FloraOfNewZealand-Mosses-47-Fife-2020-Mielichho...
The four genera placed here in the Mielichhoferiaceae have been placed by previous Australasian workers in the Bryaceae. However, recent molecular studies have argued strongly for the removal of the large genera Pohlia and Mielichhoferia, as well as the smaller Epipterygium, from that family, and their placement in a resurrected Mielichhoferiaceae.
In a New Zealand context, Pohlia is the largest and the most familiar genus, with nine soil-inhabiting species in our flora. It is also the genus most likely to be confused with Bryum. However, species of Pohlia have more elongate laminal cells and lack a distinct leaf border. In Pohlia the costae nearly always end in or below the leaf apex, while in Bryum the costae are often excurrent. The two genera share well-developed double peristomes. Four of the Pohlia species occurring here produce distinctive axillary gemmae, which greatly aid identification. Several N.Z. Pohlia species are also widespread in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.
The remaining three N.Z. genera placed in this family are each represented by a single species. Mielichhoferia bryoides is a widespread species in N.Z., most frequent on sheltered and dry soil in eastern parts of the country. Suberect, slightly asymmetric, oblong-cylindric capsules, basal perichaetia, and the functionally single peristome collectively permit its field recognition.
Epipterygium opararense, by contrast, is one of N.Z.'s most threatened moss species and is also the only member of its genus recorded from the temperate southern hemisphere. It is known from only two localities in the Nelson L.D, where the better-documented sites had fewer than 50 surviving plants at the time of its most recent survey.
The genus Ochiobryum is a very small genus comprising one to three species; it is placed here partly on the strength of its pohlioid laminal cells. Ochiobryum blandum is a very widespread species in N.Z. that occurs mostly in swift streams and seepages. It is a highly distinctive and lustrous plant, with oblong, bordered, and obtuse leaves.
Additional Information
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Data last updated | 14 December 2020 |
| Metadata last updated | 4 November 2020 |
| Created | 4 November 2020 |
| Format | |
| License | CC-BY 4.0 (Attribution) |
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| Size | 4.4 MiB |
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