Gemmabryum ruderale

(Crundwell & Nyholm) J. R. Spence

Phytologia 89: 111. 2007.

Basionym: Bryum ruderale Crundwell & Nyholm Bot. Not. 116: 95. 1963
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 28. Treatment on page 138. Mentioned on page 137, 139, 140.

Plants small, green or yellow-green, often with reddish tinge. Stems 0.4–2(–3) cm; rhizoids red-violet to deep red. Leaves loosely set, ovate-lanceolate, weakly concave, 0.4–1(–1.5) mm; base not decurrent; margins plane to weakly revolute proximally, entire to serrulate distally, limbidium absent; apex acute; costa short-excurrent, awn stout; alar cells similar to adjacent juxtacostal cells; proximal laminal cells abruptly quadrate to short-rectangular, 2–4:1; medial and distal cells (30–)40–60 × 8–14 µm, 3–4:1. Specialized asexual reproduction by rhizoidal tubers, on long rhizoids in soil, purple-red or rarely orange, irregularly spheric, (120–)150–200 µm, cells 25–50 µm, smooth. Sexual condition dioicous. [Capsule inclined or nutant, 1–3 mm].


Habitat: Damp disturbed soil, sand
Elevation: low to moderate elevations (0-1200 m)

Distribution

V28 220-distribution-map.gif

Ont., Ariz., Calif., La., Tex., Eurasia, n, s Africa, Atlantic Islands (Macaronesia), Pacific Islands (New Zealand).

Discussion

Gemmabryum ruderale is characterized by red-purple to violet rhizoids and relatively large, spheric, purple-red rhizoidal tubers. In the flora area, this species is probably introduced.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Gemmabryum ruderale"
John R. Spence +
(Crundwell & Nyholm) J. R. Spence +
Bryum ruderale +
Ont. +, Ariz. +, Calif. +, La. +, Tex. +, Eurasia +, n +, s Africa +, Atlantic Islands (Macaronesia) +  and Pacific Islands (New Zealand). +
low to moderate elevations (0-1200 m) +
Damp disturbed soil, sand +
Gemmabryum ruderale +
Gemmabryum sect. Tuberibryum +
species +