BFNA Title: Grimmia
Author: R. I. Hastings & H. C. Greven 
Date: May 12, 2004
Vers. 3 May 13, 2005
Vers. 4 April 6, 2006
Vers. 5 July 23, 2006
 Edit Level: R Brum+
Version: 5

Bryophyte Flora of North America, Provisional Publication
Missouri Botanical Garden
BFNA Web site: http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/BFNA/bfnamenu.htm

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Grimmia - Grimmiaceae

 

Illustrations

Edit Level Version 3 - 05513 plus revision by Hastings 9/05 and July 2006

 

Grimmia - Grimmiaceae

 

XXX. GRIMMIA Hedwig, Spec. Musc. Frond.: 75. 1801 * [For Dr. J.F.K. Grimm, physician and botanist of Gotha, Germany (d. 1821)]

Roxanne I. Hastings

Henk C. Greven

 

            Dryptodon Bridel; Hydrogrimmia (I. Hagen) Loeske

 

Plants 5--40(--70) mm, in tight cushions or sometimes loose mats, olive green, dark black-green to rusty-red-brown. Stem leaves variable, broadly oblong-ovate, oblong-lanceolate to narrowly ovate-lanceolate, rarely ligulate, concave or keeled distally, margins plane, incurved or recurved, distal lamina 1-stratose to multistratose, specialized laminal and marginal chlorophyllose structures lacking, muticous to long-awned but awns only rarely longer than the lamina, mid-leaf cells quadrate to rectangular, usually with sinuose, thick walls, basal cells oblate to elongate, with straight to sinuose and thin to thick cell walls. Gemmae present or absent. Sexual condition autoicous or dioicous. Perichaetial leaves enlarged or not. Seta short to long, straight, curved, or rarely sigmoid. Capsule erect, rarely pendent, immersed to long exserted, symmetric or rarely ventricose (Gasterogrimmia), ovate to obloid, rarely globose or cylindric, with a poorly differentiated annulus, or well-defined annulus of quadrate, thin-walled or rectangular, thick-walled cells, operculum mammillate, conic or rostrate, falling detached from the columella. Calyptra mitrate or cucullate, not erose, small to medium, usually covering 1/2 or less of capsule, sometimes just covering operculum, smooth.

 

Species 93 (43 in the flora): North America, Mexico, Central America, South America, Eurasia, Africa, Pacific Islands, Australia, Antarctic.

 

The genus Grimmia is found on all continents. However, nearly half (44) of the species are endemics and have restricted distributions. Most species of Grimmia prefer dry and temperate or cold environments---there is no species only known from tropical areas. Nearly all species of Grimmia are saxicolous with a marked preference for acidic bedrock. Only the subgenus Gasterogrimmia prefers calcareous rock, with a few other species in other subgenera characteristic of neutral to basic substrates. 

 

R. I. Hastings has attempted to place species in the subgenera Gasterogrimmia, Guembelia and Litoneuron into groups of related or similar-looking species. Because of the diversity within subg. Rhabdogrimmia, H. C. Greven felt it most convenient to present this group largely in alphabetical order. While the proper subdivision of Grimmia remains uncertain, both authors agree that for purposes of identification, the present division was best for this very complicated genus.  Note: R.I.H. authored species accounts for 1--8, 10, 11, 13--16, 18, and 20--24; H.C.G. authored species accounts 10, 13, 18, 20, 25--43. Both authors worked together to write the entire key.

 

SELECTED REFERENCES

Deguchi, H. 1987. Studies on some Peruvian species of Grimmiaceae. In; H. Inoue (ed.), Studies on Cryptogams in Southern Peru: 19--74. Tokyo. Greven, H. C. 1999. Synopsis of Grimmia in Mexico, including Grimmia mexicana, sp. nov. Bryologist 102: 426--436.  Greven, H. C. 2002. Grimmia nevadense, a new species from California. Bryologist 105: 273--275.  Greven, H. C. 2003. Grimmias of the World. Backhuys Publishers. Leiden. The Netherlands.  Ireland, R. R. and Miller, N. G. 1982. Grimmia anodon (Musci; Grimmiaceae) in North America north of Mexico. Bryologist 85: 112--114.  Muñoz, J. 1997. The correct name of Grimmia alpestris (Musci, Grimmiaceae). Bryologist 100: 517--519.  Ochyra, R. 1993. Grimmia plagiopodia (Musci, Grimmiaceae) in the Southern Hemisphere. Fragm. Flor. Geobot. 38: 21--27.   Sayre, G. 1952. Key to the species of Grimmia in North America. Bryologist 55: 251--259. Weber, W. A., R. C. Wittmann and R. Worthington. 2003. Grimmia bernoullii Mueller Hal. in the United States. Evansia 20: 104--106.

 

1. Costa ending well below the apex; leaf tip rounded to cucullate, muticous; lamina uniformly 1-stratose; laminal cells all quadrate .…………………..… 42. Grimmia mollis

1. Costa reaching apex; leaf tip rounded to acute, muticous or awned; lamina usually with 2-stratose areas towards margins or with 2-stratose ridges; laminal cells oblate, quadrate, rectangular or elongate.

2. Seta eccentrically attached to capsule base; capsule immersed, smooth, ventricose; stomates 3--4, large, at base of capsule ...……(subg. Gasterogrimmia)

3. Distal leaves concave-keeled; distal lamina 1-stratose or with 2-stratose patches, margins 1- or 2-stratose; annulus absent or reduced to 1--2 rows of small cells; operculum mammillate.

4. Peristome present, annulus absent; distal lamina 1-stratose, margins 1- or 2-stratose .............................1. Grimmia plagiopodia

4. Peristome absent, annulus present; distal lamina 1-stratose with 2-stratose patches, margins 2-stratose .............. 2. Grimmia anodon

3. Distal leaves concave; distal lamina 2-stratose with 2-stratose margins; annulus prominent; operculum rostrate.

5. Basal laminal cells thick-walled; gonioautoicous; peristome fully developed ............................................ 3. Grimmia americana

5. Basal laminal cells thin-walled; dioicous; peristome rudimentary  .................................................................. 4. Grimmia poecilostoma

2. Seta centrally attached to capsule base; capsule immersed to exserted, smooth to plicate, not ventricose; stomates none to many, small, at neck to base of capsule.

6. Leaves 2--3-stratose distally or 1-stratose with distal margins widely 2-stratose (G. sessitana and some G. donniana); leaf margins incurved, plane or recurved.

7. Leaves concave; costa not prominent; margins plane or incurved; dioicous ……………………………. (subg. Litoneuron)

8. All leaves muticous, straight or falcate.

9. Leaves oblong-lanceolate to ligulate, straight, cucullate, obtuse-rounded; basal marginal laminal cells short-rectangular; widely distributed .……………………..…….. 18. Grimmia unicolor

9. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, homomallous-falcate, subulate, uncinate; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular; endemic to Pacific Coast region ………..…… 19. Grimmia hamulosa

8. At least distal leaves awned, straight.

10. Leaves oblong-ovate to oblong-lanceolate; basal marginal laminal cells oblate to quadrate; costa broad at base; awn broadly attached and decurrent

.............................................. 24. Grimmia laevigata

10. Leaves ovate-lanceolate from an ovate base; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to long-rectangular; costa narrow at base; awn typically narrowly attached and not decurrent.

11. Costa-like multistratose leaf bands present in transverse section……..…...…… 23. Grimmia serrana

11. Costa-like multistratose leaf bands absent.

12. Capsule exserted, peristome fully developed, stomates present, operculum rostrate; basal marginal and juxtacostal laminal cells typically contrasting in length or thickness.

13. Basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to long-rectangular; basal juxtacostal laminal cells rectangular to elongate; seta straight; capsule smooth when dry; perichaetial leaves enlarged; widely distributed

….……. 21. Grimmia ovalis

13. Basal marginal laminal cells quadrate; basal juxtacostal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular; seta sigmoid; capsule wrinkled when dry; perichaetial leaves not enlarged; endemic to eastern North America

............... 20. Grimmia olneyi

12. Capsule emergent, gymnostomous, stomates absent, operculum mammilate; basal laminal cells uniformly short-rectangular, straight and thin-walled

.................... 22. Grimmia nevadensis

[7 shifted to left ]

7. Leaves keeled; costa prominent; margins recurved, plane or incurved; autiocous or dioicous .....................………….… (mostly subg. Guembelia)

14. Margins recurved on one or both sides.

15. Leaves muticous, cucullate .......…17. Grimmia atrata

15. Leaves awned, not cucullate.

16. Leaves spirally curved around stem when dry, flagelliform innovations present

………………........…....… 30. Grimmia funalis

16. Leaves straight when dry,  flagelliform innovations absent.

17. Sporophytes present.

18. Capsule exserted.

19. Seta arcuate; dioicous.

.............. 29. Grimmia elatior

19. Seta straight; autoicous.

20. Annulus prominent, 2 rows of rectangular cells; stomates in 2--3 rows; basal juxtacostal cells sinuose and thick walled

...........14. Grimmia longirostris

20. Annulus small, 1 row of quadrate cells; stomates in 1 row; basal juxtacostal cells straight and thin-walled

...........10. Grimmia sessitana

18. Capsule immersed.

21. Stem central strand present, epidermis thin; leaf margins 2-stratose, not thickened, one margin recurved (rarely both); leaves broadly ovate-lanceolate

........... 15. Grimmia arizonae

21. Stem central strand absent, epidermis thick; leaf margins 3(--4) stratose, thicker than juxtacostal lamina, usually both margins recurved; leaves narrowly lanceolate from an ovate base ............. 16. Grimmia pilifera

17. Sporophytes absent.

22. Basal juxtacostal cells straight, thin-walled; distal juxtacostal lamina 1-stratose, cells often bulging; plants small (< 1cm), blackish; moist, alpine habitats

..........…..….. 10. Grimmia sessitana

22. Basal juxtacostal cells sinuose, thick-walled; distal juxtacostal lamina at least 2-stratose, cells not bulging; plants robust (> 1cm), yellow-green to very dark olive green; dry, widely distributed.

23. Leaf margins 2-stratose, not thickened; stem central strand present, epidermis thin.

24. Autoicous; costa transverse section reniform; leaves sheathing; widely distributed

.........14. Grimmia longirostris

24. Dioicous; costa transverse section semicircular; leaves not sheathing; American Southwest

…......... 15. Grimmia arizonae

23. Leaf margins multistratose and thickened; stem central strand absent, epidermis thick.

25. Leaves narrowly lanceolate from an ovate base, usually narrowly recurved on both margins; distal  lamina lacking multistratose bands, never papillose

. 16. Grimmia pilifera

25. Leaves broadly lanceolate, broadly recurved on one margin; distal lamina with multistratose bands, occasionally papillose

.. 29. Grimmia elatior

14. Margins plane or incurved.

26. Costa transverse section circular distally; awn hyaline-tipped to short (0.3 mm), decurrent . . . 13. Grimmia teretinervis

26. Costa transverse section semicircular distally; awn short to long, usually prominent, decurrent or not.

27. Seta arcuate; leaves spirally curved around stem when dry, flagelliform innovations present ….…………..…..…….....…… 30. Grimmia funalis

27. Seta straight; leaves straight when dry, flagelliform innovations absent.

28. Gemmae abundant on adaxial distal leaf surface ..…...….……... 43. Grimmia shastae

28. Gemmae absent on leaves.

29. Distal laminal cells not bulging.

30. Margins plane throughout; basal marginal laminal cells short- to long-rectangular; stomates present; autoicous.

31. Distal juxtaxcostal laminal cells 2-stratose, occasionally 1-stratose; basal marginal leaf cells long-rectangular, hyaline; annulus large, of 2 rows of rectangular cells, revoluble; calyptra mitrate   

........... 8. Grimmia donniana

31. Distal juxtacostal laminal cells 1-stratose; basal marginal leaf cells short- to long-rectangular, rarely hyaline; annulus small, of 1 row of quadrate cells, not revoluble; calyptra cucullate

….…... 10. Grimmia sessitana

30. Margins incurved distally; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular; stomates absent; dioicous.

32. Capsule immersed to emergent, wide-mouthed, peristome rudimentary; endemic to California.

..............................… 7. Grimmia mariniana

32. Capsule exserted, narrow-mouthed, peristome present, fully developed; widespread in western North America.

33. Basal juxtacostal laminal cells short- to long-rectangular, distinct from quadrate to short-rectangular basal marginal cells; medial laminal cells rounded, thick-walled. ........................ 5. Grimmia montana

33. Basal juxtacostal and marginal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, basal areolation relatively uniform; medial laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, thin-walled

.........................6. Grimmia alpestris

29. Distal laminal cells bulging.

34. Leaf margins plane; cladautoicous; basal juxtacostal laminal cells rectangular to elongate; distal juxtacostal laminal cells 1-stratose; stomates present.

……. 10. Grimmia sessitana

34. Leaf margins incurved; dioicous; basal juxtacostal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular; distal juxtacostal laminal cells 2-stratose; stomates present or absent.

35. Stomates present; leaves weakly to rarely strongly plicate distally, cucullate

…….… 11. Grimmia caespiticia

35. Stomates absent; leaves not plicate, not cucullate

………. 6. Grimmia alpestris

6. Leaves merely 1-stratose distally; margins at most narrowly 2-stratose; one or both leaf margins recurved (G. reflexidens plane) .............…………………………...……… (mostly subg. Rhabdogrimmia)

36. Costa projecting on dorsal side with two wings

.................................................................... 39. Grimmia ramondii

36. Costa on dorsal side smooth or angled.

37. Leaves muticous, without awns or only distal leaves with very short awn or hyaline tip.

38. Leaves cucullate ………….. 17. Grimmia atrata

38. Leaves not cucullate.

39. Leaves squarrose when moist; medial laminal cells oblate to rounded quadrate ….…………..................... 34. Grimmia lisae

39. Leaves erect to patent when moist; medial laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular.

40. Basal marginal cells with thickened transverse walls; seta arcuate; globular gemmae occasionally present on leaves

.…….. .... 41. Grimmia trichophylla

40. Basal marginal cells with thin transverse walls; seta straight or slightly curved; gemmae absent

41. Leaf margins both recurved; medial laminal cells with nodulose walls; seta straight

............ 25. Grimmia lesherae

41. One leaf margin recurved; medial laminal cells sinuose; seta straight or slightly curved

...…… 9. Grimmia elongata

37. At least distal or perichaetial leaves with distinct awns.

42. Awns nearly equal to or much longer than lamina, decurrent, seta straight to flexuose.

43. Awns 1--2 mm, leaf margins plane, [seta straight]; only known from Maritime provinces in North America

………...………… 12. Grimmia reflexidens

43. Awns 2--4 mm, leaf margins both recurved; seta flexuose; endemic to Montana and Idaho ...….....… 28. Grimmia brittoniae

42. Awns typically shorter than lamina (G. pulvinata can be long); decurrent or not; seta arcuate to cygneous.

44. Leaves abruptly narrowed to awns, apex rounded; autoicous.

45. Operculum rostrate; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate .…………..... 38. Grimmia pulvinata

45. Operculum mammillate to conical; basal marginal laminal cells short- to long-rectangular.

46. Awns only on perichaetial leaves; basal juxtacostal cells with thin, straight walls; marginal distal lamina 2-stratose; acidic rocks .. 35. Grimmia moxleyi

46. Awns on all distal leaves; basal juxtacostal cells with thick, nodulose walls; marginal distal lamina 1-stratose; basic rocks

.….. 37. Grimmia orbicularis

44. Leaves gradually tapering to awns, apex narrowed; dioicous.

47. Clusters of gemmae easily visible on dorsal side of leaf lamina or on leaf tips.

48. Multicellalar gemmae on dorsal side of leaf lamina in distal leaves; leaves crisped and contored

…..…. 40. Grimmia torquata

48. Cluster of gemmae only on leaf tips; leaves straight.

49. Leaves with blunt eroded apices; distal cells with pseudo-papillose walls; stem central strand present

.............. 26. Grimmia anomala

49. Leaves with acuminate apices; distal cells with smooth walls; stem central strand absent ……….. 31. Grimmia hartmanii

47. Clusters of gemmae absent or in obscure clusters in leaf axils.

50. Leaves narrowly ovate-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, distinctly incurved or contorted when dry ..... 32. Grimmia incurva

50. Leaves lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, straight, appressed, only occasionally somewhat contorted when dry.

[51. Shifted to left]

51. Central strand absent; basal juxtacostal leaf cells uniformly elongate to linear, strongly nodulose and thick-walled; mid-leaf cells extremely sinuose and very thick-walled; leaf margins both recurved.

