Thelia hirtella (Hedw.) Sull.

  • Authority

    Sharp, Aaron J., et al. 1994. The Moss Flora of Mexico. Part Two: Orthotrichales to Polytrichales. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 69 (2)

  • Family

    Theliaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Thelia hirtella (Hedw.) Sull.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Plants green, yellow-brown, grayish-yellow, or glaucous, Stems creeping, densely radiculose, closely 1-pinnate; paraphyllia fairly numerous (at least on stems), polymorphous; branches erect-ascending, slender and terete or sometimes stouter and julaceous. Stem leaves about 1-1.3 mm long, Strongly ciliate at the margins. Branch leaves about 1 mm long, usually not particularly crowded, deltoid-ovate and rather abruptly narrowed to a short to fairly long apiculus or piliform acumen that is usually flexuose or spreading when dry; margins irregularly dentate all around and usually ± spinose-ciliate, especially toward the base; costa single (or, occasionally, double and short), 1/2 to 3/4 the leaf length; upper cells rhombic, about 8 µm wide, about 1.5:1, unipapillose at back, the papillae simple (or, rarely, an exceptional on bluntly bifid), high, curved; basal cells shortly oblong near the costa at the insertion, ± quadrate at the basal angles. Setae 5-12 mm long capsules cylindric or ovoid-cylindric, smooth, 1.5-2.5 mm long; annulus none or, occasionally, slightly differentiated in about 2 rows; endostome segments short and rudimentary or none. Spores 12-18 µm, nearly smooth to finely roughened.

  • Discussion

    Fig. 508

    T. hirtella (Hedw.) Sull. in Gray, Man. Bot. ed. 2, 660. 1856.

    Pterigynandrum hirteiium Hedw., Sp. Muse. 83.1801.

    The pale, glaucous plants creep up the base of trees by means of long, brown-felted stems. The branching is closely pinnate, and the branches are erect-ascending and julaceous, The high, curved-conic papillae at the back of the leaf cells are striking.

  • Distribution

    On bark at base of trees, sometimes on other substrates such as logs and stumps; Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas.—Northeastern Mexico; Dominican RepubIic; eastern North America'especial,y common southward.

    Mexico North America| Dominican Republic South America| Canada North America| United States of America North America| Mexico North America|