Pleurozia heterophylla Steph. ex Fulford
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Authority
Steyermark, Julian A. & Maguire, Bassett. 1972. The flora of the Meseta del Cerro Jáua. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 23: 833-892.
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Family
Pleuroziaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type. Ule 642 (G-74573).
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Description
Latin Diagnosis - Caulis foliaceus ad 10 cm longus, ochraceus plus minusve purpurascens validus, pauciramosus, ramis longis arcuatis vel breviter ramulosis; folia caulina conferta, disticha, bilobata, apicibus incisis, basibus appendiculatis vel cum spinis; folia brevia ramulina magna inflata, saccata et explanata dimidia; cellulae foliorum suprae 35-50 × 20-26 µ, trigone maxime nodulosis; sterilis.
Species Description - Leafy stems from a creeping caudex, robust, to 10 cm or more long, the tips curved, with leaves 5-8 mm broad, light brown to purple above, becoming dark brown below; leafy branches long, erect, like the stem or short, with shorter leaves with large, inflated watersacs. Leaves patent, ovate bilobed to one-half, to 5 mm long, 3-5 mm broad at the base, the keel winged, the lobes ovate, the ventral lobe a little smaller, the apices incised and coarse-toothed, the dorsal base appendiculate-incised, the ventral base with a few coarse teeth; cells of the apical part of a lobe 35-50 × 20-26 µ, the trigones very large, knot-like, rarely coalesced, the cell lumina stellate, the cuticle verruculose: leaves of the short branches shorter, the one half plane, rounded above, the other half a large inflated watersac with the characteristic sunken trap-valve. Male and female inflorescence and perianth not seen.
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Discussion
Fig 2.
Habitat. Epiphytic on tree trunks.
Stephani studied this species and illustrated it in his lcones Hepaticarum but unfortunately did not publish a description.