrous, the marginal nerves distinct, light-coloured. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, widely elliptic, compressed, 4.5 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, crested around long axis, dull, black; pleurogram crescent-shaped; the aril sub-terminal. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Watheroo, August 1903, C. Andrews s.n. (PERTH 00187283); Mary Spring, Kalbarri National Park boundary, D.R. Bellairs 1609 (MEL, PERTH); East Yuna Reserve, NE of Geraldton, A. C. Burns 9 (PERTH); No. 8 Tank, Tching Range, Nookawarra Station, R.J. Cranfield 5187 (G, PERTH); 1.5 km S of Jingemarra Homestead, R.J. Cranfield 5255 (PERTH); 31.3 miles [50.1 km] S of Yalgoo towards Paynes Find, R. Gumming 1993 (AD, NSW, PERTH); 6 miles [9.6 km] E of Morawa, J.R. Knox 6508 1 3 (PERTH); about 6.5 km N of Mount Magnet towards Cue, B. R. Maslin 3582 (PERTH) ; Gno ws Nest Range, 50 km SE of Y algoo towards Paynes Find, B.R. Maslin 4254 (NY, PERTH); 5 km E of Mullewa on road to Yalgoo, B.R. Maslin 5075 (PERTH); 41 km from Byro Homestead on the track to Milly Milly Station, B.R. Maslin 5175 (BM, MO, PERTH); Donkey Paddock, Coodardy Station, A. A. Mitchell 759 (PERTH); 9 miles [14.4 km] N of Madoonga Homestead, N.H. Speck 1072 (BRI, DNA, NSW, PERTH). Distribution. Found from Byro Station (c. 250 km west-northwest of Meekatharra) south to Mullewa and Morawa and extending inland to Cue (c. 65 km north of Mount Magnet), Western Australia. Two collections were made slightly outside this distribution at Mary Spring, c. 120 km northwest of Mullewa and at Watheroo, c. 120 km south of Morawa. Habitat. On laterite or granite hills, outcrops and breakaways on sand, rocky sand, clay or loam in open scrub, often dominated by Acacia species. The occurrence of this species on hilltops and breakaways may in large part account for its discontinuous distribution. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers mostly from April to August but one collection (B.R. Maslin 5075), with mature flowers and fruit, was made in December; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December. Affinities. The deeply furrowed phyllodes with strongly raised nerves, distinguish A. aulacophylla from all its relatives, of which A. assimilis is perhaps closest, in spite of the difference in number of nerves in the phyllodes; superficially the two taxa can easily be confused. Acacia acuminata subsp. burkittii (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Tindale & Kodela (ms) which is common in the geographic range of the new species has a similar habit and foliage colour but is readily distinguished by its spicate inflorescences and ± moniliform pods which are 4-7 mm wide. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 15 243 Conservation status. Not threatened. Etymology. The furrowed phyllodes provide the basis for the specific epithet, from two latinized Greek words, aulakos, with the meaning of a furrow and phyllon for leaf. 3. Acacia consanguinea R.S. Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex multicaulis 0.4- 1.5 m altus, cortice laevi, cinerea, ramulis teretibus, appresso-puberulis, cinereis. Phyllodia teretia, apice arcuato, mucronato, glabro, pulvino ad paginam adaxilem appresso- puberulo et ad basem dilato, laevi ad leviter transversaliter corrugato, (20)25-43(70) mm Ionga, (1)1. 2- 1.5(1. 7) mm diametro, rigida, patentia ad ascendentia, vulgo leviter incurvata sed interdum recta vel leviter sigmoide arcuata, 8-nervata, nervis planis sed plerumque valde elevatis in sicco, glande minuta (4)6-10(13) mm supra pulvinum. Pedunculi 2 in quoque axilla, 3-6(8) mm longi, plus minusve appresso-puberuli vel plerumque glabri; capitula globularia, 4-5 mm diametro et (14)20-25(29)-floribus, bracteolis in alabastro exsertis, oblanceolato-spathulatis, puberulis et ciliatis, lamina plus minusve elliptica, acuta. Flores pentameri, sepalis petalisque discretis. Legumina linearia, supra semina alternatim valde elevata, inter semina leviter constricta, 30-60 mm longa, 2.5-3 mm lata, leviter curvata et undulata, tenuiter chartacea, glabra, lucida Semina longitudinalia, late elliptica, 2-2.2 mm longa, 1.5- 1.8 mm lata, 1.5 mm crassitie, lucida, maculata cum maculis brunneis in diluto-griseo-brunneis, arillo sub-laterali, cristato. Typus: 10 km NW of Bullabulling towards Caenyie Rock, Western Australia, 8 August 1971, B.R. Maslin 1890 (halo: PERTH 00342793; iso: CANB, G, K, NSW, NY). Dense or openly branched, often rounded, spreading shrubs 0.4- 1.5 m tall, much-branched at ground level. Bark grey, smooth. Branchlets terete, appressed-puberulous, grey. Stipules caducous. Phyllodes terete, (20)25-43(70) mm long, (1)1 .2- 1 .5(1 .7) mm diam., rigid, patent to ascending, commonly shallowly incurved, sometimes straight or shallowly sigmoid, glabrous, dark-green; apex curved, mucronate, glabrous; pulvinus 1 .5-2 mm long, smooth to faintly transversely wrinkled, dilated at base and appressed-puberulous on adaxial surface; nerves 8, often obscure, plane, distant, in dry state often appearing raised and separated by deep, more or less irregular furrows; gland minute, often not visible, (4)6- 10(13) mm above pulvinus, depressed, elliptic. Peduncles 2 per axil, 3-6(8) mm long, glabrous or occasionally sparsely appressed-puberulous; basal peduncular bract cucullate, rounded, minutely appressed-puberulous; heads globular, golden, 4-5 mm diam., (14)20-25(29)-flowered; bracteoles exserted, oblanceolate-spathulate, acute, puberulous, ciliate, the lamina more or less elliptic, acute. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals about half the petal length, free, linear-spathulate, ciliolate. Petals oblanceolate, free, rarely half-united, glabrous. Ovary micro-puberulous. Pods linear, strongly raised on alternating sides over seeds and moderately constricted between them, 30-60 mm long, 2.5-3 mm wide, thin-chartaceous, slightly curved and undulate, glabrous, glossy. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, widely elliptic, constricted near hilum, crested around long axis, 2-2.2 mm long, 1.5- 1.8 mm wide, 1.5 mm thick, glossy, mottled darker brown on pale grey- brown; pleurogram semicircular; areole minute; aril sub-lateral, crested. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Carrabin, W.E. Blackall 4024 (B, K, PERTH); 54.9 km from Coolgardie towards Southern Cross along Great Eastern Highway, E.M. Canning WA/68 2467 (PERTH); 1 6.7 km from Moorine Rock towards Perth along Great Eastern Highway, E.M. Canning WA/68 2552 (PERTH); Noongar, 31° 20'S, 1 18° 58'E, R. Coveny 8375 and B. Haberley (PERTH); 26 km SW of Bodallin, 31° 34'S, 1 18° 43'E, R.J. Cranfield 2456 (PERTH); 39.2 miles [62.8 km] W of Kumarl towards Lake King, R. Cumming 2556 (PERTH); 8 miles [ 1 3 km] 244 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) S of Bonnie Rock, J. Goodwin 87(1262) (PERTH); 25 km W of Bullabulling on Great Eastern Highway, B.R. Maslin 2413 (AD, CANB, K, MEL, NSW, NY, PERTH); 10 km by road S of Queen Victoria Rock, B.R. Maslin 5408 (PERTH); about 12 km N of Southern Cross on road to Bullfinch, B.R. Maslin 671 1 (PERTH); 2 km S of Karalee, c. 50 km E of Southern Cross, K. Newbey 6032 (PERTH); 0.5 km E of Marvel Loch turn-off on Great Eastern Highway, M.H. Simmons 1204 (PERTH); Muntadgin, T.W. Stone and E.T. Bailey 816 (PERTH) and T.W. Stone 866 (PERTH); 12 miles [19.2 km] NW of Wialki, 4 October 1958, G.M. Storrs.n. (PERTH 00750158); Ghooli, 15 km E of Southern Cross along Great Eastern Highway, A. Strid 20035 (AD, BRI, CANB, G, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH). Distribution. Locally common from Muntadgin (c. 40 km southeast of Merredin) east to near Coolgardie with most collections from along the Great Eastern Highway, southwest Western Australia. There are two outlying populations, the first represented by G.M. Storr s.n. (PERTH 00750158) from near Wialki (c. 150 km north-northwest of Muntadgin) and the second represented by R. Camming 2556 (PERTH) from c. 63 km west of Kumarl (Kumarl is c. 200 km south of Coolgardie). Habitat. Found on sand, sandy loam or sandy clay in heath or dense scrub. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers mainly in September, occasionally August; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December. Affinities. The new species is closely related to A. fragilis Maiden & Blakely and A. uncinella Benth. (see below) from both of which it differs in having the pulvinus appressed-puberulous on its adaxial surface and flared towards its base, gland minute, bracteoles acute and slightly exserted in the bud and seeds nearly rotund. The phyllode apex of A. consanguinea is more like A. uncinella in form and in being glabrous but the heads are larger as in A. fragilis. Flower morphology also links the new species more closely with A. fragilis ; both have free sepals and petals in the vast majority of specimens examined. Geographically A. fragilis and A. consanguinea occur in more northern areas than does A. uncinella. Conservation status. Not under threat. Etymology. The close relationship of the species with other species of this alliance suggests the name, from consanguineus , Latin for kindred, related by blood. 4. Acacia fragilis Maiden & Blakely, J. Roy. Soc. Western Australia 13: 5, pi. 4, figs 1-11 (1928) Based on A. triptycha var. tenuis Maiden, J. & Proc. Roy. Soc. New South Wales 53: 178 (1920). Typus: Tammin, Western Australia, September [sphalm. November in protologue] 1 909, J.H. Maiden s.n. ( holo : NSW; iso : K, NSW, PERTH 00963828 and 00859435-fragment ex NSW). Dense, rounded shrubs, becoming more openly branched with age, 0.5-2.5 m tall, spreading 2.5-3 m across; stems to 10 cm diam. at base. Bark grey, finely fissured basally. Branchlets terete, glabrous, red-brown, becoming grey with separation of epidermis from lower layers. New shoots golden-sericeous. Stipules only on very young shoots, lanceolate-linear, scarious, obtuse. Phyllodes terete to sub- terete, 35-70(80) mm long, 1-1.3 mm diam., reclined, patent or erect, straight to shallowly curved, glabrous, more or less shiny, smooth but longitudinally wrinkled when dry, dark-green; apex R.S. Cowan andB.R. Maslin, /tcac/a Miscellany 15 245 arcuate-acuminate to caudate-acuminate, the tip slender, (1.5)2-6(7) mm long, appressed to spreading puberulous on young phyllodes and commonly on mature phyllodes, rarely completely glabrous; pulvinus 1 .5-3 mm long, slender, cylindric, glabrous, orange-coloured; nerves 8, sometimes appearing more numerous when dry, the nerves raised or more often obscured in drying by numerous, longitudinal, irregular furrows; gland not always evident, (5)7-14(24) mm above pulvinus, narrowly elliptic, 0. 3-0.5 mm long. Peduncles 2 per axil, 4-5.5 mm long, somewhat appressed-puberulous or glabrous; basal peduncular bracts cucullate, rounded, more or less appressed-puberulous at least basally; heads globular, golden, (3. 5)4-4. 5(5. 5) mm diam., 23-31 -flowered; bracteoles spathulate, the blades rounded, somewhat concave, ciliate, dark-coloured. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals c. 1/2 as long as free petals, free, spathulate, ciliate. Ovary appressed-puberulous to sub-appressed villosulose. Pods linear, raised on alternating sides over and slightly constricted between seeds, 50-70 mm long, 2-3 mm wide, thinly crustaceous, straight, glabrous, shiny. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, elliptic, 2.5-3 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, with a unilateral, terminal constriction, dull, brown, the aril sub- terminal. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 1-2 miles [1.6-3.2 km] N of Carnamah along Geraldton Highway, T.E.H. Aplin 54 (PERTH); c. 20 km E of Damboring, then 3 km S, T.E.H. Aplin 4864 (PERTH); 22 miles [35 km] E of Dalwallinu, 7. .S'. Beard 7973 (NSW, PERTH); 6.6 km NW of Wongan Hills towards Piawaning, R. Coveny 7834 and B.R. Maslin (PERTH); 3.3 km E of Ravensthorpe-Hopetoun road on Elverdton Road, R.S. Cowan A760 and B.R. Maslin (PERTH); between Caron and Latham, C.A. Gardner and W.E. Blackall 758 (PERTH); 16 miles [25.6 km] W of Boondi,7. Goodwin 277 (PERTH); c. 3 km by road SEof Kondutonroad toCadoux,L. Haegi 1 109 (NSW, PERTH); 21 km NW of Holt Rock on track to Hyden, L. Haegi 1214 (NSW, PERTH); Merredin, M. Koch 2742 (NSW, PERTH); 1 .4 miles [2.2 km] S of Konnongarring, B.R. Maslin 1633 (CANB, PERTH); 6 km S of Tammin, B.R. Maslin 2319 (BRI, K, PERTH); Mount Desmond, B.R. Maslin 2567 (PERTH); 53 km N of Wubin towards Perenjori, B.R. Maslin 3182 (BM, PERTH); 10.5 km N of Bungalla towards Wyalkatchem, B.R. Maslin 3394, 3396 and 3396A (all PERTH); 1.6 km from Wubin towards Mount Magnet, B.R. Maslin 3529 (CANB, MEL, NY, PERTH); 14 km E of Grass Patch on Steddys Road, P. van der Moezel 66 (PERTH); Ponton Creek, 20.5 km E of Zanthus, J. Taylor 552 et al. (CANB, PERTH). Distribution. Common in southwest Western Australia from near Carnamah south-southeast to the Cunderdin-Merredin area. A few populations occur outside this range, namely, near Holt Rock, c. 170 km southeast of Merredin (L. Haegi 1214), nearBoondi, c. 190 km east of Merredin ( J . Goodwin 277) and on Ponton Creek, 20.5 km east of Zanthus, c. 600 km east of Merredin ( J . Taylor et al. 552); additionally, a variant from the Ravensthorpe Range and Grass Patch is discussed below. Habitat. Grows in sand, gravelly or clayey sand and rocky or sandy loam on heath and sandplains with mallee eucalypts and wattles. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from (July) August-October; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December and January. Typification. Maiden’s publication gives November as the date of collection of the type but the NSW specimens record September as the correct month and we have adopted the latter. Variation. Specimens of A. fragilis from the Ravensthorpe Range (e.g. R.S. Cowan A760 and B.R. Maslin, and B.R. Maslin 2567) and Grass Patch ( P . van der Moezel 66) represent the one taxon and are attributed to A. fragilis on account of their phyllode length (> 3.5 cm) but they occur within 246 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2(1995) the geographic range of A. uncinella. They are similar to A. uncinella in having a half-united corolla and, to some extent, in the phyllode apex which is often glabrous but also often elongate as in A. fragilis. There is a need to examine more closely the significance of the petal union character in a comprehensive review of the A. fragilis-A. uncinella relationship. Another variant occurs near Bungalla, c. 1 0 km east of Kellerberrin (e.g. B.R. Maslin 3394); it is characterized by having phyllodes near the tip of the branchlets with the apex glabrous but some of the phyllodes farther down the branchlets with plumose tips. Affinities. A highly variable species distinguishable, somewhat arbitrarily, from A. uncinella Benth. (see below), its closest relative, which generally occurs farther south, although the two overlap in the central wheatbelt from Bungalla to near Boorabbin (Boorabbin is c. 80 km east of Southern Cross). All characters vary to some extent but, in general, A. fragilis has longer phyllodes (mostly 3.5-7 cm), the apex of which terminates in a long to very long, delicate, gently curved, hairy lip (mostly 2-6 mm but up to 7 mm long); the pubescence on the tip varies from appressed to spreading; it is always present on juvenile phyllodes and usually persists on at least some of the mature ones. Acacia uncinella has shorter phyllodes (1-3.5 cm) generally with a shorter, sub-uncinate-mucronate tip (0.8-1. 5 mm long) that is only minutely appressed-puberulous at first but commonly soon glabrescent. The petals of A. uncinella are mostly half-united but in A. fragilis this character appears sporadically without any obvious pattern except for the Ravensthorpe variant discussed above. The possibility of hybridization between the two species should receive serious attention, for there are collections in the zone of overlap (i.e. the central wheatbelt from Bungalla to Boorabbin) which cannot be confidently assigned to either taxon. Clearly much more detailed study is needed to elucidate this complex group and in the meantime it is considered prudent to retain the current classification and not pre-emptively effect name changes. Conservation status. Widespread and not considered rare or endangered. 5. Acacia ophiolithica R.S. Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex rotundatus 0.3-2 m altus, ramulis teretibus ad leviter angulatis, glabris rubello-castaneis. Phyllodia teretia, oblique et abrupte mucronata, saepe rostriformia vel subuncinata, pulvino gracili, 1.5-2 mm longo, croceo, a laminam abrupte separato, laminis (20)25-36(45) mm longis, 0.7-1 mm diametro, erectis ad ascendentibus, rectis, glabris, pallido- ad vivido- vel atro-viridibus, 4 vel 8 nervis immersis perobscuris, glande saepe non manifesta, minuta, 6-14 nun supra pulvinum. Pedunculi 2 in quoque axilla, (5)7- 1 3 mm longi, filiformes, glabri, pedunculorum bractea basali caduca, cucullata, glabra. Capitula globularia, 5 mm (3-3.5 mm in sicco) diametro, 10-15-floribus, bracteolis spathulatis, brevi-stipitatis et laminis ellipticis, ovatis vel lanceolatis, plus minusve concavis, ciliatis. Flores 5-meri, petalarum sepalis minus quam dimidiis longitudinis, discretis, lineari-spathulatis usque ad spathulatis, parce ciliatis, petalis discretis. Legumina linearia, 30-37 mm longa, 2. 5-3. 5 mm lata, deflexa, chartacea, recta vel leviter curvata, glabra, lucida, marginibus distincte incrassatis. Semina longitudinalia, oblonga usque ad elliptica, ad apicem unilateraliter constricta, 2.4-2. 8 mm longa, 1.3- 1.6 mm lata, subcompressa, lucido-brunnea, arillo sub-terminali. Typus: adjacent to Jerdacuttup River on North Jerdacuttup Road, 10.5 km E of Ravensthorpe- Hopetoun road. Western Australia, 3 1 August 1980, B.R. Maslin 4789 ( holo : PERTH 00149381: iso: AD, BRI, CANB, K, MEL, NSW, NY). [A. uncinella auct. non Benth.: G. Bentham, FI. Austral. 2: 341 (1864), as to the Maxwell specimen cited.] R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 15 247 Bushy, rounded shrubs 0.3-2 m tall. Bark light grey, smooth except fibrous at extreme base. Branchlets terete to slightly angled, glabrous, reddish-tan. New shoots vivid green, sub-glabrous. Stipules caducous, minute, triangular. Phyllodes terete, (20)25-36(45) mm long, 0.7-1 mm diam., slender, congested on branchlets, erect to ascending, becoming patent in age, straight, glabrous, green, occasionally slightly glaucous; apex narrowed, obliquely and often abruptly mucronate, often rostriform or sub-uncinate; pulvinus abruptly separated from phyllode-blade, very slender, terete, glabrous, orange-coloured, 1.5-2 mm long; nerves 4 or 8, immersed, very obscure; gland often not evident, 6- 14 mm above pulvinus when present, plane, round or elliptic, minute. Peduncles 2 per axil, (5)7-13 mm long, filiform, glabrous; basal peduncular bract caducous, cucullate, glabrous; heads globular, bright light golden, 5 mm (3-3.5 mm dry) diam., 10-15-flowered; bracteoles spathulate with very short stipe and elliptic, ovate or lanceolate blade, more or less concave, ciliate. Flowers 5-merous, a few 4-merous interspersed. Sepals less than half the petal-length, free, linear-spathulate to spathulate, sparingly ciliate. Petals free. Pods linear, slightly raised over seeds on alternating sides, not constricted, 30-37 mm long, 2.5-3.5 mm wide, deflexed, chartaceous, straight or slightly curved, glabrous, shining, red-brown, the margins conspicuous, thickened. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, oblong to elliptic, constricted unilaterally at apex, 2.4-2.B mm long, 1.3- 1.6 mm wide, sub- compressed, glossy, brown; pleurogram U-shaped; areole tiny; aril sub-terminal. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: c. 13 km E of Ravensthorpe, 20 August 1979, E.M. Bennett s.«.(AD, K, MEL, NY, PERTH 00149322); 28.7km SE of Ravensthorpe, M.A. Burgman 2740 and S. McNee (PERTH); 11 km E of Ravensthorpe towards Esperance, R.S. Cowan A761 and B.R. Maslin (PERTH); Jerducuttup River elbow, C.A. Gardner 14083 (PERTH); 1 1 km E of Ravensthorpe towards Esperance, B.R. Maslin 3921 (B, DNA, PERTH, W) and 4053 (PERTH); 22.5 km E of Ravensthorpe on Highway No. 1 to Esperance, B.R. Maslin 5461 (BM, CANB, G, MO, PERTH, Z); W tributary of Oldfield River, G. Maxwell s.n. (MEL, NSW, PERTH 00149403 and 00149330). Distribution. Restricted to and locally common in a small area east of the Ravensthorpe Range (slightly east of Ravensthorpe township) in the vicinity of the Jerdacuttup River, southwest Western Australia. Habitat. On clay or clay-loam, sometimes rocky, on river banks and beneath mallee eucalypts, often forming dense populations, frequently on soils derived from serpentine. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from (August) September to October; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December. Affinities. This is a very distinctive species in this group because of its habitat, slender, very obscurely 4- or 8-nerved phyllodes, long slender peduncles and small, relatively few-flowered heads. In overall appearance it is most like A. uncinella Benth. (see below) and Bentham (1864; 341) actually cited a Maxwell collection of the species from the Oldfield River area as A. uncinella. It is sympatric with and resembles in a general way A. binata Maslin (1978; 202) which has obscurely 3-nerved, obtuse phyllodes, larger heads in short 2-headed racemes and more or less coiled pods. Conservation status. A Priority 2 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Etymology. The name of the species refers to its habitat, from ophiolithicus, Latin for the frequent substrate (soils derived from serpentine rock) of the plant. 248 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2(1995) 6. Acacia uncinella Benth., Linnaea 26: 613 (1855) Typus : interior of Western Australia, J.S. Roe s.n. ( liolo : K; iso: PERTH 00850012-fragment ex K). Low, rounded shrubs 0.3-3 m tall, spreading 1-1.5 m across, with stems to 7 cm diam. Bark light grey, fibrous, smooth Branchlets terete to slightly angled, glabrous or densely villose to more or less appressed-villoseorappressed-puberulous, glabrescent, tan to brown-red at first, becoming grey. New shoots white- or yellow-appressed-puberulous or villose. Stipules only seen on youngest shoots, lanceolate- linear, obtuse, scarious, light brown. Phyllodes terete to compressed, 10-35 mm long, 0.7- 1.5 mm diam., spreading to ascending or erect, straight or shallowly curved, sometimes sigmoidally, glabrous, glossy, light to dark green; apex mucronate, sometimes abruptly so, sub- uncinate, the tip 0.8-1. 5 mm long, glabrous, minutely appressed-puberulous or puberulous and more or less glabrescent; pulvinus often abruptly separated, 1-2 mm long, glabrous or puberulous to appressed-puberulous; nerves 8, distant, raised to plane, often obscured by furrows in drying; gland 4-11(20) mm above pulvinus, depressed, elliptic, usually in angle of two coalescing adaxial nerves. Peduncles 2 per axil, (2)4-5 mm long, puberulous to appressed-puberulous to glabrous; basal peduncular bract cucullate, rounded, glabrous to appressed-puberulous; heads globular, golden, 2. 8-4.5 mm diam., 16-30-tlowered; bracteoles spathulate to peltate-spathulate, the blade rounded, puberulous, ciliate, concave. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals free, about half as long as petals, narrowly spathulate, ciliate. Petals about 1/2-united, occasionally free. Ovary appressed-puberulous. Pods linear, slightly raised over and constricted between seeds, 40-50 mm long, 2.5-3. 5 mm wide, thin- crustaceous, straight, glabrous or sparingly appressed-puberulous. Seeds arranged longitudinally in the pods, elliptic or oblong-elliptic with terminal constriction, 2.5-3.5 mm long, 1.8-2 mm wide, sub- nitid, mottled dark and pale brown, nigrescent; aril sub-terminal, crested. