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Telopea 11(2) 233-244
2006 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust ISSN0312-9764
New combinations in the genus Vachellia (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae)
from Australia
Phillip G. Kodela and Peter G. Wilson
National Herbarium of New South Wales, Botanic Gardens Trust,
Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Abstract
BasedontheevidencethatthegenusAcaciasens. lat.
ispolyphyleticandtheacceptancethatthemajor groups warrant generic
status, and because the nameAcacia has been
conservedwithanewtype,thefollowingnewcombinationsinVachelliaWight&Arn.arenecessaryforAustraliantaxaformerlyincludedinAcaciasubg.Acacia:Vachellia
bidwillii (Benth.)Kodela,V. clarksoniana (Pedley)Kodela,V. ditricha
(Pedley)Kodela,V. douglasica (Pedley)Kodela,V.
pachyphloia(W.Fitzg.)KodelaandV.
pachyphloiasubsp.brevipinnula(Tindale&Kodela)Kodela,V.
pallidifolia(Tindale)Kodela,V. suberosa(A.Cunn.exBenth.)Kodela,V.
sutherlandii (F.Muell.)Kodela,andV.
valida(Tindale&Kodela)Kodela.Vachellia
farnesiana(L.)Wight&Arn.,apre-EuropeanintroductiontoAustralia,haspreviouslybeentransferredtothegenus.Acacia
nilotica(L.)Delilehasbeenleftfortheattentionofotherresearchersmorefamiliarwiththistaxon,itssynonymyanditsvarioussubspecies.
Introduction
SynopsesofrecentmorphologicalandmolecularstudiesshowingthatthegenusAcaciasens.lat.ispolyphyleticandrequiresdivisionintoatleastfivegeneraareprovidedbyMaslinetal.(2003,2003a).AttheJuly2005InternationalBotanicalCongressinViennaaconservationproposalbyOrchardandMaslin(2003)wasendorsed,resultingintheretypificationofthegenusAcacia
(McNeilletal.2005).ThisdecisionresultsinthetypeofthegenusbeingchangedfromtheAfricanspeciesAcacia
nilotica(L.)DeliletotheAustralianspeciesAcacia
penninervisSieberexDC.Asaresultofthis,ifthegenusissplit,VachelliaWight&Arn.istheearliestavailablenameapplicabletospeciesformerlyincludedinAcaciasubg.Acacia,whilethenameAcacia
isretainedforspeciesoftheformerAcaciasubg.Phyllodineae,themajorityofwhichoccurinAustralia.
InAustraliathereareelevenspeciesoftheformerAcacia
subg.Acacia(Pedley2002);nineoftheseareendemictotropicalAustralia.Acacia
farnesiana(L.)Willd.,whichiswidespreadthroughthetropicsincentralAmerica,AfricaandAsia,probablyarrivedinAustraliapriortoEuropeansettlement(Kodela&Tindale2001,Pedley2002).Themorerecentintroduction,Acacia
niloticasubsp.indica(Benth.)Brenan(Fig.1),which
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234 Telopea 11(2): 2006 Kodela and Wilson
isnaturalisedinQueenslandandtheNorthernTerritory,isnowknowntoshowgeneticdiversityinAustraliaindicatingthatmorethanoneinfraspecifictaxonmaybepresenthere(Wardilletal.2006).
Acacia farnesiana is the type of the genus Vachellia, so the
combinationVachellia farnesiana(L.)Wight&Arn.(Prodr. Fl. Ind.
Orient.272,1834)alreadyexists.PlantsofthistaxoninAustraliaseemalltobereferabletovar.farnesiana(Pedley2002,Kodelapers.obs.,
Seiglerpers. comm.) (Fig.2).Combinations inVachellia
forNewWorldtaxaoftheformerAcaciasubg.AcaciahaverecentlybeenmadebySeiglerandEbinger(2006).
