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Strangulate Orthotrichum Moss (Orthotrichum strangulatum)

Description

Orthotrichum strangulatum, Habit and habitat.-In small, loose dirty-green tufts / of an inch deep; on trees, rarely on rocks. The specific name strangulatum, strangled, refers to the constriction under the mouth of the spore-case. Plant (gametophyte).-One-quarter of an inch long. Leaves.-Linear lance-shaped from an oblong base, keeled; apex pointed or blunt; margins rolled back; cells, the upper, round, small, close, with slight protuberances; the basal, long and quadrangular. Leaves at the base of the pedicel (perichaetial leaves).-Longer, erect, somewhat sheathing. Habit of flowering.-Male and female flowers on the same plant (monocious). Veil (calyptra).-Resembling a bishop's mitre (mitriform) furrowed and early naked. Spore-case.-Oblong egg-shaped, half-emergent, dirty-brown when old, strongly constricted under the mouth. Lid (operculum).-Conical, obtusely short-pointed. Teeth (Peristome).-The outer eight double teeth, dirty-yellow, granulose, reflexed when dry; the inner, of eight filiform strong segments.

Taxonomic tree

  • Domain: Eukarya

    • Kingdom: Plantae

      • Phylum: Bryophyta

        • Class: Bryopsida

          • Order: Orthotrichales

            • Family: Orthotrichaceae

              • Genus: Orthotrichum