Saelania glaucescens

(Hedwig) Brotherus

in J. O. Bomansson and V. F. Brotherus, Herb. Mus. Fenn., Musci, 53. 1894,.

Basionym: Trichostomum glaucescens Hedwig Sp. Musc. Frond., 112. 1801
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 27. Treatment on page 458.

Leaves 1–2.5(–3.5) mm, proximal leaves small, the distal and perichaetial leaves gradually acuminate, ± subulate from a lanceolate base; costa with a single row of guide cells, and both adaxial and abaxial stereid bands, or adaxial stereid band sometimes weak or rarely absent; lamina cells often irregularly 2-stratose towards the apex and occasionally elsewhere. Seta to 15 mm. Capsule with operculum to 1 mm. Spores 15–20(–22) µm, greenish to yellow-brown.


Phenology: Capsules mature early summer–late fall.
Habitat: Soil on steep banks, particularly those protected by overhangs, frequent on roadsides, soil in sheltered rock crevices
Elevation: moderate to high elevations

Distribution

Greenland, Alta., B.C., Man., N.B., Nfld. and Labr. (Nfld.), N.S., Ont., Que., Yukon, Alaska, Ariz., Colo., Iowa, Mich., Minn., Nebr., N.J., N.Y., n Eurasia, e Asia, s Africa, Pacific Islands (Hawaii, New Zealand).

Discussion

The whitish to bluish coloration of the leaves is characteristic. Often thought to have been fungal or cyanobacterial in origin, the granular or thread-like surface material responsible for the glaucous coloration is a diterpene.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Saelania glaucescens"
Rodney D. Seppelt +
(Hedwig) Brotherus +
Trichostomum glaucescens +
Greenland +, Alta. +, B.C. +, Man. +, N.B. +, Nfld. and Labr. (Nfld.) +, N.S. +, Ont. +, Que. +, Yukon +, Alaska +, Ariz. +, Colo. +, Iowa +, Mich. +, Minn. +, Nebr. +, N.J. +, N.Y. +, n Eurasia +, e Asia +, s Africa +, Pacific Islands (Hawaii +  and New Zealand). +
moderate to high elevations +
Soil on steep banks, particularly those protected by overhangs, frequent on roadsides, soil in sheltered rock crevices +
Capsules mature early summer–late fall. +
in J. O. Bomansson and V. F. Brotherus, Herb. Mus. Fenn., Musci, +
Saelania glaucescens +
Saelania +
species +