Family BRYACEAE 



A COSMOPOLITAN family containing a great many 

 species, only a few of which are common and easily 

 recognized. 



26. LEPTOBRYUM (Bryol. Eur.) Wils. 

 (Lep-to-bry-um) 



A genus of only three species. Name derived from 

 the Greek for '^ slender," and Bryum. 



Leptobryum pyriforme (L.) Wils. is found on the 

 ground, on rocks or stone walls, and on rotten wood. 

 It is fairly common and usually fruits abun- 

 dantly; sometimes plants with unfertilized 

 flowers are collected. (See below.) 



Plants crowded together; light green or yel- 

 lowish-green. 



Stems erect, very slender; usually >^-i inch 

 long. 



Leaves very fine, long, hair-like; spreading, 

 pyriforme forming a tuft at tip of stem; below scattered 

 Leaf and and shorter, 

 capsule en- ^^^^ j_2 inches long; orange-brown; shining. 



Capsule inclined or drooping; pear-shaped 

 with a distinct, slender neck; reddish-brown; mature in early 

 summer. 

 Operculum convex, not easily seen. 



