144 HOW TO KNOW THE MOSSES 



33. BARTRAMIA Hedw. (Bar-tram-i-a) 



A cosmopolitan genus containing many species, only 

 one of which is common. Named after Bartram, an 

 American botanist. 



Bartramia pomiformis (L.) Hedw. is frequently 

 found in moist woods, on the ground, or on rocks, often 

 freely fruiting. 



Plants growing close together, forming thick, Hght- or 

 yellowish-green mats. 



Stems usually 1-2 inches long, thickly covered 

 with reddish-brown radicles (tomentum) in the 

 lower part. 



Leaves long, narrow, hair-like throughout; 

 spreading when moist; more erect and slightly 

 crisped when dry. 



Seta yz-i inch long; reddish-brown. 

 Bartramia CapsuU nearly globular, inclined; yellowish- 

 potmjormts ^^^^j^ when mature in late spring. 



Operculum convex, usually red, and, though small, con- 

 spicuous, especially when the capsule is young. 



Range, Arctic America and Canada, southward to Ala- 

 bama and Colorado; South America; Europe; Asia; Africa; 

 New Zealand. 



The striking character of Bartramia, as well as of 

 Plagiopus and Philonotis, the two related genera, is the 

 globular capsule, which, when green, with the opercu- 

 lum red, looks like a tiny apple, with a red cheek. No 

 other common moss has the capsule so nearly round. 