NewcombinationsinVachelliaaremadeherefortheendemicAustraliantaxasothatthesenamesareavailableforuseinflorasandchecklists.Nocombination,however,ismadeforAcacia
nilotica(L.)Delile,whichpresentsmoredifficulties(seeWardilletal.2006)andhasbeenleftfortheattentionofotherresearchersmorefamiliarwiththistaxon,itssynonymyanditsvarioussubspecies.
New Combinations
1. Vachellia bidwillii (Benth.)Kodela,comb. nov. (Fig.3)
Basionym: Acacia bidwilliiBenth.,Linnaea26:629(1855).
Holotype:Queensland:AdWide-Bay,Australiaeboreali-orientalis(Bidwill)(K).
A. leptocladavar.(?)polyphyllaBenth.,Fl.
Austral.2:416(1864).Holotype: East Coast [Queensland], R. Brown
[Bennett sheet No. 4331], 18025(K;photoNSW).
A. bidwilliivar.bidwillii,Fl. Austral.2:420(1864),autonym.
A. bidwilliivar.polytrichaDomin,Biblioth. Bot.89:273(1926).Type
citation: Nord-Queensland: Savannenwlder bei Mungana (Domin II.
1910)Holotype:Queensland:inxerodrymioapudopp.Mungana,K. Domin
5148,Feb1910(PR527948).
2. Vachellia clarksoniana (Pedley)Kodela,comb. nov.
Basionym: Acacia
clarksonianaPedley,Austrobaileya6:184,fig.1A,B(2002).
Holotype:Queensland:3.9kmfromNewDixiehomestead,J.R. Clarkson
3585,15Oct1980(BRI).Isotypes:ILL,K,MEL,MO,NSW,PERTH,PR,QRS.
3. Vachellia ditricha (Pedley)Kodela,comb. nov. (Fig.4)
Basionym: Acacia ditrichaPedley,Austrobaileya1:307(1980).
Holotype: Queensland: Kowanyama Aboriginal Reserve on the
Mitchell River,B. Alpher,Dec1977(BRI).
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Fig. 1. Acacia
niloticasubsp.?indica.a,branchletwithleavesandinflorescences;b,leafbaseandstipularspines;c,pinnule;d,petiolargland;e,glandatapexofleafrachis;f,bark;g,inflorescenceinbud;h,flowerbud;i,flower;j,gynoecium;k,bracteoles;l,pod;m,seeds.ae,ik,Newman
565(NSW);f,Coveny 6925 & Hind (NSW);g,h,l,m,C.E.F.
Allen(NSW271068).Scalebar=0.6cm(d,e,hk),1cm(c),1.2cm(b,g),3cm(m),6cm(a,f,l).
a
b
c
d
f
ge
i
h
jk
l
m
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236 Telopea 11(2): 2006 Kodela and Wilson
4. Vachellia douglasica (Pedley)Kodela,comb. nov.
Basionym: Acacia
douglasicaPedley,Austrobaileya6:181,fig.1C,D(2002).
Holotype:NorthernTerritory:0.5kmWofDouglasRiver,M. Parker
508,23Oct1974(BRI).Isotypes:CANB,DNA,NSW.
AcaciaDouglasR.,C.R.Dunlopet al.,Fl. Darwin
Region2:20,fig.4(1995).
Note:Pedley(2002)suggestedthatTindaleandKodela(1996)includedA.
douglasicaaspartofA.
ditrichabutthiswasnotthecase.AlthoughspecimensofthethenundescribedspeciesA.
douglasicawereknownatthetimeandwereconsideredasapossiblevariantofA.
ditrichatheywereneitherincludedinthedescriptionofA.
ditrichanorcitedintheTindaleandKodela(1996)paper.TheDouglasRivertaxonwaslateraddressedintheFlora
of Australia(Kodela&Tindale2001:202)underAcacia bidwillii.
5. Vachellia pachyphloia (W.Fitzg.)Kodela,comb. nov.
Basionym: Acacia pachyphloiaW.Fitzg.inJ.H.Maiden,J. & Proc.
