246 HOW TO KNOW THE MOSSES 



Plants growing on decaying logs or old stumps .... 

 B. salebrosum. B. Starkei. 



B. rutabulum. B. reflexum. 



B. acuminatum. 



Brachythecium salebrosum (Hoffm.) Bryol. Eur. is 

 one of the commonest species, and is found on earth, 

 rocks, trees, and decaying logs. It is usually bright or 

 yellowish-green; somewhat glossy. 



Range J Canada and the Northern and Eastern States; 

 Europe; Asia; Africa. 



Brachythecium oxycladon (Brid.) Jaeg. {B. laetum 

 (Brid.) Bryol. Eur.) is closely related to B. salebrosum. 

 Some specimens have longer, more tapering branches, 

 and a capsule slightly more slender and more erect. It 

 grows on earth, rocks, and roots of trees, but is less 

 frequent on decaying logs. The leaves are quite a 

 bright green. 



Range, Newfoundland to Florida, west to the Rocky 

 Mountains; Europe. 



Brachythecium rutabulum (L.) Bryol. Eur. is a more 

 robust species with thicker branches, larger leaves, and 

 stouter capsule. It grows more commonly on the 

 ground and on stones in wet places, less frequently on 

 trees and old logs. It is usually yellowish-green and 

 quite glossy. 



Range, Newfoundland to Michigan and south to Mary- 

 land and Missouri; Europe; Asia; Africa. 



