Status: Native
Synonyms:
Gymnostomum tetragonum Bridel
Pyramidula tetragona is a smaller member of the Funariaceae. It is most easily recognized by young and maturing exerted sporophytes which are completely covered by a diagnostic four-ridged and long-rostrate calyptra. As the capsules mature, they become globose (spherical), and the ridges on the calyptra are more difficult to see as the calyptra is stretched out and then opens along longitudinal slits. The leaves are more difficult to distinguish from other members of the Funariaceae, although the length of the hairpoints is somewhat greater relative to the overall leaf length compared to other members of the family. As in other Funariaceae, the rectangular laminal cells appear as if they have been laid by a bricklayer. A very useful character is the presence of dark red-brown rhizoidal tubers, which are not seen on any other members of the Funariaceae. Pyramidula tetragona is not collected often in New Mexico. We are grateful to John Brinda for sharing this specimen with us. He found it on soil in Chihuahuan desert-scrub.
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Pyramidula tetragona, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, specimen collected and identified by John Brinda, Doña Ana County, Organ Mountains, Lower Fillmore Canyon, March 23, 2010
Pyramidula tetragona, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, macro of single wet stem with young sporophyte, specimen collected and identified by John Brinda, Doña Ana County, Organ Mountains, Lower Fillmore Canyon, March 23, 2010
Pyramidula tetragona, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, macro of single dry stem with young sporophyte, specimen collected and identified by John Brinda, Doña Ana County, Organ Mountains, Lower Fillmore Canyon, March 23, 2010
Pyramidula tetragona, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, macro of mature globose sporophytes and distended calyptrae with slits, specimen collected and identified by John Brinda, Doña Ana County, Organ Mountains, Lower Fillmore Canyon, March 23, 2010
Pyramidula tetragona, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, photomicrograph of leaf, specimen collected and identified by John Brinda, Doña Ana County, Organ Mountains, Lower Fillmore Canyon, March 23, 2010
Pyramidula tetragona, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, photomicrograph of leaf, specimen collected and identified by John Brinda, Doña Ana County, Organ Mountains, Lower Fillmore Canyon, March 23, 2010
Pyramidula tetragona, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, photomicrograph of leaf base, specimen collected and identified by John Brinda, Doña Ana County, Organ Mountains, Lower Fillmore Canyon, March 23, 2010
Pyramidula tetragona, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, photomicrograph of laminal cells at mid-leaf, specimen collected and identified by John Brinda, Doña Ana County, Organ Mountains, Lower Fillmore Canyon, March 23, 2010
Pyramidula tetragona, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, photomicrograph of rhizoidal tubers, specimen collected and identified by John Brinda, Doña Ana County, Organ Mountains, Lower Fillmore Canyon, March 23, 2010
Pyramidula tetragona, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, photomicrograph of rhizoidal tuber, specimen collected and identified by John Brinda, Doña Ana County, Organ Mountains, Lower Fillmore Canyon, March 23, 2010
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