Status: Native
Synonyms:
Over 30 infraspecific names
Plagiothecium laetum, like the similar P. denticulatum,
is a rather small complanate pleurocarpous moss with very asymmetrical leaves.
There are no papillae present and the costa, while variable, is usually short and double.
The leaves are strongly decurrent. The cells of the decurrency in P. denticulatum
are inflated and round, while those of P. laetum are rectangular.
The lamina cells of P. denticulatum are about 11 microns wide,
significantly wider than those of P. laetum. Both species can
have serrulations near the leaf apex.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Plagiothecium laetum, collection & ID by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, California, Santa Cruz County, Henry Cowell State Park, Fall Creek Unit, on exposed root in Coastal Redwood Forest, March 30, 2014; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, January 29, 2023
Plagiothecium laetum, photomicrograph of habit, collection & ID by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, California, Santa Cruz County, Henry Cowell State Park, Fall Creek Unit, on exposed root in Coastal Redwood Forest, March 30, 2014; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, January 29, 2023
Plagiothecium laetum, photomicrograph of habit, collection & ID by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, California, Santa Cruz County, Henry Cowell State Park, Fall Creek Unit, on exposed root in Coastal Redwood Forest, March 30, 2014; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, January 29, 2023
Plagiothecium laetum, photomicrograph of reproductive stem with immature sporophyte, collection & ID by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, California, Santa Cruz County, Henry Cowell State Park, Fall Creek Unit, on exposed root in Coastal Redwood Forest, March 30, 2014; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, January 29, 2023
Plagiothecium laetum, dark field photomicrograph of stem, collection & ID by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, California, Santa Cruz County, Henry Cowell State Park, Fall Creek Unit, on exposed root in Coastal Redwood Forest, March 30, 2014; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, January 29, 2023
Plagiothecium laetum, photomicrograph of stem, collection & ID by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, California, Santa Cruz County, Henry Cowell State Park, Fall Creek Unit, on exposed root in Coastal Redwood Forest, March 30, 2014; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, January 29, 2023
Plagiothecium laetum, photomicrograph of leaf, collection & ID by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, California, Santa Cruz County, Henry Cowell State Park, Fall Creek Unit, on exposed root in Coastal Redwood Forest, March 30, 2014; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, January 29, 2023
Plagiothecium laetum, photomicrograph of leaf, collection & ID by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, California, Santa Cruz County, Henry Cowell State Park, Fall Creek Unit, on exposed root in Coastal Redwood Forest, March 30, 2014; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, January 29, 2023
Plagiothecium laetum, photomicrograph of leaf base, collection & ID by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, California, Santa Cruz County, Henry Cowell State Park, Fall Creek Unit, on exposed root in Coastal Redwood Forest, March 30, 2014; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, January 29, 2023
Plagiothecium laetum, photomicrograph of leaf base, collection & ID by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, California, Santa Cruz County, Henry Cowell State Park, Fall Creek Unit, on exposed root in Coastal Redwood Forest, March 30, 2014; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, January 29, 2023
Plagiothecium laetum, photomicrograph of leaf apex, collection & ID by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, California, Santa Cruz County, Henry Cowell State Park, Fall Creek Unit, on exposed root in Coastal Redwood Forest, March 30, 2014; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, January 29, 2023
Plagiothecium laetum, photomicrograph of cells at mid leaf, collection & ID by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, California, Santa Cruz County, Henry Cowell State Park, Fall Creek Unit, on exposed root in Coastal Redwood Forest, March 30, 2014; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, January 29, 2023
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