Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Neckera menziesii Hook.

Family: Neckeraceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Metaneckera menziesii (Drummond) Steere

We found Neckera menziesii in much better shape and photographed it first at El Malpais National Monument-- those pix are here.
Neckera menziesii, in its well described growth form, is not shelf-forming but does have leaves that are undulate wavy and has abundant paraphyllia on the stems. Unlike the similar appearing Neckera pennata that has a short double costa, N. menziesii has a single costa visible into the distal half of the leaf.
In a growth habit dominated more by flagellate branches, such as with this specimen, the leaves are much smaller, are not undulate and may have a very weak and short costa. The paraphyllia may be few or absent. Neckera menziesii is found on rocks in the entrances to caves and overhangs. Thanks to John Brinda for helping with the ID of this moss!
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Neckera menziesii, growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Hwy 78 near Mule Creek, August 5, 2018



Neckera menziesii, photomicrograph of stems, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Hwy 78 near Mule Creek, August 5, 2018



Neckera menziesii, photomicrograph of leaf with strong, single costa, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Hwy 78 near Mule Creek, August 5, 2018



Neckera menziesii, photomicrograph of leaf with strong, single costa, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Hwy 78 near Mule Creek, August 5, 2018



Neckera menziesii, photomicrograph of midlaminal cells, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Hwy 78 near Mule Creek, August 5, 2018


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