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: near Boorabbin, T.E.H. Aplin 1935 (B, G, K, NSW, PERTH); Pingrup, W.E. Blackall 3033 (PERTH); 0.2 km E of Varley Gate on Rabbit Proof Fence, 32° 45'S, 1 19° 43' 30"E, K. Bradby 24 (PERTH); King Rocks, P.E. Conrick 1563 (PERTH); Wittenoom Hills, N.N. Donner 2888 (PERTH); c. 95 km WSW of Coolgardie on Great Eastern Highway, N.N. Donner 4556 (PERTH); c. 3 km N of Bungalla towards Wyalkatchem, B.R. Maslin 3390 (AD, BRI, CANB, G, MO, NSW, PERTH); 27 km E of Newdegate towards Lake King, B.R. Maslin 3863A (NY, PERTH); c. 2.5 km due NW of No Tree Hill, 20 km due NW of Hopetoun, B.R. Maslin 3892 (CANB, K, MEL, NSW, PERTH); 1 km E of Lake King, B.R. Maslin 4064A (PERTH); 1 8 miles [28.8 km] N of Ongerup, K. Newbe y 2474 (PERTH); Hatter Hill, K. Newbey 3295 (MEL, MO, PERTH); 6.5 km E of Lake Ace, K. Newbey 8039 (PERTH); 33 km SW of Buningonia Spring, c. 70 km SSW of Zanthus, K. Newbey 825 1 (PERTH); 18.5 kmNof Hyden on road to Anderson Rocks, J.G. and M.H. Simmons 1309 (PERTH); 54 km W of Kumarl, P.G. Wilson 5698 (MEL, PERTH); 33 km E of Lake King at No. 1 Rabbit Proof Fence, P.G. Wilson 5750 (K, NSW, PERTH). Distribution. Most common in an area bounded by Ongerup, east to the Wittenoom Hills ( c . 50 km north-northeast of Esperance) and north to Anderson Rocks (c. 30 km north of Hyden), southwest Western Australia. Four populations have been recorded from slightly north of this area (and within the range of A. fragilis) from near Merredin, Trayning, Bungalla (c. 1 0 km east of Kellerberrin) and Boorabbin (c. 80 km east of Southern Cross); a collection from Buningonia Spring, south of Zanthus (c. 185 km northeast of Norseman), represents the most easterly record for the species. Habitat. Sand, loam and rocky loam along road verges, mallee scrub and proteaceous shrubland, on slopes, hilltops and sandplains, often near salt flats or lakes. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany 15 249 Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from August to October; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December. Affinities. Differs from the generally more northern A. fragilis Maiden & Blakely by very few, relatively constant characters. Differences are discussed fully under A. fragilis. Variation. A population in the vicinity of Lake King may require formal recognition but so few collections are available that such a course is unjustified at present. It is recognized by its densely villose to appressed-puberulous new growth, the hairs at initiation being golden but very quickly becoming white; the heads are borne on these young branchlets. Most of the pubescence on the branchlets and on the pulvinus persists, sometimes even beyond the current year’s growth. The peduncles also are hairy at flowering but generally glabrous by the time the pods are mature; the hairs vary from appressed to spreading and sometimes form a dense indumentum. There is also a tendency for the heads of the variant to be a little smaller, with fewer flowers, but in these characters there is overlap with the typical form. Clearly, this species, along with A. fragilis, will be understood fully only with the acquisition of much more data, particularly from carefully conducted field observations. Conservation status. Not under threat. The “ Acacia dielsii Group” This “Group” comprises three species, A dielsii E. Pritz., A. obesa R.S. Cowan & Maslin sp. nov. and A. nivea R.S. Cowan & Maslin sp. nov. Characters shared by these taxa include the following: phyllodes short (10-35 mm long), terete, innocuous, multistriate and normally glabrous; heads globular and few-flowered; flowers 5-merous; and seeds longitudinal in the pods. Relationships of the “Group” are not known. Key to species of “A. dielsii Group” 1 . Heads pedunculate 2. Pods not undulate, breaking readily at narrow constrictions between the exarillate seeds; branchlets not resinous 1 . A. dielsii 2. Pods undulate, not constricted between the arillate seeds; branchlets resinous 2. A. nivea 1 . Heads sessile 3. A. obesa 1. Acacia dielsii E. Pritz., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 35: 294 (1904) Typus: in Avon district, 5 km S of Tammin, Western Australia, 21 May 1901, L. Diels 2859 (iso: PERTH 00748854-fragment ex B). A. ewartiana W. Fitzg, ex Jean White in A.J. Ewart, Jean White & B. Wood, Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria n. ser. 23, pt. 2: 287, pi. 50, figs 5-7 (1911). Syntype: Cowcowing, Western Australia, August and September 1904, M. Koch 998 (both MEL but n.v,, see Maslin & Cowan 1994a for discussion). 250 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) A. ewartiana W. Fitzg., J. Bot. 50: 19 (1912). Lectotype: Cowcowing, W.A., August 1904, M. Koch 998 (BM, fide Maslin and Cowan, 1994a); isolecto : K, MEL (2 sheets, n.v.), NSW, PERTH 0075 161 8. Paralectotype: Cowcowing, W.A., September 1904, M. Koch 998 (MEL - n.v., NSW, PERTH 00751596). Shrubs 0.5-2 m tall. Branchlets terete or slightly angled, glabrous, occasionally tomentulose or ± sericeous. Phyllodes terete, rounded- or truncate-obtuse, minutely ± uncinate-mucronate, 10-35 mm long, 0.7- 1.2 mm diam., inclined to erect, straight to curved, glabrous, sometimes glaucous, with 14-18, distant, raised nerves. Peduncles 2-4(7) mm long, 2 per axil, slender, glabrous; basal bracts persistent, cucullate, often glaucous; heads globular, 2.5-3.5 mm diam., dark-golden, aromatic, loosely (8)10-13(17) flowered. Flowers 5-merous; sepals 1/3-2/3-united, rarely free; petals 1/2-3/4- united. Legume raised over seeds and constricted to narrow isthmus between seeds, readily breaking into 1 -seeded articles at the constrictions, to 3 cm long, 1.2- 1.8 mm wide, thin-papery, straight to slightly curved, sparingly appressed-puberulous, articles fusiform, 4-5 mm long. Seeds arranged longitudinally in the pods, narrowly oblong-elliptic, 2.5-3 mm long, slightly glossy, mottled tan, exarillate. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: c. 4 km W of Newdegate on road to Lake Grace, E.M. Canning WA/68 7407B (PERTH); Mount Madden, J. Goodwin 224 (PERTH); 9 km NNE of Bruce Rock on road to Merredin, B.R. Maslin 6473 (CANB, PERTH, Z); Murchison River, c. 15 km E of North West Coastal Highway, 10 November 1984, M. Whiting and J. Coxon s.n. (PERTH 00684031). Distribution. Occurs in a belt from the Murchison River (east of Kalbarri) south to the Newdegate area (Newdegate is c. 50 km east of Lake Grace), southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Grows on sandy, loamy and lateritic soils in open scrub and shrubland. Variation. There is considerable variation in some of the characters, especially the vestiture of the branchlets and the degree of union of perianth parts. In the north coastal part of the range, many of the collections are from plants with more or less appressed-puberulous branchlets. Only a little farther inland the more common, glabrous condition is found and it ranges south to the limit of the species; the type of A. ewartiana is of this variant. The type collection of A. dielsii is from the middle of the geographic range and it has tomentulose branchlets; one other collection at PERTH, labelled Diels and Pritzel 157 and made in the same month and year at the same location (possibly an isotype or paratype) has exactly the same morphology as the type. Affinities. A very distinct species by virtue of the deeply constricted, easily fragmented pods and exarillate seeds, characters that reliably separate it from its nearest relative, A. nivea R.S. Cowan & Maslin (see under A. nivea below for discussion). Conservation status. Not under threat. 2. Acacia nivea R.S. Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex 40-100 cm altus, 60-170 cm expansus, ramulis teretibus, dense puberulis vel strigulosis, pilis appressis vel sub-erectis, in resina inclusis, resina sicco saepe alba. Stipulae plusminusve persistentes, minutae, triangulares, fuscatae, circa 0.5 mm longae. Phyllodia teretia, rotundato- R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin,,4cada Miscellany 15 251 obtusa et excentrice micro-mucronulata, (10)13-18(20) mm ionga, 0.8-1. 2 mm diametro, inclinata ad erecta, recta vel leviter arcuata, glabra, demum resinosa, nervis 12-16, immersis vel solum leviter elevatis. Pedunculi glabri, 2 per axillam, 2-4.5 mm longi, pedunculorum bracteis basalibus persistentibus, triangularibus ad late ovatis, acutis, circa 0.5 mm longis, leviter concavis; capitula globularia, 2.5-3 mm diametro, 9-12-floribus. Flores 5-meri. Sepala petalaque plerumque discreta sed raro sepala ad basem connata. Legumina (sub-matura) linearia, undulata, alternatim supra semina valde elevata, 30-35 mm longa, 3 mm lata, chartacea vel tenuiter coriacea, leviter curvata, marginibus incrassatis. Semina (immatura) longitudinaiia, arillo laterali. Typus: about 23 km E of Mount Madden, Western Australia, 6 August 1968, P.G. Wilson 6840 ( holo : PERTH 00684139; iso: CANB, K). Low-spreading to domed, ± dense shrubs 40- 1 00 cm tall and 60- 170 cm across. Branchlets terete, densely puberulous or strigulose with very short, straight, appressed to sub-erect hairs which soon become imbedded in a hard, normally white, resin. Stipules more or less persistent, minute, triangular, dark-coloured, c. 0.5 mm long. Phyllodes terete, (10)13-18(20) mm long, 0.8- 1.2 mm diam., inclined to erect, straight to slightly arcuate, glabrous, becoming resinous, dull medium-green or grey-green; apex rounded-obtuse and excentrically micro-mucronulate; pul vinus abruptly separated from phyllode- blade, c. 1 mm long; nerves 12-16, fine, plane or only slightly raised; gland obscure, 3-8 mm above pulvinus. Peduncles 2 per node, 2-4.5 mm long, glabrous; basal peduncular bract persistent, triangular to broadly ovate, c. 0.5 mm long, shallowly acute, concave, dark-coloured, ciliolate; heads globular, golden, 2.5-3 mm diam., 9-12-flovvered; bracteoles spathulate with oblate, concave, ciliolate blade. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/4- 1/3 as long as petals, free or rarely up to I/3-united, obovate to oblanceolate, dark-coloured, ciliolate. Petals elliptic, free, glabrous. Ovary ’ appressed-puberulous. Pods (slightly immature) linear, undulate, strongly raised over seeds on alternate sides, 30-35 mm long, 3 mm wide, chartaceous or thinly coriaceous, slightly curved, glabrous, margins thickened. Seeds (sub-mature) longitudinally arranged in pods; pleurogram semicircular; the aril lateral and half as long as seed. Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 14 km W of Grass Patch, 13.25 km W of Norseman-Esperance Highway, on Grass Patch Road, M.A. Burgman and S. McNee 1883 (PERTH); Mount Madden, J. Goodwin 224 (PERTH); Frank Hann National Park, D. Monk 115 (PERTH); 30 km W of Ponier Rock, c. 80 km SW of Balladonia Motel, Eyre Highway, K. Newbey 73 15 (PERTH); 0.7 km N of Mount Andrew, c. 1 15 km SE of Norseman, K. Newbey 7705 (PERTH); 36 km E of Lake King, K. Newbey 9475 (MELU, PERTH), K. Newbey 9475-1 (MELU, PERTH) and K. Newbey 9475-2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (all PERTH); 29 km N of Lake King on road from Lake Varley, M.H. Simmons 1334 (PERTH); 10 km due S of Clyde Hill, H. Smolinski (PERTH 00612928). Distribution. Most collections have been made in the Lake King area, especially to the north, east and southeast of the township. It also occurs southeast to an area c. 40 km north-northwest of Munglinup (Munglinup is c. 75 km east-southeast of Ravensthorpe) and east to near Grass Patch (c. 70 km north of Esperance), Clyde Hill (c. 110 km northeast of Esperance) and in the Mount Andrew-Ponier Rock area (southwest of Balladonia), southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Grows on sand, sandy loam or clay in open low woodland, open mallee shrubland (often with Eucalyptus transcontinental is Maiden or E. eremophila (Diels) Maiden) and open scrub. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers in August and September; pods with sub-mature seeds have been collected in December. 252 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Affinities. It is not surprising that this species has been confused with A. dielsii E. Pritz. (see above), for they are superficially very similar, the most diagnostic features being the type of fruit. In A. dielsii the pods are very thin and brittle, less than 2 mm wide, not undulate, and break readily at the very deep constrictions between the exarillate seeds. Sterile specimens of A. dielsii can be distinguished from A. nivea by the latter’s resinous branchlets, with the resin commonly drying white, and the tendency for the phyllodes to have a more obvious tip. In flower the two species can be separated by the normally united sepals and petals of A. dielsii, as well as by its larger, cucullate basal peduncular bracts. Furthermore, in A. dielsii the branchlets are commonly glabrous. From A. obesa R.S. Cowan &Maslin (see below), another relative, the new species can be distinguished by its pedunculate heads, free petals and white-resinous branchlets. Also superficially similar to A. pinguiculosa subsp. teretifolia R.S. Cowan & Maslin (ms name, in prep.) which has thicker, 6-8-nerved phyllodes and biconvex pods. Conservation status. Not considered to be threatened. Etymology. The white-resinous nature of the branchlets provides the basis for the name, from niveus, Latin for snowy or snowy white. 3. Acacia obesa R.S. Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. Frutex 0.3-0.6(l) m altus, ramulis teretibus, tomentulosis vel interdum appresso-puberulis. Stipulae persistentes, 0.6- 1.8 mm longae. Phyllodia teretia, rotundato-obtusa et saepe minute mucronulata, vulgo leviter ad valde curvata sed raro aliquot recta interspersa, pulvino tomentuloso vel appresso-puberulo, laminis (10)15-25 mm longis, 1.2-1.75 mm diametro, glabris, raro tomentulosis et glabrescentibus, 12-16-nervatis, nervis elevatis, glande minuta, basali. Capitula sessilia, globularia, diluto-lutea, 3.5-4 mm diametro, 9-14-fIoribus, bracteolis unilateraliter peltatis. Flores 5-meri. Sepala 2/3-3/4-connata, zona marginali appresso-puberula, pilis rubris, minutissima. Legumina linearia, biconvexa, 20-40 mm longa, 2-2.5 mm lata, coriacea, valde curvata, glabra vel ad basem puberula vel ubique puberula. Semina longitudinalia, quadrato-rotundata, 1.5-1. 8 mm longa, 1. 3-1.5 mm lata, 1 mm crassitie, lucida, maculata, arillo terminali, magno. Typus: 21 miles [33.6 km] E of Hyden, Western Australia, 14 July 1970, B.R. Maslin 550 ( holo : PERTH 00158488; iso: BRI, CANB, K, MEL, NY). Low, spreading shrubs 0.3-0.6(l) m tall. Branchlets terete, tomentulose or occasionally appressed-puberulous (hairs straight) with intermingled red or black micro-hairs. Stipules persistent, triangular to subulate, 0.6-1 .8 mm long, tomentulose. Phyllodes terete, (10)15-25 mm long, 1.2-1.75 mm diam., normally thick, ascending, shallowly to strongly curved but sometimes a few ± straight ones interspersed, glabrous, rarely tomentulose and glabrescent; apex rotund-obtuse, often minutely mucronulate; pulvinus 1-1.5 mm long, indumentum as on branchlets; nerves 12-16, raised; gland basal, not always evident, minute. Heads sessile, globular, pale golden, 3.5-4 mm diam., 9- 14-flowered;bracteoles unilaterally peltate, the stipe short, the blade oblate-ovate, ciliolate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/2-2/3 petal length, 2/3-3/4-united, lobes more or less triangular, acute to sub- obtuse, with a marginal band of red, appressed micro-hairs. Petals free or weakly coherent in lower half. Ovary papillate-puberulous, appressed, red micro-hairs sometimes also present. Pods linear, biconvex, 20-40 mm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, coriaceous, strongly curved, becoming once- or twice- coiled after dehiscence, glabrous exceptpuberulousbasally or generally puberulous. Seeds longitudinally arranged in pods, quadrate-rotund, 1.5- 1.8 mm long, 1.3-1. 5 mm wide, 1 mm thick, the lateral faces flattened, glossy, mottled dark-tan on very pale tan; pleurogram U-shaped; aril nearly as long as the seed. R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin, Acac/a Miscellany 15 253 Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 5 miles [8 km] E of East Hyden Wheat Bin, M. Barrow M19 (PERTH); 27 km N of Lake Grace towards Kulin, B.R. Maslin 4070 (PERTH); Griffins Find, 1979, R.F. Maslin j./t. (PERTH 00683035); 7 miles [11.3 km] W of Lake Grace, K. N ewbey 1 62 1 (PERTH) and 1 62 1 D (AD, G, PERTH) ; c. 40 km E of Hyden, Lake Liddelow Nature Reserve 29910, 23 July 1986, L. Silvester (PERTH 00841633); 1 km S of Lake King township, P.G. Wilson 6940 (NSW, PERTH). Distribution. Occurs in scattered localities in Lake Grace, Hyden and Lake King areas of southwest Western Australia. Habitat. Grows in sand and gravelly loam in open low woodland, mallee and heath. Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers from July to September; pods with mature seeds have been collected in December. Affinities. Acacia dielsii is related to, but readily distinguished from, A. obesa by its pods and seeds (see discussion under A. nivea above), peduncles mostly 2-4 mm long, branchlets commonly glabrous and phyllodes more slender (0.7-1 .2 mm diam.). There is a distinct superficial resemblance between A. obesa and A. pinguiculosa subsp. teretifolia R.S. Cowan & Maslin (ms name, in prep.) but that taxon has 6- or 8-nerved phyllodes, pedunculate heads and differently-shaped, smaller seeds. Likewise, A. arcuatilis R.S. Cowan & Maslin (ms name, in prep.) superficially resembles A. obesa but is readily distinguished by its 8-nerved phyllodes, 4-merous flowers and straight pods which are 1.5-2 mm wide. Discussion. The short, plump, finely multistriate phyllodes and sessile, few-flowered heads are characteristic of this species. In a variant from along Kulin Road north of Lake Grace (B.R. Maslin 4070, PERTH) the phyllodes are loosely tomentulose at first but glabrescent; all the other collections have phyllodes glabrous, except for the pulvinus. This variant also generally has puberulous pods, whereas the old valves on the holotype sheet are glabrous except at the very base. In Wilson 6940 (PERTH), the branchlet pubescence is appressed but otherwise the collection is identical with the remainder of the material. Conservation status. A Priority 3 taxon on the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Etymology. The corpulent phyllodes of this species are the basis for the name, from obesus, Latin for plump or fat. Acknowledgements We are pleased to acknowledge the assistance of Suzanne Curry, Diana Corbyn and especially Karina Knight, who have all contributed technical assistance in various ways to the completion of this study. We are particularly grateful to Margaret Lewington who improved the manuscript by her scientific editing and attention to details. The research was undertaken with some assistance provided by grants from the Australian Biological Resources Study. 254 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2(1995) References Bentham, G. (1864). "Flora Australiensis” vol. 2. (Lovell Reeve: London.) Briggs, J.D.& Leigh, J.H. (1988). “Rareor Threatened Australian Plants”. Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Special Publication [14], Court.A.B.(l973). In: J.H. Willis. “A handbook to the Plants in Victoria" vol. 2. ((Melbourne University Press on behalf of The Maud Gibson Gardens Trust: Melbourne) Cowan. R.S. & Maslin, B.R. (1990). Acacia Miscellany 3. Some new microneurous taxa of Western Australia related to A. mullilineata (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Plurinerves). Nuytsia7: 209-219. Cowan, R.S. & Maslin, B.R. (1995). Acacia Miscellany 1 0. New taxa and notes on previously described taxa of Acacia, mostly section Juliflnrae (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae), in Western Australia. Nuytsia 1 0: 1 5-62. Greuter, W. et at. ( 1 994). International Code of Botanical Nomenclature; Regnum Vegetabile 131. International Association for Plant Taxonomy (Europe). Maslin, B.R. (1978a). Studies in the genus Acac7n(Mimosaceae)- 7. The taxonomy ofsomediaphyllodinous species. Nuytsia2: 200-219. Maslin, B.R. (1981). Acacia. In Jessop, J. (ed.). “Flora of Central Australia.” (A. H. and A.W. Reed: Sydney.) Maslin, B.R.& Cowan, R.S. (1994). C.R.P. Andrews' species of Acacia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae): typificationofthe names. Nuytsia 9: 383-385. Maslin. B.R.&Cowan, R.S. (1994a). William Vincent Fitzgerald’s species of Acacia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae): typification of the names. Nuytsia 9: 387-398. Maslin, B.R. & Cowan. R.S. (1994b). What Type Of Type? Austral. Syst. Bot. Soc. Newsletter 8 1 : 2-7. Maslin, B.R. & Pedley, L. (1988). Patterns of distribution of Acacia in Australia. Austral. J. Bot. 36: 385-393. Whibley, D.J.E. ( 1 980). “Acacias of South Australia” (South Australian Government Printer: Adelaide.) Whibley, D.J.E. & Symon, D.E. (1992). Acacias of South Australia. (South Australian Government Printer: Adelaide.) Nuytsia 10 (2): 255-305 (1995) 255 New and priority taxa in the genera Cryptandra and Stenanthemum (Rhamnaceae) of Western Australia B.L. Rye Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6 152 Abstract Rye, B.L. New and priority taxa in the genera Cryptandra and Stenanthemum (Rhamnaceae) of Western Australia. Nuytsia 10 (2): 255-305 (1995). The genus Stenanthemum is reinstated, with two new combinations: Stenanthemum complicatum (F. Muell.) Rye and S. divaricatum (Benth.) Rye. The following new Rhamnaceae taxa, some of which have conservation significance, are described and illustrated: Cryptandra apetala var. anomala Rye, C. arbutiflora var. borealis Rye, C. arbutiflora var. intermedia Rye, C. arbutiflora var. pygmaea Rye, C. aridicola Rye, C. congesta Rye, C. distigma Rye, C. graniticola Rye, C. intonsa Rye, C. minutifolia Rye, C. minutifolia subsp. brevistyla Rye, C. nola Rye, C. polyclada subsp. aequabilis Rye, C. recurva Rye, C. wilsonii Rye, Stenanthemum bilobum Rye, S. cristatum Rye, S. emarginatum Rye, S. intricatum Rye, S. limitatum Rye, S. mediale Rye, S. nanum Rye, 5. newbeyii Rye, S. notiale Rye, S. notiale subsp. chamelum Rye, 5. petraeum Rye, S. poicilum Rye, S. reissekii Rye and S. stipulosum Rye. A few additional species of Cryptandra and Stenanthemum that are presently included on the Priority Flora List are also illustrated. Introduction Cryptandra and Stenanthemum are the two largest genera of the family Rhamnaceae in Western Australia, but the latter name is scarcely known because it has not been used for taxa in this state since the 1920s. Stenanthemum is accepted here in the sense that it was originally circumscribed by Reissek (1858), and not as reduced by Bentham (1863) to exclude those species with a short floral tube. Although generic limits in the south-western Australian Rhamnaceae have yet to be fully defined, Kevin Thiele (pers. comm.), who is studying the generic boundaries throughout Australia, agrees with the need to reinstate the genus Stenanthemum. The short-flowered Stenanthemum species that Bentham transferred to Spyridium and long-flowered species that have since been included in Cryptandra are too closely related to be placed in separate genera. There is no clearly defined separation of flower length between the two categories and there are no correlating characters that can be used to distinguish them. Both Cryptandra and Spyridium also have short- and long-flowered species among their typical members. An earlier paper (Rye 1995) dealing with Spyridium and Trymalium species outlines the main distinguishing characteristics of those genera. Spyridium has often been confused with the two genera treated here but differs in its disc, fruit and aril. Typical Cryptandra and Stenanthemum species can 256 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) be distinguished from one another by differences in their vegetative characters, inflorescence, disc and degree of superiority of the ovary in fruit. In Western Australia there are approximately 19 species in Cryptandra with these typical features and 21 in Stenanthemum. At least ten further species are of uncertain generic placement as they have unique characters or unusual combinations of characters. New genera will probably be needed to accommodate some of these uncertain taxa, which will be dealt with in a later paper after the generic boundaries in the family have been examined further. The purpose of this paper is to provide scientific names, descriptions and illustrations for new Western Australian taxa in the genera Cryptandra and Stenanthemum and to give information on any additional members of these genera that are currently listed on the Priority Flora List. Publication of keys and distribution maps is intended for a later paper, together with a complete listing of Rhamnaceae for Western Australia. Materials and methods Type specimens were borrowed from LD, MEL and W and specimens of taxa extending into South Australia were borrowed from AD. Unless otherwise indicated, all specimens cited were housed at PERTH. All measurements, habitat information, flowering times and other data were obtained from the herbarium specimens. To avoid unnecessary repetition of characters in the descriptions of new taxa, a list of implicit characters was prepared, the individual descriptions only mentioning these characters if they differed from the usual state for their genus. The implicit characters are relevant to those Western Australian species listed as included in this study and should not be taken as generic characters for the genus as a whole. Conservation codes were assigned to the taxa using the standards adopted by the Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management for its Priority Flora List and Gazetted Rare Flora List. These codes are defined at the end of each “Nuytsia” issue. Results Species included in the genus Cryptandra Sm. Apart from the species listed below, the following Western Australian species are considered to be typical of the genus Cryptandra : C. leucopogon Meisn. ex Reissek, C. monticola Rye & Trudgen, C. myriantha Diels, C. nutans Steud. and C. spyridioides F. Muell. There are also many members of the genus in eastern Australia. Implicit characters for Cryptandra Indumentum white or clear. Stipules persistent, each pair shortly united at the base on lower (abaxial) side of petiole, meeting but free on the upper side of petiole. Petioles protruding from the connate base of the stipules, glabrous. Leaves entire, with recurved to revolute margins partially to completely concealing the lower surface; upper surface green. Bracts brown, glabrous or subglabrous inside. Flowers subtended by one or more whorls of bracts, all or the lower ones of each branchlet also subtended by a leaf and its paired stipules. Floral tube extended into a free tube above the ovary B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 257 summit. Disc occurring at or near the junction of the free floral tube and ovary, undulate with 5 lobes opposite the sepals, expanding and becoming circular in fruit, densely stellate-hairy. Ovary 3-celled, densely stellate-hairy. Style glabrous throughout or with a few stellate hairs at the extreme base; stigmatic lobes 3, minute, spreading. Fruit a schizocarp; fruitlets crustaceous, dehiscing over the summit and down inner surface, with an open basal attachment forming a basal hole when the fruitlet is shed from the plant. Seeds with a dark blackish base seated on an aril, uniformly coloured above; aril succulent, whitish-translucent, with one inner (adaxial) and two lateral lobes. Cryptandra apetala Ewart & Jean White, Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria 22: 93, pi. 21 (1909). Type: Cowcowing, Western Australia, September, M. Koch 1596 (n.v., illustration seen). Cryptandra apetala var. anomala Rye, var. nov. Cryptandrae apetalae var. apetalae floribus petalis instructis recedit. Typus: 5 miles [8 km] W of Hines Hill, Great Eastern Highway, Western Australia, 20 August, 1961, A.S. George 2664 (halo: PERTH 01514121; iso: CANB). Shrub 0. 