Orthotrichum tenellum

Bruch ex Bridel

Bryol. Univ. 1: 786. 1827.

Illustrated
Synonyms: Orthotrichum coulteri Mitten O. cylindrocarpum Lesquereux O. tenellum var. coulteri (Mitten) Grout O. tenellum var. cylindrocarpum (Lesquereux) L. F. Koch
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 28. Treatment on page 70. Mentioned on page 49, 52, 59, 71.

Plants 0.3–1 cm. Stem-leaves stiff, erect-appressed when dry, ligulate to lanceolate-oblong, polymorphic, 1.3–2.6 mm; margins revolute to below apex or sometimes broadly reflexed distally, entire, sometimes serrulate in apex; apex obtuse to broadly acute, apiculate, incurved when dry; basal laminal cells broadly rectangular, walls thin, not nodose; distal cells 8–13 µm, 1-stratose, papillae 2 or 3 per cell, conic, low. Specialized asexual reproduction by gemmae on abaxial surface of leaves. Sexual condition cladautoicous or rarely gonioautoicous. Vaginula with hairs absent. Seta to 2 mm. Capsule 2/3 emergent to short-exserted, cylindric to cylindric-elliptic when mature, 1.3–2 mm, strongly 8-ribbed entire length, not constricted below mouth; stomata immersed, in proximal 1/3 of capsule, ± covered by subsidiary-cells, cells projecting, inner walls thickened; peristome double; prostome absent; exostome teeth 8, rarely splitting to 16, erect when mature, reflexed when old, papillose; endostome segments 8, rarely 16, well developed, of 2 rows of cells, finely papillose. Calyptra conic-oblong, smooth, naked or sparsely hairy, hairs sometimes papillose by projecting walls. Spores 11–18 µm.


Habitat: Trunks of deciduous trees in dry, open areas, rock
Elevation: low to high elevations (100-2000 m)

Distribution

V28 105-distribution-map.gif

B.C., Calif., Nev., Wash., Europe, n Africa, Atlantic Islands (Azores), Atlantic Islands (Canary Islands)

Discussion

Orthotrichum tenellum is the only western species with deeply immersed stomata, blunt leaves, and oblong-cylindric capsules; its small size distinguishes it from other Californian species found on trees. The leaves are spreading to wide-spreading in the distal portions of the branches.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.

"entire" is not a number.

... more about "Orthotrichum tenellum"
apiculate +, serrulate +  and entire +
incurved +  and reflexed +
obtuse;broadly acute +
Dale H. Vitt +
Bruch ex Bridel +
not decurrent +
erect +  and ascending +
conic-oblong +
8-ribbed or 16-ribbed +  and smooth +
short-exserted +
cylindric;cylindric-elliptic +
not constricted +
0.13 cm1.3 mm <br />0.0013 m <br /> (0.2 cm2 mm <br />0.002 m <br />) +
differentiated +
B.C. +, Calif. +, Nev. +, Wash. +, Europe +, n Africa +, Atlantic Islands (Azores) +  and Atlantic Islands (Canary Islands) +
low to high elevations (100-2000 m) +
linear-lanceolate +
reflexed +  and erect +
rectangular;elliptic +
connate +
occasional +
Trunks of deciduous trees in dry, open areas, rock +
papillose +
polymorphic +  and ligulate +
0.13 cm1.3 mm <br />0.0013 m <br /> (0.26 cm2.6 mm <br />0.0026 m <br />) +
lanceolate-oblong +
straight +
spreading +  and widespreading +
not rugose +
linear-lanceolate +, lanceolate +, oblong +  and ovate +
denticulate +  and entire +
dioicous +, cladautoicous +  and sexual +
rostrate;convex;conic +
mammillose +  and smooth +
cladautoicous +  and sexual +
sometimes larger +
lateral +  and terminal +
Bryol. Univ. +
sinistrorse +, dextrorse +  and erect +
0 cm0 mm <br />0 m <br /> (0.2 cm2 mm <br />0.002 m <br />) +
Illustrated +
papillose +  and smooth +
superficial +
Orthotrichum coulteri +, O. cylindrocarpum +, O. tenellum var. coulteri +  and O. tenellum var. cylindrocarpum +
Orthotrichum tenellum +
Orthotrichum +
species +
specialized +
cladautoicous +, pseudautoicous +, dioicous +  and sexual +
not nodose +
incrassate +
olive brown;reddish-brown;olive brown;reddish-brown;dark green +
large +  and small +