Status: Native
Synonyms:
Hypnum rugosum Hedwig
Rhytidium rugosum is a beautiful, large yellowish moss. The leaves are creased both longitudinally (plicate) as well as horizontally (rugose). The stem leaves are larger than the branch leaves. The branches leave the stem at a right angle and are somewhat julaceous compared to the stem leaves which can be very falcate secund. The overall effect is that the stem and branches look like a scorpion. The stem typically ends in a hook. On the back of the leaf, the upper ends of the elongate lamina cells protrude in a prorate fashion. Rhytidium rugosum can be found on rocks in moist canyons in the Gila at upper elevation.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Rhytidium rugosum, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Mogollon Mtns., Willow Creek, May 20, 2011
Rhytidium rugosum, 40x photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Mogollon Mtns., Willow Creek, May 20, 2011
Rhytidium rugosum, 40x photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Mogollon Mtns., Willow Creek, May 20, 2011
Rhytidium rugosum, 200x photomicrograph of leaf tip, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Mogollon Mtns., Willow Creek, May 20, 2011
Rhytidium rugosum, 400x photomicrograph of prorate cell tips, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Mogollon Mtns., Willow Creek, May 18, 2012
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