Morphometric study of Euchiton traversii complex (Gnaphalieae: Asteraceae)

Christina Flann; Ilse Breitwieser; Josephine M. Ward; Neville G. Walsh; Pauline Y. Ladiges

doi:10.1071/SB08005

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Morphometric study of Euchiton traversii complex (Gnaphalieae: Asteraceae)

Christina Flann ^A ^B ^E ^F , Ilse Breitwieser ^C , Josephine M. Ward ^D , Neville G. Walsh ^B and Pauline Y. Ladiges ^A

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.

^B National Herbarium of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra, Vic. 3141, Australia.

^C Allan Herbarium, Landcare Research, Lincoln 8152, New Zealand.

^D School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.

^E Present address: Nationaal Herbarium Nederland, Wageningen Branch, 6703 BL, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

^F Corresponding author. Email: christinaflann@gmail.com

Australian Systematic Botany 21(3) 178-191 https://doi.org/10.1071/SB08005
Submitted: 23 January 2008 Accepted: 20 March 2008 Published: 20 August 2008

Abstract

A morphometric study was undertaken into alpine and subalpine species of Euchiton Cass. (Gnaphalieae: Asteraceae) in the Euchiton traversii species complex in south-eastern Australia and New Zealand. Phenetic analysis of both field-collected and herbarium specimens resolved the following six taxa included: Euchiton traversii (Hook.f.) Holub, Euchiton argentifolius (N.A.Wakef.) Anderb., Euchiton lateralis (C.J.Webb) Breitw. & J.M.Ward, Argyrotegium mackayi (Buchanan) J.M.Ward & Breitw., Argyrotegium fordianum (M.Gray) J.M.Ward & Breitw. and Argyrotegium poliochlorum (N.G.Walsh) J.M.Ward & Breitw. The results support the segregation of the genus Argyrotegium J.M.Ward & Breitw. from Euchiton. E. argentifolius is distinct from E. traversii, but conspecific with A. mackayi. E. lateralis is present in Tasmania as well as New Zealand. The distribution of Australian E. traversii is redefined to mainland alpine regions with a few rare occurrences in Tasmania. Australian E. traversii was shown to be similar to its New Zealand counterparts. Differences between E. lateralis and E. traversii were clarified. A. fordianum and A. poliochlorum are distinct species and their transfer to Argyrotegium is supported.

Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to Paul Wilson (PERTH) for access to his unpublished work on the group. We thank Dr Nicholas Hind (K) for help with type material; Dr Simon Crawford and Dr Ann Bohte for help with scanning electron microscopic work; Katy Sommerville, Catherine Gallagher, Helen Barnes, Helen Rommelaar, Wayne Gebert (MEL), Mary Korver and Ines Schönberger (CHR) for help with loans; all other herbaria mentioned for loans and electronic data; Steve Sinclair, Claire Marks, Katie Throssell, Charlotte Yeabsley and Ruth Harland for assistance with fieldwork; Steve Sinclair, Elizabeth Flann, Bob Flann and Rosanne Bersten for feedback on an early draft; two reviewers for improvements to the manuscript; and Kerry Ford and Adele Gibbs for help with plant specimens.

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