Studies on Plagiochila subgenus Metaplagiochila (Plagiochilaceae, Hepaticae)

Plagiochila bantamensis (Reinw., Blume & Nees) Mont., P. blepharophora (Nees) Lindenb., P. chauviniana Mont., P. clavatosaccata Steph., P. integrilobula Schiffn., P. johannis-winkleri Herzog, P. kurzii Steph., P. pacifica Mitt., P. sandei Dozy ex Sande Lac., P. stephanii Schiffn. and P. vitiensis Mitt. are included in the subgenus Metaplagiochila. Plagiochila pacifica Mitt. is redescribed and illustrated. A lectotype is designated for P. tahitensis Steph. The following six species names are synonymised: Plagiochila densifolia Sande Lac. (= P. bantamensis), Plagiochila hebridensis Steph. (= P. vitiensis Mitt.), Plagiochila meijeri Inoue (= P. kurzii Steph.), Plagiochila 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 removed from the synonymy of P. pacifica. Plagiochila longistipula Steph. and P. saveziana Steph. are exluded from the subgenus. A key to the eleven species in the subgenus Metaplagiochila worldwide is provided.