Kanunnah 3: 1–97, 1 October 2008

K ANUNNAH The Research Journal of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Volume 3

Ka-nunnah – ‘Thylacine’

The oldest fossils of thylacines are Late Oligo­ and the North-west and Western Tribes called it cene to Middle Miocene in age (20–25 My B.P.) ‘Loarinnah’ (Milligan 1859). Famous Tasmanian and are from the Riversleigh deposits in north- Aboriginal chief Mannalargenna from the East western Queensland (Vickers-Rich et al. 1991). Coast of Tasmania called the thylacine ‘Cab- It is speculated that competition with introduced berr-one-nen-er’, while Truganinni and Worrady, dingoes in mainland Australia may have caused (Bruny Island) called it ‘Can-nen-ner’. their extinction in mainland Australia during The thylacine is the state logo for Tasmania. the last 5000 years. The most recent remains of The title of the journal ‘Kanunnah’ commem­ thylacines in mainland Australia were dated at orates the Tasmanian Aboriginal word used just over 3000 years old (Archer 1974). by tribes from southern Tasmania for the The thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus) in thylacine. Tasmania coexisted with Aboriginal people for millennia. The arrival of Europeans in Archer M (1974) New information about the Tasmania resulted, in just over a hundred years, Quaternary distribution of the thylacine in the extinction of thylacines from their last (Marsupialia: Thylacinidae) in Australia. refuge. The demise of the thylacine resulted in Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of the extinction of an entire lineage of marsupials Western Australia 57: 43–50. from the planet. Milligan J (1859) Vocabulary of dialects of To the Aboriginal people of Tasmania the Aboriginal Tribes of Tasmania. Papers and thylacine was called many things due to its wide Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 3(2): spread distribution in the State. Tribes from the 239–282. areas of Mount Royal, Bruny Island, Recherche Vickers-Rich P, Monaghan JM, Baird RF, Bay, and the south of Tasmania referred to the Rich TM (1991) Vertebrate Palaeontology of Tiger as ‘Ka-nunnah’ or ‘Laoonana’, while tribes Australasia­ (Monash University Publications from Oyster Bay to Pittwater called it ‘Langunta’ Committee:­ Melbourne).

Minister: Hon. Michelle O’Byrne MHA Director: Mr Bill Bleathman Managing Editor: Dr Andrew Rozefelds

Publication Date: 1 October 2008

KANUNNAH The Research Journal of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and Art Gallery. These areas include the is a combined museum, art gallery and life sciences, culture, history and the arts. state herbarium. It has the broadest col­ Papers on any of these research areas will be lection range of any single institution in considered, but papers dealing with Tasman- Australia and these collections span the ian, southern Australian and sub-Antarctic arts, sciences, history and technology. The issues will be particularly welcome. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery’s Short communications and reviews are role is to collect, conserve and interpret also welcome. Researchers based outside material evidence on the State’s natural the institution are encouraged to submit history and cultural heritage. manuscripts for publication to the journal, Kanunnah is a peer-reviewed journal pub­ although they must be relevant to the lished by the Tasmanian Museum and Art Museum’s primary areas of study. Gallery in Hobart, Tasmania. Its aim is to Kanunnah will be published once a year, disseminate research in all areas of study depending upon budgetary considerations undertaken by the Tasmanian Museum and available manuscripts.

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Cover Image: Simon Cuthbert Kanunnah 3: 1–97, 1 October 2008

Editorial team: Andrew C. Rozefelds, Marco Duretto, Genefor Walker-Smith, Craig Judd, Peter Hughes Editorial assistance: Lyn Wilson, Forty Degrees South Pty Ltd Layout and design: Forty Degrees South Pty Ltd Printer: Graphic Impressions

ISSN 1832-536X

GPO Box 1164 Hobart Tas 7001 Australia

Statements and opinions expressed in papers in this volume reflect the views of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. KANUNNAH Volume 3 (2008)

CONTENTS

Jonathan Holmes In black and white: W.C. Piguenit’s monochrome paintings and the imaging of the Tasmanian wilderness in the Picturesque Atlas of Australasia ...... 1

Jane Deeth A rationale for a new museological approach to the interpretation of Highfield Historic Site at Stanley, Tasmania ...... 13

Patrick Bender A review of the Early Triassic fish remains from Tasmania …...... 27

A.M. Gray A new species of Eucalyptus, series Radiatae, subgenus Monocalyptus, (Myrtaceae) from north-western Tasmania ...... 41

Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan An illustrated and annotated key to the Tasmanian species of Senecio (Asteraceae) ...... 49

Short Communication Anita Hansen The significance of ‘H’ in William H. Archer in Australian herbarium collections ...... 94

In black and white: W.C. Piguenit’s monochrome paintings and the imaging of the Tasmanian wilderness in the Picturesque Atlas of Australasia

Jonathan Holmes

Holmes, Jonathan 2008. In black and white: W.C. Piguenit’s mono­ chrome paintings and the imaging of the Tasmanian wilderness in the Picturesque Atlas of Australasia. Kanunnah 3: 1–12. ISSN1832-536X. William Charles Piguenit (1836–1914) created a number of monochrome paintings of the wilderness areas in Tasmania during the late 1880s. They are an isolated group of paintings in this medium in Piguenit’s oeuvre and this paper argues that many were commissioned for engravings reproduced in the Picturesque Atlas of Australasia (1886–1888). It is suggested that the paintings were produced in black and white for transfer to photo-sensitised woodblocks. It is further argued that this approach enabled engravers to more faithfully represent the tonal values of the originals. Until now these paintings were thought to have been created in 1891, but it seems likely that most of the monochrome paintings by Piguenit in the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery were painted sometime in 1887.

Jonathan Holmes, Tasmanian School of Art, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 57, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia. Email: [email protected]

Key Words: Piguenit, nineteenth century Australian painting, landscape painting, Tasmanian art, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, nineteenth century illustration, Picturesque Atlas of Australasia, Royal Society of Tasmania.

The Tasmanian-born landscape painter intended to represent Australia as a vib­ and illustrator, William Charles Piguenit rant and forward-thinking country. It (1836–1914), was commissioned to pro­ was sold by subscription and each issue duce a number of illustrations for the cost five shillings.2 Picturesque Atlas of Australasia, which was Piguenit created images of wilderness published in monthly instalments between areas in Tasmania for the Atlas and this 1886 and 1888.1 This publication was paper contends that the engravings that a lavishly illustrated historical and were included in the Atlas were based descriptive account of the Australian upon monochrome oil paintings, which he colonies and of New Zealand, and was produced from sketches made on several

1 KANUNNAH Jonathan Holmes

Fig. 1. W.C. Piguenit The Frenchman’s Cap from the western flank of Mount Arrowsmith 1 8 8 7. Monochrome oil on cardboard, 33.1 x 45.5 cm, Royal Society of Tasmania TMAG: AG 1822

arduous field trips into the south-west and timed to fit into the publication schedule highlands of Tasmania during the 1870s of the Picturesque Atlas of Australasia. It is and 1880s. It has long been the view that a also suggested that they may have been number of these monochrome paintings in painted in monochrome because they the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery’s were intended to be photographed. Once collection were produced to coincide with this had occurred, it was possible for the the lecture, ‘Among the western high­ photographic images to be transferred to lands of Tasmania’, which Piguenit gave the photo-sensitised wood blocks upon in January, 1892 in the Royal Society of which they were to be engraved. As Tony Tasmania rooms in Hobart at the fourth Hughes-d’Aeth states in Paper Nation: The meeting of the Australasian and New Story of the Picturesque Atlas of Australasia, Zealand Association for the Advancement 1886–1888, photographs were used in a of Science. Accordingly, these paintings variety of ways by the artist-illustrators have been dated as being produced during and engravers working on the Atlas.3 This the previous year. will be discussed later in this paper. This paper presents a case, however, Several other monochrome paintings by that the paintings should be dated to 1887 Piguenit have been positively identified as since it is argued that their creation was works produced in 1887 and this further

2 In Black and White: W.C. Piguenit's Monochrome Paintings KANUNNAH

Fig. 2. W.C. Piguenit Mount King William, Western Tasmania 1 8 8 7. Monochrome oil on cardboard, 46.7 x 64.2 cm, Royal Society of Tasmania. TMAG: AG 1821 supports the case for the dating of the published by the Tasmanian Government works to that year. Printer, Hobart.4 Five more of the monochrome land­ Monochrome paintings by Piguenit scapes were acquired by the Royal Society in the Tasmanian Museum and Art of Tasmania, two of which have the date Gallery collection inscribed – 1887: The Frenchman’s Cap from the There are seventeen monochrome paint­ western flank of Mount Arrowsmith (Fig. 1) and ings by Piguenit in the Tasmanian Museum Mount King William, Western Tasmania (Fig. and Art Gallery [TMAG] collection. One 2). There is also a later monochrome, Mount of the reasons for TMAG’s dating of the Wellington from Shag Bay, River Derwent, which majority of the works to 1891 is that nine was painted in 1893. The Royal Society of of the undated paintings were a gift from Tasmania had two other monochromes, the Tasmanian Government in 1892 and one simply described as a Landscape and the were bought from Piguenit immediately other, On the Huon, Tasmania (Fig. 3). The after his lecture in January 1892. A ten-page latter work is similar to the watercolour A pamphlet with eight photolithographs Northern River, N S Wales, and the title On of the monochromes was subsequently the Huon, Tasmania is incorrect (A Rozefelds

3 KANUNNAH Jonathan Holmes

Fig. 3. W.C. Piguenit On the Huon, Tasmania, late 1880s. Monochrome oil on cardboard, 37.2 x 52.4 cm, Royal Society of Tasmania. TMAG: AG 1820

pers. comm. 2008). In the TMAG database railhead at St Marys in the Fingal Valley. these two paintings are noted as being Together with Piguenit, Johnston, J.B. created in the late 1880s. Walker (1841–1899) and Colonel Legge, a A further two paintings came to the noted ornithologist, were expeditioners on Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery’s the C.P. Sprent expedition that ventured collection as a gift from R.M. Johnston into the King River in February 1887.5 (1844–1918): Ben Lomond from the Marshes, Several of Piguenit’s sketches from this dated in the mid-1880s, and Camp, expedition found their way into illustrated Lake Pedder also dated in the 1880s. The publications about this time, including the seventeenth monochrome, Ben Lomond Picturesque Atlas of Australasia. from the Break O’Day Plains, was presented to TMAG in 1946 as part of the R.W. The Picturesque Atlas of Legge Bequest. This is undated but, again, Australasia appears to have been painted at the same Piguenit was one of a number of significant time as the others. The painting was artists to be employed on the Picturesque initially acquired by Colonel W.V. Legge Atlas of Australasia; among the other (1841–1918), a close friend of Piguenit, artists already living in Australia were who owned ‘Cullenswood’ near the J.R. Ashton (1851–1942), A.H. Fullwood

4 In Black and White: W.C. Piguenit's Monochrome Paintings KANUNNAH

(1863–1930), and Frank Mahony (1862– Davey in February 1871 along the Huon 1917). The team was led by three American River track. In 1892, in his illustrated artists, F.B. Schell (d. 1905), W.T. Smedley lecture for the Australasian Association (1858–1920) and W.C. Fitler (1857–1915), for the Advancement of Science in Hobart, all of whom had played prominent roles Piguenit recounted some of his experiences in other Atlas publications in North of this first journey. Commenting on the America and Europe earlier in the decade. rather uninteresting landscape for the first The work as a painter-illustrator was forty miles or so, he remarked that ‘ample extremely lucrative. Ashton recounted in compensation is made to the traveller by his autobiography, Now Came Still Evening the magnificent view that suddenly bursts On, that his employment on the Australasian upon the eye when the summit of the Sketcher in 1880 earned him the princely last hill, overlooking the Arthur Plains, is sum of £1200 per annum. A large number reached’. 6 The moment was recorded in of artists working in Australia during the a beautiful pencil and watercolour work. 1880s and 1890s gained a considerable Pass in the Arthur Range, Tasmania created in income from the illustrated press. either 1871 or 1874, when he returned with The American-born chief illustrator of the Johnston along the same track to Lake Atlas, F.B. Schell, appears to have covered Pedder. The work is held in the collection of all of the states (although most of the the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, Victoria. The illustrations for Western Australia appear painting depicts two of the expeditioners to have been derived from photo­graphs); surveying the plain. This painting was Ashton, together with Fullwood, covered subsequently worked up as one of the the eastern seaboard. In 1887 Piguenit monochrome paintings purchased in 1892 returned to Tasmania from Sydney (where by the Tasmanian Government. Entitled he had settled in 1880) and there is strong The Arthur Range, Tasmania, Piguenit had evidence to suggest that some illustrations in removed the two figures in the earlier the Atlas were created from sketches made at painting and the Frankland Range has the time, although others were created from been depicted as slightly closer to the sketches made during previous excursions vantage point chosen by the artist. into the south-west and central highlands The 1871 expedition continued to Port and to the north-east of Tasmania. It Davey and five days were spent exploring seems that only Schell and Piguenit came the waterways by boat; Piguenit also to Tasmania; there are several illustrations took the opportunity to sketch, among by Fullwood but these appear to have been other sites, Hells Gates on the Davey created from photographic sources. River and observed that, in the midst of several days of foul weather, ‘I had much Piguenit’s wilderness expeditions difficulty in making the sketch from in Tasmania which the accompanying illustration Piguenit made four arduous journeys into has been taken, owing to the furious the south-west and central highlands of westerly wind that was blowing through Tasmania. His first trip was with J.R. Scott the “Gates”, accompanied with driving (1839–1877) when they walked into Port showers of sleet’.7 (Figs 4, 5).

5 KANUNNAH Jonathan Holmes

Fig. 4. W.C. Piguenit ‘Hell’s Gates’, Davey River, Tasmania, c. 1891. Monochrome on cardboard, 55.3 x 78 cm, presented by the Tasmanian Government. TMAG: AG 1385

Christa Johannes and Anthony Brown Range, Mount Gell, King William from Lake date Piguenit’s monochrome painting George and The Frenchman’s Cap were shown Hell’s Gates to c. 1891; the reasoning being at Callan & Sons, Sydney in August; two that this painting was one of the works further unidentified monochromes were used in the January 1892 lecture.8 It is shown in the Art Society of New South my view, however, that it was painted Wales Exhibition in Pitt Street, Sydney, during 1887, either during Piguenit’s visit a month earlier.10 One can surmise, too, to Tasmania from New South Wales in that the two Tasmanian chapters of the February and March 1887, or later that year Atlas were published sometime during the in Sydney. Support for this interpretation middle of the year since the Atlas had been is that a group of ‘very fine pictures in released in monthly instalments during black and white by Mr Piguenit’, was the preceding months. I believe that one of reported as being exhibited in Sydney by the reasons this set of works were created the Sydney Morning Herald in August 1887,9 was for the Picturesque Atlas of Australasia. and, according to Johannes and Brown, All of the works described in The Sydney monochrome paintings entit­ led­ Peak of Morning Herald were probably derived from King William from the Terrace, King William sketches created on the Charles Sprent

6 In Black and White: W.C. Piguenit's Monochrome Paintings KANUNNAH

20th February the party camped on the Cardigan River.11 On the way to the river and on his return to Lake St Clair, Piguenit sketched extensively. The watercolour, Mount Gell, Western Highlands, Tasmania was painted on that trip; and three (or perhaps four) of the extant monochromes were created after the February expedition – The King William Range, Tasmania; Mt Gell, Tasmania; King William from Lake George, Tasmania; and possibly Mt Olympus, Lake St Clair. There was probably a sixth monochrome of French­man’s Cap together with one held by the TMAG, as illus­trations of Mount King William and a slightly different view of the Cap found their way into the Atlas, as well as an illustration of the Eldon Bluff, Fig. 5. W.C. Piguenit ‘Hell’s Gates’ Davey River, probably sketched during the 1873 Scott Tasmania, 1 8 8 7. expedition (Fig 6). Engraved by H. Miller from an original painting by Piguenit, engraving, B. & W., 22.0 x 17.8 mm, Given the subjects sketched during this vol. 2, p. 496 in Picturesque Atlas of Australasia, expedition, it seems reasonable to assume Sydney: Picturesque Atlas Publishing Company, 1886–1888 that the five monochromes exhibited at Callan & Sons had been worked up from expedition into the western high­lands sketches made earlier in 1887. in February 1887. As previously noted, James Backhouse Walker, later to be Vice- Piguenit was accompanied by Walker, Chancellor of the University of Tasmania Colonel Legge and Johnston and the party, (1898–1899), recorded his experience of as Johannes and Brown write, followed the expedition in the manuscript of 1887, the route taken in 1873 as far as Lake St ‘Walk to the West’, writing: Clair. As they go on to say: On descending … down a white gravel From there the men veered west south- path through myrtle scrub, great knobs west across the Navarre Plain, past Mt and bosses of quartzite cropped out of King William and the King William Range, the steep green hill to our left, the red past Mt Arrowsmith, Mt Rufus, Mt Gell crags of Mount Gell towering a thousand and the Frenchman’s Cap. The track was feet above us to the right, its lower incredibly rough. The two horse-drawn slopes clothed in dense dark myrtle carts which carried equipment had to be forest running sharply down a thousand sent back at Mt King William, and the men feet below us into the deep gorge of the had to shoulder their heavy knapsacks Franklin River. Turning the corner of the and proceed with only packhorses. On descending zigzag the enormous range

7 KANUNNAH Jonathan Holmes

Fig. 7. W.C. Piguenit Lake Pedder, Tasmania, c. 1891. Monochrome oil on cardboard, 46.7 x 86.3 cm, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. TMAG: AG 1389

that Johnston spent 1887 writing up his Systematic Account of the Geology of Tasmania which was published in 1888.13 Included in the publication were several illustrations by his friend, Piguenit, including works that appear to have been derived from three of the monochromes in the TMAG collection. Fig. 6. W.C. Piguenit Frenchman’s Cap, The Arthur Range was developed from Tasmania, 18 8 7. either the 1871 Port Davey expedition or Engraved by A. Hayman from an original painting by the 1874 Lake Pedder journey; Lake Pedder Piguenit, engraving, B. & W., 25.8 x 17.6 mm, vol. 2, p. 519, in Picturesque Atlas of Australasia, was developed from Camp, Lake Pedder Sydney: Picturesque Atlas Publishing Company, (Fig. 7) and Ben Lomond, from the Marshes 1886–1888 appears to have been painted from the monochrome of the same title. Both of the Frenchman’s Cap, near 5000 feet these latter works were in the collection high, suddenly burst upon us in all its of R.M. Johnston and were bequeathed glory, its fantastic peaks crowned with to the TMAG in 1918 shortly after his 12 cliffs of glistening quartzite. death. The latter work is intriguing, Although this was to be Piguenit’s last insofar as it was not only engraved by the expedition into these rugged wilderness renowned engraver, G.A. Collingridge areas of Tasmania, the Sprent journey was (1847–1931), for the Johnston publication a particularly productive one for him. It but it, or a similar work, was also seems likely that one of the reasons he engraved for the Atlas by Horace Baker was persuaded to undertake the trip was (1833–1918), the highly skilled American because of his Atlas commitments. engraver brought to Australia by Schell A further reason for dating this body to lead the team of engravers of the of work as early as 1887 lies in the fact Picturesque Atlas of Australasia (Figs 8, 9).

8 In Black and White: W.C. Piguenit's Monochrome Paintings KANUNNAH

Fig. 8. W.C. Piguenit Ben Lomond from the Marshes Fig. 9. W.C. Piguenit Butts of Ben Lomond. Engraved by George Collingridge from an original sketch by Piguenit, engraving, B. & W.; 15.0 X 22.2 cm, Engraved by Horace Baker from an original painting R.M. Johnston’s Systematic account of the geology by Piguenit, engraving, B. & W.; 14.9 x 22.5 mm, of Tasmania. Hobart: J. Walch and Sons, vol. 2, p. 523 in Picturesque Atlas of Australasia, William Thomas Strutt, Govt Printer, 1888, pl. 4, Sydney: Picturesque Atlas Publishing Company, facing p. 162 1886–1888

Also included in Johnston’s publication Tony Hughes-d’Aeth in Paper Nation was a delightful illustration of the 1874 provides a rigorous account of the role of Pedder expeditioners negotiating a tricky wood block engraving in the Atlas and the crossing of the Picton River using a fallen commitment of the publishers to produce tree as their bridge. The site was probably a publication of the highest standards.14 just above the junction between the Huon He discusses the problems associated with and Picton Rivers in southern Tasmania. trying to bring together type and print on the same page and he points out that the Piguenit’s monochromes and the Atlas was printed on especially developed, Picturesque Atlas of Australasia although much more costly, paper and that The monochrome paintings in the TMAG this assisted the publishers in achieving were all created during a relatively short the qualities that are apparent in the time and there is no evidence to suggest Atlas.15 It also helped, of course, that the that other than in the late 1880s and publishers had a group of highly skilled early 1890s, was Piguenit attracted to engravers and printers. this medium. They were painted on card­ The process of wood engraving is a board, not well-prepared canvas, and this centuries-old one and by the nineteenth suggests that they may have been created century it was being used for relatively for a relatively ephemeral purpose – as a large-scale production. The Picturesque vehicle to pass on an image to the engraver. Atlas of Australasia, for instance, was pub­ There appears to be a logical nexus, then, lished in an edition of 50,000 – quite an between the monochrome paintings and extraordinary undertaking given that the the subsequent illustrations and there is a population of Australia and New Zealand, link in the very process of printing these at that time, was fewer than five million. images in publications like the Atlas. The engravings were made on blocks

9 KANUNNAH Jonathan Holmes

consisting of very smooth end-grain The most compelling argument, how­ever, boxwood – some squares, some rectangles in establishing a nexus between the mono­ and some oval and circular vignettes. chrome paintings and their engravings Larger woodblocks were often made in the Atlas comes from a discovery that of boxwood sections collared together. Hughe-d’Aeth had made. He found a Engravings, unlike etchings, are printed reference in the Illustrated Australian News in type-high so this means that ink will sit 1887 to the use of photography in the actual on the surface while the engraved parts preparation of the woodblock prints. remain white; cross-hatching, stippling He cited the following report from and fine-line engraving allow the engraver the News on how the publishers at the to produce extremely subtle gradations Atlas were intending to proceed with the of tone. It is a highly skilled if laborious printing process: craft. If the paintings were being passed The engraving upon wood will be per­ directly to the engraver for copying, it formed by working on the photographed would thus make sense to limit the palette block, reduced from the size of the in the monochrome paintings in order to artist’s larger and bolder drawing, and allow tonal values to be brought to the with all of the coarseness and breadth fore once translated to the white surface of the latter toned down and softened of the woodblock. in the smaller photographic duplicate on There is, however, a second possible the wood block.17 reason that these works were painted in monochrome: this relates to advances The majority of the monochromes are in photography that were being made in about 50 x 70 cm – large enough to carry the 1880s. In Paper Nation, Hughes-d’Aeth the ‘painterly’ ambitions of the artist and discusses the role of photography in some yet small enough to easily photograph. detail regarding the production of the That they were painted in monochrome Atlas.16 Large numbers of the illustrations relates to the fact that they were to be in the Atlas rep­resent architectural subject photographed in black and white and matter – signif­icant public buildings, city subsequently printed in black and white. thoroughfares, parks and monuments – and My view is that Piguenit believed that he Hughes-d’Aeth argues that artists would would be better able to convey the tonal often use photo­graphs and, where necessary, qualities he was seeking to achieve in these embellish them with additional details. works by limiting the colour and focussing The reas­oning: the longer exposure times on the tonal gradations in his compositions. needed meant that if one were focussing on, Indeed, if he had presented the works say, a streetscape, the architecture would to the Atlas in colour, there would have be sharp and well defined but moving been a tendency for the photographs of the traffic (human beings, horses, carriages, paintings or watercolours to be flattened etc.) would be a blur, as well the skies were out, less tonal and less intense. flattened out to an even consistency. These Assuming that the photographic image embellished photographic illustrations was printed onto the photo-sensitised were then provided to the engraver. woodblock, this also provided the oppor­

10 In Black and White: W.C. Piguenit's Monochrome Paintings KANUNNAH

Fig. 10. W.C. Piguenit Mount King William, Fig. 11. W.C. Piguenit Mount King William, Western Tasmania, 1887. Tasmania, 1887. Monochrome oil on cardboard, 46.7 x 64.2 cm, Engraved by W. Mollier from an original painting by Royal Society of Tasmania. TMAG: AG 1821 Piguenit, engraving, B. & W.; 17.0 x 23.0 cm, vol. 2, p. 496 in Picturesque Atlas of Australasia, tunity for a considerable amount of Sydney: Picturesque Atlas Publishing Company, 1886–1888 fine-tuning to be carried out before the engraving was begun. In the final Atlas image Butts of Ben Lomond (Fig. 9), for mono­chrome has been replaced by the instance, virtually all of the compositional vertical portrait format of the engraving. elements are present that can be seen in Whereas in the monochrome much more the monochrome – fallen trees in the right of the cliff face is exposed on the right foreground, a line of dead trees creating a hand side, in the illustration the image is receding orthogonal line on the left hand cropped at the side and, because more of side of the image, the central vanishing the sky is exposed, the line of cliff face point that is used to allow the eye to slowly is extended to the top right hand side of travel up the picture plane to the imposing the picture, making the cliff appear much cliff face and peak, the bucolic scene of more precipitous. In many ways, the Atlas cattle and pasture set against the backdrop illustration is more dramatic than the of the mountain and its awesome sense of monochrome, despite the fact that the impenetrability. However, the engraving bottom right hand side has been cropped is slightly wider than the monochrome by text. and the foreground space has been opened There are two monochromes entitled out much more dramatically with the Mount King William in the TMAG collection cattle slightly diminished and the signs and the one of the mountain viewed from of habitation – the cottage and smoking across Lake George had been selected for chimney removed. The broader, ‘painterly’ the engraving in the Picturesque Atlas of brushstrokes have been replaced by a much Australasia. It was reproduced relatively softer and gradual tonal variation. faithfully although two black swan In the case of the Hell’s Gates illustration have been included for incidental effect (Fig. 4), the landscape format of the (Figs 10, 11).

