Bursaria (Pittosporaceae): a Morphometric Analysis and Revision

Abstract

Bursaria is an endemic Australian genus of mostly spinescent, scruffy shrubs and trees, found in all but the most arid or alpine areas. Previous classifications include many infraspecific taxa and have proved unworkable in eastern Australia. This paper presents a revision of the genus. On the basis of phenetic analyses of morphometric characters the following taxa are now recognised: B. calcicola L.Cayzer, Crisp and l.Telford, B. incana Lindl., B. longisepala Domin, B. occidentalis E.M.Benn., B. reevesii L.Cayzer, Crisp and l. Telford, B. spinosa Cav. subsp, lasiophylla (E.M.Benn.) L.Cayzer, Crisp and I. Telford, B. spinosa subsp, spinosa and B. tenuifolia F.M.Bail. Two are described as new (B. calcicola, B. reevesii), and one is changed in rank: B. spinosa subsp, lasiophylla (formerly B. lasiophylla E.M.Benn.). None of the other infraspecific taxa recognised previously is supported by our analyses. Show more