Olearia cuneifolia A.R.Bean & M.T.Mathieson 
(Asteraceae: Astereae), a new species from Queensland 
A.R. Bean & M.T. Mathieson 
Summary 
Bean, A.R. & Mathieson, M.T. (2015). Olearia cuneifolia A.R.Bean & M.T.Mathieson (Asteraceae: 
Astereae), a new species from Queensland. Austrobaileya 9(3): 404-407. Olearia cuneifolia 
A.R.Bean & M.T.Mathieson is described, illustrated and compared to related taxa. It has a restricted 
distribution in the Mungallala area of southern Queensland. A conservation status of Endangered is 
recommended. 
Key Words: Asteraceae, Olearia , Olearia cuneifolia , endangered species, Maranoa, Queensland flora 
A.R.Bean & M.T.Mathieson, Queensland Herbarium, DSITI, Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot- 
tha Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066, Australia. Email: Tony.Bean@dsiti.qld.gov.au 
Introduction 
Olearia Moench with 122 indigenous species 
is currently Australia’s most species diverse 
Asteraceae genus (APC 2015). The molecular 
study by Cross et al. (2002) showed that 
Olearia is polyphyletic, with some species 
appearing in clades with species from other 
genera of the tribe Astereae. They identified 
two major taxonomic groups for Olearia , 
‘primary clade I’ and ‘primary clade II’, 
to which all species could be assigned. The 
study also revealed the presence of eight 
robust clades within Olearia , which they 
designated A-H. It is possible that the name 
Olearia will, after further study, be confined 
to Clade A (including the Queensland species 
O. ramulosa (Labill.) Benth., O. microphylla 
(Vent.) Maiden & Betche and O. nernstii 
(F.Muell.) Benth.); otherwise all members of 
primary clade I will retain the generic name of 
Olearia. Messina et al. (2014) have provided 
a revision of the species included in Olearia 
sect. Asterotriche Benth., a monophyletic 
subset of the Clade A of Cross et al. (2002). 
Olearia cuneifolia , newly named here, 
belongs to Clade B of Cross et al. (2002) and 
is related to O. magniflora (F.Muell.) Benth., 
O. muelleri (Sond.) Benth. and O. calcarea 
F.Muell. ex Benth. 
Accepted for publication 23 July 2015 
Materials and methods 
This study is based on the morphological 
examination of specimens held at BRI, together 
with field observations. The measurements for 
floral parts are based on material preserved in 
70% alcohol or reconstituted with hot water; 
other plant parts were measured from dried 
material. 
Taxonomy 
Olearia cuneifolia A.R.Bean & 
M.T.Mathieson sp. nov. with affinity to O. 
muelleri , but differing by the cuneate leaves, 
the much longer involucres, the disc florets 
with hairs on the corolla tube and corolla 
lobes, and the two-whorled pappus. Typus: 
Queensland. Maranoa District: Nalpa 
Downs, c. 16 kmNE of Mungallala, 26 March 
2015, M.T. Mathieson MTM1999 (holo: BRI; 
iso: CANB, K, MEL, NSW, US, distribuendi). 
Erect shrub to 2 m high. Branchlets very 
viscid and with sparse, erect eglandular hairs 
to 0.15 mm long. Young branchlets distinctly 
angular due to decurrent leaf-bases, but older 
branchlets terete. Leaves alternate, sessile, 
oblanceolate to cuneate, 8-15 x 2-5.2 mm, ± 
glutinous, ± concolorous, venation not visible, 
except midrib; glabrous or with short sparse 
erect eglandular hairs, mainly along margins; 
apex acute or truncate; base attenuate; 
margins flat or recurved, entire or with 2 
small teeth near apex. Capitula terminal, 
