New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts

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Genus Pimelea (Thymelaeaceae) in New Zealand 1. The taxonomic treatment of seven endemic, glabrous-leaved species

Colin J. Burrows

School of Biological Sciences
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140, New Zealand

Abstract The nature and taxonomic history of the Australian and New Zealand shrub genus Pimelea are summarised, emphasising its manifestations in New Zealand. Five previously recognised glabrous-leaved Pimelea species are redescribed here and typified: P. longifolia , P. gnidia , P. buxifolia , P. traversii , and P. poppelwellii . Pimelea crosby-smithiana is merged, without any formal status, into the otherwise variable P. gnidia . Two new subspecies are defined for P. traversii : subsp. boreus and subsp. exedra . This group of species constitutes a distinct subunit in New Zealand Pimelea.

  Two new glabrous-leaved species are described: P. actea from coastal Manawatu-Wanganui, and P. telura from Three Kings Islands. They are not closely related to each other or to any of the five species considered above. A notable common feature of P. actea and P. telura is possession of only bisexual flowers, whereas other New Zealand Pimelea species that have been closely examined are gynodioecious. P. actea is now very rare and in serious danger of extinction, and a major conservation effort to save it is recommended. P. longifolia is also under threat and needs conservation in the Auckland City area.

  Hybridisation is rife between P. longifolia and P. gnidia but unaffected populations are present where their distributions do not overlap (locally, or on a geographic scale). Some hybrids are also present in places where one or another parent is no longer present. Attempts are made to explain these anomalies. The numerous hybrid forms are given no formal status. Hybridisation is not known between other members of this group. A few putative hybrids are recorded between P. traversii and representatives of other Pimelea subgroups, and between each of P. actea and P. telura and at least one other Pimelea taxon.

Keywords Thymelaeaceae; Pimelea ; New Zealand; Australia; taxonomic history; Cook’s voyages; defining characters; glabrous leaves; gynodioecy; bisexuality; hybridisation; new taxa; conservation

B07032; Online publication date 6 June 2008; Received 8 August 2007; accepted 13 March 2008

New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2008, Vol. 46 : 127–176
0028–825X/08/4602–0127 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2008

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