Status: Native
Synonyms:
Brachythecium oxycladon auctores
Brachythecium laetum is a large pleurocarpous moss that is very similar to Brachythecium salebrosum in gross and microscopic appearance. In sterile specimens, the alar cells of B. laetum are grayish-opaque and quadrate, while those of B. salebrosum are pelucid (clear) and subquadrate. When present, the capsules of the two species are of different shape with those of B. laetum being longer and narrower. B. laetum is dioicous, while B. salebrosum is autoicous. Brachythecium laetum is found in loose soil on benches above streambeds in the Gila.
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Brachythecium laetum, photo Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Otero County, Sacramento Mtns., Water Canyon, May 16, 2019
Brachythecium laetum, dark field photomicrograph Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Otero County, Sacramento Mtns., Water Canyon, May 16, 2019
Brachythecium laetum, dark field photomicrograph Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Otero County, Sacramento Mtns., Water Canyon, May 16, 2019
Brachythecium laetum, photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Otero County, Sacramento Mtns., Water Canyon, May 16, 2019
Brachythecium laetum, photomicrograph of leaf, Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Otero County, Sacramento Mtns., Water Canyon, May 16, 2019
Brachythecium laetum, photomicrograph of leaf apex, photo Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Otero County, Sacramento Mtns., Water Canyon, May 16, 2019
Brachythecium laetum, photomicrograph of leaf base, photo Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Otero County, Sacramento Mtns., Water Canyon, May 16, 2019
Brachythecium laetum, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, San Francisco Mtns., Johnson Canyon, June 19, 2012
Brachythecium laetum, 40x photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, San Francisco Mtns., Johnson Canyon, June 19, 2012
Brachythecium laetum, 200x photomicrograph of leaf base, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, San Francisco Mtns., Johnson Canyon, June 19, 2012
Brachythecium laetum, 400x photomicrograph of leaf apex, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, San Francisco Mtns., Johnson Canyon, June 19, 2012
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