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Plagiochila is a large genus of leafy liverworts
with around 18 species in Tasmania. They are often epiphytes
on rainforest or wet forest trees but may also occur on
rocks or logs. A few species can be identified by smell but
many others require looking at leaf shape, marginal teeth
and cell morphology or size for proper identification.
A new genus Proskauera
with two members has recently been split from
Plagiochila on the basis of molecular work.
Smell can be a good taxonomic character for some species.
P. strombifolia smells of parsnip when crushed. P.
fasciculata smells of moth balls.
A few species of Plagiochila are poorly known (P.
wattsii) or are dubiously (P. gregaria, P.
metcalfii) recorded for Tasmania.
A key to the species is being developed.
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University of Tasmania
