Botanical Status of Some Mosses Enumerated in Table V.

In a recent paper (1945, pp. 169–186) Sainsbury has reduced Macromitrium retusum H.f. et W. to a variety of M. gracile (Hook.) Schwaegr.; M. recurvulum C.M. to a variety of M. eucalyptorum Hpe. and C.M. and has merged M. petriei Dix with M. erosulum Mitt. and M. rigescens Broth. and Dix. with M. grossirete C.M. Zygodon brownii Schwaegr. and Zygodon sulcatus (Knight) Dixon have also recently been merged with Z. intermedius B. and S. There are, however, a number of other mosses which may ultimately be eliminated as not being specifically distinct. Thus, Mr. Sainsbury informs me, the following mergers may have to take place, viz.: Campylopus pudicus with C. introflexus, Camptochaete brachydictya with C. pulvinata, Bryum billardieri with B. truncorum, B. laevigatulum with B. curvicollum.

In the paper cited above the specific distinctness of Papillaria flexicaulis and P. filipendula, and of Mniodendron comosum and M. comatum is questioned, and Rhacopilum cristatum and R. laetum are regarded as no more than forms of R. strumiferum. It is true that in some genera (e.g., Dicranoloma, Macromitrium, Sphagnum) some of the forms almost defy the taxonomist. Whether these “intermediate” forms are due to “inherent plasticity or variability”, whatever that implies, or whether due to hybridism is difficult to decide. Bryologists, like phanerogamic taxonomists of a previous decade, are loth to admit the frequency of hybridization, but it seems probable that hybridization is more common amongst mosses than is generally supposed. Of course, genetic experiment must be the final criterion.

The claim of several species to be indigenous rests on a single specimen in a foreign herbarium (e.g., Camptochaeta vaga, Meteorium nitens) or on a record without known herbarium corroboration (e.g., Ectropothecium sandwichense). Whether one or two species (e.g., Scleropodium purum) are truly indigenous or introduced or both is not certainly known. Lastly, whether all species listed as endemic are really so must await extended bryological surveys in Australia, South America, and elsewhere. Nevertheless, the really doubtful species of the New Zealand flora form but a small fraction of the whole, and bryological research in this country is probably more advanced than elsewhere in the Southern Hemisphere; Tasmania possibly excepted.

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(Note: The Sphagnaceae have not been included. Owing to the meagre bryological research accomplished over vast tracts of the earth, and to the need for monographical study of many genera, the above figures must be subject to future modification.)