Status: Native
Synonyms:
Gymnostomum ovatum Hedwig
Pterygoneurum ovatum is a small, nearly acaulescent (stemless) moss found on soil in open areas. When dry, almost all that is visible of the moss are the
toothed hairpoints that can be several times as long as the leaf lamina. The most striking microscopic feature of Pterygoneurum are the wing-like plates of photosynthetic
tissue that arise anteriorly from the costa. These plates form a darker medial zone to the leaves tapering to the base when seen at low power. There are no obvious papillae.
Pterygoneurum ovatum has exserted capsules, while those of the very similar Pterygoneurum subsessile are immersed.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Pterygoneurum ovatum, photomicrograph of dry habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Cibola Cty., El Malpais National Monument, on soil at Calderon Area, April 20, 2017
Pterygoneurum ovatum, photomicrograph of dry habit with exserted sporophyte, photo Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Cibola Cty., El Malpais National Monument, on soil at Calderon Area, April 20, 2017
Pterygoneurum ovatum, photomicrograph of wetted plant, photo Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Cibola Cty., El Malpais National Monument, on soil at Calderon Area, April 20, 2017
Pterygoneurum ovatum, photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Cibola Cty., El Malpais National Monument, on soil at Calderon Area, April 20, 2017
Pterygoneurum ovatum, photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Cibola Cty., El Malpais National Monument, on soil at Calderon Area, April 20, 2017
Pterygoneurum ovatum, photomicrograph leaf cross section, photo Kelly Allred, Cibola Cty., El Malpais National Monument, on soil at Calderon Area, April 20, 2017
Pterygoneurum ovatum, photomicrograph leaf cross section, photo Kelly Allred, Cibola Cty., El Malpais National Monument, on soil at Calderon Area, April 20, 2017
Pterygoneurum ovatum, photomicrograph leaf cross section, photo Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, Cibola Cty., El Malpais National Monument, on soil at Calderon Area, April 20, 2017
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