Pohlia longibracteata

Plants medium-sized to large, green to golden green, very glossy. Stems 0.5–2.5 cm. Leaves wide-spreading, narrowly long-lanceolate, 2–3.5 mm; base not or scarcely decurrent; margins serrate in distal 1/3; costa subpercurrent; distal medial laminal cells linear-hexagonal, 80–160 µm, walls thin. Specialized asexual reproduction absent. Sexual condition dioicous; perigonia usually on short lateral branches, leaves to 6 mm; perichaetial leaves ± strongly differentiated, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate. Seta orange-brown. Capsule inclined ± 180°, brown to stramineous, short-pyriform to urceolate, neck less than 1/3 urn length; exothecial cells isodiametric, walls straight to sinuate; stomata immersed; annulus absent; operculum short- to long-conic; exostome teeth light yellow-brown, triangular-acute; endostome hyaline, basal membrane 1/2 exostome length or slightly longer, segments tapered apically, distinctly keeled, broadly perforate, cilia long, nodulose, or short. Spores 14–20 µm, finely roughened.

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

B.C., Alaska, Calif., Oreg., Wash.

Discussion

Sterile plants of Pohlia longibracteata are easily identified by the relatively long, narrow, wide-spreading leaves that are quite glossy. The leaf apices are narrowly acute; the perigonial leaves are very long-acuminate and spreading from the ovate base (providing the basis for the specific epithet). Pohlia longibracteata occurs on soil in Pacific coastal forests, typically under redwood trees.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa