African Hepatics. XXX: The genus Radula Dumortier

Abstract

Fifteen species of Radula from Africa and the Mascarenes are described, of which R. pseudoflaccida is new. The following species are newly reduced to synonyms: R. angustata Steph., R. capensis Steph., R. guineensis Steph., R. macroloba Steph., R. molleri Steph., R. pirottae Gola and R. spongiosa Steph. R. caespitosa Steph. is transferred from R. tabularis Steph. to R. madagascariensis Gottsche.

Habit, stem-structure, leaf-cuticle, perianth and spores provide valuable taxonomic characters which have received little or no attention and which show some degree of correlation. The range of forms shown by the lobule in a single species represent stages in its development.