Racopilum tomentosum

(Hedwig) Bridel

Bryol. Univ. 2: 719. 1827.

Illustrated
Basionym: Hypnum tomentosum Hedwig Sp. Musc. Frond., 240. 1801
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 28. Treatment on page 247.

Lateral leaves slightly asymmetric, 1.5–2 × 0.8 mm; margins coarsely serrate distally; costa long-excurrent; medial laminal cells 13–16 µm. Dorsal leaves narrowly triangular-acuminate, 1 × 0.5 mm; costa long-excurrent; medial laminal cells 10–15 µm. Seta brown, 1.4–2.7 cm. Capsule brown, 3–4 mm; operculum obliquely rostrate, 2.5 mm. Calyptra tardily cucullate, 2.5–3 mm. Spores 13–15 µm.


Phenology: Capsules mature late Jan.
Habitat: Limestone, base of trees, rotted wood, humus, low and humid forests
Elevation: low elevations (0-50 m)

Distribution

V28 395-distribution-map.gif

Fla., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America

Discussion

Racopilum tomentosum is unmistakable due to the creeping stems, which are heavily tomentose ventrally in older portions, and the dimorphic leaves twisted-contorted when dry and spreading-erect in 4 rows when moist. Some of the Florida specimens have gametoecia (for example, Philips 97), but only a single collection with sporophytes is known from the flora area (Collier Co., Anderson & Crum 13440, Mosses of North America 595, DUKE, FLAS, LAF). Some duplicates of this issue may lack sporophytes.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Racopilum tomentosum"
William D. Reese† +
(Hedwig) Bridel +
Hypnum tomentosum +
cucullate +
0.25 cm2.5 mm <br />0.0025 m <br /> (0.3 cm3 mm <br />0.003 m <br />) +
0.3 cm3 mm <br />0.003 m <br /> (0.4 cm4 mm <br />0.004 m <br />) +
long-excurrent +
Fla. +, Mexico +, West Indies +, Central America +  and South America +
triangular-acuminate +
low elevations (0-50 m) +
cross-striolate +
Limestone, base of trees, rotted wood, humus, low and humid forests +
0.15 cm1.5 mm <br />0.0015 m <br /> (0.2 cm2 mm <br />0.002 m <br />) +
twisted-contorted +
spreading-erect +
synoicous +, autoicous +  and sexual +
quadrate;rhomboidal +
2.5 cm25 mm <br />0.025 m <br /> (?) +
Capsules mature late Jan. +
Bryol. Univ. +
2 +  and 4 +
2 +, rarely +  and single +
elongate +
1.4 cm14 mm <br />0.014 m <br /> (2.7 cm27 mm <br />0.027 m <br />) +
Illustrated +
flagelliform +
short;elongate +
Racopilum tomentosum +
Racopilum +
species +
male +, pseudautoicous +, synoicous +  and autoicous +