Status: Native
Synonyms:
Hylocomium pyrenaicum (Spruce) Lindb.
Hylocomiastrum pyrenaicum differs from the somewhat similar Hylocomium splendens in several ways. H. pyrenaicum has a single costa rather than
the double costa found in H. splendens. The abruptly acuminate and serrate leaf apex of H. pyrenaicum looks much different than the channeled and
truncate leaf tip on H. splendens. The laminal cells of H. pyrenaicum are not prorate as they are on H. splendens. Both mosses have abundant branched
paraphyllia and a bright orange stem, but the paraphyllia on H. pyrenaicum are more highly branched. The most obvious field characters differentiating
these two mosses are the lack of a stair-step growth habit in H. pyrenacium, and its very obviously plicate leaves. H. pyrenaicum is found in Canadian
provinces, in the upper tier of states in the northern United States, in Colorado, and in the entrance to lava caves at El Malpais National Monument in
New Mexico.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Hylocomiastrum pyrenaicum, macro of stem (note obvious felt of paraphyllia along stem even at low magnification), photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, Cibola County, El Malpais National Monument, entrance to Big Skylight Cave, November 5, 2016
Hylocomiastrum pyrenaicum, portion of stem, dark field photomicrograph, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, Cibola County, El Malpais National Monument, entrance to Big Skylight Cave, November 5, 2016
Hylocomiastrum pyrenaicum, photomicrograph of thick felt of paraphyllia along stem, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, Cibola County, El Malpais National Monument, entrance to Big Skylight Cave, November 5, 2016
Hylocomiastrum pyrenaicum, photomicrograph of highly branched paraphyllium, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, Cibola County, El Malpais National Monument, entrance to Big Skylight Cave, November 5, 2016
Hylocomiastrum pyrenaicum, photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, Cibola County, El Malpais National Monument, entrance to Big Skylight Cave, November 5, 2016
Hylocomiastrum pyrenaicum, photomicrograph of leaves and paraphyllia, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, Cibola County, El Malpais National Monument, entrance to Big Skylight Cave, November 5, 2016
Hylocomiastrum pyrenaicum, photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, Cibola County, El Malpais National Monument, entrance to Big Skylight Cave, November 5, 2016
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