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Acrolejeunea: A Genus of Liverworts

Acrolejeunea is a genus of liverworts belonging to the family Lejeuneaceae. Several species within this genus have been identified and studied, contributing to our understanding of bryophyte diversity and evolution.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Acrolejeunea (Spruce) Schiffn.
• Family: Lejeuneaceae
• Rank: Genus
• Synonyms/Related Genera: Cau- dalejeunea, Lopholejeunea, Mastigolejeunea, Schiffneriolejeunea, Thysananthus, Ptychocoleus (as in Ptychocoleus securifolius, a synonym for Acrolejeunea securifolia), Trocholejeunea (putatively related)

Distribution and Habitat

• Acrolejeunea species are found in various regions, including:
  • Kerala, South India
  • Western Himalayas (e.g., Naina Peak, Nainital)
  • Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia (Acrolejeunea arcuata subsp. gradsteinii)
  • Eastern Melanesia
  • Australasia
  • South Pacific
  • Macau, China (Acrolejeunea pusilla)
• They are often epiphytic, growing on tree trunks.

Morphological Characteristics

• Plants are generally small to medium-sized, ranging from light green to yellowish-green.
• Branching primarily occurs in the Lejeunea-type, with rare instances of Frullania-type branching.
• Acrolejeunea emergens is described as having small, microphyllous shoots with tiny caducous leaves and are brownish-green to brown, about 1.5 mm wide.

Quirky Facts

• Out of eight species of Ptychanthoideae, Acrolejeunea pusilla is the only one with a mean spore output of less than 1000 spores per capsule.

Further Information

• The Plant List: Contains a record of 56 scientific plant names for the genus Acrolejeunea, with 17 accepted species names.
• Tropicos
• NCBI Taxonomy checklist
• EOL (Encyclopedia of Life)
• Australian Plant Census
• Te Papa Museum Collections (New Zealand)