Monoclea

Monoclea is the only genus of the order Monocleales within the liverworts. There is one type each in New Zealand and South America. This distribution suggests that this genus already existed since Gondwana times.

Description

The gametophyte is thallös and up to 20 inches long. The capsule is on a long stalk. It opens with a longitudinal crack, hence the name Monoclea. Although the thallus is constructed very simply, the genus is found due to the construction of the oil body cells and the Einschichtigkeit the capsule wall in the class Marchantiopsida.

Species

  • Monoclea forsteri Hook. in New Zealand
  • Monoclea god failed Lindb. in South America

The genus was temporarily managed as a separate subclass Monocleidae. Due to the Blepharoplasten structure, the connection between sporophyte and gametophyte and the results of molecular genetic studies, however, it was included in the subclass Marchantiidae.

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