Argophyllum Palumense

''Argophyllum palumense'' is a plant in the Argophyllaceae family endemic to a small part of north eastern Queensland. It was described and named in 2018.

Description

''Argophyllum palumense'' is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing up to tall. The new growth is creamy-white in colour due to a dense covering of pale hairs. The leaves are dark green and sparsely hairy above and silvery below, and they measure up to long by wide. They are arranged alternately on petioles measuring from long and have 6 to 8 lateral veins on either side of the midrib. The leaf margins (edges) are dentate with up to 60 teeth on each edge. The teeth alternate long and short, with the largest measuring about long.

The much-branched inflorescences are produced from the leaf axils, may be up to long and are densely covered in hairs. Flowers are white with 5 petals, measuring about across.

The fruit is a capsule up to long and diameter.

Taxonomy

In 2018 the Australian botanists Anthony Bean and Paul Forster published a review of the Australian members of the genus ''Argophyllum'', with the result that 7 new species – including ''A. palumense'' – were described. Their paper, titled "A taxonomic revision of ''Argophyllum'' J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Argophyllaceae) in Australia", was published in the Queensland Herbarium's journal ''Austrobaileya''. The type specimen was collected in 2009 in the Mount Zero-Taravale Sanctuary by Forster.

Etymology

The genus name ''Argophyllum'' is derived from Ancient Greek '' Ἄργος'' (''Árgos'') meaning white or shining, and '' φύλλον'' (''phúllon'') meaning leaf. It refers to the white colouration of the underside of the leaves. The species epithet ''palumense'' refers to the location where this species is found, i.e. in and near to the Paluma Range National Park.

Distribution and habitat

''A. palumense'' is endemic to southern parts of the Wet Tropics of Queensland in mountainous terrain of the Paluma Range National Park, north east of Townsville. It grows on creek banks and hillsides in wet sclerophyll forest, at elevations from , and on soils derived from granite.

Conservation

The taxon authors conceded that there are no immediate threats to this species, but also noted that the available habitat is small and potentially subject to detrimental forces. They suggested that a vulnerable status be applied to the species, however the Queensland Department of Environment and Science has assessed it as least concern. , it has not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Gallery

File:Argophyllum-palumense-ALA-5.jpg, Flower buds
File:Argophyllum-palumense-ALA-2.jpg, Herbarium specimen

References

External links

View a map
of historical sightings of this species at the Australasian Virtual Herbarium

View observations
of this species on iNaturalist

View images
of this species on Flickriver

{{Taxonbar, from=Q65931132

Endemic flora of Queensland
Taxa named by Paul Irwin Forster
Taxa named by Anthony Bean
Plants described in 2018
palumense