| | The moss families (Bryophyta, Musci) of Britain and Ireland |
Plait-mosses, Feather-mosses, etc.
Excluding Amblystegiaceae, Brachytheciaceae, Entodontaceae, Sematophyllaceae, Plagiotheciaceae, Hylocomiaceae and Rhytidiaceae
Gametophyte. Pleurocarpous; forming tufts, or mat or turf forming (or forming lax, coarse wefts). Primary stems erect to procumbent (the stems usually forked, often pinnately branched). Shoots complanate (often), or not complanate. Paraphyllia absent. Pseudoparaphyllia present (commonly), or absent. The leaves of main stems and branches similar in form to markedly different in form (the stem leaves nearly always larger, whether similar or different in form); ovate to lanceolate (or deltoid); spiral; secund, or not secund; longitudinally plicate, or not plicate. Leaf bases decurrent (e.g., Herzogiella, Ptilium), or not decurrent. The leaves nerveless, or double-nerved (very rarely single-nerved?). The leaf nerves when present, not extending beyond the middle of the leaf, or extending beyond the middle of the leaf, but not to the tip. Leaf blade apices pointed; apiculate, or not apiculate; apically rounded, or apically acute, or acuminate. Leaf blade margins usually at least distally denticulate, or dentate. Leaf blades not conspicuously bordered. The basal leaf cells somewhat longitudinally elongated to longitudinally much elongated; rounded to linear, or vermicular; smooth. The walls of basal leaf cells thin, or thick; straight. The angular cells usually clearly differentiated (sometimes enlarged or inflated, forming auricles). The mid-leaf cells longitudinally much elongated; rounded to linear, or vermicular; smooth. The walls of the mid-leaf cells thin, or thick; straight.
Plants monoecious, or dioecious; when monoecious, autoecious. Parapyhyses present among the reproductive organs, or absent.
Sporophyte. Capsules exserted; erect to horizontal; symmetrical to asymmetrical; straight to curved; sub-cylindric to ovoid; without an externally conspicuous apophysis; smooth; with an annulus. Calyptra symmetrical; splitting down one side. Capsules with a peristome. The peristome double. The peristome teeth 16; not grouped; not deeply cleft (?); not perforated; thin, membranous, and transversely barred; exteriorly with a fine longitudinal dividing line between the transverse bars. The inner peristome usually well developed; shorter than the outer to exceeding the outer; with a basal membranous ring (this usually high); with elongated “processes” (these usually keeled). The processes of the inner peristome 16. The inner peristome ciliate. The cilia and processes of the endostome not united into a conical lattice. The cilia of the inner peristome usually nodulose or appendiculate. The operculum conical to mamillate, or rostellate to subulate. Setae long; usually curved; smooth (usually), or rough (then papillose).
Ecology. In wet places, or mesophytic, or xerophytic; occurring in basic habitats, neutral pH conditions, and acid conditions. In diverse habitats.
Cytology. Haploid chromosome number, n = 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 14.
Representation in Britain and Ireland. About 35 species. Calliergonella (Spear- and Plait-mosses), Campylophyllum (Feather-mosses), Ctenidium (Comb-mosses), Herzogiella (Feather-mosses), Homomallium (Feather-moss), Hyocomium (Feather-moss), Hypnum (Plait-mosses), Isopterygiopsis (Silk-mosses), Platydicta (Leskea), Platygyrium (Flat-brocade Moss), Ptilium (Ostrich-plume Feather-moss), Pylaisia (Pylaisiella), Taxiphyllum (Depressed Feather-moss). Northern Scotland, southern Scotland, northern England, English Midlands, East Anglia, Wales, southeast England, central southern England, southwest England, Isle of Wight, and Ireland.
Classification. Class Bryopsida; Subclass Bryideae; Order Hypnales.
Illustrations. • Ctenidium, Homomallium, Calliergonella, Hypnum spp., and Ptilium: Dixon. HYPNACEAE: A, Homomallium incurvatum (Brid.) Loeske; B, Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw.; C, Hypnum imponens Hedw.; D, Calliergonella (Mitt.) Hedenäs; E, Hypnum revolutum (Mitt.) Lindb.; F, Hypnum hamulosum Br. Eur.; G, Hypnum callichroum Brid.; H, Hypnum bambergeri Schimp.; I, Hypnum uncinulatum Jur.; J, Ctenidium procerrimum (Mol.) Lindb.; K, Ctenidium molluscum (Hedw.) Mitt.; L, Ptilium cristacastrensis (Hedw.) De Not. AMBLYSTEGIACEAE: M, Hygrohypnum luridum (Hedw.) Jenn.
