The Australian species of Blainvillea ass. (Asteraceae: Ecliptinae)

2012·8.4 MB·English

by  A E Orchard

The Australian species of Blainvillea ass. (Asteraceae: Ecliptinae)
A.E. Orchard
Summary
Orchard, A.E. (2012). The Australian species of Blainvillea Cass. (Asteraceae: Ecliptinae).
Austrobaileya 8(4): 653-669. Characters separating the Australian species of Blainvillea from the
closely related Wedelia are discussed. Four species are recognised in Blainvillea; these are keyed,
described and illustrated (Blainvillea acmella (L.) Philipson, B. calcicola Orchard, sp. nov., B.
cunninghamii (DC.) Orchard, comb. nov. and B. gayana Cass.). Of these, the first three are considered
native, while B. gayana is a naturalised alien. Examination of extra-Australian specimens reveals
that these four species account for the genus worldwide and a partial global synonymy is presented.
Key Words: Asteraceae, Ecliptinae, Blainvillea, Blainvillea acmella, Blainvillea calcicola, Blainvillea
cunninghamii, Blainvillea gayana, Australia flora, taxonomy, new species, identification key
A.E.Orchard, c/o Australian Biological Resources Study, GPO Box 787, Canberra ACT 2001,
Australia. Email: [email protected]
Introduction
The pantropical genus Blainvillea Cass, Specht (1958) described a new species of
comprises four species, although at various Blainvillea (B. dubia Specht) from Arnhem
times as many as ten have been recognised (e.g. Land, the only one to that period with an
Bentham & Hooker 1873). It was described Australian type, noting the difficulty in
by Cassini (1823), with a single species, B. assigning it to Blainvillea versus Wedelia.
rhomboidea Cass. Other species were later More recently, the species B. gayana Cass.,
described in Blainvillea, or transferred from native to Africa, has been noted as locally
genera such as Verbesina L., Spilanthes Jacq., naturalised near Mackay and Proserpine,
Eclipta L. and Wedelia Jacq. For example, Queensland. Other Queensland material has
de Candolle (1836a) recognised five species, been tentatively identified as “Moonia sp. QP\
B. rhomboidea, B. latifolia (L.f.) DC. (based and “Wedelia sp. (Marrett River J.Elsol 680 &
on Eclipta latifolia L.f.), B. gayana Cass., T. Stanley)”. In the Northern Territory, some
B. prieuriana DC. and B. biaristata DC. He specimens have been assigned the temporary
also accepted (de Candolle 1836b) 34 Wedelia informal name Wedelia sp. Limestone
species, one of which (W cunninghamii DC.) (J.Russell-Smith 7865) N.T. Herbarium.
is here transferred to Blainvillea. Bentham
Generic circumscription of Blainvillea
(1867) recognised no Blainvillea species for
Australia, although his “Wedelia urticifolia” Even a cursory examination of the synonymy
was a misidentification of what is here of currently recognised taxa will reveal that
accepted as B. cunninghamii. taxonomists over the last nearly 200 years
have struggled with generic delimitation in
The type species of Blainvillea was
the Wedelia group of the subtribe Ecliptinae
established when Koster & Philipson (1950)
Less., with taxa moving between Wedelia,
identified Cassini’s B. rhomboidea as the
Blainvillea, Eclipta, Wollastonia DC. ex
species described by Linnaeus as Verbesina
Decne., Pentalepis F.Muell., Moonia Arn.
acmella, and by de Candolle as Blainvillea
and Pascalia Ortega. Pentalepis is one of
latifolia, and treated them all under the
the more complex examples: Mueller (1863)
new combination Blainvillea acmella (L.)
described the genus Pentalepis with two
Philipson.
species. Bentham (1867) treated them as
Moonia in Flora Australiensis. They were
subsequently transferred to Chrysogonum L.
