Sphagnum perichaetiale
sphagnum
leaves to 1.1 × 0.7 mm, commonly hemiisophyllous;
hyaline cells non-ornamented, mostly 1–2-septate.
short and blunt at distal end, leaves loosely spreading.
ovate, to 2.2 × 1.1 mm; ovate, hyaline cells non-ornamented, on proximal half of convex surface with small ringed pores or pseudopores in groups of three where the corners join and pseudopores along the commissures; chlorophyllous cells narrowly rectangular, lenticular to narrowly trapezoidal in transverse section; exposed equally on both surfaces or more broadly on concave surface;
end walls not thickened.
dioicous.
with numerous pseudostomata.
25–39 µm;
surface smooth to irregularly and finely papillose;
indistinct Y-mark on distal surface;
proximal laesura more than 0.6 spore radius.
fascicles with 2 spreading and 1–2 pendent branches.;
branch stems with hyaline cells non-ornamented, no or weak funnel-like projection of end walls of cortical cells, cortical cells with one large pore per cell on superficial wall.
Sphagnum perichaetiale
The compact growth form in thin but dense mats and occurrence in often dessication-prone sites distinguishes Sphagnum perichaetiale from any other species of sect. Sphagnum. The often quite stiffly spreading branch leaves give it a strong resemblance to S. compactum, but the latter’s small triangular stem leaves will readily distinguish that species. The branch leaf hyaline cells of S. perichaetiale have only a few pores on their convex surface, and they are typically small, thickened, and grouped in 3s where the cell corners meet. Similar species in sect. Sphagnum have more pores along the commissures, and they are more elliptical and not thickened. The often hemiisophyllous stem leaves are also diagnostic of S. perichaetiale within the section.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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