Southern Australian speceis of Hypoglossum (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta)

Abstract

Six species of Hypoglossum are recognized on southern Australian coasts and a key and detailed descriptions are provided. Following study also of the type species, H. woodwardii, from Britain, the generic description is broadened to include species where (I) not all second-order cells produce third-order cell rows although all third-order cell rows reach the thallus margin. (2) the carposporangia develop sequentially at the apex of branches of the carposporophyte, 1-3 being mature or almost so at one time; and (3) tetrasporangia are produced from cells of the second- and third-order rows and in some species (but not all) from cortical cells, and separate cover cells do not seem to occur.