Sphagnum andersonianum
Sphagnum perfoliatum
Anderson's sphagnum
leaves lingulate, 0.9–1.2(–1.4) mm, apex rounded-erose to sometimes slightly apiculate, border moderately strong and broadened at the base (to 0.8 the width);
hyaline cells rhombic, 0–1-septate, usually efibrillose.
leaves triangular-lingulate to lingulate; 0.8–1.2 mm;
apex rounded and sometimes erose;
hyaline cells non-septate or sometimes septate, usually fibrillose in distal 1/2 of leaf, convex surface with very small pores (ca. 2 µm) along commisures and free, concave surface with fewer commissural pores.
not or slightly 5-ranked, lax.
turgid and often strongly curved.
ovate, 0.8–1.4 mm, distinctly concave, straight, apex dentate and involute;
border entire;
hyaline cells on convex surface with elliptic pores along the commissures, grading from smaller pores near the apex to larger pores at the base, concave surface with large round pores on the proximal portions of the leaf.
ovate-lanceolate; 1.4 or more mm; mostly subsecund;
hyaline cells on convex surface with numerous small (2 µm or more) pores along the commissures and sometimes free, concave surface with no pores or fewer small pores along the commissures.
dioicous.
not known.
not seen.
18–24 µm; coarsely papillose on both surfaces;
proximal laesura less than 0.5 the length of the spore radius.
not seen.
fascicles with 2 spreading and 1–2 pendent branches.
fascicles with 2 spreading and 2 pendent branches.
Sphagnum andersonianum
Sphagnum perfoliatum
Sporophytes are uncommon in Sphagnum andersonianum. Its distribution is uncertain due to past taxonomic confusion with S. rubellum, S. capillifolium, and other closely related species in sect. Acutifolia. This is one of the most hydrophytic species of the section and is often associated with S. angustifolium, S. fallax, and S. rubellum. It is often not easily distinguished from S. rubellum, with which it may intergrade in a manner similar to that already demonstrated for S. rubellum and S. capillifolium by N. Cronberg (1997, 1998). Phenotypically S. andersonianum is a softer, paler plant with branch leaves that are more ovate and concave on branches that are less 5-ranked. Sphagnum rubellum also has the branch leaves sometimes subsecund while in S. andersonianum they are straight. Ecologically S. rubellum is an open mire species of usually ombrotrophic conditions, where it often forms hummocks, while S. andersonianum occurs in more sheltered sites where there is some mineral influence. Where they occur together, S. rubellum is on the tops of hummocks and S. andersonianum is on the hummock sides and bases. Microscopically S. rubellum has stem leaves with at least some of the hyaline cells twice septate, while in S. andersonianum none are twice septate.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
For ecology, see discussion under 59. Sphagnum orientale. Sporophytes of Sphagnum perfoliatum are apparently rare.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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