Monday 29 December 2014

Microbryum query

The spores of a fruiting patch of Microbryum growing in the splash zone of Bracelet Bay SS62878725 had me a little puzzled. Given the lack of any peristome, I suspect they are extreme davallianum rather than starckeanum but could be hybrid material?

3 comments:

  1. That is most intriguing. The spores are classic starkeanum. Flora Briofitica Iberica says that sp can have just a basal membrane and no teeth. Does yours totally lack a peristome?

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  2. I'll double check for a peristome, but I thought the ornamentation looked more globular than typical starckeanum?

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  3. Yes a rudimentary peristome is present on some capsules, so starckeanum is correct thanks.

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