146 HOW TO KNOW THE MOSSES 



turn) ; the new growth forming a whorl of branches at the tip 

 of the stem, giving the plants the appearance of being 

 pleurocarpous. 



Leaves J in the very young growth, too small to show out- 

 line, in the more robust growth, short and apparently hair- 

 like; erect, or shghtly turned to one side when moist ; closely 

 folded when dry. 



Seta usually 1-2 inches long; yellowish 

 or reddish. 



Capsule nearly globular, inclined; yellow- 

 ish- or reddish-brown when mature in 

 June. 



Operculum convex; red, and conspicuous, 

 especially when the capsule is green. 



Male flowers often conspicuous in a ros- 

 ette of leaves at tip of stem. 



Range, Arctic and temperate North 

 America, south in the East to Florida; a 

 cosmopolitan. 



Philonotis fontana 



Old and young 

 plant. Leaf en- 

 larged. 



Philonotis is especially fond of wet 

 places where water is slowly running or 

 dripping. The slender stems, short leaves, 

 and the peculiar manner of branching 

 are distinguishing characteristics when 

 the globular capsules are not found. The only other 

 common moss with similar capsule is the preceding 

 genus, Bartramia. See under that genus for com- 

 parison. 



Philonotis resembles Aulacomnium in color, but the 

 stems are more slender, the leaves are much smaller, 

 and the branching differs. See p. 141. 