From Dixon (1924), the unscaled screen display approximately doubling the magnifications given with his individual figures. 1, leaf or stem leaf where these differ; 2, branch-leaf; 3, perichaetial leaf; 4, perigonial leaf; 5, capsule; 6, peristome; 7, calyptra; 8, spores; 9, inflorescence; 10, gemmae; 11, paraphyllia; 12, stoma of capsule; *, plant, or part of one. Qualifications: a, apex; b, base; c, cells at one third from the apex; cv, ventral aspect of cells; cd, dorsal aspect of cells; bc, basal cells; x, section. • Herzogiella, Isopterygiopsis and Taxiphyllum, with Plagiothecium: Dixon. HYPNACEAE (taxa formerly referred to Plagiotheciaceae sensu lato). J, Taxiphyllum wissgrillii (Garov.) Wijk & Marg.; K, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans (Brid.) Z. Iwats.; L, Isopterygiopsis muellerana (Limpr.) Z. Iwats.; ; N, Isopterygiopsis pulchella (Hedw.) Z. Iwats.; O, Herzogiella seligeri (Brid.) Iwats. PLAGIOTHECIACEAE sensu stricto. M, Plagiothecium piliferum (Hartm.) Br. Eur.
From Dixon and Jameson (1924), the unscaled screen display approximately doubling the magnifications given with their individual figures. 1, leaf, or stem leaf where these differ; 2, branch-leaf; 3, perichaetial leaf; 4, perigonial leaf; 5, capsule; 6, peristome; 7, calyptra; 8, spores; 9, inflorescence; 10, gemmae; 11, paraphyllia; 12, stoma of capsule; *, plant, or part of one. Qualifications: a, apex; b, base; c, cells at one third from the apex; cv, ventral aspect of cells; cd, dorsal aspect of cells; bc, basal cells; x, section. • Pylaisia polyantha: Dixon. Pylaisia polyantha (Hedw.) Br. Eur. • Herzogiella striatella, with Plagiothecium spp.: Dixon. HYPNACEAE: A, Herzogiella striatella (Brid.) Iwats. PLAGIOTHECIACEAE: B, Plagiothecium denticulatum (Hedw.) Br. Eur.; C, Plagiothecium nemorale (Mitt.) Jaeg.; D, Plagiothecium latebricola Br. Eur.; E, Plagiothecium undulatum (Hedw.) Br. Eur.
From Dixon and Jameson (1924), the unscaled screen display approximately doubling the magnifications given with their individual figures. 1, leaf, or stem leaf where these differ; 2, branch-leaf; 3, perichaetial leaf; 4, perigonial leaf; 5, capsule; 6, peristome; 7, calyptra; 8, spores; 9, inflorescence; 10, gemmae; 11, paraphyllia; 12, stoma of capsule; *, plant, or part of one. Qualifications: a, apex; b, base; c, cells at one third from the apex; cv, ventral aspect of cells; cd, dorsal aspect of cells; bc, basal cells; x, section. • 6 species of Amblystegium, and Conardia: Dixon. HYPNACEAE: F, Platydicta jungermannioides (Brid.) Crum. AMBLYSTEGIACEAE: G, Amblystegium confervoides (Brid.) Schimp.; I, Amblystegium serpens (Hedw.) Br. Eur.; J, Amblystegium serpens (Hedw.) Br. Eur. (being Dixon’s representation of A. juratzkanum Schimp.); K, Amblystegium humile (P. Beauv.) Crundw.; L, Amblystegium varium (Hedw.) Lindb. CAMPYLIACEAE. H, Conardia compacta (Müll. Hal.) H. Rob.
