Studies in the liverwort genus Fossombronia (Metzgeriales) from southern Africa. 4. A re-examination of F. crispa, F. leucoxantha and F. tumida

Abstract

The above three southern African species were described during the nineteenth century, but the descriptions are brief and mostly inadequate. The practice, albeit for justified financial reasons, of dividing collections (which were often mixed) and of distributing the parts to different herbaria, has led to some later authors applying the specific epithets to the wrong components. This has caused a great deal o f confusion, and much time and effort have been expended in sorting out these mis­applications. This paper aims to correct and to report on some past mistakes. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and a distribution map of these three species are accordingly provided.