Accepted for publication 22 August 2012 by Mueller (1882). Stuessy then reduced both
654 Austrobaileya 8(4): 653-669 (2012)
Moonia (Stuessy 1975) and Chrysogonum to key these genera within Australia was that
(Stuessy 1977) to monospecific genera from of Toelken (1983), who used the characters
India / Ceylon and the Americas respectively, “Fruits curved; scales on receptacle folded”
referring the Australian species to “aff. (=Blainvillea, one sp.) versus “Fruits straight;
Blainvillea”. Lawrence (1992) recognised scales on receptacle chaffy” (=”Wedelia”, six
three Australian taxa in Chrysogonum, while spp., including Wollastonia). In a world-wide
Karis etal. (1993) resurrected Pentalepis, with summary, Panero (2007) used the character
three species). At various times Wollastonia, “Cypselae with elaiosomes” (=Wedelia) versus
Pentalepis and Pascalia have been included “Cypselae without elaiosomes” (=Blainvillea)
in Wedelia, but are here and elsewhere (e.g. to key the two genera. Elaiosomes are present
Panero 2007) considered distinct. in many if not all core American Wedelia
species, but not in Australian “ Wedelia:”.
In preparing a treatment of Blainvillea for
Flora of Australia it thus became necessary to Examination of the Australian taxa;
first define the genus, particularly in respect however, reveals a more useful set of
to Wedelia. It should be noted that here and characters, based on the paleae (receptacle
elsewhere in this paper the name Wedelia is bracts). In Blainvillea these are more or less
used as currently accepted by many authors oblong, truncate, laciniate and sometimes
to include W. spilanthoides and about six ciliate at the apex, scarious throughout
related northern Australian taxa. The correct (sometimes the central tooth greenish), and
generic placement of these and related folded strongly around the florets (becoming
Malesian taxa will be the subject of a separate flatter but still semi-clasping in fruit). In
paper (in prep.). Unfortunately, there is no “Wedelia” the paleae are more or less
recent monograph covering either Wedelia lanceolate, tapering gradually to an acute
or Blainvillea. Regional treatments such as apex, not laciniate, and green and fleshy in
Grierson (1980) use characters to separate the the upper part (scarious below). In Australian
genera that work within their limited taxon taxa of Blainvillea the number of ray florets
range (in that case, floret colour), but have is usually 2-5 (rarely 8) and disc florets 2-8,
limited utility elsewhere. Within Australia, with about 4-6 (-16) achenes maturing per
the dearth of northern Floras means that few capitulum. In “ Wedelia” the number of florets
attempts have been made to define the genera. is usually much higher, resulting in broader
Bailey (1900) used “Ray-florets with small more hemispherical to depressed globular
ligules. Achenes not winged.” (=Blainvillea) capitula, appearing spiny from the rigidly
versus “Ray-florets with large yellow ligules. erect palea tips.
Achenes thick.” (=Wedelia) as key characters,
Adoption of this set of characters means
but he recognised only one species of
that Wedelia cunninghamii (mainly in
Blainvillea and five of ‘Wedelia” (one of
the Northern Territory, but extending to
which is now Wollastonia). This limited
Queensland and Western Australia) must
coverage, plus the vague qualitative nature
be transferred to Blainvillea, where it is
of his characters, makes them unsuitable
synonymous with (and the epithet pre-dates) B.
for current purposes, where there are four
dubia. The name Wedelia urticifolia has been
species of Blainvillea and about six species of
misapplied to these plants (and sometimes
“ Wedelia”, plus Wollastonia. Ewart & Davies
to B. acmella) since Bentham (1867). Much
(1917) did not recognise Blainvillea, but one of
material in herbaria of B. cunninghamii has in
their “Wedelia” species (W urticifolia, treated
the past also been misidentified as B. acmella
here as B. cunninghamii) was distinguished
(syn. B. latifolia). Blainvillea acmella is
from the rest by “Five or six of the outer
present in Australia, but only in Torres Strait
involucral bracts more leaf-like and longer
and a few near-coastal localities on Cape York
than the others” versus “Outer involucral
Peninsula. Wedelia urticifolia does not occur
bracts not longer than the inner ones” (=
in Australia. Blainvillea gayana is naturalised
three species of “ Wedelia” of which one is
in a few localities in Queensland. Finally, a
now Wollastonia). The only recent attempt
Orchard, Australian Blainvillea 655
new species of Blainvillea (B. calcicola) is Eisenmannia Hochst., Flora 24 (1,
described from two small areas in the Northern Intelligenzblf. 42 (1841), nom. inval., nom.
