Fabronia pusilla Raddi

  • 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

    Fabroniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Fabronia pusilla Raddi

  • Description

    Species Description - Branch leaves 0.45-0.8 mm long, (0.2-)0.24-0.35 mm wide, ovate-lanceolate to broadly ovate, abruptly long-acuminate to piliferous; margins ciliate to long-dentate, the teeth often of more than 1 cell; costa ending somewhat above the midleaf; upper cells rhomboidal, ca. 4:1, thin-walled, becoming shorter toward the margin and insertion and longer in the acumen; alar cells poorly differentiated. Setae 2-3 mm long; capsules ca. 0.6 mm long, ovoid to subglobose; peristome teeth recurved, paired, finely papillose to vertically papillosestriolate. Spores papillose, 11-14 µm.

  • Discussion

    Fig. 644a-d

    F. pusilla Raddi, Atti Accad. Sci. Siena 9:231.1808.

    The relatively broad, abruptly tapered leaves with large, multicellular teeth are diagnostic. The species has been confused with F. macroblepharis. In that species, however, the leaves are narrower and gradually tapered, with teeth, though often longer than those of F. pusilla, always unicellular in Mexico; when the teeth are exceptionally long, as in some South American forms, they may be multicellular.

  • Distribution

    On rock, occasionally also on bases of trees; Baja California Sur.—Mexico; western North America; Europe and North Africa. (Reports from the West Indies are in error.)

    Mexico North America| North America| Europe| Africa|