Status: Native
Synonyms:
Desmatodon guepinii Bruch & Schimp.
Tortula guepinii looks very similar to T. hoppeana. The most obvious difference is size, with leaves of
T. guepinii mostly less than 2mm while those of T. hoppeana are over 2mm. T. guepinii has a stout,
colored awn not usually seen in T. hoppeana. An interesting difference that can be subtle and therefore must be
diligently sought is that T. guepinii leaves have a margin with 2-3 rows of cells that are less papillose than more
interior cells. This character is not well seen on the en face view and must be sought on cross sections of the distal
leaf. The specimen photographed here was determined by Richard Zander. T. guepinii does not usually have an
adaxial pad of swollen cells, but this specimen (which at this time is the only verifiable specimen from NM) is unusual for the
species in that it does have what appears on some leaf cross sections to be such a pad.
Many thanks to the Missouri Botanical Garden (MOBOT) for loaning us this specimen for photography.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Tortula guepinii, collection by Thomas K. Todsen (det. R. Zander), New Mexico, Doña Ana County, Robledo Mountains, shaded soil beside volcanic rock, February 8, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, September 21, 2023
Tortula guepinii, photomicrograph of moistened stems, collection by Thomas K. Todsen (det. R. Zander), New Mexico, Doña Ana County, Robledo Mountains, shaded soil beside volcanic rock, February 8, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, September 21, 2023
Tortula guepinii, dark field photomicrograph of moistened stem, collection by Thomas K. Todsen (det. R. Zander), New Mexico, Doña Ana County, Robledo Mountains, shaded soil beside volcanic rock, February 8, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, September 21, 2023
Tortula guepinii, photomicrograph of moistened stem, collection by Thomas K. Todsen (det. R. Zander), New Mexico, Doña Ana County, Robledo Mountains, shaded soil beside volcanic rock, February 8, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, September 21, 2023
Tortula guepinii, photomicrograph of leaf, collection by Thomas K. Todsen (det. R. Zander), New Mexico, Doña Ana County, Robledo Mountains, shaded soil beside volcanic rock, February 8, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, September 21, 2023
Tortula guepinii, photomicrograph of leaf, collection by Thomas K. Todsen (det. R. Zander), New Mexico, Doña Ana County, Robledo Mountains, shaded soil beside volcanic rock, February 8, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, September 21, 2023
Tortula guepinii, photomicrograph of leaf, collection by Thomas K. Todsen (det. R. Zander), New Mexico, Doña Ana County, Robledo Mountains, shaded soil beside volcanic rock, February 8, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, September 21, 2023
Tortula guepinii, photomicrograph of leaf apex, collection by Thomas K. Todsen (det. R. Zander), New Mexico, Doña Ana County, Robledo Mountains, shaded soil beside volcanic rock, February 8, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, September 21, 2023
Tortula guepinii, photomicrograph of leaf base, collection by Thomas K. Todsen (det. R. Zander), New Mexico, Doña Ana County, Robledo Mountains, shaded soil beside volcanic rock, February 8, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, September 21, 2023
Tortula guepinii, photomicrograph of cross section of leaf margin with 2-3 rows of less papillose cells than interior cells, collection by Thomas K. Todsen (det. R. Zander), New Mexico, Doña Ana County, Robledo Mountains, shaded soil beside volcanic rock, February 8, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, September 21, 2023
Tortula guepinii, photomicrograph of cross section of leaf margin with 2-3 rows of less papillose cells than interior cells, collection by Thomas K. Todsen (det. R. Zander), New Mexico, Doña Ana County, Robledo Mountains, shaded soil beside volcanic rock, February 8, 1981; photos by Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard, September 21, 2023
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