Dicranella varia (Hedw.) Schimp.

  • Authority

    Sharp, Aaron J., et al. 1994. The Moss Flora of Mexico. Part One: Sphagnales to Bryales. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 69 (1): 1-452.

  • Family

    Dicranaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Dicranella varia (Hedw.) Schimp.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Plants in dull, dirty-green to light-green or yellowish tufts, 6-15 mm high. Leaves erect-spreading or ± falcate-secund, about 1 mm long below, as much as 2 mm long above, gradually narrowed from a lanceolate base to a linear-lanceolate, ± keeled limb, blunt or acute at a narrow, denticulate tip; margins bistratose and irregularly recurved above the basal portion of the leaf, entire except at the extreme tip; costa percurrent; upper median cells oblong-linear, 40-50 x 5-10 µm and 6-9:1. Setae 5—8(—16) mm long, reddish; capsules 0.7-1 mm long, short-ovoid, ± inclined to horizontal and curved, smooth, contracted below the mouth; annulus none; operculum 0.5-0.7 mm long; peristome teeth 360-410 µm long, divided about 1/3 down, vertically pitted-striolate below. Spores (14-) 16-18(-20) µm, indistinctly roughened.

  • Discussion

    Fig. 82d-h

    D. varia (Hedw.) Schimp., Coroll. Bryol. Eur. 13. 1855.

    Dicranum varium Hedw., Sp. Muse 133. 1801.

    Anisothecium varium (Hedw.) Mitt., J. Linn. Soc, Bot. 12: 40.1869.

    This species is recognized by narrowly recurved margins on at least some leaves of every plant (usually more obvious at the shoulders). The median cells are long and narrow, and the upper margins are bistratose. T h e short, oval, asymmetric capsules and disproportionately large peristome teeth are also distinctive.

  • Distribution

    On moist or wet, bare soil at altitudes of about 2150 m; Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro.—Mexico; widespread in North America; Cuba and Haiti; Europe, Asia, and Africa.

    Mexico North America| North America| Cuba South America| Haiti South America| Europe| Asia| Africa|