Bryophytic Diversity of Bouknadel’s Exotic Gardens (Morocco): New Species

Abstract

The Bouknadel’s Exotic gardens, created by French horticultural engineer Marcel François in 1951, are located on flat and bare ground between the cities of Kénitra and Salé at 13 km in the north of Rabat (Morocco). They occupy an area of 4.5 ha and are characterized by a microclimate with high level of relative humidity. Arborescent, shrubby and herbaceous species coming from various tropical countries have acclimatized very well in these gardens creating interesting artificial and different ecosystems. The aim of this study is to provide an exhaustive list of bryophyte species that have settled in these diversified environments. For this purpose, 25 surveys were carried out from 2014 to 2016 and have resulted in the identification of 30 species. The phylum mosses is represented by 27 taxa divided into 7 families and 17 genera and that of the Liverworts by only 3 species affiliated with 3 families and 3 genera. Comparison with previous work has shown the presence of a new species and a new variety for Morocco, namely Ptychostomum moravicum (Podp.) Ros & Mazimpaka and Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) JR Spense & HP Ramsay var. pseudotriquetrum. We also identified two new species for the region of Rabat: Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.) Warnst. and Tortella tortuosa (Hedw.) Limpr. The observations have shown that Ptychostomum capillare Hedw. is the most common species in these gardens followed by Lunularia cruciata (L.) Dum, then Fissidens bryoides Hedw. Nearly 33% of the collected species belongs to the family of Pottiaceae, 20% to the family of Bryaceae, and almost 17% to the family of Brachytheciaceae. These plants settle mainly on rock faces or on wet soil, sometimes on tree trunks, and on the edges of ponds. The specific richness of bryophytes inside the Exotic gardens is considerably higher than outside the gardens because of the high level and permanent moisture that support the propagation of these nonvascular plants.

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28| © www.globalsciencepg.org Biolife | 2018 | Vol 6 | Issue 1
B I O L I F E
O R I G I N A L A R T I C L E
Bryophytic Diversity of Bouknadel’s Exotic Gardens (Morocco):
New Species
Meriem Elharech1, Nadia Belahbib2, Khalid Achoual3, Najib Magri4, Jamila Dahmani5*
1-3, 5 Laboratory of Botany, Biotechnology and Plant Protection, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, BP
133, Kénitra 14000, Morocco
4Forest Research Center, Water and Forests Department, Avenue Omar Ibn El Khattab, BP 763, Rabat-Agdal,
10050, Morocco
Email: jdahmani1@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The Bouknadel’s Exotic gardens, created by French horticultural engineer Marcel François in 1951, are located
on flat and bare ground between the cities of Kénitra and Salé at 13 km in the north of Rabat (Morocco). They
occupy an area of 4.5 ha and are characterized by a microclimate with high level of relative humidity. Arborescent,
shrubby and herbaceous species coming from various tropical countries have acclimatized very well in these
gardens creating interesting artificial and different ecosystems. The aim of this study is to provide an exhaustive
list of bryophyte species that have settled in these diversified environments. For this purpose, 25 surveys were
carried out from 2014 to 2016 and have resulted in the identification of 30 species. The phylum mosses is
represented by 27 taxa divided into 7 families and 17 genera and that of the Liverworts by only 3 species affiliated
with 3 families and 3 genera. Comparison with previous work has shown the presence of a new species and a
new variety for Morocco, namely Ptychostomum moravicum (Podp.) Ros & Mazimpaka and Ptychostomum
pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) JR Spense & HP Ramsay var. pseudotriquetrum. We also identified two new species
for the region of Rabat: Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.) Warnst. and Tortella tortuosa (Hedw.) Limpr. The
observations have shown that Ptychostomum capillare Hedw. is the most common species in these gardens
followed by Lunularia cruciata (L.) Dum, then Fissidens bryoides Hedw. Nearly 33% of the collected species
belongs to the family of Pottiaceae, 20% to the family of Bryaceae, and almost 17% to the family of
Brachytheciaceae. These plants settle mainly on rock faces or on wet soil, sometimes on tree trunks, and on the
edges of ponds. The specific richness of bryophytes inside the Exotic gardens is considerably higher than outside
the gardens because of the high level and permanent moisture that support the propagation of these nonvascular
plants.