15-0.5 m high. Young stems sparsely to densely minutely stellate-hairy, sometimes also with longer simple hairs 0.2-0. 3 mm long. Stipules 0.5-1 mm long, acute to long-acuminate, minutely ciliate; outer surface often with minute hairs along the midvein, rarely with scattered minute stellate hairs throughout. Petioles 0.3-0.4 mm long. Leaf blades usually narrowly elliptic or narrowly oblong- elliptic, 2. 1-2.8 x 0.5-1 mm acute, the apex erect (not recurved); lower surface partially to completely concealed, densely to very densely stellate-hairy and usually with a few simple hairs 0.2-0. 3 mm long along the midvein; upper surface very sparsely to densely minutely stellate-hairy. Floral bracts c. 6, very broadly ovate, 0.6-1 mm long, obtuse or acute, minutely ciliate; outer surface usually minutely hairy along the midvein. Flowers 1-5 per branchlet, in a spike-like or head-like cluster 3-5 mm wide, white to cream or pink and white (the sepals sometimes white with pink tips). Floral tube 0.7-0. 9 mm long (enlarging to 1 .5-1.7 mm in fruit), densely minutely stellate-hairy; adnate portion of tube 0.3-0.5 mm long, more densely hairy than free portion; free portion of tube 0.4-0.5 mm long. Sepals 0.6-0. 8 mm long, densely minutely stellate-hairy and with simple hairs 0.2-0. 3 mm long at apex. Petal claw 0.2-0. 4 mm long. Disc with hairs c. 0.1 mm long. Ovary summit with hairs 0. 1-0.2 mm long. Style 0.4-0.5 mm long. Schizocarp slightly less than half inferior (c. four-sevenths inferior), 2-2.5 x 1.5- 1.8 mm; superior portion densely stellate-hairy, the apex protruding well above the base of the sepals. Seeds not seen at maturity. (Figure 1A-E) Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Hyden, 6/9/1966, M. Barrow 21; between Corrigin and Quairading, 4/10/1933, W.E. Blackall 3248; near Wyalkatchem, 10/1937, W.E. Blackall, 3-5 km E of Merredin on Great Eastern Highway, 29/9/1981, R. Spjut, G. White & R. Phillips 7234; Kwolyin, 1 1/1920, E.H. Wilson & D.A. Herbert 157; 1 km S of Lake King township, 9/8/1968, P.G. Wilson 6944. Distribution. Extends from near Wyalkatchem and Merriden south east to Lake King, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Variously recorded from “yellow sand over laterite”, “heath” and “ Eucalyptus woodland and Acacia bushland”. 258 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Figure 1. A-E. Cryptandra apetala var. anomala. A - flowering branch (x 1 ), B - portion of stem with leaf cluster (x7),C- flower and bracts (x 10), D - petal (x30), E - schizocarp and bracts (x7); F,G - simple-haired variant of C. apetala var. apetala. F - stipules and leaf (x 1 0), G - schizocarp (x8); H,1 - stellate-haired variant of C. apetala var. apetala, flower and bracts (x 1 0), 1 - stipules, leaf and flower (x 10); J-N - C. distigma. J - flowering branch (x 1 ), K - leaf cluster (x6), L- flower and bracts (x8), M - schizocarp (x8), N- schizocarp from top view splitting inhalf(x8);0-S-C. recuna. O - (lowering branch (xl), P- leaf cluster (x6),Q- flower with bracts (x8), R - schizocarp (x7), S - seed (x7), Drawn from M Barrow 2 1 (A-E), A. Fairall 1 763 (F,G), Y. Chadwick 1735 (H), R.J Cranjield 2332 (I), K R. Newhey 8821 (J-L), A.S. George 5842 (M,N), K.R. Newbey 6108 (O-Q) and M.A. Burgman 3773 (R,S). B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 259 Flowering period. August-October. Fruits recorded September-November. Conservation status. Not presently listed as a priority taxon, but it may need monitering as it occurs in wheatbelt areas where there are few remnant patches of bushland and is not known from any conservation reserves. It has a geographic range of approximately 300 km. Etymology. From the Greek anomalos - inconsistent or deviating from the normal rule, referring to the anomaly of this variety having petals but belonging to a species named apetala. Notes. This variety is distinguished by its distinct geographical range and presence of petals from the apetalous typical variety. Two specimens ( W.E . Blackall 4001 , 8/1930) of var. apetala do have a few flowers with petals attached, but these petals are abnormal, being reduced in size and apparently easily shed. Both normal and abnormal petals have a long claw, a character distinguishing C. apetala from two related species, C. nutans and C. recurva. Cryptandra apetala Ewart & Jean White var. apetala Variants. Very variable in indumentum. There are two main variants, which probably intergrade. 1 . Simple-haired variant. This variant is distinguished by the simple hairs on the young stems and upper surface of the leaves but one specimen also has some stellate hairs on the stems. (Figure 1F,G) 2. Stellate-haired variant. This variant is similar to C. apetala var. anomala except that it generally lacks petals, although a couple of specimens have a few flowers with reduced petals. As there are no unopened buds on these specimens, it is not known whether only some flowers have petals, or whether all flowers have petals to begin with and these petals are shed after the flowers open. A few specimens differ from the rest in having ferruginous hairs on the bracts. (Figure 1H,I) Distribution. Extends from Nerren Nerren Station (north of Kalbarri National Park) south east to Barker Lake. Flowering period. June-September. Fruits July-November. Conservation status. Widespread, with a range of c. 720 km, including two nature reserves. The simple-haired variant might be at risk, however, as it is not known from any nature reserves and has not been collected since 1974. It has been recorded from three localities in the Lake Moore- Cowcowing area, with a range of at least 75 km. Cryptandra arbutiflora Fenzl in Endl., Fenzl, Benth. & Schott, Enum. PI. Hueg. 26-27 (1837). - Wichurea arbutiflora (Fenzl) Nees ex Reissek, PI. Preiss. 2: 290 (1848). Type: Swan River, [Western Australia], Huegel (W). Implicit characters for the species. Branchlets tending to be spinescent. Young stems with simple hairs. Stipules glabrous. Leaf blades elliptic to linear, usually acute, with an erect to recurved mucro. Floral bracts usually 7-10 per flower, broadly or very broadly ovate, c. 1 mm long, acute, glabrous, entire at first but often becoming lacerate. Flowers (l)2-many per branchlet, in a loose spike- or raceme-like cluster 5.5-9 mm wide and up to 20 mm long, glabrous. Petals subsessile or with a claw c. 0. 1 mm long. Disc with hairs c. 0.2 mm long. Schizocarp with the superior portion concealed within the free floral tube. 260 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Cryptandra arbutiflora Fenzl var. arbutiflora Conservation status. Widespread and not considered to be at risk. Cryptandra arbutiflora var. borealis Rye, var. nov. A aliis varietatibus Cryptandrae arbutiflorae pilis caulis brevissimis recurvis vel retrorsis differt. Typus: 17 km from Northampton on Port Gregory road, Western Australia, 8 August 1994, S. Patrick 1966 (holo: PERTH 04159810; iso: CANB). Shrub erect or spreading, 0.25-1 m high. Young stems with coarse, recurved or retrorse hairs up to 0.1 mm long. Stipules 1.5-2. 2 mm long, acute. Petioles 0.5- 1.2 mm long. Leaf blades 4-8(14) x 0.6-2(2.5) mm, glabrous on both surfaces. Flowers white at first, turning pink or rarely red with age. Floral tube 1.2- 1.8(2. 3) mm long (enlarging to 2-2.5(3) mm in fruit); adnate portion of tube 0.2-0.4 mm long; free portion of tube 1.0-1. 5(2.0) mm long. Sepals 1.0- 1.8 mm long. Ovary summit usually sparsely hairy. Style 1.7-2. 8 mm long; stigmatic lobes c. 0.2 mm long. Schizocarp up to half (two- fifths to half) inferior, 2. 2-2. 8 x 1.5- 1.7 mm; superior portion usually with a few large stellate hairs, the hairy disc located directly above the junction between the ovary and free floral tube and usually touching it. Seeds 1.3- 1.6 x 0.7-1. 1 mm, orange brown. (Figure 2A-C) Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Kalbarri National Park, 20/7/1967, AM. Ashby 2165; Wokatherra Hill, 22/8/1983, R.J. Cranfield 2685; 3 miles [5 km] W of Casuarina, 5/8/1976, R.J. Hnatiuk 760338; c. 15.4 km S of Northampton along North West Coastal Highway, 21/8/1983, CM. Lynch 28; Oakajee Reserve, 7/8/1994, S. Patrick 1953; 25 km S of Murchison River and 10 km N of Hutt along North West Coastal Highway, 1 1/9/198 1 , R. Spjut & C. Edson 7054; Spalding Park Reserve, Chapman River, 26/6/1981, K.E. Watson 109. Distribution. Extends from Kalbarri south to Geraldton and also recorded at Casuarina, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Occurs in sand over sandstone, limestone, quartz or other types of rocks. Flowering period. May-August. Fruits recorded July-September. Conservation status. Not considered to be at risk at present. Etymology. From the Latin borealis - northern, this variety occupying the northern part of the species range. Notes. The other varieties of Cryptandra arbutiflora all differ from var. borealis in having patent or spreading, usually longer, hairs on the stems, and each differs in at least one other character, such as leaf indumentum or flower length. Cryptandra arbutiflora var. intermedia Rye, var. nov. A aliis varietatibus Cryptandrae arbutiflorae pagina infera foliorum juvenium dense stellato- pubescentibus differt. B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 261 Typus: 2 km SW of Jurien Bay turnoff from Brand Highway, 3.7 km W along track opposite Marchagee track, Western Australia, 2 July 1992, R.J. Cranfield & P. Spencer 8283 ( holo : PERTH 02847515; iso: CANB). Shrub erect, 0.3-0.7 m high. Young stems with coarse or fine, patent or spreading hairs, the larger ones usually 0.2-0.3 mm long but sometimes minute. Stipules 0.8- 1.4 mm long, attenuate to acuminate. Petioles 0.4- 1.2 mm long. Leaf blades 3-9 x 0.6-2 mm; lower surface densely stellate- hairy at first, sometimes becoming glabrous; upper surface often with simple patent hairs, the larger hairs 0.2-0.3 mm long, sometimes glabrous. Flowers usually white, rarely pink. Floral tube 1 .5-2. 6(3) mm long (enlarging to 2-4 mm in fruit); adnate portion of tube c. 0.4 mm long; free portion of tube 1.2-2. 8 mm long. Sepals 1.2- 1.7 mm long. Ovary summit usually with scattered stellate hairs, sometimes more densely hairy or glabrous. Style 1-1.7 mm long; stigmatic lobes c. 0.2 mm long. Figure 2. A-C - Cryptandra arbutiflora var. borealis. A - spinescent branchlet(x7), B - fruit (x6), C - seed (x7); D-H - C. arbutiflora var. intermedia. D- flowering stem (xl). E-stipules and undersurface of leaf (x7),F- flower with bracts (x7),G- dehisced fmillet (x7), H - inner surface of seed and aril (x7); I-M - C. arbutiflora var. pygmaea. 1 - fruiting branch (x 1 ), J - flower with bracts (x8), K - top view of disc (x 1 5), L - schizocarp with bracts (x8), M - schizocarp, showing the disc separated front the floral tube (x8); N-Q - Cryptandra arbutiflora var. tubulosa ( C. glabrata type). N - branch with very young flower buds (x I ), O - leaf cluster (x6), P - young flower bud and bracts (x6), Q - disc surrounded by parts of opened bud and bracts (x6). Drawn from Spjut & Edson 7054 (A,B), F.W. Went 27 (C),E.A. Griffin 4823 (D-F), E.A. Griffin 2395 (G.H). A.R. Annels 1291 (1), E. Wither 1563 (S,K), A. R.Anpels 1 28 1 (L,M), and L. Preiss 2420b, type specimen from LD (N-Q). 262 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Schizocarp largely superior to half inferior (one-fifth to half inferior), 2.2-2. 6 x 1,5-1. 7 mm; superior portion stellate-hairy or sometimes glabrous, the hairy disc located directly above the junction between the ovary and free floral tube and usually touching it. Seeds 1.3-1. 5 x 0.6-0.8 mm, sometimes uniformly coloured but usually orange brown or reddish brown centrally, the central area surrounded by darker spots or a darker boundary, the margin often more yellowish brown. (Figure 2D-H) Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 35 miles [56.4 km] W of Watheroo on Badgingarraroad, 18/7/1965, J. C. Anway 192; off Jurien Rd, 6 km W of Brand Highway, 12/10/1979, E.A. Griffin 2393 & 2395; 2.5 kin E of Mt Peron, 25/7/1980, E.A. Griffin 2745; Yandan Nature Reserve (39571) SE of Cataby, 28/6/1988, E.A. Griffin 4860; near Coomallo Creek, 3/8/1976, R.J. Hnatiuk 760118; Gingin Cemetery, 7/8/1973, A. Kanis 1509; Mt Lesueur, 26/10/1973, D. Kitchener 69; near Moora, 4/9/1962, F.W. Went 92. Distribution. Extends from Cockleshell Gully and Mt Peron south to Gingin and east to near Moora, with a possible isolated occurrence at Northam, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Occurs in sandy or gravelly soils, usually over laterite, rarely over sandstone, often on lateritic breakaways. Flowering period. June-September. Fruits recorded July-October. Conservation status. Not considered to be at risk at present. Etymology. From the Latin inter - between and medius - middle, this variety tending to have intermediate floral characters in comparison with the other varieties of C. arbutiflora. It also occurs in an intermediate geographic area in relation to the other three main varieties. Notes. All of the other varieties can be distinguished from var. intermedia by the glabrous undersurface of their young leaves. A specimen from Northam ( Gregory 10/1900) with leaves having a stellate-hairy undersurface, falls outside the normal geographic range for this variety and is in some respects more like var. arbutiflora , so is presently regarded as intermediate. Cryptandra arbutiflora var. pygmaea Rye, var. nov. A aliis varietatibus Cryptandrae arbutiflorae tubo florali breviore in statu fructifero a disco manifeste disjuncto. Typus: Muir Highway, Manjimup District, Western Australia, 16 November 1990, A.R. Annels 1291 (holo: PERTH 03128830). Shrub low and spreading, 0.05-0.2 m high. Young stems with coarse, patent or spreading hairs 0. 1-0.2 mm long. Stipules 0.5-1 mm long, acute. Petioles 0.6-0.8 mm long. Leaf blades 3-6 x 0.6- (.5(2) mm, glabrous on both surfaces. Flowers white. Floral tube c. 1 mm long (enlarging to c. 2 mm in fruit); adnate portion of tube c. 0.3 mm long; free portion of tube c. 0.7 mm long. Sepals c. 1 .5 mm long. Ovary summit glabrous. Style 1 .5-2 mm long; stigmatic lobes lateral, c. 0.3 mm long. Schizocarp less than half (one-fifth to one-third) inferior, 2-2.5 x c. 1 .4 mm; superior portion glabrous, the hairy disc located 0.25-0.4 mm above the junction between the ovary and free floral tube. Seeds not seen at maturity. (Figure 2I-M) B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 263 Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: N side of Muir Highway, 150 m E of Ireland Rd, 15/11/1990, A.R. Annels 1281; Muir Highway, 20 km E of Manjimup, 16/8/1975, E. Wittwer 1563. Distribution. Restricted to a very small area in the Nyalup-Lake Muir area, east of Manjimup, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Occurs on shallow clay around granite outcrops, in heath vegetation surrounded by Jarrah forest. Flowering period. August-October. Fruits recorded November. Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 1. This taxon is known from only one or two populations in a very restricted area and is not known from any conservation reserves. Tony Annels (pers. comm.) has collected it at two sites about 0.8 km apart, observing a few plants at each location but none in between, suggesting that there may be two discrete populations rather than a single scattered population. Etymology- From the Greek pygmaios - dwarf, referring to the small stature of the plant and the small size of its flowers in comparison with the other varieties of C. arbutiflora. Notes. As far as it is currently known, this taxon is more distinct than the other varieties of C. arbutiflora and could therefore be regarded as a new species or subspecies. It is usually a smaller plant than the other varieties and has shorter flowers owing to the shorter free portion of the floral tube. A more significant difference appears to be the distinct separation between the disc and the floral tube in fruit, but the degee of separation varies, as it does within var. borealis. If further populations of var. pygmaea are located, these will no doubt increase the known variation within the taxon and probably decrease its apparent ‘distinctiveness’. The high degree of variability within other varieties of C. arbutiflora also argues for placement of the taxon as a variety. Cryptandra arbutiflora var. tubulosa (Fenzl) Benth., FI. Austral. 1: 444 (1863). - Cryptandra tubulosa Fenzl in Endl., Fenzl, Benth. & Schott, Enum. PI. Hueg. 26 (1837). - Wichurea tubulosa (Fenzl) Nees ex Reissek in Lehm., PI. Preiss. 2: 291 (1848). Type: King George Sound, [Western Australia], Huegel (W). Cryptandra glabrata Steud. in Lehm., PL Preiss. 1 : 1 88 (1845). - Cryptandra miliaris Reissek nom. illeg. in Lehm., PI. Preiss. 2: 288 (1848), C. miliaris var. psilophylla Reissek nom. illeg. in Lehm., PI. Preiss. 2: 288 (1848). Type: Pointwater [Point Walter, Perth, Western Australia], 17 July 1839, L. Preiss 2420a (LD). Cryptandra lasiophylla Steud. in Lehm, Pi. Preiss. 1:188(1 845). - C. miliaris var. lasiophylla (Steud.) Reissek in Lehm., PI. Preiss. 2: 288 (1848). Type: Pointwater [Point Walter, Perth, Western Australia], 17 July 1839, L. Preiss 2420b (LD). Consei-vation status. Var. tubulosa is known from many populations with a range of over 300 km, including some on nature reserves, so is not considered to be at risk. However, it was mistakenly included twice on the 1990 Priority Species List, under the names Cryptandra miliaris and 264 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No, 2 (1995) C. tubulosa , the latter described as an extinct taxon from King George Sound. As C. miliaris was an illegitimate name, the earlier name of C. glabrata was adopted for the 1994 Priority Species List, at which stage it was thought to be a distinct species known only from the type specimens. Notes. Typical var. tubulosa has a coastal distribution extending from Perth southwards and occurring near Northcliffe on the south coast. Although King George Sound was given as the type locality, there are no recent collections from that area and it appears that the cited locality referred vaguely to a large region of southern Western Australia rather than the specific sound near Albany. An atypical variant with a glabrous or relatively sparsely hairy disc (Figure 2N-Q) was originally given two species names, Cryptandra glabrata and C. lasiophylla, which were later combined under a further name C. miliaris. This variant does not appear to be sufficiently distinct to be given a separate varietal name and is reduced here to a synonym of C. arbutiflora var. tubulosa. It has not been collected since the original specimens were taken in 1839 from Point Walter, Perth, despite a recent search at the type locality, where the vegetation is now much degraded. The nature of this taxon was obscure because the type specimens were collected in early bud and lacked mature flowers and fruits. However, its vegetative characters, inflorescence type and glabrous flower buds match C. arbutiflora. Judging from the most advanced flower bud found on the type specimens, the flowers would be elongate at maturity like those of C arbutiflora. Although descriptions in several early works, such as Bentham (1863), indicate that the Point Walter taxon has a glabrous disc, contrasting with the densely hairy disc of Cryptandra arbutiflora , only one of the type specimens ( L . Preiss 2420a) has a glabrous disc. The other specimen ( L . Preiss 2420b) is intermediate, having a hairy, but not densely hairy, disc. A more obvious difference between the two type specimens is that one has hairy leaves and the other glabrous leaves. Variation in leaf indumentum is one of many variable characters known in most varieties of the highly polymorphic species, C. arbutiflora. Certainly, the occurrence of a glabrous disc alone does not warrant recognition of a distinct species. Infra-specific variation in the disc indumentum is known in a number of other Western Australian Rhamnaceae species. Cryptandra aridicola Rye, sp. nov. Cryptandrae minutifoliae arete affine sed basi floris minus pubescenti, costi tubi floralis epilosi, unguibus petalorum longioribus differt. Typus: Edjudina Station, Western Australia, 9 July 1989, H. Pringle 2380 ( holo : PERTH 01 177591; iso: CANB, MEL). Shrub usually spreading, 0.3-0. 8 m high. Btanchlets not spinescent. Young stems densely hairy at first with a matted white indumentum, soon becoming glabrous. Stipules 0.8- 1.3 mm long, acute to acuminate, ciiiate. Petioles 0.2-0. 3 mm long, concealed by united base of stipule pair. Leaf blades appearing sessile, narrowly oblong-elliptic, 1.4-3. 6 x 0.6-0. 7 mm, with a recurved mucro; lower surface concealed; upper surface minutely papillose or glabrous. Floral bracts 12-16, broadly ovate to broadly obovate, 2.5-3. 5 mm long, obtuse, minutely or sometimes distinctly ciiiate, the cilia 0. 1-0.2 mm long; outer surface glabrous; inner surface hairy along the midvein or central area in the distal half. Flowers solitary or few (usually 2-7) per branchlet, in a spike-like cluster 10-18 mm wide, white or occasionally pink. Floral tube 2. 5-3. 