A new desert mountain endemic from central Australia: Hysterobaeckea oreophila (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae)

The Macdonnell Ranges of central Australia have a higher proportion of endemic plant species than other desert regions of the continent (Crisp et al. 2001;McDonald et al. 2021).They include Mt Zeil (Urlatherrke in the local Western Arrernte language), which is the highest peak west of the Great Dividing Range of eastern Australia.A small-flowered myrtaceous plant known only from upper parts of Mt Zeil was recognised as a distinct species of Hysterobaeckea (Nied.)Rye and allocated the phrase name H. sp.Mt Zeil (D.E.Albrecht 8650) in Rye (2018) but was not described due to the lack of flowering material.After two unsuccessful attempts to obtain material suitable for a type collection, specimens in early flower were finally secured in October 2025, enabling its formal description as H. oreophila Albr.& Rye.