Keywords: Bryophytes, Liverworts, Mosses, biodiversity, Bouknadel’s Exotic gardens, Morocco.
INTRODUCTION
The Bouknadel’s Exotic Gardens are a nationally well-
known tourist attraction. Marcel François, a French
horticultural engineer passionate about botany, created it
in 1951 on a flat and bare ground of 4.5 hectares. He
opened these gardens to the public after ten years of
development and, in 1973, he conceded it to the Moroccan
government. Currently, these gardens are under the
protection of "Mohamed VI Foundation for the Protection
of the Environment". They contain more than 600 vascular
species acclimated from 5 continents. These plants profit
from great importance and are highly cared for by
managers compared to the neglected bryophytes.
The Exotic Gardens are characterized by a particular
microclimate due to the proximity of the ocean on one
side and the lush vegetation that grows inside on the other.
This microclimate favors the installation and diversification
of the bryophytic flora.
Bryophytes represent an important component of plant
biodiversity; in the world, they constitute the second plant
phylum after flowering plants with about 25,000 species
(Crum 2001, Mishler 2001).
How to Cite This Article:
Meriem Elharech, Nadia Belahbib, Khalid Achoual, Najib
Magri, Jamila Dahmani (2018). Bryophytic Diversity of
Bouknadel’s Exotic Gardens (Morocco): New Species.
Biolife. 6(1), 28-36. DOI:10.17812/blj.2018.6104.
Received: 1 December 2017; Accepted: 4 January 2018;
Published online: 13 January, 2018
AN INTERNATIONAL QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY & LIFE SCIENCES
6(1):28-36
ISSN (online): 2320-4257
www.biolifejournal.com

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The Moroccan bryoflore is beginning to arouse the
interest of researchers throughout the Kingdom. The
present study is a contribution in the framework of a global
study aiming to identify the specific diversity of bryophytes
in Morocco. For this purpose, we have carried out an
exploration of the Exotic gardens of Bouknadel with the
aim of compiling an exhaustive list of bryophytic species.
MAERIAL AND METHODS
Field of study
The Exotic gardens of Bouknadel are located on the
national road between Salé and Kénitra, to 13 km north of
Rabat, with an average altitude of 42 m a.s.l. (Figure 1).
The climate of this zone is mediterranean of sub-humid
type with temperate to hot variant according to the
bioclimatic synthesis (M’Hirit, 1999). The annual rainfall is
between 500 and 600 mm and is spread over an average
of 78 days a year; the number of dry months varies
between 5 and 6 months (El Gharbaoui, 1987). The
atmospheric humidity reaches its maximum in winter; El
Gharbaoui in 1987 stated that the relative air humidity in
Rabat, the closest station to our site, is 71.5% in winter,
64% in spring, 64.5% in summer and 62% in autumn.
The installation in this site of artificial ponds, falls,
drains, rock outcrops, has created a great diversity of
media (rocks, land, sand, dead wood).
Figure-1. locates the Exotic gardens on a map built in
a GIS software (QGIS 2.18) with a background layer
coming from Google's web service.
The harvest of bryophytes in Exotic Gardens of
Bouknadel was carried out during the months of March
and April 2014, January 2015 and February 2016. The first
season was the most favorable period to observe the
majority of species in the best conditions, especially with
the sporophyte that is necessary for identification; the
other seasons allowed us to complete sample collection.
Figure 2 shows the course of sampling where a sample is
collected from each encountered stand.
Sampling:
The harvested samples are dried in open air and kept
in herbarium pending their identification. They are carefully
studied using a binocular loupe first and then using an
optical microscope; we took photos for illustration.
Figure-1. Location of Bouknadel’s Exotic gardens
We identified the collected samples in laboratory using
Augier (1966), Boulay (1884 and 1904), Pierrot (1982),
Smith (1990 and 2004), Coudreuse (2005) and Casas et
al. 2006). We realized identification by observing all the
macroscopic and microscopic characters of samples by
referring to the characters described in the determination
keys. After this step, each we kept species in a herbarium
according to the technique described by Augier (1966).
