A New Technique to Investigate Cell Layers of the Capsule Wall Using Frullania (Hepaticae) as a Case Study

A new technique is reported for examining anatomical features of the different layers of the capsule wall in hepatics. This technique involves treating the capsule with a pectinase preparation to separate the layers, followed by clearing and staining to enhance detail of the cell wall architecture. The potential taxonomic value of capsule wall characters for some New Zealand Frullania species is discussed as a case study. Characters of particular significance include the morphology of cell wall thickenings in both the internal and epidermal layers. The possible chemical components present in the cell wall thickenings of the capsule wall layers are also discussed.