Family CLIMACIACEAE 



A FAMILY of only two genera, one occurring in our 



45. CLIMACIUM Web. & Mohr (Cli-ma-ci-um) 



A widely distributed genus, commonly called '^ Tree- 

 IMoss," containing only a few species, three of which 

 are found in our region. 

 Name derived from the 

 Greek for '^ staircase," re- 

 ferring to the appearance 

 of the inner peristome. 



Plants growing separately 

 or in compact clumps on wet 

 ground, especially borders of 

 streams and ponds, one species 

 frequently occurring in water; 

 bright to dark green; quite 

 common; fruit occasional. 



Primary stems creeping under 

 ground like stolons; secondary 

 stems erect, robust, usually tree- 

 like in branching, the branches 

 longer and more numerous at the end of the stem, some- 

 times showing red through the leaves. 



Leaves large, crowded, straight, erect or spreading; rather 

 dark green. 



v.. 



A 



/ 



Climacium dcndroidcs 



