Phascopsis rubicunda, a new genus and species of Pottiaceae (Musci) from Australia

Abstract

Phascopsis rubicunda, a new genus in Pottioideae is characterized by: clavate stems branching by repeated sub-terminal innovations; entire, unbordered leaves with strong red costa widening to the base and decurrent in mid-stem leaves; upper leaves often modified to thick-nerved deciduous propagules; capsule sub-globose, immersed, gymnostomous, indehiscent; calyptra broad, conical campanulate, lobed at the base and covering about half the capsule. Dioecious. Rhizoid gemmae on sterile plants. A comparison with other mosses led to the recognition of Tortula rhizophylla in Australia, and some interesting features of the South American moss Uleobryum peruvianum were reported.