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| Drosera stipularis Baleeiro, R.W.Jobson & R.L.Barrett, in Baleeiro, Jobson & Barratt, 2020. Telopea: Journal of Plant Systematics. 23 |
Abstract
Across tropical northern Australia 14 Drosera species are recognised within the D. petiolaris complex. The complex is placed in section Lasiocephala; a group of perennial sundews mostly characterised by an indumentum of white hairs upon the petiole. Here we describe a new species for the complex, D. stipularis Baleeiro, R.W.Jobson & R.L.Barrett, which is known only from white-sand habitats on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. The new species is allied to D. petiolaris R.Br. ex DC. and D. lanata K.Kondo.
Drosera stipularis Baleeiro, R.W.Jobson & R.L.Barrett, sp. nov.
Type: Queensland: Cape York Peninsula, [precise locality withheld] R.W. Jobson 3134 & P.C. Baleeiro, 13 Apr 2016 (holo: NSW 1056757; iso: BRI).
Diagnosis: Drosera stipularis is similar to D. petiolaris and D. lanata but differs by its slender v. thickened stems with perennating buds held above v. at or below ground level, the petiole not elongating post anthesis v. elongating to 40 mm long, petiole distal end reflexed v. straight, inflorescences being mostly glabrous v. hairy below first flower, short pedicels up to 0.6 mm long v. 3.0 mm long at anthesis, and the prominent stipules exserted well above the central rosette v. stipules not being prominent.
Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the erect to spreading stipules exserted above the central rosette.
Distribution and Ecology: Known only from two collections north of Cooktown and east of Starke National Park. Our examination of Drosera collections at BRI, and NSW, and examination of images of collections from the vicinity (held at CNS and JCU), uncovered no additional specimens. Both 2013 and 2016 specimens were located c. 300 m apart from each other. Found on moist pockets (each pocket c. 20 m2 ) of fine sand substrate within low heath and sedges (Fig. 3). The moist fine sand pockets were infrequent across the location and were not observed elsewhere in nearby habitat. Within each pocket D. stipularis was common, forming several scattered colonies each containing c. 30 individuals (P.C. Baleeiro pers. obs.). Found in flower in April and July.
Paulo C. Baleeiro, Richard W. Jobson and Russell L. Barratt. 2020. Drosera stipularis, A New Species for the D. petiolaris Complex from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. Telopea: Journal of Plant Systematics. 23; 35-40.
