Barbula sardoa (Schimp.) J.-P.Frahm,a new name for Barbula convoluta Hedw. var. commutata (Jur.) Husn.

Abstract

Barbula convoluta Hedw. var. commutata (Jur.) Husn. differs from var. convoluta not only by characters such as larger size, darker colour and undulate leaf margins, as mentioned in the literature, but, in addition, by a different transverse section of the stem, different basal laminal cells, different papillae on the leaf surface, a different spore ornamentation and different isozyme systems. It should therefore be regarded as a separate species. In this case, the legitimate name would be Barbula sardoa (Schimp.) J.-P. Frahm, since Barbula convoluta var. sardoa Schimp. is revealed to be an earlier synonym of var. commutata.     

The relationship between Mittenia plumula (Mitt.) Lindb. and Schistostega pennata (Hedw.) Web. & Mohr

Abstract

In spite of the absence of a peristome in Schistostega, developmental studies show that the internal structure of the capsule has considerable similarity and presents no strong barriers to a relationship with Mittenia. This is strongly supported by the protonema and many features of the gametophore and sporophyte. Therefore it is suggested that the Mitteniaceae be transferred from the Bryales to the Schistostegales.     

Polytrichum commune Hedw. and Polytrichadelphus magellanicus (Hedw.) Mitt. used as decorative material on New Zealand Maori cloaks

Abstract

Confirmation of the occurrence of the moss Ptychomnion densifolium on the main islands of New Zealand is provided and the features which separate it from the more common P. aciculare are outlined. A brief account of the history of P. densifolium in New Zealand is given and its morphology there is discussed. A key to the two species in New Zealand is provided and habitat differences between them outlined. New Zealand material differs from type locality (Tristan d' Acunha) material in having longer and more twisted acumens, and in this respect is similar to New Zealand material of P. aciculare. New Zealand populations of P. densifolium are recognisable in having stem leaves reflexed from an oblong sheathing base, and well developed basal leaf plications. It is a relatively widespread species in New Zealand, occurring in mostly upper elevation, open sites.     

Chlorophyll Fluorescence during Drying and Rehydration in the Mosses Rhytidiadelphus loreus (Hedw.) Warnst.,Anomodon viticulosus (Hedw.) Hook. & Tayl. and Grimmia pulvinata (Hedw.) Sm.

Chlorophyll-fluorescence parameters of three mosses, Rhytidiadelphusloreus (Hedw.) Warnst.,Anomodon viticulosus (Hedw.) Hook &Tayl. and Grimmia pulvinata (Hedw.) Sm. were measured duringdrying, and following remoistening after a period of desiccation.Most changed little with drying until the full-turgor pointwas approached, when rapid changes accompanied loss of cellwater. In R. loreus all parameters decreased together down toa water content of about 30% d.wt (RWC approx. 0.15). At lowwater contents (5–16% d.wt; RWC approx. 0.02–0.08)saturating pulses tended to suppress rather than stimulate fluorescence.In A. viticulosus F_v/F_m, q_Pand     

The occurrence of Homalothecium nitens (Hedw.) Robins. in Ireland

Abstract

Eight new localities for Homalothecium nitens (Hedw.) Robins are recorded from north Co. Mayo, Ireland. The first observations of H. nitens in fruit in Ireland are reported.     

Barbula cylindrica (Tayl.) Schimp. with rhizoidal tubers

Abstract

Reviews in the 1970s concluded that African moss taxonomy was in a poor state. A comparison is made between the position then and that of today, using examples of recent taxonomic revisions. It is projected that the eventual number of moss taxa in the area may be reduced from over 3000 taxa to around 1300 if a full taxonomic revision is completed. Collecting activity has been greater in recent years, and is continuing. The need for further collecting and a dramatic increase in taxonomic work is emphasised.     

Typification of Sphagnum capillifolium (Ehrh.) Hedw.

Abstract

On the basis of the protologue, the name Sphagnum nemoreum Scop. is treated as a nomen dubium and consequently is rejected. S. capillifolium (Ehrh.) Hedw. is lectotypified through a Dillenius specimen, and is proposed to be adopted as the correct name of this species.     

Genetic structure of mosses Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. ex Brid.) Mitt. and Racomitrium lanuginosum (Hedw.) Brid. along altitude gradients in Hokkaido,Japan

Abstract

The families Pterigynandraceae and Rigodiaceae are reviewed for Africa with reference to the collections made by the BBS Expedition to Mt Mulanje, Malawi in 1991. The single African species of Rigodium (Rigodiaceae) is reported to be quite frequent on Mt Mulanje, and three of the four species of Trachyphyllum (Pterigynandraceae) found in Africa (T. gastrodes, T. dusenii and T. inflexum) are reported, the latter two for the first time from Malawi. On present limited evidence, Malawi seems to be a centre of diversity of the genus.     

现代植物分类方法在植物学分类研究中的应用--以堇菜属为例

介绍了堇菜属的形态特征与分布并说明其研究历史与现状;以堇菜属为例,对现代植物学分类方法在植物分类研究中的应用进行了论述。     

The taxonomic position of the genus Heydenia (Pyronemataceae, Pezizales) based on molecular and morphological data

Molecular and morphological data indicate that the genus Heydenia is closely related to the cleistothecial ascomycete Orbicula (Pyronemataceae, Pezizales). Observations on the disposition and the immediate surroundings of immature spores within the spore capsule suggest that the Heydenia fruiting bodies are teleomorphs producing early evanescent asci in stipitate cleistothecia. The once advocated identity of Heydenia with Onygena is refuted on molecular grounds. Onygena arietina E. Fischer is transferred to Heydenia.     

Leptodon Smith (Hedw.) Mohr in Ireland

Abstract

A new Irish locality is recorded for L. smithii, and the general features of the station are described. An account of the bryophyte succession on tree trunks in the area is given and the part played by L. smithii indicated. It is shown that gatherings from both Irish localities consisted entirely of male plants and the distribution and age of the antheridia on both specimens are recorded. It is suggested that rarity of sporophyte production in the British Isles is probably due to too great a spatial separation of male and female plants and not to the absence, or low production, of sex organs. It is also suggested that rarity of spores and impermanence of the habitat are the chief factors contributing to its rareness in climatically suitable areas of the British Isles. The known distribution of the plant in the British Isles is related to its European and world distribution, and it is shown that L. smithii may be expected in further Irish vice counties.

I have pleasure in acknowledging my thanks to Mr Wallace for the gift of a specimen of L. smithii from Knocklofty and for details of its habitat; to Mrs C. E. M. Shelswell-White for permission to enter and collect in the grounds of Bantry House, and to my colleague Dr J. G. Hawkes for confirming the identification of the two shrubs.     

The taxonomic affinities of the genus Ripogonum

The genus Ripogonum J. R. et G. Forst. is usually included in either the Smilacaceae or Liliaceae, but it has been accorded family rank. A numerical taxonomic study of the phenetic relationships of Ripogonum and all genera of the Smilacaceae, Dio-Scoreaceae, Petermanniaceae, Philesiaceae and Luzuriagaceae has been undertaken in terms of 56 characters. The results support the view that Ripogonum is only distantly related to either Smilacaceae or Dioscoreaceae and instead has affinities with Luzuriagaceae. None-the-less Ripogonum merits family status and so Ripogona-ceae are formally validated.