For each species, we calculated the frequency of
presence by the ratio between the number of surveys
where it occurs and the total number of surveys carried out
on the site, which is 25.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The study of bryoflore of Exotic Gardens of Bouknadel
revealed 30 species. We have recorded 27 species in the
Phyllum of Muscinea, related to 7 families and 18 genera.
For liverworts, only 3 species were identified belonging to
3 families and 3 genera. Within the first group, the genus
Ptychostomum is the most represented with 4 species of
which Ptychostomum capillare is the most widespread, it
settles on calcareous rocks and earthy soil of the studied
site. In the second group, Lunularia cruciata has the most
recovery; it occupies rock walls and moist earthy soil.
Two species are considered new for Morocco
according to the comparison with identification keys that
Figure 2: Illustration of Exotic Garden of Bouknadel

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we used (Augier 1966, Boulay 1884 and 1904, Pierrot
1974, Smith 1990 and 2004, Coudreuse 2005 and Casas
et al. 2006) and inventories and catalogs of Bryophytes
carried out in Morocco (Ahayoun et al., 2013) and in the
Mediterranean region (Ros et al., 2013). These are
Ptychostomum moravicum (Podp.) Ros & Mazimpaka
(Figure 3) and Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.)
J.R. Spense & H.P. Ramsay var. pseudotriquetrum
(Figure 4), both belong to the family of Bryaceae.
Concerning Ptychostomum moravicum (Podp.) Ros &
Mazimpaka, it is the synonym of Bryum capillare var.
flaccidum auct. non (Brid.) Bruch & Schimp. and Bryum
capillare var. flaccidum (Brid.) Bruch & Schimp in Ros et
al, (2013). Bryum capillare species has already been
mentioned in Morocco (Braun-Blanquet, 1954, Jelenc,
1955a, Jovet-Ast, 1955d, Jelenc, 1967, cited by Ros et al.,
1999); on the other hand, Bryum capillare var. flaccidum
(Brid.) Bruch & Schimp has never been mentioned in
Morocco. We can therefore consider Ptychostomum
moravicum as a new taxon for Morocco.
Moreover, for the species Psychostomum
pseudotriquetrum, it is synonymous of:
 Bryum pseudotriquetrum var.duvalioides cited in
Tangerois region (Pitard, 1913, cited by Gattefossé &
Werner, 1932, then Braun-Blanquet, 1954, Jelenc,
1955a, cited by Ros et al., 1999)
 Bryum pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) P.Gaertn., B. Mey. &
Scherb, found in Camp Monod (currently Sidi Allal El
Bahraoui) (Corbière, 1913)
 Bryum ventricosum Dicks., Found in Camp Monod
(currently Sidi Allal El Bahraoui) (Corbière, 1913)
 Bryum ventricosum var. flaccidum (Schimp) Jelenc)
cited in Tangerois region (Pitard, 1913, cited by
Gattefossé & Werner, 1932, then Braun-Blanquet,
1954, Jelenc, 1955a, quoted by Ros et al., 1999).
It should be noted that the variety Ptychostomum
pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) J.R. Spense & H.P. Ramsay
var. pseudotriquetrum has never been mentioned in
Morocco as such. On the other hand, it is synonymous with
the species Bryum neodamense (Ros et al 2013),
observed and identified during this study in Exotic
Gardens and never mentioned in Morocco. The
identification process led us to Bryum neodemense but we
will adopt the name of Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum
(Hedw.) J.R. Spense & H.P. Ramsay var.
pseudotriquetrum by referring to the catalog of
Mediterranean Mosses of Ros et al. (2013) (Figure 4).
For the newly observed species in Rabat region, two
taxa have been identified: Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.)
Warnst. (Syn. Amblystegium riparium (Hedw.) Schimp.)
(Figure 5) and Tortella tortuosa (Hedw.) Limpr. (Figure 6).
Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.) Warnst has been cited in
Morocco in Middle Atlas and Anti-Atlas by Jelenc, 1955a
Figure 3: Ptychostomum moravicum: a) tuft (x5), b) tuft with substrate (x10), c) isolated individual (x30), d) leaf
(x20), e) leaf (x40), f) apical cells of limb (x100), g) median cells of limb (x100), h) basal cells of limb (x100)

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and Jelenc, 1967 quoted by Ros et al. (1999). Tortella
tortuosa (Hedw.) Limpr. (Syn. Barbula tortuosa (Hedw.) F.
Weber & D. Mohr.) has been cited in Morocco in Rif and
Middle Atlas (Braun-Blanquet, 1954 and Jelenc, 1954
cited by Ros et al., 1999) (Draper et al., 2005).
The floristic analysis revealed that the most commonly
encountered species are Psychostomum capillare (48%),
Lunularia cruciata (40%), Fissidens bryoides (36%) and
Rhynchostegiella tenella (32%). Thirteen taxa are only
encountered in one survey as shown in Figure-8. The most
represented family is Pottiaceae with 10 species. Most
species settle in moist habitats, on limestone rock walls or
on earthy soil; only one species is sub-aquatic, which is
Riccia fluitans (Figure-7). Figure 8 shows the frequency of
occurrence of each of the listed species, which is the
number of surveys where it appears, while Figure-9
reveals the species richness per survey.
The richest species records are those that are shaded
or close to water surfaces and waterfalls; on the other
hand, those who are poor in species are more exposed to
the sun (Figure 9). Some species are more common such
as Ptychostomum capillare, which appears in 12 surveys
(Figure-8).
List of species found in Bouknadel’s exotic
gardens
The species are presented by Class and by Family.
The nature of the substrate is mentioned for each species.
Information on the substrate and the ecology of the
species from the bibliographic data is placed in braces.
The species and variety newly encountered in Morocco
are preceded by the symbol *. The species observed for
the first time in the region of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra are
preceded by the symbol °.
Phyllum of Muscinea (Bryophyta)
Family: Amblystegiaceae
° Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.) Warnst
(Amblystegium riparium (Hedw.), Amblystegium
leptophyllum Schimp., Amblystegium maderense (Mitt.)
Jaeg., Hypnum riparium Hedw.): On calcareous rocks
near small water surfaces and falls of the study site. [On
wet, submerged or indifferent stones and woods (Augier,
1966); and on stones and woods that are frequently
flooded or submerged in rather calm waters, at the edges
of ditches, ponds or swamps, wet rotting stumps, indicative
of significant organic and/or ammoniacal pollution
(Coudreuse et al. 2005)].
Figure 4: Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum var. pseudotriquetrum: a) Plant in situ, b) tuft (real size), c)
humidified plant (real size), d) leafy stem (x5), e) leafy stem branched basal (x 20), f and g) apical part of stem (x
20), h,i and j) leaf (x 40), k) marginal cells of leaf (x400), l) median cells of leaf (x400), m) apical cells of leaf x400,
n) young stem in cross-section (x400), o) aged stem in cross-section (x400)

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Family: Brachytheciaceae
Rhunchostegiella curviseta (Brid.) Limpr.
(Rhynchostegium curvisetum Schimp., Eurhynchium
curvisetum (Brid.) Husn.): On limestone shaded rocks and
wet soil. [On limestone, on damp walls (Augier, 1966)].
Rhynchostegiella tenella var. meridionalis Boul. Zodda:
On limestone rocks. [Shaded limestone rocks. old
limestone walls (Augier, 1966)].
Rhynchostegium megapolitanum (Bland. ex F. Weber
& D. Mohr) Schimp. (Eurhynchium megappolitanum
(Bland ex F. Weber & D. Mohr) Milde): On clay-sandy soil
[On rocky soil, on sands of littoral (Augier, 1966)].
Scorpiurum circinatum (Brid.) Fleisch. & Loeske
(Eurhynchium circinatum (Brid.) Schimp.): On moist soil or
on sunny limestone rocks. [On sand or sunny rocks, rather
calcareous (Augier, 1966)].
