Mosses of New Mexico Outside of the Gila Wilderness

Family: Pottiaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Barbula obtusifolia Schwägr.
Desmatodon obtusifolius (Schwägr.) Mitten

Tortula obtusifolia is a small moss with rectangular, mostly clear proximal cells and densely papillose darker distal laminal cells. The laminal cells are 10-13μm wide. The leaves are not bordered with specialized cells, have an inconspicuous apiculus, and there is no adaxial pad of swollen cells over the costa distally. The leaf margins are revolute. The capsules are exserted and have a rudimentary peristome with filamentous, papillose teeth. The spores are 9-11μm in diameter.

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Tortula obtusifolia, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023

Tortula obtusifolia, dark field photomicrograph of habit, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023

Tortula obtusifolia, photomicrograph of single fertile stem, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023

Tortula obtusifolia, dark field photomicrograph of single fertile stem, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023

Tortula obtusifolia, photomicrograph of leaf, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023

Tortula obtusifolia, photomicrograph of leaf, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023

Tortula obtusifolia, photomicrograph of leaf, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023

Tortula obtusifolia, photomicrograph of leaf, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023

Tortula obtusifolia, photomicrograph of leaf apex, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023

Tortula obtusifolia, photomicrograph of leaf base, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023

Tortula obtusifolia, photomicrograph of distal laminal cells measured, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023

Tortula obtusifolia, photomicrograph of capsule with rudimentary peristome, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023

Tortula obtusifolia, photomicrograph of peristome filaments with spores measured, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023

Tortula obtusifolia, photomicrograph of leaf cross section, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023

Tortula obtusifolia, photomicrograph of leaf cross section, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023

Tortula obtusifolia, photomicrograph of distal leaf cross section without adaxial pad of swollen cells, collection and ID by Eula Whitehouse, South Dakota, Lawrence County, Spearfish Canyon, 3 mi up Iron Creek, W of Hwy 89, July 15, 1951; photos by Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, May 5, 2023