5 mm long (enlarging to 3.4 mm or more in fruit); adnate portion of tube 0.4-0. 6 mm long, densely stellate-hairy on basal half, glabrous or sparsely stellate-hairy B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 265 on distal half; free portion of tube 2. 1-2.9 mm long, glabrous or subglabrous on basal half, becoming moderately densely hairy towards the summit between the glabrous ribs, the indumentum similar to that on base of sepals. Sepals 2.7-3.7 mm long, densely stellate-hairy and with larger simple hairs at least towards the apex; simple hairs 0.4-0. 6 mm long. Petal claw 0.5-0. 8 mm long. Disc with hairs 0. 1-0.3 mm long. Ovary summit with hairs 0.2-0. 5 mm long. Style 3.5-5 mm long. Schizocarp about half inferior, c. 3.3 x 2.2 mm; superior portion concealed within the free floral tube, moderately densely hairy. Seeds not seen at maturity. (Figure 3A-E) Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 16 km E of Bullabulling, 23/8/1939, W.E. Blackall 4068; Cundeelee, 1967, P. Boswell A21; Boulder Valley, 30/8/1901, W.D. Campbell', 19 miles [30.6 km] E of White Cliffs Homestead, E of Laverton, 2/7/1963, A.S. George 4567; 21 km E of Cosmo Newberry, 28/7/1974, AS. George 12197; 32 kmE of Zanthus, 30/6/1966, D.W. Goodall 174/2886; Coolgardie, 9/1899, R. Helms', 21 km SE of Sinclair Soak, 6/8/1980, K.R. Newbey 6953; 3 km S of Emu Rocks, 22/7/1992, D.J. Pearson 1898; Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter, 30/6/1992, R. Spencer 253; Fraser Range, 13/9/1965, B.L. Turner 5573. Distribution. Extends from Anketell Station and near Cosmo Newberry south to near Bank Rock and Fraser Range, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Occurs in sand or clayey sand, on plains or on rocky ridges or hills. Flowering period. July-September. Fruits recorded August-September. Conservation status. Not considered to be at risk at present. Etymology. From the Latin aridus - dry and -cola - inhabitant, referring to the arid habitat in which the species occurs. Notes. Very closely related to Cryptandra minutifolia, which differs in being densely hairy throughout on the adnate portion of the floral tube, being hairy on the ribs on the free portion of the tube and in its shorter petal claws and usually shorter style. Cryptandra congesta Rye, sp. nov. Cryptandrae myrianthae simile sed bracteis magis manifeste ciliatis, tubo florali longiore, apice styli magis integro differt. Typus: Mt Lindesay, Western Australia, 10 April 1990, G.J. Keighery 11278 ( holo : PERTH 01177575; iso: CANB, MEL). Shrub low and spreading, 0.1 -0.2 m high. Branchlets not spinescent. Young stems with simple appressed or antrorse hairs 0. 1-0.3 mm long. Stipules 0.6-1 mm long, acute, glabrous outside or with a few short hairs along midvein, usually with a few cilia. Petioles 0. 5-0.7 mm long. Leaf blades narrowly ovate or narrowly oblong, 2-3.3 x 0. 6-0.9 mm, obtuse to acute; lower surface glabrous on the visible midvein, densely hairy on the usually concealed sides; upper surface glabrous, minutely papillose-toothed on the margins especially towards apex. Floral bracts 4-6 per flower, ovate, c. 2 mm long, acute or attenuate, prominently ciliate, the longest cilia 0. 3-0.6 mm long; outer surface often hairy along the midvein. Flowers usually 5-12 per branchlet, in a head-like cluster 5-8.5 mm wide, 266 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Figure3. A-E - Cryptandraaridicola. A - flowering branch (x 1), B - stipules and undersurface of leaf (x5), C - flower (x6), D - petal and stamen (x 1 2), E - fruit (x6) ; F-K - C. minutifoUa subsp b rev is ty la. F - flowering branch (x 1 ). G mature flower with bracts (x7), H - flower dissected open (x7), I - petal and stamen (x 1 5), J - schizocarp (x7), K - inner surface of seed and aril (x7.5); L-N - C. minutifoliasabsp. minutifolia. L- leaves and flower cluster (x5),M- young flower with and without bracts (x7),N -young flower dissected open (x7) Drawn from A. 5 George 12197 (A-D), P.G. Wilson 12080 (E), K.R. Newbey 5110 (F-l), C.A. Gardner 2/1 1/1943 (J.K) and L. Haegi 1 829 (L-N). B.L. Rye, New and priority taxain Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 267 white. Floral tube 1.3-1. 7 mm long (enlarging to c. 2 mm in fruit), glabrous; adnate portion of tube 0.4-0. 5 mm long; free portion of tube 0.9- 1.2 mm long. Sepals 0.8-1. 8 mm long, glabrous towards base, becoming densely hairy towards apex, with a mixture of short stellate hairs and simple hairs c. 0.3 mm long. Petal claw 0.1-0.2 mm long. Disc and ovary summit with fine tangled hairs 0.2-0.3 mm long. Style c. 1 .8 mm long, with some minute papillae or minute simple hairs; stigmatic surfaces lateral, scarcely forming lobes. Schizocarp c. half inferior, c. 1.8 x 1.4 mm; superior portion concealed within the free floral tube, hairy. Seeds c. 1 .4 x 0.75 mm, pale to medium orange-brown. (Figure 4A-D) Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Mt Lindesay walk track, 14/4/1992, B. G. Hammersley 574; Little Lindesay, 8/10/1994, B.G. Hammersley 1 192; Denbarker State forest, 8/10/1994, B.G. Hammersley 1198. Distribution. Known from a small area north of Denmark, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Occurs in coarse sand around granite sheets or outcrops. Flowering and fruiting period. April-October. Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 2. This species is known from several locations in a proposed national park, its known range being about 5 km. In this very restricted area, the species is fairly abundant (B.G. Hammersley pers.comm.). Etymology. From the Latin congestus - crowded, referring to the densely clustered flowers. Notes. Similar to Cryptandra myriantha in having glabrous a floral tube but C. myriantha differs in its less prominently cihate bracts, shorter floral tube and distinctly 3-lobed style apex. Cryptandra congesta may be more closely related to species with floral tubes of a similar length, such as C. polyclada and C. wilsonii, but these can be distinguished readily by their more hairy flowers. Cryptandra distigma Rye, sp. nov. Cryptandrae nutans arete affine sed ungue petali longiori, lobis stigmaticis duobus, ovario 2- cellularibus differt. Typus: Kirgella Rocks Station, 1 .5 km south of causeway. Western Australia, 14 July 1989, H. Pringle 2419 (, holo : PERTH 01 166034: iso: CANB, MEL). Shrub 0.5- 1.5 m high. Branchlets not spinescent. Young stems with a dense indumentum of fine matted hairs c. 0.3 mm long. Stipules 0.7- 1 .5 mm long, acute to acuminate, ciliate; outer surface often with hairs along mid vein. Petioles 0. 1-0.3 mm long. Leaf blades narrowly oblong-elliptic or narrowly obovate, obtuse, 1.3-2.4 xO. 5-0.6 mm; lower surface concealed; upper surface glabrous. Floral bracts 3- 6 per flower, ovate to very broadly ovate, 0.8-1 .2 mm long, acute or obtuse, with cilia 0.05-0.2 mm long; outer surface glabrous or with short hairs mainly along the midvein. Flowers usually 3-15 per branchlet, in a spike-like or head-like cluster 4-8 mm wide, white or cream. Floral tube 0.8- 1.3 mm long (enlarging to 2-2.3 mm in fruit), minutely stellate-hairy, usually also with short simple hairs 0.2-0.4 mm long; adnate portion of tube 0.4-0.7 mm long, very densely hairy, usually with large hairs mainly towards the summit; free portion of tube 0.4-0. 6 mm long, densely or moderately densely hairy. 268 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Figure 4. A-D^Cryptandra congesta. A - flowering branch (x 1), B - flower duster (x6), C - stigma (x20), D - young schizocarp and bracts (x8); E-I - C. intonsa. E - flowering branch (x 1 ), F- stipules and leaf (x7.5), G - flower cluster (x4), H - flower (x7.5), I - dehisced schizocarp (x6); JM -C.nola. J- flowering branch (x 1 ), K - stipules and undersurface of leaf (x6), L - flower and bracts (x7.5),M - flower dissected open (x7.5). Drawn from G.J. Keigherv 1 1278 (A-D), V. English 149 (E-H), V. English 986 (1) and G.J. Keighery & J.J. Alford 2048 (J-M). B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 269 Sepals 0.9- 1 .3 mm long, with an indumentum similar to that on free portion of floral tube or sometimes with more long simple hairs. Petal claw 0.2-0. 3 mm long. Disc with hairs 0. 1-0.2 mm long. Ovary 2-celled; summit with hairs (0.1)0. 2-0. 3 mm long. Style 0.7- 1.3 mm long; stigmatic lobes 2. Schizocarp slightly less than half inferior, 2.4-2. 8 x 1.3-1. 4 mm; superior portion rather densely stellate-hairy, the apex protruding above the base of the sepals. Seeds not seen at maturity. (Figure 1J-N) Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Streich Mound, 25 miles (40.2 km) N of Cundeelee Mission, 17/6/1970, K.M. Allan 287; 1 1.5 km N of Clyde Hill, 21/6/1983, M.A. Burgman 1418 & S. McNee ; 10 km E of Queen Victoria Springs, 2/7/1966, D.W. Goodall 2990; 10.5 km ESE ofWidgiemooltha, 17/8/1981, K.R. Newbey 8566; 2 km E of Wallaroo, 17/9/1981 , K.R. Newbey 8821 ; 25 km NNE of Queen Victoria Spring, 21/9/1989, D.J. Pearson 718; c. 30 km SSW of Coolgardie, 3 km NW of Gnarlbine Rock, 18/9/1979, J. Taylor 580, M.D. Crisp & R. Jackson. Distribution. Extends from Kirgella Rocks Station south to Widgiemooltha and from Wallaroo east to Queen Victoria Spring Nature Reserve, with an isolated record from north of Clyde Hill, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Usually occurs in sand, recorded from sandplain and dunes, also one record from clay. Where noted, the soil colour was given as yellow in most cases, red in two cases. Flowering period. June-September. Fruits September-October. Conservation status. Not considered to be at risk at present. Etymology. From the Greek dis - double and stigma - mark or pollen-receiving surface, referring to the two stigmatic lobes. Notes. Closely related to Cryptandra nutans, which differs in its shorter petal claw, 3 stigmatic lobes and 3-celled ovary, also tending to have a coarser, more spreading stem indumentum and flowers borne in terminal clusters on more prominent and more erect branchlets. C. distigma has a very fine, appressed and matted indumentum on the stems and flowers borne more along short lateral branchlets. C. nutans also has a distinct geographical range, occurring from Geraldton to Albany and extending eastwards on or near the south coast to Cocklebiddy. Apart from Cryptandra spyridioides, C. distigma is the only typical Western Australian member of the genus to have a 2-celled ovary, but there are two atypical species, C. intratropica W. Fitzg. and C. mutila Nees ex Reissek, with this characteristic. There is also an unnamed atypical species with a 1 -celled ovary. Cryptandra glabriflora Benth., FI. Austral. 1: 441 (1863). Type: Murchison River, [Western Australia], Oldfield (MEL 227037). Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 2. Known only from Kalbarri National Park, collected from four specific and several vague localities within the park, the most recent collections in 1994. (Figure 5A-E) 270 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Notes. Readily distinguished from the common and widespread species Cryptandra myriantha, which was previously regarded as a synonym, by its spinescent branchlets, shorter free portion of the floral tube and very large hairs on the summit of the schizocarp. Cryptandra graniticola Rye, sp. nov. Cryptandrae myrianthae arete affine sed granitico consociato, indumento cauli tenuiore magis inplexo, ramuli pluremque spinescentibus, sepalis minus pubescentibus differt. Typus : 5 miles [8 km] north of Norseman, Western Australia, 8 August 1951, R.D. Royce 3483 ( holo : PERTH 01505971; iso: CANB, MEL). Shrub 0.4- 1.5 m high. Branchlets usually tending to be spinescent. Young stems with a matted indumentum of long fine hairs, the largest hairs c. 0.3 mm long. Stipules 0.5-1 mm long, acute to acuminate, often with a few short hairs along midvein, ciliate. Petioles 0.3-0.6 mm long. Leaf blades linear to narrowly obovate, 2-4.7 x 0.3-0.5 mm, usually obtuse, sometimes with a short mucro; lower surface glabrous on the visible midvein, densely hairy on the usually concealed sides; upper surface glabrous. Floral bracts 5-8 per flower, ovate or broadly ovate, 1-1.5 mm long, acute or obtuse, ciliate, the cilia up to 0.2 mm long; outer surface glabrous. Flowers usually 2-10 per branchlet, in a spike- like or head-like cluster 5-8 mm wide, white. Floral tube 0.8- 1.0 mm long (enlarging to c. 1.6 mm in fruit), glabrous; adnate portion of tube 0.4-0.6 mm long; free portion of tube 0.4-0.5 mm long. Sepals 1.1- 1.6 mm long, largely glabrous but usually with a few simple appressed hairs towards apex, sometimes sparsely hairy on distal half; hairs up to 0.2 mm long. Petal claw 0.2-0.3 mm long. Disc with hairs 0. 1 -0.2 mm long. Ovary ■ summit with hairs c. 0.2 mm long. Style 1-1.3 mm long; stigmatic lobes 3(4). Schizocarp slightly less than half inferior, c. 2.2 x 1 .5 mm; superior portion densely stellate-hairy, the apex protruding above the base of the sepals. Seeds c. 1 .3 x 0.7 mm, orange brown. (Figure 5F-J) Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Near Norseman, on road towards Coolgardie, 5/9/1968, E.M. Canning-, Jimberlana Hill, 10/10/1976, R.J. Chinock 3333; Peak Charles, 15/9/1976, L. Haegi 961 ; Peak Eleanora, Peak Charles National Park, 8/1 1/1979, K.R. Newbey 6395; 23 km SE of Sinclair Soak, c. 75 km NE of Norseman, 7/8/1980, K.R. Newbey 6966; 1.8 km S of Peak Charles road on the road to Peak Eleanora, 17/9/1985, P.J. Poli 25; near southern end of Lake Cowan, 24/7/1967, P.G. Wilson 6053. Distribution. Extends from Mt Day east to near Lake Cowan and with an isolated occurrence near Ravensthorpe, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Occurs in shallow sandy soil overlying granite or occasionally quartzite, often on granite outcrops or hills. Flowering period. July-October. Fruits recorded October-November. Conservation status. Not considered to be at risk. Etymology. From the modern word granite - combined with the Latin -cola - inhabitant, referring to its occurrence in granitic habitats. B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 271 Figure 5. A-E - Cryptandra glabriflora. A - flowering branch (x 1), B - leaf custer (x6), C - flower and bracts (x6), D - top view of flower (x6), E-schizocarp (x6); F-J- C. graniticola. F- flowering branch (xl), G - young leaf(x7), H - flower and bracts (x7), I - schizocarp and bracts (x6), J - dehisced fruitlet (x6); K-N - C. scop aria var. microcephala. K - flowering branchlet (x 1 ), L - flower cluster (x6), M - schizocarp (x7), N - dehisced fruitlet (x7). Drawn from D. & B. Bellairs 1753 (A,B,E), D. &B. Bellairs 2300 (C,D), R.D. Royce 3483 (F-H), K.R. Newbey 6395 (1,J), H. Demarz. 56 (K,L) and A.C. Bums 1 1 (M,N). 272 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Notes. Closely related to Cryptandra myriantha, which lacks spinescent branchlets and has coarser more discrete hairs on the young stems, more fragile bracts and usually more hairy sepals. There is also a habitat difference, with C. grcniticola occurring mainly in sandy soil over granite and C. myriantha hardly ever recorded near granite, but occurring on sandy or clayey soils, often in lateritic habitats. There is only a slight overlap in the ranges of the two taxa. At 0.4-1 .5 m high, C. graniticola tends to be a larger plant than C. myriantha , which is 0.1-0. 7(1) m high, and usually has more spreading branchlets, arising at c. 90 degrees to the main stem. In its glabrous or subglabrous flowers and spinescent habit, C. graniticola resembles another close relative, C. glabriflora, but the latter is readily distinguished by its shorter free portion of the floral tube and very long hairs on the summit of the schizocarp. One specimen ( G.L . Webster 18721) of C. graniticola has most flowers with a 4-lobed stigma instead of the usual 3 stigmatic lobes and at least one flower with 5 stigmatic lobes. There are two distinct variants, the typical spinescent one extending from Mt Day to Lake Cowan and an atypical variant known only from two localities close to Ravensthorpe, the latter with less widely spreading, non-spinescent branchlets. The atypical variant needs further study to assess its taxonomic status. Cryptandra intonsa Rye, sp. nov. Stipulae 4-7 mm longae; folia acumine apicali prominenti recurvo; flores dense fasciculati; tubus floralis 3-4 mm longus, minute stellato-pubescens et pilis longioribus simplicibus instructus. Typus : S of Rons Rd, near a track leading S to Middle Iron Cap, Western Australia, 28 September 1993, V. English 149 (holo: PERTH 04174356, iso: CANB). Shrub erect or spreading, 0.3-0. 6 m high. Branchlets not spinescent. Young stems densely stellate- hairy. Stipules prominent, 4-6.5 mm long, long-acuminate or -attenuate, usually appearing glabrous but often sparsely and minutely hairy or ciliate. Petioles 0.5-0. 8 mm long, hairy on undersurface. Leaf blades linear or narrowly oblong, 5-7 x 0.6- 1 mm, with a prominent recurved apical point 0.2-0. 5 mm long; lower surface densely hairy but usually concealed; upper surface minutely papillose. Floral bracts 6-9 per flower, orate or narrowly ovate, 2.5-3.5 mm long, acute or shortly acuminate, ciliate, the longest cilia 0.3-0.4 mm long; outer surface minutely hairy along the midvein and often throughout the distal half. Pedicels c. 0.4 mm long, densely hairy. Flowers usually 7-15 per branchlet, in a head- like cluster 9-14 mm wide, white to cream. Floral tube 3-3.5 mm long (enlarging to c. 4 mm in fruit), minutely stellate- hairy and with some simple hairs 0.3-0.4 mm long; adnate portion of tube 0.7-0. 9 mm long, densely hairy; free portion of tube c. 2.5 mm long, sparsely to moderately densely hairy towards base, becoming more densely hairy towards the top. Sepals 1.8-2. 3 mm long, densely hairy; largest hairs 0.4-0.5 mm long. Petal claw c. 0.2 mm long. Disc with hairs c. 0.3 mm long. Ovary summit with hairs 0.2-0. 3 mm long. Style c. 4 mm long. Schizocarp c. half-inferior, 2.5-3 x c. 1.8 mm; superior portion concealed within the free floral tube, densely stellate-hairy. Seeds not seen at maturity but at least 1.5 x 0.6 mm. (Figure 4E-I) Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 3.26 km S of Rons Rd and 30 m W of the track leading S to Middle Iron Cap, 29/11/1993, V. English', Hatters Hill exploration lease, 7/12/1993, V. English 986; Seagull Liquid Acrobat exploration lease, 28/9/1993, A. O’Connor 1300. Distribution. Extends from near Middle Iron Cap south east to near Hatters Hill, southern Western Australia. B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 273 Habitat. Occurs in clay with ironstone gravel, in heathland with scattered mallees. Flowering period. September-December. Fruits recorded November-December. Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 1 . Despite being a more conspicuous plant than many other members of its family, this species was only discovered in 1993. Extensive populations have been located in the Hatters Hill area, with a total of over 1,000 plants (Val English & Alice O’Connor pers. comm.). These are located 35-40 km south east of the smaller populations near Middle Iron Cap. Although common in the area, the species appears to have a very restricted geographical range and, being known only from sites with mining leases, could be under threat from mining. Etymology. From the Latin intonsus - unshaved, bristly, referring to the long-acuminate stipules which persist after the leaves have been shed and give the young stems a bristly appearance. Notes. This species has a striking and distinctive appearance, with large conspicuous stipules, prominently pointed leaves and densely clustered flowers. It does not appear to have any very close relatives. Cryptandra minutifolia Rye, nom. nov. Cryptandra parvifolia Turcz., nom. illeg. non Cryptandra parvifolia (Hook.) Hook.f., Bull. Soc. Imp. Nat. Moscou 31: 459 (1858). Type: New Holland [Western Australia], Drummond 4th coll. 156 (PERTH 01599313) Shrub usually spreading, 0.2-0.7(1.2) m high. Branchlets not spinescent. Young stems densely hairy at first with a matted white indumentum, soon becoming glabrous. Stipules 0.8-2 mm long, usually ciliate, often hairy along midvein outside or with hairs more widespread outside. Petioles 0.2-0.3 mm long, concealed by united base of stipule pair. Leaf blades appearing sessile, oblong to elliptic or narrowly so, 0.8-1. 5(2.5) x 0.6-0.8 mm, with a recurved mucro; lower surface concealed; upper surface minutely papillose or glabrous. Floral bracts 8-14, broadly ovate to broadly obovate, 2-3.5 mm long, obtuse, ciliate; outer surface glabrous or with a few hairs on midvein or rarely with a hairy central area; inner surface hairy along the midvein or central area in the distal half. Floral tube 1. 5-3.5 mm long; adnate portion of tube 0.5-0.7 mm long, densely stellate-hairy; free portion of tube 1.0-2. 8 mm long, glabrous to moderately densely hairy on basal half, usually becoming more densely hairy towards the summit like the indumentum on the base of the sepals, but sometimes hairy or subglabrous throughout, the indumentum occurring both on and between the ribs or at least on the ribs. Sepals 1.5-3. 7 mm long, densely stellate- hairy and with larger simple hairs at least along the midvein or towards the apex. Disc with hairs 0. 1-0.3 mm long. Ovary summit with hairs 0. 2-0.4 mm long. Style 0.7-3. 6 mm long, if long then often with a swollen stellate-hairy base up to 1 mm long. Schizocarp up to half (one third to half) inferior; superior portion moderately densely or densely hairy, concealed within the free floral tube. Distribution. Extends from Manmanning east to near Carrabin, south to Dumbleyung and south east to Ravensthorpe Range, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Occurs on sand or clayey soils, usually on plains, in mallee vegetation or sometimes shrubland. 274 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2(1995) Flowering period. Mainly June-September. Fruits recorded September-November. Etymology. From the Latin minutus - small and folium - leaf, referring to the leaves being very small in relation to the size of the flowers. Notes. This species and its close relative, Cryptandra aridicola, are similar to C. leucopogon, which differs in its longer leaves and longer hairs on the sepals and ovary. Cryptandra minutifolia subsp. brevistyla Rye, subsp. nov. A Cryptandrae minutifoliae subsp. minutifoliae floribus pluremque multo numerosis, bracteis floralibus minus numerosis, stylis brevioribus differt. Typus: 2 km SW of Mt Madden, which is 22 km SE of Lake King township. Western Australia, 6 August 1968, P.G. Wilson 6813 ( holo : PERTH 01507540; iso: CANB, MEL). Stipules usually 1.5-2 mm long, acuminate or attenuate. Leaf blades 1 -3(3.5) mm long. Floral bracts (8)9-11(12), 2-3 mm long, usually prominently ciliate, the cilia (0.2)0.4-0.6 mm long. Flowers usually 3-10 (sometimes 1 or 2) per branchlet, in a spike-like or head-like cluster 7- 11 mm wide, white or occasionally pink. Floral tube 1.5-2 mm long (enlarging to 1. 8-2.5 mm in fruit); free portion of tube 1.0- 1.3 mm long. Sepals 1.5-2. 6 mm long; simple hairs 0.4-0.6 mm long. Petal claw 0. 1-0.3 mm long. Style 0.7-1 .7(2.2) mm long. Schizocarp 2-2.5 x 1.5-1 .6 mm. Seeds c. 1.5 x 0.8-1. 1 mm, orange brown with some paler patches laterally or prominently mottled with those colours. (Figure 3F-K) Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Dunn Rock Nature Reserve, 15/4/1984, D.J. Backshall 92; 26 miles [41.9 km] W of Coolgardie, 9/3/1970, E.M. Bennett 3265; Lake Barker Reserve, 1 1/1971, W.H. Butler, 1 .3 km SSW of Griggs Rd on Fields Rd, 14/9/1992, G.F. Craig2\2A\ 320 mile peg [c. 13 km W of Bullabulling], Great Eastern Highway, 10/10/1974, FI. Demarz 5269; c. 75 km ENE of Norseman, 9/9/1973, N.N. Donner 4655; Fitzgerald River below Roes Rock, 14/7/1970, A.S. George 10016; Kumarl, 8/1935, L.A. Horbury76; 19 km SSW Queen Victoria Rock, 24/9/1993, G.J. Keighery 12954; Pingrup, 27/8/1964, F. Lullfitz 3655; Frank Hann National Park, 6/8/1978, D. Monk 241; Bendering Reserve A20338, 25/5/1975, B.G. Muir 274; 26 km SE of Karonie, 12/8/1981, K.R. Newbey 8500. Distribution. Extends from west of Coolgardie south west to Stirling Range and from there east to near Karonie, southern Western Australia. Conservation status. Not considered to be at risk at present. Etymology. From the Latin brevis - short and stylus - style, the style usually being very short in relation to the size of the flowers. Notes. Usually easily distinguished from subsp. minutifolia, which has fewer larger flowers and more numerous floral bracts so that the the flowers appear to be more discrete, and has longer floral tubes, styles and sepals. Subsp. minutiflora also tends to have shorter stipules and leaves. Despite their fairly major differences, the two taxa do not appear to have diverged quite to the point of becoming separate species. In the area where they overlap, some specimens are somewhat intermediate, especially the B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 275 Pingrup specimen (F. Lullfitz 3655) included here, with the style 2-2.2 mm long, and another specimen noted under the other subspecies. Cryptandra minutifolia Rye subsp. minutifolia Stipules 0.8- 1.2(1. 