Leptodon smithii

Illustrator: Patricia M. Eckel

Copyright: Flora of North America Association

Secondary stems not circinate. Stem and branch leaves 0.5–1 × 0.3–0.7 mm; base decurrent; medial laminal cells 8–12 × 6–12 µm. Inflorescences and sporophytes unknown.

Habitat: Epiphytic on rock
Elevation: high elevations

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Colo., South America, Eurasia, Africa, Pacific Islands (New Zealand), Australia.

Discussion

Leptodon smithii in North America is known from a single locality in Jefferson County, collected by Nelson in 1971, and subsequently recollected in 1972 (P. P. Nelson 1973). The absence of inflorescences, weakly developed circinate stems, infrequent and 1-seriate paraphyllia, decurrent leaves, and broadly acute leaf apices question the assignment of the Colorado material to L. smithii. However, many of these tendencies can be found in specimens of L. smithii from Chile, and the lack of inflorescences in the Colorado material may indicate that these are immature plants. Alternatively, the Colorado material may be male plants of L. smithii that are more slender in habit than female plants (Nelson).

Selected References

Nelson, P. P. 1973. Leptodon smithii (Musci, Neckeraceae), a genus new to North America. Bryologist 76: 434–437.

Lower Taxa

None.