Leucobryum martianum (Hornsch.) Hampe ex Müll.Hal.

  • 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

    Leucobryaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Leucobryum martianum (Hornsch.) Hampe ex Müll.Hal.

  • Description

    Species Description - Plants light-green, 1-3 cm tall. Leaves crowded, strongly falcate-secund, 4-7 mm long, long-lanceolate, subtubulose above, with an apiculus consisting of a single green cell, entire or sparsely toothed near the tip; cross-sections showing 1 layer of leucocysts both above and below the chlorocysts throughout the leaf (or sometimes with an additional layer ventral to the chlorocysts near the leaf tip), in the upper quarter with chlorocysts closer to the upper surface; in surface view chlorocysts loosely reticulate, about 5:1, the leucocysts of the upper median part of the leaf 1.5-3:1, often ± hexagonal; lamina consisting of 5-7 rows of long-rectangular cells (5-7:1) except near the insertion where short-rectangular cells are common. Setae reddish, up to 2.5 cm long; capsules reddish to brown, strumose, only slightly contracted below the mouth. Spores 14-16 µm.

  • Discussion

    Fig. 136

    L. martianum (Hornsch.) Hampe ex C. Müll., Linnaea 17: 317. 1843.

    Dicranum martianum Hornsch. in Mart., Fl. Bras. 1(2): 11. 1840.

    This is the only species with compactly arranged, strongly falcate leaves. A section through the upper quarter of the leaf shows abaxial leucocysts appearing concave, as though collapsed. The leaf base has only two layers of leucocysts. All other Mexican species have at least three and sometimes as many as eight layers of leucocysts at the base. (The leaf section must be made very close to the insertion in all species of Leucobryum.)

  • Distribution

    On decaying wood in moist, shaded habitats; Oaxaca (vicinity of Nacional and Chinantla).—Mexico to northern South America; West Indies.

    Mexico North America| West Indies| Brazil South America| French Guiana South America| Suriname South America| Guyana South America| Venezuela South America| Colombia South America| Ecuador South America| Peru South America|