A re-evaluation of Encalypta vulgaris Hedw. (Encalyptaceae, Bryophyta) in Japan

Abstract

A re-examination of Japanese specimens previously identified as Encalypta vulgaris revealed that they are misidentified Encalypta rhaptocarpa. We were not able to confirm critical morphological characters (e.g., peristome and hair-pointed leaves) due to poor preservation of the plants, and in the present study we tried to determine the identity of the Japanese plants on the basis of spore morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The spores of the Japanese plants of E. vulgaris correspond to those of Encalypta rhaptocarpa, suggesting that E. vulgaris should be excluded from the Japanese flora.