Polytrichastrum papillatum

G. L. Smith

J. Hattori Bot. Lab. 38: 633, figs. 12–24. 1974,.

Basionym: Polytrichum papillatum (G. L. Smith) L. E. Anderson H. A. Crum & W. R. Buck
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 27. Treatment on page 128. Mentioned on page 125.
Revision as of 19:37, 24 September 2019 by FNA>Volume Importer

Plants slender, with the aspect of P. alpinum var. septentrionale. Stems to 2 cm, leafless below, leafy above. Leaves channeled and incurved when dry, spreading when moist, narrowly triangular, from a broadly elliptic, hyaline-margined sheathing base; marginal lamina serrate to almost entire; lamellae 5–6 cells high, crenate in profile, with each cell crowned by a papillose knob, the marginal cells in section pyriform. [Seta to 1.5 cm, curved. Capsule subspherical; exothecial cells with a distinct thin spot; peristome teeth ca. 40, hyaline, now and then compound.]


Habitat: Substrate and elevation undetermined

Distribution

V27 152-distribution-map.gif

Alaska, Asia (Kashmir, e Nepal).

Discussion

Polytrichastrum papillatum is known in North America from a single, sterile collection from southern Alaska (Valdez), collected by F. J. Hermann, but is possibly more widespread and overlooked. The marginal cells of the lamellae are coarsely papillose, and resemble those of P. alpinum in section. In profile, however, the lamellae are crenate, the marginal cells crowned by a papillose knob. The exothecial cells with a pale but distinct thin spot in the outer wall further distinguish this species from P. alpinum.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.