New species of Commersonia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Sterculiaceae) from Queensland G.P. Guymer Summary Guymer, G.P. (2006). New species of Commersonia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Sterculiaceae) from Queensland. Austrobaileya 7(2): 365-372. The new species Commersonia perkinsiana Guymer, C. inglewoodensis Guymer and C. macrostipulata Guymer are described and illustrated, and a key to Queensland species of Commersonia subg. Commersonia is provided. Notes on distribution, habitat and conservation status are provided for the new species. The new combination Commersonia procumbens (Maiden & Betche) Guymer is made for Rulingia procitmbens Maiden & Betche. Key Words: Sterculiaceae, Commersonia inglewoodensis, Commersonia macrostipulata, Commersonia perkinsiana, Commersonia procumbens, new species, new combination, taxonomy, Australian flora, Queensland flora, identification key G.P. Guymer, Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia. Email: [email protected] Introduction Commersonia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (including Vegetation terminology for Queensland Rulingia R.Br.) is a genus of more than 60 follows that of the Vegetation Management species of trees or shrubs that occurs in SE Act 1999, its associated regulations, and the Asia, Madagascar, Malesia, Melanesia and regional ecosystem framework (www.epa.qld. Australia (Guymer 2005; Wilkins & Whitlock gov.au/REDD). The abbreviation RE refers to 2005). The new species described in this regional ecosystem. paper are endemic to Queensland. Two of these species (Commersonia inglewoodensis Taxonomy and C. perkinsiana) have only recently Commersonia perkinsiana Guymer, been collected and identified and require species nov. affinis C. pedleyi sed ab ea conservation action. foliis marginibus serratis (in ilia lobatis), Materials and methods inflorescentiis 3-4-floris non 7-10-floris, minor ibus pedunculis (longitudine 1.8- The study is based upon the examination of 2.5 mm non 4-5 mm) necnon pedicellis herbarium material at BM, BRI, CANB, K, (longitudine 0.3-0.6 mm non 1—3(—9) mm) L, MEL, NSW and P, and field collections and observations by the author. The Herbarium differt. acronyms follow Holmgren et al. (1990). Typus: Queensland. Port Curtis District: All specimens cited have been seen by the Stockyard Point, Byfield Conservation Park, author. April 2005, B.J.Plumb s.n. (holo: BRI; iso: BRI). Measurements are sometimes abbreviated with x indicating length x width. Descriptions Small erect shrubs, suckering from rhizomes, of the flowers were prepared from material to 10 cm high; branchlets pubescent (trichomes preserved in spirit. Common abbreviations 0.3-0.8 mm diameter), glabrescent. Leaves in the specimen descriptions and citations are grey-green or slightly glaucous, white below; dbh (diameter at breast height), L.A. (Logging blades oblong-lanceolate or lanceolate, 2-4 Area), N.P. (National Park), S.F. (State Forest) x 0.6-1.1 cm; margins slightly serrate, teeth andT.R. (Timber Reserve). Recommendations 5-11 pairs, to 0.7 mm long; bases cuneate or on the conservation status of species is based truncate; apices rounded or obtuse; pubescent on the criteria of the IUCN (2001). above (stellate trichomes mid-dense, 0.3-0.7 mm diameter), velutinous below (stellate Accepted for publication 6 October 2006 trichomes 0.3-0.9 mm diameter); 5-veined at 366 Austrobaileya 7(2): 365-372 the base, lateral veins slightly impressed