A remarkable new species of Cheilolejeunea (Marchantiophyta: Lejeuneaceae) from Colombia

Abstract

We describe the new liverwort species Cheilolejeunea schiavoneana M.E.Reiner & Gradst. From submontane rainforest in the Western Cordillera of Colombia. The new species is related to C. adnata (C. sect. Cheilolejeunea) but differs by larger plant, leaf and underleaf size, robust stems, a 5-6 cells wide ventral merophyte, abundance of microphyllous branches, and vegetative reproduction by caducous leaf lobes produced on flagelliform shoots. The latter feature is characteristic of the genus Rectolejeunea and its presence in Cheilolejeunea is apparently a case of parallel evolution. The discovery of C. schiavoneana adds a further endemic taxon to the rich flora of the Colombian Western Cordillera.