Family BUXBAUMIACEAE 



A FAMILY containing but one genus. 



37. BUXBAUMIA Hall. (Bux-baum-i-a) 



A widely distributed genus of five species, one of 

 which is more frequently found than the others. 

 Named after Buxbaum, a German botanist. 



Buxbaumia aphylla L. grows on moist, barren soil in 

 open woods. It is rarely collected and does not resem- 

 ble other mosses. Only fruited plants are noticeable. 



Plants very small, scattered, growing from a brownish- 

 green coating (protonema) on the surface of the ground. 

 Stems practically absent. The seta grows di- 

 rectly from the radicles and has the appearance 

 of being a leafless stem, so that only fruited 

 plants are noticeable. 

 Buxbaumia Leaves not distinmishable, almost obsolete; 



aphylla , . , . , , 



brownish; servmg only to protect the young re- 

 productive organs, and disappearing long before the cap- 

 sule is mature; found at base of seta. 



Seta stout, about Yt. inch long; brownish-red. 



Capsule oblique; egg-shaped, with narrow end pointed, 

 flattened on the upper surface; when mature rich brownish- 

 red, glossy; mature in spring. 



Operculum cone-shaped. 



Range, Nova Scotia to Ontario and West Virginia, 

 Yukon Territory to Washington; Europe; Asia. 