52. Costa semicircular, not projecting in transverse section; basal marginal cells thick-walled; distal leaves often secund, awns often decurrent ..................................................... 33. Grimmia leibergii

52. Costa circular, projecting in transverse section; basal marginal cells thin-walled; distal leaves straight, awns not decurrent .………….........................................…….... 27. Grimmia attenuata

51. Central strand present; basal juxtacostal cells short- to long-rectangular, elongate cells absent or few and scattered; mid-leaf cells straight to sinuose, thin- to thick-walled; leaf margins one or both recurved.

53. Leaves squarrose when moist; mid-leaf cells rounded to oblate, straight .……………........……… 34. Grimmia lisae

53. Leaves erect to patent when moist; mid-leaf cells rounded-quadrate to short-rectangular, sinuose.

54. Yellowish green tufts; costa semicircular in transverse section; awns smooth to slightly denticulate, not decurrent; capsule oblong-ovoid, yellow-green ………………....................…… 41. Grimmia trichophylla

54. Blackish green tufts; costa angled or bluntly winged in transverse section; awns denticulate, occasionally decurrent; capsule globose, brown ………………………….......... 36. Grimmia muehlenbeckii

 

 

xxxa. Grimmia subg. Gasterogrimmia Schimper, Coroll. 46. 1856

 

Plants to 15 mm. Stem central strand strong. Stem leaves oblong-ovate to oblong-lanceolate, keeled or concave, margins plane, costa prominent, distal lamina 2-stratose (1-stratose for G. plagiopodia); juxtacostal and marginal basal laminal cells hyaline. Gemmae absent. Seta arcuate to sigmoid (except G. americana), eccentrically attached to capsule. Capsule immersed, smooth, ventricose; stomates 3--4, large, at base of capsule; calyptra mitrate, just covering operculum.

 

Species 4 (4 in the flora): North America, Mexico, Central America, South America, Eurasia, n. Africa, Pacific Islands (New Zealand), Australasia, Antarctic.

 

Members of this subgenus are recognized by their commonly occurring immersed, ventricose capsules on arcuate to sigmoid setae that are eccentrically attached. Additionally, all these species have three to four large stomates at the very base of the capsule. The entire basal region of the leaf is typically hyaline. Most members of the subgenus are restricted to calcareous habitats. The genus Jaffueliobryum is the only other group in the Grimmiaceae to be so strongly tied to calcareous substrates.

           

1. Grimmia plagiopodia Hedwig, Spec. Musc. 78. 15 f. 1801

 

Grimmia brandegei Austin 

 

Plants in dense cushions to hoary tufts, dark green to brown.  Stems 0.3--0.5(--1) cm, Stem leaves oblong-ovate, 1--1.7 × 0.4--0.8 mm, concave-keeled, awn 0.3--1 mm; distal laminal cells 1-stratose, marginal cells 1-2-stratose; medial laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, slightly sinuose, slightly thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, straight, thin-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, straight, thin-walled. Sexual condition gonioautoicous. Seta sigmoid, 0.2--0.3 mm. Capsule usually present, exothecial cells thin-walled, annulus absent, operculum mammillate, peristome present, fully developed, perforated and split in distal half. 

 

Exposed calcareous sandstone, limestone, occasionally concrete, and glacio-lacustrine silt; 50--2400 m; Greenland; Alta., B.C., N.W.T., Nunavut, Ont., Sask.; Alaska, Calif., Col., Idaho, Ill., Iowa, Minn., Mont., Neb., Nev., N.Mex., N.Dak., S.Dak., Utah, Wis., Wyo.; South America; Eurasia; Pacific Islands (New Zealand); Antarctic.

 

Grimmia plagiopodia has a widespread and continuous distribution on calcareous rock across the northern Great Plains of North America, reaching as far east as Illinois. It is rare in eastern North America with a disjunct site in southern Ontario. In the west it reaches into the mountains on limestone and basic sandstone deposits, but its continuous range does not extend west of a line from Utah to south-central B.C. There is a disjunct location near Carson City, Nevada and Lake Tahoe, California. In the Arctic it is known from a few scattered localities extending from northwestern Greenland and nearby Ellesmere Island to the North Slope of Alaska. Compared to Grimmia anodon, G. plagiopodia tends to occupy more prairie-like sites and is typically found at lower elevations. Commonly fertile, Grimmia plagiopodia is recognized by its immersed, peristomate capsule on a sigmoid seta with fully developed teeth that are perforated and split distally. Grimmia americana is similar but has a short, straight to arcuate seta and a large annulus. The other widespread species in the group, Grimmia anodon, has an annulus and lacks a peristome.

 

2. Grimmia anodon Bruch & Schimper, Bryol. Euro. 3: 110. 1845

 

Grimmia anodon var. anomala Bartram; G. subanodon Ochyra; Schistidium obtusifolium Ireland & H. A. Crum

 

Plants in small cushions, dark green to brown.  Stems 0.5--1 cm. Stem leaves oblong-ovate to oblong-lanceolate, 0.9--2 × 0.4--0.8 mm, concave-keeled, awn 0.1--1.2 mm; distal laminal cells 1-stratose with 2-stratose patches, marginal cells 2-stratose; medial laminal cells quadrate, sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells quadrate to long-rectangular, straight, thin-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to long-rectangular, straight, thin-walled. Sexual condition gonioautoicous. Seta sigmoid, 0.2--0.3 mm. Capsule usually present, exothecial cells thin-walled, annulus of 1--2 rows of quadrate, thin-walled cells, not revoluble, operculum mammillate, peristome absent.

 

Exposed, calcareous sandstone, limestone, and concrete; 25--2700 m; Greenland; Alta, B.C., N.B., N.W.T., Nunavut, Ont., Que., Sask., Yukon; Alaska, Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mich., Mont., Nev., N.Mex., N.Y., N.Dak., Oreg., S.Dak. Utah, Wash., Wyo.;  ne Mexico; South America (Bolivia, Chile); Eurasia; Africa (Morocco).

 

Grimmia anodon is widespread and common across the western United States and the mountains of southern Alberta and British Columbia. It is absent from eastern North America except around the Great Lakes and individual sites in the Gaspĕ Peninsula and New Brunswick. It extends sparsely into the Yukon and Alaska. These high latitude sites are strongly correlated with glacial refugia or areas of early deglaciation. Most eastern United States collecting localities are near the margin of the Wisconsinan continental ice sheet. The west-east disjunction of the species suggests the disruption of a more continuous distribution by Wisconsinan glacial events. Grimmia anodon is widespread in the northern hemisphere on calcareous outcrops and disturbed sites. Usually fertile, G. anodon is recognized easily by its immersed, gymnostomous capsule, on a sigmoid seta. The other widespread species in the subgenus, Grimmia plagiopodia, has peristome teeth. When sterile these species can be difficult to differentiate, but G. anodon has leaves that are more concave with 2-stratose margins, while leaves of G. plagiopodia tend to be more keeled and they are more uniformly 1-stratose. Grimmia anodon is rather similar to Schistidium flaccidum (De Not.) Ochyra. However, the latter species is characterized by a short, straight seta, leaves sharply keeled distally and leaf margins plane at base but recurved distally on both sides.

 

3. Grimmia americana Bartram, Bryologist 32: 8. 1929

 

Plants in hoary tufts, dark green to brown. Stems 0.5--1.5 cm. Stem leaves oblong-ovate to oblong-lanceolate, 1.5--2 × 0.5--0.9 mm, concave, awn to 1 mm; distal laminal cells 2-stratose, marginal cells 2-stratose; medial laminal cells rounded-quadrate, slightly thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, straight, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to long-rectangular, straight, thick-walled. Sexual condition gonioautoicous. Seta straight to arcuate, 0.6--1 mm. Capsule usually present, exothecial cells thick-walled, annulus of 2--3 rows,  of rectangular, thin-walled cells, revoluble, operculum rostellate, peristome present, fully developed, perforated and split in most distal part, weakly papillose.

 

Calcareous rock; of conservation concern; around 1600 m; Ariz., Nev., Tex.

Grimmia americana is a rare endemic, currently known only from three sites. Until 1999, the species was known only from its type locality in Jeff Davis Co. of western Texas. A second locality was reported by J. Muñoz (1999a) in Arizona and a third site by L. R. Stark et al. (2002) in Nevada. Thus, it is reasonable to expect G. americana to occur also in southern New Mexico. Grimmia americana is recognized as a member of the subg. Gasterogrimmia by its immersed, ventricose capsule, with a short mitrate calyptra and eccentric seta attachment. The overall habit of the species is also similar to the other members of the subgenus. However, its basal laminal cells are thick-walled while other members have thin cell walls. H. A. Crum (1994) implied that G. americana is similar to G. anodon, but the former is readily separated by its fully developed, perforated peristome, rostellate operculum, and thick-walled basal laminal cells. Grimmia poecilostoma, also most commonly found in the American Southwest, is dioicous, has a rudimentary peristome, and thin-walled basal laminal cells.

 

4. Grimmia poecilostoma Cardot et Sebille, Rev. Bryol. 28: 118. 1901

 

Grimmia tergestina var. poecilostoma Loeske  

 

Plants in loose tufts, olive green to black. Stems 0.5--0.9 cm. Stem leaves oblong-ovate to oblong-lanceolate, 1.6--2 × 0.3--0.6 mm, concave, awn 0.3--0.6 mm; distal laminal cells 2-stratose, marginal cells 2-stratose; medial laminal cells rounded, straight, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells quadrate to long-rectangular, straight, thin-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, straight, thin-walled. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta sigmoid, 0.3--0.5 mm. Capsule usually present, exothecial cells thin-walled, annulus of 2--3 rows, rectangular, thick-walled, revoluble, operculum obliquely rostrate, peristome present, rudimentary, perforated, papillose.

 

Basalt, granite, schist and limestone; 500--2100 m; B.C., N.W.T., Yukon; Ariz., Calif., Col., Nev., N.Mex., Utah, Wash.; Eurasia.

In North America, Grimmia poecilostoma is known from only scattered localities in the American west and in three extremely disjunct sites in Canada: in southern British Columbia, near the Keele River of the Northwest Territories, and along the Dempster Highway in the Yukon. It is found on a broad range of both basic and acidic rock types. The subgeneric placement of Grimmia poecilostoma is problematic. Gametophytically the species is inseparable from Grimmia tergestina, a member of the subg. Litoneuron. Indeed, based on areolation and leaf shape, L. Loeske (1913) placed it as a subspecies of Grimmia tergestina. This close similarity may account for reports by J. Muñoz and F. Pando (2000) and D. H. Norris and J. R. Shevok (2004) of Grimmia tergestina from North America. We have seen all cited specimens in these papers and they all represent G. poecilostoma or G. ovalis. Therefore, we reject G. tergestina being in North America. Sporophytic characters of G. poecilistoma (a short, curved to sigmoid seta that is eccentrically attached to the capsule; an immersed ventricose capsule with a small, mitrate calyptrae; and 3--4 large stomates) clearly indicate membership in the subgen. Gasterogrimmia. Further, G. poecilistoma and G. tergestina have never been collected together, suggesting that the two species are also ecologically distinct. Despite its dioicous sexuality, G. poecilostoma is usually fertile; its rudimentary peristome and large annulus are thus readily evident. Its 2-stratose laminal stratification separates it from specimens of G. plagiopodia that may have broken peristome teeth.

 

xxxb. Grimmia subg. Guembelia (Hampe) Schimper, Coroll. 48. 1856

Guembelia Hampe, Bot. Zeitung 4: 124. 1846

 

Plants 10--20 mm (--70 mm for G. atrata). Stem central strand present or absent. Stem leaves narrowly ovate-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, keeled, margins plane, recurved or incurved, costa prominent, distal lamina 2-stratose or with at least several marginal rows 2-stratose; basal marginal cells hyaline or not. Gemmae absent. Sexual condition autoicous or dioicous. Seta straight, centrally attached to capsule. Capsule immersed to exserted, smooth (except G. mariniana); stomates present or absent, small, at neck to part way up capsule; calyptra mitrate to cucullate, covering operculum.

 

Species 41 (13 in the flora): North America, Mexico, Central America, South America, Eurasia, Africa, Pacific Islands, Australia, Antarctic.

 

Members of this variable subgenus are recognized by their thick, keeled leaves and usually long, straight setae with smooth capsules. Most members of the subgenus occur on dry acidic rock, with three species growing on damp to wet acidic rock and one on dry calcareous rock.

 

5. Grimmia montana Bruch & Schimper, Bryol. Europ. 3. 128. 1845

Grimmia arctophila Kindberg; G. brachydon Austin; G. jamesii Austin; G. montana var. brachydon (Austin) Lesquereux and James; G. tenella (J. K. A. Müller) Kindberg; Guembellia tenella J.K.A. Müller

 

Plants in hoary cushions, yellow-green to dark blue-green, sometimes almost black. Stems 1--1.2(--1.5) cm, central strand weak. Stem leaves narrowly lanceolate, rarely ovate-lanceolate, 1--2 × 0.3--0.6 mm, concave-keeled, not plicate, margins plane, usually narrowly incurved distally, awn 0.2--1.3 mm, costal transverse section not prominent to prominent, semicircular; distal laminal cells 2-stratose, not bulging, marginal cells 2-stratose, not bulging; medial laminal cells rounded, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells short- to long-rectangular, straight, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, straight, thick-walled, not hyaline. Perichaetial leaves not enlarged. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta straight, 2--3 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, yellow to brown, oblong, exothecial cells rectangular, thin-walled, stomates absent, annulus of 1 row of quadrate, thick-walled cells, operculum rostellate, peristome present, fully developed, split and perforated in distal half.

 

Exposed acidic granite and sandstone; 900--4000 m; Greenland; Alta., B.C., Nunavut, Ont., Yukon; Alaska, Ariz., Calif., Col., Idaho, Mont., Nev., N.Mex., Oreg., Utah, Wash., Wyo.; Mexico; Europe; Africa.

 

Grimmia montana is widespread and common on acidic rock in the warm, dry, western interior of North America from southern British Columbia and Alberta southward to California and Colorado. It is very rare at higher latitudes with outliers known from Alaska, the southern Yukon and northern British Columbia and with a few populations from Greenland and Baffin Island. It is not known from the interior Great Plains, which are largely calcareous. As reported by J. Muñoz (1998b), it is surprisingly absent from seemingly suitable sites in eastern North America. Because its leaf margins can be either plane and/or incurved, Grimmia montana is most commonly confused with G. donniana and G. alpestris, which have plane and incurved margins, respectively. Grimmia montana is readily separated from G. donniana because it is dioicous and lacks stomates, whereas G. donniana is autoicous and has stomates. Gametophytically, G. montana has quadrate to short-rectangular basal marginal laminal cells with thickened transverse walls, while G. donniana has long-rectangular cells with thin walls. Separating G. montana and G. alpestris can be difficult; they have broadly overlapping distributions and both are dioicous and lack stomates. Grimmia alpestris usually has bulging, mammilose laminal cells that easily separate it from G. montana, but some stems have leaves that lack this feature. Specimens of G. montana can then be identified by their basal leaf areolation. The basal juxtacostal laminal cells of G. montana tend to be significantly longer than the marginal cells and the two regions are usually distinct. In contrast, G. alpestris tends to have a uniform basal areolation, composed of quadrate to short-rectangular cells.

 

6. Grimmia alpestris (Weber & Mohr) Schleicher, Cat. Pl. Helv. Ed. 2: 29. 1808

 

Grimmia donniana var. alpestris (Weber & Mohr) Hampe; Trichostomum pulvinatum var. alpestre Weber & Mohr, Bot. Taschenbuch: 110. 1807  

           

Plants in cushions or mats, yellow-green, glaucous-green to dark green, sometimes almost black. Stems 1--1.2(--1.5) cm, central strand weak. Stem leaves narrowly lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 1--1.8 × 0.2--0.6 mm, keeled, not plicate, margins plane proximally, incurved distally, awn 0.3--0.8 mm, costal transverse section prominent, semicircular; distal laminal cells 2-stratose, bulging or not, marginal cells 2-stratose; medial laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, straight, thin-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, straight, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, straight, thick-walled, 1--2 rows hyaline or not hyaline. Perichaetial leaves not enlarged. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta straight, 2--3 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, yellow to brown, ovate to oblong-ovate, exothecial cells quadrate to short-rectangular, thick-walled, stomates absent, annulus of 1 row of quadrate, thick-walled cells, operculum conic to mammilate with a short obtuse beak, peristome present, fully developed, split and perforated in distal half.

 

Exposed acidic granite and sandstone; 360--3300 m; Greenland; Alta., B.C.; Ariz., Calif., Col., Idaho, Mont., N.Mex., Nev., Oreg., S. Dak., Utah, Wash., Wyo.; Eurasia.

