Sphagnum subtile
Sphagnum austinii
sphagnum
Austin's peat-moss, Austin's sphagnum
leaves broad-triangular to triangular lingulate, 0.9–1.2 mm, apex acute to slightly rounded, border strongly broadened at base (more than 0.3 width);
hyaline cells mostly 0–1-septate, S-shaped to rhomboid.
leaves 1.2–1.6 × 1 mm; rarely hemiisophyllous;
hyaline cells nonseptate or more typically mostly septate, comb-lamellae present on interior wall.
not 5-ranked.
clavate, tapering to short point, tightly imbricate at proximal end to somewhat spreading at distal end in less compact forms.
0.9–1.2 mm, ovate-lanceolate, 0.9–1.2 mm, concave, straight, apex involute;
hyaline cells on convex surface with numerous round to elliptic pores along the commissures (4–8), grading from small pores near apex to large pores at leaf base, concave surface with large round pores in proximal portions of leaf.
ovate-elliptical to elliptical, 1.5–2.1 × 0.8–1.4 mm;
hyaline cells on convex surface with numerous moderate-sized round pores along the commissures, comb-lamellae present throughout most of leaf; chlorophyllous cells broadly triangular in transverse section and well-enclosed on the convex surface, end wall not thickened.
dioicous.
dioicous.
with scattered pseudostomata.
19–29 µm, finely papillose on proximal surface, more coarsely papillose on distal surface, conspicuous bifurcated Y-mark sculpture on distal surface;
proximal laesura less than 0.5 spore radius.
23–28 µm; coarsely granulate on both surfaces;
proximal laesura more than 0.50 spore radius.
fascicles with 2 spreading and 2 pendent branches (rarely 1).
fascicles with 2 spreading and 1 pendent branch.;
branch stems with cortical cell comb-lamellae visible on interior wall, conspicuous funnel-like projection on interior end walls extending to next cell less than one half its length, pores in superficial wall restricted to leaf bases.
Sphagnum subtile
Sphagnum austinii
Sphagnum subtile forms small dense cushions and hummocks in damp coniferous forests and in the shaded portions of poor fens and ombrotrophic mires.
Sporophytes are common in Sphagnum subtile. Reports that the species is monoicous may be unreliable because of confusion with closely related species (C. B. McQueen 1989). Previous reports of this species from the west coast of North America are uncertain as well as are specimens from the interior of the continent (R. E. Andrus 1979) due to taxonomic confusion with Sphagnum capillifolium and S. rubellum (McQueen). However, this species is conspicuously distinct in gametophyte and spore morphology as well as niche. In the northern part of its range where it overlaps ecologically with S. quinquefarium, the three spreading branches of the latter will distinguish it from S. subtile. It should be noted that contrary to the opinion of H. A. Crum (1997), S. subtile does not occur throughout the range of S. capillifolium but in North America is found over only a portion of the latter’s eastern range, while being absent completely from its western range. See also discussion under 71. S. capillifolium.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Sphagnum austinii is usually easily recognized in the field by its strongly imbricate and clavate branches. It forms very dense and often tall hummocks with a distinct deep golden brown color. In contrast to the view stated by H. A. Crum (1997), this species has an ecology and distribution quite distinct from those of S. affine. Sphagnum affine is a minerotrophic species that does not even occur in the Pacific coast region, where S. austinii is quite prominent.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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