Pohlia cruda (Hedw.) Lindb.

  • 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

    Bryaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Pohlia cruda (Hedw.) Lindb.

  • Description

    Species Description - Shiny, pale- to bluish-green plants in soft tufts. Stems simple when sterile. Leaves ± spreading, 0.9-1.8 mm long, 0.5-0.8 mm wide, slightly asymmetric, broadly lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, acute, somewhat decurrent; margins plane, serrate to serrulate near the apex; costa ending 3-6 cells below the apex; upper cells linear-rhomboid, thin-walled, 65-120 µm long, 6-9 µm wide. Paroicous (elsewhere sometimes dioicous or polyoicous). Inflorescences terminal on simple stems; bracts ovate-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, ± coarsely serrate near the apex, plane-margined. Setae 2-4 cm high; capsules inclined 45-90°, 4-6 mm long, narrowly pyriform to broadly cylindric, with a well-developed neck ± isodiametric with the urn; annulus revoluble; operculum convex to conic, acute to apiculate; exothecial cells elongate-rectangular, with straight to slightly sinuose, evenly thickened walls; stomata superficial; exostome teeth lanceolate, ± long-acute to acuminate, yellow to brown, ± coarsely papillose above, more finely so below, bordered, trabeculate; endostome hyaline hyaline, the basal membrane about 1/2 the height ofthe exostome, the segments keeled and broadly perforate, the cilia mostly long, nodulose. Spores 18-26 µm, ± coarsely papillose.

  • Discussion

    Fig. 387a-h

    P. cruda (Hedw.) Lindb., Musci Scand. 18. 1879.

    Mnium crudumHedv/., Sp. Muse 189. 1801.

    Hypnum crudum (Hedw.) Web. &Mohr, Ind. Mus. Pl. Crypt. 3.1803.

    Webera cruda (Hedw.) Fiirnr., Flora 12(Erg. 2): 35. 1829.

    The very glossy, whitish- or bluish-green, ovate-lanceolate leaves are distinctive. In Mexico the species is found in the central volcanic region, largely restricted to alpine habitats. I have seen no correctly named material from Guatemala. All Central and South American specimens seen are sterile. The capsules are essentially the same as those of P. oerstediana, though slightly smaller. Most Central American records can, in fact, be referred to that species.

  • Distribution

    On soil in rock crevices, on roadbanks, and rarely at bases of trees at high elevations; Mexico (Popocatepetl), Tlaxcala, Veracruz.—Widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, scattered in the Southern Hemisphere.