Riccia cubensis S.W.Arnell
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Authority
Bischler, Hélène, et al. 2005. Marchantiidae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 97: 1--262. (Published by NYBG Press)
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Family
Ricciaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type. Cuba. Prov. Oriente: Sierra Maestra, Daiquiri, Ekman 8348 (holotype, S).
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Description
Species Description - Thalli forming partial rosettes or gregarious mats; lobes 2 mm long, 0.7-1 mm wide, thin, flattened when dry, rounded and broadened apically, 2-3 times forked, basal dichotomy deep, terminal shallow; dorsal side light green; ventral side pale, with narrow strips dotted with light pink-violet. Median groove deep apically, vanishing toward base of lobes. Epidermal cells disintegrating except in groove, sub-spherical. Ventral scales violet, imbricate, entire. Cilia few, on margins of dorsal side and upper part of flanks, numerous in the apical half of lobes, rare below, short, ± arched, rounded, sometimes acute apically, 50-120 µm long, granulose to 3/4 of length or entirely granulose. Cross section of lobes 1.5 times as wide as high near lobe apex, 2-3.5 times below; dorsal edge rounded or obtuse laterally; flanks obliquely ascending, with pink-violet spots apically. Dioecious. Spores (not seen, description after Amell, 1958): 8090 µm diam., dark brown, wing incomplete, irregularly papillose, distal face with irregular lamellae.
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Discussion
The two other specimens cited by Arnell (1958) in the original description (Cuba, Ekman 8701 and 1155 (S)) belong to Riccia violacea var. violacea.
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Distribution
The species is known from a single specimen, collected on bare soil in thickets on a coral reef.
Cuba South America| Oriente Cuba South America|