Notoligotrichum mexicanum (G.L.S.Merr.) G.L.S.Merr.

  • 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

    Polytrichaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Notoligotrichum mexicanum (G.L.S.Merr.) G.L.S.Merr.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Plants caespitose, yellowish- to brownish-green. Stems 1.5-2 cm high, densely leafy. Leaves with a clasping base, closely imbricate, erect-spreading when wet, incurved when dry, ovate to oblong-ovate, canaliculate, with erect to broadly inrolled margins in the upper 1/2, (3-)4(-5) mm long, ending in a short, subcucullate to spatulate tip; margins entire; dorsal surface of leaf with low, parallel lamellae near the tip; ventral lamellae ca. 30, on both midrib and lamina, smooth, undulate, laciniate-divided into short segments, 6-8 cells high; lamina broad, involute, the marginal cells like the others, median cells quadrate to hexagonal, striate-papillose on the lower surface, basal cells short-rectangular, those at basal angles thin-walled, slightly enlarged and inflated. Dioicous. Perigonial leaves broadly elhptic, imbricate, forming a distinct rosette. Sporophytes unknown.

  • Discussion

    Fig. 798

    N. mexicanum (G. L. Smith) G. L. Smith, Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 21(3): 51. 1971.

    Psilopilum mexicanum G. L. Smith, Phytologia 18: 401. 1969.

    This species is the northernmost representative of a widespread genus ofthe Southern Hemisphere. The closely related Notoligotrichum trichodon (Hook.f. & Wils.) G. L. Smith, of the high Andes from Colombia to Fuegia, South Georgia, and Kerguelen, has bristle-tipped leaves with a weakly-differentiated border; its capsule is typical of the genus—inclined to horizontal, ovoid, and bilaterally compressed, with a distinct band of sunken stomata at base and a peristome of 32 single, pale, attenuate teeth.

  • Distribution

    At high altitudes; Mexico (Nevado de Toluca) and Tlaxcala (Malinche).—Endemic.

    Mexico North America|