Barbella pendula

(Sullivant) M. Fleischer

Musc. Buitenzorg 3: 812. 1908.

Illustrated
Basionym: Meteorium pendulum Sullivant in A. Gray, Manual ed. 2, 681. 1856
Synonyms: Neodicladiella pendula (Sullivant) W. R. Buck
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 28. Treatment on page 482. Mentioned on page 480.

Stems inconspicuous, branches slender, to 15+ cm. Stem leaves 1.5–2 mm; apex filiform; costa faint or strong. Branch leaves triangular-acuminate proximally, 2 mm, slender-acuminate distally, 1–1.5 mm; costa ending mid leaf; alar cells quadrate; medial laminal cells 60 µm, papillae usually (2–)3–5-seriate, on abaxial and adaxial surfaces. Perigonia unknown. Perichaetia usually on proximal portions of branches. Seta brown, 2–2.5 mm. Capsule dark brown at maturity, 1–1.5 mm; operculum 0.7–0.8 mm. Calyptra conic-mitrate, erose proximally. Spores 15–26 µm.


Phenology: Capsules mature Mar.
Habitat: Deep, cool, shady, humid ravines in deciduous forests, on Arundinaria, shrubs, tree branches, exposed roots along ravines
Elevation: low elevations (10-20 m)

Discussion

Barbella pendula is not common in the flora area but may be abundant locally. The delicate, yellowish green plants dangle in conspicuous, tangled festoons in their ravine-bottom habitat. The striking habit of B. pendula and the somewhat dimorphic branch leaves, including the distal with 1-seriate, filiform apices, make the species unmistakable. Barbella pendula has been reported from Florida, but the collections are either Papillaria nigrescens or of uncertain provenance. Perigonia have never been found in specimens (some abundantly fruiting) of B. pendula from the flora area.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Barbella pendula"
William D. Reese† +
(Sullivant) M. Fleischer +
Meteorium pendulum +
La. +, Miss. +, Mexico +  and Asia. +
low elevations (10-20 m) +
Deep, cool, shady, humid ravines in deciduous forests, on Arundinaria, shrubs, tree branches, exposed roots along ravines +
Capsules mature Mar. +
Musc. Buitenzorg +
Illustrated +
Neodicladiella pendula +
Barbella pendula +
Barbella +
species +