Plant Guide > Mosses and Lichens > Mosses > Genus Plagiothecium > Plagiothecium Muellerianum Moss

Plagiothecium Muellerianum Moss

Plagiothecium Muellerianum, Schimp.

Habit and habitat.This moss is found in rocky ravines ; it grows in loose, bright and shining green tufts.

Name.-The specific name, Muellerianum, was given by William Schimper in honour of Baron Ferdinand Mueller, Government botanist of Australia.

Plant (gametophyte).-Very small ; stems with runners, creeping, with branches erect, rooting at the base and sometimes at the apex.

Leaves.-In two rows, spreading, concave, ovate-lance-shaped at the base, taper-pointed, with an abrupt, short, acute point ; margin
entire ; vein wanting ; base not growing down the stem ; cells narrow, uniform.

Leaves at the base of the Pedicel ( perichaetial leaves).-Half-clasping at the base, oblong-ovate, taper-pointed, entire.

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

Veil (calyptra).-Small.

Spore-case.Somewhat nodding, tapering from the enlarged mouth toward
the pedicel, long-necked, enlarged at the mouth and bell-shaped when dry.

Pedicel (seta).-Short, purple.

Lid (operculum).-Conical, short-beaked.

Teeth (peristome).-Distantly jointed, cilia short, robust, unequal.

Annulus.-Narrow, simple.

Spores.-The fruit is very rare.

Distribution.-Found in Europe and eastern North America.