Plant Guide > Mosses and Lichens > Mosses > Genus Brachythecium > Brachythecium Novae Angliae Moss

Brachythecium Novae Angliae Moss

Novae-Angliae, (Cull. & Lesq.) Jaeger & Sauer.

Habit and habitat.-On earth and stones.

Name.-The specific name is the Latin for "New England."

Plant (gametophyte).-Forming loosely entangled mats; stem 1I to 2 inches long, irregular; branches cylindrical, with rather short, overlapping, slightly spreading leaves.

Leaves.-Erect, spreading, sometimes very concave, not plaited, not glossy, incurved, broadly ovate,narrowly taper-pointed; base growing down the stem; decurrent; vein reaching the middle: margin finely saw-toothed all around; cells narrowly oblonghexagonal, shorter and broader at the basilar angles.

Leaves at the base of the pedicel.-Ovate, long, taper-pointed, recurved from the middle; vein not easily distinguishable.

Habit of flowering.-Male and female flowers on separate plants.

Perichaetial leaves (dioicous).

Veil (calyptra).-Thin, split up one side.

Spore-case.-Oblong, erect, slightly curved.

Pedicel (seta).-Rough, purple.

Lid (operculum).-Long, conical, taper-pointed.

Annulus.-Double, large.

Teeth (peristome).-Teeth densery articulate, segments of the inner membrane as long as the teeth. Cilia well developed but without transverse spurs attached at intervals to the margin.

Spores.-Mature in late fall and early spring.

Distribution.--Northeastern United States and Canada.