above, mm long; central lobe ovate, obtuse, 2-2.5 x raised below, 7 or 8 pairs; petioles 2-5 mm 0.5-0.8 mm; lateral lobes rounded, 0.8-0.9 x long, stellate-pubescent. Stipules triangular, 0.8-0.9 mm. Staminal tube 1.5-1.8 mm long; 2-3 x 0.2-0.3 mm, stellate-pubescent. central staminodes triangular, caudate, 2.8-3 Inflorescences 3 or 4-flowered, 8-10 mm mm long, 0.9-1 mm wide; lateral staminodes long; peduncles 1.8-2.5 mm long, stellate- present or absent, corniculate, erect, smooth, pubescent; bracts narrowly triangular, 1.6-2 0.3-0.4 mm long, glabrous. Ovary ovoid, x c. 0.1 mm, stellate-pubescent. Flowers 7-8.5 slightly 5-lobed, 1.3-1.4 mm long, 1-1.2 mm mm diameter, pale magenta; pedicels 0.3-0.6 diameter; ovules 9 per loculus; styles free mm long. Calyces 5-5.5 mm long, stellate- at base, coherent above, 0.8-0.9 mm long; pubescent; lobes ovate, obtuse or acute, stigmas free, clavate, 0.18-0.2 mm diameter. 2-3.5 x 3.4-3.8 mm. Petals 3-lobed, 3.4-4 Capsules and seeds not known. Fig. 1. . Fig. 1 Commersonia perkinsiana. A. flowering branchlet x 2. B. flower from above x 8. All from Plumb s.n. (BR1). Del. W. Smith. Guymer, New species of Commersonia 367 Additional specimen examined: Queensland. Port Commersonia macrostipulata Guymer, Curtis District. Stockyard Point, Byfield, 22°49'S, species nov. affinis C. bartramiae sed ab ea 150°48'E, Dec 1996, Plumb JP29 (BRI). stipulis ovatis vel ovati-lanceolatis, et foliis Distribution and habitat: Commersonia marginibus leviter serratis et tomento abaxiali perkinsiana has only been recorded from subtiliter velutino differt. one population at Stockyard Point, NE Typus: Queensland. Cook District: Rex of Rockhampton, Queensland. It occurs Range, bottom lookout, 2.6 km by road N of in Themeda triandra dominated tussock Nine Mile Store, Julatten-Mossman road, 19 grassland (RE 8.12.13; Batianoff & McDonald November 2005, D.Halford Q8843 & R. Jensen (1980) Map Unit 26) on an exposed headland (holo: BRI; iso: BRI, K, MEF, NSW). on shallowly rocky soils derived from Commersonia sp. (Kuranda K.Williams 211) igneous rocks. Associated species include (Guymer 2002) Acacia julifera, A. juncifolia, Comesperma oblongatum, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Trees 5-10 m high, occasionally shrubs to 2 m Dodonaea lanceolata var. subsessilifolia, high, rhizomatous, dbhto 20 cm; bark smooth, Grevillea banksii, Hardenbergia violacea, grey; branchlets stellate-pubescent (trichomes Helichrysum lanuginosum and Xerochrysum 0.15-0.3 mm diameter), glabrescent. Feaves bracteatum. green above, white below; blades ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 9-19 x (4-) 6-10 (-11) cm; Phenology: Flowers have been recorded for margins slightly serrate, callosities or teeth April and December. Fruits and seeds are not 20-30 pairs, 0.1-0.5 (-1) mm long; bases known. cordate or truncate; apices acute or acuminate; Affinities'. Commersonia perkinsiana is allied sparsely pubescent to glabrescent above to C. pedleyi but differs from this species (stellate trichomes 0.1-0.3 mm diameter, by its slightly serrate leaf margins (lobed in and glandular trichomes to 0.1 mm long), the latter), 3-4-flowered inflorescences (not except for along midrib and lateral veins, 7-10-flowered), shorter peduncles (1.8-2.5 finely velutinous below (stellate trichomes mm compared to 4-5 mm long) and pedicels 0.1—0.3 mm diameter); lateral veins 5-7, 5- (0.3-0.6 mm not 1—3(—9) mm long), and veined from the base, first lateral vein (1.5-) ovate