Monocleaceae
-
Authority
Gradstein, S. Robbert & Ilkiu-Borges, Anna L. 2009. Guide to the plants of Central French Guiana. Part 4. Liverworts and hornworts. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 76 (4): i-iv + 1-140.
-
Family
Monocleaceae
-
Scientific Name
-
Description
Description - Plants Thalloid, green, large, prostrate, dichotomous. thallus without a midrib, in cross section homogeneous, air chambers and pores lacking, the upper surface densely spotted by whitish or darkish dots in fresh material, margins usually crisped-undulate. Oil bodies large, colourless or brown, occurring singly and scattered in inner cells of thallus, especially in upper and lower subepidermis. Ventral scales lacking. Rhizoids usually with smooth walls, sometimes with isolated papillae, often branched. Dioicous. Gametoecia within dorsal cavities. Antheridia in swollen receptacles along median portion of thallus, the receptacles rounded to linear or furcate. Archegonia beneath an elongate, tubular swelling (=involucre) along median portion of thallus, near apex. sporophyte arising 1-3 per involucre , sporophyte when young surrounded by a thin calyptra; pseudoperianths lacking. Seta long and thick, to 5cm. Capsules ellipsoidal -cylindric, opening by 1 longitudinal slit, wall 1- layered, with internal and external, anastomosed thickenings. Spores small, 15-20 µm in diameter, apolar, proximal and distal faces with reticulate ornamentation. Elaters very long, with 2-3 spirals. Vegetative reproduction not observed.