Philonotis fontana var. americana
Bryologist 72: 244. 1969.
Endemic
Basionym: Philonotis americana Mém. Soc. Bot. France 17: 35. 1910
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 28. Treatment on page 112.
Plants large. Stems 5–16 cm. Leaves with distalmost spiraled around stem, catenulate, spreading, distant, broadly ovate-lanceolate, sometimes falcate, pluriplicate. Capsule 2.5–3.5 mm.
Phenology: Capsules mature Jun–Sep.
Habitat: Seeps, exposed slopes, mountain meadows
Elevation: low to high elevations (0-3000 m)
Distribution
Alta., B.C., N.B., Ont., Que., Alaska, Calif., Colo., Idaho, N.Y., Oreg., Utah, Wash.
Discussion
Variety americana, which includes the largest plants of the genus in North America, can be recognized by its robust habit, distant, catenulate leaves, and distalmost leaves spiraled around the stem.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.