5) mm long, acute or acuminate. Leaf blades 0.8-1. 5(2.5) mm long. Floral bracts 12-14, 2. 5-3.5 mm long, with cilia 0.2-0. 3 mm long. Flowers solitary or few (usually 2-5) per branchlet, in a spike-like cluster 9-14 mm wide, white. Floral tube 2. 5-3. 5 mm long (enlarging to 3 mm or more in fruit); free portion of tube 1.8-2. 8 mm long. Sepals 2. 7-3. 7 mm long; simple hairs O. 2-0. 4 mm long. Petal claw 0.2-0. 4 mm long. Style 2.5-3. 6 mm long. Schizocarp not seen at maturity. (Figure 3L-N) Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Kulin, 9/1946, A. Ashley 72; Hyden, 7/9/1966, M. Barrow 72; 184 miles [c. 6 km W of Carrabin] on Great Eastern Highway, 6/9/1966, E.M. Bennett 715; Nungarin, 28/7/1953, H.F. & M. Broadbent 1119; 12 km E of Kings Rock, 5/10/1975, M.L. Clark 213; Nungarin, 24/8/1930, C.A. Gardner 197; Dumbleyung, 18/6/1920, C.A. Gardner 5 18; c. 1 km E of Babakin, NE of Corrigin, 18/8/1979 , L. Haegi 1829; I mile [0.6 km] SW of Manmanning, 1/8/1992, B.H. Smith 1603; 1 km S of Lake King township, 9/8/1968, P. G. Wilson 6939. Distribution. Extends from Manmanning east to near Carrabin, south to Dumbleyung and south east to Ravensthorpe Range, southern Western Australia. Conservation status. Not considered to be at risk at present. Notes. The leaves are very short in subsp. minutifolia, except for an odd specimen from Kellerberrin ( A.E . Lankester 4/9/1897) with leaves 2-2.5 mm long. A specimen from Ravensthorpe Range {E.M. Bennett 2396) with a relatively short style, c. 2.5 mm long, appears to belong to this taxon because of its long floral tube and 13 bracts per flower, but has more numerous flowers than usual, so is somewhat intermediate between this and subsp. brevistyla. Cryptandra nola Rye, sp. nov. Cryptandrae arbutiflorae simile sed caulibus foliis floribusque stellato-pilosis, petiolis brevioribus, unguibus petalorum longioribus differt. Typus\ 1 .4 km E of railway crossing E of Mullewa, Western Australia, 6 August 1994, S. Patrick 1945 {holo: PERTH 04160169; iso: CANB, MEL). Shrub erect or spreading, 0.3-1 m high. Branchlets spinescent. Young stems minutely and inconspicuously stellate-hairy, soon becoming glabrous. Stipules 0.7- 1.5 mm long, acute, minutely ciliate and minutely hairy along midvein. Petioles 0. 2-0.4 mm long. Leaf blades oblong to elliptic or narrowly so, 1 .2-2.2 x 0.4-0.6 mm, obtuse or with a minute mucro; lower surface densely hairy but largely concealed; upper surface densely minutely stellate-hairy to glabrous. Floral bracts c. 8, broadly ovate-elliptic or very broadly so, c. 1.5 mm long, minutely ciliate; outer surface densely stellate-hairy along the midvein, glabrous along the margins, somewhat lobed-toothed or with a short broad apical tooth but not prominently pointed. Flowers sometimes solitary, usually 2-8 per branchlet, in a loose spike-like cluster 7-1 1 mm wide, white. Floral tube 2-2.5 mm long (not seen in fruit), 276 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2(1995) minutely stellate-hairy; adnate portion of tube c. 0.5 mm long, densely hairy; free portion of tube 1 .5-2 mm long, sparsely to moderately densely hairy towards base, becoming more densely hairy towards the top. Sepals c. 1.5 mm long, densely minutely stellate-hairy. Petal claw c. 0.3 mm long. Disc with hairs c. 0.2 mm long. Ovary about half inferior; summit with hairs c. 0.2 mm long. Style 2-2.5 mm long. Schizocarp unknown. (Figure 4J-M) Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA; East Yuna Reserve, 5/6/1966, A. C. Burns 14; Kowald’s property, off Arrinooka Rd, Canna, 15/8 1990, G.J. Keighery & J.J. Alford 2048; Mullewa Common, 22/6/1994, E. Leyland 005; Mullewa Shire Common, 6/8/1994, S. Patrick 1935-1938. Distribution. Extends from East Yuna Reserve south to Canna, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Usually occurs on sandy soil overlying granite or granite conglomerate. Flowering period. June-August. Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 2. Known from several populations on two nature reserves and one from privately-owned land. The species has a range of c. 100 km and is locally common at populations sampled recently (1990-94). Etymology. From the Latin nola - small bell, referring to the shape of the flowers. Notes. Similar to Cryptandra arbutiflora, which differs in having simple hairs on the young stems and leaves (or glabrous leaves), longer petioles, glabrous flowers and shorter petal claws. Cryptandra polyclada Diels in Diels & E. Pritzel, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 35: 358-359 (1904). Type: Near Tammin, Western Australia, 21 May 1901, L. Diels 2877 (PERTFt 01136232, 01 136240) Notes. Occurs near Tammin and extends from Boorabbin National Park south to east of Lake King. C. polyclada has recently been included on the Priority Flora List with a Priority 3 coding. Since then, several additional specimens have been identified as this species and the typical subspecies no longer appears to be at risk, but the new subspecies described below appears to need a higher priority. No attempt has been made to survey either subspecies. Crytandra polyclada subsp. aequabilis Rye, subsp. nov. A Cryptandrae polycladae subsp. polycladae folius magis manifeste mucronatis, floribus magis aequabiliter pilosis differt. Typus: 50 miles/80 km E of Southern Cross, 10 October 1931, W.E. Blackall 940 ( holo : PERTH 01514156; iso: CANB, MEL). Shrub low and spreading, dense, 0.1 -0.4 m high. Leaf blades 1.8-2. 8 mm long; mucro prominent, fairly erect, c. 0.2 mm long. Flowers white, with a fairly uniform indumentum of minute stellate hairs and larger simple antrorse hairs, the largest hairs 0.2-0. 3 mm long. Floral tube c. 1 .0 mm long (not seen in fruit), densely stellate-hairy; adnate portion of tube c. 0.4 mm long; free portion of tube c. 0.6 mm long. Sepals c. 0.8 mm long, with a dense indumentum of minute stellate hairs and a few larger antrorse simple hairs. (Figure 6A-C) B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 277 Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 276 mile peg on Great Eastern Highway, 10/10/1974, H. Demarz 5266. Distribution. Known only from in or near Boorabbin National Park. Habitat. Recorded on sand. Flowering period. October. Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 2. Known from two collections probably less than 5 km apart, both apparently in a national park. Etymology. From the Latin aequabilis - consistent, referring to the uniform indumentum on the outside of the flowers in comparison with the typical subspecies. Notes. Subsp. polyclada differs in its less prominently mucronate leaves and in the longer indumentum on the outside of the flowers, with a marked contrast between the very densely hairy sepals and subglabrous upper floral tube. Subsp. aequabilis has a shorter and fairly uniform indumentum on the upper floral tube and sepals. Cryptandra polyclada Diels subsp. polyclada Shrub varying from a mat-like form c.O.lm high to a more erect form up to 0.7 m high. Leaf blades 2. 1-4.1 mm long; mucro c. 0.1 mm long. Flowers white or cream, much more densely hairy on the sepals than on the free portion of the floral tube, the largest hairs 0. 4-0.8 mm long. Floral tube 0.7- 1.1 mm long (enlarging to 1.4 mm or more in fruit); adnate portion of tube 0.3-0. 4 mm long, usually densely hairy with a mixture of minute stellate hairs and large antrorse simple, sometimes sparsely hairy with mainly simple hairs; free portion of tube 0.5-0. 7 mm long, with a sparse indumentum of large antrorse simple hairs or glabrous. Sepals 0.6- 1 . 1 mm long, very densely hairy, with a mixture of minute stellate hairs and large antrorse simple hairs. (Figure 6D-F; also illustrated in Diels & Pritzel 1905, Figure 45B-D) Distribution. Occurs near Tammin and extends from east of Hyden south to east of Lake King. Habitat. Recorded from sandplains. Flowering period. January-May, also recorded August. Fruits recorded in May. Conservation status. Known from seven collections, probably including a nature reserve near Tammin, its range c. 300 km. It appears to flower predominantly during summer and early autumn, which may account for the paucity of collections. Notes. The Tammin specimens are the largest, with leaves c. 4 mm long and flower clusters 5-7 mm wide, compared with leaves 2. 1-3.2 mm long and flower clusters 3-4.5 mm wide in the other specimens. 278 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Cryptandra recurva Rye, sp. nov. Cryptandrae nutans arete affine sed caulibus foliisque minute stellatis (non pilis simplicibus), apice folium valde recurvo, bracteis magis pubescentibus differt. Typus: 30 km W of 90 mile tank on Salmon Gums-Lake King road. Western Australia, 18 June 1974, T.E.H. Aplin 5920 ( holo : PERTH 01516183; iso: CANB, MEL). Shrub 0.2-0. 7 m high. Branchlets not spinescent. Young stems densely minutely stellate-hairy. Stipules 0.5-1 mm long, acute or shortly acuminate, minutely stellate-hairy, often minutely ciliate. Petioles 0.2-0. 3 mm long, usually densely hairy on both surfaces, rarely glabrous on upper surface. Leaf blades narrowly oblong-elliptic or narrowly obovate, 2-3.8 x 0.5-0-8 mm, obtuse, the apex distinctly recurved; lower surface very densely hairy, largely or completely concealed; upper surface usually densely minutely stellate-hairy, sometimes glabrous. Floral bracts c. 5 per flower, very broadly or broadly ovate, 1-1.5 mm long, acute or obtuse, ciliate, the cilia 0.1-0.25 mm long; outer surface stellate-hairy, usually densely so except on the margin. Flowers usually 3-15 per branchlet, in a spike-like or head-like cluster 5-8 mm wide, white or cream to distinctly off-white or occasionally pale pink. Floral tube 1.2- 1.5 mm long (enlarging to 1.8-2. 3 mm in fruit), minutely densely stellate- hairy, usually also with short simple hairs 0.2-0.3 mm long; adnate portion of tube 0.5-0.8 mm long, Figure 6. A-C - Cryptandra palyclada subsp. aequabilis. A - flowering branch (xl), B - leaf duster (x6), C - flower (x7.5) ; D-F- Cryptandra palyclada subsp .palyclada. D - leaf (x6), E - flower with bracts (x7), F - flower(x7); G-K - C. wilsonii. G - fruiting branchlet (xl),H - leaf cluster (x6), I - flowercluster(x4), J- flower with bracts (x6), K-schizocarp(x6). Drawn from W.E. Blackall 940 (A-C), C.A. Gardner 3 1/1/1940 (D-F), Spjut etal. 7243 (G,K) and G. Perry 235 (H-J). B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 279 more densely hairy than free portion; free portion of tube 0.5-0.7 mm long. Sepals 0.8-1. 3 mm long, densely minutely stellate-hairy, usually with simple hairs 0.2-0.3 mm long towards the apex. Petal claw c. 0.1 mm long. Disc with hairs 0.1-0. 2 mm long. Ovary summit with hairs 0. 1-0.3 mm long. Style 0.5-0. 8(1) mm long. Schizocarp half or slightly less than half inferior, 2-2.5 x 1.5-2 mm; superior portion densely or very densely stellate-hairy, the apex reaching or protruding above the base of the sepals. Seeds 1.3- 1.5 x 0.8-0. 9 mm, orange-brown. (Figure 10-S) Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Dunn Rock Nature Reserve, 15/4/1984, D.J. Backshall 160; 50 miles [80 km] E of Southern Cross, 10/10/1931, W.E. Blue kali 940; Mt Holland road, 1 1/1931, W.E. Blackall 1247; 34 km due NNW of Clyde Hill, 7/8/1983, M.A. Burgman 1832 & S. McNee ; 12 km E of Kings Rock, 5/10/1975, M.L. Clark 208; c. 21 miles [33.8 km] S of Cocklebiddy, 11/7/1974, A. S. George 11860; Kumarl, 8/1938, L.A. Horbury 104; Frank Hann National Park, 5/8/1978, D. Monk 213; 18 km NE of Scadden, 17/8/1982, P. van der Moezel 119; 9 km SW of Peak Charles, 2/1 1/1980, K.R. Newbey 7835; tributary of Young River, 28/9/1968, P.G. Wilson 8050; Fitzgerald River Reserve, 7/10/1970, P.G. Wilson 10210. Distribution. Extends from between Southern Cross and Coolgardie southwards and from Fitzgerald River National Park east to Cocklebiddy, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Occurs on sandy soils. Flowering period. Mainly June-September. Fruits recorded August-November. Conservation status. Widespread and apparently common. Etymology. From the Latin recurvus - curved backwards, referring to the leaf apex. Notes. Closely related to Cryptandra nutans, which differs in having longer simple hairs on the stems and often also on the leaves, a more erect apical point on the leaves and glabrous or less densely hairy bracts. The flowers of C. recurva have a whiter and often somewhat denser indumentum than those of C. nutans, and their long hairs are more curved and spreading. In areas where the two taxa overlap in range, C. nutans appears to have an earlier flowering time. Two specimens of C. recurva from Fitzgerald River National Park ( A.S . George 10025, P.G. Wilson 10210) are unusual in having distinctly papillose leaves, but otherwise have the typical features of the species. In C. nutans the leaves are often papillose. Cryptandra scoparia var. microcephala Benth., FI. Austral. 1 : 439 (1863). Type: Murchison River, [Western Australia], Oldfield (MEL 227043). Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 3. Classed as a Priority 2 taxon on the 1991 Priority Flora List under the phrase name Cryptandra sp. Kalbarri (A.S. George 2364). It has now been collected from three sites in Kalbarri National Park, and from four other localities, including a nature reserve near Geraldton. A recent collection from Nerren Nerren Station has slightly extended its known range to c. 155 km. It may be favoured by infrequent fires as young plants were common at a site surveyed in 1994, where the bush was regenerating following a fire. (Figure 5K-N) 280 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Notes. This shows only minor morphological differences from the type variety. Cryptandra scoparia Reissek var. scoparia occurs from near Mt Lesueur south to Perth and is distinguished mainly by its longer spinescent branchlets. Cryptandra wilsonii Rye, sp. nov. Cryptandrae polycladaee affine sed indumenta cauli minus implicato, petiolis manifeste a vagino stipuli exserto colore foliorum fusciore differt. Typus: N of Cape Riche Beach, Western Australia, 8 August 1974, G. Perry 235 (holo: PERTH 03118509; iso: CANB, MEL). Shrub 0.15-0.9 m high. Branchlets sometimes spinescent. Young stems usually with fine indumentum of appressed to antrorse simple hairs 0.2-0.4 mm long, sometimes with minute stellate hairs instead or with a mixture of simple and stellate hairs. Stipules 0.8- 1 .4 mm long, acute or shortly acuminate; outer surface glabrous or with hairs along the midvein; inner surface glabrous on margins, with a dense indumentum within of simple hairs 0.3-0.4 mm long, the hairs sometimes protruding from the sides and resembling cilia. Petioles 0. 3-0.5 mm long. Leaf blades oblong-elliptic or narrowly so, 1.8-3. 2 x 0.5-0.7 mm, with an erect mucro; lower surface completely or largely concealed, densely hairy; upper surface usually glabrous and minutely tuberculate at least on the margins, sometimes more prominently tuberculate or with minute coarse patent hairs. Floral bracts 6 or 7 per flower, broadly ovate, 1.2- 1.6 mm long, acute, with cilia c. 0. 1-0.3 mm long; outer surface glabrous or rarely with few stellate hairs towards apex. Flowers solitary or 2-6 in a loose spike-like or head-like cluster 4-8 mm wide, white. Floral tube 1.4- 1.9 mm long (enlarging to c. 3 mm in fruit); adnate portion of tube c. 0.5 mm long, densely minutely stellate-hairy; free portion of tube 0.9- 1.4 mm long, sparsely to moderately densely minutely stellate-hairy. Sepals 1 .2- 1 .6 mm long, densely minutely stellate- hairy, often also with simple hairs 0.2-0.3 mm long towards the apex. Petal claw 0.1 -0.3 mm long. Disc with hairs 0.1 -0.2 mm long. Ovary summit with hairs 0.2-0.3 mm long. Style 0.7- 1.3 mm long. Schizocarp half or slightly less than half inferior, c. 3 x 2.2 mm; superior portion concealed within the free floral tube, densely stellate-hairy. Seeds not seen at maturity. (Figure 6G-K) Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 15 miles [24.2 km] NE ot Wialki, no date, J.M. Arnold ; 20.75 km due SE of Mt Burdett, 3/8/1983, M.A. Burgman 1684 & S. McNee\ South Stirlings road, 35 miles [56.4 km] E of Borden road, 27/5/1964, A.S. George 6250; c. 14 km SE of Kulin, 16/7/1977, R. Hnatiuk 770401 ; 1 3 km NNW ofChillinup Pool, 7/5/1974, K.R. Newbey 4131 A; 7 km NNW of Point Charles, Fitzgerald River National Park, 16/7/1980, K.R. Newbey 6816; Fitzgerald River Reserve, 12/7/1970, R.D. Royce 8938; 2 km SW of Manmanning, 19 July 1978, B. & M. Smith ; 3-5 km E of Merredin along Great Eastern Highway, 29/9/1981, R ■ Spjut, G. White, R. Phillips & L. Lacy 7243; Mt Madden 6/8/1968, P.G. Wilson 6776. Distribution. Extends from north east of Wialki south to near Cape Riche and eastwards from there to east of Gibson, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Recorded in sandy soils or in clay, with one record from gravel, sometimes in mallee scrub. Flowering period. May-August. Fruits September-October. Conservation status. Fairly widespread and apparently not at risk at present. B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 281 Etymology. Named in honour of Paul G. Wilson, a botanist prominent in studies of Australian plants. His collection of this Cryptandra species in 1968 was the earliest one with a date. An undated collection by J.M. Arnold may have preceded it. Notes. Related to Cryptandra polyclada, which differs in its very fine matted indumentum on the stems, in having petioles concealed at first (and often remaining concealed) by the long stipule sheaths and in its paler green leaves. C. polyclada also tends to be a smaller plant with more intricate branching, is never spinescent and generally has longer cilia on the bracts and longer hairs on the flowers. Specimens of C. wilsonii from the more inland areas usually have spinescent branchlets, while those occurring near the south coast usually lack spinescent branchlets. Species included in the reinstated genus Stenanthemum Reissek The genus is predominantly Western Australian but some species extend into other states and there are a few species restricted to other parts of Australia, such as Stenanthemum leucophractum (Schledl.) Reissek. A total of 21 Western Australian species are included in the genus at this stage and all are listed below except for Stenanthemum humile Benth. and S. pomaderroides (Reissek) Reissek. Implicit characters for Stenanthemum Indumentum white or clear. Branchlets not spinescent. Stipules persistent, brown, each pair free on lower (abaxial) side of the petiole and either connate at the base or free (but meeting) on the upper side of the petiole. Leaves conduplicate in bud, spreading but remaining partially folded or with an indented midvein at maturity, entire; lower surface pale green, hairy; upper surface green. Flowers sessile or subsessile, several to many aggregated into dense head-like clusters surrounded by brown bracts and leaves, each flower subtended by at least two floral bracts. Floral tube extended into a free tube above the ovary summit. Disc lining floral tube and scooped between the stamens or stamen traces, glabrous. Ovary 3-celled. Style glabrous (sometimes with a few stellate hairs at the base if ovary is hairy); stigmatic lobes 3. Fruit a schizocarp, inferior or largely inferior; fruitlets crustaceous, opening over the summit and down inner surface, with a basal hole where attached to the peduncle or receptacle. Seeds with a dark base seated on an aril; aril with three prominent acute lobes, one inner (adaxial) lobe and two lateral lobes. Stenanthemum bilobum Rye, sp. nov. Stenanthemo notiali simile sed stipulis libris, foliis marginem magis recurvis ad apice manifeste 2-lobatis differt. Typus : 262 km from Mt Magnet on Geraldton road, Western Australia, 20 August 1963, D. W. Goodall 1840 0 holo : PERTH 01539698). Shrub small, height not recorded. Young stems densely stellate-hairy. Stipules free or very shortly united at base, pale brown or whitish; outer surface densely stellate-hairy. Petioles c. 0.5 mm long, very densely hairy. Leaf blades obcordate or narrowly obcordate, c. 5x3 mm, 2-lobed at apex, with the midvein indented, the margins recurved, pale green and densely hairy on both surfaces, apparently 282 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2(1995) with mainly stellate hairs but also some simple hairs; simple hairs mostly 0.3-0.4 mm long. Bracts narrowly triangular or subulate, c. 1 mm long, pale brown, ciliate; outer surface densely hairy, the hairs c. 0.3 mm long. Flower clusters 2-3 mm wide, their colour unknown but probably white or cream. Floral tube c. 0.7 mm long (enlarging to c. 1.7 mm in fruit), densely stellate-hairy and with simple antrorse hairs 0.2-0.3 mm long; free portion of tube c. 0.4 mm long. Sepals c. 0.5 mm long, very densely stellate-hairy and with simple antrorse to spreading hairs 0.2-0.3 mm long. Disc shallowly scooped between the stamens. Ovary summit stellate-hairy; hairs 0. 1-0.2 mm long. Style c. 0.5 mm long. Schizocarp seen only when immature, c. 1 .5 x 1 mm, densely stellate-hairy and also with antrorse simple hairs 0.4-0.5 mm long. (Figure 7A-E) Specimens examined. None other than the type. Distribution. Recorded from near Tenindewa, west of Mullewa, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Unknown. Flowering period. August. Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 1. Apparently at risk as it is known from only one collection, probably from a road verge. This poorly known species urgently needs to be surveyed. Etymology. From the Latin bi - two and lobus - lobe, referring to the prominently 2-lobed leaves. Notes. The leaves of this species are very distinctive and immediately distinguish it from all other members of the genus. It could be confused with Stenanthemum notiale, which differs in having stipules connate for about a quarter to half their length, flat or less prominently recurved leaf margins and either an entire or acutely toothed leaf apex. Stenanthemum complicatum (F. Muell.) Rye, nov. comb. Spyridium complicatum F. Muell., Fragm. Phyt. Austral. 3: 78 (1862). Type: Murchison River, [Western Australia], Oldfield ( holo : MEL 90946). Conservation status. Not considered to be at risk at present. Stenanthemum coronatum (Reissek) Reissek, Linnaea 29: 295 (1858) - Cryptandra coronata Reissek in Lehm,, PI. Preiss. 2: 288 (1848). Type: [Western Australia], J. Drummond 2nd coll. 722 (MEL 227036). Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 3. Included on the 1994 Priority Flora List with a priority 2 code but several additional populations have been reported since then. Known from eight localities with a range of c. 200 km, extending from Mokine Nature Reserve south to near Duranillan (south of Darkan). The species is apparently not common at any of these locations, but has some degree of protection as at least two populations are on nature reserves. (Figure 8A-C) B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 283 Figure 7. A-E - Stenanthemum bilobum. A - flowering branch (xl), B - stipules and upper surface of leaf (x6), C - lower surface of leaf (x6), D - flower (x 1 2), E - schizocarp (x 1 2); F-K. - S. cristatum. F- flowering branch (x 1 ), G - stipules and upper surface of leaf (x6), H - lowersurface of leaf (x6), 1 - flower (x9), J - half flower (x9), K - inner and outer surfaces of adehiscing fruitlet (x6); L-Q - S. divaricatum. L flowering branch (x 1 ), M - stipules and upper surface of leaf (x6), N - lower surface of leaf (x6), O- flower cluster and leaves (x6), P - schizocarp (x8), Q - seed (x8). Drawn from D.W. Goodall 1840 (A-E), C.A. Gardner 2947 (F-J), C.A. Gardner 1406 &W.E. Blackall (K), A. S. Weston 10609 (L-O ),A.S. George 11501 (P) and A.. S'. George 10154 (Q). 