Pultenaea aculeata M. A. M. Renner, P. H. Weston & S. Clarke 2022, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Renner, Matthew A. M.
name: Barrett, Russell L.
name: Clarke, Steve
name: Clugston, James A. R.
name: Wilson, Peter H. Weston Trevor C.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2022
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Plantae
Tracheophyta
Magnoliopsida
Fabales
Fabaceae
Pultenaea
Pultenaea aculeata

description: 5. Pultenaea aculeata M.A.M.Renner, P.H.Weston & S.Clarke, sp. nov.
Pultenaea sp. Olinda (R.Coveny 6166) NSW Herbarium, P. H.Weston & de R. P. J.Kok in G. J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales rev. edn 2: 561 (2002).
Type: New South Wales, Central Tablelands, Wollemi National Park, ~ 8.5 km north-east of Olinda, ~ 3 km north-east of Kandos Weir, 14 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 544 (holo: NSW 853639).
Diagnosis
Distinct from other members of the P. glabra complex in the combination of short (3.6–14.0 mm), inrolled linear leaves whose adaxial surface is largely enclosed, and is glaucous owing to the dense cuticular columnar papillae, the leaf apex with a long, pungent apiculus, the dense covering of spreading hairs on the stem, the densely villous calyx, and the flowers borne in the axils of leaves on otherwise leafy shoots that continue vegetative growth.
Woody shrub up to 4 m tall, but usually up to 2 m; stems fawn–brown, mostly obscured by stipules, where exposed, clothed in antrorse, spreading hairs that are longer than those on the leaves. Branching irregular. Stipules red–brown, darkening with age; inserted on a projection from the stem, which is obtriangular in section; furcate, lobes long and narrow, and taper gradually to an acuminate apex, divergent and usually recurved; the basal half of the stipule is lighter in colour, and has ragged margins bearing a few irregular teeth on each side. Leaves linear 3.6–14.0 (average 6.7) mm long by 0.4–0.8 (average 0.6) mm wide, tightly inrolled, adaxial surface enclosed; apex aristate and pungent, discolourous; abaxial surface bears antrorse, appressed, short hairs on its sides and ventral surfaces, the hairs are denser in younger and smaller leaves; adaxial surface is glaucous, covered by dense cuticular pillbox papillae; the abaxial surface bears low triangular mamillae formed by each epidermal cell; leaf anatomy with a subepidermis of pigmented cells on the lower surface; the ventral epidermis is hyaline. Inflorescence flowers in the axils of leaves, which occur throughout the terminal cluster of flowers, internodes not contracted, shoots continue vegetative growth after flowering; stipules associated with flowers are larger than those behind sterile leaves. Flowers shortly pedicellate, pedicel villous; orange–brown trichomes present in flower axil. Calyx outer surface clothed by antrorse, appressed, straight hairs, continuous over from base of tube to near the lobe apex; lobes apices pungent, as for leaf apices. Bracteoles nearly glabrous or with a few basal, medial, or marginal hairs; lanceolate– triangular, apex long, narrow and sharp, margins entire or sparsely denticulate. Corolla keel vibrant deep red. Anthers charcoal grey or pale yellow, filaments pale yellow, pollen cream. Ovary glabrous, except for stiff hairs at the apex and on the lower surface of the style. Pod 5–6 mm long (Fig. 23, 24).
Distribution and ecology
Pultenaea aculeata is restricted to the ‘pagoda country’ east of Rylstone, and as currently understood is confined to an area ~ 20 km north to south by 6 km east to west, extending from the head of Brymair Creek east of the Capertee Valley northward to the Coxs Crown/Spring Log Ridge area. One of us (SC) has also undertaken extensive walking beyond the currently known limits of distribution but not encountered the taxon in otherwise suitable habitat. Therefore, we consider the geographic distribution of P. aculeata to be fairly well circumscribed. Pultenaea aculeata is confined to scattered pagoda formations within a matrix of dry eucalypt woodland, sometimes with Callitris. The Eucalyptus canopy is usually sparse to medium, with E. oreades among others over a dense heath, including Acacia hamiltoniana, Acacia obtusifolia, Acacia terminalis, Banksia penicillata, Boronia anethifolia, Calytrix tetragona, Dracophyllum secundum, Epacris reclinata, Isopogon dawsonii, Leionema lamprophyllum subsp. orbiculare, Leptospermum arachnoides, Leucopogon microphyllus, Styphelia mutica, Pimelea linifolia subsp. linoides, Phebalium squamulosum subsp. gracile, Platysace lanceolata, Prostanthera hindii and Zieria cytisoides. Pultenaea aculeata grows in crevices and cracks high on pagodas, on ledges and slopes bearing shallow soils between pagodas, among rocks, and on the top of steep slopes forming gullies separating pagoda complexes. The soils are sandy loams.
