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In Tasmania, the Jubulaceae is represented by the genus
Frullania, with around 17 representatives in Tasmania. Most
species are
epiphytes growing in wet forest although some hardier species also
grow on rocks in drier environments.
The genus is distinguished from other liverworts by a combination
of of one ventral sac (lobule) per leaf, underleaves, and cell
morphology. The cell walls of the leaves and/or lobules of some species are
thickened in a fashion referred to as 'nodulose' (node-like) in bryological literature. Most Frullania species need microscopic scrutiny to identify.
Some uncommon taxa may resemble the commoner species and differ only
in reproductive or microscopic characters. Perianths are sometimes necessary for
positive identification. Some species of Frullania are very poorly known in
Tasmania and require further study.
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