Pohlia lescuriana

Illustrator: Patricia M. Eckel

Copyright: Flora of North America Association

Plants small, pale whitish, somewhat glossy. Stems 0.3–0.8 cm. Leaves erect to ± spreading, lanceolate, 0.7–1.2 mm; base not or scarcely decurrent; margins serrulate to serrate in distal 1/3; costa subpercurrent; distal medial laminal cells linear-rhomboidal, 65–110 µm, walls thin. Specialized asexual reproduction occasionally present; rhizoidal tubers orange, orange-brown, or yellow. Sexual condition dioicous; perigonial leaves ovate; perichaetial leaves weakly differentiated, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate. Seta orange-brown. Capsule inclined 95–180°, brown to stramineous, broadly short-pyriform, neck 1/3 urn length; exothecial cells short-rectangular, walls sinuate; stomata superficial; annulus present; operculum short- to long-conic; exostome teeth light yellow-brown, triangular-acute; endostome hyaline, basal membrane 1/2 exostome length, segments tapered apically, distinctly keeled, broadly perforate, cilia short to rudimentary. Spores 15–21 µm, finely roughened.

Phenology: Capsules mature spring (Apr–Jun).
Habitat: Disturbed soil, soil on upturned tree bases, path banks, rock crevices, along streams
Elevation: low elevations

Distribution

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N.B., Nfld. and Labr., N.S., P.E.I., Que., Conn., Iowa, Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Mont., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Pa., Tenn., Vt., Va., W.Va., Europe.

Discussion

Pohlia lescuriana is an inconspicuous woodland species in eastern North America; it often grows in small sterile patches and can be recognized by the slender, pale green shoots. The sporophytes, never common, are short-pyriform to urceolate when dry. Yellow to orange gemmae sometimes occur on the rhizoids.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.