Homalia

Bridel

Bryol. Univ. 1: xlvi, 2: 325, 763, 807, 812. 1827.

Etymology: Greek homalos, even or level, alluding to strongly complanate leaves
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 28. Treatment on page 608. Mentioned on page 602, 603, 653.

Plants medium-sized, shelf-forming, green to yellowish green, shiny. Stems creeping, sparsely to irregularly branched; paraphyllia absent. Secondary stem and branch leaves erect-spreading, oblong-ovate to oblong-obovate, asymmetric, flat; margins entire proximally, serrulate to serrate at apex, teeth not recurved; apex rounded, obtuse, or obtuse-apiculate; costa single [double, very short]; laminal cells rounded-hexagonal to linear, walls porose or not. Sexual condition autoicous [synoicous or dioicous]; reproductive branches without leaflike paraphyses; perichaetial inner leaves ovate [broadly lanceolate]. Seta 1–1.5[–2] cm. Capsule oblong-cylindric [oblong-ovoid]; exostome teeth lanceolate, densely cross striate and papillose basally, vertically papillose and hyaline distally; endostome basal membrane well developed, segments smooth proximally, papillose distally. Spores 11–14[–16] µm.

Distribution

North America, Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America (Brazil), Europe, Asia.

Discussion

Species 5 (1 in the flora).

In the field, species of Homalia are easily distinguished by the flat stems and glossy plants. Pseudoparaphyllia are absent in plants in the flora area, but may be present in extrafloral species.