Nogopterium gracile
Novon 21: 424. 2011.
Stems 1.5–8 cm, branches many, 0.5–2 cm, closely pinnate, appearing fascicled, secund-ascending, julaceous, apices strongly attenuate, sometimes elongate, flagelliform. Leaves 0.5–2 × 0.3–1.2 mm; apex concolorous; alar cells strongly differentiated, 6–10 µm; laminal cells 15–46 × 5–8 µm. Perichaetial leaves 2.5–3 × 0.7–0.8 mm; paraphyses 0.6–0.8 mm. Seta reddish, 0.8–1.2 cm, twisted, smooth. Capsule light-brown, symmetric, 2–3 mm; annulus 2-seriate or 3-seriate; operculum 0.4–0.5 mm; peristome 0.3–0.4 mm; exostome teeth erect; endostome segments 0.3–0.4 mm. Calyptra unknown. Spores round, 11–18 µm, papillose, brown.
Phenology: Capsules mature year-round.
Habitat: Forested mountains, rock, boulders, trunks and base of hardwood trees, soil
Elevation: low to moderate elevations (0-1100 m)
Distribution
B.C., Calif., Oreg., Wash., South America (Brazil), Europe, sw Asia, Africa
Discussion
J. Podpěra (1954) reported Nogopterium gracile from eastern Ontario, but according to R. R. Ireland et al. (1987), the Canadian distribution is restricted to British Columbia. The calyptra was described by A. J. Grout (1928–1934, vol. 3) as cucullate, with few hairs. Nogopterium gracile may be confused with Antitrichia californica; the two species are often found growing together. Nogopterium gracile is distinguished from Antitrichia by its papillose medial laminal cells; short, double (or rarely absent) costa; plane leaf apices; dull appearance due to papillose leaves; and closely pinnate branches that, when dry, usually arch in the same direction, resembling the foot of a bird. Nogopterium gracile and Bestia longipes may also be confused. Bestia longipes never has attenuate branches; the leaves are somewhat plicate and recurved at the base; the laminal cells are smooth; the distal laminal cells are longer, to 5:1; and the single costa extends at least to mid leaf. Nogopterium gracile is known to accumulate large amounts of heavy metals (L. Rasmussen 1975). Decline of populations in northern Europe has been attributed to air pollution.
Selected References
None.