11 KANUNNAH Jonathan Holmes

Conclusion for that particular page; further fine-tuning This paper argues that the vast majority of occurred as the image made the transition the monochrome paintings by Piguenit in from oil painting to finely toned engraving. the TMAG were painted sometime in 1887, Whether the illustration was still in the probably after he returned to Sydney at the control of the artist or in the hands of the end of March. They were painted in black art director and engraver is unclear but what and white; there was no need to paint them is certain is that the image continued to be in colour as they were to be photographed in further refined over the following weeks as black and white and then the photographic the engraver completed the print. images were to be transferred onto photo- The monochromes that came to the sensitised boxwood block. Depending on TMAG in the Johnston Bequest are con­ the format of the intended illustration, siderably smaller than the others. John­ a large number of adjustments would ston commissioned Piguenit to pre­pare have had to have been made before the illustrations for his 1888 book Systematic engraver finally embarked on the laborious, Account of the Geology of Tasmania. One might month-long process of preparing the speculate that the reason is that Piguenit’s engraving. The illustrations were cropped colleague, Collingridge, who engraved the or extended, depending upon the layout plates, asked for a different format.

Endnotes

1 Andrew Garran (ed.) Picturesque Atlas of Australasia reprinted in B Smith (ed.) Documents in Art and (illustrated under the supervision of Frederic B. Taste in Australia, Melbourne: OUP, 1975, p. 173. Schell), Sydney, Picturesque Atlas Publishing Co., 7 Piguenit: pp. 174–175. 1886–1888, 800 pp.: ill., col. maps, portraits. 8 Christa Johannes, A Brown, W.C. Piguenit, 2 See Tony Hughes-d’Aeth, Paper Nation: The Story 1836–1914: Retrospective, Hobart, Tasmanian of the Picturesque Atlas of Australasia, 1886–1888, Mus­eum and Art Gallery, 1992. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 2001, 9 The Sydney Morning Herald, 23 August 1887, p. 7. 22, for a discussion of the setting up of the 10 Johannes, Brown, p. 60. Picturesque Atlas of Australasia. 11 Ibid., p. 25. 3 See Hughes-d’Aeth, ch. 6. This chapter (pp. 168–195) discusses the various ways in 12 James Backhouse Walker, ‘Walk to the West which photo­graphy was employed in the pro­ 1887’ in Michael D Stoddart, Walk to the West, duction of illustrated newspapers and books. Hobart: The Royal Society of Tasmania, 1993. 4 WC Piguenit, Among the Western Highlands of Tas­ 13 RM Johnston, Systematic Account of the Geology mania, Hobart: William Grahame Jnr, Acting Govern­ of Tasmania, Hobart: J Walch and Sons, William ment Printer, 1892, 10 pp. with 8 photolithographs. Thomas Strutt, Govt Printer, 1888, xxii, 408 pp., 84 plates (some folded): ill. (some col.), maps, 5 WV Legge, ‘The Highlands of Lake St Clair’, plans, ports. Royal Society of Tasmania Papers, Hobart: Royal Society, 1887; see also WV Legge, WC Piguenit: 14 Hughes-d’Aeth, ch. 7. See particularly pp. 198–201. an appreciation of a Tasmanian artist, Launceston: 15 Hughes-d’Aeth, p. 201. AJ Pasmore, 1914, 8 pp. 16 Hughes-d’Aeth, ch. 6. On the part played by 6 WC Piguenit, ‘Among the Western Highlands photo­­graphy in architectural illustrations, see of Tasmania,’ Report of the Fourth Meeting of the pp. 68–69. Australasian and New Zealand Association for the 17 Report in Illustrated Australian News, 2 April 1887, Advancement of Science, Hobart, January, 1892; p. 55 and cited in Hughes-d’Aeth, p. 202.

12 A NEW MUSEOLOGICAL APPROACH TO THE INTERPRETATION OF HIGHFIELD HISTORIC SITE AT STANLEY, TASMANIA

Jane Deeth

Deeth, Jane 2008. A new museological approach to the interpretation of Highfield Historic Site at Stanley, Tasmania. Kanunnah 3: 13–26. ISSN 1832-536X. The rationale for the new interpretation of the Highfield Historic Site is detailed. The principles that govern this new interpretation approach are multi-vocality; acknowledgement of absent voices; interactive dialogue between the place, its history and the visitor; minimal impact on the fabric of the site; and involvement of the community.

Jane Deeth, 52 Dry Street, Invermay, Tasmania, 7248, Australia. Email: [email protected]

Key Words: Highfield, Stanley, Circular Head, Van Diemen’s Land Company, interpretation, new museology.

Highfield is an elegant Regency house In September 2007, the new interp­retation on a headland overlooking Bass Strait at Highfield Historic Site was launched and The Nut1 at Stanley on Tasmania’s by Paula Wriedt, MHA, Tasmania’s then north-west coast and was purchased by Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environ­ the Tasmanian Government in 1982 and ment. This article outlines the rationale placed on the National Estate. At first behind the new interpretation, developed glance, the house epitomises the Romantic during a two-year period by the Sentience vision of man’s relationship to the sub­lime Group,2 a Tasmanian-based interpretation landscape (Figs 1, 2). However, beneath consultancy. the fine tracery of its design, layers of In line with the new museology that history co-exist uncomfortably. The stories has been filtering into the museum sector of European invasion, exploration and since the late 1980s, the interpretation economic development intersect. Signif­ accepts that history can no longer be icant life and death issues relating to presented as a singular narrative (Vergo individuals, communities and animal 1989). Who has written the history species were determined here. At the same and who is retelling it, determine what time, Highfield is a very pretty house and stories are preserved and selected and it is this delicacy that makes its place in the what points of view will dominate. history of Tasmania even more poignant. Traditionally, history is the preserve of

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Fig. 1. Highfield Historic Site looking towards The Nut at Stanley. Photograph: Lindsay Kelly, Jaffa Design

the rich and powerful, which means that little authentic furnishing. Rather than in general terms, it is told from a white, seek to remedy this, the patina of time European, male, ruling-class perspective. has been accepted as the site’s reality. Contemporary museological inter­pretation In order not to exacerbate any structural seeks to counter this in order to reveal concerns, minimising the impact of the alternative and often-contested histories. physical aspects of interpretation on the The Highfield interpretation believes fabric of the site was observed. A goal of that is through the visitors’ subjective the interpretation plan was also to involve encounters with a range of perspectives the community in the process of telling that a greater opportunity for empathy their stories about what is, to all intents and learning is made possible. As a and purposes, their ‘backyard’. consequence, different ‘voices’ are placed in juxtaposition, inviting visitors to think History of the Highfield site and about where the information comes from the Van Diemen’s Land Company and what a writer might have had to gain Highfield was the headquarters of the Van from recording the truth, fabricating a lie, Diemen’s Land3 Company,4 estab­lished in or perhaps embellishing or diluting what England in the early 1820s as a large-scale they knew to be the case. The approach financial venture into fine wool production. taken involves a number of contemporary The enterprise began operations with museological principles: multi-vocality, the landing of the first vessel, Tranmere, acknowledgement of absent voices, and at Circular Head5 towards the end of interactive dialogue between the place, 1826. On board were the vast supplies its history and the visitor. The task necessary for establishing an isolated was inflected by the fact that Highfield settlement. These included materials to does not conform to the usual vision enable the immediate building of a four- of stately homes that conjure the past roomed timber cottage for the company through painstaking restoration. Due to administrator. This simple dwelling suf­ the exposed geographical location and ficed as the company headquarters for the the depredation of time, the fabric of the first five years, but in 1832 Edward Curr house is extremely fragile and it contains (1798–1850), the fastidious young man

14 The Interpretation of Highfield Historic Site at Stanley, Tasmania KANUNNAH

Fig. 2. Highfield House. Photograph: Lindsay Kelly, Jaffa Design charged with the task of realising the situation, the Board of Directors agreed to potential of the enterprise was granted Curr’s request for a new stone house and permission by the company directors in also gave him a large £800 bonus. Thus, London for the building of a new house. from the outset, the house was more than a building. It encapsulated the company’s The wooden house I live in will not stand ambitions, be they unrealistic at times. 15 years; the stone one which I am building Highfield was designed by the company will stand a century. surveyor and architect Henry Hellyer Edward Curr, 1832 (1790–1832). He was a remarkable man Interestingly, the decision to build this who, over a short six-year period, surveyed new house was made at a time when it much of the north-west of the island, was becoming increasingly apparent that naming its features as he went, as well as the company’s wool venture was heading designing its roads and bridges. The house for failure. Much of the land that Curr Hellyer designed was not large but its had been able to obtain from a somewhat elegant proportions and simple geometry resistant George Arthur (1784–1854), the reveal a sensitivity and sophisticated taste Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen’s Land, well versed in the latest Regency style. was of poor quality. This, together with This stylish confidence seems appropriate the inhospitable weather, resulted in the as it was from this site that the opening death of thousands of sheep. Nevertheless, up of Tasmania’s north-west region was despite the company’s tenuous financial orchestrated.

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Fig. 3. Previous interpretation panels with text by Kerry Pink. Photograph courtesy of the Highfield Heritage Site

The significance of the Van Diemen’s It also contributed to the extinction of both Land Company should not be under­ the Tasmanian emu6 and thylacine.7 Thus, estimated. Its power and influence are Highfield encapsulates the complexity evident in that the Hobart-based govern­ of Tasmania’s history in the early 1800s ment feared the company would become ‘a including the hegemony of the colonial colony within a colony’ ruled by Curr who mindset and its energetic pioneering was described in the Hobart Town Courier spirit. The scope and implications of this on 16 January 1835 as ‘the potentate of the progressive vision, with each of these North’. Curr referred to himself as ‘master aspects being both positive and negative, and magistrate, party and judge’ (Curr, were challenges for the interpretation. Despatch to Directors, 22 March 1833, in History, in many respects, is a product McFarlane, 2002, p. 247). Such power had of what is written down, preserved and its dark side, with the company under then rediscovered. Highfield’s story is no Curr’s leadership, participating, through exception. During Edward Curr’s time at action or inaction, in the swift decline of Highfield almost nothing happened without the local Tasmanian Aboriginal population. it being documented, in order to keep the

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Fig. 4. Previous interpretation panels with text by Kerry Pink. Photograph courtesy of the Highfield Heritage Site

Court of Directors in London informed. and Beyond the Ramparts: A Bicentennial Curr also corresponded con­stantly with the History of Circular Head, Tasmania (Pink authorities in Hobart Town as well as with and Ebdon 1992). These publications other agents of the company. Currently the constitute the dominant perspectives Archives Office of Tasmania holds a large regarding the region’s early history. The quantity of documents on behalf of the previous interpretation panels at Highfield company. Some cataloguing has taken place were prepared by the late Kerry Pink. She with the company’s permission but it is a was a member of the advisory committee gargantuan task that would take years to overseeing the site. Pink’s summation of complete. Researchers and historians have the history of Highfield was presented examined some of the documents seeking on a number of substantial free-standing to illuminate the company’s story, although blackwood screens, each considering a the results are inevitably incomplete. particular topic (Figs 3, 4). The panels were A number of histories have been written placed in the rooms throughout the house including Around Circular Head (Buckby as a series of discrete and complementary 1984), articles by Geoff Lennox (1986) narratives.

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Contested histories the cargo. Mrs Hare’s writing has become The interpretation brief allowed neither a significant resource in the interpretation the time nor budget to engage in primary of the early history of the north-west. Her research. Instead, the approach taken short but damning diary entries counter was to re-present the available material, the official documentation that emanated recognising that some of the history is from Curr, specifically in relation to the contested and that people with different treatment of the Aboriginal people by the perspectives and ideologies can reach company’s men. conflicting conclusions. Rather than We have to lament that our own country­ prescribe one particular path, the new men consider the massacre of these interpretation presents a range of voices people an honour. While we remained at through a mosaic of extracts. As a Circular Head there were several accounts consequence, what is presented is not of considerable numbers of natives having the definitive history of Highfield and the been shot by them [the company’s men], Van Diemen’s Land Company. Instead, in they wishing to extirpate them entirely, line with the principle of multi-vocality, it if possible. can be understood, both by necessity and Rosalie Hare’s Diary, January 1828 design, as an open and multi-layered work- Curr’s official protestations against such in-progress. behaviour on the part of his men and the One significant difference between absence of any prosecutions have been the previous interpretative style and the used in other histories to downplay, if latest intervention is the place given to not exonerate, the company’s conduct the overwhelming absences and silences. with regard to the treatment of Aboriginal The five tonnes of archived despatches people. However, it is precisely because and material in the Van Diemen’s Land there is little that Mrs Hare had to gain Company archives represent a huge from ‘massaging’ the truth that her simple resource; however, what is missing writing can act as a counterfoil to Curr’s from these papers also ‘speaks’ volumes. more copious and public texts. Women’s voices at Highfield tend to appear Similarly, a letter written in 1827 by in between the lines or in unofficial writing Mrs Mary Adey (1796?–1869), the wife of such as personal letters and diaries. Mrs company agent Stephan Adey (1781?–1860), Rosalie Hare’s diary is a case in point. provides a raw insight into the society in Mrs Hare (c. 1809–?) was a young, newly the new colony. This letter was originally married woman and wife of the captain of a intended only for the eyes of a relative but trading vessel, Caroline, which sailed to Van was published, firstly in London and later in Diemen’s Land from England on its way to Hobart. Mrs Adey writes: Java. During the voyage Mrs Hare wrote her diary, which included observations made In the first place, you could hardly imagine during a three-week sojourn at Circular that a country like England could produce Head while her husband, accompanied by such an illiterate cub as this Colony. Who Edward Curr, sailed to Launceston to unload would not have expected to find by this

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time a Library at least. They had one at The Aboriginal voice is encountered not South Carolina before it was established from first-hand documentation but through twelve months. Saturn is not more remote secondary sources such as letters and from the Sun, than Hobart Town from all journals, as well as through amateur and Science and Literature. academic analysis and speculation applied to the available material. What is selected Had Mrs Adey meant the text to be for consideration and the conclusions published, her choice of words may well made vary, depending on the viewpoint have been more circumspect, given she of the writer. With regard to the demise had to continue living amongst the society of the Aboriginal people, some say they of which she had been so critical. died mostly from disease, others believe The other primary female character in they were often murdered (Rosalie Hare’s the story is Edward Curr’s wife, Elizabeth Diary, January 1828); some believe they (1798–1866). There are few records in were victims of genocide. There is a strong which Elizabeth exists as an independent argument that Curr and the men under him entity and these are mainly references at the played a significant role in this destruction end of letters to her husband wishing her (McFarlane 2008). good health. As an individual she is silent. Ian McFarlane was interested in finding We know that she had fifteen children, a the Aboriginal voice in the absence of number of whom were either left behind direct primary information (MacFarlane or returned to England for schooling. One 2008). Aborigines could not write down child, Juliana, died tragically at Highfield. In their own version of events but they her silence, Elizabeth stands for the many did talk to those who did. McFarlane other women who worked, lived, grieved has scanned these accounts for hidden and died virtually unacknowledged. agenda, constructing a picture as logic The Aboriginal voice is also absent. For allows. Through his analysis of documents, tens of thousands of years this previously McFarlane discerns the selective use of wooded terrain, with its abundant supplies language that enabled Curr to retain a public of food, had been home to the people of perception of propriety while denying the the eight north-west Aboriginal clans. In violence that was actually occurring. the ten years before Highfield was built, Similarly, Plomley (1966), in his exam­ few Europeans had set foot on this land. ination of George Augustus Robinson’s In the 1820s the far north-west became journals, was able to deconstruct particular a haven for the Aboriginal peoples who moments in Robinson’s recording of events had been pushed out of the ‘settled’ to reveal something of ‘the conciliator’s’ areas. However, between 1824 and 1831, more sinister and self-serving motivations the Aboriginal population was all but in his rounding up of the Aboriginal destroyed in what has become known people in the early 1830s. Historians as the ‘Black Wars’. These were the same such as McFarlane and Plomley take the years during which the Van Diemen’s publicly recorded information and test it Land Company was staking its claim in against material from a range of diverse the north-west (McFarlane 2008). sources, casting light on what has been

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distorted and concealed. In the Highfield as interactive in itself. This requires interpretation these contested histories sit museums moving away from a didactic side by side and layer upon layer. and hierarchical model of communication towards constructing a dialogical environ­ A new interpretation ment. However, Witcomb is not arguing The aim of the new interpretation is to for a relativist ‘anything goes’ approach engage visitors in the stories of the past to interpretation. Instead, ‘[t]he difficulty by connecting them to the present. The for those museums that wish to be less notion that history is only about the past didactic and more interactive is to achieve limits the possibility for it to affect the a balance between multiple points of view visitor directly. The adage ‘history repeats while maintaining an editorial line which itself’ can be countered by bringing the is not reductive’ (Witcomb 2003, p. 156). lessons of the past into life as it is lived. In other words, the complexity between The new Highfield interpretation seeks to the alternative perspectives remains maximise visitor interaction and thereby sufficiently open for visitors to construct encourage visitors to take responsibility their own version of the story but is, at the for interpreting the stories. To this end same time, sufficiently focused so as not to Andrea Witcomb’s evaluation of the notion lose the visitor in an infinity of unmediated of interactivity in her text Re-Imagining the relativism. Museum: Beyond the Mausoleum (2003) has Thus textual information in the new proven useful. interpretation at Highfield is presented as Witcomb’s research identifies three kinds inconclusive snippets within a focused of interactivity – technological, spatial framework. Visitors can choose how much and dialogical. Her notion of dialogical they want to dwell on the texts. Each text interactivity is ‘an imaginative and becomes a moment within a mosaic of conceptual activity’ rather than a physical ideas, some of which work together and one. Her criticism of technologically some of which are in opposition. The based interactivity is from the perspective thematic intention is made apparent in that: ‘[a]dding multimedia stations to an conjunction with the texts, implying that exhibit will not … necessarily challenge there is work to be done and particular a one-way flow of communications issues for visitors to consider. which the exhibition as a whole may be A guiding principle in the new premised upon’ (Witcomb 2003, p. 130). interpretation was to minimise impact She states that, ‘designing an interactive on the site. The built fabric of Highfield exhibit requires an ability to integrate is extremely fragile. Even at the time of communication goals (what you want the building in 1832 there were concerns about visitor to learn) with behavioural goals the quality of the workmanship. Damp (what you want the visitor to do), and has been and remains a constant problem. even emotional goals (what you want the Ensuring the preservation of the fabric was visitor to feel)’ (Witcomb 2003, 133). She therefore essential. It was decided that suggests instead that to achieve this, the installation of the interpretation would exhibition space can be reconceptualised be undertaken without the use of nails,

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Fig. 5. ‘The Room of Conversation’ dining room interpretation. Photograph: Lesa Scott, Highfield Historic Site screws or any other attachment device. of the 1800s (Fig. 6). These structures relate This meant presenting stories in ways that to the rooms in which they are placed had an extremely low physical impact. and focus attention on the task the visitor The simplest solution was to rest glass is invited to undertake. They include text panels over existing horizontal sur­ a ‘dressing table’ to sit and reflect at, a faces such as on mantelpieces and furniture ‘drawing desk’ on which to examine plans (Fig. 5). Another method has been applying and drawings, a ‘chopping block’ with a ‘wallpaper’ texts to vertical surfaces. The ‘cookery book’ that refers to what was use of wallpaper resonates with the history available to eat. The use of contemporary of the building. As found in many houses abstracted forms in the design of these of this age, layer upon layer of different structures aimed to reinforce the notion wallpapers marking changes in fashion and that interpretation is made in the present. fortune can be found beneath the paint; the This approach also assists by allowing new interpretation simply adds another the architecture to play a role in com­ layer. A further approach involved creating prehension by focusing attention on surfaces to carry the interpretation. This the original purpose of the rooms. Each meant constructing free-standing forms room has been given a title that indicates that refer to, without replicating, furniture its purpose within the original layout

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Fig. 6. 'Meet the People', gallery interpretation. Photograph: Lindsay Kelly, Jaffa Design

of the house and its place within the early years of the company. The cellar is interpretation, as well as acting as cues as to ‘The Room of Provisions’, presenting the modes of address the visitors might employ. vast list of the practical requisites brought to Thus, the drawing room is ‘The Room of the settlement. The kitchen is ‘The Room of First Impressions’ presenting snippets from Abundance’, describing what produce was diaries and journals about the impact the available and provides recipes from both place made on early visitors to the site. The Tasmanian Aboriginal and European diets. study is ‘The Room of Despatches’, giving The original nursery, which has seen many an overview of official decisions made permutations over the years, becomes ‘The in the development of the company and Room of Changes’, presenting the designs the historical timeline of three historical and plans of the buildings and gardens. The threads – the company, the Aboriginal children’s room is ‘The Room of Games’ people and the world situation. The dining designed especially for younger visitors room is ‘The Room of Conversation’ with with an interactive game to play based on extracts of possible dinner table chatter the stories of Highfield. The guest bedroom about people and events connected to the is ‘The Room with the View’ and tells the

