Polytrichastrum formosum var. formosum

Treatment appears in FNA Volume 27. Treatment on page 130. Mentioned on page 131.

Plants medium to large and robust. Stems 5–10(–20) cm. Leaves 6–12 mm, subsquarrose and broadly spreading-recurved when moist; marginal lamina 2–5 cells wide, erect; lamellae 5–7 cells high, entire, the marginal cells rounded and ± thick-walled. Sexual condition dioicous. Capsule short rectangular, yellowish to brownish; hypophysis cylindric, delimited by a shallow groove; peristome teeth 64, very regular in form.


Habitat: Low to moderate elevations (0-500 m)

Distribution

V27 158-distribution-map.gif

B.C., N.B., Ont., Alaska, Wash., Europe, sw Asia (Caucasus Mountains, s Russia, Turkey), n Africa (Algeria), Atlantic Islands (Iceland, Macaronesia).

Discussion

Variety formosum is rare in North America, and its distribution and ecology poorly documented. It may possibly be an introduction, like Atrichum undulatum, another common European species believed to be introduced here.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
Gary L. Smith Merrill +
(Hedwig) G. L. Smith +
Polytrichum formosum +
B.C. +, N.B. +, Ont. +, Alaska +, Wash. +, Europe +, sw Asia (Caucasus Mountains +, s Russia +, Turkey) +, n Africa (Algeria) +, Atlantic Islands (Iceland +  and Macaronesia). +
Low to moderate elevations (0-500 m) +
Mem. New York Bot. Gard. +
Polytrichum attenuatum +
Polytrichastrum formosum var. formosum +
Polytrichastrum formosum +
variety +