Lobelia fenshamii N.G.Walsh & Albr. and L. fontana Albr. & N.G.Walsh (Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae), two new species endemic to artesian springs in central and south-western Queensland David E. Albrecht1, Neville G. Walsh2, Richard W. Jobson3 & Eric B. Knox4 Summary Albrecht, D.E., Walsh, N.G., Jobson, RW. & Knox, E.B. (2020). Lobelia fenshamii N.G.Walsh & Albr. and L. fontana Albr. & N.G.Walsh (Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae), two new species endemic to artesian springs in central and south-western Queensland. Austrobaileya 10(4): 583-593. Lobelia fenshamii and L. fontana, endemic to artesian springs in central and south-western Queensland, are described and illustrated, with notes on distribution, habitat, conservation status and features distinguishing them from closely related species of Lobelia and Isotoma. Key Words: Campanulaceae; Lobelioideae; Lobelia; Isotoma; Lobelia fenshamii., Lobelia fontana; Isotoma fluviatilis; Australia flora; Queensland flora; new species; taxonomy; conservation status; artesian springs 'Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; 2Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Private Bag 2000, Birdwood Ave, South Yarra, Victoria 3141, Australia; "National Herbarium of New South Wales, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia; 4Indiana University Herbarium, Department of Biology, Indiana University, Jordan Hall 142, 1001 East Third Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA. Email for corresponding author: dave. [email protected] Introduction Although Isotoma (R.Br.) Lindl. is currently cleft corolla tube, a feature traditionally recognised as distinct from Lobelia L. in regarded a characteristic of Isotoma. Albrecht Australia (CHAH 2020), recent molecular data et al. (2018) adopted a similar approach (Knox et al. 2006; Antonelli 2008; Knox & Li when describing Lobelia claviflora Albr. 2017; E.B. Knox unpubl. data) place Isotoma & R.W.Jobson, a species with a weakly species and many southern hemisphere Lobelia cleft corolla tube. For consistency the two species in a predominantly Australasian clade new species described herein are named that originated in Australia. Lammers (2011) as species of Lobelia rather than Isotoma, assigned species in this clade to Lobelia while acknowledging that the generic limits section Hypsela (C.Presl) Lammers although of Lobelia and status of Isotoma are still not he did not provide combinations for those fully resolved. species of Isotoma lacking available names The two new species are artesian in Lobelia. Further sampling and analyses spring endemics and have highly restricted are underway to improve the phylogenetic distributions. The ecology of springs of the resolution and resolve generic limits prior Great Artesian Basin has received considerable to making nomenclatural changes. In the study in recent years, with numerous endemic absence of a final resolution on the status of species of flora and invertebrate fauna Isotoma, Heenan et al. (2008) described three identified (e.g. Commonwealth of Australia new species from New Zealand in Lobelia 2014; Fensham et al. 2016b). The number and despite them all having an entire or weakly quality of intact springs has been dramatically reduced since European settlement because of groundwater extraction, and it is believed that the extinction of endemic plants and animals Accepted for publication 6 March 2020 584 Austrobaileya 10(4): 583-593 (2020) has occurred (Rossini et al. 2018). While slightly more actinomorphic corollas that lack the capping of bores that have historically both contrasting yellow-green patches in the depleted the aquifer has partly been completed, throat and a contrasting darker transverse the security of remaining functional springs colour band towards the base of the lower remains threatened by continuing damage by 3 lobes, shorter calyx lobes, almost entirely stock, feral animals (e.g. pigs) and, potentially, connate staminal filaments that are wholly mining and coal-seam gas extraction free of the corolla and indehiscent fruits. Also (Fensham et al. 2010). These artesian spring- with affinity to Lobelia fontana, but differing fed ecosystems are listed as Endangered under in its smaller corollas, shorter hypanthium, the