Territory, making a total of four species (one nud.
naturalised, three native) of Blainvillea from
Annual or perennial herbs with taproot; stems
Australia. These are described and illustrated
erect. Leaves opposite (sometimes becoming
below, and as they comprise the whole
alternate near the inflorescence), simple,
genus world-wide, a partial extra-Australian
3-veined, petiolate; base cuneate, apex acute;
synonymy is provided.
margins crenate to serrate. Capitula in leafy
The genus Eisenmannia Sch.Bip. (a generic dichotomous cymes or openly paniculate,
synonym listed below) with a single species, radiate or almost disciform; involucral
E. clandestina Sch.Bip. was foreshadowed by bracts in 2 series; outer bracts usually green;
Hochstetter (1841), but as a name only. The inner bracts sometimes scarious; receptacle
following year the species was relisted as a paleaceous; paleae scarious, oblong, truncate
synonym of Blainvillea gayana (Schnizlein and laciniate (sometimes also ciliate) at apex,
1842: 135). A duplicate of the collection on conduplicate, enclosing florets; ray florets
which this invalid name was based is held female and fertile, with ligule minutely 2-(or
in K (in agris Sorghi graminosis ad montem 3-) lobed, yellow or white (mauve-white in
Cordofanum Arasch-Cool, 16 October 1839, B. gayana); disc florets bisexual and fertile,
Kotschyi iter Nubicum, K410220!, ex herb. 5-merous, with corolla yellow or white;
Bentham). It is B. acmella. pappus of scales (often minute) and/or 1-
several awns. Ray achenes 2 or 3 angled,
Materials and methods
usually dorsiventrally compressed, smooth
This paper arises from work undertaken to to weakly rugose; disc achenes obpyramidal
prepare a treatment of subtribe Ecliptinae (and to obovoid, 2-4-angled, usually laterally
other groups of the “Heliantheae alliance”) compressed. Pappus of 0-5 awns, and/or with
for the Flora of Australia. It is based upon a few (usually very short), unequal, shortly
examination of all available material in the connate scales.
major Australian herbaria (AD, BRI, CANB,
A pantropical genus of four species. In
DNA, HO, MEL, NE, NSW, PERTH),
Australia three native (one endemic) and one
plus some in BM, G, G-DC, K, L, and P.
introduced. All occur in northern Australia.
All specimens cited have been seen unless
indicated n.v. The achenes of most species are very
minutely wrinkled transversely under 10*
Common abbreviations used in the text
magnification. These fine transverse wrinkles
include: N.P (National Park), NT (Northern
underlie any other rugosities.
Territory), Qld (Queensland) and WA
(Western Australia).
Taxonomy
Blainvillea Cass., Diet. Sci. Nat. 29:
493 (1823), after Henri M. Ducrotay de
Blainville (1777-1850), professor of zoology,
comparative anatomy and physiology, Paris.
Type: Blainvillea rhomboidea Cass. [=B.
acmella (L.) Philipson]
656 Austrobaileya 8(4): 653-669 (2012)
Key to the species of Blainvillea
1 Achenes all ±subcylindrical (angled but not noticeably compressed), c. 5x
as long as wide, awns 2-8, stiff, 1.5-3.5 mm long.2
1. Achenes compressed, cuneate to obovoid, 2-2.5x as long as wide; awns
0-2, weak, 0.5-2.0 mm long.3
2 Awns 2 (or 3), terete.1. B. gayana
2. Awns 5-8, flattened (i.e. anatomically, lengthened slender scales).2. B. calcicola
3 Achenes convex at apex, 3-4 (-4.5) mm long, smooth, awns c. 0.5 mm
long (if present).3. B. cuiminghamii
3. Achenes truncate or sunken at apex, usually with raised corners at
summit of angles, 4-5 mm long, weakly rugose; awns 1-1.3 mm long
(if present).4. B. acmella
1. Blainvillea gayana Cass., Diet. Sci. Nat., subacute, green, pilose near apex, glabrous
edn. 2,47: 90 (1827). Type citation: “Senegal, and striate below. Paleae oblong, stramineous,
M.GayType: Jardin de Luxembourg, la scarious, with laciniate apex, striate, glabrous
4 Septembre 1826. Secher par Hardy en except midrib. Ray florets 4-8; corolla mauve
mon absence, des grains m’ont ete envoyees to white, c. 3 mm long; ligule 2-lobed. Disc
de Richardtol (Senegal) sous le nom d’ florets 6-8; corolla white, c. 3.5 mm long.