284 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Stenanthemum cristatum Rye, sp. nov. Stenanthemo imbricato et S. notiali simili sed pilis florum magis longioribus, disco ad apice magis piano differt. Typus: Near East Mt Barren, Western Australia, 25 November 1931, C.A. Gardner 2947 (ho In: PERTH 01541900; iso: CANB, MEL). Shrub spreading to prostrate, 0.05-0.2 m high. Young stems with short stellate hairs and antrorse to spreading simple hairs 0.5-0.7 mm long. Stipules united for about half their length, ciliate; outer surface with simple antrorse hairs along the midrib and sometimes a few hairs on each side. Petioles c. 1 mm long, very densely hairy at first. Leaf blades obcordate or broadly so, 5-8 x 3.5-S.5 mm, with a tooth on each side of the apex or appearing to be 2-lobed at apex, the margins distinctly recurved; lower surface densely stellate-hairy and with simple, sometimes ferruginous hairs 0.7-1 mm long; upper surface with simple patent hairs 0.3-0.4 mm long. Bracts variable but often broadly ovate, 1-2 mm long, long-ciliate, the cilia 0.3-0.5 mm long; outer surface with hairs 0.5-0.8 mm long densely covering the midvein, sparsely hairy or glabrous on each side. Flower clusters 4-6 mm wide, white. Floral tube c. 1 mm long (enlarging to c. 2.5 mm in fruit), densely stellate-hairy and with simple antrorse hairs 0.8- 1.2 mm long; free portion of tube c. 0.5 mm long. Sepals c. 0.7 mm long, with a dense indumentum of simple antrorse hairs c. 0.5 mm long. Disc more or less level at the summit. Ovary summit stellate-hairy; hairs c. 0.3 mm long. Style c. 0.6 mm long. Schizocarp c. 2.4 x 1.8 mm, densely stellate-hairy and with simple hairs c. 1 mm long. Seeds not seen at maturity. (Figure 7F-K) Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Plains near Mid Mt Barren, 25/1 1/1931, C.A. Gardner & W.E. Blackall 1406. Distribution. Occurs near Mid Mt Barren and East Mt Barren, Fitzgerald River National Park, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Recorded in gravelly soil. Flowering and fruiting period. November. Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 2. Only known from two collections, both made in 1931 from a large national park, collected near two mountains that are c. 35 km apart. This poorly known taxon needs to be surveyed. Etymology. From the Latin cristatus - tufted or crested, referring to the long hairs on the sepals forming an apical tuft. Notes. This species could be confused with Stenanthemum imbricatum and S. notiale, which differ in having shorter floral hairs and a shallowly scooped disc. Of all the Stenanthemum species, S. cristatum shows the closest approach to the type of disc found in the genus Spyridium. Stenanthemum divaricatum (Benth.) Rye, nov. comb. Spyridium divaricatum Benth., FI. Austral. 1: 427 (1863). Type: Dirk Hartog Island, [Western Australia], Milne (n.v.); Murchison River, [Western Australia], Oldfield (MEL 227041). B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 285 Figure 8. A-C - Stenanthemum coronatum. A - whole plant (xl), B - flower cluster (x3), C - flower (x6); D-I - S. limitatum D - flowering branch (x 1), E - stipules and lower surface of leaf (x4), F - flower cluster (x4); G - flower (x6), H - dehiscing fruitlet (x7), I - outer surface of seed and aril (x7); 1-M -S. nanum. J - whole plant (xl), K - flower cluster (x6), L - flower (x 1 0) M - seed (x7). Drawn from G.J. Keighery & J.J. Alford 448 (A-C), A.S. George 1 2893 (D-H), C.A. Gardner 847 1 (I) and A Strid 21106 (J-M). 286 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Conservation status. Listed as a Priority 3 species on the Priority Flora List of 1994 but additional collections seen since then indicate that it no longer needs to be given priority for conservation. Now known from eight coastal locations, with a geographical range of over 360 km. Three of the known populations are on large islands and one or two of the mainland populations are in a national park. (Figure 7L-Q) Stenanthemum emarginatum Rye sp. nov. Stenanthemo divaricato arete affine sed spinis destiiutis, lobis apicalibus foliorum acutioribus, folius infra magis dense pilosis differt. Typus: Whoogarup Range, south west of Ravensthorpe, Western Australia, 2 December 1960, A.S. George 1900 ( holo : PERTH 01541838; iso: CANB). Shrub spreading to prostrate, 0.05-0.1 m high. Young stems sparsely hairy and papillose; hairs simple, appressed to antrorse, c. 0.5 mm long. Stipules united for about a third to half of their length, ciliate; outer surface with hairs along midvein. Petioles 0.5- 1.5 mm long, glabrous or with a few hairs on undersurface. Leaf blades usually narrowly obtriangular, rarely obtriangular, 4.5-1 1 x 1.5-3.5(5) mm, emarginate and 3-toothed at apex, the margins recurved; lower surface usually white, rarely pale green, with stellate hairs and antrorse simple hairs 0.4-0.7 mm long; upper surface papillose. Bracts ovate or broadly ovate, with an apical point; outer surface hairy along mid vein. Flower clusters 3-5 mm wide, white or cream. Floral tube 0.6-0.9 mm long (enlarging to 2-2.5 mm in fruit); adnate portion of tube with a very dense indumentum of antrorse simple hairs 0.3-0.5 mm long; free portion of tube 0.3-0.5 mm long, stellate-hairy and tending to be covered by the long simple hairs of the adnate portion. Sepals 0.6-1 mm long, with a dense indumentum of minute stellate hairs and antrorse simple hairs c. 0.3 mm long. Disc shallowly scooped between the stamens. Ovary summit minutely stellate- hairy. Style c. 0.5 mm long. Schizocarp 1. 8-2.2 x 1. 5-1.7 mm, with simple hairs 0.5-0.8 mm long and usually also a few stellate hairs especially towards the summit. Seeds 0.9- 1.2 x c. 0.7 mm, very pale brown, with distinct medium to reddish brown spots. (Figure 9A-F) Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Bobakine Hills, 4 km NE of Clackline, 30/9/1986, J.J. Alford 968; E of Brand Highway, S of Wannamal West Rd, 16/12/1992, E.A. Griffin 8469; Near Moir Hill, Stirling Range, 15/11/1982, G.J. Keighery 5854; Kelmscott, 21/12/1899, A. Morrison ; Armadale, Canning River, 21/12/1901, A. Morrison ; Dryandra State Forest, 15/1 1/1987, D.M. Rose 504; Ridge Hill Rd, Helena Valley, 1 1/1977, J. Seabrook 621. Distribution. Extends from north of Gingin south to Dryandra State Forest, with isolated records from Stirling Range and Whoogarup Range, southern Western Australia. Habitat. In clay or sandy clay. Flowering and fruiting period. September-December. Conservation status. Seems to be uncommon but reasonably widespread and occurs in a large national park and a nature reserve. Etymology. From the Latin e - out of and margo - inis - margin, referring to the notched (emarginate) apical margin of the leaf. B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 287 Notes. Closely related to Stenanthemum divaricatum, which differs in commonly having spinescent branchlets and in the obtuse apical lobes and sparser undersurface of its leaves. Stenanthemum intricatum Rye, sp. nov. Stenanthemo notiali affine sed foliis supra indumento sparso brevi, sepalis et parte libra tubi floralis magis aequabilus, a S. tridentato tubo florali inferi et fructo magis pubescentibus differt. Typus: 6 km S of Kalbarri township, Western Australia, 7 May 1968, P.G. Wilson 6581 ( holo : PERTH 01539701; iso: CANB). Shrub dense, often wiry, erect to widely spreading, 0.1 -0.7 m high, intricately branched. Young stems stellate-hairy, sometimes also with a few simple antrorse hairs 0. 3-0.6 mm long. Stipules united for about a third to half of their length, usually ciliate, the cilia 0. 1 -0.3 mm long; outer surface usually hairy along the midvein, sometimes appearing almost glabrous. Petioles 0.3-0. 8 mm long, densely hairy at first, sometimes becoming sparsely hairy. Leaf blades obovate to obcordate or broadly so, 2.5-8 x 2-8 mm, the margins flat or recurved, with 1 or 2 teeth on each side of the apical tooth; lower surface densely hairy at first, sometimes becoming sparsely hairy; upper surface with simple, patent to widely antrorse hairs 0.05-0.2 mm long, rarely also with a few antrorse simple hairs c. 0.3 mm long. Bracts ovate or broadly ovate, prominently ciliate, often toothed; outer surface usually with a few hairs along the midvein, sometimes moderately densely hairy on midvein. Flower clusters 3-5 mm wide, usually white to cream, rarely greenish white. Floral tube 0.8-1 .0 mm long (enlarging to 2.3-3 mm in fruit), densely stellate-hairy and with simple hairs 0.2-0.5 mm long at first, sometimes becoming sparsely hairy; free portion of tube (0.4)0.5-0.6 mm long. Sepals 0.5-0.7 mm long, densely stellate- hairy, with simple hairs 0.1 -0.3 mm long towards the apex. Disc shallowly scooped between the stamens. Ovary summit densely stellate-hairy; hairs 0.2-0.3 mm long. Style 0.5-0.8 mm long. Schizocarp 1. 8-2.5 x 1.6-2 mm, densely stellate-hairy and with simple hairs usually 0. 3-0.4 mm long. Seeds c. 1.4 x 0.8 mm, very pale brown, with dark red-brown markings. (Figure 9G-N) Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Durokoppin Nature Reserve, 12/1 1/1986, L. Darlington HLA76; Wongan Hills, 12/1924, C.A. Gardner, c. 5 miles [8.5 km] W of Mogumber Mission, 11/4/1964, A.S. George 6174; Masons Rd, NE of Watheroo, 27/10/1992, E.A. Griffinlllfr, Kalbarri road, E of Kalbarri National Park, 7/8/1976, R.J. Hnatiuk 760555; Mokine Nature Reserve, 7/6/1985, G.J. Keighery & J.J. Alford 858; Mt Ridley, 9/3/1980, K.R. Newbey 6695; at entrance of track to Junga Dam, Kalbarri National Park, 2/6/1994, S. Patrick 1833; 17 miles [27.4 km] W of Dalwallinu, 4/5/1955, R.D. Royce 5037; 6.5 km S of intersection of Grey and Clotworthy streets, Kalbarri, on road to Eagle Gorge, 5/7/1991, B.L. Rye 91006. Distribution. Extends from Kalbarri National Park south east to Mokine Nature Reserve and near Kellerberrin, with an isolated record from Mt Ridley. Habitat. Occurs on sandy or clayey soils, sometimes associated with laterite, often in low-lying or relatively damp situations. The isolated Mt Ridley specimen came from clayey sand on the apron of a granite monolith. Flowering and fruiting period. March-November. Conservation status. Widespread and not considered to be at risk. 288 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Figure 9. A-F - Stenanthemum emarginatum. A - whole plant (xl), B - stipules and upper surface of leaf (x7), C - lower surface of leaf (x7), D - flower cluster (x4), E - dehiscing schizocarp (x8), F - outer and inner surfaces of seed and aril (x9); G-L - typical 5. intricatum. G - flowering branch (x 1 ), H - stipules and upper surface of leaf (x6), I - lower surface of leaf (x6), J - flower cluster (x5), K - schizocarp (x6). L - outer and inner surfaces of seed and aril (x7) ; M,N - atypical S. intricatum. M - flowering branch (x 1 ), N - flower cluster (x7); O - 5. notiale subsp. notiale schizocarp (x6); P-S - 5. notiale subsp. chamelum. P - flowering branch (x 1), Q - stipules and upper surface of leaf (x5), R - flower cluster (x4), S - schizocarp (x7). Drawn from .4.5. George 1900 (A-F), R.J. Hnatiuk 760555 (G-L), Y. Chadwick 1738(M,N),fl. Pullen 9786 (O-Q), 7 Dodd 5/9/ 1 978 (R) and GJ. Keighery 9673(S). B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 289 Etymology. From the Latin intricatus - entangled, referring to the intricate branching pattern characteristic of this species. Notes. The closest relative is Stenanthemum notiale, which tends to have longer petioles and larger leaves, with its upper leaf surface either tuberculate or more densely hairy, and sepals distinctly exceeding the free portion of the floral tube. The difference in the relative lengths of the sepals and free part of floral tube is usually more evident in fruit than in flower and is a less reliable character than the vegetative differences. In Western Australia, S. notiale also differs in its usually open branching pattern and commonly has more yellowish flowers. Stenanthemum intricatum could also be confused with the three species in the S. tridentatum species group, which differ in their less hairy lower floral tube and fruit and their paler seed mottling. Two atypical specimens ( Y . Chadwick 1738 from east of Geraldton and F. W. Went 79 from south west of Yuna) have particularly small leaves with margins more recurved than usual. Whereas typical specimens have only short patent to antrorse hairs 0.05-0.2 mm long on the upper leaf surface, the atypical variant also has a few antrorse hairs c. 0.3 mm long. This variant is illustrated in Figure 9M,N. Stenanthemum limitatum Rye sp. nov. Stenanthemo coronato arete affine sed planta grandiore, bracteis brevioribus, floribus minus dense pubescentibus differt. Typus: Mt Lesueur, Western Australia, 16 October 1946, C.A. Gardner 8471 (holo: PERTH 01516957; iso: CANB). Shrub, erect to decumbent, 0. 15-1 m high. Young stems with large stellate and simple hairs; large simple hairs more or less patent, 0.4-0.7 mm long. Stipules connate for about a quarter of their length, persistent or shed about the same time as the leaves, attenuate or acuminate, with a few large cilia; outer surface usually with a few large hairs mainly on the midvein. Petioles 0.5-1 mm long, usually with a few large simple hairs on undersurface. Leaf blades usually broadly obovate to broadly obtriangular, sometimes obovate to obtriangular, 5.5-16 x 3-8 mm, with 1 or 2 (rarely more) teeth on each side of the apex, the margins recurved; lower surface with 1-3 lateral veins on each side of midrib, densely stellate-hairy and with large simple hairs at first, soon becoming sparsely hairy, with simple hairs c. 1 mm long persisting mainly on the midvein; upper surface sparsely hairy on the margins or glabrous, the marginal hairs 0.4-1 mm long. Involucral bracts subulate or narrowly triangular, 1 .5-2 mm long, attenuate, prominently ciliate, the larger cilia usually c. 0.6 mm long; outer surface sparsely hairy or glabrous. Floral bracts apparently deciduous, similar to involucral bracts but smaller. Flower clusters 5-10 mm wide, white or cream. Floral tube 3-3.5 mm long (enlarging to 5-6 mm in fruit); adnate portion of tube densely hairy with a mixture of short stellate hairs and coarse antrorse simple hairs c. 0.7 mm long; free portion of tube 2.5-3 mm long, with a sparse to moderately dense indumentum of stellate and simple hairs. Sepals 1 . 1- 1 .5 mm long, rather sparsely stellate-hairy and with antrorse or spreading simple hairs c. 0.5 mm long. Disc deeply v-shaped between the stamen traces. Ovary summit minutely stellate-hairy. Style 3-4 mm long. Schizocarp 2.5-3.3 x 1.5-1. 8 mm, with a mixture of minute stellate hairs and antrorse to almost patent simple hairs 0.4-0.8 mm long. Seeds c. 2 x 0.8 mm, very pale brown, with mid brown markings. (Figure 8D-I) 290 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: summit of Mt Lesueur, 13/10/1974, A.S. George 12893; western slope of Mt Lesueur, 17/7/1979, E.A. Griffin 1883; 2 kmN ofMtLesueur, 11/10/1979, E.A. Griffin 2354; 8 km NE of Mt Lesueur, 12/10/1979, E.A. Griffin 2533; Jurien Bay, 4/1 1/1962, R.D. Royce 7746. Distribution. Occurs in the Mt Lesueur area, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Recorded mainly on laterite, with one record from sandstone. Flowering and fruiting period. October-November . Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 2. Included on the 1991 Priority Flora List under the phrase name Cryptandra sp. Lesueur (A.S. George 12893). This species has been included in a survey of rare taxa in the Moora District. Known localities are restricted to an 8 km range and include a national park. Etymology. From the Latin limito -atus enclose within limits, referring to the very restricted geographic range of the species. Notes. Closely related to Stenanthemum coronatum, which differs in being a smaller, more prostrate plant with longer bracts and more densely hairy flowers. S. coronatum also tends to have smaller, more densely clustered leaves and less elongate fruits and also has a glabrous ovary summit. Stenanthemum mediale Rye, sp. nov. Folia late obovato-conduplicata, parva, integra; bracteae latae; flores in amplitudine medii; disci sinubus v-formatis; ovarium stellato-pubescens. Typus: Yeelirrie Station, Western Australia, 3 May 1990, H. Pringle 2755 (holo: PERTH 02937778; iso: CANB, MEL). Shrub erect, c. 0.35 m high. Young stems with a dense indumentum of minute stellate hairs and appressed simple hairs, the largest simple hairs 0.4 mm or mere long. Stipules connate for about a third to half of their length, acute or acuminate; outer surface arually hairy on midvein. Petioles c. 1 mm long, densely hairy. Leaf blades obovate to very broadly obovate, 3.5-7 x 2.5-4.5 mm, entire, the apex recurved; lower surface with a very dense indumentum of long appressed hairs, usually with 3 or 4 lateral veins (sometimes scarcely visible) on each side of midrib; upper surface glabrous or minutely papillose. Involucral bracts ovate or broadly ovate, 3-4 mm long, usually acuminate; outer surface hairy on the margins and midvein, glabrous in between, prominently ciliate. Floral bracts very broad, often toothed, c. 1 .5 mm long, hairy on midvein, long-ciliate. Flower clusters 5-8 mm wide, colour unknown. Floral tube 1. 5-2.5 mm long (enlarging to 3-4 mm long in fruit), with a dense indumentum of minute stellate hairs and rather coarse simple hairs, the simple hairs antrorse and becoming smaller towards the summit of tube, the basal ones commonly c. 0.6 mm long; free portion of tube 1-2 mm long. Sepals 1 .3- 1 .7 mm long, with an indumentum like that at summit of floral tube but with the simple hairs mostly c. 0.2 mm long. Disc v-shaped between the stamen traces, the base of each v being 0.5-0. 8 mm above base of free tube. Ovary summit densely stellate-hairy. Style 1.5-2 mm long. Schizocarp 3-3.5 x c. 2.5 mm, densely hairy. Seeds not seen at maturity. (Figure 10A-E) B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 291 Other specimens examined. Black Hill Station, 31/7/1993, D.A. Blood 3751. Distribution. Known from Yeelirrie Station and Black Hill Station, central Western Australia. Habitat. Recorded from red clayey sand. Flowering and fruiting period. April-August. Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 1. First listed in 1994 under the phrase name Stenanthemum sp. Yeelirrie ( Pringle 2755). Known from two specimens collected from pastoral stations. Etymology. From the Latin medialis- in the middle, referring to the occurrence of the species in the middle of Western Australia. Notes. This species has a disk similar to Stenanthemum coronatum and its allies, but those species differ in their leaves usually being toothed on each side of the apex and their flowers either shorter or longer, with a number of other differences which vary according to the species. Stenanthemum petraeum appears to overlap in range with .S', medialis but has larger and more shiny leaves, finer and more spreading hairs on the floral tube, a shorter disc and a different habitat. Stenanthemum nanum Rye, sp. nov. Stenanthemo coronato arete affine sed floribus parvioribus, bracteis latioribus, apice ovarium stellato-pubescenti differt. Typus: 50.5 miles [88.5 km] SE of Perth on Brookton Highway, Western Australia, 25 November 1965, A.S. George 7368 (holo: PERTH 0154307; iso: CANB). Shrub spreading, more or less prostrate to 0.05 m high. Young stems with stellate and simple hairs both common or with mainly simple hairs; larger simple hairs antrorse to almost patent, 0.4-0.7 mm long. Stipules connate for about a third of their length, attenuate, long-ciliate; outer surface with some long simple hairs mainly on the midvein. Petioles 0.8-2 mm long, hairy at first on undersurface, becoming sparsely hairy or subglabrous. Leaf blades broadly obovate or sometimes obovate, 5-8 x 3-5 mm, with a tooth on each side of the apex, the margins flat; lower surface with a dense indumentum of small stellate and antrorse simple hairs 0.5-0.7 mm long; upper surface often with a brown or reddish margin, papillose. Bracts ovate or broadly ovate, 2-3 mm long, prominently ciliate, the cilia 0-5-0. 6 mm long; outer surface with long antrorse simple hairs along the midvein. Flower clusters 4-6 mm wide, white or cream. Floral tube 1.6- 1.8 mm long (enlarging to 3-3.5 mm in fruit), with a very dense indumentum of minute stellate hairs and antrorse simple hairs c. 1 mm long; free portion of tube c. 0.9 mm long. Sepals c. 1 mm long, with a dense indumentum of minute stellate hairs and antrorse to spreading simple hairs c. 0.4 mm long. Disc v-shaped between the stamen traces. Ovary summit stellate-hairy; hairs 0. 1-0.2 mm long. Style c. 0.7 mm long. Schizocarp 2.2-25 x c. 2 mm, densely stellate-hairy and with some simple hairs c. 1 mm long. Seeds c. 1 .5 x 0.8 mm, very pale brown with distinct medium brown markings. (Figure 8J-M) Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: No collection data, 01543415; Worsley Mine Site, 10 km S of Boddington, 23/4/1982, K.J. Atkins 172; 73 km from Perth on Brookton Highway near Christmas Tree Well, 27/10/1982, A. Strid 21106. 292 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Figure 10. A-E. Stenanthemum mediale. A - flowering branch (x 1), B - connate stipules (x6), C - flower cluster (x4), D - flower (x7), E - half flower showing disc (x7.5); F-J - Stenanthemum tridentatum. F - fruiting branch (xl), G - stipules and leaf (x7), H - two views of flower (x6), I - fruit (x7), J - dehisced fruit (xl). Drawn from H. Pringle 2755 (A-E) , P. G. Wilson 6210 (F,G,I,J) and AS. George 9899 (H). B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 293 Distribution. Occurs in the Darling Range from Brookton Highway south to near Boddington, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Recorded from laterite and from gravelly clay on granite. Flowering and fruiting period. October-November. Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 1. Known from three localities with a range of c. 70 km, one from a mining lease and the others probably in state forest. Etymology. From the Latin nanus - dwarf, referring to the size of the plants. Notes. Closely related to Stenanthemum coronatum, which differs in its larger flowers, narrower bracts and glabrous ovary summit. Stenanthemum newbeyi Rye, sp. nov. Stenanthemo complicato arete affine sed apice ovarii glabro, fructo minus pubescenti; S. stipuloso arete affine sed foliis grandioribus multi-venisque supra pilis simplicibus, floribus grandioribus. Typus: Bungalbin Hill, Western Australia, 2 January 1989, D.J. Pearson 559 (holo: PERTH 01679538). Shrub, erect or spreading, 1-1.5 m high. Young stems with stellate and simple hairs; simple hairs appressed or antrorse, 0.4-0.6 mm long, sometimes ferruginous. Stipules free or very shortly connate at the base; outer surface hairy. Petioles 2-2.5 mm long, densely hairy. Leaf blades obovate or sometimes broadly obovate, 10-15 x 6-8 mm, entire, the margins flat or incurved; lower surface pale green or ferruginous, with 6-9 main lateral veins on each side of midvein; upper surface with long antrorse simple hairs at first, at maturity with minute patent simple hairs. Involucral bracts variable, commonly broadly ovate, c. 3 mm long, with an apical point, hairy inside along midvein; outer surface densely hairy, with a mixture of minute stellate hairs and appressed simple hairs c. 0.5 mm long, the indumentum sometimes ferruginous. Flower clusters 6-1 1 mm wide, pale yellow, each flower either subsessile or on a short hairy pedicel 0.3- 1 mm long. Floral tube c. 1 .5 mm long (enlarging to c. 3.8 mm in fruit), with a very dense indumentum of simple hairs 0.8-1 mm long; free portion of tube c. 1 mm long. Sepals c. 0.6 mm long, with a very dense indumentum of antrorse or spreading hairs 0.4-0.5 mm long. Disc apparently absent or shallowly scooped between the stamens. Ovary summit glabrous. Style c. 1.2 mm long. Schizocarp c. 3x2 mm, with simple hairs 0.7-1 mm long at first, apparently becoming glabrous with age. Seeds not seen at maturity. (Figure 1 1 A-C) Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 3 km N of Bungalbin Hill, 6/9/1989, R.J. Cranfield & P.J. Spencer 7773; 10 km N of Bungalbin Hill, 15/9/1979, K.R. Newbey 5922. Distribution. Known only from Bungalbin Hill and nearby hills, southern Western Australia. Habitat. On rocky slopes of ironstone or lateritic hills. Flowering and fruiting period. August-September, December-January. 