Australian Environment Protection and shorter calyx lobes, shorter anther tube, Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) absence of bracteoles, shorter and differently with any proposed developments requiring shaped fruits that tend to be downturned into referral (Doody et al. 2019). Consequently, the soil, and seeds with a vermiculate surface there is a conservation imperative for as-yet pattern. It superficially resembles Lobelia undescribed species to be elucidated to assist irrigua R.Br. but that species has unisexual future actions that may serve to secure or flowers, a deeply cleft corolla tube, shortly enhance remaining springs. connate staminal filaments, longer fruits and seeds with a reticulate-alveolate surface Materials and methods pattern. Typus: Queensland. Mitchell The descriptions are based on fresh, field- District: Myross, E of Aramac, 15 May collected plants, herbarium specimens 2000, R.J. Fensham 3883 (holo: BRI). and transplants grown in cultivation at the Isotoma sp. (Myross R.J. Fensham 3883); Alice Springs Desert Park (ASDP) nursery, Forster (2007: 41, 2010: 36, 2018, 2020); Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) CHAH (2020). nursery, and a private garden in Sydney. Floral measurements were taken from fresh, Herbaceous semi-aquatic rhizomatous spirit or rehydrated material. Hypanthium perennial forb, completely prostrate and features were assessed at flowering stage loosely mat-forming or ascending slightly unless otherwise stated. Corolla tube length (to c. 4 cm high), rooting at the nodes. Stems was measured from the corolla base (where terete, zig-zagged, glabrous, often spongy or it becomes distinct from the hypanthium) to hollow. Leaves distichous, alternate, sessile the sinuses between the three lobes of the or with a petiole-like base to c. 2.5 mm long; lower lip, thus including the proximal part of lamina narrowly to broadly elliptic, ovate or the lower lip where the three lobes are fused. obovate (often markedly different leaf shapes The length of the upper two corolla lobes was occurring synchronously on the same plant), measured as the distance between the tip of flat or convex, rather thick-textured and rigid, the lobe and sinus between the upper (2-lobed) 1.5—6(—10) mm long, 0.6-2(-6) mm wide, and lower (3-lobed) lips. The length of the l:w ratio 14—3:1, pale green to yellowish lateral lobes of the lower lip was measured green, glabrous, with 1-few minute embedded as the distance between tip of the lobe and marginal glands on each side, margin entire sinus between the lateral and central lobe of or minutely indented corresponding with the lower lip. The length of staminal filaments position of a gland, apex obtuse to rounded, was measured as the distance between the usually with a minute embedded apical gland, points where they join the anther tube and base attenuate or rather abruptly tapered to a hypanthium. All dimensions are inclusive, petiole-like base. Flowers bisexual, solitary viz. 1.0-1.7 is given as 1-1.7. in axils. Bracteoles absent. Pedicels 2-8 mm long (3-10 mm in fruit), not or barely Taxonomy exceeding subtending leaf in flower, up to c. 1. Lobelia fenshamii N.G.Walsh & Albr. sp. twice as long as leaf in fruit, glabrous, widely nov. with affinity to Isotoma fluviatilis (R.Br.) spreading or reflexed when fruiting, tending to F.Muell. ex Benth., differing in its smaller, bury the fruit into the substrate. Hypanthium Albrecht etal., Two new species of Lobelia 585 obconical to obovoid or ellipsoid, 1.5-2.1 Distribution and habitat: Lobelia mm long, 1-1.4 mm wide, glabrous. Calyx fenshamii occurs at two spring complexes lobes erect in flower and fruit, triangular, in central Queensland (near Barcaldine and 0.3-0.6 mm long and wide, glabrous, entire. near Clermont) and one in south-central Corolla almost actinomorphic, rotate to Queensland (near Eulo). These sites are in the campanulate, very weakly 2-lipped, 1.5-2.8 Mitchell Grass Downs, Desert Uplands and mm long, wholly and evenly white to pale Mulga Lands bioregions (Department of the cream or rarely with pinkish veins on abaxial Environment and Energy 2013) respectively. side of lobes; corolla lobes linear-lanceolate Lobelia fenshamii is confined to shallow to triangular, 1.3-1.6 mm long, 0.6—0.8(—1.1) pools