Schizophyllopsis papillosa

Schizophyllopsis papillosa is a species of liverwort in the family Anastrophyllaceae. The species was first identified as Anastrophyllum papillosum by John J. Engel and John E. Braggins and Rudolf M. Schuster in 1998.

Etymology

The species epithet papillosa refers to the raised uneven tubercles found on the plant.

Taxonomy

The species was originally described as Anastrophyllum papillosum, until when the Anastrophyllum subgenus Schizophyllum was elevated to genus status by Jiří Váňa and Lars Söderström in 2013, and the species was briefly known as Schizophyllum papillosum. Due to Schizophyllum being a name for a pre-existing genus, this was rectified and the new genus Schizophyllopsis was created, and the species became known as Schizophyllopsis papillosa.

Description

Schizophyllopsis papillosa is stiff and wiry, and has a deep red pigment. The species is visually similar to Anastrophyllum auritum, and can be differentiated by sparse lateral intercalary branching.

Distribution and habitat

Schizophyllopsis papillosa is endemic to New Zealand, with the holotype of the species occurring above in the vicinity of Soda Springs in Tongariro National Park. The species has been identified in alpine areas of Mount Taranaki and the Southern Alps.