In the early winter of 2011, as a doctoral student, I was instructed by Professor Zhao Jiancheng to examine specimens of the Bryaceae family and related taxa at the Herbarium of the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (PE). There, I first met the long-admired Professor Wu Pengcheng. I was deeply excited, having previously known his name only through literature like Moss Flora of China and Professor Zhao’s frequent mentions—now, I finally encountered him in person.
Gollania pengchengii sp. nov. (Pylaisiaceae) is described from China. The most important diagnostic characters of this species are: (1) distinct stepwise layered stems by annual growth, (2) erect capsules, (3) exostome teeth with smooth outer surface at the lower parts, (4) reduced endostome with rudimentary segments and (5) the presence of a preperistome. A key to the species of Gollania in China is presented.
Plicanthus hirtellus and P. birmensis are morphologically similar liverworts whose taxonomic distinction has long been debated due to overlapping characters. In this study, we examined specimens from Asia and Africa primarily in East Africa, including the type specimen of P. hirtellus, using both morphological and molecular data. Morphologically, P. hirtellus typically bears filamentous cilia on the leaves and has leaf lobes with long uniseriate apices composed of rectangular to linear cells. In contrast, P. birmensis has shorter apices with quadrate to rectangular cells and lacks filamentous cilia. Molecular phylogenetic analyses support the distinction between the two species. However, poorly developed individuals of P. hirtellus may resemble P. birmensis, highlighting the potential for misidentification. We conclude that an integrated approach, combining molecular data with careful morphological assessment of well-developed shoots, is essential for accurate species delimitation within Plicanthus.
As a Chinese bryologist, I am proud that the IAB decided to publish a special issue of Bryophyte Diversity and Evolution honoring Professor Wu Pengcheng, from Institute of Botany, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, for his significant contribution to bryology. Professor Wu was born in 1935, and 2025 is the year of his 90th birthday (Figure 1). I am pleased to write a short article about Wu’s activity in bryological research and his contribution to bryology based on the personal contacts between Professor Wu and myself since 1983, when I met Prof. Wu at a meeting in Beijing for the first time.
Bazzania bhutanica, a critically endangered species previously known from only two localities in Bhutan and one locality in India, has now been discovered in another two localities west to Samtse, Bhutan.
