Neckera menziesii
Musc. Amer., 162. 1828.
Plants 4–11(–20) cm. Stems with branches common, attenuate; paraphyllia many. Stem leaves (central) oblong to oblong-ligulate, undulate, 3–6 × (1–)2.2–2.5 mm; margins slightly serrate to serrulate distally; apex obtuse to broadly acute; costa single, 3/4 leaf length; alar cells quadrate; basal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, 30–54 × 5–6 µm; distal medial cells linear, 27–36 × 3–5 µm; apical cells rhomboidal, (8–)12–18 × 5–6 µm. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta 0.2–0.3 cm. Capsule immersed.
Habitat: Logs, trunks, shaded rock and cliffs, mixed conifer-hardwood, Abies, Quercus, Sequoia, and Thuja forests
Elevation: low to high elevations (10-2000 m)
Distribution
Alta., B.C., Yukon, Alaska, Calif., Idaho, Mont., N.Mex., Oreg., S.Dak., Utah, Wash., Europe, Asia (China, Japan).
Discussion
Neckera menziesii can be distinguished from other dioicous species by the single costa that extends 3/4 of the leaf length and the slightly serrate leaf margin of straight teeth. In addition, the seta is very short, and the capsule immersed. The abundant paraphyllia and single costa were used by W. C. Steere (1941, 1967) to segregate N. menziesii into the genus Metaneckera. Those characters are common in other Neckera species from South and Central America and Asia and therefore within the limits of the genus. The stem leaf base is slightly auriculate; the margins are recurved basally; and the distal medial cell walls are pitted.
Selected References
None.