Status: Native
Synonyms:
None
Orthotrichum alpestre is most notable for the presence of an endostome, an inner ring of teeth. A very similar moss, O. anomalum, has only an
exostome. In addition to having the endostome, the capsules of O. alpestre are notable for having 8 conspicuous ribs and narrowing
beneath the mouth. O. alpestre also has very notably tall papillae on the distal portion of the leaf. The leaf apices are acute, with margins
recurved for most of the leaf. The calyptra has papillose hairs. We found Orthotrichum alpestre on basalt boulders at the entrance to Four
Windows Cave at El Malpais National Monument near Grants. We are very grateful to Dale H. Vitt for confirming this ID.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Orthotrichum alpestre, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, entrance to Four Windows Cave, El Malpais National Monument, November 5, 2016
Orthotrichum alpestre, photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, entrance to Four Windows Cave, El Malpais National Monument, November 5, 2016
Orthotrichum alpestre, note endostome present on conspicuously ribbed strangulate capsule, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, entrance to Four Windows Cave, El Malpais National Monument, November 5, 2016
Orthotrichum alpestre, photomicrograph of leaf apex demonstrating tall distal papillae, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, entrance to Four Windows Cave, El Malpais National Monument, November 5, 2016
Orthotrichum alpestre, photomicrograph of immersed stoma on capsule with marginal cells not overhanging more than half the stoma, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, entrance to Four Windows Cave, El Malpais National Monument, November 5, 2016
Orthotrichum alpestre, photomicrograph of papillose calyptra hair, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, entrance to Four Windows Cave, El Malpais National Monument, November 5, 2016
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