Volume 24: 203–232 ELOPEA Publication date: 19 May 2021 T dx.doi.org/10.7751/telopea14806 Journal of Plant Systematics plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/Telopea • escholarship.usyd.edu.au/journals/index.php/TEL • ISSN 0312-9764 (Print) • ISSN 2200-4025 (Online) A review of Dendrobium kingianum Bidwill ex Lindl. (Orchidaceae) with morphological and molecular- phylogenetic analyses Peter B. Adams1,2, Sheryl D. Lawson2, and Matthew A.M. Renner 3 1The University of Melbourne, School of BioSciences, Parkville 3010, Victoria 2National Herbarium of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Birdwood Ave., Melbourne 3004, Victoria 3National Herbarium of New South Wales, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney 2000, New South Wales Author for correspondence:
[email protected] Abstract Populations of Dendrobium kingianum Bidwill ex Lindl. from near Newcastle, New South Wales to southern and central west Queensland and encompassing all regions of the distribution were studied using field observations, morphometric analysis and nrITS sequences. A total of 281 individuals were used to construct regional descriptions of D. kingianum and 139 individuals were measured for 19 morphological characters, and similarities and differences among specimens summarised using multivariate statistical methods. Patterns of morphological variation within D. kingianum are consistent with a single variable species that expresses clinal variation, with short-growing plants in the south and taller plants in the northern part of the distribution. The nrITS gene tree suggests two subgroups within D. kingianum subsp. kingianum, one comprising northern, the other southern individuals, which may overlap in the vicinity of Dorrigo, New South Wales. The disjunct D. kingianum subsp. carnarvonense Peter B.