Buckiella is a small genus of pleurocarpous mosses belonging to the family Hypnaceae, in the order Hypnales (class Bryopsida). The genus was erected by the Canadian bryologist R.R. Ireland in 2001 (Novon 11: 55–61), when he segregated it from the large and historically broad genus Hypnum. The type species, Buckiella undulata (Hedw.) Ireland, was previously known as Hypnum undulatum Hedw., a name published by Johann Hedwig in 1801.
The genus contains two accepted species: Buckiella undulata and Buckiella draytonii. Buckiella undulata is the more widespread and well-documented member; its undulate (wavy) leaves — reflected in the species epithet — are a characteristic feature of mosses assigned to this lineage.
Buckiella is placed in the family Hypnaceae, one of the largest families of pleurocarpous mosses, whose members form creeping mats on substrates such as soil, rotting wood, and rocks in moist, shaded habitats. Occurrence records for Buckiella undulata are concentrated across the northern temperate zone, with the greatest numbers from Great Britain, Scandinavia, Canada, and the United States, as well as western and central Europe broadly.
Etymology
The genus name Buckiella was coined by bryologist R.R. Ireland in his 2001 treatment published in the journal Novon. The name ends in the diminutive suffix -ella, a common convention for honouring a person in botanical nomenclature; the specific honoree is not stated in Wikispecies.
Distribution
Buckiella undulata is recorded across the northern temperate zone, with by far the most occurrences in Great Britain and Ireland, Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark), Canada, and the United States, and substantial records across western and central Europe including the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, and Poland.
Taxonomy Notes
Buckiella was segregated from Hypnum by Ireland (2001), with the type species formerly known as Hypnum undulatum Hedw. (Hedwig 1801). The genus is placed in Hypnaceae, order Hypnales. GBIF recognises two accepted species: B. undulata (the type) and B. draytonii.
