Status: Native
Synonyms:
Pogonatum alpinum (Hedwig) Rhl.
Polytrichastrum alpinum, like mosses in the genus Polytrichum, has about 30 lamellae on its ventral surface that run the length of the non-sheathing
portion of the leaf. However, unlike Polytrichum, Polytrichastrum has a row of papillose cells on the top of each lamella. In cross section, it appears
as a single papillose cell on top of each lamella. The lamina is not folded over the top of the lamellae. Transversely oriented hinge cells are present at the junction of the
sheathing and spreading portion of the leaf. The apex of the leaf is serrate. Polytrichastrum alpinum was found growing in crevices in granitic outcrops at 10,170 feet in the Taos Ski Valley.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Polytrichastrum alpinum, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Sangre de Cristo Mtns., Carson Nat. Forest, Taos Ski Valley top of Twining/Kachina Road, July 24, 2014
Polytrichastrum alpinum, 4x macro of dry habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Sangre de Cristo Mtns., Carson Nat. Forest, Taos Ski Valley top of Twining/Kachina Road, July 24, 2014
Polytrichastrum alpinum, 40x photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Sangre de Cristo Mtns., Carson Nat. Forest, Taos Ski Valley top of Twining/Kachina Road, July 24, 2014
Polytrichastrum alpinum, 100x photomicrograph of leaf apex, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Sangre de Cristo Mtns., Carson Nat. Forest, Taos Ski Valley top of Twining/Kachina Road, July 24, 2014
Polytrichastrum alpinum, 100x photomicrograph of leaf base, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Sangre de Cristo Mtns., Carson Nat. Forest, Taos Ski Valley top of Twining/Kachina Road, July 24, 2014
Polytrichastrum alpinum, 400x photomicrograph of hinge cells, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Sangre de Cristo Mtns., Carson Nat. Forest, Taos Ski Valley top of Twining/Kachina Road, July 24, 2014
Polytrichastrum alpinum, 200x photomicrograph of leaf cross section, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Sangre de Cristo Mtns., Carson Nat. Forest, Taos Ski Valley top of Twining/Kachina Road, July 24, 2014
Polytrichastrum alpinum, 400x photomicrograph of portion of a single lamella with row of papillose cells at top, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard & Kelly Allred, Taos Cty., Sangre de Cristo Mtns., Carson Nat. Forest, Taos Ski Valley top of Twining/Kachina Road, July 24, 2014
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