Status: Native
Synonyms:
Orthotrichum cupulatum var. jamesianum (James) Lawton
Orthotrichum jamesianum James
Orthotrichum pellucidum is quite striking-- it has opaque leaves that have a whitish cast when well-lit that have been described as "glaucous". The moss is more striking under the compound microscope though-- it has tall, "Y"-shaped, forked papillae. The stomata are immersed. The leaves are ovate, with an apex that is blunt. The capsules are short-exserted and strongly 8-ribbed. Orthotrichum pellucidum grows on rocks and cliffs.
Many thanks to the University of Colorado and Dina Clark for loaning us this specimen which was collected by David C. Lightfoot. It was "(!) examined and mapped by Dale H. Vitt" in March, 1995.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Orthotrichum pellucidum, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard February 27, 2022, specimen collected by David C. Lightfoot, Cibola County, Marchantia Ice Cave near El Malpais National Monument, Twin Craters Flow, June 12, 1992
Orthotrichum pellucidum, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard February 27, 2022, specimen collected by David C. Lightfoot, Cibola County, Marchantia Ice Cave near El Malpais National Monument, Twin Craters Flow, June 12, 1992
Orthotrichum pellucidum, strongly 8-ribbed capsule, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard February 27, 2022, specimen collected by David C. Lightfoot, Cibola County, Marchantia Ice Cave near El Malpais National Monument, Twin Craters Flow, June 12, 1992
Orthotrichum pellucidum, "glaucous" leaves, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard February 27, 2022, specimen collected by David C. Lightfoot, Cibola County, Marchantia Ice Cave near El Malpais National Monument, Twin Craters Flow, June 12, 1992
Orthotrichum pellucidum, photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard February 27, 2022, specimen collected by David C. Lightfoot, Cibola County, Marchantia Ice Cave near El Malpais National Monument, Twin Craters Flow, June 12, 1992
Orthotrichum pellucidum, photomicrograph en face of leaf surface with papillae, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard February 27, 2022, specimen collected by David C. Lightfoot, Cibola County, Marchantia Ice Cave near El Malpais National Monument, Twin Craters Flow, June 12, 1992
Orthotrichum pellucidum, photomicrograph of leaf cross section, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard February 27, 2022, specimen collected by David C. Lightfoot, Cibola County, Marchantia Ice Cave near El Malpais National Monument, Twin Craters Flow, June 12, 1992
Orthotrichum pellucidum, photomicrograph of leaf cross section, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard February 27, 2022, specimen collected by David C. Lightfoot, Cibola County, Marchantia Ice Cave near El Malpais National Monument, Twin Craters Flow, June 12, 1992
Orthotrichum pellucidum, photomicrograph of leaf cross section, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard February 27, 2022, specimen collected by David C. Lightfoot, Cibola County, Marchantia Ice Cave near El Malpais National Monument, Twin Craters Flow, June 12, 1992
Orthotrichum pellucidum, photomicrograph of immersed stoma on proximal portion of capsule, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard February 27, 2022, specimen collected by David C. Lightfoot, Cibola County, Marchantia Ice Cave near El Malpais National Monument, Twin Craters Flow, June 12, 1992
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