Gymnostomiella orcuttii Bartram

  • 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

    Pottiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Gymnostomiella orcuttii Bartram

  • Description

    Species Description - Plants very small and delicate, ca. 1.5-3 mm high, light green, sometimes bearing small, brown, ovoid brood bodies. Leaves about 0.3-0.4 mm long, oblong-obovate, broadly rounded at the apex; margins plane, papillose-crenulate in the upper half or more; costa slender, ending well below the apex; upper cells delicately hexagonal, with 1-3 small, simple papillae on both surfaces. Setae 4—6 mm long; capsules 0.6-0.8 mm long, rounded-ovoid to shortly ellipsoid, black or very dark-brown; operculum about 1 mm long. Spores 11-13 µm, spherical, finely papillose.

  • Discussion

    Fig. 287

    G. orcuttii Bartr., Jamaica Naturalist 1: 15. 1928.

    The minute, delicate leaves with broadly rounded tips and transparent, pluripapillose cells are distinctive. The leaf shape and areolation bear a resemblance to Splachnobryum, but the relationship is uncertain.

    I do not agree with Redfearn (1991) who placed G. orcuttii in synonymy with G. vemicosa (Hook.) Fl., thus providing for a distribution in Indonesia, East Indies, Philippines, China (Szechwan), India, Burma, Malaya, and Australia, in addition to tropical America.

  • Distribution

    On wet limestone; Tamaulipas and Veracruz.—Eastern Mexico; Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti; Brazil; Ecuador (Galapagos Islands); Florida.

    Mexico North America| Puerto Rico South America| Jamaica South America| Cuba South America| Haiti South America| Brazil South America| Ecuador South America| United States of America North America|