Ageratum? Bidens? Semer en Avril 1825 Achenes 6-16, narrowly cylindrical, brown
(holo: K 410221); iso: Blainvillea, cultive au to black, very finely transversely wrinkled,
Luxembourg en 1826, les graines venant du finely and sparsely pilose or subglabrous. Ray
Senegal, P 69616 (photo!); (see typification achenes subcylindrical, triquetrous, 4.5-5
note below). mm long, slightly curved; pappus of 3 erect
awns. Disc achenes subcylindrical, 2 or 3
Blainvillea prieureana DC., Prodr. 5: 492
angled, 5.5-6.5 mm long, ± straight; pappus
(1836). Type citation: “In Senegalia superiore
of 2 (or 3) erect awns. Awns 1.5-2.5 mm long,
ad montes Bakel legit cl. Leprieur (v.s. comm,
antrorsely pilose, on a rostrum c. 0.5 mm
a cl. inv.)” Type: Senegambie, s.dat., Leprieur
long. Fig. 1.
s.n. (holo: G 23503, photo!).
Additional selected specimens examined: Africa
Oligogyne burchellii Hook., Icon. PI. 1: t. (selection only): Cape Verde Islands: s. loc., 1895,
101 (1837), non Aspilia burchellii Baker, Cardosas.n. (K). Ethiopia: Abaye (BlueNile) Gorge, Sep
nec Wedelia burchellii (Baker) B.Turner; 1973, Gilbert & Getachew 3089 (K). Somalia: 14 km on
road between Luuq and Beled Xaawo, Jun 1989, Thulin &
Calyptocarpus burchellii (Hook.) Sch.Bip.,
Mohamed 6960 (K). Djibouti: between Djibouti and Arta,
Bot. Zeitung (Berlin) 24: 165 (1866). Type
Apr 1993, Collenette 8699 (K); Cameroun: Colline de
citation: “Rio Janeiro. Wm. J. Burchell, Esq. Boboyo, Sep 1964, Bounouge 97 (K). Nigeria: Panshanu
(n. 12)”. Type: K, n.v. Pass, Aug 1962, Lawler & Hall 188 (K). Kenya: Marsabit
N.P, Feb 2005, Muasya NMK487 et al. (K); Tanzania:
Illustrations: Hooker (1837: t. 101), Mkomazi Game Reserve, Apr 1995, Abdallah & Vollesen
as Oligogyne burchellii. Pacific Island 95/12 (K). Senegal: 20-23 km from Dendoudi, Oct 1988,
Lawesson 5307 (K). The Gambia: Yundum, Nov 1979,
Ecosystems at Risk (2011).
Terry 3231 (K). Ivory Coast: Pronoi, Nov 1971, Audrun
Erect annual herb to 2 m tall; stems softly 798 (K). Botswana: Ngamiland, Sennonore, Mann, Apr
1994, Smith 5696 (CANB). South America: Bolivia:
pilose. Leaves opposite below, alternate above,
57 km al S de Las Petas, May 2008, Wood 24869 et al.
broadly ovate to deltoid, becoming lanceolate
(K). Brazil: Bresil Meridional, 1838, Guillemin 177 (K).
in inflorescence, 30-120 mm long, 15-85 Australia: Queensland. South Kennedy District: 35
mm wide, shallowly crenate-serrate, pilose km N of Mackay, Kuttabul, Brangus Court, Apr 2002,
adaxially, more densely pilose abaxially, Warren s.n. (BRI); 6.7 km along Dingo Beach Road, N
of Proserpine, Apr 2000, Bean 16327 (BRI, K, NSW);
especially on veins; petioles 6-30 mm long.
