Leionema paulii (Rutaceae), a new, range-restricted endemic species from south-eastern New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

Leionema paulii G.P.Phillips (Rutaceae), a newly recognised species of restricted distribution from montane south-eastern New South Wales is here described. It is compared with the morphologically similar L. phylicifolium (F.Muell.) Paul G.Wilson, L. ceratogynum N.G.Walsh and L. lachnaeoides (A.Cunn.) Paul G.Wilson. The distribution, habitat and proposed conservation status for the new taxon are presented, and a modified key to the species of Leionema found in New South Wales is also included. Leionema paulii was previously recorded as a disjunct population of L. phylicifolium that was previously not represented by any herbarium specimens. This highlights the opportunity for further taxonomic discovery through the collection and analysis of specimens from more disjunct and discrete populations in genera that contain large numbers of narrow-range endemics.