Amblystegium varium (Hedw.) Lindb.

  • 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

    Amblystegiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Amblystegium varium (Hedw.) Lindb.

  • Description

    Species Description - Small plants in loose, dull, yellow or green mats. Stem leaves often considerably longer and broader than branch leaves, about 0.6-1.2 mm long, ovate-lanceolate, gradually tapered to a long, narrow acumen, somewhat decurrent; costa extending to the apex or nearly so, 20-35 µm wide near the base. Branch leaves loosely erect and usually shghtiy incurved when dry, spreading or erect-spreading when moist, exceedingly variable in size and shape, about 0.4-0.7 mm long, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, gradually and slenderly acuminate, entire or shghtiy sermlate; costa disappearing in the acumen, often flexuose above, about 17-26 µm wide near the base; upper cells oblong-rhombic, about 2-3:1; lower cells shortly oblong-hexagonal, a few at the basal angles subquadrate, occasionally transversely elongate, usually 1-2 basal rows of cells somewhat enlarged. Setae 12-22 mm long; capsules 1.2-2 mm long; operculum apiculate; ciha of endostome in groups of 1-3. Spores 9-15 µm, minutely papillose.

  • Discussion

    Fig. 664a-e

    A. varium (Hedw.) Lindb., Musci Scand. 32. 1879.

    Leskeavaria Hedw., Sp. Muse 216. 1801.

    Amblystegium varium var. arsenei Ther., Smithsonian Misc. Collect. 85(4): 32. 1931.

    Amblystegium varium has a troublesome variability. It approaches Hygroamblystegium tenax in the namre of the costa which disappears in the acumen and is commonly curved above. The basal cells of the leaf are somewhat enlarged across the insertion and typically rather dark.

  • Distribution

    On moist substrates, usually in swampy habitats; Distrito Federal, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Veracruz.—Mexico; Panama; Haiti and the Dominican Republic; Newfoundland to Minnesota, south to the Gulf of Mexico and west to Colorado; Macaronesia, North Africa, Europe, the Caucasus, and Siberia.

    Mexico North America| United States of America North America| Algeria Africa| Egypt Africa| Libya Africa| Morocco Africa| Tunisia Africa| Europe| Russia Asia| Azerbaijan Asia| Georgia Asia| Iran Asia| Russia Asia| Turkey Asia|