XVI International Botanical Congess

An inventory of the host plants of epiphyllous bryophytes in Hong Kong was established based on an extensive field survey and study of 202 herbarium specimens of host plants. The inventory includes 101 species of vascular plants in 72 genera and 56 families, of which 20 species are ferns (19.8%), 66 dicots (65.3%) and 15 monocots (14.9%). The most favorable hosts are Pronephrium simplex, Pandanus forceps and Pothos chinensis. Overal, epiphyllous bryophytes prefer hosts with long-lived leaves which are papery and smooth (50.5%) or leathery and smooth in texture (44.55%). These results will help efficient conservation of vulnerable epiphyllous bryophytes (esp. liverworts) via protection of hosts and habitats, and will guide selection of hosts for ex situ conservation.