Rhabdoweisia fugax (Hedw.) Bruch & Schimp.

  • 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

    Dicranaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Rhabdoweisia fugax (Hedw.) Bruch & Schimp.

  • Description

    Species Description - Plants 3-5, rarely 2 0 mm high. Leaves 2-2.5 mm long, narrowly oblong-lanceolate, slenderly acute; margins often recurved on 1 side below, subentire; upper cells subquadrate, 8-12 µm, smooth or faintly verruculose. Setae 2.5-3.5 mm long; capsules 0.7-1 mm long; peristome teeth very slender, abruptly filiform from near the base, smooth or faintly papillose. Spores 11-13 µm, finely papillose.

  • Discussion

    Fig. 110

    R. fugax (Hedw.) B.S.G., Bryol. Eur. l(fasc 33/36).

    Weissia fugax Hedw., Sp. Muse 64. 1801.

    W. vulcanica C. Miill., Syn. Muse Frond. 1: 649. 1849.

    Rhabdoweisia vulcanica (C. Mull.) Mitt., J. Linn. Soc, BoL 12:55.1869.

    The slender, erect, 8-ribbed capsules and very slender, unforked peristome teeth are diagnostic, as are also the narrow, sharply acute, subentire leaves.

    The var. tenerrima Bartr. of Guatemala was characterized as especially small and delicate (only 2-3 mm high), with leaves up to 2 mm long and basal cells about 6 0 µm long, hyaline, and thin-walled.

    Rhabdoweisia crispata (With.) Lindb., recently reported from the state of Mexico (Cardenas, 1989), is similar to R. fugax but has leaves irregularly serrulate above.

  • Distribution

    In crevices of igneous rock (including basalt), ca. 3080 m alt.; Distrito Federal, Durango, Mexico (Popocatepetl), also "in cavemis trachyteceis, montis Cerro do los Nebejos, Ehrenberg" (type of Weissia vulcanica, not seen), Oaxaca.—Mexico; reported from South America and South Africa; Europe.

    Mexico North America| South Africa Africa| South America| Europe|