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Taxonomy, biogeography and evolution of plants
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Australian Systematic Botany

Australian Systematic Botany

Australian Systematic Botany publishes papers and critical reviews that aim to advance systematic botany and related aspects of biogeography and evolution of all plant groups. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Darren Crayn

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Australian Systematic Botany is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 16 April 2025

SB24031Morphological and molecular evidence for major re-circumscriptions in and eight new species of Melichrus R.Br. (Ericaceae subfam. Epacridoideae) in eastern Australia

Helen T. Kennedy 0000-0003-4856-5169, Ian R. H. Telford 0000-0002-3570-0053, Darren Crayn 0000-0001-6614-4216, Jeremy J. Bruhl 0000-0001-9112-4436 and Rose L. Andrew 0000-0003-0099-8336
 

Photographs of selected morphological characters of the young leaves and fruit in Melichrus species.

The genus Melichrus has received very little taxonomic attention and treatments have largely disagreed on species delimitation. We present results from in-depth morphometric and molecular (DArtSeq) analyses designed to test species boundaries. These new lines of evidence form the basis of detailed recommendations for a revised species-level taxonomy of Melichrus including the description of eight new species and one subspecies, recircumscription of previously described species and the correction of a longstanding nomenclatural misapplication. (Photographs by H. T. Kennedy and J. J. Bruhl.)

SB24031 Abstract  |  SB24031 Full Text  | SB24031PDF (12.3 MB)  | SB24031Supplementary Material (6.4 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 20 March 2025

SB24030The Dicranemataceae (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) revisited: molecular data indicate polyphyly in yet another wholly or primarily Australian endemic family

Gerald T. Kraft 0000-0003-2035-8715 and Gary W. Saunders
 

Australia has a rich seaweed flora with many unique but poorly known species, genera and families. We compare results of an early 1970s anatomical study of one of the families with what modern molecular methods indicate about the same suite of genera. Previously considered to be a closely related group (monophyletic), we conclude that the family is polyphyletic (separate families). The study highlights how new insights from advanced technological applications can improve often intuitive taxonomic classification based on morphological characteristics.

SB24030 Abstract  |  SB24030 Full Text  | SB24030PDF (17.7 MB)  | SB24030Supplementary Material (414 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 20 March 2025

SB24009A framework phylogeny of the diverse guinea-flowers (Hibbertia, Dilleniaceae) using high-throughput sequence data

Timothy A. Hammer 0000-0003-3816-7933, Ed Biffin 0000-0002-6582-716X, Kor-jent van Dijk 0000-0002-6521-2843, Kevin R. Thiele 0000-0002-6658-6636 and Michelle Waycott 0000-0002-0822-0564
 

Photograph of Hibbertia procumbens (Dilleniaceae) flowers showing the radial floral symmetry typical of the subgenus.

Our study, conducted as part the Genomics for Australian Plants initiative, presents the first phylogenomic study of the very diverse genus Hibbertia using hundreds of nuclear and plastid gene sequences. The subject of significant recent taxonomic work, this study delivers new insights into the evolution and relationships between Hibbertia species. Results identify support for 14 novel clades in the genus and highlight areas of phylogenetic uncertainty, which will be used as a springboard for future systematic studies into the evolution of this remarkable genus. (Photograph by T. A. Hammer.)

This article belongs to the collection: Genomics for Australian plants.

SB24009 Abstract  |  SB24009 Full Text  | SB24009PDF (2.1 MB)  | SB24009Supplementary Material (2.6 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 March 2025

SB24018More links in the daisy chain: morphology and molecules delimit two new species in Coronidium and two in Leucozoma (Asteraceae; Gnaphalieae)

Timothy L. Collins 0000-0002-4055-9381, Alexander N. Schmidt-Lebuhn 0000-0002-7402-8941, Rose L. Andrew 0000-0003-0099-8336, Ian R. H. Telford 0000-0002-3570-0053 and Jeremy J. Bruhl 0000-0001-9112-4436
 

Photographs showing Australian paper daisies, Leucozoma (left) and Coronidium (right).

