Acroporium smallii

(R. S. Williams) H. A. Crum & L. E. Anderson

Bryologist 63: 43. 1960.

EndemicIllustrated
Basionym: Sematophyllum smallii R. S. Williams Bryologist 23: 76, plate 6. 1920
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 28. Treatment on page 572.

Plants delicate, in creeping mats. Stems with branches 0.4–0.6 mm, 0.7–1 mm across leafy branch, main stem and branches arching upward, stem and branch apices with penicillate group of abruptly imbricate leaves. Leaves 0.5–0.7 mm; margins incurved distally to form tubulose apex; supra-alar cells short. Specialized asexual reproduction rare, by filamentous gemmae. Perigonia on branches. Perichaetia on stems or branches. Seta red. Capsule 0.4–0.6 mm; annulus absent; exostome teeth 16, lanceolate, finely striate, longitudinally furrowed; endostome basal membrane wide, segments equal to exostome teeth length, cilia 1, short, occasionally rudimentary. Calyptra smooth. Spores spheric, 13–14 µm, slightly roughened.


Phenology: Capsules mature summer.
Habitat: Rotten logs, tree bark, charred wood, moist live-oak hammocks
Elevation: low elevations (0 m)

Discussion

Distinctive gametophytic traits of Acroporium smallii include long-ovate leaves with erect margins, linear medial laminal cells, and alar cells much inflated and sharply differentiated from more distal cells. The species is confined to Miami-Dade County.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.