Royston Park, property of Williamsons, W of Bruce
Capitula elongated-hemispherical, 10-12 Highway, c. 6 km N of township of Kuttabul, Apr 2002,
mm diameter; involucral bracts lanceolate, Warren 2 (BRI).
Orchard, Australian Blainvillea 657
Fig. 1. Blainvillea gayana: A. lower leaf x0.6. B. upper leaf x0.6. C. young fruiting capitulum x6. D, E. involucral
bracts x6. F, G. paleae x6. H. ray floret xl2.1. disc floret xl2. J. ray achene x6. K. diagramatic transverse section of the
ray achene shown as J. L. detail of summit of ray achene xl2. M. disc achene x6. N. diagramatic transverse section of
the disc achene shown as M. O. detail of summit of disc achene xl2. A-C, & J-0 from Bean 16327 (BRI), D-I from
Warren s.n. (BRI [AQ555637]). Del. A.E.Orchard.
658 Austrobaileya 8(4): 653-669 (2012)
Distribution and habitat: The species is Notes: Easily distinguished from other
a native of northern and tropical eastern, Australian species of Blainvillea by its
western and southern Africa (as far south as subcylindrical achenes with 2 or 3 long stiff
Botswana) where it is common in open areas. awns. It is most likely to be confused with
It is also known from the northern part of B. acmella, but differs in its capitula being
South America (e.g. Bolivia, Brazil) where narrower, particularly in flower (longer than
it is possibly an introduction via the slave broad), while those of B. acmella are usually
trade. In Australia (Map 1), several small broader than long. The awns on the achene
infestations have been recorded in cleared land of B. gayana are always straight and usually
(remnant Corymbia clarksoniana (D.J.Carr 2 mm or more long. Those of B. acmella are
& S.G.M.Carr) K.D.Hill, C. tessellaris usually less than 2 mm and often curved
(F.Muell.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson and E. and weaker. Its relationships, however, are
platyphylla F.Muell. woodland, on alluvial probably with B. calcicola, with which it
flats, stony gravels on hills, grassy cleared shares its long slender achenes.
pastures) and adjacent to roadsides near
2. Blainvillea calcicola Orchard species
Mackay and Proserpine, in North and South
nova; resembling B. cimninghamii, but
Kennedy districts of northern Queensland.
differing in having achenes which are
While limited in distribution it can be locally
cylindrical or barely compressed, c. 5.5 mm
abundant.
long, with 5 to 8 of the pappus scales greatly
Phenology: Flowers and fruits recorded in elongated (2-3.5 mm long) and serving as
April. pseudo-awns. Typus: Northern Territory.
Mathison Creek, Willeroo, 15 March 1989,
Typification: There are two specimens, one
J.Russell-Smith 7865 & D.Lucas (holo: DNA
in Paris (P), the other in Kew (K), which
42377; iso: BRI [AQ481744]).
seem to be type material for Blainvillea
gayana. The one in Kew has attached to it Wedelia sp. Limestone (J. Russell-Smith
a copy of the original printed description, 7865) N.T.Herbarium; Short etal. (2011: 19).
with an annotation “Diet, des Sc. nat. tom.
Erect annual herb (15-) 80-100 cm tall; stems
XLVII, publie le 23e Mai 1827” (apparently
softly pilose. Leaves all opposite, ovate,
not in Cassini’s hand), an annotation in
45-70 mm long, 20-40 mm wide, shallowly
French of subsequent discoveries of the plant
crenate, moderate to densely, softly pilose
(apparently in Cassini’s hand), and a copy of
adaxially, more densely pilose abaxially,
a letter, almost certainly to Gay, signed by
especially on veins, with sessile golden
Cassini, dated “Paris, ce 24 novembre 1826”,
glands between veins; petioles 15-20 mm
in which he says “J’ai soigneusement examine
long. Capitula obconical, 5-6 mm diameter;
votre pi ante du Senegal: ille apparient
involucral bracts lanceolate, acute, green,
bien a mon genre Blainvillea: mais c’est
densely pilose throughout. Paleae oblong,
indubitablement une nouvelle espece, que ja
stramineous, scarious, with laciniate and
vous demande la permission de nominer BL
ciliate apex, striate, with short appressed hairs
gayana, ...” It seems likely from this that the
and sessile golden glands dorsally. Ray florets
Kew specimen is the original material, that in
2 or 3; corolla yellow, 3-4 mm long; ligule 2
Paris being a secondary duplicate (although
or 3-lobed. Disc florets 2 or 3; corolla yellow,
labelled “Holotype”), and the K specimen is
4- 5 mm long. Achenes 4-6, grey, very finely
thus regarded here as the holotype, and that
transversely wrinkled, shortly pilose at apex
in P an isotype.