Australian paper daisies have diversified in isolation over the past 20 million years. We studied populations of Coronidium and Leucozoma from across their ranges. Molecular analyses and comparison with morphology recovered both broadly distributed, morphologically variable species and narrow endemics, including four new species. The new insights into biodiversity, ecology, distribution and conservation status will enable conservation and land managers to better protect Australia’s natural heritage, and the broader community to enjoy these remarkable paper daisies. (Photographs by J. J. Bruhl.)

SB24018 Abstract  |  SB24018 Full Text  | SB24018PDF (8.7 MB)  | SB24018Supplementary Material (492 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 03 March 2025

SB24034Conservation genomics uncovers disjunct subspecies and critically low diversity in Zieria obcordata A.Cunn. (Rutaceae)

Eilish S. McMaster 0000-0002-7415-8690, Marco Duretto 0000-0003-1013-4291, Jia-Yee S. Yap and Maurizio Rossetto
 

Zieria obcordata, an endangered species from central New South Wales, faces survival threats due to limited occurrence in two small, isolated populations. We show significant genetic divergence, suggesting that the members of each population should be recognised as separate subspecies, each with low genetic diversity. We recommend testing crosses between these populations to assess compatibility and potential fitness improvements to ehnance genetic diversity.

SB24034 Abstract  |  SB24034 Full Text  | SB24034PDF (20.5 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 21 February 2025

SB24014Australian biogeography, climate-dependent diversification and phylogenomics of the spectacular Chamelaucieae tribe (Myrtaceae)

Francis J. Nge 0000-0002-0361-8709, Ed Biffin 0000-0002-6582-716X, Barbara L. Rye 0000-0003-1254-5940, Peter G. Wilson 0000-0001-8581-318X, Kor-jent van Dijk 0000-0002-6521-2843, Kevin R. Thiele 0000-0002-6658-6636, Michelle Waycott 0000-0002-0822-0564 and Matthew D. Barrett 0000-0002-2926-4291
 

A species of Homalocalyx, representing the spectacular tribe Chamelaucieae of the family Myrtaceae.

Tribe Chamelaucieae (Myrtaceae), a diverse, spectacular element of the Australian flora, has over 600 species continent-wide. We sequenced more than 300 nuclear genes for over 100 tribal representatives (including all genera), covering geographic and taxonomic diversity. Our understanding of tribal evolutionary relationships and how clades evolved through time and space improved. Tribal diversification correlates with major past climatic events and many lineages are shown to have dispersed from south-west Australia to the arid zone. (Photograph by Kevin R. Thiele.)

This article belongs to the collection: Genomics for Australian plants.

SB24014 Abstract  |  SB24014 Full Text  | SB24014PDF (2.8 MB)  | SB24014Supplementary Material (2.5 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 03 February 2025

SB24033A new leaf species of Proteaceae and other Gondwanan elements from the early Paleogene Lota–Coronel flora of south–central Chile

Raymond J. Carpenter 0000-0001-7129-2870 and Stephen McLoughlin
 

Type specimen of a leaf fossil of Proteaceaefolia araucoensis from Buen Retiro in South America.

The Swedish Museum of Natural History houses poorly studied Chilean plant fossils that were collected >100 years ago. Among these we found leaf fossils of the Gondwanan Proteaceae family, whose closest relatives are currently found only in Australasian rainforests. These and other fossils from the same ~55-million-year-old assemblage add to evidence that a similar flora was formerly distributed across a vegetated Antarctica, and contradict a long-held view that Chilean forests of that time exclusively comprised Neotropical genera. (Photograph by R. J. Carpenter.)

SB24033 Abstract  |  SB24033 Full Text  | SB24033PDF (9.1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 20 January 2025

SB24010Wedged between two congeners: will the real Gompholobium nitidum (Fabaceae: Mirbelieae) please stand up?

