Distichium
distichium moss
1–6 cm, simple or branched;
rhizoids from base to middle of stem forming a conspicuous tomentum.
distichous, linear subula spreading from erect, whitish ovate-lanceolate or oblong sheathing base, margins plane to slightly incurved, becoming denticulate in subula particularly near the apex;
costa excurrent, occupying most of subula, 1/4–1/3 width of leaf at base, subula roughened abaxially;
lamina cells of sheathing base linear to oblong-linear, linear-flexuose or rectangular, becoming rectangular distally and quadrate to short-rectangular in subula.
yellow-brown to reddish, elongate, erect.
autoicous, paroicous or synoicous;
perigonia axillary, or on short branches proximal to perichaetium;
perichaetial leaves not differentiated.
erect and symmetric or inclined and asymmetric, exserted, brown, cylindric to ovoid-cylindric, ± wrinkled when dry and empty;
annulus of 2–3 rows of large, pale cells, deciduous;
operculum conic, straight;
peristome single, teeth16, variously split to near the base into 2(–3) minutely papillose filaments, teeth sometimes arranged in 8 groups of 2 teeth.
cucullate.
globose to ovoid, finely papillose.
asexual reproduction unknown.
Distichium
Species 14 (3 in the flora).
Distichium capillaceum var. curvatum Flowers was described as a probable hybrid between D. capillaceum and D. inclinatum, characterized by capsule cylindric and strongly curved, and spores 20–23 µm.
Etymology: Greek distichos, in two rows, alluding to leaves
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
1. Capsule erect, cylindric, straight to slightly arcuate, spores 15-25 µm. | D. capillaceum |
1. Capsule inclined, ovoid to oblong-ovoid, spores more than 25 µm | → 2 |
2. Peristome with a yellowish to hyaline basal membrane uniting teeth into 8 separated groups each of 2 teeth. | D. hagenii |
2. Peristome of 16, evenly spaced, irregularly divided or perforate teeth. | D. inclinatum |
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