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| Solanum jobsonii Martine, J.Cantley, & L.M.Lacey |
Abstract
A new species of Solanum from the Australian “andromonoecious bush tomato clade” of Solanum subgenus Leptostemonum is described. Solanum jobsonii Martine, J.Cantley, & L.M.Lacey, sp. nov. is part of the S. eburneum Symon species group. It most closely resembles S. eburneum and S. watneyi Martine & Frawley of the northwestern part of the Northern Territory, but is separated geographically from them by the Sturt Plateau. Morphometric analyses show that S. jobsonii differs statistically from S. eburneum, S. watneyi, and S. diversiflorum F.Muell. – a similar species in habit and leaf characters – in several key reproductive and vegetative characters. We provide morphometric evidence for the recognition of S. jobsonii, a complete description, a table of comparisons within its species group, and a map showing species group distributions. One of the first new species to be described from Limmen National Park (established 2012), S. jobsonii is a testament to the value of designating and protecting public lands, as well as supporting science relating to them.
Keywords: Limmen National Park, Northern Territory, Solanum watneyi, Solanum eburneum, Solanum diversiflorum, Solanum jobsonii, Peter Jobson, andromonoecy, national parks, public lands, Australia
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| Figure 2. Solanum jobsonii Martine, J.Cantley, and L.M.Lacey and related species. A Typical habitat in clay soils with limestone stones and laterite pebbles, Limmen National Park, NT B S. jobsonii in flower and C in mature fruit D Corolla comparisons of staminate (upper) and hermaphrodite (lower) flowers for S. jobsonii (left) and S. diversiflorum (right) E Leaf shape across varying leaf ages for S. jobsonii (top) and S. diversiflorum (bottom) F S. jobsonii immature fruit with armed calyx G Corolla comparisons of staminate (upper) and hermaphrodite (lower) flowers for S. eburneum (left) and S. watneyi (right) H Leaf shape across varying leaf ages for S. watneyi (top) and S. eburneum (bottom) I Seed size, shape, and color comparisons from left to right – S. jobsonii, S. diversiflorum, S. eburneum, and S. watneyi J S. jobsonii trichome density of apical adaxial leaf surface (top) and apical abaxial leaf surface (bottom).
Photos A, B, C, F, G by J.T. Cantley; H by E.S. Frawley; D, E, I, J by L.M. Lacey. Yellow scale bars: B, D, F, G = 1.5 cm; C = 5 cm; E, H = 2.25 cm; I = 8 mm; J = 1.5 mm.
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Solanum jobsonii Martine, J.Cantley, & L.M.Lacey, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: With affinity to Solanum eburneum, Solanum watneyi, and Solanum diversiflorum, but differing by the involute corolla margins, deeply dissected leaves with 6–12 lobes and smaller creamy-yellow fruits.
Etymology: The specific epithet of “jobsonii” is selected to honor Peter Jobson, Senior Botanist at the Northern Territory Herbarium at Alice Springs, an expert on the Northern Territory flora and the leader of the 2016 expedition to collect this and numerous other Solanum taxa with the authors.
L. Mae Lacey, Jason T. Cantley and Christopher T. Martine. 2017. Solanum jobsonii, A Novel Andromonoecious Bush Tomato Species from A New Australian National Park.
PhytoKeys. 82; 1-13. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.82.12106
PhytoKeys. 82; 1-13. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.82.12106
Newly established, a national park in Australia unveils a new plant species
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