Squamidium nigricans (Hook.) Broth.

  • Authority

    Sharp, Aaron J., et al. 1994. The Moss Flora of Mexico. Part Two: Orthotrichales to Polytrichales. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 69 (2)

  • Family

    Brachytheciaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Squamidium nigricans (Hook.) Broth.

  • Description

    Species Description - Plants pale-green, yellowish, or brownish, sometimes tinged with black. Secondary stems up to 20 cm long. Stem leaves 0.5-1.5 x 0.3-0.8 mm, oblong-ovate, abruptly apiculate; margins entire or serrulate above; apical cells 4—8 x 1-2.5 µm; median cells 14.5-24 x 1-1.5 µm; basal cells ± pitted, 4-10 x 2.5-6.5 µm. Branches julaceous, up to 5 cm long. Branch leaves loosely imbricate or erect-spreading, abruptly apiculate to short-acuminate; 0.7-1.4 x 0.3-1.1 mm; apical cells 4-7 x 1.5-2.5 µm; median cells 14-22 x 1-1.5 µm; basal cells 3-10 x 2.5-10 µm; alar cells quadrate to short-rectangular, firm-walled. Capsules immersed; exostome smooth below, lightly papillose above. Calyptrae sparsely hairy.

  • Discussion

    Figs. 538, 539a-d

    S. nigricans (Hook.) Broth, in E. & P., Nat. Pfl. 1(3): 808. 1906.

    Hypnum nigricans Hook, in Kunth, Syn. Pl. Aequin. 1: 64. 1822.

    Meteorium macranthum Dozy & Molk., Prodr. Fl. Bryol. Surinam. 47. 1854.

    Pilotrichum sticticola C. Müll., Linnaea 38: 614. 1874.

    P. macranthoides Hampe, Vidensk. Meddel. Dansk Naturhist Foren. Kjøbenhavn IV, 1: 117.1879.

    Orthostichella subpachygaster C. Müll., Linnaea 42: 492. 1879.

    Pilotrichella tenuinervisRen. & Card., Bull. Soc. Roy. Bot. Belgique 32(1): 181. 1894.

    Orthostichidium orthostichella C. Müll., Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital. II, 4: 138. 1897.

    Meteorium macranthum var. porto-ricense C. Müll., Hedwigia 37: 241.1898.

    Orthostichella anacamptacea C. Müll. ex Broth, in E. & P. Nat. Pfl. 1(3): 808. 1906, nom. nud.

    Recognizable features include smoothly concave, shortly apiculate leaves with a single costa, smooth upper cells, and distinctly differentiated alar cells.

  • Distribution

    Pendent from branches of trees at moderate altitudes; Chiapas, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacan, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz.—Mexico to northern South America; West Indies.

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