Calliergonella cuspidata (Hedw.) Loeske
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Authority
Hedenäs, Lars. 2003. Amblystegiaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 89: 1--107. (Published by NYBG Press)
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Family
Hypnaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type. Germany. Leipzig, Hedwig s.n. (lectotype, G, designated by Hedenäs, 1992b).
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Synonyms
Hypnum cuspidatum Hedw., Acrocladium cuspidatum (Hedw.) Lindb., Calliergon cuspidatum (Hedw.) Kindb.
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Description
Species Description - Plants medium-sized or large; green, yellow-green, or brownish. Stem distichously and usually pinnately branched; stem and branch apices frequently stiff from tightly inrolled leaves; pseudoparaphyllia broad, with broadly square or rounded apex that is often irregular; axillary hairs with 2-6-celled upper part, this hyaline when young. Stem leaves straight, erect-spreading or usually imbricate, often ± complanate; narrowing abruptly from ± oblong-ovate base to rounded or acute or apiculate apex, not plicate, concave; margin ± entire throughout; costa short, double or occasionally single, reaching at most 20% of way up leaf, rarely absent; median laminal cells 42.0-122.0(-140.0) × 3.5-7.0 µm, thin-walled and eporose or incrassate and porose; alar cells differentiated, numerous, strongly inflated, hyaline; alar group well delimited, quadrate or short-rectangular or transverse-short-triangular, reaching from leaf margin 40-60% of distance to leaf middle at insertion. Inner perichaetial leaves narrowing gradually to short- or long-acuminate apex. Exostome outside cross-striolate in lower part. [Sporophytes not known from neotropical material.]
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Discussion
Calliergonella cuspidata has been reported from Mexico, Jamaica, Colombia, Peru, and Brazil (e.g., Buck, 1998; Churchill & Linares, 1995; Delgadillo et al., 1995; Menzel, 1992; Sharp et al, 1994; Schafer-Verwimp, 1989). It was not possible to confirm the report from Mexico (Sharp et al, 1994) by studies of the specimen in question, but there is no reason to doubt the identity of that material. An additional old report from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil (Montagne, 1839; as Hypnum flexile Brid.) could not be confirmed by Schafer-Verwimp (1989), since no material could be traced in PC or G. Calliergonella cuspidata is here added to the flora of Ecuador. The habit of C. cuspidata is somewhat variable depending on variations in habitat, but is usually easily recognized by its oblong-ovate and rounded or acute or apiculate leaves with a short, double costa; distinctly delimited alar cell groups consisting of strongly inflated and hyaline cells; and stem with a distinct hyalodermis. The shoots are frequently strongly flattened, as if someone has pressed them hard between two fingers.
Distribution and Ecology: Jamaica (1000-1525 m a.s.L), Colombia (3000-3960 m), Ecuador (3310-4180 m), Peru (4500 m), and Brazil (1580-1660 m). Also reported from Mexico by Sharp et al. (1994) and from the La Rioja province in Argentina (Ochyra in Ignatov & Pavlov, 1998). Widespread and often common in temperate areas in N America and Eurasia, N and NE Africa (cf. Ignatov & Pavlov, 1998), New Zealand, and Australia. Grows in wet or moist and usually nutrient-rich habitats; in fens and ditches; and on brook, river, or lake shores.
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Distribution
Germany Europe| Jamaica South America| Colombia South America| Ecuador South America| Peru South America| Brazil South America| Mexico North America| Argentina South America| Australia Oceania|