Dendroalsia

Plants very large, dark to bright green. Stems with secondary stems erect-ascending; branches elongate, 1- or 2-pinnate; paraphyllia and pseudoparaphyllia present. Leaves erect to erect-patent when dry, spreading when moist; margins recurved at base, plane at apex; medial laminal cells occasionally prorate. Sexual condition dioicous; perichaetia lateral, inner leaves apiculate, apiculus toothed. Seta emergent from perichaetial leaves. Capsule barely exserted; peristome double; exostome teeth linear-subulate; endostome segments slender, strongly papillose. Calyptra cucullate, smooth.

Distribution

w North America, nw Mexico.

Discussion

Species 1.

According to D. H. Norris and J. R. Shevock (2004), Dendroalsia is recognizable when dry as each of the branches curls downward so the whole resembles a clenched fist. When wet, the stems and branches uncurl to form broad, handsome fernlike tails orthotropic to the substrate (usually a tree trunk or vertical rock face).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Dendroalsia abietina