Rediscovery of Prostanthera staurophylla F.Muell. and reinstatement of P. teretifolia Maiden & Betche (Lamiaceae)

Abstract

A population of Prostanthera staurophylla was recently rediscovered in the Mt Mackenzie area near Tenterfield on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. A detailed morphological comparison of these plants with the previously known population occurring in the Torrington area revealed that the populations were morphologically sufficiently distinct from each other to be recognised as separate species. Prostanthera teretifolia is reinstated as a distinct species, separate from P. staurophylla. The former species occurs near Torrington, whereas, P. staurophylla is restricted to the Mt Mackenzie area near Tenterfield. Descriptions, botanical illustrations and comments on the conservation status of each species are provided. IntroductionThe staff of the Northern Tablelands Region of the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (Department of Environment and Conservation) have been conducting floristic and vegetation inventories of the reserves within their care since 1997. These surveys have resulted in extensions of ranges for a number of highly restricted species and the discovery of many new taxa (Hunter et al. 1996;Hunter 1997;Hunter 1998;Hunter & Copeland 2001). During a flora survey of Mt Mackenzie Nature Reserve (by one of us -JTH), specimens were collected of a Prostanthera growing amongst heath plants within crevices of a single granite outcrop. Although this plant was tentatively identified as Prostanthera staurophylla (sensu lato -as circumscribed by Conn 1992), an initial comparison of the morphological features of these plants, with those that occur in the Torrington area, suggested that they were distinct. † Deceased 31 July 2005

Two new species of Prostanthera (Lamiaceae) in New South Wales

“…Previous modifications to parts of this key to the species of Prostanthera occurring in New South Wales (Conn 1997, Conn and Wilson 2014, Hunter et al 2006) and the two new species described here are incorporated in this new key. …”

“…(Lamiaceae) is highest in the eastern mainland States of Australia where approximately 36% of the known species occur. Since the most recent taxonomic accounts of the genus in eastern Australia (Conn 1992(Conn , 1993(Conn onwards, 1999, there have been several publications describing additional new species (Conn 1998, Conn and Wilson 2012, 2014, 2015, Hunter et al 2006. Typically, species of Prostanthera are geographically discontinuous, forming localised populations in open and exposed habitats (such as rocky escarpments and outcrops).…”