Oncophorus wahlenbergii
Oncophorus rauei
mountain spur-moss, Wahlenberg's oncophorus moss
1–2.5 cm.
1.5–3 cm.
strongly crisped and curled when dry, ovate-lanceolate, abruptly subulate, entire or sometimes serrated above, 3–6 mm, subtubulose above, strongly sheathing at base, margins plane;
costa mostly percurrent;
laminal cells mostly 1-stratose, 2-stratose only at margins;
distal laminal quadrate to short-rectangular, incrassate;
basal laminal cells elongate, rectangular, incrassate, alar cells not differentiated.
flexuose-spreading moist or dry, ovate-lanceolate, abruptly subulate from ovate base, finely serrate, 2.5–5 mm, subtubulose above, sheathing at base, margins plane;
costa stout, mostly percurrent;
laminal cells 2-stratose;
distal laminal cells mostly subquadrate;
basal laminal cells elongate, rectangular, incrassate, alar slightly differentiated.
(8–)10–15(–21) mm.
5–8 mm.
pale yellow-brown, furrowed when dry, 0.8–2 mm, peristome bright red.
yellow-brown, nearly smooth at maturity, 1–1.5 mm.
14–20(–30) µm.
16–19 µm.
Oncophorus wahlenbergii
Oncophorus rauei
A common epixylic species, Oncophorus wahlenbergii may be confused with the more saxicolous O. virens, which has keeled, revolute, non-sheathing leaves that gradually narrow to the subula. A compact, densely tufted arctic-alpine form has been treated as var. compactus and is often found on dry soil.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Oncophorus rauei, a rare species, has a south temperate distribution and is distinguished by its dark color and rocky habitat. Although O. virens is also saxicolous, that species is distinguished by its folded leaves, which have revolute margins, and are gradually subulate, wihtout a sheathing base. Onchophorus wahlenbergii is an epixylic species with leaves strongly contorted when dry, the lamina is only 2-stratose at the margins, and the seta is usually longer.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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