Ephemerum Hampe
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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.
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Family
Ephemeraceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Plants minute, scattered to gregarious, typically growing from an abundant protonema. Leaves few, scarcely shriveled or contorted when dry, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, acuminate, entire to strongly serrate; costa well-developed to virtually lacking; upper cells oblong-hexagonal to rhomboidal, mostly lax and thin-walled, smooth or papillose because of projecting ends. Dioicous (and often rhizautoicous), sometimes polygamous. Capsules sessile, ovoid, apiculate, indehiscent. Spores large, reniform, brown, often coarsely papillose. Calyptrae mitrate, erose at base, smooth or papillose, naked.
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Discussion
Ephemerum grows as a pioneer on disturbed soil, in fallow fields, flood plains, and margins of ponds, for example. It grows quickly and completes its life cycle at times w h e n competition from other plants is at a minimum. The genus has not yet been found in Mexico, although E. crassinervium (Schwaegr.) Hampe, E. crassinervium var. texanum (Grout) Bryan & Anders., and E. cohaerens (Hedw.) Hampe have been found in Texas and very likely occur in adjacent Mexico as well. These species are described and illustrated by Crum and Anderson (1981); photomicrographs published by Bryan and Anderson (1957) are useful for quick identification.
Ephemerum mexicanum Bartr. has been transferred to the genus Bryoceuthospora (Pottiaceae).