Family: Bryaceae
Ptychostomum capillare Hedw.: On cut wood or on
limestone shaded or on wet soil. [On old walls, foot of trees
(Augier, 1966); and on ground, walls, at the base of tree
trunks, in the cracks of rocks, on slopes, in hedges, in
woods (Boulay, 1884).
Ptychostomum torquescens (Bruch & Schimp.) Ros &
Mazimpaka (Bryum capillare subsp. icodense (H. Winter)
Podp., Bryum capillare subsp. torquescens (Bruch &
Schimp.) Kindb., Bryum capillare var. torquescens (Bruch
& Schimp.) Husn. Bryum icodense H. Winter, Bryum
torquescens Bruch & Schimp.): On calcareous rock of the
studied site [On rocks, on walls, on stony places especially
limestone (Augier, 1966)]
Ptychostomum moravicum (Podp.) Ros &
Mazimpaka (Bryum laevifilum Syed, Bryum flaccidum
auct non. Brid., Brym subelegans auct. non Kindb.): On
earthy ground of the studied site [On soils, rocks, on walls
and trunks, on oak, beech, pine and fir (Casas et al,
2006)].
Bryum radiculosum Brid (Bryum murale Wils, Bryum
murorum (Schimp.) Berk, Bryum eurythrocarpum v.
murorum Schimp): On moist limestone rocks; [On stony
ground or on mortar walls or limestone (Augier, 1966); and
in cracks and calcareous mortar of walls (Boulay, 1884)].
Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) J.R.
Spense & H.P. Ramsay var. pseudotriquetrum (Bryum
neodamense (Itzigs., Bryum pseudotriquetrum var.
cavifolium Schimp.): On the edges of water surfaces, on
very wet emergent rocks. [At the edges of streams, or
swamps or indifferent (Augier, 1966) and deep swamps,
often flooded places (Boulay, 1984)].
Figure-5: Leptodictyum riparium: a) tuft (real size), b) tuft (x2), c) leafy stem (x 5), d) leaf (x40), e) apical cells of
limb, f) median cells of limb, g) basal cells of limb (x400), h) sporophyte (x10) with enlarged operculum (top left) and
enlarged capsule (top right), i) spores (x100).

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Figure-6: Tortella tortuosa: a) tuft (x2), b) leaf (x40), c) limb tip (x100), d) median part of limb (x100), e) hyaline
part and chlorophyll part of limb (x100), f) marginal portion of limb (x100), g) hyaline cells (x400), h) cross-section of
leaf (x100), i) sheet in cross-section (x 100).
Figure 7: Riccia fluitans: a- thalli (x20), b- magnified thallus (x30), c- subdichotomic ramification (x40), d- ramified
feet (x30), e- thallus cells (x100), f- tip of the thallus branch (x100), g- cross section of thallus (x400).

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Bryum caespiticium Hedw. (Bryum badium (Brid.)
Schimp., Bryum comense Schimp.): On the limestone
rocks of the studied site. [On basic or neutral ground, on
ruins, banks, rocks, ancient walls, quarries and dunes
(Smith, 2004); and on dry land, on sand (maritime, moors),
on old walls, and indifferent (Augier, 1966)].
Figure-8. Frequency of occurrence for each identified
species in Bouknadel’s exotic gardens
Figure-9. Number of species recorded in each survey
carried out in Bouknadel’s exotic gardens
Family: Fissidentaceae
Fissidens bryoides Hedw (Hypnum bryoides (Hedw.) L.
ex With.): On wet limestone rocks and wet soils. [Non-
calcareous shaded land (Augier, 1966) and on
embankments, edges of paths, wet stones, hedges
(Boulay, 1884)].
Family: Funariaceae
Funaria hygrometrica (Funaria calvescens Schwägr.,
Funaria hygrometrica var. ahaggarensis Thér. & Trab.,
Funaria hygrometrica var. calvescens (Schwägr.) Mont.,
Funaria hygrometrica var. minor Hartm., Funaria
hygrometrica var. muralis Huebener, Funaria
hygrometrica var. patula Bruch & Schimp., Mnium
hygrometricum (Hedw.) With.): On the wall of the studied
site [In gardens, on buildings and old walls, especially on
fire sites (Smith, 2004)].
