Status: Native
Synonyms:
Grimmia santaritae E.B. Bartram
There is taxonomical confusion/uncertainty about a group containing G. arizonae. While Hastings & Greven recognize G. arizonae Renauld & Cardot in FNA, Eva Maier in her book The Genus Grimmia Hedw. considers it a synonym of the accepted name Grimmia pilifera P. Beauvois.
Grimmia arizonae is similar to Grimmia longirostris in that it has leaves which are reflexed on one or both sides
near the base, as well as elongate, sinuose thick-walled basal cells. There is a long spinose hairpoint. G. arizonae and
G. longirostris are both multistratose toward the apex, but G. arizonae is dioicous and rarely has abundant sporophytes unlike
G. longirostris. The costa of G. arizonae is more semicircular and less keeled/reniform. Both species have a central strand
unlike G. pilifera. The base of G. arizonae is sheathing, while that of G. longirostris is not. If sporophytes can be found, they
are immersed in G. arizonae and usually exserted on G. longirostris. G. arizonae is found at lower elevation in
arid areas on boulders.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Grimmia arizonae, photo Russ Kleinman, John Brinda, Jason Brooks & Kelly Allred, N slope of Animas Mtn., Indian Creek, April 3, 2019
Grimmia arizonae, photomicrograph of leaf with sheathing base, photo Russ Kleinman, John Brinda, Jason Brooks & Kelly Allred, N slope of Animas Mtn., Indian Creek, April 3, 2019
Grimmia arizonae, photomicrograph of cross section of stem with central strand, photo Russ Kleinman, John Brinda, Jason Brooks & Kelly Allred, N slope of Animas Mtn., Indian Creek, April 3, 2019
Grimmia arizonae, photomicrograph of leaf base showing elongate, thick walled sinuose basal cells, photo Russ Kleinman, John Brinda, Jason Brooks & Kelly Allred, N slope of Animas Mtn., Indian Creek, April 3, 2019
Grimmia arizonae, photomicrograph of leaf cross section near base with both margins recurved, photo Russ Kleinman, John Brinda, Jason Brooks & Kelly Allred, N slope of Animas Mtn., Indian Creek, April 3, 2019
Grimmia arizonae, photomicrograph of leaf cross section near apex multistratose lamina and margins, photo Russ Kleinman, John Brinda, Jason Brooks & Kelly Allred, N slope of Animas Mtn., Indian Creek, April 3, 2019
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