Studies in the genus Riccia (Marchantiales) from southern Africa. 11. Riccia montana and R. alboporosa, a further two new white-scaled species of the group ‘Squamatae’

Abstract

Another two new endemic species of the subgenus  Riccia. section  Riccia. group ‘Squamatae , are described:  R. montana and R alboporosa. The distribution of R montana is apparently restricted to high altitudes in the Drakensberg and Witteberg Mountain ranges. The species is characterized by ligulate branches, finely spongy dorsal surface and hyaline to white, calcium-encrusted scales.  R alboporosa is found in Namaqualand. but it is rare It can be recognized by the distinctly porous appearance of the dorsal surface due to the presence of large. ± regularly spaced air pores, which are encircled by six or seven radially arranged, wedge-shaped cells that become white on drying, hence the specific epithet.