The Golden-goo Hibiscus (Hibiscus chrysinocolla, Malvaceae), a new species from Katjarra, Western Australia

Abstract

A new species of Hibiscus L. (Malvaceae) is described below as part of a large revision of the Australian components of H. sect. Bombicella DC. Restricted to Katjarra (the Carnarvon Range), part of the Birriliburu Indigenous Protected Area some 160 km north-north-west of Wiluna, this species was first collected in 1998 but only recognised as distinctive in 2012 when it was added to Western Australia’s vascular plant census under the name H. sp. Carnarvon (S. van Leeuwen 5110) by Johan Hurter (Parker & Biggs 2013). It was subsequently recollected during regional surveys in August 2012 and May 2013 by Gibson et al. (2014), who astutely collected ample herbarium samples along with detailed habitat notes and photographs. Examination of this material, along with specimens from all Australian members of sect. Bombicella, has confirmed that it is morphologically distinct, with its novel status further supported by a preliminary molecular phylogeny of the Australian Hibiscus (McLay, in prep.).