Bryum pallescens Schleich. ex Schwägr.
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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.
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Family
Bryaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Medium-sized, often ± lustrous plants, usually densely tufted. Stems usually branched by few to several subfloral innovations. Leaves usually ± wrinkled or slightly twisted and appressed when dry, erect-spreading to spreading when moist, crowded at the tip of fruiting stems, ovate or broadly oblong, acuminate, scarcely decurrent, occasionally reddish, especially at base, usually distinctly bordered by much longer, slightly thicker-walled cells in 2-3 rows; margins entire or slightly crenulate in the upper part; costa of medium thickness, usually red and usually long-excurrent; cells oblonghexagonal, usually relatively thick-walled, rectangular below. Autoicous. Male inflorescences on separate innovations, very small, with few to several antheridia and paraphyses. Setae moderately thick to relatively slender, red, 2-3.5 cm long; capsules nearly horizontal to nutant, clavate to oblong-pyriform, with a short to relatively long, slender neck; operculum relatively small, convex-conic, apiculate; endostome segments moderately to narrowly perforate, the cilia well developed, long-appendiculate. Spores 18-20 µm, roughened.
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Discussion
Fig. 358
B. pallescens Schleich. ex Schwaegr., Sp. Muse. Suppl. 1(2)-107. 1816.
It is often difficult to distinguish Bryum pallescens from B. caespiticium, but the larger spores, autoicous sexual condition, and shorter leaf cells of B. pallescens are significant differences.
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Distribution
On moist soil or rocks in semi-shaded to open places; Mexico (Popocatepetl, 3200 m alt., Horton 7424, TENN).—Mexico; at higher altitudes or latitudes ofthe Northern Hemisphere; South America; New Zealand
Mexico North America| South America| New Zealand Europe| North America|