C. L. Simmons 0000-0002-1637-8898, T. G. B. McLay and M. T. Mathieson
 

Photograph of the Gompholobium nitidum ‘linear’ morphotype (=G. cinctum sp. nov.) within the broader circumscription of G. nitidum.

We demonstrate that the current Gompholobium nitidum comprises three species. Originally described by Robert Brown in 1810 from specimens collected by Banks and Solander from the Endeavour River in 1770, the species was considered highly localised in Far North Queensland but has more recently been deemed a widely distributed plant of extremely variable leaflet form and habit. This work expands our knowledge of the diversity within this group of Gompholobium in north-east Queensland. Photograph by M. T. Mathieson (image 2B5A1345).

This article belongs to the collection: Genomics for Australian plants.

SB24010 Abstract  |  SB24010 Full Text  | SB24010PDF (7 MB)  | SB24010Supplementary Material (99 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 29 November 2024

SB24021Taxonomy of the Nicotiana megalosiphon species complex (Solanaceae; Nicotiana section Suaveolentes): analyses of RADseq data identifies a new cryptic species

Mark W. Chase 0000-0002-9927-4938, Maarten J. M. Christenhusz 0000-0003-1398-8743, Luiz A. Cauz-Santos, Steven Dodsworth 0000-0001-6531-3540, Ruth Palsson 0000-0003-1460-8239, John G. Conran 0000-0003-2268-2703, Felipe Nollet 0000-0002-1362-685X and Rosabelle Samuel 0000-0003-0197-4854
 

The Nicotiana megalosiphon species complex includes several morphologically cryptic species. We use phylogenetic and population genetic approaches (maximum likelihood, admixture proportions, Bayesian species delimitation and coalescent methods) to assess delimitations of these species and on this basis, describe a new species, N. palssonae M.W.Chase & Christenh. A map of species distributions and key to the species of the N. megalosiphon species complex are also provided.

SB24021 Abstract  |  SB24021 Full Text  | SB24021PDF (12.1 MB)  | SB24021Supplementary Material (537 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 29 October 2024

SB24004Standing on the shoulders of giants: molecular data confirm Kükenthal’s systematic placement of the Australian endemic Carex archeri (Cyperaceae)

Ana Morales-Alonso 0000-0003-1497-1070, Karen Wilson 0000-0001-7419-8222, Kerry A. Ford, Mónica Míguez, Pedro Jiménez-Mejías and Santiago Martín-Bravo
 

Images of inflorescence structures of a Carex archeri specimen (CHR-601143) – left to right: spike, utricle and achene.

The systematic affinities and biogeographic history of the Australian endemic Carex archeri are assessed for the first time. This species has traditionally been associated with different sections belonging to four of the six currently recognised Carex subgenera, however our robust results imply that C. archeri is the only representative of the subgenus in Australia. We discuss the biogeographic pattern and present a complete conservation assessment following IUCN categories and criteria. (Image credit: Ana Morales-Alonso.)

SB24004 Abstract  | PDF (1.3 MB) - $60.00 
Published online 23 October 2024

SB24006An annotated checklist of Syzygium subgenus Sequestratum (Myrtaceae)

Virva M. M. Lyytikäinen, Sebastian A. Hatt 0000-0003-4887-3508, Yee Wen Low 0000-0002-0939-9068, David F. R. P. Burslem and Eve J. Lucas
 

We present an annotated checklist of the 29 species comprising Syzygium subg. Sequestratum. Commonly occurring characters include glaucescence in the hypanthium, funnel-shaped flowers <10 mm long and coriaceous leaves with dark drying petioles in contrast to a paler leaf blade. This checklist provides a foundation for future taxonomic revision of this clade, from an early branching node in the tree of life of the world’s largest tropical tree genus.

SB24006 Abstract  | PDF (7.3 MB) - $60.00 

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

SB24022, Accepted 13 March 2025

The Genomics for Australian Plants (GAP) framework initiative – developing genomic resources for understanding the evolution and conservation of the Australian flora.

