Tecticornia bibenda (Chenopodiaceae: Salicornioideae), a new C4 samphire from the Little Sandy Desert, Western Australia

Shepherd, K.A. & van Leeuwen, S.J. Tecticornia bibenda (Chenopodiaceae: Salicornioideae), anew C4 samphire from the Little Sandy Desert, Western Australia. Nuytsia 16(2): 383–391 (2007).Tecticornia bibenda K.A. Sheph. & S.J. van Leeuwen, a new species of conservation signifi canceis described and illustrated. Previously Tecticornia indica (Willd.) K.A. Sheph. & Paul G. Wilson(formerly Halosarcia indica (Willd.) Paul G. Wilson) was the only member of the Salicornioideae thatwas known to have a modifi ed Kranz anatomy indicative of the C4 photosynthetic pathway. Anatomicalevidence indicates that T. bibenda shares a similar modifi ed anatomy. While T. bibenda is relatedto T. indica, it is distinguished by the presence of unusually large vegetative and fertile articles andhaving paired cymes of (4)5–7 fl owers rather than the more typical 3-fl owered cymes. This speciesis restricted to the fl ood zones and fringing spinifex/samphire heath of several gypsiferous playa andsalt lake systems in the Little Sandy Desert of Western Australia. Due to its restricted distribution thisspecies has a Priority three conservation status.