Plagioracelopus rutteri (Thér. & Dixon) G.L.Merr.

  • Authority

    Buck, William R. 1987. Bryostephane Steereana: A Collection of Bryological Papers Presented to William Campbell Steere On The Occasion of His 80th Birthday. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 45: 1-749.

  • Family

    Polytrichaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Plagioracelopus rutteri (Thér. & Dixon) G.L.Merr.

  • Discussion

    Atrichum rutteri Ther. & Dix. in Dix., J. Linn. Bot. 43: 310. 1916.

    Pseudoracelopus armatus Bartr., Bryologist 48: 53. 1945.

    As for the radial, isophyllous species, Touw says that the diflferences between the species of Pseudoracelopus, Racelopus and Racelopodopsis included in this group (group two) are "insufficient to distinguish three genera." Nevertheless, they can be distinguished (by gametophytic characters, as it happens), and they are established in the literature. In my opinion, there is a strong case to be made for the genus Plagioracelopus, but it seems pointless to propose a dozen or more additional new combinations, this time under Racelopus. Better to leave things as they are, says the authority.