Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Neckera menziesii Hook.

Family: Neckeraceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Metaneckera menziesii (Drummond) Steere

Neckera menziesii, in its well described growth form, is not shelf-forming but does have leaves that are undulate wavy. Unlike the similar appearing Neckera pennata that has a short double costa, N. menziesii has a single costa visible into the distal half of the leaf. In a growth habit dominated more by flagellate branches, the leaves are much smaller, are not undulate and may have a very weak and short costa. Neckera menziesii is found on rocks in the entrances to caves. Thanks to John Brinda for helping with the ID of this moss!
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Neckera menziesii, macro of undulate leaves on stem, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, El Malpais National Monument, AJ's Turnaround, November 6, 2016



Neckera menziesii, photomicrograph of undulate leaf with strong, single costa, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, El Malpais National Monument, AJ's Turnaround, November 6, 2016



Neckera menziesii, photomicrograph of undulate leaf with strong, single costa, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, El Malpais National Monument, AJ's Turnaround, November 6, 2016



Neckera menziesii, photomicrograph of stem with abundant branched paraphyllia, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, El Malpais National Monument, AJ's Turnaround, November 6, 2016



Neckera menziesii, flagelliform growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, El Malpais National Monument, Four Windows Cave entrance, November 6, 2016



Neckera menziesii, flagelliform leaf with weak costa and not undulate, photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, El Malpais National Monument, Four Windows Cave entrance, November 6, 2016



Neckera menziesii, paraphyllium (present by not as abundant in the flagelliform growth form), photo Russ Kleinman, Laura Baumann & Karen Blisard, El Malpais National Monument, Four Windows Cave entrance, November 6, 2016


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