The search for Eriostemon falcatus, a presumed extinct species from Western Australia

3 Pages·1996·0.6 MB·

by  Frans H Mollemans

THE SEARCH FOR ERIOSTEMON FALCATUS, A
PRESUMED EXTINCT SPECIES FROM SOUTHERN
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
By FRANS H. MOLLEMANS
P.O. Box 3055, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745 USA.
ABSTRACT
Problems were encountered during attempts to relocate the
presumed extinct Eriostemon falcatus in southern Western
Australia. These have clouded search efforts which it seems
sensible to clarify.
INTRODUCTION kilometres) from Southern Cross on
the road to the “Miners' Settlement”
Since 1990, I have maintained an
(= “17 miles ditto”: W.E. Blackall Field
interest in the presumed extinct
Notes: PERTH); Blackall's notes are
Eriostemon falcatus, because of the
not clear on the “Miners' Settle¬
discovery in that year of two related
ment” locality, but it is known to be
taxa (see Mollemans 1993), and have
near Yellowdine. Wilson (1970)
carried out privately funded
described Eriostemon falcatus from
research in attempts to relocate the
the Blackall collection, with the
species. This note details one aspect
specific epithet falcatus in reference
of the search which has been a
to the sickle-shaped leaves.
distraction, i.e the problem of
Although searched for at the type
whether two populations or just
locality “near Yellowdine” and
one existed in the past or possibly
even still exist. It is important to elsewhere, E. falcatus has not been
recorded again since 1931, i.e. for at
settle this issue.
least 50 years, which resulted in it
being presumed extinct (Leigh ec al
1981, Briggs and Leigh 1988). The
DISCUSSION
Endangered Flora Consultative
In October 1931, W.E. Blackall Committee, which recommends
collected a small, white flowered species for gazettal to the
compact 6-10 inch shrub (Blackall Environment Minister (Anon 1993),
917: PERTH), which he first after the required searches have
determined as Eristemon (sic) been made, considered gazettal of E.
deformis, then E. sp. nov. and then E. falcatus as a presumed extinct
brevifolius, at 17 miles (27.2 species in 1991 and took account of
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the three unsuccessful searches I small, of the specimens being from
had made near Yellowdine during different populations.
Merredin District rare and Hopper et ai (1990) and Marchant
endangered flora investigations in and Keighery (1979) appear to agree,
1990 (see Mollemans et ai 1993) as their publications post-date
before recommending gazettal. E. Wilson's (1970) revisionary studies in
falcatus was gazetted as presumed which E. falcatus was described.
extinct in 1991. However, logic would suggest it
The first issue needing clarification highly improbable that both
is whether two or one populations populations could only have been
existed in the past or still exist. collected once, within a week or so
Hopper et ai (1990) recorded the type of each other, in the same field trip,
locality as Yellowdine, but also by the same collector, in October
referred to the possibility of a 1931, and not be collected from since.
collection from north of Salmon No other similar occurrences are
Gums, as did Marchant and known to me.
Keighery (1979) when they reported On this basis, persistence of the
two known specimens and record of E. falcatus from north of
considered E. falcatus poorly Salmon Gums seems unwarranted,
collected (their Category D). and should be eliminated. Its
Wilson (pers. comm.) discounted the persistence (as recently as 1990) has
Salmon gums record and suggested been unfortunate as it has clouded
(and see his notes, Blackall the search. E. falcatus should
collection herbarium sheet, PERTH) therefore be considered to have
that a piece of the specimen from been recorded only from the type
the type locality dropped from the locality near Yellowdine, which in
plant press, was discovered, and was itself is problematic as Blackall’s
put back in the wrong place. This is field notes are vague as to the
supported by Blackall’s field notes precise collection locality, leading to
which don't record a second several different interpretations
collection of the same Eristemon, (Wilson 1970; Marchant and
and he seems to have been quite Keighery 1979, Leigh et ai 1981, Leigh
meticulous in recording his et ai 1984, Hopper et ai 1990). This
collections from the October, 1931 aspect requires further discussion.
field trip. The two specimens are
identical in characteristics, so
Wilson’s suggestion is plausible, but ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
unless Blackall himself made this I wish to thank Paul G. Wilson for
suggestion, it is difficult to judge, as his assistance and encouragement.
Eremophila interstans (S. Moore) Diels We are both convinced that E.
(R.J. Chinnock, pers. comm.) and falcatus remains extant near
Eriostemon linearis Cunn. ex Endl. Yellowdine. Initial searches were
(Mollemans, unpubl. data) col¬ made during the Australian
lections, for example, from eastern National Parks and Wildlife Service
and western Australia populations and Department of Conservation
are also identical in characteristics, and Land Management Merredin
leaving the possibility, however District rare flora project.
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BRIGGS, J.D. &. LEIGH, J.H. 1988.
Research Notes No. 5.
Rare or threatened Australian plants.
Revised edn. Commonwealth of MOLLEMANS, F.H. 1993. Drurn-
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HOPPER, S.D., VAN LEEUWIN, S„ P. basistyla (Rutaceae), new species
from south-west Western Australia.
BROWN, A.P. &. PATRICK, S. 1990.
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