Leptocarpus (Restionaceae) enlarged to include Meeboldina and Stenotalis, with new Western Australian species and subgenera

Abstract

A recent phylogeny of the restiid clade of Poales based on DNA data from the chloroplast genome indicates that several currently recognised genera of Leptocarpoideae are paraphyletic or polyphyletic. Morphology and DNA data both indicate that the species that have been known by names in Meeboldina consist of two groups. Moreover, Leptocarpus and the monotypic Stenotalis both appear embedded in Meeboldina, as the latter has been recognised in recent classifications. Leptocarpus is here enlarged to encompass Meeboldina and Stenotalis and new subgenera Leptocarpus, Meeboldina and Stenotalis are recognised. The new combination Leptocarpus denmarkicus (Suess.) B.G.Briggs [=Meeboldina denmarkica Suess.] is provided and the new epithet and combination Leptocarpus scoparius B.G.Briggs [= Stenotalis ramosissima (Gilg) B.G.Briggs & L.A.S.Johnson, basionym Hypolaena ramosissima Gilg, non Leptocarpus ramosissimus Pillans]. Eight new species from the south of Western Australia are described: L. crebriculmis, L decipiens, L. depilatus, L. elegans, L. kraussii, L. roycei, L. tephrinus and L. thysananthus.