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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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