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Haplomitrium
Scientific Name: Haplomitrium
Family: Haplomitriaceae
Category: Liverwort
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Haplomitrium: A Unique Genus of Liverworts
Haplomitrium is a genus of liverworts distinguished by several unique characteristics. These small, upright plants, sometimes described as resembling tiny brussel sprouts, offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of bryophytes.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Haplomitrium Nees, 1833 (nomen conservandum)
- Family: Haplomitriaceae
- Order: Haplomitriales
- Class: Haplomitriopsida (a newly recognized class)
- Phylum: Marchantiophyta (sometimes incorrectly called Hepatophyta)
- Synonyms/Included Taxa: Includes what was formerly classified as Calobryum.
Distribution and Habitat
Species of Haplomitrium are found in various locations worldwide. Some species, like Haplomitrium hookeri, are considered rare in Europe, with recent discoveries filling distribution gaps. Certain Haplomitrium species are also found in New Zealand and have Gondwanan distribution patterns.
- Haplomitrium hookeri has been found in Belgium, bridging a distribution gap with the Netherlands.
- Haplomitrium gibbsiae is endemic to New Zealand.
- Some species are found in austral temperate rainforests.
Morphological Characteristics
- Small, upright plants, often less than 1 cm tall.
- Haplomitrium hookeri resembles tiny brussel sprouts on its substrate.
- Individual shoots are short and erect.
- The lower portion of each shoot is colorless.
- Notably, Haplomitrium species lack rhizoids, a characteristic that distinguishes them from other liverworts.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Haplomitrium harbors a unique type of endophytic association with aseptate fungi within its subterranean gametophytic axes.
Genetic Information
- Specific genes, such as the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) gene in Haplomitrium gibbsiae, have been sequenced and analyzed.
Species within the Genus
The Plant List recognizes 7 accepted species names within the genus Haplomitrium, including:
- Haplomitrium andinum (Spruce) R. M. Schust.
- Haplomitrium blumei (Nees) R. M. Schust.
- Haplomitrium hookeri (Sm.) Nees
- Haplomitrium mnioides (Lindb.) Schust.
- Haplomitrium ovalifolium
Resources and Further Information
For more information, you can consult the following resources:
- The Plant List
- NYBG Virtual Herbarium
- Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle
- British Bryological Society Checklist of British and Irish Bryophytes
- Encyclopedia of Life (EOL)
- Discover Life
- Wikispecies