A new cryptically dioecious species of bush tomato (Solanum) from the Northern Territory, Australia

By

Martine, Christopher T.
Symon, D. E. (David E.), 1920-2011
Evans, Elizabeth C.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2013

Original Publication

Journal of Hymenoptera research

Volume

30

Pages

23-31

Subjects

Bush tomato , cryptic dioecy , inaperturate pollen , Kimberley , Limmen National Park , Litchfield National Park , new species , Northern Territory , Solanum , Solanum cowiei , Solanum dioicum , Solanum sp. Litchfield

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Washington, D.C International Society of Hymenopterists

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.30.6003

 

Abstract

A new species of dioecious Solanum from the Australian “Dioicum Complex” of Solanum subgenus Leptostemonum is described. Solanum cowiei Martine sp. nov., is allied with other members of this problematic lineage, but differs in its slender leaves, limited armature and diminutive habit. The species was first segregated by botanists at the Northern Territory Herbarium as Solanum sp. Litchfield (I.D. Cowie 1428); and specimens representing this species have also been referred to by Symon as Solanum sp. Fitzmaurice River. Collections suggest that this is an endemic of the sub-arid tropical zone of the Northern Territory. SEM images support initial assumptions that the new species is cryptically dioecious via production of inaperturate pollen grains in morphologically hermaphrodite flowers.