 

Grimmia alpestris has a distribution similar to that of G. montana, being widespread and common on acidic rock in the warm, dry, western interior of North America from southern British Columbia and Alberta down through to California and Colorado. The other two North American species with bulging laminal cells, G. caespiticia and G. sessitana, both have capsules with stomates, readily separating capsulate specimens from G. alpestris. H. C. Greven (2003) reported that the capsules of G. alpestris are brown, with thick exothecial cell walls, and are smooth when empty, whereas those of G. sessitana are yellowish to light brown, with thin-walled exothecial cells, and are striolate when empty. The incurved margins and uniformly 2-stratose distal lamina of G. alpestris contrasts with the plane or one recurved margin and 1-stratose distal juxtacostal laminal cells of G. sessitana. The dioicous sexuality of G. alpestris also helps to separate these species. Some specimens of Grimmia alpestris have leaves with streaks of thickened or multistratose cells; superficially these may appear to be plications. However, in transverse section they are readily separated from the truly plicate leaves of G. caespiticia. Furthermore, G. alpestris leaves are never cucullate, while those of G. caespiticia usually are. Grimmia alpestris is best separated from G. montana by its usually bulging laminal cells and secondarily by its relatively uniform, quadrate to short-rectangular basal areolation. While G. donniana also has a uniform basal areolation, its cells are much longer and thin-walled, and its margins are plane throughout the length of the leaf.

 

7. Grimmia mariniana Sayre, Bryologist 58: 323. 1955

           

Plants in hoary loose cushions, emerald green to black. Stems 0.6--1.2 cm, central strand weak. Stem leaves linear-lanceolate to narrowly ovate-lanceolate, 1.5--2.1 × 0.5--0.7 mm, keeled, not plicate, margins incurved distally, awn 0.4--0.8 mm, costal transverse section prominent, semicircular; distal laminal cells 2-stratose, not bulging, marginal cells 2-stratose, not bulging; medial laminal cells quadrate, sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells short-rectangular to elongate, sinuose, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, straight, thick-walled, hyaline. Perichaetial leaves slightly enlarged. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta straight, to 1 mm. Capsule occasionally present, immersed to emergent, yellow (rarely brown), ovate with open mouth, faintly but distinctly ribbed, exothecial cells rectangular, thick-walled, stomates absent, annulus of 1 row of quadrate, thick-walled cells, operculum rostellate, with a short obtuse beak, peristome present, but rudimentary, teeth composed of only a few basal cells, sometimes perforated.

 

Acidic sedimentary and basaltic metavolcanics; of conservation concern; 900--1200 m; Calif.

Grimmia mariniana is a rare endemic, known only from the coastal mountains of central California. If fertile, the immersed capsules with rudimentary peristome teeth will separate G. mariniana from both G. montana and G. alpestris which, while also being dioicous and lacking stomates, have long-exserted capsules with fully-developed peristome teeth. Grimmia nevadensis is similar but lacks peristome teeth, has uniformly rectangular, thin-walled basal laminal cells, and does not have hyaline margins. The faint ribs on the capsules of G. mariniana may not be evident when the capsules are not turgid. Sterile specimens can be separated from G. alpestris by the lack of bulging cells, and the narrow leaves. Identifying sterile specimens of G. mariniana from G. montana, is more problematic as both have narrowly ovate-lanceolate leaves, with similar areolation. However, the basal marginal laminal cells of G. mariniana are hyaline while those of G. montana are not. Grimmia mariniana is easily separated from G. arizonae and G. pilifera, two other members of the subgenus, along with G. nevadensis, that have immersed capsules. Sporophytically, both G. arizonae and G. pilifera have abundant stomata, well-developed peristome teeth, and rectangular, thick-walled, multi-layered annuli. Gametophytically the incurved leaf margins of G. mariniana contrasts sharply with the recurved leaf margins of G. arizonae and G. pilifera. G. Sayre (1955) noted the similarity of G. mariniana with G. anodon. The straight, centrally attached seta and symmetrical capsule usually with rudimentary peristome teeth will serve to separate specimens of G. mariniana from G. anodon. Gametophytically, the long, narrow leaves, with incurved margins and 2-stratose distal laminal cells separates G. mariniana from G. anodon.

 

8. Grimmia donniana Smith, Engl. Bot. 18. 1259. 1804

 

Plants in dense cushions, dark green to almost black. Stems 0.8--1.2(--1.5) cm, central strand present. Stem leaves oblong-lanceolate, 1--2.2 × 0.3--0.6 mm, keeled, not plicate, margins plane, awn 0.3--1.3 mm, costal transverse section prominent, semicircular; distal laminal cells commonly 2-stratose, occasionally only 1-stratose, not bulging, marginal cells 2-stratose, not bulging; medial laminal cells short-rectangular, sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells long-rectangular, straight, thin-walled (rarely somewhat thick-walled); basal marginal laminal cells long-rectangular, straight, thin-walled, typically hyaline. Perichaetial leaves not enlarged. Sexual condition autoicous. Seta straight, 2--3 mm. Capsule usually abundantly present, exserted, pale yellow-brown, oblong, exothecial cells quadrate, thin-walled, stomates present, annulus of 2 rows of quadrate, thick-walled cells, operculum mammillate to rostellate, peristome present, fully developed, perforated in distal half.

 

Exposed, acidic granite and sandstone, high elevation forests to tundra; 880--3700 m; Greenland; Alta., B.C., Labr., N.W.T., Que., Yukon; Alaska, Colo., Idaho, Maine, Mich., Mont., N.H., N.Y., Oreg., Utah, Wash., Wyo.; Mexico; South America; Eurasia; Africa; Antarctic.

 

Grimmia donniana is widespread but relatively uncommon and sporadic along the front ranges of the Rocky Mountains from Alberta south to southern Utah and Colorado. West of the Rockies it is also known from a few locations in central Washington, northern Idaho, and northern Oregon. It is rare at higher latitudes with a few records from Alaska, the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Greenland. There are three disjunct populations in eastern North America: one in Michigan, one in the New England states and southern Quebec, and one in Labrador. Most specimens reported from British Columbia (R. R. Ireland et al., 1987) actually represent Grimmia alpestris. Grimmia donniana is usually recognized by: (1) leaves with plane margins and (2) a hyaline rather uniform basal lamina with long-rectangular, thin-walled cells. The leaves of Grimmia montana, while often incurved distally, may also have plane margins. The latter species, however, has quadrate to short-rectangular basal marginal cells that have thick end-walls and are rarely hyaline. It is also dioicous and lacks stomates. Grimmia sessitana can also have leaves with plane margins, but often one margin is recurved. Its basal marginal laminal cells are rectangular, like those of G. donniana, but they have thick rather than thin walls and are typically not hyaline. The leaf cells of G. sessitana are most often bulging, mammillose; those of G. donniana are not. 

 

9. Grimmia elongata Kaulfuss in J. W. Sturm, Deutschl. Fl. Abth. II, Crypt. 4(13): 24. 1812

 

Drypotodon elongatus (Kaulfuss) Hartman

 

Plants in dense patches, reddish brown to blackish green. Stems 1--4 cm, central strand present. Stem leaves lanceolate, keeled, not plicate, one margin commonly narrowly recurved, awns 0.1--0.5 mm, lower leaves muticous, costal transverse section weak at base, semicircular distally; distal laminal cells 1-stratose, not bulging, marginal cells 2-stratose, not bulging; medial laminal cells short-rectangular, sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells elongate, straight, somewhat thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells rectangular with straight walls, often hyaline. Perichaetial leaves not enlarged. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta straight to slightly curved, 1.5--2.5 mm. Capsule occasionally present, emergent to shortly exserted, yellow-brown, ovoid, exothecial cells variable, quadrate to rectangular, thin-walled, stomates present, annulus of 1--3 rows, operculum conical to rostrate, peristome present, fully developed, papillose.

 

Damp acidic volcanic rock and sandstone, high elevation forests to tundra; 400--2400 m; Greenland; Alta., N.W.T., Nunavut, Que.; Colo.; Mexico; Central America; South America; Eurasia; Africa.

 

Grimmia elongata is a widely distributed species mainly occurring above 2000 m, and with a preference for acidic sandstones and volcanic, damp, north-facing outcrops and ledges. It seems to be uncommon in North America, having been collected only occasionally and from widely separated localities. However, the wide distribution of G. elongata across the Northern Hemisphere suggests that this species may be more common on this continent than collection records indicate. T. Cao and D. H. Vitt (1986) noted that in North America, specimens would most likely be confused with G. donniana, as they considered the two species to be closely related. However, these species are distinctly different in a number of clear characters: G. elongata is reddish brown, muticous or short-awned, has one leaf margin recurved and is dioicous. In contrast, G. donniana is green to black, long-awned, has plane leaf margins and is autoicous. These characters lead us to believe that these species are not closely related; H. C. Greven (2003) feels that G. elongata is most closely related to the Himalayan endemic G. redunca Mitten.

 

10. Grimmia sessitana De Notaris, Atti Reale Univ. Genova 1: 704. 1869

 

Grimmia subpapillinervis Kindberg; G.  tenerrima Renauld & Cardot

           

Plants in dense patches, dark green, brown-green, sometimes almost black. Stems 0.5--1 cm, central strand strong. Stem leaves lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 1--1.8 × 0.2--0.6 mm, keeled, not plicate, one margin commonly recurved, sometimes both plane, awn 0.3--0.8 mm, costal transverse section prominent, semicircular; distal laminal cells 1-stratose, often bulging, marginal cells widely 2-stratose, often bulging; medial laminal cells quadrate, sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells rectangular to elongate, straight, thin-walled; basal marginal laminal cells short- to long-rectangular, straight, thick transverse and thin lateral walls, hyaline or not. Perichaetial leaves not enlarged. Sexual condition cladautoicous. Seta straight, 1--2.5 mm. Capsule usually present, exserted, yellow, ovate to elliptic, exothecial cells short-rectangular, thin-walled, stomates present, annulus of 1 row of quadrate, thick-walled cells, operculum conic, usually with a short obtuse beak, peristome present, fully developed, split or solid in distal half.

 

Exposed or sheltered, moist, acidic granite and sandstone, alpine; 1100--3900 m; Greenland; Alta., B.C., Labr., Nfld., N.W.T., Quebec, Yukon; Alaska, Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., N.H., N.M., N.Y., Nev., Oreg, Utah, Wash., Wyo.; South America (Argentina, Chile); Eurasia; Africa (Kenya, South Africa, Uganda); Antarctic.

 

Grimmia sessitana is widely distributed in high elevation sites throughout western North America, principally in mountains forming the continental divide, but also in the northern Sierra Nevada and the coastal range of Oregon and Washington. It is rare in eastern North America, but occurs in the northern Appalachians of the United States, on the Gaspĕ Peninsula of Quebec, and in Labrador. This is the least xerophilous member of the group; specimens have been collected in runoff zones from late-lying snow patches in the alpine. It is very rare in the dry interior mountains of the American Southwest. Grimmia sessitana is gametophytically variable and often difficult to identify with certainty.  The presence of stomates, and the autoicous condition, separates this species from both G. montana and G. alpestris, which are the most common misidentifications. Confirming the presence or absence of stomates requires careful dissection of the capsule, including the neck, as the stomates are often just above the attachment of the seta. Sexuality can be difficult to determine, as G. sessitana is cladautoicous. If one leaf margin is recurved this will confirm the identification. However, some specimens may have plane margins. The presence of bulging-mammillose cells should separate G. sessitana from G. montana, but a significant number of specimens of G. sessitana have only weakly bulging laminal cells. Thus, specimens with capsules and antheridia are usually identifiable, while sterile specimens may be problematic. The other species that is often confused with G. sessitana is G. donniana. Both species have capsules with stomates and are autoicous. However, G. donniana very consistently has leaves with plane margins, uniform basal areolation with hyaline, narrowly rectangular thin-walled cells, and laminal cells that do not bulge. Grimmia sessitana appeared in H. A. Crum and L. E. Anderson’s (1981) flora of Eastern North America as Grimmia tenerrima. E. Lawton (1971), who accepted autiocous specimens in the concept of G. alpestris, excluded G. sessitana from the flora of the Pacific Northwest. J. Muñoz (1998b) put G. sessitana in synonymy with G. reflexidens but this is not correct.

 

11. Grimmia caespiticia (Bridel) Juratzka. Laubm.-Fl. Oesterr.-Ung.: 172. 1882

 

Campylopus caespiticius Bridel, Muscol. Recent. Suppl. 4: 77; Grimmia alpestris var. caespiticia (Bridel) D. N. Jones; G. alpestris var. manniae (C. Müller) D. N. Jones; G. alpestris var. holzingeri (Cardot & Theriot) D. N. Jones; G. manniae C. Müller; G. nivalis Kindberg; G. pyrenaica Kern

           

Plants in dense flat mats, blue-green to black-green.  Stems 0.5--1 cm, central strand weak. Stem leaves lanceolate from a broad base, 0.8--1.3 × 0.2--0.5 mm, keeled, weakly to rarely strongly plicate distally [often strongly plicate in Eurasian specimens], margins plane proximally, incurved distally, cucullate, awn 0.1--0.5 mm, often muticous, costal transverse section prominent, semicircular; distal laminal cells 2-stratose, bulging, marginal cells 2-stratose, bulging; medial laminal cells rounded-quadrate, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, straight, thin-walled; basal marginal laminal cells short- to long-rectangular, straight, thick transverse and thin lateral walls, not hyaline. Perichaetial leaves not enlarged. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta straight, 1.8--2.4 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, yellow, cylindric, exothecial cells short-rectangular, thin-walled, stomates present, annulus of 1 row of quadrate, thick-walled cells, operculum mammillate, peristome present, fully developed, solid in distal half.

 

Exposed, dry to moist, acidic granite and quartzite, alpine; 1200--3500 m; Greenland; Alta., B.C.; Calif., Colo., Mont., Nev., N.Y, Oreg, Utah, Wash.; Eurasia.

 

Grimmia caespiticia is an uncommon species that occurs on siliceous rock outcrops above timberline in western North America. J. Muñoz (1998b) reported the species on dry rock, but H. C. Greven (1995) cited it as being hygrophytic. R. I. Hastings has observed specimens most commonly in moist areas, but occasionally also on dry rock. Grimmia caespiticia does not occupy sites as extreme as G. sessitana, being found at somewhat lower latitude and elevations. Except for a single site in New York state, it is not known from east of the front ranges of Colorado. Grimmia caespiticia and G. elongata are the only members of the Montanae group (sensu J. Muñoz 1998b) to be both dioicous and have stomates. Grimmia caespiticia typically has a cucullate leaf apex, a feature unknown in other members of the Montanae group and very rare in Grimmia. For most North American specimens, the cucullate apex is more easily seen than are the leaf plications. While usually present, the plications are often not evident except in transverse section. Eurasian specimens typically have, however, strongly developed plications. Most specimens of Grimmia caespiticia have been misidentified as Grimmia alpestris. These two species are similar in habit, have ovate leaves with incurved margins, may have bulging laminal cells, and are dioicous. However, G. caespiticia has stomates while G. alpestris has none. If a specimen has a cucullate leaf apex and/or the plications are well-developed in transverse section then it is most certainly G. caespiticia.

 

Grimmia caespiticia may also be confused with G. sessitana. These species are both found above timberline and both have bulging laminal cells and capsules with stomates. However, the incurved leaf margins, cucullate apex, and quadrate to short-rectangular basal areolation of G. caespiticia is quite different from the plane to recurved leaf margins with long-rectangular basal areolation typical of G. sessitana. Although the type specimen of G. alpestris var. holzingeri lacks capsules, gametophytically it is indistinguishable from muticous specimens of G. caespiticia. Specimens of var. holzingeri with capsules have been collected near the type locality and these specimens have stomates. Rather than accepting that G. alpestris may have stomates (in the sense of E. Lawton 1971), R. I. Hastings places G. alpestris var. holzingeri within the concept of G. caespiticia. In 1890, N. C. Kindberg described Grimmia nivalis based on a specimen collected by J. Macoun at a high elevation site in southern British Columbia. This species is similar to G. caespiticia, differing mainly by having papillae on the leaf lamina. Having examined the type and other material of G. nivalis, R. I. Hastings interprets these features to be merely the remnants of laminal cell walls; the exterior surface of the strongly bulging cell wall has been worn away by the elements. H. C. Greven (2003) feels that the somewhat longer awns and weak plications of G. nivalis fit well with European specimens of G. pyrenaica Kern, a taxon that has also been put in synonymy with G. caespiticia. Therefore, we place G. nivalis in synonymy with G. caespiticia.