Lalita Simpson, David Cantrill, Margaret Byrne, Theodore Allnutt, Graham King, Mabel Lum, Ziad Al Bkhetan, Rose Andrew, William Baker, Matthew Barrett 0000-0002-2926-4291, Jacqueline Batley, Oliver Berry, Rachel Binks, Jason Bragg, Linda Broadhurst, Gillian Brown, Jeremy Bruhl 0000-0001-9112-4436, Richard Edwards, Scott Ferguson 0000-0002-4821-7490, Felix Forest, Ove Gustafsson, Timothy Hammer 0000-0003-3816-7933, Gareth Holmes 0000-0003-1120-8731, Christopher Jackson, Liz James, Ashley Jones 0000-0002-7368-1666, Paul Kersey, Ilia Leitch, Olivier Maurin, Todd McLay, Daniel Murphy, Katharina Nargar 0000-0002-0459-5991, Lars Nauheimer 0000-0002-2847-0966, Herve Sauquet, Alexander Schmidt-Lebuhn 0000-0002-7402-8941, Kelly Shepherd, Anna Syme, Michelle Waycott 0000-0002-0822-0564, Trevor Wilson 0000-0002-9026-0521 and Darren Crayn 0000-0001-6614-4216
 
SB24022Abstract

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  3. Nine new species of Australian Nicotiana (Solanaceae)

    Australian Systematic Botany 36 (3)
    Mark W. Chase 0000-0002-9927-4938, Maarten J. M. Christenhusz 0000-0003-1398-8743, Luiz A. Cauz-Santos 0000-0003-1694-2433, Felipe Nollet 0000-0002-1362-685X, Jeremy J. Bruhl 0000-0001-9112-4436, Damien D. Andrew 0000-0001-8675-066X, Ruth Palsson 0000-0003-1460-8239, Richard W. Jobson 0000-0002-1822-9634, Guy M. Taseski 0000-0003-2243-3408, Rosabelle Samuel 0000-0003-0197-4854

Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Genomics for Australian Plants

The Genomics for Australian Plants Collection brings together outputs from activity across the three GAP streams: reference genomes, phylogenomics and conservation genomics. Taken together, the papers in this collection illustrate the challenges, potential future directions and unmitigated successes of this national-scale collaborative project. They underscore the value of a multi-institutional consortium approach and emphasise key facilitators such as carefully curated herbarium collections and national collaborative research infrastructure.

Collection Editors
Darren Crayn, Dan Murphy and Caroline Puente-Lelievre

Last Updated: 20 Mar 2025

Diversity Through Time

This Collection highlights integrative research exploring 'Diversity through time': the connection between evolutionary history and spatial distribution. This Collection was assembled to celebrate the XIX International Botanical Congress held in Shenzhen - the first IBC to be held in China. This landmark event highlights the rapid progress made in establishing the People’s Republic of China as one of the globally-leading research nations and provides a unique opportunity to explore collaborative research, involving botanists from all nations, to tackle the pressing need to manage the conservation of plant diversity.

Last Updated: 16 Jun 2017

Biogeography

Australian Systematic Botany is an international journal with a focus on the systematics of plants, algae and fungi. In this virtual issue, released to coincide with the Botany 2016 conference in Savannah, USA, we have selected some older and more recent significant articles in the areas of biogeography, systematics and palaeobotany, including controversial debate in these research fields.

Last Updated: 30 Jun 2016

Committee on Publication Ethics

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Best Student Paper

The Best Student Paper published in 2024 has been awarded to Eilish McMaster.

Plant Systematics and Biogeography in the Australasian Tropics

Special Issues vol. 31 nos 5 & 6, vol. 32 nos 2 & 3 and vol. 32 no. 4 form special editions on Plant Systematics and Biogeography in the Australasian Tropics containing Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3, respectively.

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