and seepage areas formed from artesian mm wide, spreading with slightly recurved springs. The associated vegetation is sedgy acute tips, glabrous; tube 0.5-1.3 mm long, grassland or shallow aquatic herbland with expanding slightly from base, c. 1.5 mm commonly associated species including diam. at throat, slightly to distinctly longer Cyperus laevigatus L., Eragrostis fenshamii than calyx lobes, not or weakly cleft on dorsal B.K.Simon, Eriocaulon carsonii F.Muell., side to within 0.5-1 mm of base, glabrous Fimbristylis dichotoma (L.) Vahl, F. or with a few spreading hairs internally ferruginea (L.) Vahl, Myriophyllum artesium towards base. Staminal filaments 0.7—1(—1.2) Halford & Fensham, Sporobolus pamelae mm long, connate for all but up to 0.2 mm at B.K. Simon and Utricularia fenshamii base, attached at apex of hypanthium, entirely R.W.Jobson. The soils are neutral-alkaline free from the corolla tube, glabrous. Anther clayey sands and remain permanently wet. tube more than half to almost fully exserted beyond dorsal corolla tube sinus, 0.7-1 mm Phenology: Flowers have been noted all year long, greyish-blue or purplish, glabrous round. except around the apical orifice, two ventral Notes: Lobelia fenshamii has been informally anthers each with an apical seta 0.2-0.3 mm known as Isotoma sp. (Myross R.J.Fensham long and an associated tuft of finer hairs 0.1- 3883) (Forster 2007,2010,2018,2019), sharing 0.2 mm long, dorsal anthers glabrous apically. with other species of Isotoma an entire, or Style glabrous; stigmatic lobes 2, elongate- very shortly cleft corolla tube. Preliminary hemispherical. Fruit obovoid to broadly molecular data indicate that L. fenshamii is ellipsoid or globose, slightly compressed sister to L. fontana (described herein) (Knox laterally, 2-3 mm long, 1.4-2.7 mm wide, et al., unpublished data). It most resembles glabrous, inconspicuously veined; apical Isotoma fluviatilis (with three subspecies portion raised 0.5-0.7 mm above the rim of currently recognised) and Lobelia fontana, in the hypanthium, apparently indehiscent and having flowers with an entire (or very nearly releasing seeds through rupture or rotting of entire) corolla tube and prostrate, mat-forming the thin walls; persistent calyx lobes erect, not habit. The generally wet habitat is common accrescent. Seeds c. 20 per capsule, ellipsoid to all three species. It differs from all three to broadly ellipsoid, slightly compressed, subspecies of I fluviatilis in its slightly more 0.5-0.7 mm long, (0.25-)0.3-0.45 mm wide, actinomorphic, smaller corollas (1.5-2.8 mm pale to mid-brown; testa with a network of long, vs. 3-16 mm long for I. fluviatilis) that wavy ridges (vermiculate). Figs. 1 & 2. lack both contrasting yellow-green patches in Additional specimens examined: Queensland. South the throat and a contrasting darker transverse Kennedy District: ‘Doongmabulla’ NW of Clermont, colour band towards the base of the lower 3 Feb 1999, Fensham 3336 (BRI). Mitchell District: lobes, shorter calyx lobes (0.3-0.6 mm long, Edgbaston, E of Aramac, Feb 1998, Fensham 3334 (BRI); Edgbaston, Aramac, Mar 1995, Chuk E10 & vs. (0.5-)0.7-2.5 mm long), almost entirely Wylks (BRI); First Spring, Edgbaston Reserve, E of connate staminal filaments (vs. connate for Aramac, Apr 2012, Bean 31636 (BRI). Warrego less than half their length) that are wholly free District: Yowah Creek Springs, Bundoona, Feb 2005, of the corolla (vs. adnate for 0.9-4 mm) and in Fensham 5233 (BRI); ibid, Dec 2012, Silcock 1430 (IND, its indehiscent (vs. dehiscent) fruits. Further MEL); ibid, Jun 2015, Silcock s.n. (MEL); ibid, May 2017, Albrecht 15027 (CANB). differences are apparent for individual 586 Austrobaileya 10(4): 583-593 (2020) Fig. 1. Lobelia fenshamii, showing flowers, immature fruits and leaf variation (cultivated plant ex Albrecht 15027, CANB). Photo: D. Albrecht. Fig. 2. Lobelia fenshamii seed (population voucher Silcock s.nMEL). Albrecht et al., Two new species of Lobelia 587 subspecies of I. fluviatilis; for example, The Myross and Yowah Creek flowers are unisexual in subsp. fluviatilis (vs. subpopulations occur on properties managed bisexual in L. fenshamii) and the lower three primarily for cattle. The Doongmabulla corolla lobes have conspicuous spreading property is also managed for stock