 

12. Grimmia reflexidens C. Müller., Syn. Musc. Frond. 1: 795. 1849

 

Grimmia grisea Cardot

 

Plants in compact hairy cushions, greyish green. Stems 1--2 cm, central strand absent. Stem leaves ovate to oblong-lanceolate, 0.1--1.15 × 0.3--0.5 mm, keeled, not plicate, margins plane, awns 1--2 mm, very long, smooth to slightly denticulate, flattened basally, long-decurrent, costal transverse section prominent, semicircular; distal laminal cells yellowish-green, 1-stratose with 2-stratose ridges, not bulging, marginal cells 2-stratose, not bulging; medial laminal cells rounded-quadrate, slightly sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells rectangular, sometimes nodulose, thin- to thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells rectangular with thickened transverse walls, pellucid in 2--4 rows. Perichaetial leaves enlarged. Sexual condition dioicous. [Seta straight, 1.5--2 mm. Capsule absent in northern hemisphere material, emergent to shortly exserted, yellowish brown, oblate, exothecial cells irregularly short-rectangular, thin-walled, stomates absent, annulus of 1 row of quadrate, thick-walled cells, operculum mammillate to rostrate, peristome present, nearly fully developed, split and perforated only in apex, papillose.]

 

Dry acidic rock; 50 [--300] m; of conservation concern; Nfld.; South America (Argentina, Chile); Europe (Iceland); Australia; Pacific Islands (New Zealand).

 

Previous to its discovery in Iceland, as Grimmia grisea (H. C. Greven 1998), Grimmia reflexidens was known from only the Southern Hemisphere. It had previously been collected east of East Bay Newfoundland, now the only known locality in North America, but was not recognized as G. reflexidens. Grimmia reflexidens is similar to Grimmia asperitricha of New Zealand and two species have been confused by G. O. K. Sainsbury (1945) as well as by R. Ochyra (1993).  J. Muñoz (1998b) synonymized G. reflexidens with G. sessitana. However, Grimmia reflexidens is readily separated from G. sessitana by: (1) enlarged perichaetial leaves, (2) decurrent awns, (3) non-bulging laminal cells, and (4) dioicous sexual condition. Capsules are unknown from Northern Hemisphere material, but G. reflexidens lacks stomates while they are present for G. sessitana. Although G. reflexidens and G. teretinervis both have decurrent awns they are easily separated by a number of characters: G. reflexidens grows in compact cushions, has long awns, and a semicircular costa; G. teretinervis grows in loose clumps, is hyaline-tipped to short-awned and has a unique costa that is distally almost completely circular in transverse section.

 

13. Grimmia teretinervis  Limpricht, Jahresber. Schles. Ges. Vaterl. Cult. 61: 216. 1884

 

Schistidium teretinerve (Limpricht) Limpricht

 

Plants in loose tufts, green-brown to reddish brown, shiny. Stems 2--3 cm, central strand strong. Stem leaves ovate-cordate to lanceolate, 0.6--1.2 × 0.2--0.5 mm, keeled, not plicate, margins plane, awn to 0.3 mm, often just hyaline tipped, commonly long-decurrent, costal transverse section prominent, circular distally; distal laminal cells 2-stratose, bulging, marginal cells 2-stratose, bulging; medial laminal cells rounded-quadrate, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, straight, thin- to thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells oblate to quadrate, straight, thick-walled, not hyaline. Perichaetial leaves unknown. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta unknown. Capsule unknown.

 

Moist calcareous sandstone, limestone and dolomite outcrops; 250--1700 m; Alta., B.C., N.W.T., Ont., Que., Sask., Yukon; Alaska, Ark., Colo., Minn., Mo., Mont., Nev., Okla., Wis.; Europe.

 

As reported by R. R. Ireland (1982), Grimmia teretinervis is widely scattered across North America, but nowhere is it common. R. I. Hastings (2002) added several more Western collection locations to those reported by R. R. Ireland. Based on field observations and by correlating collecting localities with bedrock geology, R. I. Hastings (2002) proposed that the distribution of G. teretinervis in North America was largely correlated with the boundaries of ancient epicontinental seaways. These deposits have subsequently undergone faulting or were subjected to glacial-fluvial erosion. The ancient oceans provided the calcareous sediments and the faulting and erosion created the steep exposures preferred by G. teretinervis. Sporophytes have never been observed for Grimmia teretinervis and, until reported by R. R. Ireland (1982), antheridial plants were also unknown. Despite the lack of sporophytes, this species is readily identified by its unique costal structure, which is circular in transverse section. It commonly has thick-walled, bulging laminal cells and very short hair points that are none-the-less often long-decurrent. These features give the plants a blackish brown, shiny thread-like appearance.

 

14. Grimmia longirostris Hooker, Musci Exot.: 62. 1818

 

Grimmia affinis Hornschuch; G. arctophila subsp. labradorica Kindberg; G. catalinensis Bartram; G. catalinensis var. mutica Bartram; G. elata Kindberg.; G. ortholoma Kindberg; G. ovalis var. affinis (Hornschuch) Brotherus; G. ovata var. affinis (Hornschuch) Bruch & Schimper; G. ovateoformis Kindberg

                       

Plants in compact cushions, yellow-green to dark olive green. Stems 1--3 cm, central strand strong. Stem leaves ovate-lanceolate, 1.5--3 × 0.6--0.7 mm, keeled, one margin recurved proximally, not sheathing, awn 0.5--1.5 mm, costal transverse section prominent, reniform; distal laminal cells 2-stratose, not bulging, marginal cells 2-stratose, not bulging; medial laminal cells short-rectangular, sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells long-rectangular to linear, sinuose, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells short-rectangular, straight, thick transverse and thin lateral walls, hyaline. Perichaetial leaves not enlarged. Sexual condition cladautoicous. Seta straight, (1--)2--4 mm. Capsule usually present, (emergent to) exserted, yellow, oblong-ovoid to cylindric, exothecial cells short- to long-rectangular, thin-walled, stomates present in 2--3 rows, annulus of 2 rows of rectangular, thick-walled cells, operculum long-rostrate, peristome present, fully developed, split and perforate in distal half.  

 

Exposed, dry, acidic granite and quartzite; 100--3050 m; Greenland; Alta., B.C., Labr., Man., N.B., Nfld., N.W.T, N.S., Nunavut, Ont., Que., Sask., Yukon; Alaska, Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Maine, Minn., Mont., Nev., N.H., N.Mex., N.C., Okla., Oreg, S.Dak., Tex., Utah, Vt., Wash., Wyo.; Mexico; Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica); South America; Eurasia; Africa; Pacific Islands; Australia.

 

Grimmia longirostris is one of the most common species of Grimmia. It is most common in the eastern ranges of the Rocky Mountains, ranging from western Texas through the Canadian Rockies, and throughout much of Alaska. It is widely distributed in the Canadian sub-Arctic and Arctic, and is known from Greenland. With the exception of disjunct sites in Oklahoma and North Carolina, it is absent in the American Great Plains and from the American Southeast respectively. These latter areas are largely composed of calcareous rocks, a substrate avoided by G. longirostris.  It is rare in coastal areas becoming more common inland.

 

As Grimmia affinis Hornschuch, G. longirostris has commonly been placed as a subspecific entity of Grimmia ovalis. Despite G. Sayre’s (1951) resolution of the differences between these taxa, a large proportion of specimens in major herbaria in North America that are named G. ovalis are actually G. longirostris. However, G. ovalis is dioicous and has leaves with plane margins that are broadly concave distally, usually with a distinct ovate base and well-defined shoulders. In contrast, G. longirostris is autoicous, and has leaves with one recurved margin, that are narrowly keeled distally, with a poorly defined basal region, often without a distinct shoulder. These characters clearly separate these two taxa at the specific level. R.I. Hastings puts Grimmia longirostris into a group that also includes G. arizonae and G. pilifera. Grimmia longirostris is separated from these two species by non-sheathing leaf bases, usually long-exserted capsules, and cladautiocous sexuality. Grimmia longirostris is further separated from G. pilifera by having a stem with a distinct central strand and a thin epidermis, a costal transverse section that is typically reniform, and leaves that are recurved on only one margin.  Rare specimens of Grimmia longirostris with immersed capsules in the American Southwest may be almost indistinguishable from G. arizonae. In the past, these specimens have been refered to Grimmia catalinensis Bartram. In extremely xeric environments, specimens become friable and break into individual strands making determination of the cladautiocous sexuality impossible. In these circumstances identification will always be uncertain. However, the leaves of Grimmia longirostris are not sheathing; they are only loosely attached to the stem and usually can be peeled off intact. In contrast, the leaves of G. arizonae are sheathing and strongly attached to the stem; they often break at the base when trying to remove them. The costal transverse sections of G. longirostris are characteristically reniform (J. Muñoz 1998a) while those of G. arizonae are usually semicircular. However, gradations from semicircular to reniform are not uncommon.

 

15. Grimmia arizonae Renauld & Cardot, Rev. Bryol. 19: 85. 1892

 

Grimmia santa-ritae Bartram

 

Plants in hoary tufts, olive green to dark blue-green. Stems 1--3 cm, central strand strong. Stem leaves ovate-lanceolate, 1.5--3 × 0.6--0.7 mm, keeled, one margin recurved proximally (occasionally both), sheathing, awn 0.5--1.5 mm, costal transverse section prominent, reniform to semicircular; distal laminal cells 2-stratose, not bulging, marginal cells 2-stratose, not bulging; medial laminal cells short-rectangular, sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells long-rectangular to linear, sinuose, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells short-rectangular, straight, thick transverse and thin lateral walls, hyaline. Perichaetial leaves not enlarged. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta straight, 0.5--0.7 mm. Capsule occasionally present, immersed, yellow, oblong-ovoid, exothecial cells quadrate, thin-walled, stomates present in 2--3 rows, annulus of 2 rows of rectangular, thick-walled cells, operculum long-rostrate, peristome present, perforate in middle, split in distal half.

 

Exposed, dry, basalt and acidic granite, rarely on sandstone; 1800--2700 m; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Kans., N.Mex., Okla., Tex.; Mexico.

 

Grimmia arizonae is endemic to the American Southwest and northern Mexico. It has a highly restricted distribution in North America, being found in mountainous areas in southeastern Arizona, through to the Rocky Mountain Front Ranges of western Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. It has disjunct sites in western Oklahoma and California. 

 

As discussed above, Grimmia arizonae is part of a group that includes G. longirostris and G. pilifera. Its sheathing leaf bases, dioicous sexuality and immersed capsules will separate it from G. longirostris. The separation of Grimmia arizonae from Grimmia pilifera, however, has often proven problematic. Grimmia pilifera has been described as having strongly keeled leaves and margins 2--3-stratose, thicker than the medial lamina. (e.g. H. A. Crum 1994). H. C. Greven (1999) adds with usually with short awned, ovate-lanceolate leaves. Grimmia arizonae has less keeled leaves and margins 2-stratose, not thicker than lamina. Greven notes its usually long awns and broadly lanceolate leaves.  J. Muñoz (1999a), however, synonymized these species, attributing any differences as due to geographical variations and sexual development. He reports that in eastern North America, and in shade, G. pilifera has long, acuminate apices and distinct ovate bases. In the west, and in sun, its leaves are lanceolate and without distinct bases. R. I. Hastings and H. C. Greven would call these specimens G. arizonae. To J. Muñoz, the presence or absence of a central strand, is “too variable to be reliable;” he reports that fertile stems have a distinct strand, sterile stems have none. In contrast, in the present study, R. I. Hastings found the stem central strand reliable to separate these species. There is no correlation between sexual maturity and strand development; specimens of G. pilifera lack a central strand. Further, the stem epidermis is consistently twice as thick as it is in G. arizonae. R. I. Hastings found Western specimens, in full sun, that lack a central strand typical of Eastern specimens named G. pilifera. Many sterile specimens from Arizona have a central strand, but sterile or fertile, specimens in eastern North America do not have one. Based on these observations, G. arizonae and G. pilifera are not synonymous. Grimmia arizonae exists as an endemic to the Americas. It differs from G. pilifera by having a central strand, a thin epidermis, and 2-stratose distal lamina with 2-stratose not-thickened margins.

 

16. Grimmia pilifera P. Beauvois, Prodr. Aetheogam: 58. 1805

 

Grimmia pensylvanica Schwaegrichen

 

Plants in robust, loose tufts, dark olive green to black. Stems 1--4 cm, central strand absent. Stem leaves narrowly lanceolate from an ovate base, 2--4.5 × 0.4--0.8 mm, keeled, both margins recurved proximally, often narrowly, sheathing, awn 0.2--0.6(--1.5) mm, costal transverse section prominent, usually semicircular; distal laminal cells 2-stratose, not bulging, marginal cells (2--)3(--4)-stratose, not bulging; medial laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells short-rectangular to linear, sinuose, thin transverse and thick lateral walls; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, straight to sinuose, thick transverse and thin lateral walls, hyaline. Perichaetial leaves not enlarged. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta straight, 0.5--1 mm. Capsule occasionally present, immersed, yellow, oblong-ovoid, exothecial cells quadrate to short-rectangular, thin-walled, stomates present in 2--3 rows, annulus of 2 rows of rectangular, thick-walled cells, operculum long-rostrate, peristome present, fully developed, perforate in middle, split in distal half.

 

Exposed to tree shaded, dry limestone, sandstone and granite; 60--2300 m; N.S.; Ala., Ariz., Ark., Colo., Conn., Del., Ga., Ill., Ind., Ky., Maine, Md., Mass., Minn., Mo., Mont., N.J., N.Mex., N.Y., N.C., Pa., R.I., S.Dak., Tenn., Vt., Va., W.Va.; Mexico; Asia.

 

Grimmia pilifera is most commonly found in the Appalachian Mountains from Nova Scotia through to New York and south to northern Georgia and Alabama. It extends into the Midwest on the Ozark Plateau northward to southern Illinois and Indiana. It is rare in western North America, being found in mountainous areas in southeastern Arizona, through to the Rocky Mountain Front Ranges of New Mexico and Colorado, with disjunct sites in Montana, western South Dakota and Minnesota. It occupies a broader range of habitats than either G. longirostris or G. arizonae in that it is common on limestone and sandstone, as well as granites, in shaded as well as exposed sites, and at much lower elevations throughout much of its range, while still reaching the alpine in Colorado. As discussed above, Grimmia pilifera is most closely related to a group that includes G. longirostris and G. arizonae. Its lack of a central strand, leaves with a small, well-defined ovate base recurved on both margins, which are also distinctly thick, will separate it from G. arizonae.

 

17. Grimmia atrata Hornschuch, Flora 2: 85. 1819

 

Dryptodon atratus (Hornschuch) Hartman

 

Plants in variable loose patches, dark green to black, frequently rust colored below. Stems 2--7 cm, central strand absent. Stem leaves lanceolate to ligulate, 1.5--3 × 0.3--0.6 mm, keeled, margins recurved proximally, incurved distally, tapering to blunt cucullate apex, muticous, costal transverse section prominent, usually semicircular; distal laminal cells 1-stratose with 2-stratose ridges, to completely 2-stratose; medial laminal cells rectangular, nearly straight to sinuose or nodulose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells rectangular, straight to slightly sinuose walled; basal marginal laminal cells in 1--3 rows quadrate, hyaline with straight to slightly sinuose, thick transverse walls. Perichaetial leaves not enlarged. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta straight, 2--6 mm. Capsule occasionally present, long-exserted, yellow-brown, oblong to cylindric, exothecial cells rectangular, thick-walled, annulus of 3--4 rows of rectangular, thick-walled cells, stomates present, operculum conic to rostrate, peristome present, fully developed, perforated and split distally, weakly papillose.

 

Damp, heavy-metal-bearing rock from the lowlands to the alpine; of conservation concern; 1100--2600 m; Greenland; Labr., Yukon; South America (Bolivia); Eurasia.

 

Grimmia atrata is rare in North America being known only from three widely scattered areas. It is known to geologists as one of the “copper-mosses,” i.e., it is an indicator of heavy metal-bearing rock. Because it prefers damp gneiss and mica schists, the tufts are often orange inside on account of the presence of heavy metal oxides. The placement of G. atrata has been problematic. Because of the curved distal leaves and the absence of awns, it does not have the immediate appearance of a Grimmia. As a result it has previously been placed in a separate genus, Dryptodon, intermediate between Grimmia and Racomitrium. Following T. Cao and D. H. Vitt (1986), R. I. Hastings placed it in the subg. Guembelia based on its thick, keeled leaves, long, straight setae and smooth capsules. With its recurved margin, rectangular and thick-walled sometimes sinuous basal laminal cells, prominent annulus and mitrate calyptra, it would seem most close to the group including G. longirostris and G. pilifera. However, its large size and muticous, cucullate leaves, which are often ligulate, coupled with its preference for moist habitats readily separates this species from other members of this group. Sterile specimens with 1-stratose laminae may be confused as belonging to the subg. Rhabdogrimmia. In densely shaded habitats, it grows in loose patches and the areolation shows a near absence of sinuosity. On dry rock, however, the plants have extremely thick, nodulose cell walls that place the species firmly into Grimmia.

