The Identity of Microdendron sinense (Polytrichaceae)

Abstract

Microdendron sinense Broth. (Polytrichaceae) is transferred to Pogonatum, as Po- gonatum sinense (Broth.) Hyv6nen & Wu comb. nov. The sporophyte of the species is described in detail for the first time. The monotypic genus Microdendron Broth. was described by Brotherus (1929) on material collected by Handel-Mazzetti in China in northwestern Yun- nan. Unfortunately, the type material (H-BR) in- cluded no sporophytes (although two setae were il- lustrated and described in Brotherus 1929). Accordingly the status of this monotypic genus has been in doubt. Gametophytic characters imply close affinity to Dendroligotrichum (C. Miill.) Broth. (Brotherus 1929) and to Pogonatum P. Beauv. (Smith 1971; Hyv6nen 1989). Chen et al. (1978) gave an overall description of the species and illustrations of the sporophyte, but no taxonomic conclusions were drawn. Li (1985) published illustrations of M. sinense but without further discussion. Neither of these Chinese treatments cited specimens. Three specimens recently collected in China in Yunnan and Xizang (see the list of specimens below) include young capsules and allow study of the peri- stome teeth and other important characters of the sporophyte. In addition to these specimens the type material and the recent collection reported by Long (1992) from Bhutan were also studied.