Epipterygium immarginatum Mitt.

  • 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

    Bryaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Epipterygium immarginatum Mitt.

  • Description

    Species Description - Plants dull, ± tinged with red, often strongly so, 10-20(-25) mm high, strongly complanate-fohate, at least when sterile. Lateral leaves of sterile plants 1.8-3.2 mm long, elliptic to broadly obovate, dorsal leaves smaller in (2-)3 rows, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate; margins entire to serrate near the apex; costa 1/2-2/3 the length of lateral leaves; upper cells 80-170 µm long and 15-24 µm wide, rhombic to rhomboidal, thin-walled, linear in 3-6 marginal rows forming a ± abrupt border, the cells of perichaetial leaves as in other leaves. Perichaetial leaves little differentiated in shape (obovate, ovate, or elliptic), or areolation.

  • Discussion

    Fig. 385

    E. immarginatum Mitt., J. Linn. Soc, Bot. 12: 319. 1869.

    Bryum lepidopiloidesC. Müll., Bull. Herb. Boissier 5: 185. 1897.

    Epipterygium lepidopiloides (C. Müll.) Par., Index Bryol. Suppl. 143. 1900.

    Bryum polakowskyi C. Müll., Gen. Muse Frond. 226. 1901 [1900].

    Epipterygium serrae C. Müll., Gen. Muse Frond. 226. 1901 [1900].

    E. pellucens Herz., Biblioth. Bot. 87: 81. 1916.

    The leaf border is sometimes scarcely differentiated in lower leaves, though distinct in upper leaves. Most specimens can be distinguished from Epipterygium mexicanum on the basis of size, sheen, cell shape, and border development, in combination. In terms of size, dimorphism of leaves, and border development, there is a nearly continuous series from E. wrightii through E. immarginatum to E. mexicanum.

    Epipterygium immarginatum ranges southward well into South America, whereas E. mexicanum occurs only in Mexico and Guatemala.

  • Distribution

    On soil in gullies or along streams at 1600-3600 m alt.; Chiapas, Oaxaca, Puebla.—Mexico; Central America; Bolivia and Ecuador.

    Mexico North America| Central America| Bolivia South America| Ecuador South America|