 

 xxxc. Grimmia subg. Litoneuron  Hagen, K. Norsk. Vid. Selsk. Skrift. 1909 (5): 6, 10. 1909

 

Plants 1--4 cm. Stem central strand present. Stem leaves broadly oblong-ovate to narrowly ovate-lanceolate or ligulate from an ovate base, concave, margins plane or incurved, costa immersed, distal lamina 2--3-stratose; basal marginal cells hyaline or not. Gemmae absent. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta straight or sigmoid, centrally attached to capsule. Capsule exserted (emergent in G. nevadensis), smooth; stomates present or absent, small, at base of capsule; calyptra mitrate to cucullate, covering operculum.

 

Species 15 (7 in flora): North America; Eurasia; Africa; Mexico; Central America; South America; Indian Ocean Islands; Australia.

 

Members of this subgenus are recognized by their thick, concave leaves with plane margins and costa not projecting prominently from the lamina. The stems have well-developed central strands. They are dioicous, and capsules are not common, but if present they are usually long-exserted on a straight or rarely only slightly sigmoid seta. The annulus is typically large and prominent but is lacking in Grimmia hamulosa. Members of the subgenus have broad habitat preferences ranging from dry exposed rocks to stream banks and cliff faces along lake shores. They are found on acidic to basic rocks ranging from near sea level up to the alpine zone.

 

18. Grimmia unicolor Hooker in R. K. Greville, Scott. Crypt. Fl. 3: 123. 1825

           

Plants in dense to loose patches, pale green to red-brown. Stems 1.5--4(--5) cm. Stem leaves narrowly oblong-lanceolate to ligulate from an ovate base, 1.5--2.5 × 0.5--0.7 mm, both margins incurved, intermarginal bands absent, often sheathing, muticous, cucullate, obtuse-rounded, costa narrow proximally; distal laminal cells 2--3-stratose, rounded, thick-walled; medial laminal cells rounded to quadrate, straight, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells short-rectangular, straight, thick lateral walled, pale yellow; basal marginal laminal cells short-rectangular, straight, thick lateral walled, pale yellow, hyaline. Perichaetial leaves enlarged. Seta straight to slightly sigmoid, 2--4 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, brown, oblong-ovoid, exothecial cells short-rectangular, thin-walled, stomates present, annulus of 2--3 rows of rectangular, thick-walled cells, operculum long-rostrate, peristome perforate and split in distal half. Calyptra mitrate.

 

Cracks of wet acidic, siliceous rocks especially along streams or splash zones of lake shores; 225--2000 m; Greenland; B.C., Ont., Que., Nfld.; Alaska, Calif., Maine, Mich., Minn., N.Y., Vt.; Eurasia; Africa (Ethiopia).

 

In Canada, Grimmia unicolor is found predominantly around the Great Lakes of southern Ontario reaching eastwards into southwestern Quebec, with a disjunct site in Newfoundland. In the United States, it is also commonly found in the Great Lakes region extending eastwards into southwestern Maine. The disjunct sites in British Columbia and on the Seward Peninsula of Alaska may be a Beringial link with Asian populations, where this species is widely distributed across that continent and into northern Europe. Grimmia unicolor is often found in the splash zone of rocky shorelines, especially cliffs, and along rivers. Except for Grimmia olneyi, this habitat is rarely occupied by other species of the genus. Grimmia unicolor is readily distinguished from other species in the subgenera by its leaf morphology. Its leaves are oblong-lanceolate to lingulate, with an obtuse, rounded apex which is muticous. Grimmia olneyi has an acute leaf apex with long awns, and its basal marginal cells are quadrate, contrasting with the rectangular cells of G. unicolor. Sporophytically, G. unicolor typically has a straight seta while that of G. olneyi is sigmoid. In contrast with G. laevigata, Grimmia unicolor has a much narrower costa proximally and lacks an awn, in marked contrast to the broad costa and robust awn of G. laevigata. The shape of the leaves of these two species are distinct, with G. unicolor having a pronounced ovate base and narrow leaves tending towards being lingulate, while G. laevigata has broadly oblong-ovate leaves without a shoulder separating the distal and proximal lamina.

 

19. Grimmia hamulosa Lesquereux, Mem. California Ac. Sc. 1: 14. 1868 

 

            Grimmia brevirostris Williams

 

Plants in flat patches, blackish green. Stems 1--1.5 cm. Stem leaves homomallous-falcate, oblong-lanceolate, from a clasping base tapering to a long, subulate uncinate point, 2--3.5 mm, margins plane, erect above, intermarginal bands absent, usually muticous, occasionally short hyaline awns are present, not decurrent, costa narrow proximally; distal laminal cells 2-stratose, irregularly rounded to quadrate; medial laminal cells irregularly rounded to quadrate, sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells short-rectangular, straight to sinuose, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, thick-walled. Perichaetial leaves not enlarged. Seta straight, 2.5--3.5 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, oblate, shiny, smooth, becoming striate when dry, stomates absent, annulus absent, operculum conical, peristome split in distal half, basal segments smooth, distal segments papillose. Calyptra unknown.

 

Dry granitic rock and boulders; of conservation concern; 1500--3500 m; Calif., Oreg., Wash..

 

Grimmia hamulosa is a rare endemic to the Pacific Coast states of western North America. Few collections exist, its habitat is not well defined, and it is a somewhat confusing species. The original description is incomplete and partly incorrect, e.g. it lacks discussion and comparison with related taxa, and the seta is straight, not bent, as stated in the protologue. Grimmia hamulosa is characterized by: (1) a glossy habit with long tapering homomallous muticous leaves with plane margins, (2) a broad, weakly outlined costa that fills the distal part of the 2-stratose lamina, and (3) a glossy exserted capsule that lacks an annulus. Despite its unique leaf characters and lack of an annulus R. I. Hastings has put it in subg. Litoneuron based on its thick, concave leaves with plane margins, costa not projecting prominently from the lamina, and its exserted capsule on a straight seta. In 1999, H. C. Greven found G. hamulosa richly fruiting in Yosemite National Park. Although isotypes studied by Greven have muticous leaves, in some of the plants from Yosemite the leaves have inconspicuous short awns. However, these plants do not deviate in other aspects from the type specimen. Small specimens of this species resemble G. fragilis Schimper, a form of G. montana described from southern Europe. These plants are characterized by long, glossy leaves usually with broken tips. In G. hamulosa, the leaf tips are also frequently broken, however, in G. montana the costa is clearly defined, and the distal leaf margins are incurved.

 

20. Grimmia olneyi Sullivant in W. S. Sullivant & L. Lesquereux, Musc. Bor.-Amer.: 32. 1856

 

Grimmia austinii Kindberg

           

Plants in flat patches, dark green to brownish black. Stems 1--2 cm. Stem leaves narrowly ovate-lanceolate from an ovate base, 2--3 × 0.4--0.8 mm, both margins incurved, intermarginal bands absent, awn 0.1--0.5 mm, not decurrent, acute, costa narrow proximally; distal laminal cells 2--4 stratose, rounded, thick-walled; medial laminal cells quadrate, slightly thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, straight, thick lateral walls, green; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate, straight, thick transverse and thin lateral walls, green, hyaline. Perichaetial leaves not enlarged. Seta sigmoid, 3--4 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, brown, oblong-ovoid, exothecial cells short-rectangular, thin-walled, stomates present, annulus of 2--3 rows of rectangular, thick-walled cells, operculum long-rostrate, peristome perforate in distal half, split in distal half. Calyptra cucullate.

 

Cracks and exposed faces of dry to periodically wet, acidic or calcareous rocks, commonly along streams or splash zones of lake shores; 20--600 m; Ont., N.S.; Ark., Conn., Del., Maine, Mass., Mich., Mo., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Pa., R.I., Tenn., Vt., Va.

 

Grimmia olneyi is endemic to eastern North America with its center of distribution being along the Appalachians from the New England states southward to North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. A disjunct population occurs west of the Appalachians on the Ozark Plateau of Missouri and Arkansas. Unlike Grimmia unicolor, G. olneyi is tolerant of calcareous rocks and is able to occupy drier sites. Because of its sinuose seta and somewhat wrinkled capsule, Grimmia olneyi is usually placed in subg. Rhabdogrimmia. However, the seta of G. olneyi is usually only somewhat sigmoid and is rarely arcuate. Further, its capsules only become wrinkled when dry, whereas the Rhabdogrimmia typically have plicate capsules whether dry or turgid. In fact, specimens of G. olneyi are most commonly misidentified as either G. ovalis or G. laevigata, species in subg. Litoneuron. The seta and capsule of G. olneyi are at the extremes of both subgenera. However, the general habit of the plants and their leaf structure suggests a close relationship with G. ovalis and G. unicolor.

 

Grimmia olneyi and G. laevigata have broadly overlapping distributions in eastern North America where many specimens of G. olneyi have been misidentified as G. laevigata. Typical specimens of G. olneyi are readily separated from G. laevigata. However, some leaves on a stem of G. laevigata may have defined ovate bases with narrowly decurrent awns. These specimens will resemble G. olneyi. However, the costa of  G. olneyi is always narrow at the base, while that of G. laevigata becomes broad at the base occupying up to 1/3 of the lamina and the costa grades gradually into the basal laminal cells. Furthermore, G. olneyi has quadrate to short-rectangular basal juxtacostal cells, while those of G. laevigata are elongate, almost resembling costal cells. Grimmia olneyi most closely resembles G. ovalis. Both have ovate lanceolate leaves from an ovate base, a narrow distal lamina that is channelled, ending in a narrowly attached, long and toothed awn. The costa is narrow proximally in both species.  However, they are otherwise quite distinct. Aside from the sigmoid seta and slightly wrinkled dry capsule of G. olneyi, its basal juxtacostal laminal cells are shorter and straighter than G. ovalis and its basal marginal cells are quadrate while those of G. ovalis are mostly rectangular. Geography alone has also been used to separate these species as H. A. Crum and L. E. Anderson (1981) rejected all reports of G. ovalis from eastern North America. However, we have seen a number of specimens of G. ovalis from eastern North America and conclude that geography alone is not a reliable basis on which to differentiate these species.

 

21. Grimmia ovalis (Hedwig) Lindberg, Acta Soc. Sci. Fenn. 10: 75. 1871

 

Dicranum ovale Hedwig, Sp. Musc. Frond.: 140. 1801; Grimmia commutata Huebener; G. ovata Weber & Mohr; G. ovata var. gracilis Röll

 

Plants in loose tufts, dark green to brownish black. Stems 1--3 cm. Stem leaves ovate-lanceolate from an ovate base, 1.7--4 × 0.4--0.8 mm, both margins plane, incurved distally, intermarginal bands absent, awn 0.5--1 mm, not decurrent, typically narrowly attached, acute, costa narrow proximally; distal laminal cells 2-stratose, quadrate, thick-walled; medial laminal cells rounded to quadrate, straight, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells usually elongate (sometimes short-rectangular), usually sinuose, and usually with thick lateral walls; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to long-rectangular, straight, with thick transverse and thin lateral walls, green, not to distinctly hyaline. Perichaetial leaves enlarged. Seta straight, 4--6 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, yellow-brown, oblong-ovoid, exothecial cells short-rectangular, thin-walled, stomates present, annulus of 2--3 rows of rectangular, thick-walled cells, operculum long-rostrate, peristome solid, split in distal half. Calyptra cucullate.

 

Dry, exposed to partially shaded, acidic, sandstone and granite and basalt, montane to alpine; (30--)1000--2450 m; Greenland; Alta, B.C., Ont., Que., Yukon; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Minn., Mo., Mont., Nev., N.Mex., N.Y., Ore., Pa., Tex., Utah, Va., Wash., Wyo.; Eurasia; Africa (Algeria, Morocco).

 

Grimmia ovalis is common and widespread in high elevation sites in western North America from southern B.C. along the Rocky Mountain corridor to southern New Mexico and south central California. H. A. Crum and L. E. Anderson (1981) rejected all reports and specimens of G. ovalis from eastern North America. However, we have seen specimens from that area, although scattered and rare. It is not surprising that the species occurs in the eastern part of the continent given that it is widespread across the Laurasian continental plates and in India. Outlier sites in the Yukon and southern Greenland connect the North American populations to Asia and Europe, respectively. In western North America, Grimmia ovalis is most often confused with G. longirostris and G. laevigata. While superficially similar to G. longirostris, G. ovalis has concave leaves with plane margins and is dioicous, while G. longirostris has keeled leaves with a recurved margin and is autoicous. Other points of separation are discussed under G. longirostris. Typical specimens of G. ovalis are readily separated from G. laevigata by their ovate-lanceolate leaves with a well-defined ovate base and narrowly attached awns. However, both of these species are variable in leaf shape, and while the awn of G. ovalis is usually narrowly attached, sometimes it is quite broad and may border on being decurrent. These specimens can be identified by the width of the costa and the basal areolation. Grimmia ovalis has a costa that is narrow at the base, while G. laevigata has a distinctly broad costa covering up to 1/3 of the base. The basal marginal cells of G. ovalis are most often short- to long-rectangular and hyaline while those of G. laevigata are always oblate to quadrate and not hyaline. In eastern North America, specimens of G. ovalis have been misidentified as G. olneyi. Aside from seta and capsule differences, G. ovalis has rectangular basal marginal laminal cells and its basal juxtacostal cells are long-rectangular to elongate; see also G. olneyi.

 

Based on identifications by H. C. Greven, W. A. Weber et.al. (2003) reported Grimmia bernoullii in the United States. Grimmia bernoullii differs from G. ovalis by its more ovate leaves without shoulders and with plane margins, costa broad at the base and disappearing in mid-leaf and sporophytically by its ellipsoid capsule with long-rostrate, straight operculum, and mitriform calyptra. R. I. Hastings has examined duplicate specimens from MO of those cited by W. A. Weber et al. (2003) and has determined that they do not deviate significantly from G. ovalis, having rather narrow leaves, costa narrow at the base and remaining strong in mid-leaf and with many leaves having incurved margins. The specimens were sterile and therefore sporophytic characters could not be determined. Based on these observations R. I. Hastings excludes G. bernoullii from the North American flora, although H. C. Greven would still retain the species.

 

22. Grimmia nevadensis H. C. Greven, Bryologist 105: 273. 2002

 

Plants in dense cushions, blackish green. Stems 0.5--0.7(--1) cm, central strand weak. Stem leaves ovate-lanceolate, 1.5--2 mm, both margins plane, incurved distally, intermarginal bands absent, awn 0.4--0.8 mm, costal transverse section prominent, semicircular; distal laminal cells 2-stratose, medial laminal cells quadrate to rounded, straight, thin-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells short-rectangular, straight, thin-walled; basal marginal laminal cells short-rectangular, straight, with thick transverse and thin lateral walls, not hyaline. Perichaetial leaves not enlarged. Sexuality dioicous. Seta straight, 0.9--1.1 mm. Capsule commonly present, emergent, chestnut brown, ovate with distinct constriction below rim, exothecial cells rectangular, thick-walled, stomates absent, annulus of 1 row of quadrate, thick-walled cells, operculum conic, peristome absent. Calyptra cucullate.

 

Acidic sedimentary rocks; of conservation concern; 1900--2500 m; Calif., Nev.

 

Grimmia nevadensis is a rare but locally abundant endemic, known only from the Sierra Nevada Mountains of eastern California and western Nevada. Fertile specimens of Grimmia nevadensis can be separated from G. mariniana by the absence of peristome teeth and by the chestnut brown capsules. Gametophytically, specimens of G. nevadensis contrast with G. mariniana by having a uniform basal areolation of short-rectangular cells with thin lateral walls and its margins are not hyaline. If fertile, the immersed, eperistomate capsules will separate G. nevadensis from G. ovalis, G. alpestris and G. montana. Sterile specimens can be separated from G. alpestris by the absence of bulging cells, and the uniformly short-rectangular, thin-walled basal laminal cells. While both G. nevadensis and G. montana have plane to incurved distal margins and both lack bulging laminal cells, the uniformly short-rectangular, thin-walled basal laminal cells and concave leaves will identify G. nevadensis. Grimmia nevadensis is easily separated from G. arizonae and G. pilifera. In contrast with both of the latter species, G. nevadensis lacks stomata and peristome teeth, and its concave leaves with plane to incurved margins differ markedly from the keeled leaves with recurved leaf margins of the other two species.

