The taxonomy of the Pottiaceae is considered by many to be less than easy and best left to the experts. Challenges such as polymporphy, taxonomic importance of anatomical characters, reduced size of the plants, obscure areolation, and sterility of many speciments contribute to difficulties in identification. This work presents an overview of the family and provides both a taxonomic introduction and a means of identification for the genera of this unique family. Included within this work are: a key to recognized genera, a cladistic evaluation, comprehensive descriptions, a discussion of problems, a bibliography, and detailed, exquisitely drawn illustrations.
"A dazzling tour de force in bryological explication."
- The Bryologist