22 The Interpretation of Highfield Historic Site at Stanley, Tasmania KANUNNAH visitors about the geology and naming of Community connections have been the land as they gaze through the window made in a number of ways. For example, it towards The Nut and the safe harbour that would appear from the history books that this feature protects. The master bedroom Highfield was very much a man’s place, is ‘The Room of Reflection’, providing some with even the choir comprising eight highly emotional stories and offering the convict baritones. Therefore the decision visitor a moment of quiet repose. Only one to reinstate the chapel choir provided the of the outbuildings has been included in opportunity to include women’s voices. this phase of the interpretation. The chapel ‘Fully Dilated and Pushing’ is an a cappella becomes ‘The Room of Preaching and Piety’ group of women from the Circular Head in which a ‘sermon’ written by Danish district. They meet regularly for the joy adventurer and convict Jorgen Jorgenson of singing together and to perform at (1780–1841) 8 about the morality of relations festivals and particular events. In the between the European population and the soundscape that accompanies the ‘sermon’ Aboriginal people is presented. on European-Aboriginal relations, the In this way, the various stories that choir sings Catholic and Anglican hymns converge at Highfield are presented in as well as a colonial, working-class ballad. parallel rather than as isolated topics. Another community project evolved Through this less linear approach it is from the difficulty in finding appropriate intended that the contest between versions images of key Highfield characters. Not of events will become more apparent and only were few available, those that were that visitors will take responsibility for found often showed people in their latter making meaning. years. It was felt that using such images would lead to misinterpretation. For Community engagement example, one of the factors affecting the A guiding principle in the new inter­ way Curr was perceived was his youth. pretation was to involve the community. He was 27 years old when he became the There is a high degree of personal con­ company’s chief agent; the existing image nection and ownership of Highfield of Curr shows a man probably in his late within Circular Head. For example, the sixties. The solution was to locate approp­ current manager is related to a family riate portraits from the period and to build integral to the Highfield story9 and the wife composite images using local people as of the advisory committee’s chairman is models. The State Library of Tas­mania’s related to John Cross, one of the original Heritage Collections were extremely sup­ builders of Highfield. Although there is portive in providing original portraits. A considerable local support, building an even call to the community, combined with a stronger and more pragmatic connection ‘talent scouting’ campaign, generated the is important not only in order to create a faces. Edward Curr is ‘Kurt’, a local student sense of ownership but also because the and part-time worker in a coffee shop, with survival of the project, in the longer term, the body of an Unknown Gentleman: Man requires that the community takes a key with reddish side-whiskers (n.d.) attributed role in Highfield’s promotion. to Thomas Bock (1793–1855). Jorgen

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Fig. 7. Jorgen Jorgenson. Fig. 8. Mrs Rosalie Hare. Composite image – contemporary portrait Composite image – contemporary portrait with base image from the Heritage Collections of with base image from the Heritage Collections of State Library of Tasmania State Library of Tasmania

Jorgenson combines A young gentle man in effusive praise for Curr and amazement at black coat (1800s) by Nathaniel Rogers what he managed to achieve so far from (1788–1844) with the features of ‘Clint’, home, expressions of loss and shame for the proprietor of one of Stanley’s success­ the suffering and treatment of the original ful accommodation enterprises (Fig. 7). people, and personal thoughts, memories Rosalie Hare is Por­t­rait of a woman, standing and reflections. (n.d.), also attributed to Bock with the The following is a sample of the face of ‘Ellie’ who is currently pursuing responses: ‘Curr was an astute and hard her interest in education in developing businessman; – he also had a kind and countries (Fig. 8). The resulting ‘portraits’, generous side; – a hard man in a hard, it could be argued, are both more and less difficult situation; – the puppet and accurate. Their slightly surreal quality servant of his colonial masters who were reinforces a more indeterminate, and greatly misguided in what they were perhaps more ‘real’ understanding of what achieving; – he has got a lot of questions to history might be. answer; – they finished knocking them [the A further project was undertaken for the Aborigines] off around 1832.’ In many soundscape in the ‘Room of Despatches’. ways this soundscape epitomises the Members of the local community were intervention. asked to consider what Highfield and Throughout the development of the Edward Curr meant to them. Their res­ interpretation, the advisory committee’s ponses, recorded on audio tape, include role has been crucial. To their immense

24 The Interpretation of Highfield Historic Site at Stanley, Tasmania KANUNNAH credit, each member has been able to entries in the comments book tended to set aside personal perspectives and pref­ be along the lines of ‘nice house, nice erences in order to focus on the principle view’. Subsequent to the changes visitors of multi-vocality and ensure that the are much more likely to engage staff in interpretation remains as open as possible. conversations which are often about the This approach has generated high-quality different points of view, their appreciation discussion while also allowing for diversity of the stories behind the house and and difference. being able to step into others’ shoes. Although systematic research is yet to be Results of the new interpretation undertaken, from the anecdotal evidence of Highfield it is believed that the new interpretation at Since the installation of the new inter­ Highfield provides a framework in which pretation, it has been noted that the visitors can engage in a self-reflexive and time that visitors spend at the site has meaningful way with the past, informing more than doubled. According to the both an understanding of history and our manager, before the new interpretation subjective place within it.

Endnotes

1 The Nut is a basalt outcrop, 147 metres high strategic planning, interpretative design, archi­ and 32 hectares in area, which juts out into Bass tectural design and business modelling. Strait, making it one of the most prominent and 3 Van Diemen’s Land is the name given to what dramatic features along the northern coastline of is now Tasmania by the Dutch navigator Abel Tasmania. Colonial explorer, Matthew Flinders Janszoon Tasman in 1642. Tasman discovered (1771–1803), described the promontory as: and named the island after Anthony van Diemen, ‘a cliffy, round lump, in form much resembling governor general of the Dutch East Indies at the a Christmas cake; and is joined to the main by time. The island was renamed Tasmania after a low, sandy isthmus. The land at the back is Tasman in 1855. formed into very gentle slopes’ (Flinders, journal written from the Norfolk in December 1798). 4 The Van Diemen’s Land Company is Australia’s The origin of the local name, The Nut, is third-oldest company and the world’s only uncertain. One theory is that the failure to blast surviving Royal Charter company still owning rock from the cliff face for the construction of its property at Woolnorth in the far north-west. breakwater for the port in 1892, despite having The Company’s major shareholder is now a New been set with a 500-pound charge, earned it a Zealand public company based in Dunedin. nickname referring to ‘a hard nut to crack’. An 5 Circular Head is another name for The Nut. early account has it that the crew of a ship calling How­ever, in recent years, Circular Head has in at Stanley in 1851 referred to the outcrop at come to refer to the entire municipality. The Nut, possibly as in the slang for head. Then 6 Tasmanian emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae again its name might simply refer to its shape. diemenensis) were sufficiently prevalent in the 2 The writer is a member of The Sentience region for the bay on which Burnie now stands Group, which is a collaborative association of to be named Emu Bay. These flightless birds like-minded businesses that come together to provided an easily hunted food source for the work on interpretation projects concerned with fledgling colony.

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7 The thylacine or Tasmanian tiger (Thylacinus 9 Lesa Scott is the current manager of Highfield cynocephalus) was a marsupial carnivore that Historic Site. Her great-great-great-great-grand­ roamed throughout Tasmania before European father, Henry Anthony, worked at Highfield settlement in 1803. It was hunted to extinction after he received his ticket of leave (conditional because it was seen as a threat to livestock. pardon) in about the 1850s. Her great-grandfather, In 1830 the Van Diemen’s Land Company Edward Anthony, purchased Highfield in 1930 introduced a thylacine bounty. The last captive from the Ford family, subdividing and selling it thylacine died in the Beaumaris Zoo (Hobart) a year later. Her grandparents, Stan and Gladys in 1936. Anthony, lived in the overseer’s cottage (L Scott, 8 Jorgen Jorgenson wrote this text in one of the pers. comm., 30 October 2007). journals he wrote in response to his experiences in the north-west (Jürgensen [sic] and Plomley (ed.), 1991, pp. 34–35).

References

Adey M ‘Female Writer: Extract of a Letter from a Place and Heritage Unit, University of Tasmania: Lady residing at Hobart Town, Van Diemen’s Land.’ Hobart) Colonial Advocate, March 1827. Pink K, Ebdon A (1992) ‘Beyond the Ramparts: A Buckby P (1984) ‘Around Circular Head.’ (Denbar Pub­ Bicentennial History of Circular Head, Tasmania.’ lications: Tasmania) (Circular Head History Group: Smithton) Curr E Despatch July 1832, VDL Company Records, Plomley NJB (1966) ‘Friendly Mission.’ (Tasmanian Archives Office of Tasmania. Historical Research Foundation and Halstead Press: Hare R, Marriott IL (1927) ‘The Voyage of the Caroline Kingsgrove) from England to Van Diemen’s Land and Batavia Plomley NJB (ed.) (1991) ‘Jorgen Jorgenson and 1827–28.’ (Longmans: London) the Aborigines of Van Diemen’s Land: being a Lennox G (1986) ‘Convicts and the VDL Company’ in reconstruction of his “lost” book on their customs Local History Journal vol. 2, no. 2, June 1986, Circular and habits, and on his role in the Roving Parties and Head History Project, National Parks and Wildlife the Black Line.’ (Blubber Head Press: Hobart) Service. Vergo P (1989) ‘The New Museology.’ (Reaktion McFarlane I (2008) ‘Beyond Awakening: The Books: London) Aboriginal Tribes of North West Tasmania: A Witcomb A (2003) ‘Re-Imagining the Museum: History.’ (Fullers, Riawunna and Community Beyond the Mausoleum.’ (Routledge: London)

26 A Review of the Early Triassic Fish Remains from Tasmania

Patrick Bender

Bender, Patrick 2008. A review of the Early Triassic fish remains from Tasmania. Kanunnah 3: 27–40. ISSN 1832-536X. Osteichthyan (bony fish) remains from the fresh-water sediments of the Early Triassic Knocklofty Formation of Tasmania have been recognised for more than 100 years; however, little recent research has been conducted on this fauna. In this article elements of the Knocklofty Formation fish fauna are reviewed and new data presented. Although the focus of this article is on the bony fishes, a number of specimens of uncertain affinity are also illustrated and described because of their potential palaeontological importance. These include fin spines not previously recorded from this Formation, and coprolites (fossilised faeces) that may preserve important morphological and environmental information.

Patrick Bender, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, GPO Box 1164, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia. Email: [email protected]

Key Words: Actinopterygii, Dipnoi, fish spines, coprolites, Triassic, Knocklofty Formation, Tasmania.

The aim of this article is to update infor­ it appears to represent a new record from mation on the taxonomy of the Early the Triassic of Tasmania and it occurs Triassic fish of Tasmania, and illustrate with plant remains. Plant and animal and describe some significant new spec­ fossil remains are rarely found together in imens (Table 1). The focus of this article the earliest Triassic (Gastaldo et al. 2005). is on the osteichthyans (bony fishes) A number of other potentially significant and, in particular, the actinop­terygians specimens include fin-spines, which are (the ray-finned fishes) and the dipnoans possibly chondrichthyan in origin. The (lungfish). range of variation in coprolites (fossilised The new figured material includes faeces), which were regarded by Banks et a specimen of Saurichthys and a faintly al. (1978) as being very common in the preserved actinopterygian specimen. The Early Triassic of southern Tasmania, is latter specimen is of significance because also illustrated and described.

27 KANUNNAH Patrick Bender

TAXA REFERENCES

DIPNOI Ptychoceratodus philippsi Dziewa 1980; Kemp 1991, 1996; this paper

COELACANTHIDAE Coelacanthidae gen.et sp. indet. Dziewa 1980

ACTINOPTERYGII Saurichthys sp. Dziewa 1980; this paper Acrolepis tasmanicus Dziewa 1980; this paper Acrolepis? hamiltoni Johnston and Morton 1890; this paper Acrolepis? sp. Dziewa 1980 Cleithrolepis granulata Dziewa 1980 Undetermined actinopterygian This paper

CHONDRICHTHYES? Fin spines This paper

Coprolites Banks et al. 1978; Northwood 2005; this paper

Table 1. Tasmanian Early Triassic fish material.

Previous research (1980) concluded that osteichthyan taxa Osteichthyan remains from the fresh- were of limited stratigraphic use, with the water sediments of the Early Triassic amphibians more useful for correlative Knock­lofty Formation of south-eastern purposes (see also Banks et al. 1978). The Tasmania have been recognised since the presence of lydekkerinid amphibians in late-nineteenth century. Johnston and the Arcadia and Knocklofty Formations, Morton (1890, 1891) described two species in particular, provides a strong basis of early actinop­terygian fish, Acrolepis? for correlation between the Australian hamiltoni Johnston and Morton, 1890 and assemblages and similar-aged fossiliferous A. tasmanicus Johnston and Morton, 1891 outcrops in South Africa (Neveling from Tasmania. Dziewa (1980) documented 2004). Long (1993), however, has shown additional osteich­thyan specimens that that fossil fishes are good indicators of he assigned to the cosmopolitan Triassic palaeoenvironments and have also been dipnoan genus Ceratodus Agassiz, 1838, as useful for global biostratigraphic and well as fragmentary remains assignable correlative purposes (Long 1993); thus to the chondrostean genera Saurichthys more detailed study of the Tasmanian fossil Agassiz, 1834 and Cleithrolepis Egerton, fish material could prove worthwhile. 1864, and indeter­minate remains that Early Triassic fishes are rare in most are tentatively referred to the family Australian deposits with the exception of Coelacanthidae (Table 1). the Terrigal Formation (Gosford Subgroup, Owing to the relatively extended geo­ Narrabeen Group) that has yielded abun­ logical time range of the fish taxa, Dziewa dant fish, including actinopterygians,

28 A Review of the Early Triassic Fish Remains from Tasmania KANUNNAH dipnoans and pleuracanth chondrichthyan are known from several regions, including remains from two main localities near a range of northern regions. Southern Gosford in the Sydney Basin (Kemp 1991; faunal assemblages occur in continental Ritchie 1981; Wade 1935; Woodward sedimentary basins in Antarctica, Aust­ralia, 1890, 1908). The Arcadia Formation, India and South Africa, and from coastal Queens­land, has yielded actinoperygian deposits in Madagascar and north-west and dipnoan taxa (Northwood 1999). In Australia (Borsuk-Bialynicka et al. 1999). addition to those from the Arcadia and The Early Triassic terrestrial and freshwater Terrigal Formations, fish have also been assemblages of Australia are notable for described from the Knocklofty Formation their abundance of amphibians and rarity of in Tasmania (Banks et al. 1978; Dziewa therapsids (Thulborn 1986, 1990). A diverse 1980; Johnston and Morton 1890, 1891), amphibian-dominated vertebrate fauna and the Blina Shale, in Western Australia has been described from the Knocklofty (Kemp 1991; Turner 1982). Cosgriff Formation and its stratigraphic equivalents (1974) and Northwood (1997) reported in southern Tas­mania (Cosgriff 1974). the remains of Ceratodus, Saurichthys and The end-Permian mass extinction that coelacanths from the Blina Shale, and fish occurred at approximately 251 million scales from the Kockatea Shale in Western years ago (Bowring et al. 1998) is generally Australia, although neither the fish nor regarded as the most catastrophic of the the scales has been described. The Blina five major Phanerozoic mass extinctions Shale from Western Australia is regarded (Smith and Botha 2005). The estimates as younger than both the Arcadia and of biodiversity loss, as a consequence of Knocklofty Formations (Damiani 1999; this extinction event, are thought to be as Northwood 1999). high as 75% to 90% of known organisms The Tasmanian Knocklofty Formation in the marine fossil record, with recent appears to be contemporaneous with proposals suggesting that the decimation the Arcadia Formation from Queensland in the oceans was accompanied by a (Northwood 1999), which is possibly the synch­ronous collapse in the terrestrial Griesbachian Regional Stage (251–250 realm (Erwin 1993; Twitchett 2001). The +/-0.4 m.y. B.P.) (Damiani 1999; Northwood early Triassic faunas therefore provide an 1999). The Griesbachian Regional Stage important insight into how life recovered (Neveling 2004) is the earliest Triassic after a major extinction event. Stage and occurred immediately after the largest extinction of the Phanerozoic Era. The Triassic Period, and in particular the Description and discussion of Early Triassic Epoch, was an interesting selected material time in terms of the earth’s vertebrate This review of certain Tasmanian Early history, with the changeover from the Triassic fishes is based upon updated archaic faunas of the Permian to those more taxonomic work and will provide a basis typically associated with the Triassic and for a more complete understanding of the the later Mesozoic (Borsuk-Bialynicka et Tasmanian Triassic ichthyofauna. The al. 1999). Early Triassic faunal assemblages specimens referred to in this article are held

29 KANUNNAH Patrick Bender

Fig. 1. Ptychoceratodus phillipsi toothplate in dorsal view, from the Early Triassic Knocklofty Formation, Tasmania.

at the Department of Geology (UTAS), UTGD 87871 is a nearly complete left University of Tasmania and at the Tas­ pterygoidal toothplate only lacking the manian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG). distal portion of the first ridge, with a maximum width of 9 mm. The dental plate is 14 mm in length. Class Osteichthyes This species was described by Dziewa Order Dipnoi Müller, 1845 (1980) as Ceratodus gypsatus, but has been Family Ptychoceratodontidae transferred to Ptychoceratodus by Kemp Martin, 1982 (1996) on the basis of its narrower ridged Ptychoceratodus Jaekel, 1926 and higher crowned tooth plates (see Kemp Phytoceratodus phillipsi 1997a; Schultze 1992). Ptychoceratodus (Agassiz 1838) phillipsi exhibits five ridges on the upper A lungfish toothplate (UTGD 87871) and four on the lower toothplates, with collected from Midway Point is similar the clefts between the toothplate ridges to toothplates described from Old Beach relatively wide and curved, and the ridge and Coningham by Dziewa (1980) (Fig. 1). crests straight and radiating.

30 A Review of the Early Triassic Fish Remains from Tasmania KANUNNAH

Lungfish toothplates are reliable for Sub Class Actinopterygii defining taxa (Kemp 1997a,b), especially Woodward 1891 in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic where skull Order Saurichthyiformes material is scarce, and many species are Family Saurichthyidae Goodrich, 1909 represented only by tooth plates (Schultze 1981; Martin 1981). Most Triassic adult The Saurichthyidae are characteristic lungfish have six toothplates, comprising Mesozoic actinopterygians with a slender a pair of large upper and lower occluding elongate body and fin arrangement toothplates that are carried on the reminiscent of the extant Esox, and the jaws ptery­gopalatine and prearticular bones are drawn out to a long-pointed rostrum. respectively, and a pair of much smaller Two long-pointed rostral fragments of fish vomerine toothplates (Campbell and Bar­ are known from Tasmania: a specimen wick 1987; White 1966). referred to Saurichthys by Dziewa (1980) Kemp (1996) referred all previous records and the new specimen described in this of Triassic lungfish from Tasmania, i.e. article. Dziewa (1980) referred the skull Ceratodus gypsatus Quenstedt, 1885 (Dziewa specimen to Saurichthys because of the 1980) and Ceratodus sp. C. phillipsi (Agassiz elongate shape of the skull, together 1838) (Kemp 1991) to Ptychoceratodus phillipsi. with the ornamentation on the skull and Ptychoceratodus phillipsi has been recorded mandible. from the Arcadia Formation in Queensland, The following features can be regarded Blina Shale in Western Australia and the as distinguishing characters of Saurichthys Knocklofty Formation. It was apparently species (Griffith 1978): skull proportions, a small- to moderate-sized lungfish (Aust­ the shape of the parasphenoid bone, the ralian tooth plates never exceed 18 mm in dermal bone ornament, the number of length, but material from Africa is as long parietals, the location of the teeth on as 25 mm). Ptychoceratodus has a wide geo­ the bones bearing them, the size of the graphic distribution, especially in the tip of the tooth, the ratio between the Middle Triassic, with species recorded in maximum depth of the lower jaw and of Africa, Australia, China, Europe, Mada­ the palatoquadrate-maxillary apparatus. gascar, North America and Russia; and a long Until further preparation of the material is time range from the Early Triassic (where it undertaken, and all of the Triassic species is currently only known from Gondwana) are studied, this new specimen, and that through to the Tertiary (Schultze 1981). described by Dziewa (1980), cannot be The Australian Triassic lungfish record confidently referred to a particular species. comprises at least six different species None the less, according to Gardiner recorded from the Gosford, Narrabeen and (1967), all Triassic saurichthyids belong to Hawkesbury Formations (Sydney Basin), the genus Saurichthys. the Blina Shales, Western Australia, Arcadia In terms of its phylogenetic position, a Formation, Queensland and the Knocklofty recent study indicates that Saurichthys is a Formation, Tasmania (Kemp 1991). Only relatively primitive actinoterygian closely a single species, Ptychoceratodus phillipsi is linked to the extant Acipensiformes, a currently recorded from Tasmania. group which includes the sturgeon and

31 KANUNNAH Patrick Bender

Fig. 2. Saurichthys skull in dorsal view, from the Early Triassic, Knocklofty Formation, Tasmania.

the paddlefish, and that are basal to the According to Dziewa the Tasmanian form neopterygians and all teleosts (Gardiner et cannot be distinguished from the following al. 2005). species: Saurichthys ornatus Stensio 1925 (Lower Triassic Spitsbergen), Saurichthys Saurichthys Agassiz, 1834 gigas or Saurichthys gracilis (Woodward A previously undescribed nearly complete 1890) from the Lower Triassic Gosford elongate skull specimen (UTGD 95496), Formation, Gosford, New South Wales from Old Beach, is 4.2 cm long and 1.8 cm (NSW), Saurichthys parvidens Wade, 1935 wide at its broadest point near the back of from the Middle Triassic Hawkesbury the skull (Fig. 2). It is 2.8 cm at its deepest Sandstone at Brookvale, NSW, or from point also near the back of the skull Saurichthys striolatus (Bronn 1858) Upper with closely spaced fine striae orientated Triassic of Raibl, Austria. Saurichthys is also obliquely on the lateral surface of the lower reported from the Blina Shale, Western jaw, forming a pattern of concentric semi- Australia, and from the Arcadia Formation circles. This specimen preserves the dorso- at Rewan Crater, south-eastern Queensland ventrally compressed posterior portion of a (see North­wood 1999). skull with no teeth visible since the lower Outside Australia, Saurichthys is a widely jaw and maxilla are compressed under the occurring Triassic genus, found in the bones of the palate and skull roof. Early Triassic of Alberta, British Columbia, The specimen of Saurichthys from China, Ellesmere Island, France, Greenland, Con­ningham in Tasmania comprised a South Africa, Spitsbergen, Madagascar, posterior portion of the right side of the Nepal, Russia (Bender and Hancox 2003, head, dermal elements of both upper and 2004; Rieppel 1992). The genus is also lower jaws, and an anterior portion of found abundantly in the Middle Triassic the opercular apparatus (Dziewa 1980). of Italy and Switzerland (Rieppel 1992). It

32 A Review of the Early Triassic Fish Remains from Tasmania KANUNNAH

Fig. 3. Acrolepis tasmanicus, paratype, in lateral view, from the Early Triassic Knocklofty Formation, Tasmania. is restricted to mainly marine sediments Acrolepis Agassiz, 1833 at its first appearance in the Early Triassic, Acrolepis tasmanicus later invading freshwater or brackish Johnston and Morton, 1891 habitats (Rieppel 1992), and thus appears Dziewa (1980) considered A. tasmanicus to have become adapted to both marine (Fig. 3) an acrolepid. A recent taxonomic and fresh waters (Beltan and Tintori 1981). revision by Gardiner and Schaeffer (1989) It potent­ially serves as a link between the confirms that it is referable to the genus marine and non-marine realms in the and is part of the Pteronisculus Group on the Early Triassic. basis of the presence of an intertemporal bone in contact with the nasal bone. Order Palaeonisciformes Hay, 1902 Family Acrolepididae Aldinger, 1937 Acrolepis? hamiltoni Gardiner and Schaeffer (1989) in their Johnston and Morton, 1890 comprehensive taxonomic revision of A single, poorly preserved specimen was primitive actinopterygian fishes, based tentatively assigned to Acrolepis? hamiltoni on endo­skeletal and dermal skeletal by Johnston and Morton 1890 (TMAG characters, refer to the palaeoniscoids as Z1377) (Fig. 4). Johnston and Morton a group of fossil lower actinopterygian genera. Furthermore, they locate the (1890) suggested that this species was acrolepids near the base of the lower closely allied to A. tasmanicus, but noted actinopterygians and thus basal to most a number of differences, including the of the Permo-Triassic lower actinop­ greater development of the vertical fins terygian taxa. and a greater number of scale rows.