Pultenaea aculeata individuals exhibit the capacity to resprout following fire, including after fires that cause 100% canopy scorch (Fig. 25). However, following the Gospers Mountain fire over the summer of 2019–2020, no signs of resprouting were observed from pre-fire adults at sites visited up to July 2021. All sites contained sizable crops of vigorous, healthy post-fire seedlings. It is possible that the combination of severe drought, and extreme fire intensity, compromised the ability of individuals to resprout, and the fires killed all individuals. Adult plants observed during the height of the drought immediately preceding the fires were severely stressed. However, we have since observed post-fire resprouting in Pultenaea aculeata in multiple individuals across multiple sites throughout the distribution of the species during the summer of 2021–2022, possibly promoted by the La Nina weather pattern.
Recognition
Pultenaea aculeata possesses a combination of characters encompassing many aspects of form, from leaf micromorphology and anatomy to flower colour, that facilitate ready identification of plants, in both herbarium and field. The leaves of P. aculeata are particularly distinctive, and perhaps even diagnostic in their own right, given their short length (3.6–14.0 mm), inrolled margins with the adaxial surface largely enclosed, the adaxial surface glaucous owing to the dense cuticular columnar papillae, the long, pungent, often upwardly curved, apiculus, and the triangular mamillae present on the abaxial leaf surface. Other distinctive features of P. aculeata include the dense covering of spreading hairs on the stem; the stipules with divergent lobes, the flowers borne on the axils of leaves on otherwise leafy shoots that continue vegetative growth; the densely villous calyx; and the blood-red keel.
Conservation status
Pultenaea aculeata is currently listed as Endangered in New South Wales. It qualifies for ranking as Endangered under the IUCN criteria because of the extent of occurrence, being less than 5000 km 2, the extreme fluctuations in numbers of mature individuals, decline in habitat quality as a result of severe fire events as occurred over the summer of 2019–2020 and browsing by feral herbivores including goats and deer. Inappropriate fire regimes, and soil-borne diseases also constitute threats to this species.
Etymology
From the Latin aculeata, for sting or spine, in reference to the long pungent leaf apices of this remarkable species.
Specimens examined
NEW SOUTH WALES. Central Tablelands: Wollemi National Park: above tributary of Ganguddy Creek, ~ 4 km SSE of Dunns Swamp, 30 Apr. 2005, S. Clarke 41, (NSW 867309); 30 Apr. 2005, S. Clarke 42, (NSW 867310); 30 Apr. 2005, S. Clarke 43, (NSW 867311); above tributary of Ganguddy Creek, ~ 4 km SSE of Dunns Swamp, 30 Apr. 2005, S. Clarke 44, (NSW 867307); 30 Apr. 2005, S. Clarke 45, (NSW 867308); on crest of pagoda ridge above Ganguddy Creek, ~ 3 km SSE of Dunns Swamp, 1 May 2005, S. Clarke 54, (NSW 867305); gully between pagodas above Currant Creek, 4 May 2005, S. Clarke 60, (NSW 867321); high pagoda ridge jutting into broad flat valley, tributary of Ganguddy Creek, 4 May 2005, S. Clarke 62, (NSW 867318); ~ 4 km NNE of Olinda, ~ 500 m west of Nullo Mountain Road, 7 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 358, (NSW 977194); 7 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 359, (NSW 977195); 7 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 360, (NSW 977196); ~ 4 km NNE of Olinda, ~ 500 m west of Nullo Mountain Road, 7 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 363, (NSW 977199); 7 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 364, (NSW 977200); ~ 3.5 km N of