From Dixon and Jameson (1924), the unscaled screen display approximately doubling the magnifications given with their individual figures. 1, leaf or stem leaf where these differ; 2, branch-leaf; 3, perichaetial leaf; 4, perigonial leaf; 5, capsule; 6, peristome; 7, calyptra; 8, spores; 9, inflorescence; 10, gemmae; 11, paraphyllia; 12, stoma of capsule; *, plant, or part of one. Qualifications: a, apex; b, base; c, cells at one third from the apex; cv, ventral aspect of cells; cd, dorsal aspect of cells; bc, basal cells; x, section. • Isopterygiopsis, Pseudotaxiphyllum and Pylaisia, with Plagiothecium and Homalothecium: Berkeley. HYPNACEAE:1, Isopterygiopsis pulchella (Hedw.) Z. Iwats., habit; a, leaves; b, capsule. 3, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans (Brid.) Z. Iwats., habit; a, leaf; b, capsule after lid shed. 5, Pylaisia polyantha (Hedw.) Br. Eur., habit; a, leaf; b, capsule; c, part of peristome. BRACHYTHECIACEAE: 6, Homalothecium sericeum (Hedw.) Br. Eur., habit; a, leaves; b, capsule. PLAGIOTHECIACEAE: 2, Plagiothecium denticulatum (Hedw.) Br. Eur., habit; a, leaf; b, capsule. 4, Plagiothecium undulatum (Hedw.) Br. Eur., habit; a, leaf; b, capsule.
From Berkeley (1863, Plate 12). The approximate 1 cm scale applies to the whole plant (habit) illustrations only. • Hyocomium (Hypnaceae), with Hylocomiaceae: Berkeley. HYPNACEAE: 5, Hyocomium armoricum (Brid.) Wijk & Marg., habit; a, leaves; b, capsule. HYLOCOMIACEAE: 1, Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) Br. Eur., habit; a, leaf; b, capsule. 2, Hylocomium brevirostre (Brid.) Br. Eur., habit; a, leaves, abaxial (left) and adaxial (right); b, capsule. 3, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus (Hedw.) Warnst., habit; a, leaves, abaxial (above) and adaxial; b, capsule. 4, Rhytidiadelphus loreus (Hedw.) Warnst., habit; a, leaf; b, capsule.
From Berkeley (1863, Plate 9). The approximate 1 cm scale applies to the whole plant (habit) illustrations only. • "Hypnum revolvens" (with Campyliaceae, etc.: Berkeley. [4, Hypnum revolvens (Turn.) Warnst. (current generic assignment unknown), habit; a, leaves; b, capsule.] HYLOCOMIACEAE: 1, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus (Hedw.) Warnst., procumbent habit form; a, abaxial leaf; b, capsule. CRATONEURACEAE: 6, Cratoneuron filicinum (Hedw.) Spruce, habit; a, leaves; b, capsule. CAMPYLIACEAE: 2, Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske, habit; a, leaves; b, capsule (cf. Berkeley’s Plate 11,1). 3, Drepanocladus fluitans (Hedw.) Warnst., habit; a, leaves; b, capsule. 4, Scorpidium revolvens (Sw.) Hadenäs. HELODIACEAE: 5, Palustriella commutata (Hedw.) Ochyra, habit; a, leaf, abaxial; b, capsule.
From Berkeley (1863, Plate 10). The approximate 1 cm scale applies to the whole plant (habit) illustrations only. • Ctenidium, Hypnum and Ptilium (with Sematophyllum and Campyliaceae): Berkeley. HYPNACEAE: 2, Ptilium cristacastrensis (Hedw.) De Not, habit; a, leaf; b, capsule. 3, Ctenidium molluscum (Hedw.) Mitt., unusual habit form; a,leaves; b, capsule. 4,Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw., habit; a, leaf; b, capsule. CAMPYLIACEAE: 1, Drepanocladus uncinatus (Hedw.) Warnst., habit; b, capsule. (cf. Berkeley’s Plate 10,2.) 5, Scorpidium scorpioides (Hedw.) Limpr., habit; a, leaf; b, capsule; c, male inflorescence. SEMATOPHYLLACEAE: 6, Sematophyllum demissum (Wils.) Mitt., habit; a, abaxial (above) and adaxial leaves; b, capsule.
