Studies in the Sphaerocarpales (Hepaticae) from southern Africa. 1. The genus Monocarpus and its only member, M. sphaerocarpus

Abstract

A taxonomic account of the genus Monocarpus and its only species, M. sphaerocarpus, is presented. The species was initially discovered on salt pans in Western Australia, and only later, in southern Africa. It is extremely rare and the structure of the minute thalli is difficult to determine, also to describe and to illustrate. As far as could be determined, no SEM micrographs of the thalli and spores have been published before, nor has the capsule wall been illustrated.