Family LESKEACEAE 



A LARGE family occurrin^^ in temperate and tropical 

 regions, chiefly on trees and rocks, more rarely on the 

 ground. Several genera are found in the United States. 



53. THELIA Sull. (The-li-a) 



A North American genus of only a few species, three 

 of which are found in our range. Name derived from 

 the Greek for " papilla," referring to the tiny projec- 

 tions on the leaves. 



Plants growing in close, flat, intricate mats; two species 

 found on stumps and at the base of trees in the woods ; a 

 third occurring on ledges and flat rocks 

 or dry, sandy soil; light, grayish-green, or 

 gray blue-green, rarely darker; dull; com- 

 mon ; fruit occasional. 



Stems creeping, sometimes horizon- ^^'^''' ^''^'"^ 

 tally, the under side thickly covered with broitm radicles, 

 pinnately or irregularly branched; branches numerous, short, 

 usually about /S inch long, straight, erect, smoothly cylin- 

 drical. 



Leaves closely folded, too small to be seen even when 

 moist; light or grayish bluc-grccn, rarely darker. 



Seta about I2 inch long; reddish. 



Capsule erect, cylindrical, slender; yellowish-brown; ma- 

 ture in autumn. 



Operculum short-beaked. 