Olinda, ~ 1 km W of Nullo Mountain Road, on ridge approaching Mt Coolcalwin, 21 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 365, (NSW 977201); ~ 4.5 km N of Olinda, ~ 1 km W of Nullo Mountain Road, 26 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 369, (NSW 977205); 26 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 370, (NSW 977206); ~ 4.5 km N of Olinda, ~ 1 km W of Nullo Mountain Road, 26 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 371, (NSW 977218); 26 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 373, (NSW 977224); ~ 4 km N of Olinda, ~ 1 km W of Nullo Mountain Road, 26 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 374, (NSW 977225); 26 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 375, (NSW 977226); 26 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 377, (NSW 977228); 26 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 378, (NSW 977229); 26 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 379, (NSW 977230); ~ 3.5 – 4 km N of Olinda, ~ 1 km W of Nullo Mountain Road, 6 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 380, 2 (NSW 977231); 26 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 381, (NSW 977232); 26 Apr. 2013, S. Clarke 382, (NSW 977233); 25 May 2013, S. Clarke 385, (NSW 977236); 25 May 2013, S. Clarke 386, (NSW 977239); 25 May 2013, S. Clarke 387, (NSW 977240); ~ 6 km ENE of Olinda, 500 m N of Kandos Weir, 1 km SE of Mt Touwouwan, 8 June 2013, S. Clarke 410, (NSW 977280); 8 June 2013, S. Clarke 412, (NSW 977282); 8 June 2013, S. Clarke 413, (NSW 977283); 8 June 2013, S. Clarke 414, (NSW 977284); 8 June 2013, S. Clarke 415, (NSW 977285); Currant Mountain Gap, ~ 4.5 km ESE of Olinda, ~ 200 m N of Narrango Road, 13 June 2013, S. Clarke 416, (NSW 977286); 13 June 2013, S. Clarke 417, (NSW 977287); ~ 4.5 km ESE of Olinda, ~ 500 m NE of Currant Mountain Gap, ~ 2.5 km S of Kandos Weir, 13 June 2013, S. Clarke 420, (NSW 977289); 13 June 2013, S. Clarke 421, (NSW 977290); 13 June 2013, S. Clarke 422, (NSW 977291); 13 June 2013, S. Clarke 423, (NSW 977292); ~ 5 km ESE of Olinda, ~ 2.5 km S of Kandos Weir, 13 June 2013, S. Clarke 425, (NSW 977295); ~ 5 km ESE of Olinda, ~ 2.5 km S of Kandos Weir, 13 June 2013, S. Clarke 433, (NSW 977309); 13 June 2013, S. Clarke 434, (NSW 977310); 13 June 2013, S. Clarke 435, (NSW 977311); 13 June 2013, S. Clarke 436, (NSW 977312); ~ 5.5 km ESE of Olinda, ~ 2.5 km S of Kandos Weir, 13 June 2013, S. Clarke 439, (NSW 977315); 13 June 2013, S. Clarke 440, (NSW 977317); 13 June 2013, S. Clarke 441, (NSW 977319); ~ 5.5 km SE of Olinda, ~ 1 km SE of Mt Towinhingy, 22 June 2013, S. Clarke 451, (NSW 977340); 22 June 2013, S. Clarke 453, (NSW 977377); ~ 7 km SE of Olinda, ~ 7 km S of Dunn’s Swamp, 22 June 2013, S. Clarke 464, (NSW 977471); ~ 6.5 km E of Olinda, ~ 2.5 km S of Kandos Weir, 27 June 2013, S. Clarke 480, (NSW 977504); ~ 5.5 km E of Olinda, ~ 2 km S of Kandos Weir, 27 June 2013, S. Clarke 485, (NSW 977510); ~ 11 km NE of Rylstone, 1 km E of Cox’s Crown, 1 km N of Cox’s Creek Road, 1 Aug. 2013, S. Clarke 493, (NSW 977519); 1 Aug. 2013, S. Clarke 494, (NSW 977520); ~ 11 km NE of Rylstone, 1 km E of Cox’s Crown, 1 km N of Cox’s Creek Road, 1 Aug. 2013, S. Clarke 495, (NSW 977521); ~ 11 km NE of Rylstone, ~ 1.5 km E of Cox’s Crown, ~ 1 km N of Cox’s Creek Road, 1 Aug. 2013, S. Clarke 496, (NSW 977522); 1 Aug. 2013, S. Clarke 497, (NSW 977523); ~ 12 km NE of Rylstone, ~ 2 km E of Cox’s Crown, ~ 1.5 km N of Cox’s Creek Road, Aug. 2013, S. Clarke 498, 1 (NSW 977524); ~ 3 km E of Kandos Weir, 18 Aug. 2013, S. Clarke 499, (NSW 853499); 18 Aug. 2013, S. Clarke 501, (NSW 853503); 18 Aug. 2013, S. Clarke 502, (NSW 853509); ~ 3 km E of Kandos Weir., 18 Aug. 2013, S. Clarke 