Notes on the Neckeraceae (Musci) 8. Pendulothecium, a new genus from New Zealand and Norfolk Island

Abstract

Pendulothecium Enroth and He gen. nov. (Neckeraceae) includes the species P. oblongifolium (Hook. f. and Wils.) Enroth and He comb. nov., P. auriculatum (Wils.) Enroth and He comb. nov., and P. punctatum (Hook. f. and Wils.) Enroth and He comb. nov. The first mentioned species has previously been assigned to the genus Porotrichum (Brid.) Hampe and the two latter species to Homalia (Brid.) B.S.G., which is pointed out to be almost exclusively a northern hemisphere genus. Pendulothecium is characterised by a unique combination of features, the most important of which are: the (bi)pinnate, often fairly dense mode of branching; the auriculate, mostly not complanate or spreading leaves; the non-twisted, in wet state 150-170 (-250) μm thick setae; and the cemuous to pendulous, in wet state broad-oblong to ellipsoid capsules. An exclusively Australasian (New Zealand and Norfolk Island) distribution provides further generic distinction. All three species are described and illustrated, and a key to them is provided. © 1991 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.