294 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2(1995) Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 1. Known from three localities, with a range of only 10 km, in a mining area. Etymology. After Ken R. Newbey, a prominent collector of Western Australian plants and the first person to collect this taxon. Notes. Closely related to Stenanthemurn complicatum and 5. stipulosum, the former with a densely hairy ovary summit and more hairy fruits, the latter having smaller, few- veined leaves with a dense indumentum of minute stellate hairs on the upper surface and also smaller flowers. Stenanthemurn notiale Rye, sp. nov. Stenanthemo intricato arete affine sed sepalis parte libra tubi floralis manifeste longioribus, insuper uno subspecierum ramificationis ordinatione magis aperto, alter subspecierum folio supra magis pubescenti differt. Typus: c. 17 km NNW of Young River crossing on Ravensthorpe-Esperance road, Western Australia, 27/9/1968, E.N.S. Jackson 1296 ( holo : PERTH 01541315; iso: AD, CANB). Shrub subprostrate to erect, up to 0.5 m high. Stipules united for about a quarter to half of their length, usually ciliate, the cilia 0. 1-0.3 mm long; outer surface usually hairy along the midvein. Petioles 0.5-2.0 mm long. Leaf blades narrowly to broadly obovate to obcordate, 2.5-15 x 2.5-9 mm; lower surface densely hairy with small stellate hairs and simple appressed to antrorse hairs 0.3-1 .0 mm long. Bracts narrowly to broadly ovate, prominently ciliate, often toothed. Flowers clusters 4-7.5 mm wide. Floral tube 0.6-1 mm long (enlarging to 2-2.8 mm in fruit), densely stellate-hairy and with simple hairs 0.2-0.5 mm long; free portion of tube 0.3-0.4(0.5) mm long. Sepals 0. 6-0.9 mm long, densely minutely stellate-hairy and with simple hairs 0.05-0.3 mm long. Disc shallowly scooped between the stamens. Ovary summit densely stellate-hairy; hairs 0. 1-0.3 mm long. Style 0.5-0.8 mm long. Schizocarp 1 .8-2.4 x 1 .5- 1 .8 mm, densely stellate-hairy and with simple hairs 0.3-0.7 mm long. Distribution. Widely distributed in the south-west of Western Australia between Kalbarri National Park and Cocklebiddy and occurring also in South Australia and Victoria. Etymology. From the Latin notialis - southern, referring to the southern distribution of the species in mainland Australia, with representation in each of the three southern states. Notes. Closely related to Stenanthemurn intricatum, which differs in having sepals and the free portion of the floral tube similar in length. In comparison with most Western Australian specimens of S. notiale , .S', intricatum also tends to differ in habit, being a denser, more intricately branched shrub. It usually has shorter petioles and leaf blades, which have a sparse indumentum of short hairs on the upper surface. Stenanthemurn notiale subsp. chamelum Rye, nom. et stat. nov. Cryptandra tridentata var. tomentosa Reissek in Lehm., PI. Preiss. 2: 288 (1848). Type: Mt Eliza, Perth, [Western Australia], 25 September 1839, L. Preiss 1216 (LD). B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 295 Figure 11. A-C - Stenanthemum nev/beyi. A - flowering branch (x 1 ), B - flower (x8), C -schizocarp (x6); D-H - S. petraeum. D - flowering branch (x 1 ), E - floral bract (x8). F - flower (x8), G - schizocarp (x7), H - outer surface of seed and aril (x6); 1-L - S. stipulosurn. I - flowering branch (x 1 ), J - stipules and upper surface of leaf (x6), K - schizocarp (x7), L - outer and inner surfaces of seed and aril (x7); M-P - Stenanthemum sp. Ml Clifford (R. Cutttming 1267). M - flowering branch (xl), N - flower (x7), O - dehiscing schizocarp (x7), P - two fruitlets dehiscing (x6). Drawn from D.J. Pearson 559 (A-C), A. A'. George 8323 (D), P.K. Latz 2337 (E,F). R. Bates ( G,H), C.A. Gardner 13868 (1,1), R.J. Cranfield 2457 (K.L)and R. Cumming 1267 (M-P). 296 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Shrub subprostrate, forming a ground cover, up to 0.15 m high. Young stems with large stellate and simple hairs; simple hairs usually antrorse, 0.3-0.4(0.8) mm long. Stipules united for about a third to half of their length, usually ciliate, the cilia 0. 1-0.2 mm long; outer surface usually hairy towards base and along the midvein, sometimes appearing almost glabrous. Petioles 0.8- 1.5 mm long, hairy at first. Leaf blades obcordate to ovate or narrowly so, 5-15 x 3-9 mm, the margins recurved, with 1-3 (rarely more) teeth on each side of the apex; lower surface densely hairy at first with stellate hairs and antrorse simple hairs 0.3-1. 0 mm long; upper surface papillose or rarely with patent to antrorse simple hairs 0.05-0.1 mm long, usually also with a few long appressed simple hairs towards the base along the midvein. Bracts: outer surface usually with a few hairs along the midvein. Flower clusters 4-5 mm wide, off-white or cream. Floral tube sometimes much less densely hairy on free portion than on adnate portion. Sepals with simple hairs 0.05-0.2 mm long. Seeds not seen at maturity. (Figure 90-R; also illustrated in Bennett 1988, Figure 131). Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: No collection details, C. Andrews’, Claremont, 3/1902, C. Andrews: Moore River State Forest, 5 km along old Bennies Rd, 5/9/1978, J. Dodd 18; Moore River State Forest, 6.5 km along Bennies Rd, E of Lancelin turnoff, 18/1 1/1979, J. Dodd 59; Yanchep, 21/5/1963, A. S. George 4379; 3 miles [4.8 km] S along Wanneroo Rd, 18/10/1961, D.W. Goodall 3760; Nilgen Nature Reserve, 27/9/1991, W. Greater 22261; between Lancelin and Guilderton, near the Ledge Point turnoff, 1/12/1974, R. Pullen 9786. Distribution. Occurs along the coast from near Lancelin and Moore River south to Perth. Habitat. Occurs in deep sand or sand over limestone, on the western side of the coastal plain, generally in the Spearwood soil type. Flowering and fruiting period. Probably all year, recorded September-March and May. Conservation status. Although fairly restricted in range, occurring on a coastal strip c. 1 10 km long, this taxon does not appear to be at risk at present. It has been recorded from at least eight localities, including nature reserves. In Kings Park, the species is described as “common in bushland” and “often forming a dense ground cover” (Bennett 1988: 70). Etymology. From the Greek chamelos - on the ground or creeping, referring to the habit of the subspecies. Notes. Stenanthemum notiale subsp. chamelum has a subprostrate habit, forming a ground cover, and leaves with usually 1-3 teeth on each side of the apex and the upper surface papillose or minutely sparsely hairy. Subsp. notiale differs in its more erect habit and usually has all or some of the leaves entire with the upper surface always hairy. Specimens of subsp. notiale occurring near the coast in the Illawong-Jurien area have a short dense stellate indumentum on the upper surface of the leaves and a more erect habit than subsp. chamelum, but sometimes have all their leaves toothed. Inland specimens have at least a small proportion of the leaves entire and the upper surface with longer hairs. One coastal specimen in particular (R.J. Cranfield & P.J. Spencer 8252) is somewhat intermediate between the two subspecies, as it is the only known specimen of subsp. notiale to have leaves with more than one tooth on each side of the apex. Like the typical subspecies, subsp. chamelum has a more densely hairy floral tube and fruit than S. tridentatum, in which it was previously included as var. tomentosum. Its closer relative, B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 297 S. intricatum, has a more erect and more intricately branched habit and usually longer hairs on the upper leaf surface. Stenanthemum notiale Rye subsp. notiale Shrub usually erect or spreading, 0. 1-0.5 m high. Young stems with simple and stellate hairs both common or with mainly stellate hairs; simple hairs usually antrorse, 0.3-0.8 mm long. Stipules: outer surface densely hairy along the midvein at least towards the base, more sparsely hairy or glabrous on the sides. Petioles 0.5-2.0 mm long, densely hairy. Leaf blades obovate to obcordate or broadly so, 2.5-10(13) x 2. 5-6(7) mm, the margins flat or recurved, entire or with 1 tooth (very rarely more) on each side of the apex; lower surface densely hairy with simple appressed to antrorse hairs 0.3-0. 5 mm long, the marginal hairs and often scattered hairs elsewhere usually ferruginous at first; upper surface with simple appressed to antrorse hairs and/or stellate hairs; simple hairs c. 0.5 mm long. Bracts: outer surface densely hairy along the midvein, sometimes sparsely hairy on the sides. Flower clusters 4-7.5 mm wide, commonly yellow or yellow-green, sometimes cream or white. Sepals with simple hairs 0. 1-0.3 mm long. Seeds 1.1-1. 4 x 0.65-0.8 mm, with dark markings. (Figure 9S; also illustrated in Barker & Dashorst 1988, Figure 1 as Spyridium tridentatum) Selected specimens examined. SOUTH AUSTRALIA: WNW of Kimba, 10/10/1981, C.K. Alcock 9086 (AD); Scrubby Peak, Gawler Range, 9/9/1983, R. Bates 3353 (AD); Hundred of Parilla, 22/7/1968, B. Copley 1952 (AD); c. 2 km WNW of Mt Bosanquet, 27/10/1987, P.J. Lang 8675 (AD); c. 12 km WSW of Waddikee, 18/7/1985, P.J. Lang 8834 (AD); 5-7 km NE Corrobinnie Hill, 5/10/1981, M. Lewis 91 (AD). VICTORIA: Hattah and near Mildura, 8/1951, J.H. Willis (AD). WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 22 miles [35.4 km] N of Lake Grace, 26/7/1968, anonymous', Mt Ney, 30/8/1984, M.A. Burgman 3172 & C. Layman ; Jurien Bay turnoff, Brand Highway, 21/12/1978, R.J. Cranfield 1208; West Moresby Range, 22/8/1983, R.J. Cranfield 2804; 8 km SE of Mt Adams, 25/10/1993, R.J. Cranfield & D. Kabay 8951; Wicherina, 9/10/1945, C.A. Gardner 7733; 8 miles [12.9 km] N of Bremer River, 28/1 1/1960, A.S. George 1743; Dandaragan survey area [near Moore River North], 30/9/1988, E. A. Griffin 534 1 ; Reserve 42477, lllawong, 1 1/1 1/1991, E.A. Griffin 6697; Kamballup Golf Course, 25/10/1985, N. Hoyle 1 293; 1 1 km E of York then 5 km along Tammin road, 12/12/1974, K.F. Kenneally 24 1 8; Mt Lesueur Reserve 15018, 1/1 1/1973, D. Kitchener 89;21 kmSW of 90 Mile Tank, Frank Hann National Park, 13/1 1//1979, K.R. New bey 65 14; 7 km S of Pell Bridge over Irwin River, 27/9/1971, A.E. Orchard 4209; c. 23 km SSW of Cocklebiddy, 1/12/1967, R. Parsons 155 (AD); 15 km E of Kalbarri, Kalbarri National Park, 2/6/1994, .S'. Patrick 1832; foot of Mt Ragged, Cape Arid National Park, 5/12/1971, R.D. Royce 10129. Distribution. Extends from Kalbarri National Park south to Badgingarra and south east to Stirling Range and near Lake Grace, extending east from there to Cape Arid National Park and Cocklebiddy, southern Western Australia. Also occurs in South Australia and Victoria. Habitat. Occurs in sand or less commonly in soils with a mixture of sand and clay, those populations occurring near the west coast (also at Cocklebiddy) sometimes in sand over limestone. In South Australia, the species appears to be restricted to deep sand, often on dunes. Flowering and fruiting period. Apparently all year, most collections made in July-December but also some in January-June. 298 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2(1995) Conservation status. A common and widespread subspecies. Notes. Most specimens have all leaves entire or a mixture of entire and 3-toothed leaves, but a few specimens have most or all of the leaves toothed. In the northern specimens flower colour is usually given as yellow or yellow-green, while there are only three specimens mentioning colour in the southern part of the species range, one from north of Bremer Bay with cream flowers, one from near Young River with yellow flowers and one from Mt Ragged with white flowers. None of the South Australian and Victorian specimen labels indicates flower colour, nor is flower colour mentioned in the detailed description of the South Australian material provided by Barker & Dashorst (1988). A very variable subspecies. In most of its Western Australian range, it is a subprostrate to erect shrub, up to 0.5 m high, usually with a very open branching habit, with petioles 0.7-2.0 mm long and leaf blades (4)5-10(13) x 3-6(7) mm. In South Australia, Victoria and Cocklebiddy, Western Australia, it is apparently usually a spreading decumbent shrub, with erect branches commonly 0. 1-0.2 m high, more intricately branched than in the typical variant, with petioles 0.5- 1.5 mm long and leaf blades 2.5-6 x 2.5-4 mm. Some Western Australian specimens occurring in the Fitzgerald River-Cape Arid area are also like the eastern variant or intermediate between the eastern and western variants of the taxon. Stenanthemum petraeum Rye, sp. nov. Stenanthemo complicato arete affine sed stipulis magis glabris, foliis magis argenteo-griseis tuberculatis, sepalis indumento magis appresso differt. Typus: 189 km N of Neale Junction, Western Australia, 18 July 1974, A.S. George 12000 (holo: PERTH 01515411; iso: CANB, MEL). Shrub erect or spreading, 0.4-1 m high. Young stems densely hairy at first, sometimes soon becoming glabrous; hairs appressed or antrorse, sometimes ferruginous. Stipules free or very shortly connate at the base; outer surface usually sparsely hairy. Petioles 1-2 mm long, densely hairy. Leaf blades usually broadly obovate to circular, somedmes elliptic, rarely obovate, 5-18x5-12 mm, entire, margins flat or incurved; lower surface silvery pale green, with 4-7 main lateral veins on each side of midvein, very densely covered by long appressed hairs; upper surface papillose and sometimes also with a few long appressed simple hairs. Involucral bracts broadly oblong or ovate, 1-2 mm long, with an apical point and often some lateral teeth on each side of the apex, long-ciliate; outer surface densely hairy along the midvein, the hairs c. 0.5 mm long. Floral bracts 1 or 2 per flower, narrower and paler than the involucral bracts. Flower clusters 5-11 mm wide, cream. Floral tube 1.5-2. 3 mm long (enlarging to 3-3.8 mm in fruit), densely minutely stellate-hairy and with simple hairs usually 0.8-1 mm long; free portion of tube 1.3-2 mm long. Sepals 1-1.8 mm long, densely hairy; hairs appressed or antrorse, 0.2-0.3 mm long. Disc shallowly scooped between the stamens. Ovary summit with stellate hairs 0.2-0. 3 mm long. Style 1.5-3 mm long. Schizocarp c. 2.6 x 2.4 mm, with minute stellate hairs and simple hairs 0.7-1 mm long. Seeds c. 1.8 x 1.4 mm, orange-brown, with dark brown spots but these not prominent. (Figure 11D-H) Selected specimens examined. NORTHERN TERRITORY: Shaw River, East Petermann Range, 4/1967, W.H. Butler 5; Glen Edith, 24/6/1959, G. Chippendale 6247; 23 miles [37 km] NE of Docker River Settlement, 29/10/1970, C. Dunlop 1989. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Summit of Mt Augustus, 1/8/1984, R. Bates 3936; 3.2 kmNNEofMiralga Bore, Yoothapina Station, 14/8/1986, R.J. Cranfield 5678; 53 miles [85.3 km] SW of Warburton B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 299 Mission, 30/8/1961, A. 5. George 2966; Miss Gibson Hill, 26/8/1962, A.S. George 4074; Near Ediths Marble Bath, Rawlinson Range, 3/10/1 966, A.S'. George 8271; c. 6.5 kmNof Giles, Rawlinson Range, 7/7/1958, R. Hill & T.R.N. Lothian 842; Sir Frederick Range, 8/4/1972, P.K. Latz 2337; Mt Augustus, 26/8/1987, K.R. Newbey 11709; Rawlinson South, 30/7/1972, A. Robinson; Mt Ella, Hamersley Range, 19/5/1995, M.E. Trudgen 12738. Distribution. Occurs in central Western Australia, extending from Mt Augustus and Yoothapinna Station (near Meekatharra) eastwards via the Warburton area into Northern Territory. Habitat. Occurs in rocky or gravelly sites on hills or rock outcrops. Flowering and fruiting period. April-October. Conservation status. Not considered to be at risk at present. Etymology. From the Greek petraeus - among rocks, referring to the occurrence of the species in rocky habitats. Notes. Closely related to Stenanthemum complicatum, which differs in its more hairy stipules, greener leaves with minute patent hairs on the upper surface and spreading hairs on the sepals. The two taxa also differ in habitat. Stenanthemum poicilum Rye sp. nov. Stenanthemo pomaderroides simile sed stipulis basi connatis, foliis brevioribus venis minus numerosis differt. Typus: 12 km E of Jasper Hill, Western Australia, 22 November 1992, R.J. Cranfield 8605 (halo: PERTH 03048551; iso: CANB). Shrub erect to decumbent, 0.15-0.5 m high. Young stems with a dense indumentum of simple and stellate hairs; simple hairs appressed to antrorse, mostly less than 0.5 mm long, a few 0.5-0.8 mm long, sometimes ferruginous. Stipules connate at the base for about a quarter of their length, long- acuminate; outer surface hairy. Petioles 0.5-1 mm long, densely hairy. Leaf blades broadly obovate, 2.5-7 x 2.5-6 mm, entire, the margins more or less flat; lower surface with 2-4 main lateral veins on each side of midvein, minutely stellate-hairy and with antrorse simple hairs c. 0.5 mm long; upper surface minutely stellate-hairy. Involucral bracts ovate or broadly ovate, 2.5-3. 5 mm long, acuminate, ciliate, the cilia commonly 0.3-0.5 mm long; outer surface hairy. Floral bracts ovate, c. 3 mm long, acuminate, hairy. Flower clusters 5-12 mm wide, white. Floral tube 2.5-3.7 mm long (enlarging to 4-5.5 mm in fruit), with a dense indumentum of small stellate hairs and antrorse to appressed simple hairs 0.4-0.6 mm long; free portion of tube 2-3 mm long. Sepals 1.3- 1.6 mm long, with a dense indumentum of small stellate hairs and appressed simple hairs 0.3-0.5 mm long. Disc apparently absent. Ovary summit glabrous. Style 2.5-3. 5 mm long. Schizocarp 2-2.5 x c. 1 .5 mm, with antrorse to appressed simple hairs, the longest hairs 0.5-0.6 mm long. Seeds 1.3 x 0.8 mm, pale yellow-brown, with prominent dark (almost black) markings. (Figure 12A-F) Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Canna, 29/10/1974, J.S. Beard 7204; between Mullewa and Morawa, 24/9/1932, W.E. Blackall 2804; Maggie Hays Hill, Bremer Range' 300 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2(1995) 8/5/1978, G.J. Keighery 1687; Wilroy Reserve, 5/6/1977, B.G. Muir 358. Distribution. Occurs in the Wilroy-Canna and Warriedar Station areas, with an isolated record from Bremer Range, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Recorded in clay or sandy clay, sometimes or often over ironstone. Flowering and fruiting period. May-June, September-November. Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 2. Included on the 1991 Priority Flora List under the phrase name Cryptandra sp. Canna(J.S. Beardl204). Since then, an additional population of the species has been located. The species has been collected from three or four northern localities, extending c. 145 km, and from an isolated south-eastern locality c. 440 km from the remainder of its range. One of these localities is a nature reserve. C. poicilum is probably poorly collected rather than rare but this needs confirmation before the species can be removed from the priority list. Etymology. From the Greek poikilos - mottled, referring to the conspicuously mottled seeds. Notes. Closely related to Stenanthemum pomaderroides, which has free stipules and larger leaves with 5-8 prominent lateral veins on each side of the midvein. S. pomaderroides also has a more open branching pattern and different indumentum on the flowers, with the stellate hairs whiter and more predominant. Stenanthemum pumilum (F.Muell.) Diels in Diels & E. Pritzel, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 35: 356 (1904). - Spyridium pumilum F.Muell., Fragm. Phyt. Austral. 9: 137 (1875). - Cryptandra pumila (F. Muell.) F. Muell., Syst. Census Aust. PI. 61 (1882-1883). Type: Stirling Range, [Western Australia], F. Mueller (n.v.). Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 3. First included on the 1994 Priority Flora List. It is known from an area c. 25 km long in Stirling Range National Park, with a very isolated record in Darling Range c. 280 km north-west of the Stirling Range localities. (Figure 12G-K) Stenanthemum reissekii Rye sp. nov. Stenanthemo pomaderroides simile sed stipulis connatis, foliis margine recurvis, disco florum manifesto. Typus: N of Badgingarra, Western Australia, 29 October 1966, A. S. George 8631 (holo: PERTH 01517406; iso: CANB, MEL). Shrub erect to decumbent, 0. 1-0.5 m high. Young stems usually densely hairy at first, soon becoming glabrous with a flaky surface; hairs simple and stellate, appressed or antrorse, sometimes ferruginous. Stipules connate for about half or more of their length, acuminate; outer surface hairy on the almost black midvein. Petioles 0.5- 1.5 mm long, hairy on undersurface at first, becoming glabrous. Leaf blades narrowly obovate, 1 2-24 x 4-7 mm, entire, the margins recurved; lower surface with a dense indumentum of long antrorse ferruginous hairs, with 3-6 lateral veins on each side of B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 301 Figure 12. A-F- Stenanthemumpoicilum. A- flowering branch (x 1 ), B - stipules and leaf (x7), C - flower cluster(x4), D- flower (x7), E - fruitlet (x7), F -seed (x7); G-K - S. pumilum. G - whole plant (x 1 ), H - stipules and leaf (x7), I - flower (x6), J - schizocarp (x6), K - outer surface of seed and aril (x7); L-R - S. reissekii. L - flowering and fruiting branch (x 1 ), M - stipules and upper surface of leaf (x4), N- flower cluster (x4),0-flower(x6),P -inside offlowershowingdisc(x7),Q-schizocarp(x7),R-outerandinner surfaces of seed and aril (x7). Drawn from R.J. Cranfield 8605 (A-D), W.E. Blackall 2804 (E,F), A.S. George 10918 (G,H), R.J. Cranfield 1971 (l-K) and A.S. George 8631 (L-R). 302 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2(1995) midrib; upper surface papillose or glabrous; papillae (or very short hairs) simple, patent. Involucral bracts ovate or broadly ovate, 3-4 mm long, usually acuminate; outer surface hairy on the margins and midvein, glabrous in between, prominently ciliate. Floral bracts ovate, c. 2.5 mm long, hairy on midvein and margins. Flower clusters 6-13 mm wide, white or cream. Floral tube 2.5-3 mm long (enlarging to c. 3.6 mm in fruit), densely minutely stellate-hairy and with antrorse simple hairs commonly 0.4-0.6 mm long; free portion of tube 1.7-2 mm long. Sepals 1.3- 1.5 mm long, densely hairy; hairs appressed, c. 0.6 mm long. Disc very deeply v-shaped between the stamen traces. Ovary summit glabrous. Style c. 2 mm long. Schizocarp c. 2.4 x 1.6 mm, with a mixture of small stellate hairs and antrorse simple hairs c. 0.6 mm long. Seeds c. 1.4 x 0.7 mm, yellow-brown with red-brown markings. (Figure 12L-R) Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Mt Peron, 11/10/1957, C.A. Gardner 10568; summit of Mt Lesueur, 13/10/1974, A.S. George 12895; Brand Hwy, just S of Tootbardi Rd, 1/12/1992, E.A. Griffin 8004B; Mt Benia 26/8/1989, G.J. Keighery 1 1080; c. 1 km NW of Marchagee- Coomalloo Rd at 1.2 km E of Brand Highway, 18/11/1992, S. Patrick 1411; Cadda Rd, NW of Badgingarra, 20/10/1992, S. Patrick 1314. Distribution. Extends from Mt Peron south to near Badgingarra, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Occurs on the summits and upper slopes of lateritic hills. Flowering period. August-October. Fruits recorded September-November. Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 3. Included on the 1991 Priority Flora List under the phrase name Cryptandra sp. Mt Benia (G.J. Keighery 11080). Known from at least five localities, including a national park, and has a geographical range of c. 40 km. Etymology. Named after Siegfried Reissek, the botanist who named the genus Stenanthemum and a number of other Western Australian taxa of Rhamnaceae. Notes. This species does not appear to have any very close relatives but could be confused with Stenanthemum pomaderroides, which has leaves and inflorescences of a similar size and shape. S. pomaderroides differs in having free stipules, leaves with flat margins and a definite apical point, and flowers apparently lacking a disc. Stenanthemum stipulosum Rye, sp. nov. Stenanthemo complicato affine sed stipulis magis glabris, foliis pusillioribus, fructo magis glabro differt. Typus: 1 mile [1.6 km] east of Boorabbin, Western Australia, 21 October 1945, C.A. Gardner 8039 (, holo : PERTH 01542931; iso: CANB, MEL). Shrub erect to decumbent, (0.05)0.1-1 m high (possibly sometimes taller). Young stems with a dense tangled indumentum of simple and stellate hairs; simple hairs 0.3-0.5 mm long, sometimes ferruginous. Stipules free or very shortly connate at the base; outer surface hairy. Petioles 0.5-2 mm B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 303 long, densely hairy. Leaf blades obovate to obcordate or broadly so, usually obovate, 3-8.5 x 2. 