503, (NSW 853510); ~ 4.5 km E of Olinda, 1.75 km SW of Kandos Weir, 25 Aug. 2013, S. Clarke 504, (NSW 853526); ~ 7 km SE of Olinda, ~ 4 km S of Kandos Weir, 1 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 522, (NSW 853576); 1 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 523, (NSW 853579); 1 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 524, (NSW 853582); ~ 6 km SE of Olinda, ~ 3.5 km S of Kandos Weir, 1 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 531, (NSW 853598); 1 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 532, (NSW 853599); ~ 8.5 km NE of Olinda, ~ 3 km NE of Kandos Weir, 14 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 543, (NSW 853638); 14 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 544, (NSW 853639); ~ 8.5 km NE of Olinda, ~ 3 km NE of Kandos Weir, 14 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 545, (NSW 853643); 14 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 546, (NSW 853644); ~ 5 km SE of Olinda, ~ 5 km S of Kandos Weir, 15 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 547, (NSW 853645); ~ 5 km SE of Olinda, ~ 5 km S of Kandos Weir, 15 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 548, (NSW 853646); ~ 4.5 km SE of Olinda, ~ 5 km S of Kandos Weir, 15 Sep. 2015, S. Clarke 549, (NSW 853647); 15 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 551, (NSW 853650); 15 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 552, (NSW 853651); ~ 4.5 km SE of Olinda, ~ 5 km S of Kandos Weir, 15 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 553, (NSW 853659); 15 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 554, (NSW 853662); ~ 5 km E of Olinda, ~ 400 m S of Kandos Weir, 21 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 556, (NSW 853665); 21 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 557, (NSW 853667); ~ 6 km E of Olinda, ~ 750 m E of Kandos Weir, ~ 500 m N of Ganguddy camp site, 21 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 565, (NSW 853723); ~ 7 km SE of Olinda, ~ 4.5 km SE of Kandos Weir, 29 Sep. 2013, S. Clarke 572, (NSW 853737); ~ 10 km SE of Olinda, ~ 9 km SE of Kandos Weir, 5 Oct. 2013, S. Clarke 579, (NSW 853766); ~ 5 km SE of Olinda, ~ 20 km E of Kandos, on ridge between Towinhingy Creek and Teatree Creek, 20 Sep. 2014, S. Clarke 582, (NSW 883653); ~ 7 km SE of Olinda, 22 km E of Kandos, ridge between Towinhingy Creek and Teatree Creek, 27 Sep. 2014, S. Clarke 591, (NSW 931249); ~ 6 km SE of Olinda, 20 km E of Kandos, 2.5 km NE of ‘ Dunville’ homestead, ridge above Teatree Creek, 27 Sep. 2014, S. Clarke 593, (NSW 883643); 27 Sep. 2014, S. Clarke 595, (NSW 883645); 1.2 km SE of Mt Towinhingy, ~ 3.5 km S of Kandos Weir, 2 Jun. 2017, S. Clarke 723, (NSW 1002586); ~ 23 km E of Kandos, ~ 4.5 km E of Kandos Weir & 1.2 km S of Narrango Road, 16 June 2017, S. Clarke 736, (NSW 1002582); ~ 18 km E of Kandos, ~ 2.5 km SW of Kandos Weir, Spur running NW off Mt Towinhingy, 30 June 2017, S. Clarke 739, (NSW 1002579); 30 June 2017, S. Clarke 740, (NSW 1002580); 30 June 2017, S. Clarke 741, (NSW 1002581); ~ 25 km E of Kandos, ~ 3 km N of ‘ Ingle Wood’, 16 July 2017, S. Clarke 749, (NSW 1002585); ~ 25 km E of Kandos, ~ 3 km N of ‘ Ingle Wood’, 16 July 2017, S. Clarke 750, (NSW 1002583); 16 July 2017, S. Clarke 751, (NSW 1002584); Spring Log Ridge, Growee River Catchment, W of Heffron’s Hole., 4 Dec. 2003, D.M. Crayn 772, H.G. Washington, J.M. Allen, B.M. Horton, S. Clarke & C. Pavich, (NSW 716933); near fire trail, ‘ Mycumbene’; E of Kandos (W of ‘Mycumbene’), 28 Oct. 1992, P. Goulter 931 & A.J. Ford 931, (NSW 264742); Currant Mountain Gap, ~ 24 km ESE of Rylstone, 11 Mar. 1969, R.G. Coveny 961 & J. Pickard, (NSW 467005); Currant