central petal lobes 2-2.5 mm long (not 2-4 (-5.5) cm from base, midrib and lateral linear-lanceolate and 27-4.5 mm long). The veins slightly impressed above, raised below, new species is also markedly geographically tertiary veins slightly raised above and below; disjunct and occurs in different habitat to the petioles 8-22 mm long, stellate-pubescent. earlier named species (Guymer 2005). Stipules ovate or ovate-lanceolate, entire or serrate, caducous, 3.5-75 x 1.6-4 mm, Conservation status: The species is known teeth 2-4, stellate-puberulent. Inflorescences only from a coastal headland at Stockyard 2-8 cm long, 50-200-flowered; peduncles Point in Byfield Conservation Park. Further 5-19 mm long; axes stellate-pubescent; bracts survey work is required to determine the narrowly triangular, caducous, 0.6-4 x 0.2- species’ distribution, area of occupancy and 0.6 mm, stellate-pubescent. Flowers 5-6.5 number of populations. A conservation status mm diameter, cream to white; pedicels 3.5-5 of Data Deficient is recommended until mm long, stellate-puberulent. Calyces 3-3.5 further information is obtained. mm long, puberulent; lobes triangular-ovate, 2-2.5 x 1.8-2.2 mm. Petals 3-3.2 mm long, Etymology: The species is named for David puberulent except for apex, base and margins; Perkins (1945-2006) who spent all his central lobes linear, concave, erect, 2.3-27 working life furthering the conservation x 0.35-0.45 mm; lateral lobes enclosing the of Queensland’s coastal environment and stamen, rounded, 0.3-0.4 x 0.5-0.6 mm. Marine Parks, in the Queensland Government Staminal tube 0.3-0.4 mm long; central departments of Fisheries, Co-ordinator staminodes triangular, 1.2-2 x 0.5-07 mm, General’s, Marine Parks and Environmental pubescent outside, glabrous inside except at Protection Agency. apex; lateral staminodes filiform, corniculate, 368 Austrobaileya 7(2): 365-372 0.6-07 x 0.1-0.15 mm, pubescent. Ovary Creek catchment, Nov 1995, Forster PIF18055, Jago 5-lobed, with rudimentary bristles, 0.9-1.1 & Spokes (BRI, MEL, QRS); Palm road, off Cape Tribulation road, Oct 1997, Jago 4525 (BRI, DNA); 18 mm diameter, ovules 4 per loculus; styles miles [30 km] N of Mossman, Nov 1967, Boyland 376 free, coherent at apex, 0.22-0.3 mm long; (BRI); Summit of NW Peak, Snapper Island, Sep 1928, stigmas connate at base, clavate, 0.08-0.1 Tandy 504 (BM, BRI); T.R. 55, Dec 1975, Irvine 1714 mm diameter. Capsules 5-valved, globular or (BRI, QRS); S.F.R.72, Salisbury, Nov 1983, Hyland depressed-globular, 2-3 cm diameter, 1.8-2.8 12863 (BRI, QRS); Rex Range, c. 9 km NE of Julatten, Nov 1996, Jessup 874 (BRI); Rex Range, north of cm high, with dense bristles 8-17 mm long, Julatten, Feb 2005, Wannan 3865 (BRI, NSW); 500 bristles stellate-pubescent (trichomes 0.4-0.7 m from Nine Mile Store towards Julatten, Nov 2005, mm diameter) with larger caducous stellate Halford Q8842 & Jensen (BM, BRI, CANB); 2 km SE trichomes (0.6-1 mm diameter, 7-12-rayed) at of The Pinnacle, Sep 1977, Moriarty 2257 (BRI, QRS); 3 miles [5 km] from Kuranda, on highway to Cairns, Oct apex. Seeds 2-4 per locule, ovoid or oblong- 1968, Williams 211 (BRI); Mt Lumley, near Cairns, Sep ovoid, smooth, 2.4-3 x 1.5-2 mm, black or 1978, Jago 80 (BRI); Yarrabah, without date, Michael dark brown, matt; strophiole 2-3 mm long, 642 (BRI); S.F.R. 933, Apr 1968, Hyland 1472RFK(BRI, orange or yellow. Fig. 2. QRS). North Kennedy District: Tully River Station, Tully, Jun 1965, Bailey s.n. (BRI [AQ081469]). Additional specimens