HYPNACEAE 235 



Stereodon cupressiformis (L.) Brid. {Ilypnum 

 cupressiforme L.) has many varieties, and the t>'pical 

 form is not often collected in our range. The plants 

 grow on rocks, roots, and at the base of trees in moist 

 woods, forming thickly interwoven mats; rarely fruit- 

 ing. The leaves are dull yellowish- or brownish-green. 

 The plants are not so robust as in S. curmfolius , and 

 the stems are more matted together and more irregu- 

 larly branched than in either S. imponens or 5*. cur- 

 vifolius. The distinguishing leaf-character of the group 

 is usually noticeable. 



The var. filiformis Brid. is a very slender form occa- 

 sionally found at the base of trees. The stems are 

 pendant and the branches long, straight, parallel, and 

 very slender, giving the matted plants a smooth ap- 

 pearance as if water had run over them, turning the 

 branches in one direction. 



Range, Arctic America, Canada, south to the Gulf States; 

 a cosmopolitan. 



Stereodon recurvans (Schwaegr.) Broth. (Hypnum 

 recurvans Beauv., Scniatophyllum recurvans (Michx.) 

 E. G. B.) is frequently found in mountainous and 

 hilly woods, growing at the base of trees, on decay- 

 ing logs, and on the ground, in flat, densely inter- 

 woven mats. It is bright yellowish- green and more glossy 

 than other species of this group, so7nrd'hat smaller 

 than any except 5. reptilis, and fruits more abun- 

 dantly. The stems are closely interwoven, irregularly 