but the hairs on the adaxial surface in I. fluviatilis subpopulations are protected by a Nature subsp. australis McComb and I. fluviatilis Refuge Agreement. The subpopulations subsp. borealis McComb (vs. glabrous in L. located on the Bush Heritage Australia fenshamii). All populations of I. fluviatilis property ‘Edgbaston’ are managed for are at least 650 km away from the closest conservation (R. Fensham pers. comm.). population of L. fenshamii. Lobelia fenshamii Approximately half of the artesian springs differs from L. fontana in its smaller corollas recorded from Queensland have ceased to (1.5-2.8 mm long, vs. 6-9.5 mm long), shorter flow since European settlement due to water hypanthium (1.5-2.1 mm long, vs. 3.5-7 mm extraction through artificial bores, including long), shorter calyx lobes (0.3-0.6 mm long, many in the Barcaldine supergroup, which vs. 1.1-1.8 mm long), shorter anther tube includes Doongmabulla and Edgbaston (0.7-1 mm long, vs. 1.5-2 mm long), absence (Fensham et al. 2016a; Fahey et al. 2019). A of bracteoles (vs. present but minute), shorter government bore-capping program has helped and differently shaped fruits (2-3 mm long to reduce the dramatic decline in functional and obovoid to broadly ellipsoid or globose, springs; however, the exact outcomes of vs. >4.5 mm long and obconical) that tend this program have not been evaluated to be downturned into the soil rather than (GABCC 2014). An impending threat to the prostrate on it and seeds with a vermiculate Doongmabulla population is potential draw¬ (vs. areolate) surface pattern. Lobelia down associated with the development of fenshamii superficially resembles some forms the Adani Carmichael Mine (Fensham et al. of the variable L. irrigua, but that species 2016b; Currell et al. 2017). has unisexual flowers, a deeply cleft corolla tube, shortly connate staminal filaments, Although apparently not grazed, Lobelia longer fruits (5-8 mm long) and seeds with a fenshamii may become trampled into the reticulate-alveolate surface pattern. ground where the population density of cattle or goats is high and/or concentrated on springs. Conservation status: Lobelia fenshamii is Pigs remain a minor threat at some sites. known from three localities, none larger Applying IUCN criteria (IUCN 2012), the risk than 6 km2; c. 100 km north of Barcaldine assessment produces a result for L. fenshamii (‘Edgbaston’ and adjacent ‘Myross’), c. 165 of Endangered (EN, B2ab), based on Area km NW of Clermont (‘Doongmabulla’) and of Occupancy (AOO) <250 km2, fragmented c. 35 km NE of Eulo (‘Yowah Creek’). The occurrence - fewer than 10 locations, and distance between the northernmost and projected continuing reduction in area of southernmost localities is about 665 km. occupation, number of subpopulations and Eighteen subpopulations are distributed mature individuals. This species is currently between Edgbaston/Myross (14) and listed as Vulnerable under the Queensland Doongmabulla (4), while the Yowah Creek Nature Conservation Act 1992. locality consists of a single subpopulation, but is the largest of all the subpopulations. Attempts to cultivate the species have There have been extensive surveys of springs been successful in the short, but not long term. of the Great Artesian Basin suggesting It is recommended that seeds are collected further populations are unlikely to be found, and stored in a recognised seed bank, and but it is likely that other populations existed that research is undertaken to understand prior to stocking and establishment of bores germination requirements. (Commonwealth of Australia 2014; Fensham etal. 2016b). 588 Austrobaileya 10(4): 583-593 (2020) Etymology: The specific epithet honours Dr tending to be prostrate in fruit. Hypanthium Rod Fensham of the Queensland Herbarium cylindric-obconical to obconical, narrowed (BRI) and Department of Biological Sciences, abruptly just below calyx lobes, 3.5-7 mm The University of Queensland (UQ), whose long, 1.7-2.5 mm wide, glabrous. Calyx lobes outstanding ecological research on artesian erect in flower and fruit, narrowly triangular springs has been instrumental in drawing to triangular, 1.1-1.8 mm long, glabrous, attention to the importance of conserving entire. Corolla very weakly zygomorphic, these unique environments. almost