Amblystegium fluviatile (Hedw.) Schimp.

  • Authority

    Hedenäs, Lars. 2003. Amblystegiaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 89: 1--107. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Amblystegiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Amblystegium fluviatile (Hedw.) Schimp.

  • Type

    Type. Sweden. Swartz s.n. (lectotype, G, designated by Hedenas & Geissler, 1999).

  • Synonyms

    Hypnum fluviatile Hedw., Hygroamblystegium fluviatile (Hedw.) Loeske

  • Description

    Species Description - Plants small or medium-sized; green or dark green. Stem somewhat wiry or stiff; irregularly or pinnately branched in one plane, branches frequently turning into new stems; central strand present, slender; pseudoparaphyllia triangular to rounded, occasionally bifid or irregular; paraphyllia ovate or ovate-lanceolate, often rare; axillary hairs with 1-2-celled upper part, this hyaline when young. Stem leaves 0.5-1.2 mm long, erect-patent to almost spreading, slightly more erect when dry, straight or often homomallous, ovate or triangular-ovate, narrowing gradually to apex, concave, not or hardly decurrent; apex obtuse or occasionally acute; margin in upper 50-65% usually denticulate (either finely or obtusely), otherwise entire; costa single, ending just below leaf point, 42.0-86.0 µm wide at base; median laminal cells (9.0-) 13.0-52.5 × 6.0-10.5(-12.0) \im, incrassate or slightly incrassate, eporose; alar cells rectangular to quadrate, sometimes similar to other basal cells, not or hardly widened, forming an indistinct ovate group along lower leaf margin when differentiated. Inner perichaetial leaves narrowing gradually or abruptly to obtuse or acute apex, plicate. Exostome outside cross-striolate in lower part. [Sporophytes not known from neotropical material.]

  • Discussion

    Amblystegium fluviatile has been reported from Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Peru (e.g., Brotherus, 1925; Buck, 1998; Churchill, 1994; Menzel, 1992). The occurrence in Guatemala was reported by Brotherus (1925), but was not substantiated by Bartram (1949). Also the Peruvian find was reported by Brotherus (1925), and was included in the checklist by Menzel (1992) without further locality information. I am not able to confirm the finds in Guatemala, Ecuador, or Peru, but add Mexico and Haiti to the list of countries where the species occurs. This species is characterized by its relatively strong costa ending just below the leaf point and by the obtuse or occasionally acute leaf point. Characters separating this species from A. varium are discussed under the latter.

    Buck (1998: p. 209), Crum & Anderson (1981: p. 926), Nyholm (1965: p. 487).

  • Distribution

    Mexico (24602780 m a.s.L), Haiti (710 m), and Dominican Republic (1065-2500 m). Widespread in temperate N America and Europe, also in N Africa. Mostly on rocks and boulders, in streams or springs, or on the shores of brooks, rivers, and lakes.

    Mexico North America| Durango Mexico North America| Hidalgo Mexico North America| México Mexico North America| Puebla Mexico North America| Haiti South America| Dominican Republic South America| La Vega Dominican Republic South America| San Juan Dominican Republic South America|