examined: Queensland. Cook District: 4 km W of Isabella Falls on Battle Camp road, Distribution and habitat: Commersonia Nov 1989, Jessup, Guymer & Dillewaard GJD3019 macrostipulata is endemic to north-east (BRI); lower slopes of Mt Saunders, Aug 1984, Scarth- Queensland and is known from Isabella Falls, Johnson 1589A (BRI); top of Mt Hartley, T.R. 165, Jul north of Cooktown, to Tully in the south, 1995, Forster PIF17315 & Figg (BRI); 2 km along Creb Track from Ayton road, Dec 1989, Jessup, Guymer & from near sea-level to 800 m. It occurs in a Dillewaard GJD3126 (BRI); Turpentine road. Cooper variety of rainforests from simple notophyll Fig. 2. Commersonia macrostipulata. A. twig x 0.8. B. stem node with stipule x 8. C. seed showing hilum and strophiole x 16. A from Jessup, Guymer & Dillewaard GJD3019 (BRI); C from Wannan 3865 (BRI). Del. W. Smith. Guymer, New species of Commersonia 369 vine forest to complex mesophyll vine forest narrowly triangular, 1.6-1.9 x 0.5-0.6 mm, or on the margins of rainforest communities. stellate-pubescent. Inflorescences 3-flowered triads, 1.5-3 mm long; peduncles 0.3-1 mm Phenology: The species flowers from August long; axes stellate-pubescent (trichomes 0.6- to December and fruits have been collected 1.2 mm diameter); bracts linear-oblong, 0.8-1 from September to February and in July. x 0.15-0.2 mm. Flowers 3-3.5 mm diameter, Affinities: Commersonia macro stipulata white or cream; pedicels 0.1-0.2 mm long. is allied to C. bartramia but differs from Calyces 1.8-2.1 mm long, stellate-pubescent this species by its ovate to ovate-lanceolate outside, pubescent inside (trichomes stellate stipules, and leaves with shallowly serrate & glandular); lobes ovate-acute, 1-1.2 x 1.2- leaf margins and finely velutinous abaxial 1.4 mm. Petals 1.4-1.6 mm long; central lobes tomentum. oblong, obtuse and slightly 2-lobed at apex, 0.8-0.9 x 0.2-0.35 mm; lateral lobes ovate, Conservation status: The species has a obtuse, 0.3-0.35 x 0.5-0.6 mm long. Staminal distributional range of over 280 km and a tube 0.3-0.4 mm long; central staminodes number of populations occur in conservation triangular, 0.5-0.6 x 0.3-0.35 mm; lateral areas. It is not considered to be at risk. staminodes absent or present and then only one, filiform, erect, smooth, 0.3-0.4 x c. 0.08 Etymology: The epithet is derived from Latin mm, glabrous. Ovary slightly 5-lobed, with macro- (large) and stipulatus (with stipules), rudimentary bristles, 0.6-0.8 mm diameter, referring to the conspicuous ovate to ovate- ovules 3 or 4 per loculus; styles free, 0.2-0.3 lanceolate stipules that characterise the mm long; stigmas coherent, clavate, 0.06- species. 0.08 mm diameter. Capsules 5-(or 4)-valved, Commersonia inglewoodensis Guymer, globular or depressed-globular, 6.5-8 mm species nov. affinis C. procumbenti sed diameter, 4.8-5.4 mm high, with moderately ab ea inflorescentiis floribus paucioribus (3 dense bristles 0.4-1 mm long along sutures, adversum 9-15) minoribus (diametro 3-3.5 bristles shorter (0.05-0.3 mm long) on faces mm non 5-6.5 mm), brevioribus pedunculis of capsule, bristles with stellate trichomes (longitudine 0.3-1 mm adversum 1-2.5 mm) 0.2-0.5 mm diameter, with a larger apical necnon pedicellis (longitudine 0.1-0.2 mm stellate trichome (0.4-0.7 mm diameter, 20- adversum 1-2 mm), et foliis minoribus (1.5-2.5 30-rayed). Seeds 3 or 4 per locule, angular, x 1.1-1.9 cm non 1.7—4 x 1.5-3.1 cm) differt. sculptured, 1.5-2 x 1.1-1.6 mm, dark brown Typus: Queensland. Darling