Roy. Soc. New South Wales51:116(1917).
Typecitation:SlopesofBoldBluff;hillsnearC.92,inproximitytotheSynnottRange;hillsbytheCharnleyandCalderRivers(W.V.F.)
Lectotype(fideTindale&Kodela1996:311):WesternAustralia:nearSynnott[Synnot]Range,
W.V. Fitzgerald 1267,July1905(NSW).Isolectotype:PERTH.
Residual syntypes[paralectotypes]: slopesofBoldBluff,W.V.
Fitzgerald;hillsby
theCharnleyandCalderRivers,W.V.Fitzgerald(n.v.,locationunknown).
5a. Vachellia pachyphloia (W.Fitzg.)Kodela subsp.
pachyphloia
5b. Vachellia pachyphloia subsp. brevipinnula (Tindale &
Kodela) Kodela, comb. nov.
Basionym: Acacia
pachyphloiasubsp.brevipinnulaTindale&Kodela,Austral. Syst.
Bot.9:314,fig.3(1996).
Holotype:WesternAustralia:26kmNofturnofftoMitchellFallsalongroadtoPortWarrender,M.
McDonald 336,14June1987(NSW).Isotype:PERTH.
6. Vachellia pallidifolia (Tindale)Kodela,comb. nov. (Fig.5)
Basionym: Acacia pallidifolia Tindale,Telopea 1: 82 (1975),
based onAcacia pallidaF. Muell., J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 3: 147 (1859),
partim, non Humb. et Bonpl. exWilld.(1806).
Lectotype(fideTindale,loc.
cit.):NorthernTerritory:FitzmauriceRiver,arbusculaincampisapricis,F.
Mueller 76, 75,Oct1855(MEL).Isolectotype:NSW.
Residual syntypes [paralectotypes]: McAdam Range, F. Mueller 75,
Oct 1855 (K,PERTH).
Acacia
turbataPedley,Austrobaileya6:180(2002).Holotype:NorthernTerritory:EofMaryRiver,S.T.
Blake 17095,29Sep1946(BRI).Isotype:NSW.
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Fig. 2. Vachellia
farnesianavar.farnesiana.a,branchletwithleaves,inflorescencesandimmaturepods;b,
leaves,inflorescencesandstipularspines;c,stipularspines;d,petioleshowinggland;e,
petiolar gland; f, inflorescence in bud; g, involucel of united
bracts at apex of
peduncle(usuallyhiddenbyflowers);h,flowerbud;i,flower;j,gynoecium;k,anther;l,bracteoles;m,n,pods;o,seeds.a,f,hj,l,Coveny
6572 & Powell(NSW);b,d,Milvain (NSW108509);c,m,K.
Moore(NSW108510);e,G.M. Cunningham 704(NSW);g,Milthorpe
3821(NSW);k,Rodd s.n.(NSW70825),n,o,Coveny 6522 &
Powell(NSW).Scalebar=0.075cm(k),0.4cm(e),0.6cm(hj,l),1.2cm(d,f,g),2cm(c),3cm(o),6cm(a,b,m,n).
a
b
c
d
f ge
i
h
j
k
l
m
no
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238 Telopea 11(2): 2006 Kodela and Wilson
Fig. 3. Vachellia
bidwillii.a,branchletwithleaves;b,petioleandstipularspines;c,petiolargland;d,
apex of leaf rachis; e, inflorescences; f, inflorescence in bud; g,
flower bud;h, bracteoles;i,flower; j,gynoecium;k,anther; l,pod;m,
seed.al,Tindale (NSW52690);m,Coveny 6876 &Hind (NSW). Scale bar
= 0.1 cm (k), 0.4 cm (c), 0.6 cm (gj), 1 cm (b, d), 1.2 cm
(f),4cm(m),6cm(a,e,1).
