Proposed Characters or Character Groups
and Sequences for Mosses

Note: We have eliminated chromosome numbers from the formal descriptions.
If you find the chromosome numbers to be worth discussion, do so in the
discussion sections for the genus or the species.

GAMETOPHYTES

Plants (gametophores and/or protonema)

size
habit (growth form)
color
female/male dimorphism

Stems

size
branching pattern

transverse section features

epidermis
cortex
central strand

paraphyllia
pseudoparaphyllia

rhizoids

position
color
morphology

axillary hairs

Stem leaves

insertion
spacing
stature when dry (habit, set, and curvature)
stature when moist (habit, set, and curvature)
shape
length and width
base

margin

flex
dentition

apex

costa (costae, if double)

presence and number
length
relative size and thickness
surface features

transverse section

abaxial surface cells
stereid cells
guide cells
adaxial surface cells

proximal laminal cells

shape
size (length and width)
pattern and appearance
ornamentation (incl. papilla type)
walls (porosity, thickness, irregularity)
regional cell differentiation (marginal & juxtacostal cells)

medial laminal cells

shape
size (length and width)
pattern and appearance
ornamentation (incl. papilla type)
walls (porosity, thickness, irregularity)
regional cell differentiation (marginal & juxtacostal cells)

distal laminal cells

shape
size (length and width)
pattern and appearance
ornamentation (incl. papilla type)
walls (porosity, thickness, irregularity)
regional cell differentiation (marginal & juxtacostal cells)

alar cells

extent
color
shape
size (length and width)
pattern and appearance
ornamentation (incl. papilla type)
walls (porosity, thickness, irregularity)
regional cell differentiation (marginal & juxtacostal cells)

marginal laminal cells

shape
size (length and width)
pattern and appearance
ornamentation (incl. papilla type)
walls (porosity, thickness, irregularity)
regional cell differentiation

Branch leaves

sequence and characteristics as for stem leaves

Asexual reproduction

presence/absence, frequency
type of propagule
position
associated stem/leaf modification
color
shape
size
color
number of cells
length and wldth
wall features
ornamentation

Sexual condition [ = sexuality]

Perigonia

position
shape

perigonial leaves

orientation
shape
size
cell features as different from branch leaves

paraphyses
antheridia

Perichaetia

position
shape

perichaetial leaves

number
orientation
shape
size
cell features as different from branch leaves

paraphyses
archegonia

Vaginulae

SPOROPHYTES

Seta

number (same as "number per perichaetium" above)
color
length
twist
curvature (bend, flex)
ornamentation
anatomical features of note (from center to surface)

Capsule

cleistocarpy
attitude (orientation)
exsertion
color
shape
size
ornamentation (i.e., smooth, sulcate. etc.)
distinctive features of neck
distinctive features of rim
hypophysis
columella

exothecial cells

shape
size
ornamentation
walls (porosity, thickness, irregularity)
distinctive features of neck cells
distinctive features of rim cells

stomates

frequency
apparent functionality
position
superficial/sunken

annulus

type
cell description

operculum

shape
length

rostrum

orientation
shape
apex

peristome

type
prostome

exostome

teeth

number
single or paired
orientation when dry and moist
shape
length
ornamentation
perforation and/or clefting

endostome

basal membrane

height
ornamentation

segments

number
shape
length
ornamentation
perforation and/or clefting

cilia

number
shape
length
ornamentation

Calyptra

persistence
type (e.g., campanualte, conic-mitrate, cucullate, mitrate) lobing
length
ornamentation
hairiness (ornamentation of hairs)
plication

Spores

shape and polarity
size
ornamentation
color

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Include as first sentence in ecology and range of distribution statement:

Months or season when capsules mature, or when mature spores are present

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