Family FISSIDENTACEAE 



The plants of this family belong, with only a few 

 exceptions, to the following genus. 



10. FISSIDENS Hedw. (Fiss-i-dens) 



A genus of wide distribution, containing many 

 species. Name derived from the Latin for *' split," and 

 a '' tooth," referring to the teeth of the peristome. 



Fissidens is found in damp places, growing on the 

 ground in moist woods or on shaded earth in green- 

 houses, on wet rocks often along streams, and more 

 rarely at the base of trees or on decaying wood. A few 

 species occur fairly frequently in our range, 

 but rarely fruit, and are not easily sepa- S] 

 rated. 



Plants growing close together, sometimes 

 forming thin mats; bright to dark green. 



Stems erect or ascending, usually less than 

 I inch long, sometimes taller; not branched Leaf enlarged. 

 or with a few branches. 



Leaves relatively short and broad, arranged in only two rows 

 on opposite sides of stem; lying flat when moist, but becom- 

 ing crisped when dry; most of the upper half double; bright 

 to dark green. 



Seta terminal or lateral, ]i'i inch long; reddish. 



Capsule cylindrical, erect or inclined; reddish-brown; 

 maturing from summer to winter. 



