Guest post by Dr Betsy Jackes with photos courtesy of Rigel Jensen/Australian Wildlife Conservancy
This rare Hibbertia from Taravale has just been named Hibbertia advena by Tim Hammer, Helmut Toelken and Kevin Thiele. The Latin ‘advena’ means outside, foreigner or stranger. This is a reference to the fact this Hibbertia is clearly related to species in southwest Western Australia and not closely related to other pungent-leafed Hibbertia species in Queensland.
Where has Hibbertia advena been found?
At the western edge of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) Mt Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuary, and at one location near the top of the Ben Lomond Mining Lease. Since this area has not been well explored, there are probably isolated populations still to be found.
How do you recognize Hibbertia advena?
It is a much-branched prickly shrub with scattered, linear, pungent leaves and strongly rolled margins so that the midrib on the lower surface is obscure. The flowers are borne on small pedicels (stalks). The 15 stamens are divided into 5 distinct groups of 3 and these groups are inserted between the 5 carpels.
How does it differ from the ferocious Burra Range species, Hibbertia ferox?
Hibbertia ferox has only 2 carpels that are surrounded by 9-10 stamens and the flowers are sessile i.e. without a pedicel. The leaves are similar but tend to be crowded rather than scattered.
Reference: Hammer, T.A., Toelken, H.R. & Thiele, K.R. (2022). Hibbertia advena (Dilleniaceae), a new and rare species from Queensland with transcontinental affinities. Australian Journal of Taxonomy 9: 1–5. doi.org/10.54102/ajt. Illustrations p 4.