Morphological evaluation of the 'Drosera peltata' complex (Droseraceae)

Abstract

A phenetic study of morphological characters of the 'Drosera peltata' complex (Droseraceae) supports the recognition of the following taxa: 'D. peltata' from wetlands of south-eastern Australia; 'D. auriculata' from south-eastern Australia and New Zealand; the morphologically variable 'D. hookeri' from south-eastern Australia and northern New Zealand; the widespread 'D. lunata' from southern and South-East Asia, as well as northern and north-eastern Australia; and the new species 'D. yilgarnensis' R.P.Gibson & B.J.Conn is here described, from around granite outcrops of south-western Australia. 'D. bicolor' from south-western Australia is recognised as a distinct species outside of the 'D. peltata' complex. 'D. insolita', considered until recently as a distinct species, is reduced to synonymy of 'D. lunata'. Phenotypic plasticity, vegetative similarity and fleetingly produced diagnostic floral and seed characters within the complex pose significant challenges in understanding the taxonomy of these taxa.