Rigodium toxarion (Schwägr.) A.Jaeger

  • 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

    Lembophyllaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Rigodium toxarion (Schwägr.) A.Jaeger

  • Description

    Species Description - Plants slender, 2-4 cm high, green or yellowish. Stipe leaves serrulate all around. Branch leaves loosely erect-incurved when dry, 0.3-0.5 mm long, ovate-lanceolate, gradually narrowed to an acute point, entire or slightly serrulate above; costa ending near the apex; cells small, irregularly rounded-quadrate, oblong, or rhombic, not much differentiated below, thick-walled, smooth. Setae 10-15 mm long; capsules ca. 1.5 mm long, subcylindric, inclined and asymmetric. Spores ca. 15 µm, finely papillose.

  • Discussion

    Fig. 633

    R. toxarion (Schwaegr.) Jaeg., Ber. Thatigk. St. Gallischen Naturwiss. Ges. 1876-77.244. 1878.

    Hypnum toxarion Schwaegr., Sp. Muse Suppl. 1(2): 283. 1816.

    Rigodium gracile Ren. & Card., Bull. Soc. Roy. Bot. Belgique 32(1): 197. 1893.

    The slender, wiry plants, irregularly pinnate above a well-marked stipe, and the differentiation of ecostate stem leaves and costate branch leaves are unmistakable. The gametophyte is somewhat like Thuidium in appearance, but the dendroid growth form and smooth leaf cells argue against including Rigodium in the Thuidiaceae. The peristome is hypnoid in every detail.

  • Distribution

    On trunks oftrees, occasionally on rocks, ca. 2000-3000 m alt.; Chiapas, Hidalgo, Oaxaca, Puebla.—Mexico; Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica; Hispaniola; Venezuela; Patagonia and Juan Fernandez; Tanzania

    Mexico North America| Guatemala Central America| El Salvador Central America| Costa Rica South America| Dominican Republic South America| Haiti South America| Venezuela South America| Chile South America| Tanzania Africa|