33 KANUNNAH Patrick Bender

Fig. 4. Acrolepis? hamiltoni in lateral view, from the Early Triassic, Knocklofty Formation, Tasmania.

Dziewa (1980) also referred to A? hamiltoni, valent (Steve Forsyth pers. comm. 1990) noting that only the left lateral impression (Fig. 5). The specimen measures approx­ was available (this was also the only one imately 120 mm in total length from the found by the current author). After re- dorsal fin region to the end of the caudal examination of the left lateral impression fin, and 60 mm in body width posterior to and the fragmentary skull, it is concluded the dorsal fin. Impressions of the dorsal, that Johnston and Morton’s (1891) generic tail and anal fins are incompletely visible, designation of A.? hamiltoni cannot currently with the anal fin apparently triangular be improved upon, and it is therefore in shape. The scale rows appear to be suggested here that the original tentative numerous, with at least 25 posterior to generic identification be retained. the dorsal fin to the insertion of the caudal fin. The scales are relatively small and Actinopterygian of uncertain numerous, with scales in the region of the affinity dorsal fin about 1 mm x 1 mm. Evidence A faintly and poorly preserved posterior of scale ornamentation is faintly visible portion of an actinopterygian fish (TMAG as horizontal ridge impressions on the Z1771) was collected at a quarry on 10 scale surface. The specimen is preserved Mile Hill, Austins Ferry, Hobart district, in a mudstone which includes fossil plant apparently in the Tiers Formation equi­ material.

34 A Review of the Early Triassic Fish Remains from Tasmania KANUNNAH

Fig. 5. Unidentified actinopterygian specimen together with plant fragments, in lateral view, from the Early Triassic Knocklofty Formation, Tasmania.

Specimens of uncertain affinity seen on chondrichthyans (Duffin 1985). Triassic sharks include the ancestors of Fin spines modern sharks, skates and rays (neo­ A number of fin spine specimens were noted selachians), as well as three extinct in the UTAS geology collection from Old groups: the hybodontids, xenacanths Beach, and are of interest since fine spines and ctenacanths (Compagno 1973; Long have not been recorded previously from 1995; Zangerl 1973, 1981). In the latter the Knocklofty Formation. In particular, two groups the fin spines are cylindrical specimen UTGD 95501, is 4.8 cm long and and ornamented with rows of small 0.5 cm wide tapering to a point, with short thorn-like denticles (Martin 2003), where­ spines as long as to 2.5 mm present over as in the hybodontids the fin spines are most of the external surface (Fig. 6). made up of enamelled ridges (Duffin Fin spines are found in a number 1985). The fin spines from Tasmania do of different fish groups, including not appear to have the typical shape and actinopterygians and chondrichthyans, ornamentation of the hybodontids, so but stout spines with nodose ornament­ possibly belong to either the ctenacanth ation in the Mesozoic are commonly or xenacanth shark groups.

35 KANUNNAH Patrick Bender

Fig. 6. Fin-spine in lateral view, from the Early Triassic Knocklofty Formation, Tasmania.

Fossil sharks and rays have long been Formation have been successfully used known from the Mesozoic of Australia for palaeoecological research and provide (Long 1991), with sites near Sydney and evidence of cyanobacteria, insects and Gosford (Sydney Basin Triassic) being of other arthropods, and insights into the particular importance as they have yielded diversity of fish in the fauna (Northwood articulated pleuracanth shark material. 2005). In addition, coprolites have been Australia’s most complete chondrichthyan used as molecular markers to infer fossils are large pleuracanth sharks from com­ponents of diet, and have also been the Early Triassic St Peters Fauna near used to biostratigraphically correlate Sydney (Woodward 1908). exposures within a single Group (North­ wood 2005). Coprolites A variety of coprolite features including shape, surface marks, size and inclusions Three coprolite specimens (all with the have been used to assign coprolites to same specimen number UTGD 95754), specific producers (Northwood 2005). from Old Beach, are illustrated here, but The right-figured coprolite (Fig. 7) shows numerous additional specimens were noted a longitudinal striated surface pattern, in the UTAS collection. The specimens possibly produced by a fish, with the left- are 28 mm x 12 mm, 22 mm x 8 mm, and figured coprolite exhibiting spiral surface 20 mm x 18 mm in terms of height and patterning attributable to fish with a spiral diameter respectively (Fig. 7). valve (e.g. lungfish or chondrichthyes, Coprolites have been studied as J. Long pers. comm. 2006). The middle curiosities since the early 1800s (see specimen with no evidence of striations or Northwood 2005; Banks et al. 1978), spiralling is possibly amphibian in origin but there have been few detailed (Northwood 2005). studies regarding their palaeoecological significance. Coprolites from the Arcadia

36 A Review of the Early Triassic Fish Remains from Tasmania KANUNNAH

Fig. 7. Coprolites from the Early Triassic Knocklofty Formation, Tasmania.

SUMMARY New material is illustrated and des­ cribed in this paper including a pre­ Osteichthyan remains from the fresh-water viously undescribed elongate skull (Fig. 2), sediments of the Early Triassic Knocklofty with typical saurichthyid outer bone Formation of south-eastern Tasmania have ornamentation, which is placed in the been recognised since Johnston and Morton genus Saurichthys. Fin spines, possibly (1890, 1891) described actinopterygian belonging to the chondrichthyes, are remains from the Tinderbox area. Since figured and described for the first time then Dziewa (1980) described a more from the Knocklofty Formation. diverse osteichthyan assemblage, based Coprolites have been previously recorded on material collected in the early- to mid- from the Knocklofty Formation (Banks 1970s, including a dipnoan, a coelacanthid, et al. 1978). In this paper the range of and a number of lower actinopterygians. variation in coprolites from the Knock­lofty The tentative generic status of Acrolepis? Formation is illustrated, with coprolites hamiltoni is retained in this paper and the displaying longitudinal or spiral surface original placement proposed by Johnston markings thought to have been produced and Morton (1890) is supported. by fish.

37 KANUNNAH Patrick Bender

Dedication and acknowledgments

Heartfelt thanks to all my family and friends and assistance, as well as vertebrate zoology including Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery curator Kathryn Medlock and photographer (TMAG) friends and colleagues who have Simon Cuthbert who created a wonderful supported and helped me in so many ways portfolio of images for this article. Thanks to during the last few months with the passing the University of Tasmania, Department of of my father. I wish to dedicate this article Geology, in particular Professor Patrick Quilty, to the memory of Colin Bender who was the Dr Max Banks and collections manager Izzy first person to show me a Tasmanian fossil, von Lichten for their support and assistance. and whose inspiration led to my interest in the I would also to thank my previous employers strange and wonderful world of fossils. the Council for Geoscience in South Africa for I thank TMAG, particularly Andrew Roze­ project support that started years ago and has felds, who provided much encouragement contributed to this present publication.

References

Banks MR, Cosgriff JW, Kemp NR (1978) A Tasmanian Cosgriff JW (1974) Lower Triassic Temnospondyli of Triassic Stream Community. Australian Natural Tasmania. Special Paper Geological Society of America History 19(5), 150–157. 149, 1–134. Beltan L, Tintori A (1981) The genus Saurichthys Damiani RJ (1999) Parotosuchus (Amphibia, Temno­ (Pisces, Actinopterygii) during the Gondwana spondyli) In ‘Gondwana: biostratigraphic and Period. In ‘Proceedings of the fifth International palaeobiogeographic implications’. South African Gondwana Symposium’, Wellington, New Journal of Science 95, 458–460. Zealand, February 1980 (Eds MM Creswell, P Duffin CJ (1985) Revision of the hybodont selachian Vella) pp. 53–59. genus Lissodus Brough (1935). Palaeontographica Bender PA, Hancox PJ (2003) Fossil fishes of the Abt. A 188 (4–6), 105–152. Lystrosaurus and Cynognathus Assemblage Zones, Dziewa T (1980) Early Triassic osteichthyans from Beaufort Group, South Africa: Correlative the Knocklofty Formation of Tasmania. Papers Implications. Council for Geoscience South Africa and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 114, Bulletin 136, 1–27. 145–160. Bender PA, Hancox PJ (2004) Newly discovered fish Erwin DH (1993) ‘The Great Paleozoic Crisis: Life and faunas from the Early Triassic, Karoo Basin, South Death in the Permian.’ (Columbia University Press: Africa, and their correlative implications. Gondwana New York) Research 7(1), 185–192. Gardiner BG (1967) Further notes on palaeoniscoid Borsuk-Bialynicka M, Cook E, Evans SE, Maryanska fishes with a classification of the Chondrostei. Bulletin T (1999) A microvertebrate assemblage from the British Museum (Natural History) 14(5), 143–206. Early Triassic of Poland. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 44(2), 167–188. Gardiner BG, Schaeffer B (1989) Interrelationships of lower actinopterygian fishes. Zoological Journal of the Campbell KSW, Barwick RE (1987) Palaeozoic Linnean Society (London) 97, 135–187. lungfishes – a review. Journal of Morphology 190, 93–131. Gardiner BG, Schaeffer B, Masserie JA (2005) A review of the lower actinopterygian phylogeny. Zoological Compagno LJV (1973) Interrelationships of living Journal of the Linnean Society 144, 511–525. elasmobranches. In ‘Interrelationships of fishes’. (Eds PH Greenwood, RS Miles, C Patterson) Gastaldo RA, Adendroff R, Bamford M, Labandeira Supplement No. 1. Zoological Journal of the Linnean CC, Neveling J, Sims H (2005) Taphonomic trends Society 53, 15–62. of macrofloral assemblages across the Permian- Triassic Boundary, Karoo Basin, South Africa. Palaios 20, 479 – 49 7.

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Gradstein FM, Ogg JG, Smith, A (2005) ‘A Geologic Neveling J (2004) Stratigraphic and sedimentological Time Scale 2004.’ (Cambridge University Press: investigation of the contact between the Lystrosaurus New York) and the Cynognathus Assemblage Zones (Beaufort Griffith J (1978) A fragmentary specimen of Group: Karoo Supergroup). Council for Geoscience Saurichthys sp from the Upper Beaufort Series of Bulletin 137, 1–164. South Africa. Annals of the South African Museum Northwood C (1997) Palaeontological interpretations 6(8), 29 9 – 3 07. of the Early Triassic Arcadia Formation, Queens­ Johnston RM, Morton A (1890) Notes on the discovery land. (Unpublished PhD thesis, La Trobe University: of a ganoid fish in the Knocklofty Sandstones, Melbourne) Hobart. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Northwood C (1999) Actinopterygians from the Early Tasmania (for the year 1889), 102–104. Triassic Arcadia Formation, Queensland, Australia. Johnston RM, Morton A (1891) Description of a second Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 43(2), 787–796. ganoid fish from the Lower Mesozoic Sandstones Northwood C (2005) Early Triassic coprolites from near Tinder-Box Bay. Papers and Proceedings of Australia and their palaeobiological significance. the Royal Society of Tasmania (for the year 1890), Palaeontology 48(1), 49–68. 152–154. Rieppel O (1992) A new species of the genus Saurichthys Kemp A (1991) Australian Mesozoic and Cenozoic (Pisces: Actinopterygii) from the Middle Triassic of lungfish. In ‘Vertebrate Palaeontology of Aust­ Monte San Giorgio (Switzerland), with comments ralasia’. (Eds P Vickers-Rich, JM Monaghan, RF on the phylogenetic interrelationships of the genus. Baird, T Rich) pp. 465–498. (Pioneer Design Studio: Palaeontographica 221, 63–94. Melbourne) Ritchie A (1981) First complete specimen of the Kemp A (1996) Triassic Lungfish from Gondwana. In dipnoan Gosfordia truncata Woodward from the ‘Mesozoic Fishes – Systematics and Paleoecology’. Triassic of New South Wales. Records of the Australian (Eds G Arratia, G Viohl) pp. 409–416. (Verlag Dr. Museum 33(11), 606–616. Friedrich Pfeil: München, Germany) Schultze H-P (1981) Das Schädeldach eines Kemp A (1997a) A revision of Australian Mesozoic and ceratodontiden Lungenfishes aus der Trias Süd­ Cenozoic lungfish of the family Neoceratodontidae deutschlands (Dipnoi, Pisces). Stuttgarter Beiträge (Osteichthyes: Dipnoi) with a description of four zur Natukunde, Series B 70, 1–31. new species Journal of Paleontology 7(4), 713–733. Schultze H-P (1992) Dipnoi. In ‘Fossilium catalogus. Kemp A (1997b) Four species of Metaceratodus I. Animalia’. (Ed. F. Westphal), Pars 131: 1-464 (Osteichthyes, Dipnoi, Family Ceratodontidae) (Kugler Publications: Amsterdam/New York). from the Australian Mesozoic. Journal of Vertebrate Smith R, Botha J (2005) The recovery of terrestrial Palaeontology 17(1), 26–33. vertebrate diversity in the South African Karoo Long JA (1991) The long history of Australian fossil Basin after the end-Permian extinction. Comptes fishes. In ‘Vertebrate Palaeontology of Australasia’. Rendus Palevol 4, 555–568. (Eds P Vickers-Rich, JN Monaghan, RF Baird, TH Thulborn RA (1986) The Australian Triassic tetrapod Rich) pp. 336–428. (Pioneer Design Studio with faunas of south eastern Gondwana. Alcheringa 10, Monash University Publications Committee: 297–313. Melbourne) Thulborn RA (1990) Mammal-like reptiles of Aust­ Long JA (1993) Preface. In ‘Palaeozoic vertebrate ralia. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 28, 169. biostratigraphy and biogeography’. (Ed. JA Long) (Belhaven Press: London) Turner S (1982) Saurichthys (Pisces, Actinopterygii) from the Early Triassic of Queensland. Memoirs of Long JA (1995) ‘The rise of the fishes.’ (University of the Queensland Museum 20, 545–551. New South Wales Press: Sydney) Twitchett D (2001) Incompleteness of the Permian/ Lucas SG (1998) Global tetrapod biostratigraphy Triassic fossil record: a consequence of productivity and biochronology. Paleogeography Paleoclimatology decline? Geological Journal 36, 341–353. Paleoecology 143, 347–384. Wade RT (1935) ‘The Triassic fishes of Brookvale, Martin M (1981) Les Ceratodontiformes (Dipnoi) de New South Wales.’ (British Museum of Natural Gadoufaoua (Aptien supérieur, Niger). Bulletin du History: London) Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, 4ème série, section C. 3, 267–282. White EI (1966) Presidential Address – a little on lungfishes.Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London Martin RA (2003) ‘Biology of sharks and rays.’ www. 177, 1–10. elasmo-research.org/copyright.htm

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Woodward AS (1890) The fossil fishes of the Zangerl R (1973) Interrelationships of early Hawkesbury Series at Gosford. Memoirs of the chondrichthyans. In ‘Interrelationships of fishes’. Geological Survey of New South Wales, Palaeontology (Eds PH Greenwood, RS Miles, C Patterson) 4, 1–55. Supplement No. 1. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Woodward AS (1908) The fossil fishes of the Society 53, 1–14. Hawkesbury Series at St. Peter’s. Memoirs of the Zangerl R (1981) Chondrichthyes I. Paleozoic Geological Survey of New South Wales, Palaeontology Elasmobranchii. In ‘Handbook of Paleoichthyology’. 10, 1–29. (Eds H-P Schultze, O Kuhn) (Gustav Fischer Verlag: Stuttgart)

40 A New Species of Eucalyptus, Series Radiatae, subgenus Monocalyptus, (Myrtaceae) from north-western Tasmania

A.M. Gray

Gray, A.M. 2008. A new species of Eucalyptus, series Radiatae, subgenus­ Monocalyptus (Myrtaceae) from north-western Tasmania. Kanunnah 3: 41–48. ISSN 1832-536X. A new species Eucalyptus nebulosa A.M.Gray is described from Serpentine Ridge west of the Huskisson River in north-western Tasmania. Notes on its distribution, affinities and ecology are also included.

A.M. Gray, Tasmanian Herbarium, Private Bag 4, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia.

Key Words: Eucalyptus, Monocalyptus, Myrtaceae, Tasmania, Australia, Serpentine endemic.

The large genus Eucalyptus is represented pat­terns within the state, tending to show in Tasmania by 30 species, of which habitat preferences for soils that are derived seventeen are endemic. In addition three from particular geological substrates. subspecies are also endemic to Tasmania. Eucalyptus amygdalina Labill. is the The series Radiatae (Chippendale 1998) of most widespread species, inhabiting the subgenus Monocalyptus is represented in drier areas of the south-east, southern Tasmania by eight species, including the Mid­lands, east coast, north-east and species described in this paper; of these, northern Tasmania. In the south-east, seven are endemic in the state. Another the species is generally associated with species has been ascribed in the past to Triassic sedimentary formations, with Eucalyptus radiata Sieber ex DC. subsp. isolated occurrences on Jurassic substrates robertsonii (Blakely) L.A.S. Johnson and (dolerite). Elsewhere within its range it is Blaxell, but its current taxonomic status is equally widespread on sedimentary and in some doubt and there is some question Jurassic dolerite substrates. as to whether the species is conspecific Eucalyptus pulchella Desf. is a species with the Australian mainland tree or largely restricted to the south-east of the whether it is an, as yet, undescribed taxon state, with isolated outliers in the southern (Williams and Potts 1996). Midlands and the central east coast. It is Six of the seven previously recognised almost always associated with Jurassic species demonstrate interesting distrib­ution dolerite, from sea-level to c. 650 m.

41 KANUNNAH A.M. Gray

Eucalyptus risdonii Hook.f. is a species In south-western and far north-west­ of very restricted range in the south- ern Tasmania, where rainfall is highest, east of the state, on the eastern shores of extremely impoverished, leached, skeletal the River Derwent, opposite the city of soils are derived from quartzites, schists Hobart. Here it is almost confined to the and conglomerates of chiefly Cambrian Permian formations of the low, dry hills of and Precambrian age. Serpentinites also the Meehan Range. occur here and occupy a fairly extensive A species closely related to the former, area between the Huskisson and Wilson but far more widely distributed, is Euc­ Rivers, major tributaries of the Pieman alyptus tenuiramis Miq. This species is also River, in north-western Tasmania. Here, usually associated with impoverished the diversity of the vegetation is indicative soils on Permian sedimentary substrates in of the relative fertility and better drainage the south-east, and southern Midlands, characteristics of the soils derived from this although a few populations occur on Tri­ rock type and a new species of Eucalyptus, a­ssic sediments in wetter localities. How­ the major tree species occupying this ever, there are some interesting disjunct ecological niche, has been recognised. populations of this species occurring on the central, southern coastal areas of the Eastern Tiers and on the Freycinet Peninsula. The Taxonomy populations of the Tiers are associated Eucalyptus nebulosa with Jurassic dolerite while those of the A.M.Gray sp. nov. Peninsula are on sands and gravels derived E. nitidae et E. cocciferae affinis sed differt from Devonian granites. ab illa foliis adultis plerumque latioribus non Eucalyptus nitida Hook.f. occurs on very nitidis glaucis, foliis juvenibus minoribus late poor soils mainly derived from Cam­ ellipticis et cortice trunci ramorumque laevi brian and Precambrian formations. The decorticato pulveraceo-niveo vel pallide griseo, species is widespread in the south-west, ab hac alabastris multum parvioribus, capsulis west and far north-west of the state, from non glaucis, disco angustiore convexo, et foliis sea-level to c. 750 m. Eucalyptus nitida is adultis subfalcatis tenuioribus longioribus the only species of the series to occur angustioribusque. extra-mainland Tasmania. Populations of trees and mallees, of nearest affinity Type to E. nitida sens. lat., are widespread on some islands of the Furneaux Group, in Serpentine Ridge, just north of the Pieman Bass Strait. Road, c. 7 km west of the Huskisson River, Eucalyptus coccifera Hook.f. is a species 41° 42' S, 145° 24' E, A.M.Gray 1368, 6 May of sub-alpine distribution on many of the 2004 (holotype HO 527538; isotypes AD, dolerite (Jurassic) mountains and plateaus CANB, MEL, NSW). of the state, with the exception of the far A small tree, 3.5−5(−7) m tall; trunk west and the plateaus of the north-east. usually unbranched for approximately The two latter species are discussed in the lower two thirds, then sparsely and further detail, later in this work. evenly branched, the branches angled at

42 A New Species of Eucalyptus KANUNNAH

Fig. 1. Holotype of Eucalyptus nebulosa (HO 527538).

43 KANUNNAH A.M. Gray

Fig. 2. Distal portion of ‘wild’ seedling of E. nebulosa (HO 527211).

44 A New Species of Eucalyptus KANUNNAH c. 30°−60° to the axis; ultimate branchlets of the hypanthium; hypanthium narrowly glaucous; young stems of seedlings and obconical, 2−3 mm long; flowers at anthesis coppice shoots prominently warty-tuber­ 5–8 mm in diameter, (including stamens), culate and deep reddish in colour. Bark stamens pale creamy-white. Mature fruit smooth throughout, decorticating in hemispherical or sub-turbinate, minutely small, elongated strips or short ribbons; verrucose, sub-glau­cous, 3–5 mm long, freshly exposed bark dull cream-white 3–5 mm wide, on short, compressed and chalky-dusty, occasionally yellowish pedicels to 2(−3) mm long; disc narrow, or pale greenish-bronze and ageing to dull level or convex; valves 3–5, erect to grey or grey-green, branch bark similar, enclosed, with the tips membranous. with some compression wrinkles evident Seeds cuneiform, angular, dull reddish to at major angles; canopy umbrageous, dark brown in colour. Flowering period: open and with an overall bluish-grey hue. December through to March. Juvenile leaves opposite, sessile to very shortly petiolate, petioles up to c. 2 mm Additional specimens examined long; lamina elliptic, 25−45 mm long, (10)– Tasmania (all HO) 15−25 mm wide, grey-blue when fresh, Pieman Rd, Serpentine Ridge, 41°43' S, concolorous, thickly coriaceous, oil glands 145°24' E, A.M.Gray s.n., 2 April 1990; obscure; lateral veins from 30°−50° to the Pieman Rd, c. 2 km east of the Wilson River, midrib, distinct; intramarginal vein 1.0−1.5 41°42' S, 145°23' E, A.M.Gray 1367, 6 May mm from margins; apex acute to apiculate; 2004; Pieman Rd, 3 km east of the Wilson base rounded. Adult leaves alternate, River, 41°42' S, 145°23' E, A.M.Gray 1370, long-petiolate; petioles 10−15(−20) mm 6 May 2004; Pieman Rd, 5 km east of the long; lamina narrow elliptic, sub-falcate, Wilson River 41°43' S, 145°25' E, A.M.Gray 50−80(−110) mm long, 8−12(−15) mm 1373, 6 May 2004. wide, pale blue-grey, glaucous, dull never glossy (either fresh or dry when young) though older leaves may become sub-glossy Notes after abrasion of cuticle wax, concolorous, Distribution and ecology weakly coriaceous; oil glands numerous, large; lateral veins 10°−20°(−30°) to the Eucalyptus nebulosa forms an extensive midrib, distinct; intramarginal vein 0.5– and discrete population between the 1.0 mm from margins, obscure; apex long- Wilson and Huskisson Rivers, tributaries acuminate, uncinate; base attenuated. of the Pieman River, in the northern part Inflorescence 7–11(−15) flowered or fewer of the west coastal region of Tasmania. It by abortion; peduncle (3)–5–10 mm long, is the dominant tree species on Cambrian terete, angular to biconvex, wrinkled, serpentine rock formations featuring low expanded toward the distal portion. Buds hills and ridges, at altitudes between clavate, glandular, sub-glaucous, sessile c. 200 and 300 metres. Understorey or with pedicels 2–3 mm long; operculum taxa associated with E. nebulosa include hemispherical, distinctly umbonate, 1.0– Acacia mucronata Willd. ex Wendl.f. 1.5 mm long and wide, < 1/3 the length subsp. mucronata, Banksia marginata Cav.,

45 KANUNNAH A.M. Gray

Fig. 3. Habitat photograph of E. nebulosa, Serpentine Ridge, Tasmania.

