A taxonomic revision of Selaginella monospora Spring (Selaginellaceae)

Abstract

During a taxonomic revision of Selaginella from the Himalaya which is a part of the ongoing “Flora of Pan-Himalaya” project, we studied the taxonomy of Selaginella monospora and its closely related species. We found that S. microclada once treated as a synonym of S. monospora should be accepted as a distinct species. In contrast, S. trichophylla, S. monospora var. ciliolata, S. medogensis, and S. effusa var. dulongjiangensis are reduced to synonymy of S. monospora based on molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological characters. Selaginella monospora is characterized by denticulate to ciliolate leaves and strongly dimorphic sporophylls vs. denticulate leaves and slightly dimorphic sporophylls in S. microclada. A lectotypification of S. medogensis was also made in the present study.