AUSTRAL HEPATICAE 37. THE SPOROPHYTE OF MEGALEMBIDIUM SCHUST., TOGETHER WITH A RE-EVALUATION OF THE TAXONOMIC POSITION OF THE GENUS

Abstract

  Current classification of the New Zealand hepatic Megalembidium insulanum (Mart. & Hodgs.) Schust. in Lepidoziaceae and in subfamily Lepidozioideae is discussed. Recent discovery of the gynoecium and sporophyte, together with detailed studies of the androecium, show that Megalembidium is beyond the circumscription of subfamily Lepidozioideae. The genus is placed in a new subfamily, subfam. Megalembidioideae. Affinities of subfam. Megalembidioideae and subfam. Lembidioideae, particularly Isolembidium, are discussed.