Hakea epiglottis Labill. subsp. epiglottis, E. nitida, a closely related species, at shared Cenarrhenes nitida Labill., Bauera rubioides boundaries of populations. The closest Andr., Spyridium gunnii (Hook.f.) Benth. population of E. coccifera (from Tasmanian and Micrantheum serpentinum Orchard, Herbarium records) is at Black Bluff, a a Tasmanian serpentine endemic. The dolerite range, c. 40 km to the north-east, entire population appears to be remark­ at an altitude of c. 850 metres. ably homo­genous with no other Euca­ lyptus species evident; the limits of the Discussion population also appear to be defined by Although Eucalyptus nebulosa, E. coccifera the serpentine formation. Surrounding and E. nitida are closely related within the population, and associated with a series Radiatae, E. nebulosa forms a large, different geology, are other species of discrete population of trees of distinctive Eucalyptus, including E. nitida Hook.f., E. and homogenous character confined, as obliqua L’Hér. and, rarely, a form of E. ovata far as has been observed, to the serpentine Labill. Although detailed investigations geology in a small and uninhabited area of have yet to be undertaken, there appears the state. Eucalyptus nebulosa differs from to be little evidence of introgression E. nitida in the mostly broader, distinctive between E. nebulosa and the sympatric grey-blue glaucous, non-glossy new adult

46 A New Species of Eucalyptus KANUNNAH

poor soils. It is commonly a small, multi- stemmed shrub (mallee) with smooth, yellow-greenish bark, decorticating from the base to the crown in long, narrow ribbons; this form is widespread on the buttongrass sedgelands throughout much of western and south-western Tasmania. On the deeper, more fertile soils of river valleys in the far south, very tall, sometimes even massive trees are not uncommon, Pieman River with smooth, yellow bark decorticating in elongated patches and ribbons throughout or fibrous and persistent to the major branches. Eucalyptus coccifera is almost exclusively a sub-alpine species, occurring Hobart at altitudes of above c. 650 metres thence to the tree-line which, in Tasmania, is at c. 1000 metres; it is widespread between these altitudes on the Central Plateau, north-west and the south-east, and nearly Fig. 4. Distribution of E. nebulosa population. always associated with Jurassic dolerite. The species has not been recorded from leaves and in the smaller, broadly elliptical the higher dolerite mountains of the north- juvenile leaves, and the smooth, powdery- east of the state. white to pale-grey bark of the trunk and larger branches. It differs from E. coccifera Conservation status in the much smaller mature buds and non- As far as is known, E. nebulosa occupies glaucous fruits, with a narrower, convex an extensive, remote area of more than 15 disc, and thinner, longer, narrower, sub- km2 and constitutes the major component falcate adult leaves. of the woody vegetation of this tract of Eucalyptus nitida and E. coccifera occupy land. It is locally abundant and, apart different ecological ranges. However, it from the remote possibility of extensive has been demonstrated that E. nitida may fire or mining operations, not considered show a clinal variation to forms very to be at risk. close to E. coccifera (Shaw et al. 1984). Of Etymology the Tasmanian representatives of series Radiatae, E. nitida is, perhaps, the most The specific name nebulosa (Latin, nebulosus: variable. Generally E. nitida occurs from misty, cloudy) refers to the smoky/hazy sea-level to c. 750 metres and is usually aspect of the bluish-grey leafy crowns of associated with quartzites, schists and the population as viewed from a distance. other rocks of Precambrian or Cambrian A common name, ‘serpentine peppermint’, age with skeletal, siliceous, nutrient- is proposed.

47 KANUNNAH A.M. Gray

Key throughout, decorticating in short strips (separating E. nebulosa from E. coccifera and or ribbons, with exposed surfaces cream- E. nitida) white to grey-green, often ‘chalky- 1 Adult leaves usually glossy-green, dusty’ — 2 falcate; juvenile leaves green to sub- 2 Adult leaves thick, coriaceous, elliptic- glaucous, ovate-elliptic, 45−65 mm lanceolate, rarely subfalcate; mature long, 25−35 mm broad; bark sub-fibrous capsules 7−11 mm long, 10−13 mm throughout or for varying distances on wide; bark seldom chalky. Subalpine the lower trunk, or decorticating from tree, widespread on dolerite mountains the trunk and branches in long ribbons and plateaus at > 650 m altitude — with exposed surfaces yellow-cream to E. coccifera grey-green — E. nitida 2 Adult leaves relatively thin, scarcely 1 Adult leaves glaucous, bluish-grey, dull coriaceous, falcate-lanceolate; mature at first but sometimes sub-glossy with capsules 3−5 mm long, 3−5 mm wide; age, narrow elliptic, sub-falcate; juvenile bark usually chalky. Small, lowland leaves glaucous, elliptic, 25−45 mm trees confined to serpentine geology at long, 15−25 mm broad; bark smooth < 350 m altitude — E. nebulosa

Acknowledgments

I am grateful to Dr Gintaras Kantvilas, Tas­ Matthew Baker (HO) was responsible for the manian Herbarium (HO), who offered useful habitat photograph and also greatly assisted comments and kindly translated the Latin with the presentation of the figures. I am also diagnosis. Dr Marco Duretto (HO) provided grateful to Timm Newlands (HO) for final encouragement and offered much useful proof reading of the manuscript. criticism and assistance with the manuscript.

References

Chippendale GM (1988) ‘Flora of Australia 19, coccifera Hook.f. Australian Journal of Botany 32, Myrtaceae’, pp. 185−192. (Australian Government 641–654. Publishing Service: Canberra) Williams KJ, Potts BM (1969) The natural Shaw MJ, Potts BM, Reid JB (1984) Variation within distribution of Eucalyptus species in Tasmania. and between Eucalyptus nitida Hook.f. and E. Tasforests 8, 96–98.

48 An illustrated and annotated key to the Tasmanian species of Senecio (Asteraceae)

Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

Wapstra M., Thompson I.R., Buchanan A.M. 2008. An illustrated and annotated key to the Tasmanian species of Senecio (Asteraceae). Kanunnah 3: 49–93. ISSN 1832-536X. A key to the Tasmanian species of Senecio (Asteraceae) is presented, including all native and naturalised species, subspecies and varieties (41 taxa in total). Two species formerly placed in Senecio, Delairea odorata Lem. and Brachyglottis brunonis (Hook.f.) B.Nord., are also included. An illustrated glossary of terms is provided, together with comments on the identification and discrimination of taxa and distribution maps.

Mark Wapstra, Environmental Consulting Options Tasmania 28 Suncrest Avenue, Lenah Valley, Tasmania, 7008, Australia. Email: [email protected] Ian Thompson, School of Botany, The University of Melbourne Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia. Email: [email protected] Alex Buchanan, Tasmanian Herbarium GPO Box 252-04, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia. Email: [email protected]

Key Words: Senecio, groundsel, fireweed, Asteraceae, key, Tasmania.

Senecio is a large cosmopolitan genus com­ centropappus F.Muell. for which the name prising about 1250 species (Bremer 1994). Brachyglottis brunonis (Hook.f.) B.Nord. is Australia has 87 native species (Thompson current. Curtis (1963) did not recognise any 2006) and ten naturalised species, the varieties or subspecies in Senecio. latter mostly from South Africa and some Buchanan (2005) in the Census of Vas­ from Europe. Curtis (1963) in Part 2 of the cular Plants to Tasmania updated the list Student’s Flora of Tasmania recognised 22 of species of Senecio present in Tasmania, species in Senecio, four being naturalised mainly from the recent taxonomic work and eighteen native. Two have since been of Thompson (2004a–d, 2005). Excluding transferred to other genera, these being the hybrid taxa (only S. Xorarius J.M.Black introduced S. mikanioides Otto ex Harv., is currently recognised in Buchanan now known as Delairea odorata Lem., and S. (2005) but is herein not considered

49 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

worthy of taxonomic recognition) and S. or varieties often requires microscopic pectinatus var. major F.Muell. ex Belcher examination of capitula, stems or leaves. (now recognised by Thompson (2006) However, an annotated and illustrated as a mainland endemic), S. linearifolius glossary is provided following the key var. latifolius (that is herein recognised as to explain technical terms. Each species present) and S. georgianus (hitherto not has some accompanying notes on its recognised by Buchanan (2005)), 41 taxa recognition (in particular, confusing of Senecio are now recognised in Tasmania species or characters), distribution and (Buchanan 2005). Of the 29 native species, habitat (also following the key). one is represented by two subspecies, one Fresh or dried material may be used by one subspecies, two by one variety, one in the key below. Working with fresh by four varieties and one by five varieties. material, especially flowering material, Seven taxa are endemic to Tasmania. The is often much easier. Decisions at each four naturalised species are S. angulatus, couplet should be made after considering S. elegans, S. jacobaea and S. vulgaris. All as many of the characters mentioned as Tasmanian species, except Senecio angulatus possible. As with most complex keys, which is a climber, are herbaceous and familiarity breeds confidence. It is recom­ may be woody basally. mended that users of the key try to The almost doubling of the number identify taxa familiar to them to get used of Tasmanian Senecio taxa since Curtis to the terminology. (1963) has prompted the construction of the following key. It is mainly intended What material needs to assist field workers to identify this to be collected complex suite of species without needing Some taxa of Senecio require very little to delve into more complex taxonomic material to identify them with confidence papers. However, for recent descriptions of (e.g. some subalpine radiate species Tasmanian species, the reader is referred can be identified from basal rosettes to Thompson (2004a–d, 2005, 2006). With of leaves with no flowering material), three species listed as threatened on the although many require carefully collected Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act specimens that include the root system, 1995, and several others known from very representative parts of the stem, leaves few records (including several that qualify from different parts of the stem and a as ‘presumed extinct’ because they have range of flower ages (e.g. most of the non- not been recorded for more than 50 years), radiate species, i.e. the disciform species). it is important that field workers can Several specimens collected from a site can correctly identify species of Senecio. make identification easier as the presence of characteristics such as coarse hairs on Some notes on using the key stems and leaves, cobwebby hairs on As with most keys, it is difficult to avoid flowerheads and hairs on achenes can the use of technical terms, especially in vary depending on the age of plants so it the case of a genus like Senecio, in which is often desirable to develop a ‘population the identification of species, subspecies picture’, rather than rely on identification

50 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH from a single specimen. With the disciform Hybrids between disciform and radiate species, it is particularly important to species are usually identifiable by the collect mature achenes because young presence of ligules that are shorter (mostly achenes will be considerably shorter and 0.5–4 mm long), and narrower than those less hairy than their mature counterparts. seen in radiate species, and, in the field, by Collected material should be pressed the identification of populations of parent promptly, especially for taxa with larger species in the vicinity. leaves prone to curling, and for those Several hybrids between radiate and with large radiate flowerheads that wither disciform species have been recognised quickly. If prompt curation is not possible, as occurring in Tasmania. One is a hybrid notes should be made on the length and between S. pinnatifolius and S. biserratus. number of ray florets in radiate species This entity was described as S. Xorarius as this is easier to do with fresh material. (Black 1928). It occurs infrequently on the Specimens will stay fresh if carefully Victorian and South Australian coasts, wrapped in moist (but not wet) paper towel and only one Tasmanian specimen at (or moss) and kept cool for transport. Some the Tasmanian Herbarium has been fleshy leaved species will require careful determined as this entity. It does not curation to avoid development of mould. appear to form stable populations and Light pressing is recommended for all taxa plants are sterile (Lawrence 1980); thus to avoid overly deforming flowerheads (or is not considered worthy of taxonomic measuring the diameter of the flowerheads recognition. The other recognised hybrid upon collection is advised). If far enough is between S. linearifolius var. linearifolius advanced at the time of collection, achenes and S. minimus. There are a few collections may develop to maturity during pressing. of this hybrid from both Tasmania and Victoria. Hybrids between S. linearifolius Species nomenclature (unknown variety but probably var. Botanical nomenclature follows Buchanan linearifolius) and S. hispidulus have also been (2005), except where indicated in the observed recently (M. Wapstra, pers. obs.) species’ notes, and vernacular nomen­ in the north-east (Elephant Pass) and the clature follows Wapstra et al. (2005). An south-east (Surges Bay). asterisk (*) next to the botanical name in Hybrids between disciform species may the key and notes indicates that the species key with difficulty to a recognised taxon is naturalised in Tasmania. and users of the key should be cautious if a hybrid is suspected – collection of A note on hybrids additional possible parent material from Species of Senecio readily hybridise, both the vicinity may be necessary to help within and between the two morph­ confirm identification of such entities. ologically distinct groups (i.e. the radiate Hybridisation between non-radiate parents and disciform species). Hybrids are not has been recorded from mainland Aust­ralia inc­luded in the present key but are discussed and is a possibility in Tasmania wherever in the notes below each species in the species co-occur (up to five species of key that may be possible parent species. Senecio can co-occur together).

51 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

(generally difficult to access), many parts of the central, eastern and northern Midlands (mainly private property), parts of the north-east and several areas in the north- west (notably much of the private property areas and two offshore islands). This map also shows that many areas of the state are represented by numerous collections. Of note are the coastal areas, many of the Bass Strait islands, parts of the Central Highlands and around the major population centres in the Tamar (Launceston) and Derwent (Hobart) river systems. Macquarie Island, a sub-antarctic island administered by Tasmania, is not included on the distrib­ ution maps because no species of Senecio Fig. 1. Distribution records for all Tasmanian are known from there (Buchanan 2005). species of Senecio. Conservation status Distribution maps Three species are presently listed as Maps are based on specimens held by threatened on the Tasmanian Threatened the Tasmanian Herbarium (excluding Species Protection Act 1995 (S. macrocarpus as unidentified specimens), specimens from extinct, and S. squarrosus and S. velleioides Mark Wapstra’s personal herbarium, and as rare). Several other species, most notably records of threatened taxa held by the S. campylocarpus, S. extensus, S. georgianus, Threatened Species Section of the Depart­ S. hispidissimus, S. longipilus, S. microbasis, S. ment of Primary Industries and Water. It phelleus, S. psilocarpus, S. tasmanicus and S. should be noted that not all the records vagus) are represented by limited and/or early from the latter source are supported by collections. It may be premature, however, confirmed herbarium specimens. Distrib­ to consider these species as either extinct (in ution maps and notes are provided as a the case of species not recorded for many guide only and should not be used as a decades) or threatened (in the case of species reliable method of identification. Several represented by only a few collections). The species, for example, are currently known recent rediscovery of S. campylocarpus from only from the Bass Strait islands or from the heart of Campbell Town and recent scant records from one part of the state, but collections of S. phelleus from a popular such species may be more widespread. walking track just south of Hobart attest All records for Tasmanian Senecio are to the need for more collecting. Through shown in Fig. 1. This map clearly demon­ increased familiarity with Tasmanian strates that several parts of the state are species of Senecio, it is likely that further represented by very few or no collections: collections will be made of species that are in particular, several parts of the south-west currently poorly represented in herbaria.

52 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

Key to the Tasmanian species of Senecio (and some allied taxa)

1a Plants glabrous, scrambling, twining 6b Involucre 4–15 mm long, > 2 mm dia­ or climbing; leaves distinctly petiolate meter; disc florets > 30; ray florets c. and with a lobate lamina 1–2 times as 13, or more; leaves sometimes lobate long as broad — 2 or pinnatisect — 10 1b Plants glabrous or hairy, not growing 7a All leaves appearing entire — as above; leaves various, not entirely S. linearifolius var. linearifolius as above — 3 7b At least the stem leaves callus-dent­ 2a Capitula radiate; leaves dark green, iculate, denticulate or dentate — 8 with lamina generally longer than 8a New axillary growth densely cob­ broad and with base truncate to webby to woolly; involucre mostly > cuneate; petiole 1–4 cm long; stipules 4.0 mm long — S. linearifolius var. absent — S. angulatus* arachnoideus 2b Capitula discoid; leaves pale green, 8b New axillary growth glabrous or lamina about as broad as long and only sparsely cobwebby; involucre with base strongly cordate (heart- 2.5–4.0 mm long — 9 shaped); petiole 4–7 cm long; 9a Mid- to upper-stem leaves less than kidney-shaped stipules present — 25 mm wide and with length:width Delairea odorata* ratio > 4; leaf-base attenuate to cuneate 3a Capitula radiate — 4 — S. linearifolius var. denticulatus 3b Capitula not radiate — 23 9b Mid- to upper-stem leaves more than 4a Woody shrubs or trees, 2–4 m high; 25 mm wide, or if narrower then leaves linear, with margins entire, viscid length:width ratio < 4 and/or with leaf- (Mts Wellington and Dromedary) — base broad-cuneate, truncate or cordate Brachyglottis brunonis (heart-shaped) — S. linearifolius var. 4b Herbaceous plants (sometimes woody latifolius basally), to 2 m high; leaves various, 10a Leaves bi- or tri-pinnatisect, with not viscid (distribution various) — 5 ultimate segments variable in width; 5a Ligules of ray florets crimson to calycular bracteoles narrow-lance­ purple, or rarely white (and if white, olate, to c. 0.5 mm wide; achenes of then inflorescences of several capitula) ray florets glabrous but those of disc — S. elegans* florets hairy — S. jacobaea* 5b Ligules of ray florets yellow, or if ever 10b Leaves not bi- or tri-pinnatisect, cream or whitish then inflorescences or if so with all ultimate segments of a single capitulum — 6 of leaves similarly narrow and 6a Involucre < 5.5 mm long, < 2 mm with calycular bracteoles ovate to diameter; disc florets < 30; ray florets lanceolate, 0.7–1.6 mm wide; achenes 4–8; leaves never lobate or pinnatisect either all hairy or all glabrous — 11 — 7 (S. linearifolius)

53 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

11a Plants rosette-forming; leaves/bracts mostly of 3 or more capitula; ligules above mid-stem much smaller than yellow — S. leptocarpus basal leaves; calycular bracteoles 15b Leaves 1–4 mm wide, with teeth 1 or narrow-oblong, > 4 mm long (mostly 2 per side; inflorescences of a single montane to alpine) — 12 capitulum; ligules white or cream — 11b Plants not rosette-forming, or if so S. albogilvus then calycular bracteoles ovate, <_ 3 16a Leaves entire or denticulate to mm long; largest leaves occurring dentate, strongly amplexicaul; caly­ along stems (mostly lowland) — 16 cular bracteoles up to 4; plants often 12a Leaves distinctly hairy; stem leaves/ glaucous — S. velleioides bracts up to 5 (excluding distal-most 16b Leaves variously dissected, not 1 cm of stem) — 13 or hardly amplexicaul; calycular 12b Leaves glabrous or nearly so; stem bracteoles 6 or more; plants not leaves/bracts 5–15 (excluding distal- glaucous — 17 most 1 cm of stem) — 14 17a Calycular bracteoles 5–10 mm long; 13a Basal leaves not spathulate (demar­ phyllaries with conspicuous dark hairs; cation between petiole and blade more ligules 7- or 8-veined — S. vagus or less abrupt), usually at least some > 15 subsp. vagus mm wide; upper surface lacking broad- 17b Calycular bracteoles 1–3 mm long; based coarse hairs; inflorescences of phyllaries glabrous; ligules mostly 1–4 capitula — S. primulifolius 4-veined — 18 13b Basal leaves spathulate, < 15 mm 18a Leaves bi- or tri-pinnatisect; stems wide; upper surface with broad-based succulent; capitula and leaves rather coarse septate hairs to c. 1.5 mm crowded (Bass Strait islands) — long (or their stout residual bases); S. pinnatifolius var. capillifolius inflorescences of a single capitulum 18b Leaves not bi-pinnatisect, or if so — S. papillosus then stems not or hardly succulent; 14a Leaves deeply lobate to pinnatisect, capitula and leaves crowded or lax with 3–6 more or less oblong segments (widespread) — 19 per side, concolorous or nearly so; 19a Stereome of inner phyllaries more inflorescences of 1 capitulum (rarely than twice as broad as stereome of 2); ligules yellow — S. pectinatus var. outer phyllaries measured c. 1 mm pectinatus below apex, and usually bordered by 14b Leaves less dissected than above, with a purple chevron; margins of outer 1–several serrations or somewhat phyllaries c. as broad as the stereome triangular lobes per side, markedly 1 mm below apex — S. pinnatifolius discolorous; inflorescences of 1 or var. lanceolatus more capitula; ligules yellow, white, 19b Stereome of inner phyllaries less than or cream — 15 twice as broad as that of outer phyllaries 15a Leaves 4–10 mm wide, with teeth or measured c. 1 mm below apex, usually lobes 3 or more per side; inflorescences not bordered by a purple chevron but

54 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

sometimes weakly so; margin of outer 24a Capitula discoid, with florets 10–16; phyllaries narrower than stereome corolla of all florets 5-lobed and 1 mm below apex — 20 markedly dilated distally; plant 20a Leaves halfway to 2/3 along stems/ aromatic, usually quite glaucous — major branches broadest beyond mid­ S. odoratus leaf and/or with marginal points or 24b Capitula disciform with florets mostly segments clearly more numerous in more than 16; corolla of outer florets distal half of leaf; peduncles commonly hardly dilated distally and less than hairy at flowering (montane to alpine) 5-lobed; plants not usually aromatic, — S. pinnatifolius var. alpinus not glaucous — 25 20b Leaves halfway to 2/3 along stems/ 25a Plants greyish in appearance with a major branches not broadest beyond cottony to woolly indumentum of midleaf and with marginal points or fine hairs at least on stems and lower segments not more numerous in distal surface of leaves; coarse hairs absent half; peduncles commonly glabrous — S. quadridentatus at flowering (generally lower than 25b Plants not greyish in appearance montane) — 21 with fine hairs rather sparse except 21a Leaves generally only slightly fleshy on newest growth; if ever somewhat (although succulent on coast); base of greyish overall then the indumentum upper-branch leaves (excluding any of coarse hairs — 26 lobes or segments) generally not broader 26a Achenes lageniform, > 2.8 mm long, than the branch (east coast and inland) with hairs rather sparse in lines; — S. pinnatifolius var. pinnatifolius secondary roots slightly tuberiform; 21b Leaves fleshy; base of upper-branch — S. prenanthoides leaves commonly broader than branch 26b Achenes not lageniform and/or (west coast) — 22 < 2.8 mm long, with hairs variously 22a Achenes 3.0–5.5 mm long; pappus dense; secondary roots not tuberiform persistent; broadest stereomes of — 27 phyllaries well over 1 mm wide 27a At least lower- to mid-stem leaves (sandy sites only) — S. spathulatus lobed; marginal teeth scattered (< 3 var. spathulatus per cm) — 28 22b Achenes < 3.0 mm long; pappus not 27b Stem leaves not lobed; margins often persistent; broadest stereomes of crowded-toothed (c. 5 per cm) — 29 phyllaries to c. 1 mm wide (rocky sites 28a Lobation of leaves markedly angled as well as on sand) — S. pinnatifolius forwards, with acute teeth on the var. maritimus lobes also angled forwards; upper 23a Involucres all or mostly of 7–10 surface of upper-stem leaves nearly phyllaries — 24 glabrous; achenes (2.0–)2.5–3.2 mm 23b Involucres all or mostly of more long — S. biserratus than 11 phyllaries (mostly c. 13, but sometimes more) — 30

