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Blytt'S Kiaeria Moss (Kiaeria blyttii)

Description

Rather dull, dark green or almost black cushions to 5 cm tall. The leaves are 3-3.5 mm long, wavy or occasionally turned in one direction when moist, and somewhat crisped when dry. The leaves have a spearhead-shaped base, tapering gradually to a long, very fine tip with entire margins and an excurrent nerve. Capsules are common and are inclined, curved, and swollen at the base (see drawing on p. 373). They are borne on a relatively long and slightly wavy seta. The calyptra on the capsule sometimes persists for a while and turns white; this can be a distinctive feature.

Taxonomic tree

  • Domain: Eukarya

    • Kingdom: Plantae

      • Phylum: Bryophyta

        • Class: Bryopsida

          • Order: Dicranales

            • Family: Dicranaceae

              • Genus: Kiaeria