a
b
c
d
f
g
e
ih
j
kl
m
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Vachellia (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) from Australia Telopea 11(2):
2006 239
Fig. 4. Vachellia
ditricha.a,apexofbranchletwithleafandpod;b,baseofleafshowingpetiolargland;c,apexofleaf;d,apexofpinna;e,bark;f,pod;g,sectionofpodshowingindumentumonoutersurface;h,seedinpod;i,j,seeds;k,seedling.a,Maconochie
206(DNA);bd,j, Perry 2833& Lazarides (CANB);ei,Jacobs
1732(NSW);k,AZRI(NTsheet),seedlinggrownfromseedofN. McK. Henry
7(NT31554).Scalebar=0.5cm(g),0.6cm(d),1.2cm(b,c),3cm(i),4cm(a,j),6cm(e,f,h,k).
a
b
c
d
f
ge i
hj
k
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240 Telopea 11(2): 2006 Kodela and Wilson
Note:ThepossibletypematerialofAcacia
pallidaF.Muell.,nom.illeg.,includestwodifferenttaxa.However,therehavebeentwodifferentinterpretationsofthismaterialthat
have resulted in the replacement nameA. pallidifolia Tindale being
applied toeach of these twodifferent taxa.Wehave followed the
concept adopted
byTindale(1975)whilePedley(2002)appliesthisnametothetaxonnamedA.
validabyTindaleandKodela(1996).Tofurtheraddtotheconfusion,Pedley(2002)reversesTindalesapplicationofthenameAcacia
pallidifolia,renamingherspeciesconceptasA.
turbataPedley.ThespeciesconceptoriginallyadoptedbyTindale(1975),andwhichwas
inuseforalmost30years,hasnowbeenchallengedbyPedleys(2002)rejectionofherlectotypification.WhilePedleysviewhasmerit,wesuggestthatnomenclaturalstabilityis
notwell served byhis approach because itwould lead to a confusing
reversal ofnames. A case for conservation of the nameA.
pallidifolia in the sense of
Tindale(1975)isinpreparationandwillbesubmittedforconsiderationbytheCommitteeforSpermatophyta.
7. Vachellia suberosa (A.Cunn.exBenth.)Kodela,comb. nov.
(Fig.6)
Basionym: Acacia suberosaA.Cunn.exBenth.,London J.
Bot.1:499(1842).
Lectotype (fide Kodela, Fl. Australia 11A: 642,
2001):WesternAustralia:
CareeningBay,NorthWestCoast,3rdVoyageofMermaid,A. Cunningham
300,Sep1820[larger,right-handelement](K).Isolectotype:BM.
Residualsyntypes[paralectotypes]:WesternAustralia:EncounterCove,VansittartBay,NorthWestCoast,2ndVoyageofMermaid,A.
Cunningham 488,Oct1819(BM,K).
8. Vachellia sutherlandii (F.Muell.)Kodela,comb. nov.
(Fig.7)
Basionym: Albizia sutherlandi F.Muell., Fragm. 6: 22 (1867).
Acacia sutherlandii(F.Muell.) F.Muell. (as Sutherlandi), Iconogr.
Austral. Acacia Dec. 12: [pl. 8] (June1888).
Holotype:Queensland:FlindersRiver,J. Sutherland 114(MEL).
Acacia melaleucoidesF.M.Bailey,Proc. Roy. Soc.
Queensland5:121(Sep1888).Holotype:Queensland:South-easternslopeofNewcastleRange,betweenGeorgetownandJunctionCk,R.C.
Burton(?BRI,n.v.)
9. Vachellia valida (Tindale&Kodela)Kodela,comb. nov.
Basionym: Acacia validaTindale&Kodela,Austral. Syst.
Bot.9:307,fig.1(1996).
Holotype:NorthernTerritory:MathisonCk,c.91.5kmWofKatherineontheVictoriaHwy,M.D.
Tindale 10101, P. Munns & R.
