Archidium hallii

Plants 3–10 mm, perennial, in dense short turfs, pale-green to yellow-green. Stems branched by several innovations from axils of stem leaves or outer perichaetial leaves, often becoming prostrate with age. Stem leaves erect-spreading, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, 0.7–1.5 mm, becoming reduced proximally; costa percurrent to slightly excurrent; laminal margins smooth, weakly recurved; median and distal laminal cells rhomboidal to hexagonal, 3–4:1, 35–70 × 12–18 µm, proximal cells rectangular, 2–4:1, 40–70 × 18–24 µm, short-rectangular to quadrate in alar region in 2–6 rows extending 7–15 cells along proximal laminal margin; leaves of innovations similar to distal stem leaves except being smaller, gradually reduced proximally. Perichaetial leaves larger, 1.5–3 mm, elongate-triangular, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, gradually acuminate; costa percurrent to short-excurrent; laminal margins smooth, weakly recurved distally; median and distal laminal cells uniformly rhomboid to hexagonal, 3–7:1, 35–130 × 15–28 µm, proximal cells rectangular, 4–6:1, 70–140 × 15–28 µm, sometimes hyaline in alar region but cells not strongly differentiated. Specialized asexual reproduction absent. Sexual condition autoicous, antheridia terminating axillary leaf buds. Capsule terminal, 450-700 µm. Spores typically 20(8–36) per capsule, triangular to rounded-polyhedral, 140–250 µm, smooth to granulose, yellow.

Phenology: Capsules mature early spring (Mar) or rarely late fall (Nov).
Habitat: Uncommon to rare on moist open sandy or loamy soil, along roadsides and in grassy often disturbed areas
Elevation: 0-200 m

Distribution

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Fla., Ga., Tex., Mexico, South America.

Discussion

Archidium hallii can be distinguished from similar-looking forms of A. tenerrimum by autoicous sexuality and leafy bracts enclosing the antheridia.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.