Our knowledge of leafy liverworts (Jungermanniales) of India is still fragmentary and is largely based on Kashyap’s treatment published nearly six decades back and that too of only a small territory of the Western Himalaya. The vast country like India with varied phytogeographical conditions in different parts hosts majority of the Jungermanniales which constitute nearly 80% of the total hepatic vegeta- tion of the subcontinent. Although more concerted attempts have been made in recent years by Late Professor Ram Udar and his associates to unravel the hidden wealth of foliose taxa not only in the vast Himalayas but also in the territories of South India (including Nilgiri Hills, Pulney Hills and Silent Valley), Central India and North Eastern States.
Inspired by the works of Prof. Ram Udar the present revision was undertaken to clarify the taxonomic limits of Indian taxa of the suborder Lepidoziineae.
In all 33 taxa embracing 7 genera under 2 families of the suborder Lepidoziineae validly recognized from India have been properly described and discussed with adequate details supported with 76 plates of illustra— tions and photographs. The topography of the leaf surface and sporoderm architecture (under SEM) have been provided in a number of taxa as an aid in their taxonomy. This is the first comprehensive work embodying all the Indian taxa of the suborder Lepidoziineae known so far.
A separate chapter on phylogenetic inter-relationships among the taxa based on critically evaluated primitive and advanced characters has been provided in a schematic representation. Similarly a chapter on present day distribution of the representative taxa in India supported with 4 maps and a Table has also been provided.
The present work in its entirety represents largely the result of unpublished research and observation on the part of the authors. In presenting this contribution the authors hope to lay a milestone for the understanding of necessity of taxonomic monographs on leafy liverworts of the country inadequately known so far. The present contribution with comprehensive bibliography would not only prove pretentious to ad- vanced students for an easy approach to research references but also inspire workers for similar contribution on other taxa of the group.