Status: Native
Synonyms:
Microbryum starckeanum (Hedwig) R.H. Zander var. brachyodus (Bruch & Schimper) R.H. Zander
Microbryum starckeanum (Hedwig) R.H. Zander var. fosbergii (Bartram) R.H. Zander
Pottia arizonica Wareham
Pottia arizonica Wareham var. mucronulata Wareham
Pottia fosbergii Bartram
Weissia starckeana Hedwig
Microbryum starckeanum var. brachyodus is a small moss with almost no stem, and leaves that
are only about a millimeter long. The leaves are pluripapillose distally and have recurved margins. The costa is percurrent as a mucro.
The peristome is absent to rudimentary. The capsules are exserted on a seta that is 3-4mm long. This species
differs from Microbryum davallianum in that M. starckeanum var. brachyodus has spores that
are smooth or have large, low tubercles rather than crowded, sharper papillae.
Many thanks to the University of Colorado Herbarium (COLO), Erin Tripp & Dina Clark for loaning us this specimen for photography.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Microbryum starckeanum var. brachyodus, collection by D.H. Norris (det. R. Zander, 1993), California, Riverside County, 8 mi W of Desert Center Road on road to 29 Palms, in desert scrub on low windswept granitic outcrop on soil in seepage, January 28, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, June 2, 2023
Microbryum starckeanum var. brachyodus, photomicrograph of single mostly dry stem, collection by D.H. Norris (det. R. Zander, 1993), California, Riverside County, 8 mi W of Desert Center Road on road to 29 Palms, in desert scrub on low windswept granitic outcrop on soil in seepage, January 28, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, June 2, 2023
Microbryum starckeanum var. brachyodus, photomicrograph of single moistened stem, collection by D.H. Norris (det. R. Zander, 1993), California, Riverside County, 8 mi W of Desert Center Road on road to 29 Palms, in desert scrub on low windswept granitic outcrop on soil in seepage, January 28, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, June 2, 2023
Microbryum starckeanum var. brachyodus, photomicrograph of leaf, collection by D.H. Norris (det. R. Zander, 1993), California, Riverside County, 8 mi W of Desert Center Road on road to 29 Palms, in desert scrub on low windswept granitic outcrop on soil in seepage, January 28, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, June 2, 2023
Microbryum starckeanum var. brachyodus, photomicrograph of leaf, collection by D.H. Norris (det. R. Zander, 1993), California, Riverside County, 8 mi W of Desert Center Road on road to 29 Palms, in desert scrub on low windswept granitic outcrop on soil in seepage, January 28, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, June 2, 2023
Microbryum starckeanum var. brachyodus, photomicrograph of leaf apex, collection by D.H. Norris (det. R. Zander, 1993), California, Riverside County, 8 mi W of Desert Center Road on road to 29 Palms, in desert scrub on low windswept granitic outcrop on soil in seepage, January 28, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, June 2, 2023
Microbryum starckeanum var. brachyodus, photomicrograph of leaf base, collection by D.H. Norris (det. R. Zander, 1993), California, Riverside County, 8 mi W of Desert Center Road on road to 29 Palms, in desert scrub on low windswept granitic outcrop on soil in seepage, January 28, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, June 2, 2023
Microbryum starckeanum var. brachyodus, photomicrograph of capsules, collection by D.H. Norris (det. R. Zander, 1993), California, Riverside County, 8 mi W of Desert Center Road on road to 29 Palms, in desert scrub on low windswept granitic outcrop on soil in seepage, January 28, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, June 2, 2023
Microbryum starckeanum var. brachyodus, photomicrograph of nearly absent peristome, collection by D.H. Norris (det. R. Zander, 1993), California, Riverside County, 8 mi W of Desert Center Road on road to 29 Palms, in desert scrub on low windswept granitic outcrop on soil in seepage, January 28, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, June 2, 2023
Microbryum starckeanum var. brachyodus, photomicrograph of spores, collection by D.H. Norris (det. R. Zander, 1993), California, Riverside County, 8 mi W of Desert Center Road on road to 29 Palms, in desert scrub on low windswept granitic outcrop on soil in seepage, January 28, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, June 2, 2023
Microbryum starckeanum var. brachyodus, photomicrograph of leaf cross section, collection by D.H. Norris (det. R. Zander, 1993), California, Riverside County, 8 mi W of Desert Center Road on road to 29 Palms, in desert scrub on low windswept granitic outcrop on soil in seepage, January 28, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, June 2, 2023
Microbryum starckeanum var. brachyodus, photomicrograph of leaf cross section, collection by D.H. Norris (det. R. Zander, 1993), California, Riverside County, 8 mi W of Desert Center Road on road to 29 Palms, in desert scrub on low windswept granitic outcrop on soil in seepage, January 28, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, June 2, 2023
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