From Berkeley (1863, Plate 11). The approximate 1 cm scale applies to the whole plant (habit) illustrations only. • Campylophyllum (with Amblystegiaceae, Campyliaceae and Cratoneuron). HYPNACEAE. I, Campylophyllum calcareum (Crundw. & Nyh.) Hedenäs. D, CRATONEURACEAE: C, Cratoneuron filicinum (Hedw.) Spruce; D, Cratoneuron curvicaule (Jur.) Roth. CAMPYLIACEAE: F, Campyliadelphus elodes (Lindb.) Kanda; G, Drepanocladus polygamus (Schimp.) Hedenäs; H, Campylium stellatum (Hedw.) Lange & Jens.; J, Campyliadelphus chrysophyllus (Brid.) R.S. Chopra; K, Campylophyllum halleri (Hedw.) M. Fleisch.; L, Drepanocladus aduncus (Hedw.) Warnst.; M and N, Drepanocladus sendtneri (Schimp. ex H. Müll.). AMBLYSTEGIACEAE: A, Hygroamblystegium tenax (Hedw.) Jenn.; B, Hygroamblystegium fluviatile (Hedw.) Loeske; E, Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.) Warnst.
From Dixon and Jameson (1924), the unscaled screen display approximately doubling the magnifications given with their individual figures. 1, leaf or stem leaf where these differ; 2, branch-leaf; 3, perichaetial leaf; 4, perigonial leaf; 5, capsule; 6, peristome; 7, calyptra; 8, spores; 9, inflorescence; 10, gemmae; 11, paraphyllia; 12, stoma of capsule; *, plant, or part of one. Qualifications: a, apex; b, base; c, cells at one third from the apex; cv, ventral aspect of cells; cd, dorsal aspect of cells; bc, basal cells; x, section. • Calliergonella, with Campyliaceae. HYPNACEAE. L, Calliergonella cuspidata (Hedw.) Loewske. CAMPYLIACEAE: A, Hygrohypnum dilatatum (Wils. ex Schimp.) Loeske; B, Hygrohypnum smithii (Sw.) Broth.; C, Hygrohypnum eugyrium (Br. Eur.) Broth.; D, Hygrohypnum ochraceum (Turn. ex Wils.) Loeske; E, Scorpidium scorpioides (Hedw.) Limpr.; F, Straminergon stramineum (Brid.) Hedenäs; G, Straminergon(?) trifarium (Web. & Mohr) Hedw.; H, Scorpidium turgescens (T. Jens.) Loeske. I, Calliergon cordifolium (Hedw.) Kindb.; J, Calliergon giganteum (Schimp.) Kindb. K, Warnstorfia sarmentosa (Wahlenb.) Hedenäs. par
From Dixon and Jameson (1924), the unscaled screen display approximately doubling the magnifications given with their individual figures. 1, leaf or stem leaf where these differ; 2, branch-leaf; 3, perichaetial leaf; 4, perigonial leaf; 5, capsule; 6, peristome; 7, calyptra; 8, spores; 9, inflorescence; 10, gemmae; 11, paraphyllia; 12, stoma of capsule; *, plant, or part of one. Qualifications: a, apex; b, base; c, cells at one third from the apex; cv, ventral aspect of cells; cd, dorsal aspect of cells; bc, basal cells; x, section. • Calliergonella, with Pleurozium and Pseudoscleropodium:: Berkeley. HYPNACEAE: 1, Calliergonella cuspidata (Hedw.) Loeske, habit; a, leaf; b, capsule. HYLOCOMIACEAE: 2, Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt., habit; a, adaxial and abaxial views of leaves; b, capsule. BRACHYTHECIACEAE: 3, Pseudoscleropodium purum (Hedw.) Fleisch., habit; a, adaxial and abaxial views of leaves; b, capsule.
From Berkeley (1863, Plate 8). The approximate 1 cm scale applies to the whole plant (habit) illustrations only.
We advise against extracting comparative information from the descriptions. This is much more easily achieved using the DELTA data files or the interactive key, which allows access to the character list, illustrations, full and partial descriptions, diagnostic descriptions, differences and similarities between taxa, lists of taxa exhibiting or lacking specified attributes, and distributions of character states within any set of taxa. See also Guidelines for using data taken from Web publications.
Cite this publication as: ‘Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M.J. 2005 onwards. The moss families (Bryophyta, Musci) of Britain and Ireland. Version: 5th August 2019. delta-intkey.com’.
