Status: Native
Synonyms:
Hypnum splendens Hedwig
Hylocomium splendens is a beautiful moss that grows like with step-wise yearly growth appearing from the middle of the back of the previous year's growth. It is this growth form, most obvious in the healthiest of specimens and less obvious where growth conditions are poorer, that makes it easy to recognize Hylocomium splendens in the field. Under the microscope, the leaves of H. splendens are remarkably similar to the leaves of Pleurozium schreberi, except that the cells of H. splendens are strongly prorate at the back of the leaf and the stems of H. splendens are loaded with paraphyllia. Paraphyllia are absent on Pleurozium. The branch leaves of H. splendens are smaller than its stem leaves and are usually abruptly acuminate. The stem leaves are very variable in shape and may be either tapering or abruptly acuminate. Hylocomium splendens was found in moist upper elevation mixed conifer forest on soil.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Hylocomium splendens, stair step growth pattern, photo Russ Kleinman,Karen Blisard, & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Carson National Forest, Sangre de Cristo Mtns., near the lower ski lift at the end of Twining/Kachina Roads, July 22, 2014
Hylocomium splendens, one 10cm stem measured, photo Russ Kleinman,Karen Blisard, & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Carson National Forest, Sangre de Cristo Mtns., near the lower ski lift at the end of Twining/Kachina Roads, July 22, 2014
Hylocomium splendens, 40x dark field photomicrograph of branches-- roughened appearance is due to prorate cell ends projecting from back of leaves, photo Russ Kleinman,Karen Blisard, & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Carson National Forest, Sangre de Cristo Mtns., near the lower ski lift at the end of Twining/Kachina Roads, July 22, 2014
Hylocomium splendens, 5x macro of wet stem, photo Russ Kleinman,Karen Blisard, & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Carson National Forest, Sangre de Cristo Mtns., near the lower ski lift at the end of Twining/Kachina Roads, July 22, 2014
Hylocomium splendens, 5x macro of dry stem, photo Russ Kleinman,Karen Blisard, & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Carson National Forest, Sangre de Cristo Mtns., near the lower ski lift at the end of Twining/Kachina Roads, July 22, 2014
Hylocomium splendens, 200x photomicrograph of stem with paraphyllia obvious and prorate cell ends projecting from back of leaves, photo Russ Kleinman,Karen Blisard, & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Carson National Forest, Sangre de Cristo Mtns., near the lower ski lift at the end of Twining/Kachina Roads, July 22, 2014
Hylocomium splendens, 400x photomicrograph of paraphyllia, photo Russ Kleinman,Karen Blisard, & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Carson National Forest, Sangre de Cristo Mtns., near the lower ski lift at the end of Twining/Kachina Roads, July 22, 2014
Hylocomium splendens, 400x photomicrograph of paraphyllia, photo Russ Kleinman,Karen Blisard, & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Carson National Forest, Sangre de Cristo Mtns., near the lower ski lift at the end of Twining/Kachina Roads, July 22, 2014
Hylocomium splendens, 200x photomicrograph of branch leaf, photo Russ Kleinman,Karen Blisard, & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Carson National Forest, Sangre de Cristo Mtns., near the lower ski lift at the end of Twining/Kachina Roads, July 22, 2014
Hylocomium splendens, 100x photomicrograph of branch leaf, photo Russ Kleinman,Karen Blisard, & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Carson National Forest, Sangre de Cristo Mtns., near the lower ski lift at the end of Twining/Kachina Roads, July 22, 2014
Hylocomium splendens, 400x photomicrograph of branch leaf apex, photo Russ Kleinman,Karen Blisard, & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Carson National Forest, Sangre de Cristo Mtns., near the lower ski lift at the end of Twining/Kachina Roads, July 22, 2014
Hylocomium splendens, 100x photomicrograph of stem leaf apex, photo Russ Kleinman,Karen Blisard, & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Carson National Forest, Sangre de Cristo Mtns., near the lower ski lift at the end of Twining/Kachina Roads, July 22, 2014
Hylocomium splendens, 400x photomicrograph of stem leaf base and alar region, photo Russ Kleinman,Karen Blisard, & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Carson National Forest, Sangre de Cristo Mtns., near the lower ski lift at the end of Twining/Kachina Roads, July 22, 2014
Back to the Index