Downs District: to black, matt; strophiole translucent, cristate, 2.2 km W of Kooroongarra, Anderson’s road, 0.6-1.5 x 0.3-1.5 mm, white. Fig. 3. Bringalily State Forest, 26 February 2006, Additional specimen examined: Queensland. Darling D.A.Halford Q8965 & G.P.Guymer (holo: Downs District: Bringalily State Forest, Wondul Range, BRI; iso: AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MO, c. 17 km N of Inglewood, Nov 2003, Halford Q8046 & MEL, NE, NSW, PERTH distribuendi). Forster (BRI). Prostrate spreading shrubs to 10 cm high, Distribution and habitat: Commersonia with trailing stems to 90 cm and a taproot, inglewoodensis is known from approximately not rhizomatous. Branchlets pubescent 50 individual plants in State Forest 341, c. 17 (trichomes stellate, 0.1-0.3 mm diameter), km north of Inglewood, southern Queensland. glabrescent. Leaves green, paler below; blades It occurs on a forestry road in a shrubland broadly ovate to ovate, 1.5-2.5 x 1.1-1.9 cm; community on natural scalds on deeply margins irregularly serrate, teeth 6-10 pairs, weathered sedimentary rocks. Characteristic 0.2-1 mm long; bases cordate, oblique; apices genera in association include Acacia, Boronia, obtuse or rounded; sparsely pubescent above Calytrix, Hakea, Babingtonia, Micomyrtus (stellate trichomes 0.5-1.25 mm diameter), and Triodia (RE 11.7.5). Apart from the single tomentose below (stellate trichomes 0.75-1.5 patch of plants observed, no further colonies mm diameter); veins raised below, impressed were located in this shrubland community above, lateral veins 3-5 pairs; petioles 2-7 mm and the species may be a component of long, stellate-pubescent. Stipules caducous, the adjoining Eucalyptus crebra, Callitris 370 Austrobaileya 7(2): 365-372 Fig. 3. Commersonia inglewoodensis. A. flowering & fruiting branchlet x 4. B. flower from above x 16. C. flower showing staminodes x 20. D. internal view of petal x 24. E. longitudinal section of capsule x 8. F. capsule bristle x 40. G. seed with funicle and strophiole x 16. H. seed showing hilum and strophiole x 16. All from Halford Q8965 & Guymer{BRI). Del. W. Smith. Guymer, New species of Commersonia 371 glaucophylla and Angophora leiocarpa x 10 m) and its situation on a forestry woodland or open forest (RE 11.5.1 & RE road necessitates a conservation status of 11.5.4). endangered using the IUCN (2001) criteria. The species has been searched for elsewhere Phenology: Flowers have been recorded for within the State Forest; however, no further February, March and November; fruits have plants have been located. been collected in February and March. Etymology: The species epithet Affinities: Commersonia inglewoodensis is inglewoodensis is derived from the name of related to C. procumbens from the central the township Inglewood in which district this western slopes of New South Wales but species occurs. differs from this species in its 3-flowered inflorescences (in the latter 9-15-flowered), Commersonia procumbens (Maiden & its smaller flowers (3-3.5 mm diameter versus Betche) Guymer, comb, nov.; Rulingia 5-6.5 mm diameter), its shorter peduncles procumbens Maiden & Betche, Proc. Linn. (0.3-1 mm long compared to 1-2.5 mm long) Soc. New South Wales 23: 18 (1898). Type: and pedicels (0.1-0.2 mm long not 1-2 mm New South Wales. Near Dubbo, November long), and its smaller leaf blades (1.5-2.5 x 1887, E. Betche s.n. (holo: NSW, iso: K). 