55 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

28b Lobation of leaves nearly at right- iform (neck c. 0.2 mm long); achene angles to midrib, with subacute hairs forming bands c. as wide as ribs teeth on the lobes hardly angled — 36 forwards; upper surface of all leaves 33a Involucre 6.0–9.0 mm long; achenes with scattered coarse hairs; achenes lageniform, 2.8–4.5 mm long; sec­ 1.5–2.2 mm long; achenes red-brown . ond­ary roots slightly tuberiform — — S. hispidulus S. prenanthoides 29a Leaf margins smooth or with scattered 33b Involucre 3.0–6.0 mm long; achenes points; inflorescences of few to c. 30 obloid, 1.0–2.2 mm long; secondary capitula — S. microbasis roots not tuberiform — 34 29b Leaf margins with numerous crowded 34a Peduncle and capitulum glabrous at denticulations; inflor­es­cences of 100s flowering; calycular bracteoles 4–8 — of capitula — S. minimus S. hispidulus 30a Capitula discoid; calycular bracteoles 34b Peduncle and capitulum (in region of conspicuously jet black in distal 0.5–1 bracteoles) cobwebby to woolly at mm; near glabrous annuals to 0.5 m flowering; calycular bracteoles 6–12 high — S. vulgaris* — 35 S. glomeratus 30b Capitula disciform, or if discoid 35a Achenes < 1/3 of phyllary length then plants densely hairy; calycular (phyllaries 4.0–6.0 mm long; achenes bracteoles with black pigmentation 1.0–1.7 mm long); ped­uncles and absent or inconspicuous and confined lower parts of capitulum moderately to very tip; short-lived perennials of cobwebby to woolly; pappus usually various height, hairy or not — 31 > 5 mm long — S. glomeratus subsp. 31a At least lower-stem region developing glomeratus coarse hairs (these sometimes 35b Achenes > 1/3 of phyllary length partly obscured by overlying wispy (phyllaries 3.0–5.0 mm long; achenes extensions), these hairs sometimes 1.3–2.2 mm long); peduncles and becoming lost with age — 32 lower parts of capitulum sparsely 31b Stems glabrous or with all hairs to moderately cobwebby; pappus very fine (appressed-cottony or usually < 5 mm long — S. glomeratus woolly), nowhere developing any subsp. longifructus coarse hairs — 38 36a Upper-stem leaves not or hardly 32a Involucre < 2.0 mm diameter (see auriculate; apex of phyllaries black- glossary), 3.0–6.0 mm long or to 9 tipped but without a zone of purple mm long but then achenes markedly below this; achenes commonly lageniform (neck 0.3–1.0 mm long); slightly lageniform — S. longipilus achene hairs forming lines or bands 36b Upper-stem leaves usually auriculate; narrower than ribs — 33 apex of phyllaries black-tipped or 32b Involucre mostly > 2.0 mm in not, commonly with a zone of purple diameter, (5.0–)6.0–12.0 mm long; immediately below; achenes narrow- achenes not or only slightly lagen­ obloid — 37

56 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

37a Coarse hairs on stems persisting flowering lower-stem region glabrous throughout; achenes light to mid or sparsely cottony and capitula and brown; phyllaries c. 13 — S. peduncles cobwebby; outer achenes hispidissimus dark brown — S. campylocarpus 37b Coarse hairs on stems giving way 43a Calycular bracteoles 1.0–2.0 mm to cottony hairs above mid-stem; long, 3–5 per capitulum; capitulum achenes sometimes dark-brown to glabrous at flowering — 44 blackish; phyllaries c. 13, or often 43b Calycular bracteoles 2.0–5.0 mm long, 16–20 — S. squarrosus more than 5 per capitulum or if 3–5 38a Capitula discoid — S. georgianus then capitula (in region of bracteoles) 38b Capitula disciform — 39 cobwebby at flowering — 45 39a Achenes lageniform, 2.0–7.0 mm 44a Involucre 1.0–1.5 mm diameter; florets long — 40 up to 25; mature receptacle 1.0–2.0 39b Achenes obloid to ellipsoid, 1.5–3.0 mm diameter — S. microbasis mm long — 43 44b Involucre 1.5–2.0 mm diameter; florets 40a Involucre > 3.0 mm diameter; caly­ more than 25; mature receptacle cular bracteoles > 3.0 mm long; 2.5–3.0 mm diameter — S. phelleus achenes with hairs in bands c. as 45a Peduncles and capitula glabrous broad as ribs — S. macrocarpus at flowering (swamp plants) — 40b Involucre < 3.0 mm diameter; S. psilocarpus calycular bracteoles < 3.0 mm long, 45b Peduncles and capitula (in region of appressed; achenes with hairs in lines bracteoles) cobwebby at flowering or bands much narrower than ribs 41 (not swamp plants) — 46 41a Leaves in lower third of stems with 46a Achenes with dense hair-bands c. as scattered coarse hairs; achenes 5–7 broad as ribs, mid-brown or blackish mm long, markedly lageniform with between bands; involucre 2.0–4.0 mm a very long slender neck (> 1 mm diameter (lowland) — S. squarrosus long) — S. tasmanicus 46b Achenes glabrous or hairs in lines 41b Leaves in lower third of stems much narrower than ribs, olive- lacking coarse hairs; achenes 2.0–4.5 brown or red-brown; involucre mm long, with neck shorter (< 1 mm 1.7–2.0 mm diameter (montane or long) — 42 higher altitudes) — 47 42a Plants with a grey appearance; taproot 47a Achenes 2.5–4.0 mm long, olive- stout; at start of flowering lower-stem brown; calycular bracteoles extending region densely cottony to woolly and up to c. one-quarter of way along capitula and peduncles either glabrous involucre; upper-stem leaves entire or or cobwebby; outer achenes usually denticulate — S. gunnii red — S. quadridentatus 47b Achenes 2.0–2.2 mm long, red-brown; 42b Plants with a greenish appearance; calycular bracteoles extending c. one taproot inconspicuous; at start of third to halfway along involucre; upper- stem leaves lobate — S. extensus

57 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

Notes on Tasmanian distinctive feature and makes confusion species of Senecio with other species unlikely. Belcher (1996) notes that the recognition of this species Senecio albogilvus I.Thomps., in dried material is easy because of the Muelleria 20: 130 (2004) distinctive leaves and bracts, even though ‘white alpine groundsel’ the rays usually undergo discoloration (Fig. 2) during drying and are not then reliably This is one of the subalpine species en­ different in colour from dried material of demic to Tasmania. It was formerly S. pectinatus. known as S. pectinatus var. ochroleucus but An old specimen collected by a Dr Thompson (2004c) raised it to specific Mil­ligan from Tasmania (MEL667723) rank. It is widespread in central-western has leaves similar to S. albogilvus but an and southern Tasmania (including Mt inflorescence of six capitula. It is unclear Wellington) at higher altitudes, where what the original colour of the ligules was it grows in rocky sites in herbfields, in this specimen. This may be an aberrant heathlands and shrublands. plant or possibly a hybrid between S. This species is distinct from S. pectinatus albogilvus and S. leptocarpus. on the basis of leaf morphology, and is perhaps more similar to S. leptocarpus *Senecio angulatus L.f., Suppl. 369 (both have similarly toothed or lobed, (1782) ‘scrambling groundsel’ discolorous leaves but those of S. albogilvus (Fig. 3) are considerable smaller). The white-cream This is a vigorous, fleshy leaved climber colour of the ligules is perhaps the most that is becoming very common in parts of

Fig. 2. Distribution of Senecio albogilvus. Fig. 3. Distribution of Senecio angulatus.

58 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH the state’s south-east and east (e.g. Tasman The species is widespread and common Highway north of Swansea, township of in Tasmania, especially along coasts (inc­ Swansea, a few sites around Hobart) and luding islands) and major coastal river scattered localities elsewhere (e.g. Strahan, systems; there are, however, also several upper Derwent Valley, Eddystone Point). It inland records. Senecio pinnatifolius var. is a native of South Africa. lanceolatus and S. biserratus occasionally hybridise. This hybrid entity was described Senecio biserratus Belcher, Ann. as S. Xorarius but is not considered worthy Miss. Bot. Gard. 43: 43 (1956) of taxonomic recognition. See notes ‘jagged fireweed’ under S. pinnatifolius var. lanceolatus for (Fig. 4) further discussion. This is a distinctive species that grows to 1 m. It resembles S. minimus but differs Senecio campylocarpus I.Thomps., most obviously by the degree of dis­section Muelleria 20: 139 (2004) and shape of the leaf segments. In Tas­ ‘bulging fireweed’ mania, prior to the major revision of Senecio, (Fig. 5) many jagged-leaved specimens (including In Tasmania, the species is known from many ‘inland’ records) of Senecio are likely three collections: one from ‘near Laun­ to have been attributed to this species. It was ceston’ in 1888, another from a ‘swamp possibly previously confused with other near Cressy’ in 1943, and most recently jagged-leaved taxa such as S. glomeratus, from the banks of the Elizabeth River, S. hispidulus and the more recently des­ Campbell Town, in 2006. This species cribed S. hispidissimus. usually occurs in lowland forest and

Fig. 4. Distribution of Senecio biserratus. Fig. 5. Distribution of Senecio campylocarpus.

59 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

woodland subject to seasonal inun­dation. The recent collection from Camp­bell Town is from the grassy banks of the river and from seasonal rocky rapids at the water’s edge. The species is likely to be more widespread than currently indicated by the paucity of records. It is common in Victoria, and also occurs in disturbed sites. It is similar to S. quadridentatus but differs from this species by its sparsely haired to glabrous leaves and stems, broader leaves tapering distinctly to each end, broader phyllaries reflexed rather than spreading at maturity, shorter florets with more corolla- lobes, curved achenes and the smaller taproot and fleshier secondary roots. The receptacle undergoes relatively little Fig. 6. Distribution of Senecio elegans. expansion as the achenes develop and, because of this, the capitula often develop tipped bracts combined with the thick a more urn-shaped appearance than those and more or less hollow branches and the of other species. fleshy deeply divided leaves make it easily This species was previously known recognised. It is a native of South Africa. as S. glandulosus (DC.) Sch.Bip. but this Walsh (1999) reports apparent hybrids name has recently been shown to be between S. elegans and S. pinnatifolius from illegitimate. The new epithet alludes to near Portland and Wilsons Promontory the characteristic curved outer achenes in Victoria, which have more narrowly that appear more pronounced than in any lobed or subentire leaves and pale mauve other disciform species. to whitish ligules (rather than the usual rich purple). Such hybrids have not been *Senecio elegans L., Sp. Pl. 2: 869 reported from Tasmania. (1753) ‘purple groundsel’ (Fig. 6) Senecio extensus I.Thomps., In Tasmania the species is most widespread Muelleria 19: 150 (2004) on the east and north coasts (including ‘subalpine fireweed’ Bass Strait islands) but is apparently absent (Fig. 7) from the west and south coasts. This is an Senecio extensus grows to 0.5 m. It is almost wholly coastal species (usually on readily distinguished by its long calycular dune sand) and has distinctive crimson to bracteoles. Its glabrous, lustrous achenes purple (or occasionally white) ligules. Even also usually help to distinguish this when not in flower, the broad cup-shaped species; however, a few collections from involucral buds with prominently black- Victoria with hairy achenes have recently

60 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

georgianus. As such, it is possible that S. georgianus is not present in Tasmania, but has been included in the key because of the Gunn collection. Although discoid, in other aspects of its morphology it conforms to the disciform group of Australian Senecio. It resembles S. gunnii vegetatively. Herbarium labels (from mainland specimens) suggest that it occurs at moderate altitudes and may be an autumn flowering species.

Senecio glomeratus Desf. ex Poir., Encycl. Suppl. 5: 130 (1817) ‘purple fireweed’ (Fig. 8) This species grows to 2 m and is wide­ Fig. 7. Distribution of Senecio extensus. spread in Tasmania in a range of habitats, at various elevations, and it often occurs been found. In Tasmania this species in disturbed sites. It is sometimes is only known from a single record confused with S. hispidulus because collected in 1984 (from Mackenzies Tier, both species have similar-sized capitula; on the Central Plateau). It is widespread however, the latter are more slender, in grasslands, herbfields and open shrub­ always green and never cobwebby, con­ lands in subalpine areas in New South tain fewer florets on longer peduncles Wales and Victoria, so it is likely to be and fewer and generally shorter calycular more common in Tasmania than currently bracteoles; and the upper-stem leaves recognised. have only coarse hairs. Two subspecies of this species are Senecio georgianus DC., Prodr. 6: 371 recog­nised, largely separated on the (1838) ‘grey fireweed’ dimen­­sions and characters of the This species has been recorded only achenes. Hybridisation between either once for Tasmania and, like all mainland S. hispidulus and S. minimus and either records of this species, this was in the of the two sub­species of S. glomeratus 1800s. The single Tasmanian collection is likely and it may be difficult to is apparently that of Gunn, held at Kew, distinguish such hybrids from S. and is simply labelled ‘Van Diemen’s glomeratus subsp. longifructus. However, as Land’. Later in his career Gunn forwarded S. hispidulus and S. minimus have narrower mainland col­lections of other collectors capitula than S. glomeratus, one would to Hooker. J.D. Hooker described Erechtites expect hybrids to have capitula that are candicans from this Gunn material, noticeably narrower than those of subsp. later recognised as synonymous with S. longifructus.

61 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

S. glomeratus subsp. glomeratus subsp. longifructus unidentified subspecies

Fig. 8. Distribution of Senecio glomeratus.

62 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

Senecio glomeratus subsp. glomeratus ‘shortfruit purple fireweed’ This subspecies has numerous, crowded, small and often purple capitula sur­ rounded basally by many cobwebby caly­cular bracteoles. Often a rather tall plant in forest environments, it some­ times grows near water and then is sometimes sympatric with subsp. longi­ fructus. It is likely that hybridisation takes place between subspecies in these environments, and this is a probable reason for difficulties in assigning some specimens to either subspecies (inter­ mediate specimens have been col­lected on the Bass Strait islands). Fig. 9. Distribution of Senecio gunnii. Senecio glomeratus subsp. longifructus I.Thomps., Muelleria Senecio gunnii (Hook.f.) Belcher, 19: 148 (2004) Ann. Miss. Bot. Gard. 43: 60 (1956) ‘longfruit purple fireweed’ ‘mountain fireweed’ This subspecies grows adjacent to streams (Fig. 9) and swamps (sometimes in coastal areas This species grows to 1 m and it is such as river mouths and estuaries). Apart generally a species of higher elevations, from the characters in the key, subsp. widespread in north-eastern, central longifructus tends to be a shorter plant and southern Tasmania, most often in than subsp. glomeratus and appears to be Eucalyptus delegatensis and E. coccifera more consistently associated with water. forest/woodland. It resembles S. quadri­ Inflorescences generally have fewer and dentatus in the type and density of the less congested capitula with over­topping indumentum, but it differs in having more pronounced. The capit­ulum involucre broader, narrow-elliptic leaves, phyllaries is less commonly all purple although this with more convex stereomes, bisexual may be simply because it is more often in florets with 5-lobed corollas rather than shaded environments. Outer achenes of 4-lobed, female florets with larger corolla subsp. longifructus are often greenish, olive lobes and more sparsely haired and non- or brown, whereas others are medium lageniform achenes. brown. In contrast, achenes of subsp. glomeratus are commonly all medium to dark red-brown.

63 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

Senecio hispidissimus I.Thomps., Muelleria 19: 138 (2004) ‘coarse fireweed’ (Fig. 10) This species is similar to S. squarrosus but is more densely coarse-hairy, and has smaller capitula with usually fewer phyllaries. It is also similar to S. hispidulus but is more densely coarse-hairy and with usually broader capitula and longer phyllaries that are purple or that have an apical zone that is purple. A few collections from the north-west coast of Tasmania have unusually short capitula and achenes. It is generally a lowland species, rep­ resented by only a few collections from Fig. 11. Distribution of Senecio hispidulus. scrub, dune and heath vegetation, close to the north and east coast. The widespread Senecio hispidulus A.Rich., Voy. distribution of these records indicates that Astrolabe 2: 94 t.34 (1834) this species is likely to be more common ‘rough fireweed’ than currently indicated. (Fig. 11) Senecio hispidulus is an erect herb that grows to 1.5 m. It is widespread in Tas­ mania, mainly in eastern, southern and north-eastern parts at lower elevations. It has been possibly previously confused with other jagged-leaved taxa such as S. glomeratus, S. biserratus and S. hispidissimus. Involucres of this species mostly com­ prise 11–14 phyllaries, but occasional plants have involucres of predominantly 9 or 10. Achenes of this species are usually hairy but occasional populations have plants with glabrous achenes.

*Senecio jacobaea L., Sp. Pl. 2: 870 (1753) ‘ragwort’ (Fig. 12) Ragwort is one of the state’s worst agri­ cultural weeds and is known to cause Fig. 10. Distribution of Senecio hispidissimus. death by liver damage in stock. It is subject

64 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

Fig. 12. Distribution of Senecio jacobaea. Fig. 13. Distribution of Senecio leptocarpus. to a Statutory Weed Management Plan Senecio leptocarpus DC., Prodr. under the Tasmanian Weed Management 6: 372 (1838) ‘western groundsel’ Act 1999. (Fig. 13) Plants are biennial and only form This subalpine species is easily recognised rosettes in the first year. These rosettes by its distinctive leaf morphology. It is are distinctive and unlikely to be confused widespread on western, southern and with any other species. The irregularly some central northern mountains. A divided second-year stem leaves are dis­ record from Mt Rumney near Hobart tinctive. It is a native of Europe but is now (collected in 1929 by F.H. Long) is well established in most parts of the world. outside the expected range of the species. The species is widespread in Tasmania The record is questionable as the species occurring mainly at lower elevations, and has not been subsequently recorded from is often associated with major centres of this part of the state and Mt Rumney is cultivation. It can also be found at higher a low altitude hill supporting grassy dry elevations in relatively undisturbed sclerophyll forest. sites. The paucity of herbarium records is typical of common and widespread Senecio linearifolius A.Rich., Voy. weeds, so the distribution map is not a Astrolabe 2: 129 (1834) true indication of its current widespread ‘fireweed groundsel’ distribution. (Fig. 14) The species is an aromatic perennial, often weakly shrubby, which grows to 2 m. The taxonomic revision of Thompson

65 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

S. linearifolius var. linearifolius var. arachnoideus var. denticulatus var. latifolius unidentified subspecies

Fig. 14. Distribution of Senecio linearifolius.

66 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

(2004b) recognised nine varieties of S. although capitula may be longer and ray linearifolius, of which four are known florets more numerous than the couplet from Tasmania. These varieties can be requires. It is likely to occur only on the coast. distinguished mainly by leaf characters. Only the common and wide­spread var. Senecio linearifolius var. linearifolius has been adequately collected. arachnoideus I.Thomps. Muelleria Further collecting of material of the 20: 98 (2004) other varieties is necessary to gain a ‘cobweb fireweed groundsel’ better understanding of their features, This taxon is only known in Tasmania any intergrading between varieties, from three sites: Mayfield Beach on the and a clearer under­standing of their state’s east coast where it occurs in relative distribution. abundance, Tessellated Pavement on the Tasman Peninsula, and Montagu Swamp Senecio linearifolius var. in the north-west. It is likely to also occur linearifolius along rocky coastlines along eastern Tas­ ‘fireweed groundsel’ mania. On the mainland the variety grows This taxon commonly colonises disturbed in forest and coastal scrub. ground, e.g. clearfelled forestry coupes and Although there is a little overlap in margins of recently constructed roads and dimensions and numbers, capitula in var. tracks. It often forms dense thickets up to arachnoideus are generally larger (3.5–4.5 mm 1.5 m. It is widespread throughout Tas­ long, 1.5–2.5 mm diameter) than in var. mania, although most commonly in higher denti­culatus, var. linearifolius and var. latifolius; rainfall areas. The lack of records for some and number of ray florets is also generally parts of the state probably reflects the greater (more often 6–8). Immature leaves usual problem of common species not and stems are commonly clothed with a being adequately collected. It is readily more or less dense white wool early dis­tinguished by the dark green, very narrow in development; upper-stem leaves and long leaves with smooth margins and mostly narrow to very narrow-elliptic relatively inconspicuous venation. The (occasionally wider), to 12 cm long, with secondary venation on the lower surface is length:width ratio 4.5(–6–12); margin of not raised or only slightly raised and tert­iary stem leaves mostly denticulate to dentate venation is not usually discernible. (but sometimes entire to callus-denticulate), This variety hybridises with S. minimus not revolute, frequency of teeth 2–5 per in Victoria and Tasmania. A study of this cm; upper surface of leaves with venation hybrid on Mt Macedon in Victoria is docu­ sometimes strongly impressed, the surface mented by Thomas (2004). Such hybrids at first usually appressed-cobwebby, glab­ will key to Senecio linearifolius if ray florets rescent; lower sur­face of leaves with are present. Ligules of these florets would be scattered, weak, coarse spreading hairs or smaller and narrower than the range of sizes moderately cobwebby (hairs variably fine occurring in S. linearifolius (mostly 0.5–4 mm or coarse-based), glabrescent, secondary long). Another hybrid, S. pinnatifolius var. venation sharply raised and tertiary lanceolatus X S. biserratus, may also key here venation distinct.

