Distichium capillaceum
Distichium hagenii
distichium moss, erect-fruit iris-moss
hagen's distichium moss
to ca. 6 cm, occasionally longer.
to ca. 2 cm, occasionally longer.
to 2 cm, straight to somewhat flexuose, smooth, red or reddish brown, occasionally yellowish brown.
to 2 cm, straight to somewhat flexuose, smooth, red or reddish brown, occasionally yellowish brown.
paroicous.
paroicous or synoicous.
brown, 1–2 mm, erect, cylindric to ovoid-cylindric, straight to weakly arcuate, becoming ± wrinkled when dry;
operculum to 0.5 mm;
peristome teeth evenly spaced, lanceolate, divided nearly to the base into 2(–3) filaments, smooth to papillose or sometimes ± striolate.
brown, 1–1.5 mm, inclined, ovoid to oblong-ovoid, becoming ± wrinkled when dry;
operculum to 0.3 mm;
peristome teeth 16, united below by a pale yellow or hyaline membrane, the teeth in 8 groups of 2, irregularly split and perforated, smooth or very finely papillose.
densely and finely papillose, 15-25 µm.
finely papillose to roughened, 30–45 µm.
Distichium capillaceum
Distichium hagenii
Plants of Distichium capillaceum form dense, rather silky tufts and the slender, spreading, distichous leaves with shiny, whitish, oblong, sheathing bases are characteristic. This is a taller species than D. inclinatum, with plants less crowded, capsules erect-symmetrical and cylindric, and spores smaller. In more northerly or alpine regions with more severe climatic conditions, the plants are often shorter, more compact, and have shorter leaves.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Distichium hagenii is a primarily high Arctic or high elevation species, morphologically close to D. inclinatum and sometimes considered as synonymous with that species. The primary difference is in the peristome. The 16 peristome teeth of D. hagenii are grouped in eight pairs united by a pale yellowish basal membrane, each tooth irregularly split and perforate. A report of the species from Newfoundland is referable to D. inclinatum (redetermined by G. R. Brassard according to H. A. Crum and L. E. Anderson 1981). In the southern part of the European range, it grows on sandy or loam soil close to the sea.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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