New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts

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Morphological variation of the Leucopogon fraseri complex (Ericaceae: Styphelieae) in New Zealand, and recognition of a new species, L. nanum

Murray I. Dawson
P. B. Heenan

Allan Herbarium
Landcare Research
P. O. Box 69
Lincoln 8152, New Zealand

Abstract  Morphological variation within the widespread Leucopogon fraseri complex in New Zealand was investigated. Phenetic analyses (including multivariate principal component and cluster analysis) are presented, based on 22 vegetative and floral characters, from 62 plants grown under uniform conditions, collected from 37 sites. Results indicate that there is one distinct segregate, often known as Leucopogon fraseri var. muscosus, with the most diminutive stature, and smaller, more densely crowded leaves. We recognise this segregate at species rank and provide the new name Leucopogon nanum. Leucopogon nanum is restricted to short-tussockland terraces and inner montane basins in the South Island of New Zealand, where it is frequently sympatric with more widespread and variable members of the L. fraseri complex. A detailed description of L. nanum is provided with notes on distribution, habitat, and recognition. We treat the variety muscosus as incertae sedis, as the type specimen is from a cultivated plant referable to either vigorous L. nanum or a depauperate montane to subalpine ecotype of L. fraseri. For the remainder of the study group, the analyses do not reveal any other discrete groups. Although there is partial resolution of three broad geographic ecotypes that we recognise in the field from coastal, lowland, and montane to subalpine areas, they demonstrate considerable intrapopulational and interpopulational variation for some characters. Consequently, the available evidence does not support taxonomic recognition of these ecotypes. Leucopogon nanum has 2n = 16 chromosomes, the same number as most counts of L. fraseri from New Zealand. These counts differ from Tasmanian (2n = 24) and mainland Australian (2n = 8) material referred to L. fraseri sens. lat., each of which seems morphologically and cytologically distinct from New Zealand material.

Keywords  Epacridaceae; Ericaceae; Styphelieae; Cyathodes; Leucopogon; Cyathodes fraseri; Leucopogon fraseri; Leucopogon nanum; morphological variation; phenetics; taxonomy; new species; chromosome numbers; New Zealand flora; Australian flora

B03025; Received 23 July 2003; accepted 17 February 2004; Online publication date 21 September 2004
New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2004, Vol. 42: 537-564
0028-825X/04/4204-0537 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2004

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