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leptodontium moss, slender yokemoss

Stems

to 1 cm.

Leaves

0.7–0.9 mm, ligulate to short-lanceolate, bordered distally by 1–5 rows of less papillose, thick-walled cells;

apex broadly acute;

costa ending 2–4 cells before the apex, abaxially papillose;

distal laminal cells 10–12 µm wide, 1:1, walls thin in medial portion of leaf, lumens quadrate, proximal cells thin-walled throughout.

Leptodontium flexifolium

Habitat Soil, rarely on decorticating bark, rocks
Elevation moderate to high elevations (1400-2200 m) (moderate to high elevations (4600-7200 ft))
Distribution
from FNA
AZ; NC; NM; TX; HI; Mexico; Central America; South America; Europe; Asia; Africa
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Discussion

Leptodontium flexifolium is a rare species found in rocky places at higher elevations in the southern Appalachians and in the southwestern states. The gemmae that are commonly found on stalks in leaf axils elsewhere were not seen in the flora area. The dentate, bordered leaves are immediately diagnostic of this species, while the anatomical characters of the genus will confirm the identification. Subfossils 40,000 years old have been found (J. A. Janssens and R. H. Zander 1980) at a site in the Yukon. Dichodontium pellucidum is commonly mistaken for this species, but is easily distinguished by the dentate distal abaxial surface of the costa. Barbula convoluta is also similar but has quadrate adaxial costal cells and a distinct stem central strand.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Source FNA vol. 27, p. 575.
Parent taxa Pottiaceae > subfam. Barbuloideae > Leptodontium
Sibling taxa
L. viticulosoides
Synonyms Bryum flexifolium, L. flexifolium var. americanum, L. orcuttii, Zygodon gracilis var. americanum
Name authority (Dickson) Hampe: Öfvers. Kongl. Vetensk.-Akad. Förh. 21: 227. (1864)
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