A new species and section of Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) from northern Australia

Abstract

A minute, reddish-purple-flowered, new species of Utricularia L. subgenus Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) is described and illustrated: Utricularia simmonsii Lowrie, Cowie & Conran from the western Top End of the Northern Territory and near Lockhart River and Tozer's Gap, Iron Range in far north Queensland. The species represents possibly the world's smallest-flowered carnivorous plant. It shows some affinities to Utricularia sections Enskide and Pleiochasia, but possesses a combination of features not found in any other Utricularia species. The tiny flowers have an open, gullet throat, virtually lack a spur (both unusual features in the genus), the traps lack obvious trigger or guiding hairs, and the seeds have almost fingerprint-like swirled sculpturing. Because of its distinctness, it is placed into a new section: Minutae Lowrie, Cowie & Conran. A key to the Utricularia taxa found in Northern Australia is also provided. © 2008 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust.