Studies on Plagiochila subgenus Metaplagiochila (Plagiochilaceae, Hepaticae)

Plagiochila bantamensis (Reinw., Blume & Nees) Mont., P. blepharophora (Nee s) Lindenb., P. chauviniana Mont., P. clavatosaccata Steph., P. integrilobu la Schiffn., P. johannis-winkleri Herzog, P. kurzii Steph., P. pacifica Mit t., P. sandei Dozy ex Sande Lac., P. stephanii Schiffn. and P. vitiensis Mi tt. are included in the subgenus Metaplagiochila. Plagiochila pacifica Mitt . is redescribed and illustrated. A lectotype is designated for P. tahitens is Steph. The following six species names are synonymised: Plagiochila dens ifolia Sande Lac. (= P. bantamensis), Plagiochila hebridensis Steph. (= P. vitiensis Mitt.), Plagiochila meijeri Inoue (= P. kurzii Steph.), Plagiochi la nadeaudiana Steph. ex Dugas (= P. vitiensis Mitt.), P. parkinsonii Steph . (= P. sandei) and P. robinsonii Steph. (= P. sandei). Plagiochila obscura Colenso belonging to sect. Tayloriae Carl of subgenus Plagiochila, is remo ved from the synonymy of P. pacifica. Plagiochila longistipula Steph. and P . saveziana Steph. are exluded from the subgenus. A key to the eleven speci es in the subgenus Metaplagiochila worldwide is provided.