Leptobryum pyriforme
Bryol. Brit., 219. 1855.
Plants 0.5–1.5(–6) cm. Stem leaves flexuose when dry, erect to wide-spreading when moist, lanceolate proximally, abruptly long-linear distally, to 4–5 mm; base elliptic, not decurrent; margins entire or sometimes denticulate near apex; apex narrowly acuminate; costa wide, ending in apex; laminal cells clear. Specialized asexual reproduction by red, rounded brood bodies in leaf axils or on rhizoids. Sexual condition synoicous, occasionally apparently dioicous. Seta 1–4.5 cm. Capsule 1.5–2.5 mm. Spores 9–13 µm.
Habitat: Soil, wood, rock, disturbed habitats, greenhouses
Elevation: low to high elevations
Distribution
Greenland, Alta., B.C., Man., N.B., Nfld. and Labr., N.W.T., N.S., Nunavut, Ont., Que., Sask., Yukon, Ala., Alaska, Ariz., Ark., Calif., Colo., Conn., Del., D.C., Fla., Ga., Idaho, Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Mo., Mont., Nebr., Nev., N.H., N.J., N.Mex., N.Y., N.C., N.Dak., Ohio, Oreg., Pa., R.I., S.Dak., Tenn., Utah, Vt., Va., Wash., W.Va., Wis., Wyo., Mexico, West Indies (Haiti), Central America (Guatemala), South America, Eurasia, Pacific Islands (New Guinea, New Zealand), Australia (Tasmania).
Discussion
Leptobryum pyriforme is distinguished by its disturbed, often ruderal habitat, long-linear flexuose leaves that are much longer distally than proximally, and nodding, pyriform capsules.
Selected References
None.