Pilosium chlorophyllum

(Hornschuch) Müller Hal. ex Brotherus

in H. G. A. Engler et al., Nat. Pflanzenfam. ed. 2, 11: 399. 1925.

Illustrated
Basionym: Hypnum chlorophyllum Hornschuch in C. F. P. von Martius et al., Fl. Bras. 1(2): 89. 1840
Synonyms: Stereophyllum chlorophyllum (Hornschuch) Mitten
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 28. Treatment on page 473.

Stems 6 cm, 2–4 mm wide across leafy stem. Leaves dorsal 1.3–1.6 × 0.6–0.9 mm, alar cells few, weakly differentiated, 12–24 × 9–12 µm, walls not porose; lateral 1.5–2 × 0.6–1 mm, costa extending short distance beyond base, alar cells many, strongly differentiated, 24–89 × 14–28 µm, walls porose; medial laminal cells 89–146 × 7–12 µm. Perichaetia with leaves deeply erose. Seta 1.5–1.8 cm. Capsule 0.8–1.2 mm; operculum 0.4–0.6 mm.


Phenology: Capsules mature winter.
Habitat: Forested sheltered gorges, rotten logs, exposed tree roots
Elevation: moderate elevations (600-800 m)

Distribution

V28 738-distribution-map.gif

N.C., Mexico (Quintana Roo), West Indies, Central America, n South America.

Discussion

Pilosium chlorophyllum is rarely confused with other species in Stereophyllaceae. The species is distinctive because of its glossy, complanate-foliate plants, and dimorphic leaves, the dorsal ones symmetric and oblong-ovate, with neither a costa nor a distinctive alar region of differentiated cells, the lateral ones cultriform and oblong-lanceolate, with a short, weak costa scarcely reaching 1/3 leaf length, and a large area of enlarged, pigmented alar cells on one side of the costa. The cernuous, short-cylindric capsules have collenchymatous exothecial cells and the spores, 7–9 µm, are smaller than in other members of the family.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Pilosium chlorophyllum"
William R. Buck +  and Robert R. Ireland Jr. +
(Hornschuch) Müller Hal. ex Brotherus +
Hypnum chlorophyllum +
N.C. +, Mexico (Quintana Roo) +, West Indies +, Central America +  and n South America. +
moderate elevations (600-800 m) +
Forested sheltered gorges, rotten logs, exposed tree roots +
Capsules mature winter. +
in H. G. A. Engler et al., Nat. Pflanzenfam. ed. +
Illustrated +
Stereophyllum chlorophyllum +
Pilosium chlorophyllum +
Pilosium +
species +