Reinstatement and revision of Sphaeromorphaea DC. and Ethuliopsis F.Muell. (Asteraceae: Plucheinae)

Abstract

Bean, A.R. (2013).Reinstatement and revision of sphaeromorphaea dc. and ethuliopsis f.muell. (asteraceae: plucheinae). Austrobaileya 9(1): 30-59. Sphaeromorphaea DC. and Ethuliopsis F.Muell., historically included in Epaltes Cass., are reinstated and taxonomically revised. Sphaeromorphaea occurs in Australia, Indian Subcontinent, Indochina, China, eastern Asia, Malesia, Papuasia, northwestern Pacific and southwestern Pacific, and comprises six species. Three new species; S. ephemera A.R.Bean, S. major A.R.Bean and S. subintegra A.R.Bean are described, and two new combinations; S. harrisii (F.Muell.) A.R.Bean and S. littoralis (Retz.) A.R.Bean are made. Ethuliopsis occurs only in Australia and comprises the single species E. cunninghamii (Hook.) F.Muell. A neotype is chosen for Epaltes australis Less., and lectotypes are chosen for Artemisia littoralis Retz., Ethulia cunninghamii Hook, and Epaltes harrisii F.Muell. Descriptions, illustrations and distribution maps are provided for all taxa. Diagnostic morphological characters and ecological aspects are discussed, and identification keys are provided to the species and to the Australian genera of Subtribe Plucheinae.