Secondary stems densely 2-pinnate to flagelliform or irregularly pinnate; paraphyllia present; pseudoparaphyllia subfoliose. Stem leaves appressed or erect when dry, spreading when moist, oval to oblong-elliptic; margins plane or recurved on one side proximally, entire; apex obtuse or occasionally broadly acute; costa single, 50–70% leaf length, or double, short; alar region weakly differentiated; medial laminal cells isodiametric. Branch leaves similar, often smaller. Sexual condition dioicous; perichaetial leaf apex squarrose. [Seta 1.5–2 mm. Capsule erect, emergent, ovoid to oblong-ellipsoid; stomata absent; operculum obliquely rostrate; exostome teeth connate at base, linear-lanceolate, spiculose; endostome rudimentary. Calyptra hairy. Spores 12–15 µm, brownish yellow].

Distribution

Colo., South America, Eurasia, n, s, c Africa, Pacific Islands (New Zealand), e Australia, temperate regions.

Discussion

Species 4 (1 in the flora).

The paraphyses are 2-seriate in Leptodon, but 1-seriate in Forsstroemia.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Leptodon smithii