Family LEUCODONTACEAE 



A FAMILY containing several genera, one of which is 

 occasional in our range. 



46. LEUCODON Schwaegr. (Leuc-o-don) 



A genus of many species, three of which occur in 

 the Middle and Eastern States. Name derived from 

 the Greek for "white" and a " tooth," referring to the 

 pale peristome. 



Plants growing in loose patches on trees in the woods, 

 very rarely on rocks; yellowish, brownish, bright or olive- 

 green ; not common ; fruit rare. 



Primary stems slender, creeping, often horizontal or 

 drooping, with numerous, erect, secondary stems /4-i/4 

 inches long, branched or unbranched; when dry usually 

 curved upwards at the ends, and smoothly cylindrical. 



Leaves straight, easily seen when moist and spreading; 

 not always seen when dry and closely folded; sometimes 

 slightly turned to one side; varying from bright to olive- 

 green, or brownish. 



Seta short, }i-Y% inch long, more or less wrapped in long 

 leaves. 



Capsule short-cylindrical, erect; brownish; mature in 

 autumn. 



Operculum cone-shaped. 



Leucodon is to be looked for on living trees at least 

 four or five feet from the base. The distinguishing 