Entosthodon attenuatus (Dicks.) Bryhn (Funaria
attenuata (Dicks.) Lindb., Entosthodon templetonii (Sm.)
Schwägr., Funaria templetonii Sm., Physcomitrium
soleirolii Mont.: On wet ground of the studied site. [Acid
soils acidified by streams, rock crevices and cornices,
lowlands (Casas et al 2006); on moist soil by streams,
ditches, forests, moors, cornices, cliffs (Smith, 2004) and
on moist soil and between cracks in rocks (Augier, 1966)].
Entosthodon pulchellus (H. Philib.) Brugués (Funaria
pulchella H. Philib.): between cracks of limestone rocks of
the studied site. [Cracks on granitic rocks at 2100 m a.s.l.
(Ros et al., 2000); and on basic soils in meadow and
between rocks, calcicole (Smith, 2004)].
Family: Orthotricaceae
Orthotrichum diaphanum (Gmel.) Schrad: On tree trunk
in the studied site. [On isolated trees, on rocks and walls
(Augier, 1966) and on tree trunks, more rarely on stones,
mainly in the vicinity of houses, along public walks (Boulay,
1884)].
Family: Potticaeae
Barbula unguiculata (Huds.) Hedw: On limestone
rocks of the studied site and on clay-sandy soil. [Pioneer
on argillaceous soil and calcareous sand, messicole
(Augier, 1966); on old walls, on moist and clayey soil of
fields and meadows, on the banks of ditches, on sandy or
stony hills, on all kinds of terrain (Boulay 1884)].
Didymodon tophaceus (Brid) (Trichostomum
tophaceum Brid, Barbula tophacea (brid) Mitt): At the edge
of water surface, on wet limestone rocks; [On wet
limestone rocks, tuffs (Augier, 1966)].
Eucladium verticillatum (Brid.) Bruch & Schimp.
(Weisia verticillata Brid., Mollia verticillata Lindb): On very
wet calcareous rocks. [On tuffs, on oozing calcareous
rocks (Augier, 1966) and on cracks in rocks and walls
where seepage of water laden with carbonate of lime
occurs (Boulay, 1884)].
Gyroweisia tenuis (Hedw.) Schimp. (Weissia tenuis
(Hedw.) Müll. Hal.): At the edge of a small water surface,
on wet limestone rock [On fresh calcareous walls, old walls
(Augier, 1966)].
Timmiella barbuloides Brid. (Timmiella barbula Limpr.,
Trichostomum Barbula Schwaegr): On moist limestone
rocks; moist soil. [On limestone ground and rocks (Augier,
1966); and on clayey soil, a little bit cool, at the foot of
rocks and walls and in ravines. (Boulay, 1884)].
Tortella flavovirens (Bruch) Broth. (Trichostomum
flavovirens Bruch): On limestone rocks. [Sands (mostly
maritime), crevices of rocks (Augier, 1966); and in sandy
or stony places, in pine woods or undergrowth of the
Mediterranean region (Boulay, 1884)].
Tortella nitida (Lindb.) Broth. (Trichostomum nitidum
Schimp, Trichostomum diffractum mitt, Tortula nitida
Lindb, Trichostomum mutabile v. robustius juratzk,
Barbula nitida Grav, Barbula alexandrina Lor. Abhandl):
On shaded limestone rocks. [On sunny limestone rocks
(Augier, 1966) and mainly in the fissures and earthy joints
of rocks uncovered or weakly shaded (Boulay, 1884)].
Tortella tortuosa (Hedw.) Limpr. (Bryum tortuosum
Linn. = Barbula tortuosa Web. & Mohr, Barbula
subtortuosa Mull. Ha, Mollia thrausta Stirt, Tortula
incrassata Brid.): On slightly humid ground. [Rocks and
limestone, much rarer on silica (Augier, 1966) and in the
cracks and walls of limestone rocks shaded and a little bit
cool (Boulay, 1884)].
