Status: Native
Synonyms:
Tortula papillosa Wilson
Syntrichia papillosa is a small moss that grows at the base of tree trunks at middle elevation in the Gila area. It is found in the same areas in which one might find Syntricha laevipila. The most obvious difference between these two mosses is the distribution and character of the gemmae which are spherical or ovoid and can be piled in great numbers on top of the leaves in S. papillosa. The gemmae of S. laevipila are football shaped and concentrated at the center of the stem apex. Microscopically, S. papillosa has only one papilla per cell, present only on the abaxial surface. S. papillosa has been infrequently collected in New Mexico, but is inconspicuous at the base of Cercocarpus breviflorus and so may be more common than is known. The leaves of S. papillosa become incurved as the dry out. The abaxial surface of the costa is papillose. Many thanks to Kelly Allred for confirming the ID of our plant!
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Syntrichia papillosa, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Grant County, Pinos Altos on wood at the base of Cercocarpus breviflorus, November 26, 2015
Syntrichia papillosa, close up of habit, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Grant County, Pinos Altos on wood at the base of Cercocarpus breviflorus, November 26, 2015
Syntrichia papillosa, close up of one stem in situ, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Grant County, Pinos Altos on wood at the base of Cercocarpus breviflorus, November 26, 2015
Syntrichia papillosa, dark field photomicrograph of one stem starting to dry out with leaves beginning to incurve, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Grant County, Pinos Altos on wood at the base of Cercocarpus breviflorus, November 26, 2015
Syntrichia papillosa, photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Grant County, Pinos Altos on wood at the base of Cercocarpus breviflorus, November 26, 2015
Syntrichia papillosa, photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Grant County, Pinos Altos on wood at the base of Cercocarpus breviflorus, November 26, 2015
Syntrichia papillosa, photomicrograph of cells at midlamina with one papilla on abaxial surface of cells, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Grant County, Pinos Altos on wood at the base of Cercocarpus breviflorus, November 26, 2015
Syntrichia papillosa, photomicrograph of abaxial surface of costa with papillae, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Grant County, Pinos Altos on wood at the base of Cercocarpus breviflorus, November 26, 2015
Syntrichia papillosa, photomicrograph of gemmae, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Grant County, Pinos Altos on wood at the base of Cercocarpus breviflorus, November 26, 2015
Syntrichia papillosa, photomicrograph of single gemma, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Grant County, Pinos Altos on wood at the base of Cercocarpus breviflorus, November 26, 2015
Syntrichia papillosa, photomicrograph of cross section of portion of leaf with one papilla per cell, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Grant County, Pinos Altos on wood at the base of Cercocarpus breviflorus, November 26, 2015
Syntrichia papillosa, photomicrograph of cross section of leaf with heavily papillose abaxial costa, probably 2 cell thick cross section with one papilla on abaxial surface of leaf only and gemmae forming on adaxial costal surface, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Grant County, Pinos Altos on wood at the base of Cercocarpus breviflorus, November 26, 2015
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