Fissidens polypodioides Hedw.

  • 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

    Fissidentaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Fissidens polypodioides Hedw.

  • Description

    Species Description - Plants large, up to 8 cm high, or more, erect or ascending simple or branched from older prostrate parts. Leaves only slightly crisped when dry, up to 6 mm long, oblong, obtuse to broadly acute, usually bluntly apiculate; margins unbordered, entire except for the generally denticulate apex; Costa Strong percurrent Or ending 2-4 Cells below the apex; dorsal lamina rounded at base; vaginant laminae ± 1/2 the leaf length, ± equal; cells smooth to slightly bulging, mostly irregularly hexagonal, (10-)15-16(-20) µm, larger along the costa, smaller at the margins. Dioicous. Perichaetia terminal on short, axillary branches or longer branches from older prostrate stems. Setae 1(-2) per perichaetium, ca. 1 cm long capsules ± curved-inclined, up to about 2.5 mm long, narrowly pyriform, considerably contracted below the mouth when dry; opercula long-rostrate; peristome teeth deeply divided, vertically papillose-striolate below and striate above. Spores 9-14 µm. Calyptrae cucullate, smooth, ca 2 mm long (oniy 1 seen).

  • Discussion

    Fig. 19

    F. polypodioides Hedw., sp. Muse. 154.1801.

    Fissidens polypodioides, the largest and perhaps the handsomest of the Mexican species, can be confused with F. asplenioides but is distinguished by leaves crisped but not curled inward when dry, margins entire, and upper cells larger. T h e marginal cells of the vaginant laminae are not differentiated, whereas those of F. asplenioides are longer and narrower than those within.

  • Distribution

    On moist, shaded soil of banks, also on rocks, at elevations of 1200-2100 m; Chiapas, Hidalgo, Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracmz—Mexico- southeastern United States. Central America; northern South America; West Indies; Asia.

    Mexico North America| United States of America North America| South America| West Indies| Asia|