Status: Native
Synonyms:
Pottia bryoides (Dickson) Mitten
Tortula protobryoides has awned leaves, exserted capsules and papillose laminal cells. But the most
significant feature of this species is the rather odd operculum, which does not fall off. There is an
inconspicuous annulus, and rudimentary peristome teeth that adhere to the inside of the indehiscent
operculum. Tortula protobryoides grows on soil along arid trails mixed with other mosses such as Bryum lanatum.
Many thanks to John Brinda for pointing out this moss!
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Tortula protobryoides, photo Russ Kleinman & John Brinda, Doņa Ana Cty., Organ Mtns. Desert Peaks National Monument, near La Cueva trail, April 16, 2019
Tortula protobryoides, photomicrograph of habit dry, photo Russ Kleinman & John Brinda, Doņa Ana Cty., Organ Mtns. Desert Peaks National Monument, near La Cueva trail, April 16, 2019
Tortula protobryoides, photomicrograph of single stem, photo Russ Kleinman & John Brinda, Doņa Ana Cty., Organ Mtns. Desert Peaks National Monument, near La Cueva trail, April 16, 2019
Tortula protobryoides, dark field photomicrograph of wet leaves on single stem (stereoscope), photo Russ Kleinman & John Brinda, Doņa Ana Cty., Organ Mtns. Desert Peaks National Monument, near La Cueva trail, April 16, 2019
Tortula protobryoides, photomicrograph of single wet stem (compound scope), photo Russ Kleinman & John Brinda, Doņa Ana Cty., Organ Mtns. Desert Peaks National Monument, near La Cueva trail, April 16, 2019
Tortula protobryoides, photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & John Brinda, Doņa Ana Cty., Organ Mtns. Desert Peaks National Monument, near La Cueva trail, April 16, 2019
Tortula protobryoides, photomicrograph of stem with central strand evident, photo Russ Kleinman & John Brinda, Doņa Ana Cty., Organ Mtns. Desert Peaks National Monument, near La Cueva trail, April 16, 2019
Tortula protobryoides, photomicrograph of laminal cells and leaf margin-- the cells at the leaf margin are slightly less papillose and the margin is recurved to nearly the apex, photo Russ Kleinman & John Brinda, Doņa Ana Cty., Organ Mtns. Desert Peaks National Monument, near La Cueva trail, April 16, 2019
Tortula protobryoides, photomicrograph of cross sectio of costa with large papillose rectangular cells on adaxial surface and hydroid strand visible, photo Russ Kleinman & John Brinda, Doņa Ana Cty., Organ Mtns. Desert Peaks National Monument, near La Cueva trail, April 16, 2019
Tortula protobryoides, photomicrograph of leaf cross section, photo Russ Kleinman & John Brinda, Doņa Ana Cty., Organ Mtns. Desert Peaks National Monument, near La Cueva trail, April 16, 2019
Tortula protobryoides, photomicrograph of densely papillose spherical spores about 20-25 microns in diameter, photo Russ Kleinman & John Brinda, Doņa Ana Cty., Organ Mtns. Desert Peaks National Monument, near La Cueva trail, April 16, 2019
Tortula protobryoides, photomicrograph of rudimentary peristome inside dissected operculum (does not fall), photo Russ Kleinman & John Brinda, Doņa Ana Cty., Organ Mtns. Desert Peaks National Monument, near La Cueva trail, April 16, 2019
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