Two new synonyms and extended distribution of Anastrophyllum ellipticum Inoue (Anastrophyllaceae: Marchantiophyta)

The Sino-Himalayan Anastrophyllum lignicola D.B.Schill & D.G.Long and A. minutum (Schreb.) R.M.Schust. var. himalayanum S.Srivast., S.C.Srivast. & K.K.Rawat are newly designated as synonyms of the Japanese A. ellipticum Inoue. The similarities between these taxa are summarised to support this new synonymy, and the current known distribution now ranges from the NW Himalaya of India, through Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh in NE India, Yunnan and Sichuan in China, Altai in Russia to Japan. Photomicrographs of the distinctive gemmae of A. ellipticum are provided.