and on angles. Ray achenes ±cylindrical
Although I have seen no authentic material (not noticeably compressed), c. 5.5 mm long,
of Oligogyne burchellii, from Hooker’s plate ±straight, minutely tuberculate; pappus of
there is no doubt that his plant is conspecific 5- 8 erect to subpatent, flattened pilose scales
with B. gayana. This has been confirmed by 2-3.5 mm long. Disc achenes similar, but
N.Hind (K,pers. comm). smooth, usually lacking tubercles. Fig. 2.
Orchard, Australian Blainvillea 659
Fig. 2. Blainvillea calcicola: A. leaf x0.6. B. leaf margin, abaxial view, showing hairs and glands (simplified) xl.5.
C. fruiting capitulum x6. D, E. involucral bracts x6. F. palea, dorsal view x6. G. palea, lateral view x6. H. disc floret
x6.1. corolla of ray floret x6. J. corolla of young disc floret x6. K. ray achene x6. L. apical detail of ray achene xl2. M.
disc achene x6. All from Russell-Smith 7865 & Lucas (A-G, I, J from BRI; H, K-M from DNA). Del. A.E.Orchard.
660 Austrobaileya 8(4): 653-669 (2012)
Additional specimens examined: Northern Territory. [Wedelia urticifolia auct. non DC.: Bentham
Mathison Creek, Willeroo, Mar 1989, Dunlop 8318 & (1867: 538); Bailey (1900: 861); Ewart &
Leach (DNA); Timber Creek, Mar 1998, Michel 1246
Davies (1917: 280)]
(DNA).
Distribution and habitat: Blainvillea Illustration: Specht (1958: 315, fig. 26), as
calcicola is endemic to the Northern Territory, Blainvillea dubia.
where it is found in vine thickets on karst, Erect aromatic annual herb (0.4-) 1-1.2 (-2)
with Celtis philippinensis Blanco and Trema m tall; stems sparsely, softly pilose. Leaves
tomentosa (Roxb.) Hara, in a limited area near all opposite, ovate (becoming narrower
Willeroo and Timber Creek (Map 2). in inflorescence) 80-100 (-135) mm long,
35-50 (-90) mm wide, coarsely crenate,
Phenology: Flowers and fruits present in
sparsely, softly pilose adaxially, sparsely
March.
pilose on veins abaxially with sparse sessile
Notes: In Blainvillea calcicola the scales golden glands between veins; petioles 15-20
at the apex of the achene are larger and mm long. Capitula hemispherical, 3-5 mm
perform the function of awns. It appears to diameter; involucral bracts lanceolate, acute,
be restricted to karst formations, but note that green, densely pilose throughout or in upper
the superficially similar B. cunninghamii can half, with inner bracts broader. Paleae oblong,
also be found on this substrate. Blainvillea stramineous, scarious, striate, with truncate
cunninghamii is distinguished, inter alia, by laciniate and ciliate apex, glabrous dorsally or
flattened achenes with pappus scales less than with sparse sessile golden glands. Ray florets
0.5 mm long. The bodies of the achenes of B. 2 or 3; corolla yellow, c. 3.5 mm long; ligule
calcicola are similar to those of B. gayana, 2-lobed. Disc florets 4-6; corolla yellow, c. 2.5
but the latter has a pappus of 2 or 3 long stiff mm long. Achenes 5 or 6, grey to black, very
awns, not c. 7 long flattened scales. finely transversely wrinkled, shortly pilose
apically. Ray achenes obovoid-trigonous,
3. Blainvillea cunninghamii (DC.) Orchard
compressed, 3-4 (-4.5) mm long, with apex
comb, nov.; Wedelia cunninghamii DC.,
convex, without raised corners at summit of
Prodr. 5: 540 (1836). Type citation: “In
angles, smooth (lacking tubercles), ±straight;
rupestribus insularum Goulburn ad oram
pappus of minute (0.1-0.2 mm long) scales,
borealum Australiae, mart. flor. legit cl.