Tortula marginata (Bruch & Schimp.) Spruce (Barbula
marginata Br): On limestone rocks of the studied site. [On
sandstone rocks, old walls, limestone (Augier, 1966) and
on walls, rocks, shady places (Boulay, 1884)].

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Tortula muralis Hedw (Barbula muralis Timm, Bryum
murale L.): On limestone rocks. [On walls, rocks, roofs
(Augier, 1966); and on the top and sides of walls, on roof
tiles, in the fissures of rocks, more rarely at the base of
tree trunks (Boulay, 1884)].
Trichostomum crispulum Bruch.: On limestone rocks.
[Pioneer on limestone rocks, on gravelly ground, coastal
dunes (Augier, 1966) and on sandy or marly soil of hills, in
the hollows of rocks, on old walls, on the fixed sands of
ancient dunes; more common on limestone soils (Boulay,
1884)].
Class of Liverworts (Marchantiophyta ou
Hepatiquophyta)
Family: Lunulariaceae
Lunularia cruciata (L.) Dum. (Marchantia cruciata L.,
Lunularia vulgaris Mich., Lunularia michelii Le Jolis,
Marchantia dillenii Le Jolis, Preissia cucullata Mont. &
Nees, Staurophora pulchella Willd): On rocks and shady
wet ground at the edge of waterfalls and small water
surfaces. [Wet groudn, in sunken paths, gardens and
greenhouses (Augier, 1966); on wet ground at the edge of
streams, on wet ground, on rocks and old walls in sunken
roads, along roadsides, in gardens and greenhouses
(Coudreuse et al 2005)].
Family: Ricciaceae
Riccia fluitans L. (Ricciella natans Braun, Riciella
fluitans Braun, Riccia canaliculata Hoffm): Floating on the
stagnant waters of small water surfaces or on very wet
submerged rocks. [In calm water of ponds and ditches,
and on mud, salt water (Augier, 1966) and in stagnant
mesotrophic or eutrophic waters of ponds and ditches, on
mud and banks (Coudreuse et al 2005)]
Family: Targioniaceae
Targionia hypophylla L (Targionia michelii Cord): On
clay-sandy soil. [Pioneer on clay soil, and calcareous
sand, messicole (Augier, 1966) and on clay-sandy soil, on
old walls and in their cracks, limestone rocks (Boulay,
1904)].
CONCLUSION
Bouknadel’s Exotic gardens are a nationally known
attraction for its exuberant biodiversity. The bryological
component of this biodiversity, which is the subject of this
study, has not benefited from any special management or
care, unlike Spermaphytes.
Surveys carried out in the exotic gardens in 2014, 2015
and 2016 allowed us to draw up a list of 30 species of
Bryophytes. Of the 27 species of mosses, Ptychostomum
capillare is the most widespread species in the studied site
where it settles on calcareous rocks and earthy soil.
Although the environment has high moisture levels, only
three Hepatic species have been observed including
Lunularia cruciata, the most widespread species covering
rocky walls and wet ground, and Riccia fluitans, the only
aquatic species that we encountered.
The analysis of data allowed us to identify new species
and variety for Morocco (Ptychostomum moravicum
(Podp.) Ros & Mazimpaka and Ptychostomum
pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) J.R. Spense & H.P. Ramsay
pseudotriquetrum) and two new species for Rabat-Salé-
Kénitra region (Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.) Warnst.
and Tortella tortuosa (Hedw.) Limpr.).
The most common species in the studied site are
Psychostomum capillare, Lunularia cruciata and Fissidens
bryoides, because they are fond of wet and shaded areas.
On the other hand, the rare species that are only found in
one survey are those with low ecological amplitude; they
can only settle in specific environments. The majority of
the studied species are therefore found in wet grounds of
the Exotic gardens whether on ground, on rocks or on tree
trunks. The specific richness of Bryophytes recorded in
these gardens is remarkable for such a small area
compared to lands surrounding the study area
Acknowledgements:
We thank all the employees of Bouknadel’s Exotic
gardens, in particular Mr. Abdelatif Dahmani, for facilitating
our study inside the gardens.
Conflicts of Interest
Authors declare that there is no conflict of interests
regarding the publication of this paper.
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