HYPNACEAE 233 



Stereodon reptilis (Rich.) Mitt. (Hypnum reptile 

 Michx.) is the commonest small species. The leaves 

 are sometimes large enough to be seen when the plants 

 are held to the light, and the 

 curling of the leaf-tips can usu- 

 ally be made out. The leaves 

 are spreading and give the 

 branches a flattened, rather 

 than a cylindrical, appearance. ^''''''^''' ''^^"■^" 



rr., , ^ r 1 . Portion of branch enlarged. 



The plants are found on stones, 



at the base of trees, and on decaying logs. They are 

 rather dark green, and are usually fruiting, often abun- 

 dantly. The stems are more or less pinnately or irregu- 

 larly branched, closely interwoven. Some shoots that 

 run out from the general matted growth often are 

 regularly pinnate. Small forms resemble HomomaUiiim 

 (p. 210), but Stereodon reptilis is much more frequent 

 and grows in larger mats, more often fruiting than 

 Homomallium. When the curved tips of the leaves 

 can be seen in Stereodon, the branches do not look 

 smoothly cylindrical, as in Homomallium. 



Range, Canada south to North Carolina and Utah; 

 Europe; Asia. 



Stereodon imponens (Hedw.) Brid. {Ilypnum im- 

 ponens Hedw.) is a common species, larger than S. 

 reptilis, growing in loose mats on earth, rocks, decaying 

 logs, and at the base of trees, in moist woods. The 

 leaves are yellowish-green. The fruit is not common. 



