Chryso-hypnum diminutivum (Hampe) W.R.Buck

  • 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

    Hypnaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Chryso-hypnum diminutivum (Hampe) W.R.Buck

  • Description

    Species Description - Plants dark- to yellow-green or yellow. Stems up to 3 cm long; branches usually ± flattened, up to 0.8 cm long, horizontly spreading or ascending. Stem leaves loosely imbricate to patent, 0.7-1.2 x 0.4-0.6 mm, ovate to short-elliptic, gradually to abruptly straight-acuminate, gradually narrowed or slightly cordate at base; upper median cells 24-45 x 3-5 µm; alar cells slightly to rather distinctly differentiated, quadrate to subquadrate in 3-6 rows. Branch leaves 0.6-0.9 x 0.3-0.4 mm. Perichaetial leaves ± dentate on their shoulders, otherwise subentire. Setae 1.2-2 cm long; capsules ovoid or rarely slenderly subcylindric, inclined to pendulous, 1-1.2 mm long, 0.4-0.6 mm broad; exothecial cells roundedhexagonal to rectangular; operculum conic-obtuse; cilia of endostome 1-2, rarely 3. Spores ± 12.5 µm. Calyptrae naked or rarely hairy.

  • Discussion

    Fig. 781

    C. diminutivum (Hampe) Buck, Brittonia 36: 182. 1984.

    Hypnum diminutivum Hampe, Linnaea 20: 86. 1847.

    Microthamnium diminutivum (Hampe) Jaeg., Ber. Thatigk. St. Gallischen Naturwiss. Ges. 1876-77: 426. 1878.

    Mittenothamnium pringlei Card., Rev. Bryol. 37: 54. 1910.

    M. imbricatulum Card., Rev. Bryol. 37: 55. 1910.

    M. subthelistegumCard., Rev. Bryol. 37: 55. 1910.

    M. diminutivum (Hampe) Britt., Bryologist 17: 9. 1914.

    Microthamnium pringlei (Card.) Broth, in E. & P., Nat. Pfl. ed. 2, 11: 472. 1925.

    This species is diagnosed by ovate, straight-acuminate stem leaves with well-differentiated, quadrate to subquadrate alar cells in 3-6 rows.

    The following species are very likely synonymous with Chryso-hypnum diminutivum, but their types were not available for study:

    Mittenothamnium mauryanum (Besch.) Card., Rev. Bryol. 40: 21. 1913.

    (Microthamnium mauryanum Besch. J. Bot. (Morot) 15: 385. 1901).

    M. divaricatissimum(C. Müll.) Card., Rev. Card., Rev. Bryol. 40:21. 1913 (HypnumdivaricatissimumC. Müll., Linnaea 38: 657. 1874).

  • Distribution

    On rotten logs, base oftrees, soil, and rock; Campeche, Chiapas, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, Veracruz.—Mexico to South America and the West Indies; Florida.

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