Stellate Orthotrichum Moss (Orthotrichum stellatum)
Description
Orthotrichum stellatum Bridel, Bryol. Univ. 1: 274. 1826. Plants 3--8 mm. Stem leaves loosely-erect when dry, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, 1.8--2.2 mm, narrowly obtuse to bluntly acute; margins recurved to just below the apex, entire; distal laminal cells 8--13 -m wide, smooth or with small, conic papillae; basal laminal cells rectangular, becoming nodose toward the costa. Sexual condition goniautoicous. Seta 0.4--1 mm. Capsules emergent; urn oblong-cylindric and strangulate when dry, 0.4--1 mm, dark-brown ribs; stomates immersed; peristome double; endostome segments 8, of 1--2 rows of cells, smooth; exostome teeth 8, reflexed finely and evenly papillose. Calyptra oblong, naked or sparsely hairy. Spores 13--18 -m. Hardwood tree trunks in moist forests, often associated with O. ohioense in mesic, shaded situations along streams; 10--1000 m; Nfld, N.B., N.S. Ont.; Ark., Del., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Ky., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Mo, N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., Tenn., Ver., Va., W.Va. Orthotrichum stellatum is distinguished by strongly ribbed, strangulate capsules with a well-developed endostome of 8 segments. Orthotrichum ohioense has weakly ribbed capsules that are not constricted beneath the mouth and an endostome which is lacking or rudimentary. From O. pumilum, the narrowly lanceolate leaves and small leaf cells with unevenly incrassate walls differentiate O. stellatum.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Bryophyta
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Class: Bryopsida
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Order: Orthotrichales
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Family: Orthotrichaceae
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Genus: Orthotrichum
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