It’s complicated: A brief overview of the taxonomy of the New Zealand Brachyglottis rotundifolia species complex (Senecioneae)

Type of content
Journal Article
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
The International Compositae Alliance
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2022
Authors
Eastman-Densem R
Pelser P
Abstract

Brachyglottis J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Senecioneae Cass.; Asteraceae) is a mostly woody genus of ca. 24 species. It is endemic to New Zealand in classifications where B. brunonis (Hook.f.) B.Nord. from Tasmania is segregated as Centropappus brunonis Hook.f. As part of his undergraduate research project at University of Canterbury, Eastman-Densem performed an unpublished pilot study into patterns of morphological variation in a group of four discoid Brachyglottis species with unclear taxonomic boundaries (i.e., the B. rotundifolia species complex): B. buchananii (J.B.Armstr.) B.Nord., B. cockaynei (G.Simpson & J.S.Thomson) B.Nord., B. elaeagnifolia (Hook.f.) B.Nord., and B. rotundifolia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. With the aim of supporting future studies focused on resolving this species complex, we here provide a brief overview of its current taxonomic treatment and synonymy (summarized in Table 1), with notes about its complicated taxonomic history. We conclude that although Senecio bennettii G.Simpson & J.S.Thomson is listed as a synonym of B. buchananii in recent publications and other works and treatments, this name should instead be considered as a synonym of B. rotundifolia if the current taxonomic delimitation of the complex is followed.

Description
Citation
Eastman-Densem R, Pelser P (2022). It’s complicated: A brief overview of the taxonomy of the New Zealand Brachyglottis rotundifolia species complex (Senecioneae). Capitulum. 1(2). 81-88.
Keywords
Asteraceae, Compositae, nomenclature, Senecio bennettii, species delimitation
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Fields of Research::31 - Biological sciences::3104 - Evolutionary biology::310411 - Plant and fungus systematics and taxonomy
Rights
All rights reserved unless otherwise stated, Permission to upload in the UC Repository granted by publisher