Studies in the liverwort genus Fossombronia (Metzgeriales) from southern Africa. 8. F. elsieae and F. spinosa, two new Western Cape species with spinose spores

Abstract

Two new species with spinose spores are described from the Western Cape. F. elsieae Perold is quite a large plant, generally with almost entire leaves, its spores on the distal face having relatively few, rather coarse spines, which often appear broken and are occasionally linked to form abbreviated ridges. F. spinosa Perold is a smallish plant with irregularly lobed leaves, its spores on the distal face having numerous, fine spines, which sometimes coalesce to form short ridges. A table which compares F. glenii Perold, F. leucoxantha Lehm. and F. montaguensis S.W. Arnell with the two new species, is supplied.