Fork-Mosses 



Dicranella heteromalla, Schimp. 



Habit and habitat, Forming silky, green 

 tufts of moderate size on rocks, clay banks, naked 

 soil and roots of trees. 



Name. The specific name heteromalla is de- 

 rived from the Greek erepo/iaXXo?, having hair 

 only on one side, referring to the habit the 

 leaves have of turning to one side. 



Plants (gametophyte) . Stems simple or fork- 

 ing, ^ to 2 inches high. 



Leaves. Glossy, crowded, turned to one 

 side, lance-shaped from the base; apex slender, 

 awl-shaped, toothed or entire. 



Leaves at the base of the pedicel (perichatial 

 leaves'). Abruptly and narrowly awl-shaped from 

 a half-clasping base. 



Habit of flowering. Male and female flowers 

 on separate plants (dioicous). 



Veil (calyptra). Split up one side. 



Spore-case. Egg-shaped or oblong with the 

 summit inclined. The base tapers to form a 

 short neck (collum) and is slightly constricted 

 under the mouth. Plaited when dry. 



Pedicel Slender and pale yellow, 

 i- to i inch long. 



Pericha?tiah 

 D. heteromalla. Leaves. 



