Family POLYTRICHACEAE 



A FAMILY containing several genera and a great 

 many species, some of which are among our largest and 

 most common mosses. 



39. CATHARINAEA Ehrh. (Cath-a-rin-ae-a) 



A cosmopolitan genus containing many species, two 

 of which are very common and usually grow exten- 

 sively, and a third is occasionally found. Named in 

 honor of Empress Catherine II of Russia. 



Plants growing in dense or loose patches on dry or moist 

 soil; usually dull green; sometimes fruiting freely. 



Stems erect, usually K-2 inches long; often reddish. 



Leaves long and narrow; erect or spreading when moist ; 

 strongly crisped when dry; transversely wavy (undulate), in 

 C. undulaia; midrib conspicuous when plants are held to the 

 light; usually dull green. 



Seta %-2 inches long, sometimes two or more together; 

 yellowish- or reddish-brown. 



Capsule long-cylindrical, slender, erect or slightly inclined^ 

 sometimes curved; dark reddish-brown; mature in autumn. 

 A white disk-like membrane across the mouth, united at the 

 edge to the teeth of the peristome, as in Pogonatmn and 

 Folytrichum, the two related genera. (Plate VII, Fig. 4.) 



Operculum long-beaked. 



a. Surface of leaf distinctly wavy (undulate); midrib 

 narrow, about H width of leaf . . . . C. undulata. 



