Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Brachythecium albicans (Hedwig) Schimper

Family: Brachytheciaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Brachythecium albicans (Hedw.) Schimp. var. occidentale Renauld & Cardot
Brachythecium beringianum Cardot & Thér.
Chamberlainia albicans (Hedw.) H. Rob.

Brachythecium albicans has a costa that ends well below the apex, alar cells that are not inflated, and is a thicker plant with straight, plicate leaves greater than 1mm in length. These traits also describe the very similar Brachythecium salebrosum. The shoots of Brachythecium albicans seem to have a whitish sheen. The most noticable difference between the two is that the branches of B. albicans run more or less parallel to each other rather that at angles. Brachythecium albicans is found in somewhat disturbed areas at middle to upper elevation.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Brachythecium albicans (1x macro dry), photo Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Meadow Creek, April 7, 2011



Brachythecium albicans, 3x macro dry, photo Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Meadow Creek, April 7, 2011



Brachythecium albicans, 100x photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Meadow Creek, April 7, 2011



Brachythecium albicans, 100x photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Meadow Creek, April 7, 2011



Brachythecium albicans, 400x photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Pinos Altos Range, Meadow Creek, April 7, 2011


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