Lopholejeunea subfusca (Nees) Schiffn.
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Authority
Gradstein, S. Robbert. 1994. Lejeuneaceae: Ptychantheae, Brachiolejeuneae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 62: 216. (Published by NYBG Press)
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Family
Lejeuneaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type. Java. Blume s.n. (holotype, STR, n.v.; isotype, W).
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Synonyms
Lopholejeunea sagraeana (Mont.) Schiffn., Symbiezidium sagraeanum (H.Mort.) Trevis., Phragmicoma cyclostipa Taylor, Lejeunea sagraeana var. grandiloba Spruce, Lejeunea sagraeana var. pusilla Spruce, Jungermannia subfusca Nees, Lejeunea subfusca (Nees) Nees & Mont., Phragmicoma subfusca (Nees) Nees, Symbiezidium subfuscum (Nees) Trevis., Phragmicoma sagraeana Mont., Lejeunea sagraeana (Mont.) Gottsche, Lindenb. & Nees, Lejeunea sagraeana var. montagnei Spruce, Lejeunea cyclostipa (Taylor) Gott, Lindenb. & Nees, Symbiezidium cyclostipum (Taylor) Trevis.
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Description
Species Description - Autoicous. Plants to 2 cm long × 0.8-1.5 mm wide, glossy, blackish green to blackish brown when dry. Branching irregularly pinnate, Lejeunea-type, recurved flagelliform branchlets frequently present. Stems with distinct hyalodermis, in cross section ca. 6-9 cells across, composed of ca. 10-15 epidermal cells surrounding 15-30 smaller medullary cells, all cells thin-walled with colorless walls, epidermis symmetric to subsymmetric, dorsal epidermal cells as large as or slightly larger than ventral epidermal cells. Leaves widely spreading when dry, contiguous to imbricate, dorsal lobe asymmetrically ovate, 0.45-0.7 × 0.35-0.5 mm, often falcate, apex rounded, plane, margins entire, dorsal base straight, ventral margin forming an angle of 90-150° with the keel; leaf cells in mid-leaf 25-40 µm, trigones small to large, simple triangular to slightly radiate, intermediate thickenings ± frequent, often coalesced with the trigones; oil bodies (Schuster, 1980) 8-15(-20) per median leaf cell, homogeneous, small, Massula-type. Lobules ovoid, sometimes reduced, when well-developed up to 0.3 mm long, l/3-2/5× lobe length, strongly inflated-gibbous in the lower half, inflated portion often obscuring the free margin, slightly flattened distally, free margin usually with one short, blunt tooth, apex truncate or oblique, the distal edge of the free margin often slightly connate with the lobe lamina over a width of 2-3 cells. Underleaves contiguous to imbricate, transversely ovate, ca. 0.2-0.3 × 0.25-0.6 mm, 3-6× stem width, apex plane or recurved, bases cuneate or rounded, insertion line curved to arched. Androecia on short or long branches, bracts in 3-15 series. Gynoecia on short or long branches, pseudoinnovations lacking, bract lobes broadly ovate-orbicular, 0.8-1 mm long, apex broadly rounded, dorsal margin sharply toothed, ventral margin weakly toothed or entire, lobule reduced to a very short fold; bracteole transversely ovate, very large, 0.6-1 mm long × 0.8-1.2 mm wide, usually covering the perianth, apex rounded, margins entire or obscurely sinuate. Perianths normally immersed, rarely slightly emergent, obovate, with 4 long, sharp, more or less winged, strongly laciniate keels: 2 lateral and 2 ventral keels, dorsal keel lacking, laciniae densely crowded and emerging beyong the bracteole, usually large, up to 25 cells long and 8 cells wide at base, with or without toothed margins; beak ca. 4 cells long. Sporophyte as in the genus.
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Discussion
Lopholejeunea subfusca is readily distinguished by its immersed laciniate perianth, hidden behind a large bracteole except for the laciniae which project beyond the bracteole apex. The laciniae are very coarse, up to 25 cells long and 8 cells wide, and densely crowded. The perianth characters are quite diagnostic although plants with somewhat emergent perianths do occur which may be confused with L. nigricans.
Other characters of Lopholejeunea subfusca are the strongly inflated-gibbous lobules and the truncate distal end of the lobule free margin (near the junction with the lobe), which is connate to the surface of the lobe by 2-3 cells. In other neotropical species of Lopholejeunea the distal end of the free margin is connected to the lobe by only one cell and never truncate. Not all lobules of L. subfusca have truncate free margin tips, however, and stems should be carefully searched for lobules with this feature.Sterile plants of Lopholejeunea subfusca with reduced lobules may be very difficult to distinguish from L. nigricans although the two species usually differ in general appearance. Lopholejeunea subfusca always grows in dense mats on bark, tightly appressed to the substrate. The stems are short (1-2 cm long) and flagelliform branches may sprout from lower stem portions. Lopholejeunea nigricans is a more slender plant, up to 4 cm long, and usually grows more loosely. Flagelliform branches may occur in L. nigricans but are very rare. Unlike L. subfusca, the latter species is not restricted to bark but may also grow on rock.Chemistry: Terpenoids: 5-hydroxycalamene is the major component of this species (Gradstein et al., 1985).
Illustrations: Schuster, Hep. Anth. North America IV: 753, Fig. 650. 1980; VandenBerghen, Bull. Jard. Bot. Nat. Belg. 54: 440-446, Figs. 22-24.1984.
Distribution: Pantropical; throughout the warm, humid portions of tropical America, from sea level up to 1200 m. I have seen only very few specimens from Central America but presumably the species does occur there more widely. Lopholejeunea subfusca is a xerotolerant epiphyte and grows on bark in the high canopy and at the margins of virgin and disturbed rain forest, in low, scrubby vegetations and often in gardens and orchards; occasionally it may grow as an epiphyll on living leaves. The species is most common in lowland environments.
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Objects
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Distribution
Mexico North America| Chiapas Mexico North America| Veracruz Mexico North America| Honduras Central America| Atlántida Honduras Central America| United States of America North America| Florida United States of America North America| Bahamas South America| Cuba South America| La Habana Cuba South America| Villa Clara Cuba South America| Jamaica South America| Dominican Republic South America| Puerto Rico South America| Guadeloupe South America| Martinique South America| Saint Lucia South America| Colombia South America| Casanare Colombia South America| Chocó Colombia South America| Valle Colombia South America| Venezuela South America| Amazonas Venezuela South America| Miranda Venezuela South America| Sucre Venezuela South America|