sometimes with 1 or 2 extended as short soft
A.Cunningham.” Type: Australia: Northern
“awns” c. 0.5 mm long. Disc achenes similar
Territory. Verbesina sp., grassy rocky spots,
but 2-angled. Fig. 3.
Goulburn Island, North Coast, March 1818,
[A.Cunningham] 59 (holo: G); Goulburn Additional selected specimens examined: Western
Island (1st Voyage of Mermaid), 1818, Australia. Kalumburu Mission, May 1998, Mitchell
A.Cunningham 184 (iso: BM 820301); 5472 (DNA); 2.5 km N of Face Point, Carson Escarpment,
Mar 1989, Keighery 10666 (CANB, PERTH); Steep
Verbesina sp., grassy rocky spots, Goulburn
Head Island, Admiralty Gulf, Apr 2006, Mitchell 8570
Island, 28 March 1818, A. Cunningham s.n. (CANB). Northern Territory. Stuart Highway, c. 11
(iso: K); (see typification note below). miles [c. 18 km] SE of Katherine, Apr 1964, Adams
932 (BRI, CANB, K, L, NSW, NT); headwaters of the
Blainvillea dubia Specht, Rec. Amer.-Austral. Liverpool River, Apr 1984, Craven & Wightman 8353
Sci. Exped. Arnhem Land, 3, Bot. PI. Ecol. (CANB, DNA, MEL); Rocky Bay, Yirrkala, Mar 1988,
3: 314 (1958), syn. nov. Type citation: [N.T.] Russell-Smith 5170 & Lucas (BRI, DNA); Waterfall
Creek, Apr 1984, Wightman 1281 & Dunlop (BRI,
“South Bay, Bickerton Island {Eucalyptus
CANB, DNA). Queensland. Cook District: Lakefield
alba-E. polycarpa woodland): 524. N. N.P, 1.6 km S of mouth of North Kennedy River, Apr
eg” Type: Australia: Northern Territory. 1992, Neldner 3775 & Clarkson (DNA); Stanley Island,
South Bay, Bickerton Island, in the Gulf of May 1995, Le Cussan 539 (BRI).
C arpentar ia (13° 45’ S, 136° 6’E), 10 June 1948,
R.L.Specht 524 (holo: BRI; iso: AD 96149100,
CANB 63749, K, L 1861, MEL 59399, NSW).
Orchard, Australian Blainvillea 661
Fig. 3. Blainvillea cunninghamii: A. midstem leaf x0.6. B. upper leaf *0.6. C. capitulum x6. D, E. outer involucral
bracts x6. F. inner involucral bract x6. G. palea, dorsal view *6. H. palea, lateral view *6.1. ray floret *12. J. disc floret
xl2. K. adaxial view of ray achene x6. L. diagramatic transverse section of K. M. abaxial (dorsal) view of ray achene
x6. N. apical detail of ray achene xl2. O. disc achene x6. P. diagramatic transverse section of disc achene. Q. apical
detail of disc achene xl2. A-H, K-Q, from Wightman 1281 & Dunlop (BRI); figures I, J from Craven & Wightman
8353 (MEL). Del. A.E.Orchard.
