Dendroalsia

E. Britton ex Brotherus in H. G. A. Engler and K. Prantl

in H. G. A. Engler and K. Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 234/235[I,3]: 1214. 1909.

Etymology: Greek dendron, tree, and genus Alsia, suggesting a dendroid Alsia
Basionym: Groutia Brotherus in H. G. A. Engler and K. Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 223[I,3]: 760, fig. 570. 1905,
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 28. Treatment on page 588. Mentioned on page 584, 590, 624, 647.
 TaxonIllustrator 
CrypDendroalsiaAbietina.jpegDendroalsia abietinaPatricia M. Eckel

Plants very large, dark to bright green. Stems with secondary stems erect-ascending; branches elongate, 1-pinnate or 2-pinnate; paraphyllia and pseudoparaphyllia present. Leaves erect to erect-patent when dry, spreading when moist; margins recurved at base, plane at apex; medial laminal cells occasionally prorate. Sexual condition dioicous; perichaetia lateral, inner leaves apiculate, apiculus toothed. Seta emergent from perichaetial leaves. Capsule barely exserted; peristome double; exostome teeth linear-subulate; endostome segments slender, strongly papillose. Calyptra cucullate, smooth.

Distribution

w North America, nw Mexico

Discussion

Species 1.

According to D. H. Norris and J. R. Shevock (2004), Dendroalsia is recognizable when dry as each of the branches curls downward so the whole resembles a clenched fist. When wet, the stems and branches uncurl to form broad, handsome fernlike tails orthotropic to the substrate (usually a tree trunk or vertical rock face).

Selected References

None.

... more about "Dendroalsia"
Clayton C. Newberry +
E. Britton ex Brotherus in H. G. A. Engler and K. Prantl +
Groutia +
branched +, simple +  and terete-foliate +
2-pinnate +  and 1-pinnate +
spreading;pendent +
elongate +
short;elongate +
papillose +  and smooth +
cucullate +
rounded;quadrate +
w North America +  and nw Mexico +
Greek dendron, tree, and genus Alsia, suggesting a dendroid Alsia +
linear-subulate +
spreading +, erect +  and erect-patent +
concave +  and ovate-acuminate +
serrate +  and entire +
dioicous +  and sexual +
rhomboidal;fusiform +
conic-rostrate;obliquely rostrate +
in H. G. A. Engler and K. Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. +
barely exceeding perichaetial leaves +  and short +
spheric +
sympodial +  and branched +
Dendroalsia +
Cryphaeaceae +
dark +  and bright green +
in loose mats +  and creeping +
shiny +  and dull to somewhat +