actinomorphic, very weakly 2-lipped, 6-9.5 mm long, wholly and evenly white to 2. Lobelia fontana Albr. & N.G.Walsh sp. nov. pale cream except for an inconspicuous green with affinity to Isotomafluviatilis, differing in region at the base of the tube internally, rarely its corolla lacking both contrasting yellow- with either a very faint pinkish tinge on the green patches in the throat and a contrasting external surface of the tube or lobes, a faint darker transverse colour band towards the touch of pink near the sinuses between the base of the lower 3 lobes (rarely a very faint lobes or a very faint pinkish transverse line pinkish line transverses the base of the central across the base of the central lobe of the lower lobe of the lower lip), often longer hypanthium, lip; upper lip 2-lobed, the lobes triangular- staminal filaments connate for greater than lanceolate to elliptic, 4-6.2(-7.2) mm long, 1-2 half their length and indehiscent fruits. Also mm wide, spreading with recurved acute tips, with affinity to Lobelia fenshamii, differing in glabrous; lower lip 3-lobed, the lobes basally its larger corolla, longer hypanthium, longer fused for (0-)0.3-1.3 mm above sinus with calyx lobes, longer anther tube, presence of upper lip, lobes triangular, broadly lanceolate minute bracteoles, longer obconical fruits that or elliptic, 37-6.5 mm long, 1-2.2 mm wide, tend to be prostrate on the soil surface and spreading with recurved acute tips, glabrous; seeds with a different surface pattern. Typus: tube 2.3-3.5 mm long, 1.2-1.8 mm diameter Queensland. Gregory North District: at base broadening to 1.5-3 mm diameter at Elizabeth Springs, c. 100 km SE of Boulia, 24 apex, weakly cleft on dorsal side to within February 1999, R. J. Fensham 3676 (holo: BRI 2-3.2 mm of base, glabrous externally, with [1 sheet & spirit material]). spreading to reflexed hairs towards the base Isotoma sp. (Elizabeth Springs R.J.Fensham internally. Staminal filaments 3-4.2 mm long, 3676); Forster (2018, 2020). connate distally for (1.5—)2—3.5 mm, although the connate part readily splitting between Herbaceous semi-aquatic rhizomatous the filaments, adnate to the base of the perennial forb, prostrate and mat-forming, corolla tube for 0.2-1.7 mm, glabrous or with rooting at the nodes. Stems terete, straight sparse inconspicuous hairs on inner surface. to weakly zig-zagged, glabrous. Leaves Anther tube fully exserted beyond dorsal distichous, alternate, sessile or with a petiole¬ corolla tube sinus, 1.5-2 mm long, greyish- like base to c. 2.5 mm long; lamina obovate blue to purplish or yellow-brown, glabrous or elliptic, rarely ovate, flat, rather thick- except around the apical orifice, two ventral textured, 4-13.5 mm long, (1.5-)2-6.5(-7.2) anthers each with an apical seta 0.25-0.5 mm wide, l:w ratio 1.5-2.5:1, glossy green, mm long and an associated tuft of finer hairs glabrous, margins entire or with few minute 0.05-0.2 mm long, dorsal anthers glabrous inconspicuous teeth or indentations, the teeth apically. Style glabrous; stigmatic lobes 2, or indentations corresponding with position elongate-hemispherical. Fruit obconical, not of a gland, apex obtuse to rounded, with a or slightly compressed laterally, 4.5-5.5 mm minute embedded apical gland, base attenuate long (but possibly up to c. 8 mm), 2.2-2.5 or gradually tapered to a petiole-like base. mm wide, glabrous, veins not evident; apical Flowers bisexual, solitary in axils. Bracteoles portion raised 0.6-1.3 mm above the rim of linear, 0.1-0.3 mm long, inconspicuous at the hypanthium, apparently indehiscent and base of pedicel. Pedicels 2.5-13 mm long, releasing seeds through rupture or rotting of not or scarcely elongating in fruit, shorter the fruit walls; persistent calyx lobes erect, or longer than subtending leaf, glabrous, Albrecht et al., Two new species of Lobelia 589 Fig. 3. Lobelia fontana, showing flowers and immature fruits (population voucher Fensham 6411, BRI). Photo: S. Peck. Fig. 4. Lobelia fontana flower (cultivated plant exJobson 2626, NSW). Photo: A.E. Orme. 590 Austrobaileya 10(4): 583-593 (2020) Fig. 5. Lobelia fontana immature fruit with withered corolla (cultivated plant ex Jobson 2626, NSW). Photo: A.E. Orme. Fig. 6. Lobelia fontana seed (population voucher Jobson 2626, NSW). Albrecht et al., Two new species