Turley,2Aug1989(NSW).Isotypes:AD,BRI,CANB,DNA,K,MEL,MO,PERTH.
A. pallidaF.Muell., J. Linn. Soc.,
Bot.3:147(1859),partim,nonHumb.etBonpl.exWilld.(1806).
A. bidwilliiBenth.var.(?)majorBenth.(asBidwilli),Fl.
Austral.2:421(1864).Holotype: (Dry) ridges of the Victoria River,
F. Mueller 76, Nov 1855 (MEL).Isotype:K.
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Vachellia (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) from Australia Telopea 11(2):
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Fig. 5. Vachellia
pallidifolia.a,branchletwithleavesandinflorescences;b,pinnulesatapexofpinna;c,leafscarshowingsmallstipularspines;d,leafglands;e,inflorescenceinbud;f,flowerbud;g,flower;h,gynoecium;
i,bracteoles; j,pod;k, seed.a,b,di,M. WhiteMR13(CANB);c, j, k,Blake
17095 (NSW). Scale bar = 0.4 cm (f), 0.6 cm (gi), 0.66 cm (d), 1.33
cm (e),2cm(b,c),4cm(k),6cm(a,j)
a
b
c
dfg
e
i h
j
k
Telopea 11_2.indd 241 19/4/06 11:44:20 AM
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242 Telopea 11(2): 2006 Kodela and Wilson
Fig. 6. Vachellia
suberosa.a,branchletwithleavesandinflorescences;b,leafandstipularspines;c,glandatapexofleafrachis;d,bark;e,inflorescenceinbud;f,innersurfaceofbracteole;g,outersurfaceofbracteole;h,flower;i,gynoecium;j,anther;k,pod;l,sectionofpodshowingindumentumonoutersurface;m,seed.a,c,e,j,Lazarides
7744(NSW);b,Lazarides 3104(NSW);d,Maconochie 1183(NSW);fiByrnes
2228 (NSW);km,Lazarides
6515(NSW).Scalebar=0.1cm(j),0.3cm(l),0.4cm(c),0.6cm(fi),1.5cm(e),2cm(b),4cm(m),6cm(a,d,k).
ab
c
d
f g
e
i h
j
kl
m
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Vachellia (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) from Australia Telopea 11(2):
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Fig. 7. Vachellia sutherlandii. a, part of branchletwith leaf
and inflorescence;b, part of
leafrachisshowingpetiolargland;c,apexofpinna;d,bark;e,flowerbud;f,flower;g,gynoecium;h,bracteoles;i,anther;j,pod;k,seed.ac,ei,Waterhouses.n.(NSW108060);d,Jacobs
1374(NSW);j,k,Hind 1069 &
Ingram(NSW).Scalebar=0.1cm(i),0.6cm(c,eh),1cm(b),4cm(k),6cm(a,d,j).
ab
c
df g e
i
h
j
k
Telopea 11_2.indd 243 19/4/06 11:44:35 AM
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244 Telopea 11(2): 2006 Kodela and Wilson
Note: Pedley (2002) treated A. valida as a synonym of Acacia
pallidifolia. Correctapplication of the latter name is contingent
upon resolution of the issue of
itstypification,asdiscussedabove.
Acknowledgments
WearegratefulforcommentsandadviceontheAcacia
pallidatypificationissueprovidedin2000byDrsMaryTindaleandJimRoss(MEL),aswellasearlieradviceprovidedtoDrTindalebythelateDrL.A.S.Johnson.ManythanksalsotoBruceMaslinandPaulWilsonforconstructivecommentsonthismanuscript.DaveSeiglerkindlyprovideddetails
of his recently publishedpaper and other information.Access to
collectionswasgenerouslyprovidedbyBM,KandMEL.IllustrationswerebyRobinGriffithsandmadeavailablebyDrTindale.CatherineWardropandJuliaSiderisassistedwiththefinalpreparationoftheillustrationsandscalebars.
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