Polytrichastrum alpinum var. sylvaticum
Sida 22: 547. 2006,.
Stems to 14 cm, simple or sparingly branched. Leaves (9–)12–14(–19) mm, coarsely toothed. Capsule 5–8 × 1.5–2.2 mm, often ± zygomorphic and widest below the middle, suberect to inclined to almost horizontal.
Habitat: Soil, moist woods
Elevation: low to moderate elevations (to 1400 m)
Distribution
B.C., Alaska, Oreg., Wash.
Discussion
Variety sylvaticum is a robust plant of the Pacific Northwest with stems to 14 cm high, sharply serrate leaves to as much as 19 mm, and large, plump, cylindric capsules, often ± zygomorphic. The type was collected by Menzies somewhere on the Northwest coast; Pogonatum macounii was collected in a ravine at 1370 m on Vancouver Island. Polytrichum alpinum var. campanulatum has large, ovoid-gibbous, almost horizontal capsules and is probably distinct, but its distribution is poorly understood.
Selected References
None.