Status: Native
Synonyms:
Phascum cuspidatum Hedwig
Tortula acaulon is a minute (1-2mm high) ephemeral moss with immersed capsules. The leaves are one stratose with margins that are recurved frequently over half way to the apex. There is a reddish awn that is usually shorter than the lamina. The leaves are quite fragile and are only 1-2mm long. We found this plant growing along with Bryum lanatum in a backyard porch under a barbecue grill on private property in Ranchos de Taos.
T. acaulon has also been found in the Gila National Forest-- here are the photos from the collection in the Burro Mountains.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Tortula acaulon, 5x macro wet, collection and ID Kelly Allred (with Russ Kleinman), photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Taos Cty, Ranchos de Taos, March 19, 2015
Tortula acaulon, 5x macro wet with outer leaves stripped away to demonstrate immersed capsule, collection and ID Kelly Allred (with Russ Kleinman), photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Taos Cty, Ranchos de Taos, March 19, 2015
Tortula acaulon, 100x photomicrograph of nearly sessile subglobose capsule, collection and ID Kelly Allred (with Russ Kleinman), photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Taos Cty, Ranchos de Taos, March 19,2015
Tortula acaulon, 400x photomicrograph of cross section of mid leaf, collection and ID Kelly Allred (with Russ Kleinman), photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Taos Cty, Ranchos de Taos, March 19, 2015
Tortula acaulon, 100x photomicrograph of leaf, collection and ID Kelly Allred (with Russ Kleinman), photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Taos Cty, Ranchos de Taos, March 19, 2015
Tortula acaulon, 100x photomicrograph of leaf, collection and ID Kelly Allred (with Russ Kleinman), photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Taos Cty, Ranchos de Taos, March 19, 2015
Tortula acaulon, 200x photomicrograph of leaf apex, collection and ID Kelly Allred (with Russ Kleinman), photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Taos Cty, Ranchos de Taos, March 19, 2015
Tortula acaulon, 200x photomicrograph of leaf base, collection and ID Kelly Allred (with Russ Kleinman), photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Taos Cty, Ranchos de Taos, March 19, 2015
Tortula acaulon, 400x photomicrograph of cells at middle of leaf, collection and ID Kelly Allred (with Russ Kleinman), photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Taos Cty, Ranchos de Taos, March 19, 2015
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