Status: Native
Synonyms:
Only subspecific taxa
Grimmia elatior is relatively large for the genus, with stems to 5cm long and leaves to over 3mm in
length. There is no central strand, which helps differentiate it from some of the other larger members
of Grimmia. The leaves usually have a hairpoint, and the basal cells are sinuose. Perhaps the most unique identifying character is only seen on cross section of the leaf--
the costa bulges laterally at the flanks. This character disappears at the most distal part of the leaf. Grimmia
elatior is found on granitic rock in the mountains.
Many thanks to the University of Colorado Herbarium (COLO), Erin Tripp & Dina Clark for permitting us
to photograph this specimen.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Grimmia elatior, collection and ID by N.G. Miller & R.C. Wittmann, Colorado, Boulder County, Rocky Mountains National Park, Allens Park Quadrangle, Wild Basin along Thunder Lake trail, August 7, 2006; photos by Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Kelly Allred, Stacey Anderson & Ron Wittmann, January 19, 2023
Grimmia elatior, closeup of stem with sporophyte, collection and ID by N.G. Miller & R.C. Wittmann, Colorado, Boulder County, Rocky Mountains National Park, Allens Park Quadrangle, Wild Basin along Thunder Lake trail, August 7, 2006; photos by Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Kelly Allred, Stacey Anderson & Ron Wittmann, January 19, 2023
Grimmia elatior, photomicrograph of stem and stem leaves, collection and ID by N.G. Miller & R.C. Wittmann, Colorado, Boulder County, Rocky Mountains National Park, Allens Park Quadrangle, Wild Basin along Thunder Lake trail, August 7, 2006; photos by Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Kelly Allred, Stacey Anderson & Ron Wittmann, January 19, 2023
Grimmia elatior, dark field photomicrograph of leaf, collection and ID by N.G. Miller & R.C. Wittmann, Colorado, Boulder County, Rocky Mountains National Park, Allens Park Quadrangle, Wild Basin along Thunder Lake trail, August 7, 2006; photos by Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Kelly Allred, Stacey Anderson & Ron Wittmann, January 19, 2023
Grimmia elatior, (bright field) photomicrograph of leaf, collection and ID by N.G. Miller & R.C. Wittmann, Colorado, Boulder County, Rocky Mountains National Park, Allens Park Quadrangle, Wild Basin along Thunder Lake trail, August 7, 2006; photos by Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Kelly Allred, Stacey Anderson & Ron Wittmann, January 19, 2023
Grimmia elatior, photomicrograph of leaf apex and cells at midleaf, collection and ID by N.G. Miller & R.C. Wittmann, Colorado, Boulder County, Rocky Mountains National Park, Allens Park Quadrangle, Wild Basin along Thunder Lake trail, August 7, 2006; photos by Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Kelly Allred, Stacey Anderson & Ron Wittmann, January 19, 2023
Grimmia elatior, photomicrograph of cells near leaf base, collection and ID by N.G. Miller & R.C. Wittmann, Colorado, Boulder County, Rocky Mountains National Park, Allens Park Quadrangle, Wild Basin along Thunder Lake trail, August 7, 2006; photos by Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Kelly Allred, Stacey Anderson & Ron Wittmann, January 19, 2023
Grimmia elatior, photomicrograph of stem cross section, collection and ID by N.G. Miller & R.C. Wittmann, Colorado, Boulder County, Rocky Mountains National Park, Allens Park Quadrangle, Wild Basin along Thunder Lake trail, August 7, 2006; photos by Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Kelly Allred, Stacey Anderson & Ron Wittmann, January 19, 2023
Grimmia elatior, photomicrograph of leaf cross section, collection and ID by N.G. Miller & R.C. Wittmann, Colorado, Boulder County, Rocky Mountains National Park, Allens Park Quadrangle, Wild Basin along Thunder Lake trail, August 7, 2006; photos by Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Kelly Allred, Stacey Anderson & Ron Wittmann, January 19, 2023
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