Pogonatum ericaefolium Besch.

  • 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

    Pogonatum ericaefolium Besch.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Tall, slender plants in loose tufts. Stems simple or continuing growth by subfloral innovation, 5-8(-10) cm tall, densely leafy above, bracteate below. Leaves erect-spreading, convolute-tubulose when dry, straight and squarrose-spreading when moist; sheath oblong, 2.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, entire; limb linear, toothed at back in the upper half, 6-8 mm long, 0.6-0.8 mm wide; margins serrate and toothed; lamellate portion of lamina bistratose, not showing a conspicuous band of thin-walled cells in cross-section; lamellae denticulate in profile, 4-5 cells high, with marginal cells rarely in pairs, ovate to flask-shaped, with a thickened knob, taller and somewhat narrower than the cells beneath, 6-8 µm wide, smooth; sheath cells linear, 80-120(-150) µm long, 12 µm wide. Dioicous. Perigonial leaves broad, forming conspicuous rosettes. Perichaetial leaves with a longer sheath and narrower limb. Setae rather short, 1.5-2.5 cm; capsules cylindric 5 mm long, 0.8-1 mm in diameter; exothecial cells mammillose, very thick-walled, 30 x 50-70 µm; operculum with a short beak; peristome teeth 32, double, yellow-orange. Spores 10-12 µm, finely papillose.

  • Discussion

    Fig. 807a-f

    P. ericaefoliumBesch., Mem. Soc Sci. Nat. Cherbourg 16: 207. 1872.

    P. schlumbergeri Schimp. ex Besch., Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Cherbourg 16: 210. 1872.

    P. cylindricum Schimp. ex Besch., Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Cherbourg 16: 210. 1872.

    P. lozanoi Card., Rev. Bryol. 37: 6. 1910.

    Menzel (1985) and Hyvonen (1989a) overlooked this very distinctive species. Menzel referred it, together with the synonyms listed above, to P. subflexuosum (see also the discussion under that species), while Hyvonen placed it in the synonymy of P. comosum (C. Miill.) Mitt. Despite some similarities in habit to P. ericaefolium, P. subflexuosum is more closely alhed to P. comosum. Brothems' (1925) confusion of these species may be partly at fault (see G. L. Smith, 1975).

  • Distribution

    Distrito Federal, Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz.—Mexico; Central America.

    Central America| Mexico North America|