The variability of the papillae on the laminal cells of Barbula indica (Hook.) Spreng. (Pottiaceae, Musci): a morphological and molecular approach

Morphological investigations including Scanning Electron Microscopy show that Barbula indica varies greatly as regards the number, shape and size of its papillae. The validity of these characters for the correct identification of the species, especially in comparison with B. bolleana, is discussed based on morphological data and chloroplast rps4 gene and rps4-trnS interspacer sequences.