Family POTTIACEAE 



A VERY large family, occurring chiefly in the tem- 

 perate zones. Our common genera are found on the 

 ground and on rocks. 



II. WEISIA Hedw. (Weis-i-a) 



A genus containing many species. Named after 

 Weis, a botanist of Gottingen, Germany. 



The only species of this genus found in our range is 

 Weisia viridula (L.) Hedw. It grows on bare earth 

 along roadsides, on banks, or in fields, sometimes on 

 soil newly turned over in woods, but it is 

 rarely collected. The fruit is abundant. 



Plants crowded together; yellow-green; thickly 

 covered with fruit. 



Stems erect, very short, less than % inch long, 

 usually about % inch. 

 Natural Leaves long, narrow, hair-like, spreading when 

 size and en- moist; somewhat crisped when dry; yellow- 



larged. 



green. 



Seta % inch long or less, greenish-yellow. 



Capsule short cylindrical, oval or elliptical, erect; reddish- 

 brown; mature in spring. 



Operculum long-beaked, not easily seen. 



Range, Canada; United States; Europe; Asia; Africa; 

 New Zealand; Tasmania. 



