Meteoriaceae

Meteoriaceae
Meteoriopsis reclinata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Bryophyta
Class:	Bryopsida
Subclass:	Bryidae
Order:	Hypnales
Family:	Meteoriaceae Kindb.
Genera
See text

Meterotiaceae is a family of mosses from the order Hypnales. There are about 22 genera and 171 species represented by the family. ^[1]

Description

Characteristic traits of the family include creeping stems with pendent branches, elongate, mostly papillose laminal cells, and pointed leaves. ^[2] The taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of this complex group of mosses are difficult to interpret, and attempts to structure the taxon are ongoing. ^{[3] [4]}

Distribution

Meteoriaceae species are found in warm topical and subtropical regions worldwide. Their primary substrate is on twigs and bark. ^[2]

Classification

Meteoriaceae was originally classified under in the order Leucodontales but are now within the Hypnales. The family contains the following genera: ^[1]

• Aerobryidium M.Fleisch. ex Broth.
• Aerobryopsis M.Fleisch.
• Barbella M.Fleisch. ex Broth.
• Barbellopsis Broth.
• Chrysocladium M.Fleisch.
• Cryptopapillaria M.Menzel
• Diaphanodon Renauld & Cardot
• Duthiella Müll.Hal. ex Broth.
• Floribundaria M.Fleisch.
• Lepyrodontopsis Broth.
• Meteoriopsis M.Fleisch. ex Broth.
• Meteorium Dozy & Molk.
• Neodicladiella (Nog.) W.R.Buck
• Neonoguchia S.H.Lin
• Papillaria (Müll.Hal.) Lorentz
• Pseudospiridentopsis (Broth.) M.Fleisch.
• Pseudotrachypus P.de la Varde & Thér.
• Sinskea W.R.Buck
• Toloxis W.R.Buck
• Trachycladiella (M.Fleisch.) M.Menzel
• Trachypodopsis M.Fleisch.
• Trachypus Reinw. & Hornsch.

References

1. "Meteoriaceae Kindb". World Flora Online . December 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
2. "Meteoriaceae in Flora of North America @". Efloras.org. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
3. Buck, W. R. (June 2020). "A new attempt at understanding the Meteoriaceae". J. Hattori Botanical Laboratory. 75: 51–72. doi:10.18968/jhbl.75.0_51.
4. Noguchi, A. (November 1976). "A taxonomic revision of the family Meteoriaceae of Asia". J. Hattori Bot. Lab. 41: 231–357. doi:10.18968/jhbl.41.0_231.