67 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

There is a gradation in var. arachnoideus Marys Pass area. On the mainland it occurs from northern New South Wales to at moderate to high altitudes and the Tas­ south-east Tasmania in the degree of manian collections are from steep slopes cob­webbiness of the leaf undersurface, in eucalypt forest at lower elevations. dentition of the leaf margins, and achene Senecio linearifolius var. latifolius has indumentum (grading to papillose-hairy upper-stem leaves that are commonly achenes further south). lanceolate and with a low length:width ratio, broad-cuneate to cordate at the base Senecio linearifolius var. with auricles continuous with the lamina, denticulatus I.Thomps. Muelleria the lower surface usually glabrous (rarely 20: 93 (2004) cobwebby) and with distinct (sharply ‘toothed fireweed groundsel’ raised) reticulate venation. Capitula are at This taxon is similar in habit to var. the smaller end of the range for the species linearifolius but appears to be much less (2.5–4.0 mm long, 1.0–1.6 mm diameter). wide­spread. The variety is most prevalent Some specimens are intermediate between in the north-east in dry to wet sclerophyll this variety and var. denticulatus. forest, with herbarium records from the eastern Bass Strait islands, the St Marys Senecio longipilus I.Thomps., area and the northern tip of Maria Island. Muelleria 19: 193 (2004) More recently the variety has been ‘longhair fireweed’ collected from the East Risdon Nature (Fig. 15) Reserve near Hobart, where it is sympatric This species grows to 0.5 m and occurs in with var. linearifolius. Although similar in far south-eastern New South Wales and in habit to var. linearifolius, the leaf margins northern Tasmania. There are three spec­ of stem leaves are always denticulate, imens in the Melbourne Herbarium (with secondary venation of the lower surface none held at the Tasmanian Herbarium). is more prominent and tertiary venation One was collected from near Perth, South is more distinct. There is a possibility Esk River, whereas the locality for the of intergrading with var. linearifolius (as other two is unclear. On the mainland recorded east of Melbourne) and var. the species occurs in sand or loam soils arachnoideus (as recorded near Eden, in grassland, herbfield, shrubland and New South Wales). Note that leaves woodland, mostly at elevations above of secondary inflorescence branches 1000 m but also in lowland areas. If may be sufficiently reduced such that the locality given was accurate, the denticulations do not show. Tasmanian record indicates a lowland distribution in this state. Senecio linearifolius var. latifolius It is distinguished from other species I.Thomps., Muelleria 20: 96 (2004) with broad capitula by the relatively long ‘broadleaf fireweed groundsel’ (1–2 mm) coarse hairs on stems, leaves and This taxon is localised in north-eastern bracts, and the relatively long bracts and Tasmania based on three collections from calycular bracteoles. Phyllaries are fewer the Lower Marsh Creek-Elephant Pass-St than in S. macrocarpus and are usually

68 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

Fig. 15. Distribution of Senecio longipilus. Fig. 16. Distribution of Senecio macrocarpus. fewer than in S. squarrosus. The pappus old record from northern Tasmania (South is usually relatively densely bristly and Esk River area close to Launceston/Perth). relatively long, and it commonly exceeds On the mainland it typically grows in the florets by c. 1 mm, obscuring them low-lying areas, and has been recorded at anthesis. Pappus bristles are more from basalt-derived clay or clay-loam soils scabrid-barbellate (i.e. with small pro­ in grassland, sedgeland and woodland. jections as seen under x 20 or greater This species is readily recognisable by its magnification) than in other related narrow-linear branch-leaves, small number species. Compared to S. squarrosus the of very large capitula, and long, densely stereomes of the phyllaries are broader, papillose-hairy, lageniform achenes. and this distinction is most evident in the distal 1.5 mm of the phyllary. Senecio microbasis I.Thomps., Muelleria 19: 175 (2004) Senecio macrocarpus Belcher, ‘narrow fireweed’ Muelleria 5: 119 (1983) (Fig. 17) ‘largefruit fireweed’ This species grows to 0.6 m. It is similar (Fig. 16) to S. phelleus but differs in narrower leaves Senecio macrocarpus grows to 0.6 m. It near the base of the plant, leaf-bases never is listed as extinct on the Tasmanian sagittately auriculate, capitula narrower Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and and with fewer florets, phyllaries thinner as vulnerable on the Commonwealth and finally reflexed, corolla lobes fewer and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conser­ less thickened apically, and the achenes vation Act 1999. It is represented by a single with a more slender neck. It could also be

69 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

Fig. 17. Distribution of Senecio microbasis. Fig. 18. Distribution of Senecio minimus.

confused with S. prenanthoides but differs in throughout Tasmania at most elevations. that the lower-stem lacks coarse hairs and In Tasmania, prior to the major review the achenes are shorter and not distinctly of Senecio, many specimens (of several lageniform. It is currently known from species) are likely to have been erroneously a few scattered localities in the south attributed to this species. This species around Hobart, and in the southern and often forms dense shrubby stands on northern Midlands. The quite widespread disturbed sites such as roadsides and clear- distribution of these records indicates that felled coupes. this species is likely to be more common than the few records suggest. Senecio odoratus Hornem., Hort. Bot. Hafn. 2: 809 (1815) Senecio minimus Poir., Encycl. Suppl. ‘scented groundsel’ 5: 130 (1817) (Fig. 19) ‘shrubby fireweed’ This species is a shrubby plant that grows (Fig. 18) to 1.7 m, and is unlikely to be confused with Senecio minimus grows to 2 m. It is readily any other species due to its distribution, identified by inflorescence with numerous, which is almost wholly coastal, its glaucous small, slender capitula, and large leaves and aromatic character, large entire leaves, with more or less regular, crowded discoid capitula, small number of involucral denticulations and distinct reticulate bracts, and the prominently bell-shaped venation. It is most common on fertile corollas. It occurs mainly in the north of sites, e.g. rich soils in moister sites such as the state, including the Bass Strait islands, beside swamps and streams, and occurs and also on the north-west and west coast,

70 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

Fig. 19. Distribution of Senecio odoratus. Fig. 20. Distribution of Senecio papillosus. with a single record from the south at Senecio pectinatus DC., Prodr. 6: 372 Actaeon Island near Southport (although (1838) var. pectinatus the identification of this collection has not ‘yellow alpine groundsel’ been confirmed). Senecio odoratus grows on (Fig. 21) rocky slopes, clifftops, or sand dunes in This variety is endemic to Tasmania, occur­ shrubland, woodland and forest. ring on southern, central and north-eastern Senecio papillosus F.Muell., Trans. mountains, including Mt Wellington. Philos. Inst. Vict. 2: 69 (1857) Some specimens from Ben Lomond (e.g. M.G.Noble 28274 ‘warty groundsel’ ; Tas­manian Herbarium) were recently included by Thompson (Fig. 20) (2004c), and con­sequently Buchanan This is one of the subalpine species (2005), in var. major based on their capitular endemic to Tasmania. However, this dimensions that exceeded those presented species appears to be one the most res­ by Belcher (1996) and later Thompson tricted of the highland species, so far (2004c) for var. pectinatus. In a later paper known only from Adamsons Peak, Mt La Thompson (2006) referred these specimens Perouse, Mt Bobs and Pindars Peak. The to var. pectinatus because of their foliar species is distinctive because the upper morphology. In the absence of a clear-cut leaf surface is densely studded with clear discriminating character, however, the short straight or curved multicellular Ben Lomond form remains taxonomically hairs with tuberculate bases. problematic. On the basis of Thompson’s reassessment, var. major is considered endemic to the Australian mainland.

71 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

Fig. 21. Distribution of Senecio pectinatus. Fig. 22. Distribution of Senecio phelleus.

Senecio phelleus I.Thomps., Muelleria small taproot, often sagittate leaf-bases, 19: 171 (2004) ‘rock fireweed’ shorter capitula, always glabrous peduncles (Fig. 22) and capitula, corollas of bisexual florets This species grows to 1.5 m. It is represented 5-lobed, with lobes more thickened, and by two herbarium collections in Tasmania: achenes not lageniform. It is also similar to S. one from near Hobart and the other from prenanthoides in habit, indumentum of leaves Betsey Island. Recent collections from and bracteole number, but differs in having Tinderbox Hills, south of Hobart, and the lower-stem region with an appressed- Knocklofty, west of Hobart, indicate that cobwebby indumentum, more florets per it is probably more widespread in the capitulum, secondary roots not tuberiform, state than currently recognised. It occurs leaf-bases commonly sagittate, and achenes in south-eastern Australia, from Bathurst shorter and not lageniform. It could also in central-eastern New South Wales south be confused with S. microbasis but its lower to eastern Victoria and westwards to leaves are broader, its capitula are larger and Adelaide in south-eastern South Australia, with more florets, the leaf-bases are sagittate, and disjunctly further west on the Eyre and the neck of achenes is less slender. Peninsula. It grows in sandy or heavy soils, Senecio pinnatifolius A.Rich., Voy. often in rocky sites in heathland and in, Astrolabe 2: 117 (1834) usually, drier forest and woodland. (Fig. 23) It may previously have been identified as S. quadridentatus and more recently as either Five varieties of S. pinnatifolius are recognised S. prenanthoides or S. microbasis. It is similar in Tasmania, and together with S. spath­ulatus, to S. quadridentatus but differs in having a the infra-specific limits within the complex

72 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH have been difficult to resolve. Most Tas­ branch leaves. Ligules are relatively short, manian specimens of Senecio previously not or hardly longer than the involucre labelled as S. lautus are S. pinnatifolius. in pressed specimens, and achenes are relatively short compared to those of var. Senecio pinnatifolius var. alpinus pinnatifolius and var. alpinus. Although (Ali) I.Thomps., Muelleria 21: 52 (2005) always finely dissected, there is variation ‘highland groundsel’ from long filiform primary and secondary This variety grows to 1 m, and is com­ segments to those with smaller intricately monly erect or suberect, or ascending divided often tri-pinnatisect leaves with from a horizontal rhizome and then the segments rather crowded. Forms of var. aerial branches are few or absent. It occurs lanceolatus with bi-pinnatisect leaves, in moderate to high altitudes in forest, some of which occur on the Bass Strait woodland and alpine meadows. The islands, resemble var. capillifolius but these distribution map shows only a limited forms have different phyllary morphology, number of specimens held at the Tasmanian their upper-stem region and inflorescences Herbarium that have been identified as are less congested, and the ligules are this variety, although it is expected to be longer than the involucre. more widespread. This variety is largely separated geographically and altitudinally Senecio pinnatifolius var. from other varieties. It has oblanceolate lanceolatus (Benth.) I.Thomps., leaves with relatively distally positioned Muelleria 21: 49 (2005) marginal points or segments; however, ‘lanceleaf coast groundsel’ smaller-leaved forms are sometimes difficult This variety grows to 2 m, and is com­ to distinguish from var. pinnatifolius. Senecio monly erect, sometimes sprawling. It is pinnatifolius var. alpinus is also characterised widespread, mainly in coastal areas but by short curled hairs on both the peduncle occasionally inland in the south, east and and margin of calycular bracteoles. north. Only specimens from the eastern Bass Strait islands have been positively Senecio pinnatifolius var. identified as this variety in the collection capillifolius (Hook.f.) I.Thomps., at the Tasmanian Herbarium. Muelleria 21: 51 (2005) This variety differs from the other ‘fineleaf coast groundsel’ varieties most significantly in phyllary This variety grows to 0.8 m, and is erect or morphology; in particular the relatively sprawling. It is currently only known from large disparity in width between the the Bass Strait islands including some small stereomes of the inner and outer phyl­ and close to shore islands off the north-east laries (measured c. 1 mm below the apex); coast. This variety is distinctive because and the relatively broad hyaline margin of of its much-dissected leaves, succulent the outer phyllary in the distal third (Fig. branches (generally quite flattened after 45). A bold purple chevron (upside-down pressing), and congested corymbiform V), visible with the naked eye or with low inflorescences that are held only a short power magnification, usually delineates distance above the often congested upper- the stereome of inner phyllaries. Also

73 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

S. pinnatifolius var. pinnatifolius var. alpinus var. capillifolius var. lanceolatus var. maritimus unidentified subspecies

Fig. 23. Distribution of Senecio pinnatifolius.

74 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH in this variety the leaves tend to have a basally, smaller calycular bracteoles relatively high number of marginal points, and differently coloured achenes (olive- the number of capitula per inflorescence brown and golden rather than reddish is often high (up to 40), and the taproot and brown). The var. maritimus can be is poorly developed. In dried specimens, difficult to distinguish from S. spathulatus the distal portion of the stereome that the var. spathulatus, which occupies similar chevron outlines may be pale beside the coastal habitats (see also comments under chevron rather than green. S. spathulatus, 19a). Senecio pinnatifolius var. The degree of leaf division can vary maritimus differs from coastal forms of var. enormously in some populations; however, pinnatifolius that are widespread along the populations of purely serrate-leaved plants east coast of Australia including Tasmania, or purely pinnatisect-leaved plants also by having fleshier leaves, generally fewer occur. Plants of var. lanceolatus growing on leaf segments (if present) and with a coastal dunes have smaller more succulent lower length:width ratio, shorter achenes leaves with reduced numbers of marginal relative to the length of the phyllaries, points, compared to plants growing and of upper-branch leaves (excluding any slightly more inland. segments) broader near the base and never Senecio pinnatifolius var. lanceolatus and S. developing strap-like basal segments. biserratus form an occasional hybrid that was Senecio pinnatifolius var. described as S. Xorarius (Black 1928). Only pinnatifolius one Tasmanian specimen at the Tasmanian ‘common coast groundsel’ Herbarium (collected by L. Rodway in 1893 from the mouth of the Little Henty This variety grows to 1.5 m and is erect, River on the west coast) is known. Hybrids sprawling or prostrate. It grows in a range between other varieties of S. pinnatifolius of environments including dry hills and and S. biserratus or other disciform species, coastal dunes, in forest, woodland and such as S. minimus, are also likely to occur; scrubland, mainly in the state’s east and however, the hybridisation between S. south but also in scattered locations on the pinnatifolius var. lanceolatus and S. biserratus west and north coasts, including the Bass appears to be by far the most common. Strait islands, and a few inland locations, e.g. the Midlands. Senecio pinnatifolius var. maritimus This variety represents a complex of (Ali) I.Thomps., Muelleria 21: 54 (2005) subtly different forms that currently resist ‘western coast groundsel’ discrimination. A widespread form extends This variety grows to 0.4 m and is along the coasts of Queensland, New sprawling to prostrate. It is restricted to South Wales and eastern Tasmania. It has the west coast and King Island. Senecio somewhat succulent leaves and the rachis pinnatifolius var. maritimus can be difficult is usually narrowly oblanceolate. Achenes to distinguish from var. lanceolatus and var. are typically relatively long and slender, pinnatifolius. Compared to the mainland extending more than half the length of the form of var. maritimus, the Tasmanian phyllaries. Compared to S. pinnatifolius var. form has uppermost leaves more dilated maritimus its leaves are less fleshy, narrower

75 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

basally, with generally more marginal Flinders Island and Cressy (as shown on points, and often with slender basal map) and more recently (and not shown segments, and its achenes are distinctly on map) from King Island (Nook Swamps), longer and relatively slender, with finer, Dukes Marsh (central east) and Mt William shorter hairs in narrower grooves. National Park (far north-east), indicating a possibly much wider distribution than previously thought. Senecio psilocarpus most closely resembles S. squarrosus but has a sparser indumentum, shorter capitula and glabrous achenes. The two species have a similar distribution but S. psilocarpus has a stronger preference for aquatic habitats. It has been recorded from herb-rich wetlands. Associated with its aquatic nature, S. psilocarpus can develop long underground ‘rhizomes’ or decumbent stems that root at the nodes with stems arising from these horizontal structures to emerge above the surface of the water. This extensive growth habit has not been observed in S. squarrosus (Belcher and Albrecht 1994). Belcher and Albrecht (1994) also suggested that the smell Fig. 24. Distribution of Senecio primulifolius.

Senecio primulifolius F.Muell., Trans. Philos. Inst. Vict. 2: 69 (1857) ‘showy alpine groundsel’ (Fig. 24) This is a subalpine species endemic to Tasmania and is one the most restricted of the highland species, occurring only on the southernmost mountains of the state. The species has distinctive Primula-like leaves with conspicuous venation.

Senecio psilocarpus Belcher & Albr., Muelleria 8: 113 (1994) ‘swamp fireweed’(Fig. 25) This species grows to 0.8 m. It is currently represented by very few Tasmanian collections. It is historically known from Fig. 25. Distribution of Senecio psilocarpus.

76 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH emanating from bruised leaves (carrot- indumentum and capitular dimensions, like in S. psilocarpus; tomato-like in S. S. prenanthoides is similar to S. phelleus but squarrosus) may distinguish the species, but differs from that species by having slightly this has not been assessed by the authors. tuberiform roots, basal regions of stems with coarse hairs, auricles when present Senecio prenanthoides A.Rich., Voy. not sagittate or amplexicaul, phyllaries Astrolabe 2: 96 (1834) sometimes fewer and usually finally reflexed, ‘common fireweed’(Fig. 26) and achenes longer and lageniform. The leaf This species grows to 0.6 m. It was first shape in S. prenanthoides is diverse but most described in 1834 but was treated as characters are very consistent. synonymous with S. quadridentatus until recently resurrected by Thompson (2004a). Senecio quadridentatus Labill., Nov. This is a widespread and common species, Holl. Pl. 2: 48 t.194 (1806) mainly in eastern Tasmania, growing in ‘cotton fireweed’(Fig. 27) sandy and loamy soils in scrub, woodland This is the distinctive grey-white, softly and forest from sea-level to c. 1500 m. hairy, usually quite tall and erect plant of var­ This is one of several species forming a ious habitats including disturbed sites such rosette of leaves until the phase of rapid as roadside batters, gardens and suburban elongation leading up to flowering. As streets. It is a widespread species in Tasmania flowering commences, leaves tend to be occurring from sea-level to higher altitudes. relatively crowded and are significantly The paucity of herbarium records is typical broader in the lower half of the plant. In of common and widespread species and the this respect, as well as in the type of leaf distribution map is not a true indication of

Fig. 26. Distribution of Senecio prenanthoides. Fig. 27. Distribution of Senecio quadridentatus.

77 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

how widespread it is. The usually narrow- Hobart a form occurs with relatively narrow linear, revolute leaves are typically numerous capitula and phyllaries predominantly along stems and are relatively crowded, 13. The more typical form from northern and the precocious leafy axillary growth is Tasmania and the mainland has 16–20 usually evident in axils above mid-stem as phyllaries. Otherwise the Hobart form is the initial flowering period commences. The typical of the species. Not uncommonly, capitula are relatively slender. This species the corolla-lobes of S. squarrosus are purple is unlikely to be confused with any other rather than yellow or yellowish-green. This currently recognised taxa in Tasmania. coloration has not been recorded for other disciform species. Senecio squarrosus A.Rich., Voy. Astrolabe 2: 107 t.35 (1834) Senecio spathulatus A.Rich., ‘leafy fireweed’(Fig. 28) Voy. Astrolabe 2: 125 (1834) var. Senecio squarrosus grows to 0.8 m. It is spathulatus widespread in south-eastern South Aust­ ‘dune groundsel’ (Fig. 29) ralia, southern Victoria and in north­ern and Of the three varieties of S. spathulatus, only southern Tasmania. This species is listed as var. spathulatus is present in Tasmania where rare (Schedule 5 of the Tasmanian Threatened it is endemic. At present it is known only from Species Protection Act 1995), although the the southern and western coasts and from widespread distribution combined with King Island. This species is characterised its occurrence in several reserves and in by short fleshy leaves, large fleshy capitula, disturbed areas suggest a re-assessment of and large achenes with a persistent pappus. its conservation status is warranted. Around S. spathulatus is sympatric and possibly

Fig. 28. Distribution of Senecio squarrosus. Fig. 29. Distribution of Senecio spathulatus.

78 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH hybridises with S. pinnatifolius var. maritimus, The very long slender capitula and very but appears restricted to frontal dunes and long lageniform achenes are distinctive. shifting sands, unlike the latter. Based on the few specimens collected, mid- stem leaves are oblanceolate to very narrow- Senecio tasmanicus I.Thomps., elliptic, 3–8 cm long, with length:width Muelleria 19: 158 (2004) ratio c. 6–15, entire or denticulate to coarse- ‘tasmanian fireweed’(Fig. 30) dentate, with phyllaries 8–12 mm long; and This species grows to 0.4 m. It is a Tas­ with up to 20 capitula per stem. manian endemic but has not been recorded Although the species has been listed as since the mid-1800s and is possibly ‘extinct’ in Buchanan (2005), it is consid­ extinct. There are only two records for ered premature, on the basis of only two the species, the type collection by Archer collections, to list this species as threatened labelled Tasmania (date unknown) and under the Tasmanian Threat­ened Species another by R.C. Gunn from the property Protection Act 1995. The recent ‘rediscovery’ of ‘Formosa’ in the northern Midlands. The S. campylocarpus from the heart of Campbell most likely habitat is lowland plains Town lends weight to this argument. near swamps. The species may have been overlooked, but it is also likely that Senecio vagus F.Muell., Trans. Philos. its habitat has been severely modified Soc. Vict. 1: 46 (1855) subsp. vagus by land clearing since the 1800s. More ‘sawleaf groundsel’ (Fig. 31) focused attention in the field on entire- This species is represented by a single leaved, relatively short (less than 0.5 m) specimen at the Tasmanian Herbarium, specimens is recommended. collected in 1965 from Walkers Hill on

Fig. 30. Distribution of Senecio tasmanicus. Fig. 31. Distribution of Senecio vagus.

79 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

Flinders Island by John Whinray. The subsp. eglandulosus, which occurs only on the Australian mainland, has glabrous phyllaries and achenes with hairs in lines along ribs.

Senecio velleioides A.Cunn. ex DC., Prodr. 6: 374 (1838) ‘forest groundsel’ (Fig. 32) Although widespread and often very common, this species is listed as rare (Schedule 5) on the Tasmanian Threat­ ened Species Protection Act 1995. It is a distinctive, robust species often more than 1 m tall, often glaucous and fleshy with distinctive amplexicaul leaves. Leaves are frequently light-green on upper surface and glaucous beneath. It often grows with other Senecio species on Fig. 33. Distribution of Senecio vulgaris. disturbed sites (often in the thousands) especially after fire, but populations are *Senecio vulgaris L., Sp. Pl. 2: 867 usually short-lived, disappearing with (1753) ‘common groundsel’ canopy closure. (Fig. 33) This distinctive species has lobed to pinnatisect somewhat fleshy leaves and strongly black-pigmented calycular bracteoles, and is unlikely to be confused with any other. Also distinctive is the abrupt transition in the corollas of florets from tube to limb, which occurs 1–1.5 mm below the apex. In disciform species this transition is extremely gradual. A native of Europe, it is now established virtually globally. The paucity of herbarium records is typical of common and widespread species, especially exotic species, and the distribution map is not a true indication of its distribution. It is mainly a weed of cultivation and suburbia.

Fig. 32. Distribution of Senecio velleioides.

80 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

Definition and illustration of terms All technical terms used in the key are indicated by bold type and are defined below (listed alphabetically) under rele­ vant broader headings, e.g. terms to describe leaf shapes and margins are found under the heading ‘leaf’. Terms defined separately are in italics. Achene: A dry one-seeded fruit not opening by valves or regular lines, often also called a cypsela (e.g. Curtis 1963; Walsh 1999). Achenes in Senecio can be divided into a carpopodium (the foot by which they attach), a longitudinally ribbed body and a pappus (Fig. 34). Papillose Fig. 34. General achene morphology showing (from bottom to top) carpopodium, body with hairs (small hair-like protuberances) are longitudinal ribs, pappus ring and pappus. often present in the grooves between the ribs, arranged lengthwise and forming Bract: A leaf-like structure that is sig­ lines or bands of varying density and nificantly smaller than the true leaves. width (Fig. 35). Immature achenes may There may be a clear distinction between have imperfectly developed hair bands, leaves and bracts or the change from leaf to while in over-mature achenes the hairs bract may be gradual. Although the stems may have been shed. The pappus is a of rosette-forming species in Tasmania ring of very fine bristles or hairs at the are not entirely leafless, full-sized leaves tip of the achene, which can be persistent are only found in the lower-stem region, but more often is caducous (shed as the if at all, and they are replaced by bracts achene matures). above mid-stem. Very small structures Achenes vary in shape (Fig. 35). They can subtending inflorescence branchlets and be cylindrical (parallel sides with flattened peduncles are also termed bracts, and ends), obloid (cylindrical but with rounded other more specialised bracts in Senecio are ends), ellipsoid (elliptic, tapering over the termed calycular bracteoles and phyllaries. whole length to narrow rounded ends) or lageniform (narrowly bottle-shaped, Calycular bracteoles: Small bracts that is, with the distal third more tapered arising from the receptacle of the capitulum, than the proximal third). The distinction and from the distal most part of the between lageniform and non-lageniform is sometimes partially arising from the end important for keying out disciform species. of the peduncle (Fig. 36). Long fine hairs Most achenes are straight, although outer arising from the margin of bracteoles in achenes can be distinctly curved (e.g. as in some species give the lower capitulum a S. campylocarpus). cobwebby or woolly appearance.

81 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

A B C

D E F

G H I

Fig. 35. Detailed achene morphology (A–H adapted from Thompson 2004a; I from Belcher and Albrecht 1994). A. Narrow oblong-ellipsoid with papillose hairs in dense bands (S. biserratus). B. Narrow-obloid to narrow oblong-ellipsoid, hairs scattered or in dense bands (S. phelleus). C. Narrow-obloid to narrow-ellipsoid with relatively fine papillose hairs in lines or somewhat scattered (S. hispidulus). D. Narrow oblong-ellipsoid, glabrous (S. gunnii). E. Lageniform, the most curved achene of the disciform species, close-up of lines of short papillose hairs (S. campylocarpus). F. Lageniform with papillose hairs in dense bands (S. macrocarpus). G. Lageniform, extremely attenuate apically (S. tasmanicus; note that S. prenanthoides and S. quadridentatus have the same lageniform shape but with a shorter neck). H. Narrow-obloid, glabrous (S. psilocarpus). I. Narrow- obloid with papillose hairs in dense bands (S. squarrosus). Not to scale

82 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

5

3 4

2

1 2 1

A B

Fig. 36. A. Capitulum and peduncle: 1. peduncular bract; 2. peduncular bracteole; 3. calycular bracteole; 4. receptacle; 5. involucre. B. Capitulum shape change through time: 1. just prior to anthesis (flowering); 2. bulging basally towards fruit maturity.

A B C

Fig. 37. Tubular florets: corollas of central (left) and outer (right) florets: A. A discoid species (S. odoratus). B–C. Two disciform species, S. hispidulus (B) and S. dolichocephalus (C). Note: corollas of S. quadridentatus are similar but slightly shorter than those of S. dolichocephalus (a non-Tasmanian species).

