Polysipbonia in Hawaii — MENEZ 
219 
December 23, 1959; 19354 (bish, duh), in 
crevices about 30 ft above high-tide line, in 
shaded spray-zone situations, l A mile east of 
1955 lava flow, at Keekee, Puna, Hawaii, Sep- 
tember 8, I960; 19357 (bish, duh), extensive 
in spray zone on north facing consolidated 
cinder at Onomea Cove, Hawaii, September 13, 
I960; 19359 (BISH, DUH) , spray-zone pahoehoe 
at Kings Landing, Panaewa, Hawaii, September 
13, I960; E. Menez— 7 33 (bish, duh, m), on 
moist clayish soil occurring in densely matted 
cushions in fishpond area at Kahua Ranch in 
Ewa, Oahu, May 21, 1961. 
This species was found on solidified pahoehoe 
lava, on moist clayish soil, and binding sand in 
the bottom of a shaded crevice in pahoehoe. The 
materials from the exposed condition were col- 
lected from a hole on top of a lava-flow dike 
6-8 m above high-tide line. On the other hand, 
the species found on moist clayish soil was 
collected from the bank of a fishpond, where 
grasses and other plants grew. These outgrowths 
were situated in such a way that they covered 
the area of collection almost completely from 
sunlight. The first and third habitats mentioned 
above are located in a spray-zone situation and 
are not exposed to any degree of wave action 
except the constant spray of water. On the other 
hand, the second habitat is entirely devoid of 
spray. The only supply of water comes from 
rain and the rise of probably brackish water in 
the pond. Under all these conditions, the thalli 
form densely matted cushions. 
In the exposed situation, the materials were 
reddish-purple, whereas the materials in the 
shaded situation were dull in color. Those in 
the shaded crevices were slightly dark green in 
their basal portions but had purplish apices. 
Those on moist clayish soil were almost as 
brown as the substratum from which they had 
been collected. 
This species is close to Polysipbonia howei 
Hollenberg from Nassau, Bahamas. Examination 
of Dr. Doty’s collection of Polysipbonia howei 
(No. 19754 ) from the Bahamas revealed that 
the general characteristics and origin of the 
rhizoids, the curved aspect of some branchlets, 
the offset position of the pericentral cells in the 
successive tiers, the presence of 1-3 - secondary 
pit connections, the short basal segments of the 
trichoblasts, all closely resemble Polysipbonia 
rhizoidea sp. nov. It differs from the latter spe- 
cies in that 1-3 rhizoids occur in a segment, 
trichoblasts are 2 or 3 times forked and tapered 
towards the tip, vegetative axes are 55-143 ft in 
diameter, and pericentral cells number 8-14. 
Polysipbonia howei (No. 19754 ) was a sterile 
specimen. 
Polysipbonia flabellulata Harvey, Proc. Am. 
Acad. IV: 330, 1859 
Figure 2, A-F 
TYPE: From Japan. The type specimen is 
presumed to be in the Harvey Herbarium, 
Trinity College, Dublin. 
Thalli tufted, up to 2 cm in height. Peri- 
central cells six, ecorticate. Base composed of 
simple and digitate rhizoids produced from the 
proximal ends of the pericentral cells. Rhizoids 
usually one per segment but occasionally four 
in a segment, whereupon each pericentral cell of 
the segment produces one rhizoid with a di- 
ameter of about 10 /x and a length of 835 ft. 
Vegetative axes 52-156 /x in diameter, with 
branches irregularly produced at intervals of 
10-20, rarely fewer segments apart. Segments 
as long as broad, particularly in the ultimate 
branchlets. Principal axes dichotomous, angles 
of dichotomy 10-45 degrees. Trichoblasts pro- 
duced near the apices, 2 or 3 times forked, 
diameter 6-12 ft, about 55 ft in length, segments 
as long as broad. Scar cells rare or wanting and 
irregularly disposed. 
Tetrasporangia 45-60 ft in diameter, tetra- 
hedral, oblong, 25 ft in diameter and arranged 
in a straight series. 
Antheridial branches produced as primary 
branches of the trichoblasts. 
Cystocarps subglobose, developed irregularly 
on the primary and secondary axes, about 160 ft 
in diameter at the widest portion and 210 ft 
in length. 
MATERIAL EXAMINED: M. Doty — 10820 
(DUH), Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, October 10, 1953. 
Polysipbonia yonakuniensis Segi, Jour. Fac. Fish. 
Pref. Univ. Mie 1(2) :257-259, 1952 
Figure 6, A—C 
TYPE: Yonakuni Island, Loochoo Islands (T. 
