Observations on the Morphology and Taxonomy of

ABST RAC T : Observations with light and scanning electro n microscopes indicate the foliicolous chlorophyte Pf!ycopeltis baiuaiiensis King (Chroolepid aceae) is subcut icular and polystromatic, produces steri le hairs, and induces a distinct wounding, reaction in sub tending host tissue. In comparison , similar obse rvations on Pbycopeltis epiphyton and other P~ycopeltis species reveal that, although they are also foliicolous, they are supracuticular and monostromatic. Also, they neith er pro duce sterile hairs nor induce a wo unding response in the host leaf. Because the observed characteristics of Pbycopeltis batuaiiensis are similar to those of Cepbaleuros uirescens and other Cephaleuros species, it is suggested that Pf!ycopeltis hawaiiensis is probably a Cepbaleuros species; however, th e absence of rep ro ductive structures renders the designation of a specific epithet problematic.