 

23. Grimmia serrana J. Muñoz, J. Shevock & D. R. Toren, J. Bryol. 24: 143. 2002

 

Plants in flat patches, olive green. Stems to 3 cm. Stem leaves ovate-lanceolate from an ovate base, 2.5--3.5 × 0.6--0.7 mm, both margins plane, costa-like intermarginal bands 2--4(--5)-stratose, awn to 1 mm, not decurrent, narrowly attached, acuminate, costa narrow proximally, distal laminal cells 1--3-stratose, oblate to rectangular, thick-walled; medial laminal cells quadrate, slightly sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells short- to long-rectangular, sinuose, thick lateral-walled, dense; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, sinuose, thick lateral-walled, not hyaline. Perichaetial leaves enlarged. Seta straight to slightly curved, to 3.5 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, pale yellow, ovoid, exothecial cells oblong, thin-walled, stomates absent, annulus of 1--2 rows of quadrate, thick-walled cells, operculum short straight, peristome fully developed, not perforate, not split. Calyptra cucullate.

 

Humid to dry areas, exposed granite, metamorphic rock, metavolcanic rocks and basalt, montane woodlands; 670--1400 m; Calif.

 

Grimmia serrana is endemic to western North America, having been collected only in California, where it is currently known from “localities along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada and two occurrences in the northern Coast Range” (J. Muñoz et al. 2002). Despite its limited distribution, H. C. Greven (2003) found it to be quite common in the area. With its thick, concave leaves, with plane margins and flat costa, Grimmia serrana is best placed in the subg. Litoneuron. This is further supported by a number of other features shared by, but not unique to, all members of this subgenus including a well-developed stem central strand, dioicous sexuality, and long-exserted capsule with a multi-layered, thick-walled annulus. Grimmia serrana is most readily identified by a prominent, costa-like multi-layered band of cells that run along the laminal margin distally and becoming submarginal proximally. This inflated band of marginal cells is unique to this species and readily separates it from all other members of Litoneuron. As stated by J. Muñoz et al. (2002), G. serrana is most likely to be confused with G. ovalis. Both are robust species with ovate-lanceolate leaves from an ovate base. However, the prominent intermarginal bands of G. serrana will readily separate these species.

 

24. Grimmia laevigata (Bridel) Bridel, Bryol. Univ. 1(1): 183. 1826

 

Campylopus laevigatus Bridel, Muscol. Recent. Suppl. 4: 76. 1819 [1818]; Grimmia glauca Cardot; G. leucophaea Greville; G. sarcocalyx Kindberg

 

Plants in hoary, dense tufts, dark green to dark brown. Stems 0.5--2 cm. Stem leaves oblong-ovate to oblong-lanceolate, 1.5--3 × 0.4--0.6 mm, both margins plane, intermarginal bands absent, awn 0.3--2 mm, decurrent, broadly attached, acute, costa broad proximally; distal laminal cells 2-stratose, quadrate, thick-walled; medial laminal cells rounded-quadrate, straight, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells elongate, straight, thick lateral walls, green; basal marginal laminal cells oblate to quadrate, straight, thick transverse and thin lateral walls, green, not hyaline. Perichaetial leaves not enlarged. Seta straight, 1.5--3 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, brown, oblong-ovoid to cylindric, exothecial cells quadrate, thick-walled, stomates present, annulus of 2--3 rows of rectangular, thick-walled cells, operculum short rostrate, peristome irregularly perforate distally, irregularly split. Calyptra mitrate.

 

Humid to dry, exposed, acidic, sandstone and granite and basalt, open plains to montane, rarely alpine; 240--2800 m; B.C.; Ala., Ariz., Ark., Calif., Colo., D.C., Fla., Ga., Idaho, Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., Md., Mass., Minn., Mo., Mont., Nebr., Nev., N.J., N.Mex., N.Y., N.C., Okla., Oreg., Pa., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Tex., Utah, Vt., Va., Wash., Wyo.; Mexico; South America; Eurasia; Africa; Indian Ocean Islands; Australia.

 

Grimmia laevigata is widespread and relatively common on the southern Great Plains, into the Ozarks and along the Appalachians from northeastern Alabama to the New England states. There is also an extensive outlier in southern Minnesota and adjacent states. In western North America, it is abundant in California and the Pacific Northwest region into south central British Columbia. Although it occurs in the Rocky Mountain region it is not common, being found mostly in lower elevation sites and along the east slopes. With the exception of a few disjunct sites in southern Georgia and Florida, it is unknown from the coastal plains of the American southeast. This is probably related to the extensive cover of calcareous Cretaceous and more recent bedrock. The northern limit of G. laevigata suggests a distribution influenced by the winter position of the Arctic airmass. Although it is known from high elevations, G. laevigata is most often found below treeline on granite and acidic sandstones. It is an early successional invader of granitic rocks in the piedmont of the American southeast (H. J. Oosting and L. E. Anderson, 1937, 1939; C. Keever et al. 1951). Classic specimens of Grimmia laevigata are recognized by their broad leaves with almost no shoulder separating the proximal and distal lamina, and by their robust, broadly attached and long-decurrent awns. However, G. laevigata is quite variable with respect to leaf shape and awn attachment with some specimens having bases approaching ovate and then often with rather narrowly attached awns. These specimens may be assigned to G. laevigata by the wide costa and oblate to quadrate basal marginal cells. Sterile specimens may be separated from G. poecilistoma by the wide costa and thick-walled basal cells.

 

xxxd. Grimmia subg. Rhabdogrimmia Limpricht. Laubm. I: 759. 1889

 

Plants 1--8 cm. Stem central strand present or absent. Stem leaves lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, keeled, costa projecting on dorsal side, leaf margin recurved on one or two sides; laminal cells usually 1-stratose distally (2--4 stratose in G. elatior and G. funalis)  except at margin; basal marginal cells not hyaline (except G. funalis and G. torquata). Gemmae present or absent. Seta arcuate to cygneous when moist, centrally attached to capsule. Capsule cernuous or pendulous, striate to sulcate when dry and empty (smooth in G. attenuata), stomates present at base of capsule (absent in G. anomala); calyptra cucullate to mitrate.

 

Species 32 (17 in flora): North America; Mexico; South America; Eurasia; Africa; Pacific Islands; Australia.

 

Members of this subgenus are recognized by their lanceolate, thin, sharply keeled leaves with recurved margins, typically 1-stratose lamina with 1- or 2-stratose margins, and long, arcuate seta with striate to sulcate capsules. Most members of the subgenus occur on dry acidic rock.

 

25. Grimmia lesherae H. C. Greven, Grimmias of the World. 130--131. 2003

 

Plants in loose tufts, green. Stems 0.5--1.5 cm, dichotomously branched, central strand absent. Stem leaves loosely appressed and straight when dry, erectopatent when moist, broadly oblong-lanceolate, tapering to acute apex, 1.5--2 × 0.4--0.6 mm, larger towards stem tips, sharply keeled, margins recurved on both sides, awns absent, occasionally short hyaline points at leaf tips present, costa weak proximally, broad distally, projecting on dorsal side; distal laminal cells 1-stratose, margins 2-stratose; medial laminal cells short-rectangular with nodulose to sinuose walls, weakly papillose; basal juxtacostal laminal cells rectangular to linear, straight, thin-walled; basal marginal laminal cells rectangular, thin-walled. Gemmae absent. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta straight, 2 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, yellowish brown, oblate, smooth, exothecial cells thin-walled, annulus present, operculum rostrate, peristome teeth orange, deeply split and perforated, papillose. Calyptra cucullate.

 

Damp acidic rock; of conservation concern; 2000--3000 m; Calif., Wash.

 

Grimmia lesherae is apparently endemic to the high mountains along the Pacific Coast of western North America. At present, it is known only from a few damp high elevation sites in Washington and northern California, but suitable habitats exist all along the high coastal mountains and so it may also be expected in Oregon. Grimmia lesherae is a characteristic species that is unlikely to be confused with other Grimmias. There are some similarities to G. incurva, but that species has short hair-points, the leaves are linear, the medial cells have nodulose walls, and the seta is arcuate. The combination of keeled leaves with recurved margins, and straight seta is unique in subg. Rhabdogrimmia. Grimmia lesherae appears to be intermediate between the subg. Guembelia and Rhabdogrimmia, calling into question the division of the genus into four subgenera. A peculiar distinguishing character is the left-handed twist of dried up setae, unique to this species in Grimmia. G. K. Limpricht (1890) incorrectly reported the left-hand twisted dried up setae as common in Grimmia.

 

26. Grimmia anomala Schimper, Syn. Musc. Europ. ed. 2: 270. 1876

 

Grimmia hartmanii ssp. anomala (Hampe) Loeske; G. pachyneurula J. K. A. Müller & Kindberg; G. philibertiana Britton

 

Plants in tufts, yellowish green, blackish below. Stems 1.5--3.5 cm, small central strand present. Stem leaves irregularly imbricate when dry, erect when moist, oblong-lanceolate, gradually narrowed into a blunt chlorophyllose point, 1.5--2.5 × 0.4--0.8 mm, keeled, margins recurved on one or both sides, awns absent to very short, costa projecting on dorsal side; distal laminal cells 1-stratose, in places 2-stratose, margins 1-stratose; medial laminal cells rounded-quadrate, walls slightly sinuose, thin- or thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, straight, thin-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular with thickened transverse walls. Gemmae in clusters, globular, yellowish green to orange, multicellular, on hyaline, deformed leaf apices. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta straight to slightly curved when moist, 3--5 mm. Capsule extremely rare, exserted, brownish, oblong-ovoid, smooth, exothecial cells isodiametric, thick-walled, annulus present, operculum with long straight beak, peristome teeth orange, fully developed, smooth below, perforated and papillose distally. Calyptra mitrate.

 

Exposed, damp acidic rock in boreal and alpine meadows and slopes; 200--3000 m; Greenland; Alta., B.C., Nfld., N.S., Ont.; Alaska, Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Mich., Oreg., Utah, Wash., Wyo.; Eurasia.

Because of the always abundantly present gemmae on leaf apices, Grimmia anomala has often been confused with Grimmia hartmanii. Indeed, Grimmia anomala has frequently been treated as a variety of G. hartmanii (G. N. Jones 1933, E. Lawton 1971). However, as pointed out by O. Vitikainen (1969), the ecological and morphological features of this latter species are so constant and distinct, that there is no doubt that it can be treated as a separate species. Special features of G. anomala are stems with central strands, and longitudinal ridges on cell walls in the distal part of the leaf that resemble papillae in transverse section. It tends to prefer upland habitats. In contrast, Grimmia hartmanii is principally a lowland species, frequently growing on boulders in forests. It lacks a central strand and longitudinal ridges are absent. Its spreading secund distal leaves taper to long sharply keeled apices.

 

27. Grimmia attenuata (J. K. A. Müller & Kindberg) Kindberg, Eur. N. Am. Bryin. 2: 228. 1897

 

Racomitrium alternuatum J. K. A. Müller & Kindberg, Cat. Canad. Pl., Musci: 73. 1892

 

Plants robust, brownish to reddish in distal part, black and frequently defoliated below. Stems 5--10 cm, central strand absent. Stem leaves straight appressed when dry, erectopatent when moist, lanceolate, 2.7--3.5 × 0.5--0.75 mm, sharply keeled distally, margins narrowly reflexed on both sides, awns terete, firm and short, denticulate, costa 70-120 µm wide at base, channeled distally, circular, projecting on dorsal side; distal laminal cells 1-stratose, apex and margins 2-stratose; medial laminal cells short- to long- rectangular with extremely thick and sinuose lateral walls; basal juxtacostal laminal cells elongate with extremely thick, slightly nodulose walls; basal marginal laminal cells in a few rows short-rectangular, thin-walled. Gemmae absent. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta cygneous, 3--4 mm. Capsule sporadically present, exserted, yellowish brown, ovoid, smooth, exothecial cells thin-walled with incrassate corners, annulus present, operculum rostrate, peristome teeth orange, 40--60 µm wide at base, split and perforated, smooth proximally, papillose distally. Calyptra not seen.

 

Loose tufts on dry boulders; of conservation concern; 0--1000 m; B.C.; Alaska, Wash.

 

This northwestern North American endemic resembles forms of the extremely variable Racomitrium heterostichum, and because G. N. Jones (1933) mentioned five varieties of this latter species, it is not surprising that in some herbaria, e.g. NY, all specimens of G. attenuata have been filed as varieties of R. heterostichum. N. C. Kindberg (1897) realized that his species was not a Racomitrium, but a Grimmia, and he wrote: "Habit of G. elatior." In spite of Kindberg's correct transfer to Grimmia, T. C. Frye (1918) synonymized it with R. macounii. Adding to the confusion, H. Möller (1929) synonymized it with Grimmia elatior, and J. Muñoz (1999b) published it as G. arcuatifolia Kindberg, which is a synonym of G. lisae De Notaris. Grimmia elatior is characterized by ellipsoid striate capsules, leaf margin broadly recurved on just one side,  and an opaque 2-stratose distal lamina with rounded usually mammillose to papillose cells, the mid-leaf cells quadrate to short-rectangular with slightly sinuose, thick walls.

 

28. Grimmia brittoniae Williams, Bull. Torr. Bot. Cl. 27: 316. 1900

 

Plants in extremely hoary, compact glaucous cushions, brown inside. Stems 2--3 cm, central strand absent. Stem leaves loosely appressed to slightly contorted when dry, erectopatent when moist, lanceolate, 0.5--1 × 0.3--0.4 mm, keeled, margins narrowly recurved on both sides, awns 2--4 mm, smooth, flattened below, decurrent, costa weak, projecting on dorsal side; distal laminal cells 1-stratose, margins 1-stratose; medial laminal cells short-rectangular, slightly sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxacostal laminal cells rectangular, straight to slightly sinuose, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate with thickened transverse walls. Gemmae absent. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta flexuose, 2 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, brownish, ovoid, wide-mouthed, exothecial cells thin-walled, annulus present, operculum conical, peristome teeth yellow, split and perforated distally, slightly papillose.

 

Vertical faces of shaded, calcareous cliffs; of conservation concern; 500--700 m; Idaho, Mont.

 

Grimmia brittoniae is an endemic of western Montana and northern Idaho. It was described by R. S. Williams based on a set of specimens that he collected near Columbia Falls. Grimmia brittoniae grows in warm, dry but climatically moist valley-bottom or piedmont forests dominated by Douglas Fir. It is distinct and easily recognized in the field. The often extensive cushions found on rocky underhangs are a characteristic blue-green color when moist, cracking into polygonal patterns when dry. The extremely long awns at once separate it from all other species of the genus. Grimmia brittoniae can only be confused with small forms of G. funalis, which also may grow in compact hoary cushions that are glaucous green in the distal part and brown inside. J. Muñoz (2000) synonymized G. brittoniae with this species. H. C. Greven and T. Spribille (1999), however, had already demonstrated that in G. funalis the leaves are usually spirally curved, the distal areolation is 2-stratose, the proximal leaves are blackish with short awns, the margins are plane or recurved on one side, and the basal cells are linear, thick-walled and sinuose. In addition, G. funalis is characterized by male plants growing in separate cushions, with muticous to very short-awned leaves. Male plants of G. brittoniae grow intermingled with female plants and can hardly be separated from them. Grimmia brittoniae is more closely related to G. orbicularis. The leaves of both species are similar. However, the awns of the latter species are much shorter, it is autoicous, usually with capsules on arcuate setae, the peristome teeth are broad, cribrose, irregularly cleft at the apex, and the operculum is mammillate. Although R. S. Williams originally described G. brittoniae as having concave leaves with plane, sometimes 2-stratose margins, the leaves are keeled distally, and the margins are narrowly recurved and only very rarely 2-stratose. The recurved margins, however, are only present in leaves still attached to the stems; once detached and pressed under a cover glass, the margins appear plane.

 

29. Grimmia elatior Bals & De Notaris, Mem. R. Acc. Sc. Torino 40: 340. 1838

 

Grimmia cognata Cardot & Thérot; G. grandis Kindberg; G. papillosa (Warnstorf) Kindberg

 

Plants in robust, dark green to blackish green, loose, hoary, readily disintegrating tufts. Stems 1--5 cm, central strand absent. Stem leaves loosely appressed to slightly twisted when dry, erectopatent when moist, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, tapering to acute apex, 2--3.0 × 0.5--0.7 mm, keeled, margin broadly recurved on one side, awns short to long and weakly denticulate, costa weak at base, channeled distally, projecting on dorsal side; distal laminal cells 2-stratose with thick, prominent multistratose bands, margins multistratose and thick, areolation very opaque with rounded thick-walled cells, occasionally papillose; medial laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells short- to long-rectangular, sinuose-nodulose, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, thin- to thick-walled. Gemmae absent. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta arcuate, 2--3 mm. Capsule occasionally present, emergent to exserted, brown, oblate, striate, exothecial cells thin-walled, annulus present, operculum rostrate, peristome teeth purple, deeply split, papillose. Calyptra mitrate.