of Lobelia 591 not accrescent. Seeds mid-brown, ellipsoid to (rarely a very faint pinkish line traverses the broadly ellipsoid, slightly compressed, 0.55- base of the central lobe of the lower lip), often 0.6 mm long, c. 0.45 mm wide; testa with a longer hypanthium (3.5-7 mm long, vs. 1-4.5 network of ridges enclosing irregular spaces mm long in L. fluviatilis), staminal filaments (areolate). Figs. 3-6. connate for greater than half their length (vs. connate for less than half their length) and Additional specimens examined: Queensland. indehiscent (vs. dehiscent) fruits. Further Gregory North District: Elizabeth Springs, Mar 2014, Fensham 6411, (BRI); ibid, Apr 2015, Jobson 2626 differences are apparent for individual (NSW). subspecies of I. fluviatilis, for example flowers Distribution and habitat: Lobelia fontana are unisexual in I fluviatilis subsp. fluviatilis is known only from Elizabeth Springs in (vs. bisexual in Lobelia fontana) and the lower three corolla lobes have conspicuous central western Queensland (SE of Boulia) in the Mitchell Grass Downs bioregion spreading hairs on the adaxial surface in I. (Department of the Environment and Energy fluviatilis subsp. australis and I fluviatilis 2013). This population is very isolated with no subsp. borealis (vs. glabrous in L. fontana). other Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae recorded The nearest population of I. fluviatilis to within at least a 150 km radius of Elizabeth Elizabeth Springs is c. 1200 km to the south Springs. east. Lobeliafontana differs from L. fenshamii in its larger corollas (6-9.5 mm long, vs. Lobelia fontana is restricted to seepage 1.5-2.8 mm long), longer hypanthium (3.5-7 areas formed from artesian springs. It occurs mm long, vs. 1.5-2.1 mm long), longer calyx in sedgy grassland, particularly where lobes (1.1-1.8 mm long, vs. 0.3-0.6 mm long), the vegetation is short, and is commonly longer anther tube (1.5-2 mm long, vs. 0.7-1 associated with Eragrostis fenshamii, mm long), presence (vs. absence) of minute Cyperus laevigatus, Eriocaulon carsonii, bracteoles, longer differently shaped fruits (> Fimbristylis dichotoma and Utricularia 4.5 mm long and obconical, vs. 2-3 mm long ameliae R.W. Jobson. The soils are mineralised and obovoid to broadly ellipsoid or globose) clayey sands and remain permanently wet. that tend to be prostrate on the soil surface rather than downturned into the soil and seeds Phenology: Flowers have been noted from with surface ridges that are not strongly wavy October to May; however, observations are limited and it may have a more extended (vs. vermiculate). The nearest population of L. flowering season. fenshamii to Elizabeth Springs is at Edgbaston c. 500 km due east south east. Notes: Lobelia fontana has been informally known as Isotoma sp. (Elizabeth Springs R. J. The description of Lobelia fontana is based on rather limited material, especially Fensham 3676) (Forster 2018, 2020), sharing with respect to fruits and seeds. with other species of Isotoma a very shortly cleft corolla tube. Preliminary molecular Conservation status: Lobelia fontana is data indicate that L. fontana is sister to L. known from a single location and is the most fenshamii (Knox et al., unpublished data). It restricted of all Queensland artesian spring most resembles Isotoma fluviatilis (with three endemics. Its extent of occurrence is estimated subspecies currently recognised) and Lobelia to be as low as 0.09 km2, with the largest patch fenshamii (described herein), in having being only c. 25 m2 (S. Peck pers. comm., flowers with a very weakly cleft corolla 2010). Determining the number of plants tube and prostrate, mat-forming habit. The present is difficult due to the growth habit of generally wet habitat is common to all three the species and molecular techniques may be species. It differs from all three subspecies required to establish how many genotypes of I fluviatilis in its corolla lacking both are contained in the population. A working contrasting yellow-green patches in the throat estimate of < 100 individuals is presently and a contrasting darker transverse colour being used. The entire population occurs band towards the base of the lower three lobes within the Elizabeth Springs Conservation 592 Austrobaileya 10(4): 583-593 (2020) Park, which is fenced to exclude livestock staff of the ANBG and ASDP for their interest and feral pigs. However, the fence has been and perseverance in trying to grow these breached on at least one occasion and it is species, and to the director of BRI for the loan unlikely that difficulties in maintaining secure of specimens. fencing will be overcome in the foreseeable References: future (R. Fensham pers. comm.). Digging by pigs remains a potential significant threat as a Albrecht, D.E., Jobson, R.W., Walsh, N.G., & Knox, single serious event could render the species E.B. (2018). Lobelia claviflora (Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae), a new species from northern New extinct. Regular checks for fence breaches South Wales, Australia. Telopea 21: 121-127. and pig damage within the conservation park should continue indefinitely and management Antonelli, A. (2008). Higher level phylogeny and evolutionary trends in Campanulaceae subfam. actions undertaken immediately as required. Lobelioideae: Molecular signal overshadows Applying IUCN criteria (IUCN 2012), the risk morphology. Molecular Phylogenetics and assessment produces a result for L. fontana Evolution 46: 1-18. of Critically Endangered (CR). Lobelia Chah (2020). Australian Plant Census, https:// fontana qualifies as CR based on B2ab (AOO biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc, accessed < 10 km2, known to exist at a single location, 24 February 2020. and projected continuing decline in area of Commonwealth of Australia (2014). Ecological and occupation, quality of habitat and mature hydrogeological survey of the Great Artesian individuals) and C2aii (population size < 250 Basin springs - Springsure, Eulo, Bourke and mature individuals, with a projected decline Bogan River supergroups. Volume 1: history, ecology and hydrogeology. Report, prepared in population size, and all mature individuals by UniQuest for the Department of the occurring in a single population). This species Environment, Commonwealth of Australia. is currently listed as Endangered under the Currell, M.J., Werner, A.D., Mcgrath, C., Webb, Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992. J.A. & Berkman, M. (2017). Problems with the application of hydrogeological science Attempts to cultivate Lobelia fontana to regulation of Australian mining projects: have achieved similar results to those for Carmichael Mine and Doongmabulla Springs. L. fenshamii with some short, but not long¬ Journal of Hydrology 548: 674-682. term success. It is recommended that seeds Department Of The Environment And Energy are collected and stored in a recognised seed (2013). Australia’s bioregions (IBRA), IBRA7. bank as a matter of urgency, and that research Commonwealth of Australia. http://www. is undertaken to understand germination environment.gov.au/land/nrs/science/ibra, requirements. accessed 11 July 2018. Doody T.M., Hancock P.J. & Pritchard J.L. (2019). Etymology: The specific epithet is from the Information Guidelines Explanatory Note: Latin fans, spring of water, in reference to the Assessing groundwater-dependent ecosystems. artesian spring habitat of this species. Report prepared for the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Acknowledgements: Large Coal Mining Development through the Department of the Environment and We are grateful to Rod Fensham (BRI, UQ) Energy, Commonwealth of Australia 2019. for drawing our attention to the two new http://www.iesc.environment.gov.au/system/ species, for collecting live material and for files/resources/422b5f66-dfba-4e89-adda- providing information on their ecology and bl69fe408fel/files/information-guidelines- explanatory-note-assessing-groundwater- conservation status; to Jen Silcock (UQ), dependent-ecosystems.pdf, accessed 6 March Stephen Peck (QLD Parks & Wildlife Service) 2020. and Gabrielle Lebbink (UQ) for collecting Fahey, PS., Fensham, R. J., Laffineur, B & Cook, L.G. live material; to Stephen Peck and Andrew (2019). Chloris circumfontinalis (Poaceae): Or me (National Herbarium of New South a recently discovered species from the saline Wales) for providing images; to Chris Cargill scalds surrounding artesian springs in north¬ for assistance with SEM imagery; to nursery eastern Australia. Australian Systematic Botany 32: 228-242.