Studies in the liverwort genus Fossombronia (Metzgeriales) from southern Africa. 3. An amendment to F. spinifolia

Abstract

Fossombronia spinifolia was described by Stephani (1900) from a specimen collected by Breutel at Genadendal (Gnadenthal) during his visit to the Cape, which lasted from November 1853 to April 1854 (Gunn & Codd 1981). This species was not adequately described and illustrated by Stephani or by subsequent workers. Moreover, Scott & Pike (1987) misapplied the epithet,  F. spinifolia, to specimens Amell had identified as  F. leucoxantha, because they (Scott & Pike 1988) overlooked a capsule with ripe spores in the type specimen. An attempt is hereby made to describe and illustrate this species in greater detail in order to prevent more confusion in future.