 

Exposed, dry acidic rock and occasionally basic limestone; 500--4500 m; Greenland; Alta., B.C., Yukon; Colo., Mont., N.J., Oreg., S.Dak., Wyo.; Eurasia; Africa. 

 

The rather robust Grimmia elatior was described by Kindberg as Grimmia grandis. The species is fairly common in the Canadian Rockies and in the western United States. It is predominantly bound to the Rocky Mountain area in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. In eastern North America it is known only from a site in New Jersey. Grimmia elatior can be recognized easily by its robust habit, usually growing in dark green, extended patches on various types of acidic rock, like gneiss, granite, sandsto­ne and serpentine. While often described as having papillae, most North American specimens do not have them. E. Mair (2002) reported that papillae were strongly expressed in harsh conditions but many specimens from the alpine in both the Yukon and Colorado lack papillae. The widespread but uncommon western species G. leibergii is commonly mistaken for G. elatior. However, G. leibergii has both leaf margins recurved, its lamina is 1-stratose with only 2-stratose margins, and its basal juxtacostal cells are elongate to linear; in G. elatior there is only one recurved leaf margin, its lamina is 2-stratose with multistratose bands and margins, and its basal juxtacostal cells are only short- to long-rectangular. The length of the awn in G. elatior is very variable; plants with nearly muticous leaves and plants with very long awns may be found growing close together. There is also some resemblance to G. pilifera, widespread in Asia and eastern North America. The latter species, however, has immersed capsules, both margins are recurved and its lamina does not have multistratose bands.

 

30. Grimmia funalis (Schwägrichen) Bruch and Schimper, Bryol. Eur. 3: 119. 1845

 

Trichostomum funale Schwägrichen, Sp. Musc. Frond. Suppl. 1(1): 150, tab 37. 1811; G. calvescens Kindberg; G. imberbis Kindberg; G. ryanii Limpricht; G. spiralis Hooker

 

Plants growing in dense, usually hemispherical cushions, breaking up readily, falling apart into clusters and string-like (spirally twisted leaves) single shoots, greyish green. Stems 2--5 cm, central strand present. Stem leaves usually spirally arranged when dry, patent when moist, lanceolate, 0.5--1.5 × 0.2--0.5 mm, appressed, of ± uniform length throughout stem, keeled, margins plane or recurved on one side, in female plants awns long and denticulate, in male plants very short to absent, costa weak below, projecting on dorsal side; distal laminal cells 2-stratose; medial laminal cells short-rectangular, extremely sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells elongate, ± sinuose, thick-walled; basal marginal proximal laminal cells short-rectangular, hyaline. Gemmae absent. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta arcuate, 1.5--2 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, yellowish-green, oblate, weakly striate, concealed in awns, exothecial cells thin-walled, annulus present, operculum conical to rostellate, peristome teeth orange, split distally, papillose. Calyptra mitrate.

 

Damp acidic rock; 500--2000 m; Nunavut, Ont.; La., Mich.; Eurasia.

 

Grimmia funalis is frequently misidentified because it is extremely variable in height, color and length of the awns. In optimal conditions, it forms extremely dense, greyish green cushions that break up easily, falling apart into clusters and straight single plants. A distinct feature is the string-like appearance of the dried up shoots, which results from the spiral twisting of the leaves around the stem. However, H. C. Greven has also seen populations without such spirally twisted leaves. Under the microscope, the mid-leaf areolation with yellowish, short-rectangular, very thick and sinuose cell walls is characteristic. Formerly recognized taxa Grimmia calvescens, G. imberbis and G. ryanii are actually male plants of G. funalis. They grow in separate cushi­ons with muticous to short-awned leaves, deviating greatly from the much taller, long-awned female plants. These male plants might be confused with G. elongata, which frequently grows in the same habitat, or with G. caespiticia. However, in G. elongata the basal cells are pellucid, straight and thin-walled or only slightly incrassate. In G. caespiticia the basal cells are shorter tending to be quadrate to short-rectangular, and the leaf apex is cucullate.

 

31. Grimmia hartmanii Schimper, Syn. Musc. Eur.: 214. 1860

Plants in ascending, dichotomously branched patches, green. Stems 2--8 cm, central strand absent. Stem leaves slightly contorted with often secund apices when dry, distal leaves usually falcate-secund when moist, broadly lanceolate, tapering to an acuminate apex, 2.5--4.5 × 0.4--0.6 mm, keeled, margins usually recurved on one side, awns very short, denticulate, costa firm, projecting on dorsal side; distal laminal cells 1-stratose, margins 2-stratose; medial laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, slightly sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells short- to long-rectangular, slightly sinuose, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate, thickened transverse walls. Gemmae in clusters, mulberry- or raspberry-shaped, brown, borne on leaf apices, usually present. Sexual condition dioicous. [Seta straight to flexuose, 3--4 mm. Capsule extremely rare, exserted, yellowish-green, clavate-oblate, smooth, exothecial cells thick-walled, annulus present, operculum rostrate, peristome teeth orange, deeply split, perforated distally, papillose. Calyptra mitrate.]

Shaded boulders, especially granite, in woodlands; 100--1500 m; P.E.I., Que.; Utah, Vt.; Eurasia; n Africa.

Grimmia hartmanii is principally a lowland species, occurring in the mountains up to 1500 m. With the separation of G. anomala from this taxon, G. hartmanii is much less common in North America than was previously thought. It is known principally from the Northeast. Although it is usually found in densely shaded habitats, in areas with high humidity it can establish itself in exposed sites. Grimmia hartmanii more closely resembles some species of Racomitrium than species of its own genus, but it may be recognized by the usually spreading falcate-secund distal leaves, the very small awns and the terminal clusters of brown gemmae, which are conspicuous and usually present. Capsules are extremely rare, and are unknown in North America.

 

32. Grimmia incurva Schwägrichen, Spec. Musc. Suppl. 1(1): 90. 1811

 

Grimmia curvifolia Lindberg; G.  torngakiana Brassard & Hedderson

 

Plants in usually rounded cushions, green to blackish. Stems 1--2 cm, central strand present. Stem leaves incurved and moderately contorted when dry, spreading when moist, oblong- to linear-lanceolate, tapering to a slender and acuminate, often hyaline apex, 2.5--4.5 × 0.3--0.5 mm. keeled, margins plane or recurved below on one or both sides, awns short, often only a hyaline point, occasionally long and denticulate, costa projecting on dorsal side; distal laminal cells 1-stratose, margins and apex 2-stratose; medial laminal cells rectangular, nodulose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells long-rectangular, slightly sinuose, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells short- to long-rectangular, thin-walled. Gemmae absent. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta arcuate, 1.5--2 mm. Capsule occasionally present, emergent to exserted, yellowish, oblate, smooth or somewhat wrinkled when dry, exothecial cells thin-walled, annulus present, operculum conic to rostrate, peristome teeth orange, divided distally, papillose. Calyptra mitrate.

 

Shaded damp, acidic rock; 500--2500 m; Greenland; Alta., B.C., Nwfd. (Labr.), N.B., Yukon; Calif., Colo., Maine, N.H., N.Y, Oreg., S.Dak., Wash.; Eurasia.

 

The peculiar east-west disjunct distribution of Grimmia incurva in North America may reflect its preference for damp sites. Specimens have been collected in the New England states and in the Maritime provinces of Canada, with a second widespread area running from the Yukon south through to California. It is uncommon in the continental interior. Grimmia incurva is a shade-loving subalpine species, characterized by rounded dark green cushions and linear, contorted leaves. The awns are only visible with a hand-lens. This species has a habit more like that of Dicranowesia crispula than that of a Grimmia. H. A. Crum and L. E. Anderson (1981) reported immersed capsules, but that is not correct, they are clearly exserted (H.C. Greven 1995). H. A. Crum and L. E. Anderson (1981) also observed: “Specimens recorded from Maine can be considered a shade form of G. donniana.” However, this confusion extends beyond Maine. H. C. Greven renamed nearly all the G. donniana specimens from New York and New Hampshire in MICH to G. incurva. R. I. Hastings agrees that these specimens cannot be G. donniana because the leaf shape is virtually identical to G. incurva, being narrowly lanceolate and contorted. However, like G. donniana, and unlike G. incurva, the specimens are autoicous and the setae are straight. Rather than expanding the concept of either G. donniana or G. incurva to include these anomalous specimens, R. I. Hastings and H. C. Greven propose that they represent an as yet unpublished species with a unique combination of characters. R. I. Hastings thus retains G. incurva as being dioicous and G. donniana as having oblong-lanceolate leaves.

 

33. Grimmia leibergii Paris, Ind. Bryol. 528. 1896

 

Grimmia jacutica E. Ignatova, H. Bednarek-Ochyra, O. Afonina & J. Muñoz; G. pachyphylla Leiberg

 

Plants robust, ascending from a decumbent base, dark olive green. Stems 5--12 cm, repeatedly dichotomous, central strand absent. Stem leaves loosely appressed when dry, patent to spreading when moist, often becoming secund distally on the stem, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 3--4 × 0.6--0.9 mm, keeled, margins recurved on both sides, awns denticulate, flattened proximally, sometimes decurrent, costa yellowish to pale orange proximally, wider (± 100 µm) near the base, channeled distally, semicircular on dorsal side; distal laminal cells 1-stratose, margins partly 2-stratose; medial laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, strongly sinuose, thin to thick oblique transverse walls and extremely thick lateral walls; basal juxtacostal laminal cells elongate to linear, weakly orange at insertion, nodulose, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells in a few rows quadrate to short-rectangular, thick-walled. Gemmae absent. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta arcuate, 3--4 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, yellowish-green, oblong-ovate, striate, exothecial cells rather thick-walled, annulus present, operculum rostrate, peristome teeth orange to reddish, perforated, irregularly cleft at apex, nearly smooth basally, papillose. Calyptra mitrate.

 

Dry acidic boulders; 400--500 m; B.C.; Calif., Idaho, Mont., Oreg., Wash.; Eurasia

 

Grimmia leibergii, formerly thought to be endemic to western North America, has the habit of Racomitrium heterostichum (Hedw.) Brid.. Nearly all specimens of G. leibergii in NY, and probably also in other North American herbaria, have been stored as varieties of R. heterostichum. This confusion probably accounts for G. leibergii not being commonly recognized in North America. J. B. Leiberg (1893) stated that it was most closely related to G. decipiens, a species that does not occur in North America. Both taxa share broadly ovate-lanceolate leaves with both margins recurved, rectangular mid-leaf cells with extremely thick and sinuose lateral walls and elongate to linear, nodulose, thick-walled basal juxtacostal cells. However, G. decipiens is autoicous, it is a much smaller species, with long, sharply denticulate awns. The gametophytes form comal tufts, so the distal leaves are 2--3 times longer than the lower leaves, and are not secund. E. Ignatova et al. (2003) reported the new species G. jacutica from eastern Asia and Alaska but all specimens that we have examined are but slightly smaller forms of G. leibergii with slightly more sinouse mid-leaf cells. The extension of G. leibergii into eastern Asia is a significant find and speaks to our poor knowledge of Grimmia distribution patterns on a world-wide basis.

 

34. Grimmia lisae De Notaris, Musc. Ital. Spic. 15. 1837

 

Grimmia ancistrodes Durieu & Montagne; G. arcuatifolia Kindberg; G. californica Sullivant; G. canadensis Kindberg; G. flettii (Holzinger) Cardot

 

Plants in dense to loose tufts, olive green, brownish to blackish below. Stems 1--4 cm, central strand present. Stem leaves erect and appressed when dry, recurved to squarrose when moist, broadly lanceolate, tapering to an acute apex, 1.5--2.5 × 0.4--0.6 mm, keeled, margins recurved on one or both sides, awns absent to rather long, stout and denticulate, costa reniform, projecting on dorsal side, median layer of stereids present; distal laminal cells 1-stratose with 2-stratose ridges, margins 2-stratose; medial laminal cells rounded-quadrate to oblate, straight, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells short-rectangular to occasionally elongate, straight to slightly sinuose, thin- to thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, thickened transverse walls. Gemmae in clusters, multicellular, occasionally present in leaf axils. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta arcuate, 3--4.5 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, ovoid, brown, shiny, weakly striate, exothecial cells thin-walled, annulus present, operculum rostrate, peristome teeth orange, fully developed to irregularly cleft at apex, papillose. Calyptra mitrate.

 

Dry acidic to basic rock; 60--1000 m; B.C.; Calif., Oreg., Wash.; Mexico; n Africa; Eurasia; Pacific Islands (Hawaii).

 

Grimmia lisae is a thermophilous species with a preference for subtropical coastal areas. In North America, it occurs along the west coast, from Vancouver Island south to Mexico. From this region, it has been described frequently as a new species (see synonymy above). Grimmia lisae is closely related to G. trichophylla, but is distinguished by somewhat shorter and broader leaves that are straight and appressed when dry and recurved to squarrose when moist, and by a reniform costa. Furthermore, it is characterized by a grass-green mid-leaf areolation with small, rounded, frequently oblate cells with straight walls.

 

35. Grimmia moxleyi Holzinger, Musci Bor. Am. Eur. 24. 1926

 

Plants in frequently extended mats, blackish green. Stems 1--1.5 mm high, small central strand present. Stem leaves erect with slightly incurved tips when dry, erect-spreading when moist, oblong, broadly rounded and muticous at apex, 1.5--2 × 0.4--0.6 mm, keeled, margins plane to recurved, awns absent, only present in perichaetial leaves, costa weak below, projecting at dorsal side, perichaetial leaves longer and with awns. Distal laminal cells 2-stratose; medial laminal cells rounded-quadrate, ± sinuose, thin- or thick-walled; basal juxacostal laminal cells short- to long-rectangular, straight, thin-walled; basal marginal laminal cells short- to long-rectangular, thin-walled. Gemmae absent. Sexual condition autoicous. Seta flexuose to curved, 1--1.5 mm. Capsule usually present, exserted, chestnut brown, oblong-ovoid, wrinkled-plicate when dry, exothecial cells thin- to thick-walled, annulus present, operculum conical, peristome teeth yellowish, split and perforated, papillose. Calyptra cucullate.

 

Dry acidic rock; of conservation concern; 500--1500 m; Ariz., Calif., Nev.; nw Mexico.

 

Grimmia moxleyi is endemic to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It is a thermophilous species from acidic rock. Grimmia moxleyi is autoicous and usually richly provided with capsules. The species is characterized by growing in flat, easily disintegrating patches with short, keeled, muticous stem leaves that contrast with its much larger awned perichaetial leaves. J. Muñoz (2000) synonymized G. moxleyi with G. orbicularis. Although there are some similarities, G. orbicularis is much larger, it grows in dense cushions on basic rock, has setae 2--3 mm, shiny, spherical capsules and a mammilate operculum. Only the most proximal stem leaves of G. orbicularis are muticous and the basal juxtacostal cells have thick, nodulose walls.

 

36. Grimmia muehlenbeckii Schimper, Syn. Musc. Eur.: 212. 1860

Grimmia hermannii H. A. Crum; G. trichophylla var. tenuis (Wahlenberg) Wijk & Margadant

Plants in blackish green tufts. Stems 1--2.5 cm, central strand present. Stem leaves loosely appressed, twisted when dry, erectopatent when moist, ovate-lanceolate, tapering to acute apex, 2--3 × 0.6--0.8 mm, keeled, margins recurved in mid-leaf on both sides, awns short, denticulate, in perichaetial leaves stout and often decurrent, costa channeled above, projecting at dorsal side, angled to bluntly winged; distal laminal cells 1-stratose with 2-stratose ridges, margins 2-stratose; medial laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells short- to long-rectangular, yellowish, nodulose, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells short-rectangular with thickened transverse walls. Gemmae rare, in clusters, short-stalked, in distal leaf axils. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta arcuate, 2--3 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, globose, shiny, brown, smooth to slightly striate, exothecial cells thin-walled, annulus present, operculum rostrate, peristome teeth purple, fully developed or slightly split distally, papillose. Calyptra mitrate.

Shaded acidic rock, often along lakes; 200--2000 m; Nfld., Ont.; Maine, Mass., Mich., Minn., N.H., N.Y., Oreg., Wash., Wis.; Africa (South Africa); Europe; Asia (Japan).

