Scleropodium californicum (Lesq.) Kindb.
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Authority
Sharp, Aaron J., et al. 1994. The Moss Flora of Mexico. Part Two: Orthotrichales to Polytrichales. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 69 (2)
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Family
Brachytheciaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Plants small, in loose, yellow-green mats. Stems long and slender, ± ascending at the tips; branches distant, erect, subjulaceous, short to long-filiform. Leaves imbricate when dry, spreading when moist. Stem leaves concave, 0.8-1.3 x 0.5-0.6 mm, ovate-lanceolate, slenderly acute to short- or longacuminate, rounded at base and slightly decurrent; margins entire or slightly sermlate nearly all around; costa stout at base, gradually tapered, ending somewhat above midleaf; upper cells 30—61 x 3-6 µm; basal cells large and rounded near the costa, smaller and rectangular to quadrate toward the alar region, 10-35 x 5-16 µm; alar cells many, quadrate to rounded (a few of them transversely oval), thick-walled, 5-12 x 5-11 µm. Branch leaves 0.5-0.9 x 0.1-0.3 mm, narrowly lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, gradually acute to short-acuminate. Setae 15 mm long, papillose above, smooth or nearly so below; capsules inclined, curved, oblong-cylindric, contracted below the mouth when dry; operculum conic, acute; cilia of endostome paired.
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Discussion
Fig. 705a-e
S. californicum (Lesq.) Ren. & Card., Rev. Bryol. 20: 19. 1893.
Hypnum californicumhesq., Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc 13: 13. 1869.
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Distribution
On soil, rock, or soil over rock, in dry areas; Baja California.—Northwestern Mexico; southern California.
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