The state of Lopholejeunea sikkimensis (Lejeuneaceae; Marchantiophyta) in Western Himalaya, India (original) (raw)

A new variety of Lopholejeunea sikkimensis Steph., namely, kumaunii var. nov., collected from Kumaun region in the state of Uttarakhand in Western Himalaya, is being described. The new taxon can be distinguished from the type variety, sikkimensis, in having inflated perianth with highly reduced to rudimentary teeth on perianth keels, a comparatively thinner stem with fewer medullary cells and the presence of some weak dentitions at the margin of female bracts. A comparison amongst the three varieties of L. sikkimensis, namely, sikkimensis, kumaunii and tenuicostata, occurring in Western Himalaya has been made. Keywords: Lopholejeunea, New veriety, Leafy liveworts, Kumaun region, Western Himalaya