Grimmia muehlenbeckii is closely related to G. trichophylla, and in the past it was frequently conceived as being a subspecies or variety of that taxon. H. Deguchi (1978) treated it as a distinct species, followed by A. J. E. Smith (1992). H. C. Greven agrees with these treatments. He has seen many specimens that are remarkably uniform and easy to distinguish from G. trichophylla by their small, globose, shiny, dark brown capsules with purple, entire peristome teeth. In contrast, the capsules in G. trichophylla are oblong-ovoid, larger and longer than in G. muehlenbeckii, dull, yellowish-brown, and the peristome teeth are orange and cleft. The gametophyte differs from G. trichophylla by its blackish green tufts, angled costa with blunt wings protruding on the dorsal side, and ovate-lanceolate leaves with stout denticulate awns that are often decurrent.

 

37. Grimmia orbicularis Wilson, Engl. Bot. Suppl. 4: 2888. 1844

                          

Plants in hoary, usually hemispherical cushions, greyish green. Stem 2--5 cm, central strand present. Stem leaves appressed and twisted when dry, erect when moist, broadly lanceolate, abruptly contracted into hair-point, 2--2.5 × 0.4--0.6 mm, keeled, margins recurved in the middle of the leaf on one or both sides, awns short to long, smooth to denticulate, costa weak below, projecting on dorsal side; distal laminal cells 1-stratose; medial laminal cells subquadrate, sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells elongate, nodulose, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells short- to long-rectangular with thickened transverse walls. Gemmae absent. Sexual condition autoicous. Seta arcuate, 2--3 mm. Capsule usually present, exserted, bent down into the cushions by the arcuate setae, yellowish brown to chestnut brown, globose, smooth, when dry and empty wide-mouthed, wrinkled and ribbed, exothecial cells thin-walled, annulus present, operculum mammillate, peristome teeth orange, broad, cribrose and irregularly cleft at apex. Calyptra cucullate.

 

Dry basic rocky substrates such as limestone, basalt, and mortar; 200--2000 m; Ariz., Calif., Mont., Nev., Utah; Mexico; Central America (Guatemala); South America (Argentina, Chile); Europe; n Africa; Pacific Islands (New Zealand); Australia.

 

Grimmia orbicularis is a thermophilous species with a preference for sunny, basic substrates. In North America it is known only from scattered localities in the American Southwest. Grimmia orbicularis may be confused with G. pulvinata as both species form comparable hemispherical cushions and usually grow in the same habitat. However, they differ markedly both in gametophytic and sporophytic characters. Grimmia orbicularis has leaves with long-rectangular basal juxtacostal cells with thick and nodulose lateral walls, and 1-stratose margins while Grimmia pulvinata has leaves with short-rectangular thin-walled basal juxtacostal cells and 2-stratose margins. Grimmia orbicularis has globose capsules with broad, orange, cribrose and cleft peristome teeth and mammillate opercula while Grimmia pulvinata has oblong capsules with fully-developed dark red peristome teeth and rostrate opercula.

 

38. Grimmia pulvinata (Hedwig) Smith, Engl. Bot. 24: 1728. 1807

 

Fissidens pulvinatus Hedwig, Sp. Musc. Frond.: 158. 1801; Grimmia decipiens var. hendersonii (Renald & Cardot) Sayre; G. indianensis (Sayre) Crum; G. pulvinata var. africana J. D. Hooker f. & Wilson; G. subcurvula Kindberg; G. trichophylla var. indianensis Sayre

 

Plants in hemispherical hoary cushions, greyish green. Stems 1--3 cm, central strand present. Stem leaves flexuose when dry, erect when moist, lanceolate, 1--1.7 × 0.3--0.6 mm, keeled, margin recurved on both sides nearly from base to apex, abruptly contracted into short to long, smooth to denticulate awn, costa weak proximally, projecting on dorsal side; distal laminal cells 1-stratose, margins 2-stratose; medial laminal cells rounded-quadrate, slightly sinuose, thin-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells short-rectangular, thin-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate, thin-walled. Gemmae absent. Sexual condition autoicous. Seta arcuate, 3--4 mm. Capsule usually present, exserted, ellipsoid to oblate, brownish and ribbed when empty and dry, exothecial cells thin-walled, annulus present, operculum rostrate, peristome teeth reddish, fully developed, papillose. Calyptra mitrate.

 

Various substrates, from acidic to basic rock, old mortar, tree trunks; 0--3000 m; Alta., B.C., Ont.; Ariz, Calif., Colo., Idaho, Ind., Iowa, Kan., Md, Mich., Miss., Mo., Mont., Nev., N.Mex., Okla., Ore., S.Dak., Tex., Utah, Wash., Wyo.; Mexico; South America (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay); Eurasia; Africa; Pacific Islands (New Zealand); Australia.

 

Grimmia pulvinata is the most common Grimmia species. It has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution, and is a pioneer on various substrates, even on the trunks of trees. However, in the eastern part of North America, it occurs only in a few scattered localities (H. A. Crum 1977). Grimmia pulvinata is easily recognized by its neat hemispherical cushions with abundant capsules. It may be confused with G. orbicularis, which grows in similar habitats and is known to co-occur with G. pulvinata. However, as discussed under G. orbicularis, it differs both in gametophytic as well as sporophytic characters. Some forms with more acuminate leaf tips may be confused with G. trichophylla, but the thin-walled, short-rectangular basal cells and the small rounded mid-leaf cells distinguish G. pulvinata.

 

39. Grimmia ramondii (Lamarck & De Candolle) Margadant, Lindb. 1: 128. 1972

 

Pterigynandrum ramondii Lamarck & De Candolle, Fl. Franc. ed. 3 [original issue] 2: 462. 1805; Dryptodon patens (Hedwig) Bridel; Grimmia curvata (Bridel) De Sloover, G. serrata Kindberg; Racomitrium patens (Hedwig) Huebener

 

Plants in robust, loose, arched-ascending, readily disintegrating patches, brownish green distally, blackish below. Stems 5--10 cm, central strand absent. Stem leaves loosely appressed when dry, patent when moist, broadly ovate-lanceolate, tapering to an acute, slightly toothed apex, 2--3 × 0.4--0.6 mm, keeled, margins recurved on both sides, awns absent, costa stout, with two dorsal lamellae (or wings) forming parallel ridges along its length; distal laminal cells 1-stratose, margins 2-stratose; medial laminal cells quadrate to rectangular, sinuous, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells yellow, linear, sinuose, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, slightly thick-walled. Gemmae absent. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta cygneous to arcuate at maturity, flexuose when old, 3--5 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, oblate, yellowish green to yellowish brown, plicate when empty, exothecial cells thin-walled, annulus present, operculum rostrate, peristome teeth purple, divided nearly to base into two partly adhering segments, papillose. Calyptra mitrate.

 

Dry and damp acidic rock; 0--2000 m; Greenland; Alta., B.C. Nfld., N.W.T.; Alaska, Calif., Idaho, Mich., Mont., Oreg., Wash.; Europe; Asia (China, Japan); n Africa.

 

Grimmia ramondii occurs near sea level in Arctic areas and along the West Coast. In the latter region, however, it is more common in mid-elevation montane sites and may also be found above the tree line. Grimmia ramondii differs from most Grimmia species by its lack of awns, its winged costa and tall, loose growth form. At first sight, G. ramondii has the habit of a Racomitrium. However, the sporophyte has an arcuate rather than a straight seta and the capsules are striate rather than smooth. Because of its habit and the absence of a central strand, G. K. Limpricht (1890) placed it, together with G. hartmanii and G. atrata in Dryptodon, a genus intermediate between Grimmia and Racomitrium. There are many other Grimmia species, however, without a central strand, and G. hartmanii and G. atrata have already been removed from Dryptodon, so there is no reason to maintain this monotypic genus. Grimmia ramondii may be confu­sed with G. hartmanii, and G. elatior. However, the lack of awns, the Racomitrium-like areolation, and the distinct costal wings distinguishes it easily from these two species.

 

40. Grimmia torquata Drummond, Musci Scotici, Vol. 2:  28. 1825

 

Grimmia pellucida Kindberg; G. prolifera J. K. A. Müller & Kindberg; G. pseudotorquata Kindberg; G. tortifolia Kindberg

 

Plants in soft, readily disintegrating cushions, yellow-green to brownish, occasionally light green, blackish to red-brown inside. Stems 1--4 cm, small central strand present. Stem leaves contorted when dry, patent when moist, lanceolate, 1.5--2 × 0.3--0.5 mm, keeled, margins slightly recurved below, plane above, awns very short and smooth, occasionally absent, costa weak below, projecting on dorsal side; distal laminal cells 1-stratose; medial laminal cells rectangular, extremely sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells linear, extremely sinuose, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells long rectangular, thin-walled, hyaline. Gemmae brown, multicellular, present on the dorsal side of distal leaves. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta slightly curved, straight when dry, 3--5 mm. Capsule sporadically present, exserted, ovoid, brown, smooth, striate when dry and empty, exothecial cells thin-walled, annulus present, operculum rostrate, peristome teeth yellowish, short, split in distal part, weakly papillose. Calyptra mitrate.

 

Damp, frequently vertical faces of acidic rock; 200--4000 m; Greenland; Alta., B.C., Labrador, Nfld., N.W.T., Ont., Que., Yukon; Alaska, Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Nev., Ore., Wash., Wyo.; Mexico; n Africa; Eurasia; Pacific Islands (Hawaii).

 

Grimmia torquata is a montane-alpine species with a preference for shaded habitats. It grows in hemispherical cushions on steep, damp rock walls. Preferred substrates are granite, gneiss, quartzite and schist. Its distribution reaches from near sea level in the Arctic to above 4000 m on Mexican and Hawaiian volcanoes. The species is easily recognized by its yellow-brown cushions of plants which have contorted leaves when dry, and their brown gemmae, which are borne at the bases of older leaves. In densely shaded habitats, the cushions are light-green; on exposed rock, they are usually brown. Although the species has a wide distribution, it is seldom present in quantity, usually growing in a small number of cushions in one habitat. Sporophytes are very rare worldwide and have not been found in eastern North America (H. A. Crum and L. E. Anderson 1981).

 

41. Grimmia trichophylla Greville, Fl. Edinensis: 235. 1824

Plants in dense to loose patches, yellowish green to dark green. Stems 2--4 cm, central strand present. Stem leaves loosely appressed, slightly twisted when dry, erectopatent when moist, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, tapering to acute apex, 2--3.5 × 0.3--0.4 mm, usually sharply keeled, margins recurved on one or both sides, plane to erect distally, awns variable, short to long, smooth to denticulate, not conspicuously flattened at base, costa firm, projecting on abaxial side; distal laminal cells 1-stratose, occasionally with 2-stratose ridges; medial laminal cells quadrate to short-rectangular, slightly sinuose, thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells long-rectangular (rarely short rectangular), ± nodulose, thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells short- to long-rectangular, with thickened transverse walls. Gemmae clusters occasionally present in distal leaf axils. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta arcuate, 2--4 mm. Capsule occasionally present, exserted, oblong-ovoid, yellowish green to stramineous, striate when dry, exothecial cells thin-walled, annulus present, operculum rostrate, peristome teeth yellowish, papillose, deeply split and perforated. Calyptra mitrate.

Dry, acidic rock; 200--2000 m; B.C.; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Maine, Mo., Mont., Nev., Okla., Oreg., S.Dak., Utah, Vt., Wash., Wyo; Mexico; Eurasia; Pacific Islands (Hawaii); Australia.

In North America, G. trichophylla is principally a lowland species, occurring in the mountains up to about 1000 m., rarely higher. In the southern hemisphere, it may be found up to 4000 m. In New Zealand, the species is common, and in contrast to G. trichophylla in North America, frequently bears capsules. The New Zealand plants are usually smaller than American specimens, and the leaves are frequently contorted. The nearly cosmopolitan G. trichophylla has many phenotypes and numerous subspecies and varieties have been described. In damp and shaded habitats, the awns may be short, just as in dry unfavorable habitats at high altitudes, where stunted specimens may occur with small short leaves and reduced awns, or even with muticous leaves. Grimmia trichophylla has frequently been confused with related species such as G. muehlenbeckii, and G. lisae. See discussion under each of these species for identification details. Robust forms of G. trichophylla have been mistaken for G. austrofunalis (H.C. Greven 1997, 2004), which does not occur in North America. Although some of these plants have leaves of equal length along the stem, characteristic of G. austro-funalis, they also have both leaf margins recurved and the medial and outer basal laminal cells are longer and more robust than in G. austrofunalis.

xxxe. Grimmia subg. undetermined

 

42. Grimmia mollis Bruch & Schimper, Bryol. Eur. 3: 133. 1849

 

Hydrogrimmia mollis (Bruch & Schimper) Loeske; Grimmia evansii E. Britton

 

Plants in loose patches, green. Stems 1--5 cm, central strand present. Stem leaves oblong to ovate-lanceolate, 2--3 × 0.8--1 mm, margins plane, incurved above, muticous, concave, apex rounded to cucul­late, costa not projecting on dorsal side, ending well below apex; juxtacostal and marginal distal laminal cells 1-stratose; medial laminal cells quadrate, thin-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells quadrate, thin-walled; basal marginal laminal cells quadrate, thin-walled. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta straight, 2--3 mm, yellowish. Capsule sporadically present, exserted, yellowish, ovoid to oblong, smooth, exothecial cells thick-walled, annulus absent, operculum rostellate, peristome teeth purple, perforated, fully developed, papillose. Calyptra cucullate.

 

Wet acidic rocks in alpine and boreal habitats; 1000--4115 m.; Greenland; Alta, B.C., Quebec, Yukon; Alaska, Calif., Colo., Mont., Wash.; Eurasia.

 

Grimmia mollis, discovered by Schimper in the Tirol region of Austria, is a characteristic Arctic-alpine species, frequently growing in glacial streams, sometimes over stream reaches of hundreds of meters. Although the species is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, it is nowhere common. Grimmia mollis occurs exclusively above the treeline. Because of its unique subpercurrent costa, uniform lamina of quadrate cells and peculiar ecological niche, it cannot easily be confused with any other species.  I. Hagen (1909) placed G. mollis in a monospecific genus, Hydrogrimmia. This concept was followed by M. F. V. Corley et al. (1981). However, there are no significant morphological characters to separate it from Grimmia, prompting H. C. Greven (2003) to follow, in agreement with H. A. Crum and L. E. Anderson (1981), the original concept presented in the Bryologia Europaea. This dioicous species grows in separate male and female cushions and capsules are very rarely produced.

 

43. Grimmia shastae Greven, Grimmias of the World. 208--209. 2003

 

Plants in hoary tufts, brownish green. Stems 0.3--1 cm. Stem leaves ovate to broadly oblong-lanceolate, 1--1.5 × 0.5--0.6 mm, larger towards stem tips, not keeled, frequently plicate in extreme apex, margins plane, incurved above, long-awned, decurrent, costa weak below, broadened and deeply channeled above; distal laminal cells 1-stratose with 2-stratose ridges, in apex entirely 2-stratose; medial laminal cells short-rectangular, sinuose, slightly thick-walled; basal juxtacostal laminal cells rectangular, straight, with thin walls; basal marginal laminal cells rectangular, with thick transverse walls and thin lateral walls, hyaline in 3--4 rows. Gemmae clusters of globular, brown, multicellular gemmae abundantly present on the adaxial side of the distal lamina. Sexual condition probably dioicous, gametangia not seen. Capsule unknown.

 

Volcanic rock; of conservation concern; 3500 m; Calif.

 

Grimmia shastae is a rare endemic known only from Mt. Shasta in California. The discovery of this new Grimmia demonstrates that the bryoflora of California is still not fully known. It also shows that the state is exceptionally rich in endemic species of Grimmia: G. mariniana, G. nevadensis, G. serrana and G. shastae.  Because of its abundantly present gemmae on the adaxial surface of the distal lamina, G. shastae is not likely to be confused with any other species of Grimmia. While gemmae are not rare in Grimmia, they are usually produced on leaf tips (G. anomala, G. hartmanii), on the abaxial side of the leaf (G. torquata and G. trichophylla), or in leaf axils (G. trichophylla and G. muehlenbeckii). In no other Grimmia species are gemmae produced in clusters on the surface of the adaxial lamina at the distal part of the leaf. The position of the species within the genus is not clear. Although its leaf form and areolation demonstrates its similarity to G. tergestina (subg. Litoneuron), the longitudinal plicae in the most distal leaves align the species with Grimmia caespiticia (subg. Guembelia). Sinuose laminal cell walls, characteristic of Grimmia, are only weakly present.

 

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Illustrations