Caloglossa monosticha M.Kamiya

Scientific Description

Habit and structure. Thalli forming low mats composed of arching blades, pale brown to olive green, epiphytic, subdichotomously branched, loosely attached to the substratum at intervals by clusters of divergent rhizoids arising directly from nodal pericentral cells; mature blades linear to narrowly elliptical, 0.15–2.9 mm broad with 1.3–5.8 mm between slightly constricted nodes; without stipes. At nodes on main axes, all second- and third-order cell rows on the adjacent and opposite sides reach blade margin. Rhizoids arise from first and second adjacent and adaxial lateral pericentral (second order) cells above the node, 6–10 cells and 0.6–1.5 mm long, 25–45 µm in diameter.

Reproduction. Tetrasporangia in sori8–21 axial cells long of 1 or 2(–3) rows, 2–16 row-cells wide and usually include the lateral pericentral cells and the submarginal cells. Cover cells formed. Mature tetrasporangia 50–85 µm in diameter. Other reproduction not observed.

Distribution. Tropical Asia and Australia.

Habitat. Distributed in estuaries and sheltered coasts; often epiphytic on mangroves. In W. Aust., associated with Bostrychia moritziana and Caloglossa leprieurii in estuaries with dense mangrove vegetation.