Plagiochila punctata (Taylor) Taylor

Gradstein, S. Robbert & Bernard, Elisabeth Lavocat, 2020, An evaluation of the endemic bryophyte flora of Guadeloupe, Cryptogamie, Bryologie 20 (15), pp. 205-214 : 212

Plagiochila punctata (Taylor) Taylor

London Journal of Botany 5: 261 (1846).

Plagiochila germani Steph. , Bulletin de l’Herbier Boissier, sér. 2, 5: 938 (1905); Stephani, Icones Ineditae 11480. — Type: Guadeloupe, Germain s.n., ex hb. l’Herminier (holo-, G[G00067838!], c. gyn. & andr.), syn. nov.

Remarks

Plagiochila punctata is a widespread species of tropical America, East Africa and western Europe ( Heinrichs et al. 2005) that had not yet been recorded from Guadeloupe. The type material of P. germani , containing P. punctata in a mixture with P. gymnocalycina (Lehm. & Lindenb.) Mont. , fits Stephani’s illustration (Icones Ined. 11701) very well but the type label is confusing, stating “ Plag. herminieri St. sub Pl. germani G[ottsche] ms, Guadeloupe, l’Herminier”. The material is not copious but contains well-developed male and female plants of P. punctata , with the characteristic denuded branches due to leaves dropping off. The leaves are transverse, small, ovate, with a conspicuous vitta-like area at the base and 3-4 teeth on the margins (2 near the apex and 1-2 on the ventral margin), and the leaf cells have large trigones. The species is close to P. bifaria but the latter is a more robust plant with more numerous teeth on leaf margins and without caducous leaves.