662 Austrobaileya 8(4): 653-669 (2012)
Distribution and habitat: Blainvillea authors. Wedelia urticifolia has paleae which
cunninghamii is native to northern Australia, are rigid, lanceolate, with an acuminate, very
from near Kalumburu Mission in WA, across acute or acicular apex (Backer & Bakhuizen
the NT north of about Katherine, to mainly van den Brink 1965), not truncate and laciniate
inland Cape York Peninsula in Qld, on sandy as in Blainvillea. True Wedelia urticifolia has
and loamy soils, in grassland, woodland not been collected in Australia, although it is
understorey and the margins of vine thickets present in southern Indonesia.
and rainforest, from sea level to less than 200
Blainvillea cunninghamii is most similar
m in NT, but usually at 350-550 m in Qld
to, and likely most closely related to, the
(Map 3)
predominantly Indian / Sri Lankan distributed
Phenology: Flowers present (Aug.-) Jan- B. acmella. Evolution of the former from
May (-June), fruits (Jan.-) Mar-June (-July). the latter by genetic drift, from an isolated
introduction to Australia at a remote time is
Typification: The holotype of Wedelia
not inconceivable. The current presence of
cunninghamii in G is numbered 59, while
B. acmella in Australia is almost certainly a
an apparent duplicate in BM is numbered
recent event.
184, and another in K is unnumbered. The
numbers applied to his specimens by Allan Plants growing in very damp shaded
Cunningham are consignment list numbers, positions have larger leaves and capitula, and
rather than unique collection numbers as achenes to 4.5 mm long.
currently understood. The number “184”
4. Blainvillea acmella (L.) Philipson, Blumea
was the consignment list number when the
6: 350 (1950); Verbesina acmella L., Sp. PI.
specimen was sent from Cunningham to
2: 901 (1753); Spilanthes acmella (L.) Murray,
Banks and Aiton from Sydney in 1818, while
Syst. Veg. 731 (1784); Ceratocephalus
“59” was the consignment list number when
acmella (L.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. PI. 1: 326
he sent replicate material to Candolle from
(1891). Type: Habitat in Zeylona (lecto: Herb.
London in 1834. It seems that when he sent
Hermann 2: 10, No. 309, BM 594573, photo!),
duplicates of his Australian collections to de
fide Koster & Philipson (1950: 349).
Candolle in 1834, Cunningham renumbered
them in a new list. Unfortunately this ? Verbesina dichotoma Murray, Comment.
consignment list has not been located. Soc. Regiae Sci. Gott. 2: 15, PI. 4 (1780),
However, Cunningham only collected this nom. rej. prop:, Blainvillea dichotoma
taxon once from Goulburn Island, so despite (Murray) Hemsl., Biol. Cent.-Amer., Bot. 4:
the difference in numbers, the G, K and BM 112 (1887). Type citation: “[Hortus Regiae
specimens should be treated as replicates. A Goettingen] Floruit medio et exeunte m.
detailed account of Cunningham’s numbering Augusto in vaporario...” Type: n.v., probably
system and the disposal of his collections not preserved. See note below.
will be published elsewhere (Orchard, several
Eclipta latifolia L.f., Siipp. PI. 378 (1782);
papers in prep.).
Blainvillea latifolia (L.f.) DC. in R.Wight,
Notes: This is the plant collected as Contr. Bot. India 17 (1834). Type citation:
“Buphthalmum acuminatum” by R.Brown at ’’Habitat in India orientali.” Type: n.v.
Morgan’s Island, Blue Mud Bay, on 20 Jan.
Verbesina lavenia Roxb., Hort. Bengal. 62
1803 (BM, NSW), and later by A.Cunningham
(1814), & Roxb., FI. Ind. 3: 442 (1832), nom.
at South Goulburn Island in March 1818 (BM,
illeg., non V. lavenia L., Sp. PI. 2: 902 (1753)
G, K). Its presence in Australia thus almost
[=Adenostemma lavenia (L.) Kuntze],
certainly predates European settlement, and
it is here considered native. Bentham (1867) ^Blainvillea rhomboidea Cass., Diet. Sci.
treated the Brown and Cunningham specimens Nat. 2nd edn, 29: 493 (1823), nom. rej. prop.
as Wedelia urticifolia DC., an Asian/Malesian Type citation: ’’Cultives au Jardin du Roi,
species, and in this he was followed by Bailey ou ils fleurissent vers le milieu du mois de
(1900), Ewart & Davies (1917) and some later septembre.” Type: Blainvillea rhomboidea