83 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

Capitulum (pl. capitula): The com­ Fleshy: Of leaves and roots, indicating pound reproductive structure in the daisy thickness due to tissue rather than fluid family, the flowerhead, in gardeners’ content (cf. succulent). Fleshy parts often language simply the flower (Fig. 36). It have an almost leathery texture and consists of a dense cluster of florets (tiny remain thick on drying. sessile flowers) placed on a common receptacle (the expanded summit of the Glaucous: Of surfaces, blue-green in peduncle) and surrounded by an involucre colour, usually due to a waxy bloom. The of phyllaries around the rim. As achenes fall bloom can usually be rubbed off and may away at maturity, the receptacle becomes be most evident in younger plants or on exposed but it is still possible to determine younger stems and leaves of older plants. how many florets were present by counting Indumentum (Fig. 41): The nature and the minute pits or indentations where the density of hairs on plant surfaces. Organs achenes were attached. without hairs are glabrous. Glabrescent In Senecio the corolla (collective term means becoming glabrous, usually with for petals) is of two basic types and age, through loss of hairs. Hairs may be florets are named on this basis. In tubular coarse or fine and individual plants may florets the corolla consists of a tube with have one type or both. Coarse hairs are 3 to 5 distal lobes (Fig. 37), whereas in thick, c. 0.1 mm diameter, multicellular ray florets it is a long strap-like structure and septate, with the partitions (septa) termed a ligule, which extends from a between the individual cells visible under very short tubular base. Senecio species are low microscopic magnification. When fresh categorised by the type of capitulum, of these hairs are transparent, straight and which there are three: radiate, disciform perpendicular to the surface. When dried and discoid. Radiate capitula (Fig. 38) can they become quite distorted but the septa be seen in the typical garden daisy, with often remain discernible. Coarse hairs a heart of tubular florets (disk florets) range in length from 0.2–2.0 mm and taper surrounded by ray florets with their to a short point. They may have a wispy radiating ligules. Non-radiate capitula do extension (resembling a fine hair) that in not have ray florets. They are categorised some cases can partially or totally obscure as disciform if the central florets are the coarser portion. When coarse hairs bisexual and the outer florets are female break off, the tubercle-like bases generally and, in Australian Senecio, the outer persist and the surface is called tuberculate. florets have a more slender and fewer- Fine hairs are white and entirely thread- lobed corolla, or discoid if all florets are like (c. 1/10 the diameter of coarse hairs) bisexual. In Tasmania the three discoid and have no visible internal structure species are Senecio georgianus, S. odoratus when magnified. Along stems, fine hairs and S. vulgaris. Examples of capitula are are commonly arranged longitudinally and presented in Figs 38–40. closely pressed to the stem (appressed). Distal: Remote from the point of origin or When fine hairs are dense and closely attachment; the free end, cf. proximal. appressed (obscuring all or most of the

84 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

A B

C

D

E F

G

Fig. 38. Capitula of various species of Senecio. Radiate capitula: A. S. elegans. B. S. velleioides. C. S. linearifolius var. linearifolius. D. S. albogilvus. E. S. leptocarpus. F. S. angulatus. G. S. jacobaea. Not to scale

85 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

A B

C D

E

F

G H

Fig. 39. Capitula of various species of Senecio. Disciform capitula. A. S. quadridentatus. B. S. gunnii. C. S. glomeratus subsp. glomeratus. D. S. campylocarpus. E. S. biserratus. F. Hybrid between radiate and disciform species (possibly S. biserratus or S. minimus and S. linearifolius var. arachnoideus or S. pinnatifolius var. pinnatifolius). Note the smaller ligules (compare with figure 38C). Discoid capitula. G. S. vulgaris. H. S. odoratus. Not to scale

86 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

A B C

Fig. 40. Disciform capitula (examples drawn from pressed material). A. Involucre of c. 8 phyllaries (S. minimus). B. Involucre of c. 13 phyllaries (S. glomeratus subsp. glomeratus: note basal woolliness). C. Involucres of c. 20 phyllaries (S. macrocarpus: note spreading calycular bracteoles in this species. underlying surface) the indumentum is inflorescences commonly develop on leafy called cottony. When fine hairs (or wispy branches that arise immediately below extensions of coarse hairs) are tangled the base of the primary inflorescence. and sparse or moderately dense (partially Overtopping is used to describe inflor­ obscuring the underlying surface), the escences where lateral capitula or clusters indumentum is called cobwebby. If tangled extend above the central capitulum or and dense and more or less completely cluster. This architecture is common obscuring the underlying surface, the among the disciform species and is variable indumentum is called woolly. in extent depending on the species.

Inflorescence: Although technically Involucre (adj. involucral): A ring of a capitulum is an inflorescence (a group specialised bracts (phyllaries) surrounding or clustered arrangement of flowers), in the florets of a capitulum. The diameter the daisy family the term inflorescence of the involucre is defined in this paper usually refers to the arrangement of as the diameter in unpressed specimens groups of capitula. A unit inflorescence is measured a little more than halfway along a cluster of capitula at the end of an axis the involucre. At this point the diameter is where all associated branch structures are more or less constant through the phases leafless (Fig. 42). A primary inflorescence of development (the lower half of the is a unit inflor­escence terminating a stem involucre often expands substantially after (in some rosette-leaved species, a single fertilisation to accommodate developing unbranched stem with one or more capitula fruits and the diameter of the apex can form the unit inflorescence). Secondary be affected by reflexion of the phyllaries).

87 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

A

B Fig. 42. Inflorescence architecture. The primary unit inflorescence with capitula represented by circles and the initial capitulum shown as a closed circle. A secondary inflorescence, defined by presence of leaves, is also shown (cluster of capitula represented by a square). Moderate overtopping is demonstrated in this example.

leaves or uppermost or lowermost leaves), Fig. 41. Indumentum. A. Fine hair (left) and unless otherwise specified. coarse, septate hair (right). B. Coarse hairs showing variation in length and degree of Leaves of most species of Tasmanian wispy extension (hairs desiccated and variously Senecio are not truly petiolate (petiole is a collapsed and crumpled as seen in herbarium leaf stalk), although often their leaves are specimens). (x 30). attenuate (tapering to a narrow base). If the base of the leaf clasps the stem to some In pressed specimens, the involucre often degree, the leaf is said to be amplexicaul becomes flattened, so allowance needs to (Fig. 43). Leaf-bases can be auriculate (with be made for this. auricles or ear-shaped lobes at their base), sagittate (with acute auricle lobes directed Leaves: Within a single plant of Senecio backwards), cuneate (wedge-shaped, with leaves will tend to vary in size, shape straight sides converging at the base) or and degree of dissection between lower truncate (cut off squarely, with an abrupt and upper regions. Leaves of secondary transverse end). The apex of undivided inflorescences will tend to be smaller leaves is typically acute. Although there is and less dissected than stem leaves. It some variation in the shape of leaf apices is important therefore that leaves from in Australian Senecio, it has not generally the same region of a plant are used when been found to be a useful character for comparing species. In this key, references to discriminating taxa. leaves apply to the leaves that arise from Leaf shapes (Fig. 43) mentioned in the the middle third of stems (i.e. not branch key are defined as follows: elliptic (evenly

88 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

F B D E

A C

G H

Fig. 43. Leaf outlines (leaves from midstem region x 0.5; basal auricles not included except as indicated (G–H). A. Undivided except for a few proximal lobes, margins entire (S. phelleus). B. Undissected, margin scattered-denticulate (S. prenanthoides). C. Undissected, margin crowded- denticulate (S. minimus). D. Coarse-dentate to deeply lobate, margin denticulate, segments and dentition proximal (S. hispidulus). E. Pinnatisect, once divided (S. pinnatifolius). F. Bipinnatisect, twice divided (S. pinnatifolius). G. Base of leaf showing small, entire auricles, non-amplexicaul (upperstem leaf of S. quadridentatus). H. Base of leaf showing large, dissected auricles, somewhat amplexicaul (S. biserratus). oval like a flattened circle), ovate (egg- used to further qualify leaf shape. The shaped, broadest in the proximal half), term length:width ratio (l:w ratio) refers lanceolate (three or more times as long as to the ratio between the length of the leaf broad, broadest in the proximal half), linear measured from apex to base of petiole and (very narrow in relation to length, with the width measured at right angles to the axis at sides mostly parallel), oblanceolate (reverse the widest points (several leaves should be lanceolate, attached by the narrower end), measured to obtain an average l:w ratio). and spathulate (spoon-shaped, broad at Leaf margins can be entire (smooth, the tip and narrowed towards the base). without teeth or other interruptions) The terms narrow and broad are often or variously lobed, divided or toothed.

89 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

Fig. 44. Phyllary morphology: five consecutive phyllaries of an involucre demonstrating the three major types of phyllary. From right to left: inner (margin broad, stereome with two resin ducts); outer (margin narrow, stereome with one resin Fig. 45. Distal portion (c. 1 mm) of outer duct); inner (stereome with only one resin (left hand side in each pair) and inner (right duct); outer and intermediate (margin narrow hand side in each pair) phyllaries of on one side, broad on the other). S. pinnatifolius var. lanceolatus (above) and var. pinnatifolius (below).

Margins can be recurved (curved under Leaves with less severe dissection towards the midrib but not sufficiently to (dentition of the margin) are termed den­ hide the lower leaf surface), revolute (rolled tate (with spreading, evenly triangular under towards the midrib so as to hide teeth), denticulate (finely dentate with part of the lower leaf surface) or flat. Major smaller teeth), serrate (unevenly triangular divisions of leaves are termed segments. teeth angled forwards), serrulate (finely A notch or major indentation of the leaf serrate with smaller teeth) or callus- margin is called a sinus. Teeth, lobes and denticulate (with small points protruding segments are collectively referred to as but with little or no sinus formation). marginal points. Venation refers to the arrangement of The leaf blade is called the lamina. The veins in a leaf. The midrib or midvein is following terms are used to describe the termed the primary vein and is usually degree of division (incursion of the sinuses): the most prominent. Veins arising from coarse-dentate (30–50%), lobate (50–75%) the primary vein are termed secondary, and pinnatisect (> 75%). Bipin­natisect and veins arising from these are tertiary. describes pinnatisect leaves where primary Venation can be reticulate (forming an segments themselves are deeply divided. interconnected network of small veins). Tripinnatisect indicates a further order of division. Division can be regular (most Peduncle: The stalk bearing a single species) or irregular (as in S. jacobaea). capitulum (Fig. 36). Peduncles gradually

90 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

A B C

Fig. 46. Root systems. A. Taproot well-developed, stouter than secondary roots (S. hispidulus). B. Taproot slender, not stouter than fleshy secondary roots (S. phelleus); C. Taproot slender or lost, secondary roots very fleshy and slightly tuberiform (S. prenanthoides). (x 0.5). increase in length prior to and during many involucres; they are half and half flowering. Bases of peduncles and branch­ with the margin on one side overlapping lets are subtended by bracts. Peduncles are and on the other being overlapped. In S. bracteolate with up to 5 bracts scattered pinnatifolius in particular it is important along the peduncle and 3–12 calycular to recognise these distinctions. Notably, bracteoles inserted on or just below the in S. pinnatifolius var. lanceolatus, there receptacle, and typically more or less is an inverted V-shaped pigmentation appressed around the base of the involucre. mark delineating the distal portion of Peduncles, inflorescence branchlets and the stereome of the inner phyllaries. This the margins of bracteoles are often woolly mark is termed a chevron herein (Fig. 45). or cobwebby, or sometimes coarse- hairy, and this indumentum is variably Proximal: Nearer to the point of attach­ persistent. ment, cf. distal.

Phyllaries (Fig. 44): The specialised bracts Rosette (of leaves): Several to many surrounding the florets of a capitulum. leaves radiating from the base of the stem. Collectively they form the involucre. Roots: The root system (Fig. 46) may Phyllaries consist of an herbaceous lamina consist of a single stout taproot (the primary (the stereome) which is tinged green or root descending straight down), which may purple and a hyaline (thin, translucent, branch into a number of slender secondary colourless) margin. One or two roots, or the taproot may be unbranched longitudinal resin ducts are usually evident but may be slender and be accompanied by in stereomes. Phyllaries overlap along secondary roots of equal thickness arising these margins and so can be categorised separately from the base of the stem. Root as inner phyllaries or outer phyllaries. systems can also comprise secondary As well, intermediate phyllaries occur in

91 KANUNNAH Mark Wapstra, Ian Thompson and Alex Buchanan

roots only, without a taproot being Stems: Stems of most species are erect, present. The relative size (fleshiness) of occasionally somewhat sprawling, and the primary roots compared to secondary in species mainly at higher altitudes or roots is variable, and is an important along the coast, sometimes creeping distinguishing character for many disc­ and/or ascending before becoming iform species. For example, in species such erect (e.g. S. pinnatifolius var. alpinus). as S. quadridentatus and S. hispidulus the Some species are rhizomatous (having a taproot is considerably stouter than the rhizome, an underground stem, usually secondary roots, which are rather fine growing horizontally). Two species in and hardly fleshy. Conversely, in species the key have scrambling, twining or such as S. phelleus and S. hispidissimus, climbing stems, often forming extensive the taproot is slender and no stouter than tangled infestations (Delairea odorata and the secondary roots, which are distinctly S. angulatus). fleshy and generally unbranched except for occasional fine rootlets. Secondary roots Succulent: Thickened due to a high fluid of S. prenanthoides become particularly content. Plants may be both fleshy and fleshy and are characteristically slightly succulent or may be succulent only. In tuberiform (resembling a tuber, i.e. fleshy the latter case, leaves or stems will press and tapering at each end). quite thin.

Acknowledgments

Hans and Annie Wapstra made useful com­ and have appeared in his previous manuscripts ments on earlier versions of the manuscript, as cited in the references. Kim Hill extracted collected fresh specimens to test the key, and data records from the Tasmanian Herbarium. kindly allowed use of their excellent colour The anonymous referees commented on an photographs. All line drawings, except as earlier version of the manuscript. indicated in captions, are by Ian Thompson

References

Belcher RO (1996) Australian alpine scapose radiate Buchanan AM (2005) ‘A Census of the Vascular Plants taxa of Senecio (Asteraceae). Muelleria 9, 115–131. of Tasmania & Index to the Student’s Flora of Belcher RO, Albrecht DE (1994) Senecio psilocarpus Tasmania.’ Fourth Edition. (Tasmanian Herbarium, (Asteraceae), a new species of erechthitoid Senecio Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Occasional from western Victoria and south-eastern South Publication No. 7: Hobart) Australia. Muelleria 8, 113–117. Curtis WM (1963) ‘The Student’s Flora of Tasmania Black JM (1928) Additions to the flora of South Part 2 Angiospermae: Lythraceae to Epacridaceae.’ Australia, No. 26. Transactions of the Royal Society of (Government Printer: Hobart) South Australia 52, 230. Lawrence ME (1980) Senecio L. (Asteraceae) in Bremer K (1994) ‘Asteraceae: Cladistics and Clas­ Australia: Chromosome numbers and the occur­ sification.’ (Timber Press: Portland: Oregon) rence of polyploidy. Australian Systematic Botany 13, 409–423.

92 An Illustrated and Annotated Key to the Tasmanian Species of Senecio KANUNNAH

Thomas DC (2004) Hybridisation between radiate and Thompson IR (2005) Taxonomic studies of Australian erechthitoid species of Senecio L. on Mount Macedon, Senecio (Asteraceae): 5. the S. pinnatifolius/S. lautus Victoria. The Victorian Naturalist 121(1), 23–31. complex. Muelleria 21, 23–76. Thompson IR (2004a) Taxonomic studies of Australian Thompson IR (2006) A taxonomic treatment of tribe Senecio (Asteraceae): 1. the disciform species. Senecioneae (Asteraceae) in Australia. Muelleria 24, Muelleria 19, 101–214. 51–110. Thompson IR (2004b) Taxonomic studies of Australian Walsh NG (1999) Senecio. In ‘Flora of Victoria Vol 4’. Senecio (Asteraceae): 2. the shrubby, discoid species (Eds NG Walsh, TJ Entwisle) pp. 941–965. (Inkata and the allied radiate species Senecio linearifolius. Press: Melbourne) Muelleria 20, 67–110. Wapstra H, Wapstra A, Wapstra M, Gilfedder L (2005) Thompson IR (2004c) Taxonomic studies of Australian ‘The Little Book of Common Names for Tasmanian Senecio (Asteraceae): 3. radiate, arid region species Plants.’ (Department of Primary Industries, Water allied to S. magnificus and the radiate, alpine species and Environment: Hobart) S. pectinatus. Muelleria 20, 111–138. Thompson I (2004d) A new name for Senecio glandulosus (Asteraceae). Muelleria 20, 139–140.

93 SHORT COMMUNICATION The significance of ‘H’ in William H Archer in Australian Herbarium collections

Anita Hansen

Hansen, Anita 2008. The significance of 'H' in William H Archer in Australian herbarium collections. Kanunnah 3: 94–97. ISSN 1832-536X.

Anita Hansen, School of Art, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 57, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia

Recent research by the author (Hansen On Archer’s death in 1874 his main 2007) into the botanical legacy of herbarium was sold as part of his estate. William Archer indicates that confusion Although efforts were made to have the exists regarding the correct citation of Government of Tasmania buy the collection his specimens held at the Tasmanian – Hooker (Royal Society Archives [RSA]/ Herbarium (HO) and the National Herb­ E/12), William Spicer (RSA/H/12) and the arium of New South Wales (NSW). The Council of the Royal Society of Tasmania confusion relates to the addition of a corresponded with the Government middle initial ‘H’ to collections made by attesting to the importance of this William Archer. herbarium to the state – it was considered William Archer (1820–1874) was born to be too expensive at the time. Hooker in Launceston, Tasmania, and is acknow­ eventually purchased Archer’s herbarium ledged as the first Australian-born botanist and it became a part of the Kew Herbarium and botanical illustrator. collection (Brummitt et al. 2004). In the late 1850s William Archer travelled A significant number of William Archer’s to England to work with Sir Joseph Dalton specimens, probably duplicates, remained Hooker on Flora Tasmaniae (1860), to in Tasmania. These specimens, as well which he contributed extensively both as collections by Gunn and others, were as a botanist and as an illustrator. When sent to NSW in Sydney, possibly by the Archer travelled to England he took with Royal Society of Tasmania, in the early him a substantial herbarium of Tasmanian 1900s. There is no record in the Papers and plants and it was this herbarium, as well Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania (for as the herbarium at the Royal Botanic the years 1902–1912) that provides a date Gardens, Kew, that Hooker referred to for the transfer of the specimens. Karen when compiling Flora Tasmaniae. While Wilson (NSW) wrote on 4 August 2006: working with Hooker, Archer added to … I have not been able to find any his herbarium from the collection at Kew. information about exactly when the He took this expanded herbarium back to W.H. Archer specimens came to us in Tasmania on his return in 1860.

94 The Significance of 'H' in William H. Archer in Australian herbaria KANUNNAH

Fig. 1. Example of Tasmanian Herbarium label ‘W.H. Archer’s Herbarium of Tasmanian Plants’.

any of the publications in our library. An examination of the handwriting2 The annual reports during the period on the labels of the specimens in HO and that J.H. Maiden was director are very NSW clearly shows the specimens are detailed as to receipt of specimens but those of William Archer. This labelling I couldn't find an entry for Archer (nor error has caused confusion in the past, for Gunn or Milligan) – there are several and has resulted in William Archer being for Leonard Rodway1 having sent usually incorrectly cited as W. H. Archer in both smallish numbers of specimens variously Jones et al. (1999) The Orchids of Tasmania as gifts or exchange … Our specimen and the Australian National Botanical database shows that there are 950 Gardens website. specimens databased as coming from There are three other William Archers William or William H. Archer … The who were active at about the same time Archer specimens that I have seen have as William Archer (1820–1874). It seems printed labels (Fig. 1). likely that one of these naturalists and/ or botanists may have inadvertently Following their arrival in Sydney, new been confused with William Archer labels were printed for the specimens (1820 –1974). 3 and were headed ‘William H. Archer’, Stafleu and Cowan (1976) and Brummit and all subsequent citations followed this and Powell (1992) cite a William Archer form, with the ‘H’ included. A number of (1830–1897) from Dublin, Ireland, who was specimens were later returned to Tasmania a botanist, librarian and microscopist but he bearing the printed NSW labels and these is not known to have collected in Australia form the Archer collection at HO. The and is therefore not relevant to this study. remainder are still housed at NSW.

95 KANUNNAH Anita Hansen

Two other William Archers, both with W.H.D. Archer as either botanists or a middle initial ‘H’, were naturalists in botanical collectors and it seems that Australia. William Henry Archer (1825– they were minor contributors, if at all, 1909) was born in England and arrived to herbaria in Australia. Maiden (1910) in Victoria at the end of 1852 and was a does not mention either W.H. Archer or corresponding member (whose address W.H.D. Archer in his paper on Tasmanian was given as Melbourne) of the Royal botanists and Brummitt and Powell (1992) Society of Tasmania for many years do not refer to either of them, which (Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of suggests they did not name any new taxa, Tasmania 1867–1869). nor were taxa named after them. William Henry Davies Archer (1836–1928) It seems likely, therefore, that probably was born in Longford, Tasmania, the son all of the collections that have been labelled of William Archer of Brickendon; William as William H. Archer at both NSW and HO Archer’s uncle (1820–1874). W.H.D. Archer were collected by the William ‘without was a member of the Tasmanian Parl­ the H’ Archer – the first Australian- iament, as was William Archer (1820– born botanist and botanical illustrator 1874). W.H.D. Archer was also a member (1820–1874). The use of the middle initial of the Royal Society of Tasmania (in the for the William Archer specimens in early 1900s), about the time the herbarium HO and NSW is therefore incorrect. It is specimens were sent to NSW (Papers and hoped this note will resolve the confusion Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania surrounding the appropriate citation for 1902–1912). William Archer. It should also help clarify There is nothing known about the Archer’s contributions to the study of the contribution of either W.H. Archer or Tasmanian flora.

Endnotes

1 Leonard R Rodway (1853–1936). Honorary 3 Stafleu and Mennega (1992) cause further Government Botanist 1896–1932. Honorary confusion by indicating that Archeria was Curator of the Tasmanian Museum Herbarium named after Thomas Croxen Archer (1817– 1928–1932. 1885). This genus was named after William 2 Examples of Archer’s handwriting from his Archer (1820–1874), as correctly indicated in diaries held at the Royal Society of Tasmania Stafleu and Cowan (1976). (Archer, W Diaries 1847–74, 61–1,) and notes on his orchid illustrations held at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery were compared.

Acknowledgments

The assistance of Andrew Rozefelds Karen Wilson (NSW) in undertaking this (TMAG), Alex Buchanan (HO) and research is acknowledged.

96 The Significance of 'H' in William H. Archer in Australian herbaria KANUNNAH

References

Brummitt R, Mill R, Farjon A (2004) The significance Maiden JH (1910) Records of Tasmanian Botanists. of ‘it’ in the nomenclature of three Tasmanian Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania conifers: Microcachrys tetragona and Microstrobos (for the year 1909), 9–27. niphilus (Podocarpaceae), and Diselma archeri (Cupess­ Stafleu FA, Cowan RS (1976) ‘Taxonomic Literature, aceae). Taxon 53(2), 529–539. A selective guide to botanical publications and Brummitt RK, Powell CE (1992) ‘Authors of plant collections with dates, commentaries and types.’ Names.’ (Kew: London) Volume 1, second edition. (Bohn, Scheltema and Hansen A (2007) ‘The Illustrations and Work of Holkema: Utrecht) William Archer.’ (Unpublished Master of Fine Art Stafleu FA, Mennega EA (1992) ‘Taxonomic Literature, thesis, University of Tasmania: Hobart) A selective guide to botanical publications and Jones D, Wapstra H, Tonelli P, Harris S (1999) ‘The collections with dates, commentaries and types.’ Orchids of Tasmania.’ (Melbourne University Supplement 1 (A–Ba) (Koeltz Scientific Books: Press: Carlton South, Victoria) Königstein)

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