XVI International Botanical Congess

A Moss Flora of New Zealand, under the direction of Allan Fife, is in an advanced state of preparation. The Flora will be fully illustrated, treating c. 523 species distributed among 208 genera. The affinities of the New Zealand flora are Gondwanan, with strong relationships to Tasmania and temperate South America. Just over 20% (108 spp) of the moss species (and c. 11 genera) are endemic. Most treatments will be prepared locally by Allan Fife, Jessica Beever (Fissidens, Pottiaceae) and Ray Tangney (Polytrichaceae). External contributions are invited. Difficult groups which have not been completed include Dicranaceae, Amblystegiaceae, Sematophyllaceae, and Brachytheciaceae, and a key to families and genera. Representative generic and species treatments, including line drawings, are displayed. A draft of the Flora is scheduled for completion in 2002.