1.1-1.9 cm compared to 1.7-4 x 1.5-3.1 cm) Notes: With relegation of Rulingia to the and shorter petioles (2-7 mm long not 12-25 synonymy of Commersonia, the above mm long). combination is necessary for this species from Conservation status: Commersonia New South Wales that appears to be closely inglewoodensis is conserved in State Forest allied morphologically to C. inglewoodensis. 341 but its known area of occurrence (20 Key to Queensland species of Commersonia subgenus Commersonia 1 Trees or tall shrubs (2-) 4-15 m high.2 Shrubs, prostrate or erect to 1 m high.3 2 Stipules triangular or lanceolate, 2.5-8 x 0.5-0.9 mm. E Qld.C. bartramia s.lat. Stipules ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 3.5-7.5 x 1.6-4 mm. Wet Tropics, NE Qld.C. macrostipulata 3 Flowers bright yellow; erect shrubs 0.3-0.6 m high. Central Qld . . . C. leichhardtii s.lat. Flowers red, pink or white; prostrate or erect shrubs.4 4 Flowers red; leaves broadly ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 3.5-7 x 1.5-5 cm. NE Qld.C. reticulata Flowers white, pink or pale magenta; leaves ovate and < 2.6 cm long or lanceolate.5 5 Flowers 14-17 mm diameter. Springsure area, Central Qld.C. johnsonii Flowers 3-8.5 mm diameter.6 6 Flowers 3-5.5 mm diameter, white or cream, buds sometimes tinged with pink.7 Flowers 6-8.5 mm diameter, pink or pale magenta.9 7 Leaf margins with 5-7 rounded or obtuse lobes 1-10 mm long. Blackdown Tableland, Central subcoastal, Qld.C. pearnii Leaf margins serrate with 4-7 pairs of teeth 0.5-4 mm long.8 372 Austrobaileya 7(2): 365-372 8 Leaves broadly ovate to ovate, 1.5-2.5 x 1.1-1.9 cm; flowers 3-3.5 mm diameter; peduncles 0.3-1 mm long. S inland Qld.C. inglewoodensis Leaves lanceolate, 1.5-11.5 x 0.4-1.6 cm; flowers 4.5-5.5 mm diameter; peduncles 3-8 mm long. SE Qld.C. leiperi 9 Flowers pale magenta; leaf blades oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate, 2-4 x 0.6-1.1 cm, margins slightly serrate. Coast, central Qld .C. perkinsiana Flowers with pink buds, opening with white petals tinged with pink; leaf blades linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, sometimes 3-lobed, 2-7 x 0.4-4 cm, margins with lobes 1-4 mm long. S inland Qld.C. pedleyi Acknowledgements I would like to thank David Halford, Joel Plumb and Bruce Wannan for collecting material of the new species; Will Smith for the illustrations; Peter Bostock for assistance with the Fatin diagnoses and the Directors and staff of BM, CANB, K, F, MEF, NSW and P for permission to examine specimens held in their institutions. References Batianoff, G.N. & McDonald, T.J. (1980). Capricorn Coast Sand Dune and Headland Vegetation. Technical Bulletin No. 6. Botany Branch, Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane. Guymer, G.P. (2002). Sterculiaceae. InR.J.F. Henderson (ed.). Names and Distribution of Queensland Plants, Algae and Lichens, pp. 191-192. Environmental Protection Agency: Brisbane. - (2005). New species of Commersonia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Sterculiaceae) from eastern Australia and Vanuatu. Austrobaileya 7: 231-250. Holmgren, P.K., Holmgren,N.H. & Barnett, L.C. (1990). Index Herbariorum. Part 1. The Herbaria of the World. 8th edition. New York Botanic Garden: New York. Iucn (2001). IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Version 3.1. IUCN-The World Conservation Union: Gland, Switzerland/ Cambridge, United Kingdom. Wilkins, C.F. & Whitlock, B.A. (2005). A new species of Commersonia (Malvaceae s.l.) from the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. Muelleria 22: 87-92.