Lejeunea cyanophora R.M.Schust., J. Hattori Bot.

Renner, M. A., de, Lange P. J. & Glenny, D. S., 2021, A synopsis of Aotearoa / New Zealand Lejeunea (Lejeuneaceae: Jungermanniopsida) and new species in the Lejeunea epiphylla Colenso complex, Arctoa 30 (2), pp. 187-212 : 199

5. Lejeunea cyanophora R.M.Schust., J. Hattori Bot.

Lab. 26: 246. 1963.

Original material: South Island, Westland, ca. 0.6 mi. N of Haast Pass (RMS; mixed among Radula , Plagiochila pleurota ; thin soil over shaded moist rocks).

Type: F ex herb . R.M.Schuster

Lejeunea cyanophora is the only Lejeunea known to have blue oil-bodies ( Schuster, 1963). Besides this distinctive feature the plant in the type specimen is rather non descript, but does not immediately match any other species known from New Zealand, so we continue to accept it as distinct. The collection details provided by Schuster suggest the plant was collected where the Haast River intersects the Haast Pass-Makarora Road. The species is known only by the type, which grew in association with Dinckleria pleurata (Hook.f. & Taylor) Trevis. and Radula plicata Mitt. The co-occurrence of these species suggests an epiphytic microsite, rather than a lithophytic one, as recorded on the specimen packet, as both species are more frequently epiphytic especially in their co-occurrence. In lowland forests of the West Coast of Te Wai Pounamu/South Island Dinckleria pleurata and Radula plicata often co-occur on Dacrydium cupressinum Sol. ex G.Forst. trunks, and in many other epiphytic settings. Dedicated searches to date have failed to relocate this species in the wild in the vicinity of Haast Pass, and possibly a wider search area including lower elevation forests and encompassing a greater diversity of microsites should be considered for future efforts to relocate this enigmatic entity.