Status: Native
Synonyms:
Amblystegium serpens (Hedw.) Schimp. var. beringianum Cardot & Thér.
Amblystegium serpens (Hedw.) Schimp. var. tenue (Brid.) Schimp.
Amblystegium serpens (Hedw.) Bruch & Schimper var. juratzkanum (Schimper) Rau & Hervey
Amblystegium serpens is a small pleurocarpous moss that is very variable in appearance. As a result, many varieties have been described that are poorly differentiated.
The leaves are usually small, but can be tiny as in what in the past has been called var. tenue or juratzkanum.
The costa is usually weak, and in at least some leaves can be seen to close to midleaf. Sometimes the costa can be exceedingly difficult to see and the plant can therefore be confused with Platydictya jungermannioides which is ecostate or has a short and weak double costa. Dr. Allred helped identify this plant correctly.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Amblystegium serpens, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris & Karen Blisard, Catron County, San Francisco Mtns., Johnson Canyon, June 14, 2010
Amblystegium serpens, macro of dry stem, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris & Karen Blisard, Catron County, San Francisco Mtns., Johnson Canyon, June 14, 2010
Amblystegium serpens, photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris & Karen Blisard, Catron County, San Francisco Mtns., Johnson Canyon, June 14, 2010
Amblystegium serpens, photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris & Karen Blisard, Catron County, San Francisco Mtns., Johnson Canyon, June 14, 2010
Amblystegium serpens, 5x macro, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Hanover Canyon, Hanover Creek, September 24, 2010
Amblystegium serpens, 100x photomicrograph of stem, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Hanover Canyon, Hanover Creek, September 24, 2010
Amblystegium serpens, 200x photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Hanover Canyon, Hanover Creek, September 24, 2010
Amblystegium serpens, 200x photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Hanover Canyon, Hanover Creek, September 24, 2010
Amblystegium serpens, 200x photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Hanover Canyon, Hanover Creek, September 24, 2010
Amblystegium serpens, 200x photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Hanover Canyon, Hanover Creek, September 24, 2010
Amblystegium serpens, 200x photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Hanover Canyon, Hanover Creek, September 24, 2010
Amblystegium serpens sporophyte, dark field photomicrograph of sporophyte, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Bixby State Park, Iowa, May 31, 2011
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