5-4. 5(5.5) mm, entire, the margins flat or incurved; lower surface pale green or ferruginous, with 3 or 4 main lateral veins on each side of midvein, densely hairy; upper surface densely minutely stellate-hairy. Involucral bracts variable, often broadly linear or broadly 2-lobed, 1.7-3 mm long, often toothed across the broad apex, hairy inside along midvein, long-ciliate; outer surface densely hairy, the hairs c. 0.5 mm long. Floral bracts c. 2 per flower, 1.3-2 mm long, with hairs 0.5-1. 3 mm long, ovate or broadly ovate, sometimes toothed across the apex. Flower clusters 4-8 mm wide, white or cream, each flower subsessile or on a hairy pedicel 0.3-1 mm long. Floral tube 0.8- 1.2 mm long (enlarging to 2.5-3.5 mm in fruit), very densely hairy, hairs 0.7-1. 3 mm long; free portion of tube 0.4-0.8 mm long. Sepals 0.5-0.7 mm long, very densely hairy; hairs antrorse, or spreading; 0.3-0.5 mm long. Disc apparently absent or shallowly scooped between the stamens. Ovary summit glabrous. Style 0.7- 1.3 mm long. Schizocarp 1.8-2. 3 x 1 .5-1.8 mm, sparsely hairy or glabrous; hairs simple, deciduous, usually 0.7-1 mm long. Seeds c. 1.4 x 1 mm, orange-brown, with pale yellow-brown patches and black spots. (Figure 111-L) Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Bruce Rock district, E. Hailey VI 3; Near Narembeen, 9/1929, W.E. Blackall ; c. 65 km WNW of Norseman, 19/9/1979, M.D. Crisp 5938, J. Taylor &. R. Jacksom, 26 kmdueSWofBodallin, 17/9/1982, R.J. Cranfield 2457; 6 km NE of South Kulin, 2 km SW of Kulin, 25/10/1983, R.J. Cranfield 4756; 19.5 km SE of Mt Jackson, Bungalbin Hill track, 2/10/1991, R.J. Cranfield 8 1 34; base of North Ironcap, 5/5/1978, G.J. Keighery 1647;SW of Adelong Station, 24/10/1989, G.J. Keighery 11392; c. 34 km N of Widgiemooltha on Eyre Highway, 30/9/1968, A.E. Orchard 1259; 23 miles [37 km] S of Coolgardie, 17/2/1961, R. D. Royce 6443. Distribution. Extends from Adelong Station south west to Kulin and south to west of Norseman, southern Western Australia. Habitat. Occurs in deep sandy soils or in shallow soil over ironstone. Flowering and fruiting period. All year, possibly with a peak in September-November. Conservation status. This widespread taxon is not considered to be at risk, but a new variant of it (or new closely related species) currently under the phrase name Stenanthemum sp. Mt Clifford (R. Cumming 1267) was included in 1994 on the Priority Flora List and given a Priority 1 coding. The new taxon is known only from one collection from a rocky hillside near Mt Clifford, north of Leonora. Etymology. From the Latin stipula - diminutive of stipes (botanical term stipule) and -os us - plentiful, referring to the closely clustered stipules on the young stems, the stipules usually persisting in a tight arrangement after the leaves are shed. Notes. Related to Stenanthemum complicatum, which differs in its more hairy stipules, larger leaves and more hairy schizocarp. Stenanthemum sp. Mt Clifford appears to be either a new species or a new subspecies of S. stipulosum. It differs from typical Stenanthemum stipulosum in its larger flowers and fruits, the floral tube initially 2.5-3 mm long and enlarging to 5.5-6 mm long in fruit, the free tube 2-2.5 mm long and the schizocarps c. 3.5 mm long. More material is needed to assess its taxonomic status and determine how rare it is. It occurs north of the known range of S. stipulosum and is illustrated in Figure 11M-P. 304 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Stenanthemum tridentatum (Steud.) Rcissek, Linnaea 29: 295 (1958) - Cryptandra tridentata Steud. in Lehm., PI. Preiss. 1 : 186 (1845) - Spyridium tridentatum (Steud.) Benth., FI. Austral. 1: 427 (1863); C. tridentata var. pubescens Reissek nom. illeg. in Lehm, PI. Preiss. 2: 288 (1848). Type: L. Preiss 2421 (LD). Conservation status. CALM Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora: Priority 3. Known from five scattered localities from Gunyidi to West River, a distance of c. 500 km, including one nature reserve. (Figure 10F-J) Notes. Many other species were previously misidentified as, or believed to belong within, this species, which has generally been treated since Bentham’s (1863) treatment as Spyridium tridentatum. The two closest species are S. divaricatum and S. emarginatum, which differ from the other related taxa (e.g. S. intricatum and 5. notiale) in having the lower part of the floral tube only sparsely hairy, although this is often difficult to detect until it matures to a fruit. They also tend to have young stems more papillose (i.e. with fewer stellate hairs or long antrorse simple hairs), shorter ovary hairs and paler markings on the seeds. Discussion There are presently 21% of the typical Western Australian Cryptandra species and 55% of the typical Stenanthemum species on the Priority Flora List, but none has been included on the Gazetted Rare Flora List. There are also three infraspecific taxa listed for the genus Cryptandra. Many of the listed taxa are small and relatively inconspicuous plants, particularly those in the taxa previously lumped under the name ‘ Spyridium ’ tridentatum, so are likely to be poorly collected rather than genuinely rare. Most of the priority taxa have been partially surveyed or are presently the subject of field surveys in the Albany, Esperance, Manjimup, Moora and other Wildlife Districts as well as the Midwest Region. With further study, some of these taxa will probably be removed from the priority list. Further collections are needed of a few unnamed taxa, such as Stenanthemum sp. Mt Clifford, so that their taxonomic status can be better assessed. Fruiting material with mature seeds is also needed for a number of taxa to complete the descriptions given here. Acknowledgements I would like to thank Paul Wilson for translating all the diagnoses into Latin, Margaret Pieroni for her detailed and accurate illustrations, Kevin Thiele for sharing information on generic boundaries in the family and Judy Wheeler for her helpful comments on a draft of the paper. I am also grateful to Tony Annels, Ray Cranfield, Val Crowley, Val English, Ted Griffin, Brenda Hamersley, Alice O’Connor and Sue Patrick for information on populations of Cryptandra and Stenanthemum species they have surveyed. B.L. Rye, New and priority taxa in Cryptandra and Stenanthemum 305 References Barker, W.R. &Dashorst,G.R.M. (1988.) Plant portraits. 23.Spyridiumtridentatum(SteudeV) Benth. (Rhamnaceae). J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 1 1 : 67-7 4. Bennett, E.M. (1988.) “The Bushland Plants of Kings Park.” (Kings Park and Botanic Garden: West Perth.) Bentham, G. (1863.) Order XXXVI Rhamneae. “Flora Australiensis” Vol. 1 . pp. 409-445. Diels, L. & Pritzel, E. ( 1 905.) “Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae Occidentalis.” (Engelmann: Liepzig.) Ewart, A. J. & White, J.R. (1909.) Contributions to the flora of Australia. No. 12. Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria. 22: 91-99. Reissek, S. (1858.) Rhamneae. Linnaea29: 266-296. Rye, B.L. (1995.) New and priority taxain the generaSpym/ium and Towu/iumlRhamnaceae) of Western Australia. Nuytsia 10: 119-140. 306 Nuytsia Vol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Nuytsia 10(2): 307-310(1995) 307 Cryptandra monticola (Rhamnaceae), a new species from the Pilbara region of Western Australia B.L. Rye and M.E. Trudgen Western Austral! an Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152 Abstract Rye, B.L. and Trudgen, M.E. Cryptandra monticola (Rhamnaceae), a new species from the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Nuytsia 10 (2): 307-310 (1995). A new species, Cryptandra monticola Rye & Trudgen, is described and illustrated. It is the only Cryptandra species known from the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Introduction The new species described here is the only member of the genus Cryptandra known from the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Most Ciyptandra species occur in the south-western part of the State, although there is one species, C. intratropica W.Fitzg., recorded in the Kimberley region (Wheeler 1992). However, the Kimberley species has an atypical inflorescence and will probably be transferred to a new genus (K. Thiele pers. comm.). The Pilbara species was apparently first collected in 1974 from Mt Bruce in the Karijini National Park. In 1991, it was given the phrase name Cryptandra sp. Mt Meharry (S. van Leeuwen 682) and placed on the Priority Flora List with a conservation code of Priority 3*. Since then, the species has been found from more populations over a wider geographical range and is no longer considered to be at risk. It has therefore been removed from the Priority Flora List. Taxonomy Cryptandra monticola Rye & Trudgen, sp. nov. Folia omnino dense pubescenta; bracteis per florum circum 6, manifeste ciliatis; floribus dense pubescentibus, in fasciculo capituloideo aggregatis; parte libera tubi floralis ultra 1 mm longa; seminis atro rubro-brunneis. * Definitions of the conservation codes currently being used by the Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management are given at the end of each “Nuytsia” issue. 308 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2(1995) Typus: 8.1 km NE of Mt Windell, 17 km ESE of Karijini National Park Headquarters, Western Australia, 4 August 1991, S. van Leeuwen 927 ( holo : PERTH 02842866; iso: CANB, MEL). Shrub erect or spreading, 0.5- 1.5 m high; indumentum of fine clear-translucent hairs. Branchlets not spinescent. Young stems densely stellate-hairy at first and usually also with longer simple hairs, becoming glabrous. Stipules persistent, each pair shortly united at the base on abaxial side of petiole, 1.3-2. 5 mm long, acuminate to long-attenuate, hairy outside at least along midvein, long-ciliate. Petioles 0.4- 1.3 mm long, densely hairy. Leaf blades usually linear or narrowly oblong, sometimes narrowly obovate to elliptic, 3-6.5 x l-2.5(3.5) mm, the margins recurved, with a short erect mucro often obscured by hairs, which form a point-like terminal tuft, pale green or greyish green; lower surface densely hairy but often only the midvein visible between the recurved margins, the midvein with many long simple hairs; upper surface densely stellate-hairy, with simple antrorse hairs 0.4-0. 7 mm long at first, often loosing most of the long hairs with age. Floral bracts c. 6 per flower, ovate or broadly ovate, 1-3.5 mm long, acute or shortly acuminate, often hairy inside on distal half along the midvein, prominently ciliate, the cilia 0.3-0. 8 mm long; outer surface densely hairy along the midvein, becoming less densely hairy towards margins. Flowers usually 4-12 per branchlet, in a close head-like cluster 6-13 mm wide, white. Floral tube 1. 7-2.4 mm long (enlarging to 3-3.5 mm in fruit), the basal 0. 6-1.0 mm adnate to the ovary and distal 1. 1-1.4 mm free, minutely stellate- hairy throughout but more densely so on adnate portion of tube, sometimes also with a few long simple hairs. Sepals 1.3-1. 7 mm long, minutely stellate-hairy throughout and with simple antrorse hairs 0. 3-0.5 mm long towards apex. Petals c. 0.7 mm long, the claw c. 0.2 mm long. Disc united to the base of ovary, densely stellate-hairy, undulate at first, becoming a smooth circular shape in fruit. Ovary 3-celled, densely stellate- hairy ; hairs c. 0.3 mm long. Style 1 .3- 1 .6 mm long, usually with a few stellate hairs at base, glabrous above, with 3 small stigmatic lobes at the apex. Schizocarp about half inferior, 2. 5-3. 5 x 1 .8-2.2 mm, concealed within the floral tube, stellate-hairy on the superior portion, separating into 3 crustaceous fruitlets which dehisce along the distal half of the outer surface and the full length of the inner surface. Seeds 1.6-2. 3 x c. 1.0 mm, dark red-brown with a blackened base; aril 3-lobed, translucent. (Figure 1A-E) Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: East Prong, Mt Tom Price, 10/7/1980, K. Atkins 694 (KARR); top of Mt Nameless, 31/7/1980, K.A. Atkins & P. Wurm 708 (KARR); Mt Bruce, 6/7/1978, C. Dawe 42 (PERTH); c. 3.6 km N of Mt Hilditch, 7/5/1995, M.E. Trudgen 12522 (PERTH); south slopes of Mt Ella, 19/5/1995, M.E. Trudgen 12733 (PERTH); Mt Meharry, 19/4/1990, S. van Leeuwen 682 (PERTH); Mt Robinson, 1 .3 km W of the summit, 20/9/1990, S. van Leeuwen 735 (PERTH); 2.5 km E of Shovelanna Hill, eastern end of Ophthalmia Range, 29/5/1992, S. van Leeuwen 1264 (PERTH); Mt Shiela, 27/9/1994, .S', van Leeuwen 1847 (KARR); Mt Meharry, 10/6/1984, S. van Leeuwen 24 & J. Turner (PERTH); Mt Bruce, 17/8/1974, J.H. Willis (PERTH). Distribution. Occurs in the Eremaean Botanical Province of Western Australia, extending from Mt Shiela and Mt Nameless in the Hamersley Range east to about 50 km east of Newman. (Figure IF) Habitat. Occurs at altitudes of 800 m or more, most commonly in sheltered sites on south-facing slopes. Sometimes occupies more exposed sites, but in those situations the populations are small. Flowering period. April-August. Fruits July-September. B.L. Rye and M.E. Trudgen, Cryptandra monticola 309 . Tom Price Figure 1 . Cryptandra monticola. A- flowering branch (x 1 ), B - stipules and leaf undersurface (x6), C - flower and bracts (x7), D - schizocarp (x6), E - inner surface of seed and aril (x 8), F - distribution map. Drawn fromS. van Leeuwen 24 &.J. Turner (A-C)and J.H. Willis 17/8/1974 (D,E). Conservation status. This species is now known from about fifteen locations with a range of over 350 km. Owing to the relatively inaccessible sites it occupies, most of its populations have probably never been visited by botanical collectors. The species appears to be fairly well protected in this habitat, and it occurs in at least one large national park. Etymology. From the Latin mons, mountain and -cola, inhabitant, the species being restricted to high locations, including the two highest mountains in Western Australia. Affinities. Although it is quite typical of the genus Cryptandra, the new species does not appear to have any very close relatives. It can be distinguished readily from the atypical long-pedicellate Kimberley species, C. intratropica, by its densely clustered, sessile or subsessile flowers, but it has a similar inflorescence to some of the south-western species. The five south-western species showing the greatest similarity to C. monticola in terms of flower size and density are C. congesta Rye, C. graniticola Rye, C. intonsa Rye, C. polyclada Diels and C. wilsonii Rye. These are described in the accompanying paper (Rye 1995). All five species have glabrous or subglabrous leaves, in contrast to the conspicuously hairy leaves of C. monticola, and each of them shows a number of other obvious differences from C. monticola. 310 NuytsiaVol. 10, No. 2 (1995) Acknowledgements We would like to thank Steve van Leeuwen for providing specimens and information about the distribution and conservation status of the new species, Paul Wilson for commenting on the manuscript and preparing the Latin diagnosis and Margaret Pieroni for the illustration. References Rye, B.L. (1995). New and priority taxa in the genera Cryptandra and Stenanthemum (Rhamnaceae) of Western Australia. Nuytsia 10 : 255-305. Wheeler, J.R. (1992). Family 93 Rhamnaceae. In: Wheeler etal. “Flora of the Kimberley Region” pp. 629-634. (Department of Conservation and Land Management: Western Australia.) 311 CONSERVATION CODES FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIAN FLORA R: Declared Rare Flora - Extant Taxa (= Threatened Flora = Endangered + Vulnerable) Taxa which have been adequately searched for, and are deemed to be in the wild either rare, in danger of extinction, or otherwise in need of special protection, and have been gazetted as such, following approval by the Minister for the Environment, after recommendation by the State's Endangered Flora Consultative Committee. X: Declared Rare Flora - Presumed Extinct Taxa Taxa which have not been collected, or otherwise verified, over the past 50 years despite thorough searching, or of which all known wild populations have been destroyed more recently, and have been gazetted as such, following approval by the Minister for the Environment, after recommendation by the State's Endangered Flora Consultative Committee. 1: Priority One - Poorly Known Taxa Taxa which are known from one or a few (generally <5) populations which are under threat, either due to small population size, or being on lands under immediate threat, e.g. road verges, urban areas, farmland, active mineral leases, etc., or the plants are under threat, e.g. from disease, grazing by feral animals, etc. May include taxa with threatened populations on protected lands. Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as 'rare flora', but are in urgent need of further survey. 2: Priority Two - Poorly Known Taxa Taxa which are known from one or a few (generally <5) populations, at least some of which are not believed to be under immediate threat (i.e. not currently endangered). Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as 'rare flora', but are in urgent need of further survey. 3: Priority Three - Poorly Known Taxa Taxa which are known from several populations, at least some of which are not believed to be under immediate threat (i.e. not currently endangered). Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as 'rare flora', but are in need of further survey. 4: Priority Four - Rare Taxa Taxa which are considered to have been adequately surveyed and which, whilst being rare (in Australia), are not currently threatened by any identifiable factors. These taxa require monitoring every 5-10 years. Publication date of Nuytsia Volume 10 Number 1: 11 January 1995 4109 - 0795-600 312 Notes for Authors The aim of Nuytsia is to publish original papers on systematic botany with preference given to papers relating to the flora of Western Australia. Descriptions and keys using manuscript or phrase names will not generally be accepted. All papers are refereed and the Editorial Advisory Committee reserves the right to reject papers. Opinions expressed by authors are their own and do not necessarily represent the policies or views of the Department of Conservation and Land Management. Manuscripts must be submitted in duplicate, typewritten and double spaced. Printing is now done using a desktop publishing system. After final acceptance of papers, authors are requested to provide discs readable directly by IBM computer. Wherever possible, the MS-WORD software should be used. Alternatives should be discussed with the editor before preparing manuscripts Great care with layout, spacing and typography must be exercised in the preparation of electronic manuscripts. In particular, note the following. Text is not to be right-justified. Where manuscripts are compiled with software other than MS-WORD all headings and paragraphs are to be left-justified. Within a paragraph two spaces are required between sentences; after colons, semicolons, commas and dashes a single space is required. Where MS-WORD is used, text should be italicised or emboldened where appropriate. Original figures should not be lettered but accompanied by copies indicating lettering. Page proofs will be forwarded to authors for checking. Twenty reprints of each paper will be provided free of charge; no additional copies may be ordered. Style and layout should follow recent numbers of Nuytsia, noting particularly the following. Title. Should include the family name of genera or species treated, but not authorities. Ne w taxa should be named if not numerous. The geographic area of study should be given where appropriate. Abstract. The paragraph (or paragraphs) should be indented and commence with bibliographic information. New taxa, combinations and names should be listed. The major contents of the paper should be summarised but no additional material given. Headings. All headings should be in capitals and lowercase, major headings being centred and minor ones left-justified. Keys. May be either indented (e.g. Nuytsia 5; 277) or bracketed (e.g. Nuytsia 5: 84). Indented keys involving more than nine levels of indentation should be avoided. Species treatments. Use of certain named paragraphs, or sets of paragraphs, for matter following the descriptions is encouraged. The desired sequence and examples of commonly used headings are shown below. Recommended headings which are italicised below, should be left-justified, followed by text on the same line. (1) Taxon name, synonymy (if any), significant manuscript or phrase names currently in use and type details (for previously published taxa). (2) Latin (for new taxa - indented). (3) Typus: (for new taxa - not indented). (4) English description (indented). (5) Other specimens examined or Selected specimens examined as appropriate. (6) Distribution. (7) Habitat. (8) Flowering period. (9) Fruiting period. (10) Typification (discussion). (1 1) Affinities or Relationships. (12) Discussion or Comments or Notes. (13) Conservation status. (Department of Conservation and Land Management conservation codes for rare and threatened (Declared Rare Flora) WA taxa are given in each issue). (14) Etymology. Threatened species. It is the policy of CALM not to publish precise locality data for threatened species. Authors are therefore requested not to cite precise locality data when describing threatened species. Generalised localities should be given accompanied by the statement - [precise locality withheld]. Synonymy. The desired format is that used by P.G. Wilson, Nuytsia 4: 135-262. Standard abbreviations. It is suggested that where possible the following standards be followed. (1) Author abbreviations - Brummitt, R.K. & Powell, C.E. (1992). Authors of Plant Names. (Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.) (2) Book titles in literature citations - Stafleu, F.A. & Cowan, R.S. (1976-83). Taxonomic Literature. Edn 2. (I.A.P.T.: Utrecht) (but with capital initial letters.) - Green, J.W. (1985), Census of the Vascular Plants of Western Australia. Edn 2. Pp. 20-24. (Department of Agriculture: Perth ) (3) Journal titles in literature citations and reference lists - Lawrence, G.H.M. etal. (1968). B-P-H (Botanico-Periodicum- Huntianum). - Green loc. cit. Figures. Numbers should follow a single sequence including maps. Structure of papers Authors are encouraged to use the conventional structure of scientific papers when a complete study is being reported (e.g. a revision). A Methods section should include the method of drawing up the descriptions from specimens, extent of search for types, and discussion of concepts for choice of taxonomic categories. A Discussion section should be considered, which would include some or all of the following; a summary of the findings, emphasising the most significant; interpretation of the results in the light of other relevant work; statement of new problems which have arisen; advising of aspects which are to be followed up; suggestion of topics which others might usefully pursue; prediction and speculation. CONTENTS Two new species of Tetratheca (Tremandraceae), from the Coolgardie and Austin Botanical Districts, Western Australia. By Jenifer J. Alford 143 Acacia Miscellany 1 3. Taxonomy of some Western Australian phyllocladinous and aphyllodinous taxa (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae). By B.R. Maslin 151 Acacia Miscellany 14. Taxonomy of some Western Australian "Uninerves-Racemosae" species (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Phyllodineae). By B.R. Maslin Acacia Miscellany 1 5. Five groups of microneurous species of Acacia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Plurinerves ), mostly from Western Australia. By R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin 205 New and priority taxa in the genera Cryptandra and Stenanthemum (Rhamnaceae) of Western Australia. By B.L. Rye 255 Cryptandra monticola (Rhamnaceae), a new species from the Pilbara region of Western Australia. By B.L. Rye and M.E. Trudgen 307 Conservation Codes for Western Australian Flora 311 Publication date of Nuytsia Volume 10 Number 1 311 Notes for Authors 312 ISSN 0085-441 7 PrintPost Approved PP665002/00003