Mountain Gap, ~ 16 miles [~ 26 km] E of Rylstone, 26 Apr. 1965, D.J. McGillivray 1174 & A.N. Rodd, (NSW 77999); Currant Mountain Gap, near Olinda, E of Rylstone, 14 Nov. 1966, D.J. McGillivray 1650, (NSW 94501); ~ 600 m S of road heading E from Dunn’s Swamp (walk south from a point 2.3 km E of Dunn’s Swamp turnoff on main road), 18 Dec. 2012, R.L. Johnstone 3215 & S. Clarke, (NSW 904279); about 6 miles [~ 9.7 km] E of Olinda on road to Mount Coricudgy, 2 Sep. 1969, T.M. Whaite 3317 & J.L. Whaite, (NSW 467938); N side of Currant Mountain Gap, 25.5 km E of Rylstone, 28 Sep. 1996, P.C. Jobson 4373, (NSW 415239); ~ 4 miles [~ 6.4 km] E of Nullo Mountain on the Rylstone–Mount Coricudgy road, Oct. 1967, L. Williams s.n., (NSW 108536); ‘ Kyber’ [Khyber Pass], Currant Mountain Gap, Sep. 1951, P. Althofer s.n., (NSW 38971); Currant Mountain Gap, on top of Pagodas, May 1998, H.G. Washington, (NSW 440197); Dunn Swamp, 26 km NE of Kandos, 10 Dec. 1989, A. Ford s.n., (NSW 247272); Currant Mountain Gap, 21 Sep. 1952, H.S. McKee s.n., (NSW 38969); 3 miles [~ 4.8 km] E of Currant Mountain Gap (i.e. 8 miles [~ 12.9 km] E of Olinda), 31 Aug. 1951, L.A.S. Johnson s.n., (NSW 38970); Currant Mountain Gap E of Rylstone, 28 Aug. 1952, C.K. Ingram s.n., (NSW 47121); Narrabri West, Oct. 1914, J.L. Boorman s.n., (NSW 67001); 1 mile [~ 1.6 km] SE of Currant Mountain Gap, 6 Aug. 1961, B.G. Briggs s.n., (NSW 108535); Olinda, Coricudgy Road, 26 Sep. 2018, M.A.M. Renner 9036, R.L. Barrett, J.M. Allen & H.G. Washington, (NSW 1052810); Nullo Mountain State Forest: ~ 4.5 km NE of Olinda, ~ 1.5 km east of Nullo Mountain Road, ~ 1 km SE of ‘ Spring Hill’, 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 388, (NSW 977244); 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 389, (NSW 977245); ~ 4.5 km NE of Olinda, ~ 1.75 km E of Nullo Mountain Road, ~ 1.5 km SE of ‘ Spring Hill’, 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 392, (NSW 977248); 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 394, (NSW 977252); 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 395, (NSW 977253); ~ 4 km NE of Olinda, ~ 2 km E of Nullo Mountain Road, ~ 1.5 km SE of ‘ Spring Hill’, 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 396, (NSW 977254); 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 397, (NSW 977259); 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 398, (NSW 977260; ~ 4 km NE of Olinda, ~ 2 km E of Nullo Mountain Road, ~ 1.5 km SE of ‘ Spring Hill’, 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 399, (NSW 977261); ~ 4 km NE of Olinda, ~ 2 km E of Nullo Mountain Road, ~ 1.5 km SE of ‘ Spring Hill’, 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 402, (NSW 977269); 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 403, (NSW 977270); 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 404, (NSW 977271); ~ 4 km NE of Olinda, ~ 2 km E of Nullo Mountain Road, ~ 1.5 km SE of ‘ Spring Hill’, 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 405, (NSW 977274); 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 406, (NSW 977275); 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 407, (NSW 977276); 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 408, (NSW 977277); 1 June 2013, S. Clarke 409, (NSW 977278).
description: Published as part of Renner, Matthew A. M., Barrett, Russell L., Clarke, Steve, Clugston, James A. R. & Wilson, Peter H. Weston Trevor C., 2022, Morphological and molecular evidence refute a broad circumscription for Pultenaea glabra (Fabaceae: Mirbelieae), with implications for taxonomy, biogeography, and conservation, pp. 225-277 in Australian Systematic Botany 35 (3) on pages 261-264, DOI: 10.1071/SB21030, http://zenodo.org/record/11048683