Shkurko, A.V., Yu.S.
Mamontov & V.E. Fedosov. 2022. On Sphagnum “henryense” in Asia
Arctoa (2022) 31: 137–144
doi: 10.15298/arctoa.31.15
Sphagnum henryense (subg. Sphagnum)
differs from S. palustre in having abundant small pores on the
dorsal surface of branch leaves. Recently studies usually consider it as a
doubtful species or even merely a synonym of S. palustre. We revealed S.
palustre-like plants, with numerous small round pores very similar to those
of S. henryense in collection from Russian Far East, South
Kuril Islands. The morphometric studies of these plants, along
with S. henryense from other regions of Asia and North America and S.
palustre from the same areas and Europe revealed statistically reliable
differences in three traits of pores in the hyaline cells on abaxial branch
leaf surface: (1) number, (2) length, (3) length to width ratio, and
significant differences in (4) branch leaf breadth and (5) number of pores in
stem cortex cells, distinguishing the “henriense-morphotype”. Such
morphotypes are illustrated, discussed, and likely deserve a further studies.