New species of Craspedia (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae) from Tasmania and determination of the identity of C. macrocephala Hook

The identity of Craspedia macrocephala Hook. is determined and it is shown to be conspecific with C. alpina Backh. ex Hook.f., which, being the younger name, is therefore placed in synonymy. J.D.Hooker (1847, 1857) misapplied the name C. macrocephala and recognised two informal varieties. One of these varieties is described, herein, as a new species, C. cynurica Rozefelds & A.M.Buchanan, sp. nov., and the other is C. paludicola J.Everett & Doust. Craspedia cynurica has a restricted distribution and should be assessed as 'Rare' under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. In addition, a distinctive, widespread species, C. rosulata Rozefelds & A.M.Buchanan, sp. nov., which occurs in grassland communities in Tasmania, is also described. The phylogenetic and biogeographical relationships of these taxa are discussed and a key to the species currendy known from Tasmania is provided.