typification

Isolectotype: N.Z., Mt. Cargill, W. Bell s.n., CHR 543119! Lectotype at BM designated by Tan 1989. Paratypes: N.Z., Taranaki, Jupp, NY 267995!; Westland, A.R. Bloxham, 1872, NY 267996!

Fife, A.J. 2019: Dicranaceae. In: Smissen, R.; Wilton, A.D. (ed.) Flora of New Zealand – Mosses. Fascicle 42. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.

Etymology

The derivation of the species epithet platycaulon, meaning “flat-stemmed”, is hinted at by Müller’s (1901, p. 290) statement in Genera Muscorum Frondosorum: “Alle diese neuen Arten, von denen das Letztere [D. platycaulon] nach Höhe und Breite seiner Stengel ein wahrer Riese Aller ist, kamen mir fast in einer einziger Sendung von R. Helms in Greymouth auf der Süd-Insel zu”. Müller’s statement translates as “All these new species, the last of which [D. platycaulon], according to the height and breadth of its stems, is a true giant, came to me as the result of almost a single shipment from R. Helms in Greymouth on the South Island”.

Fife, A.J. 2019: Dicranaceae. In: Smissen, R.; Wilton, A.D. (ed.) Flora of New Zealand – Mosses. Fascicle 42. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.