Syrrhopodon gaudichaudii

Plants caespitose, dark green to brownish, to 1 cm. Leaves monomorphic, 2–3 mm, crispate-contorted when dry; distal lamina reflexed at shoulders, usually folded when wet, broadly linear-acuminate, apex obtuse; margins bordered all around with elongate hyaline cells, mostly toothed only at apex but rarely with denticulations at shoulders; medial cells obscure because of papillosity, 7.5–8.5 µm, with stout, multifid papillae ad and abaxially; cancellinae rounded distally. Gemmae clavate-fusiform, smooth, sparse, on adaxial apex of leaf.

Habitat: Not producing sporophytes in flora area. Bark
Elevation: low elevations (ca. 30 m)

Fla., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, Africa, Pacific Islands (Hawaii)

Discussion

Syrrhopodon gaudichaudii is widespread and often abundant elsewhere in its range but is known in the flora area only from a few collections from Highlands Hammock, Highlands County. It is similar in a general way to S. prolifer but differs in its leaves contorted-crispate when dry and folded when moist. The leaves of S. prolifer are usually flexuous or straight when dry and lie flat on the microscope slide when wet.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa