248 HOW TO KNOW THE MOSSES 



Brachythecium Starkei (Brid.) Bryol. Eur. is the 

 species with wide-spreading, rather separated, leaves, 

 flattened on either side of the stem, apparently in two 

 rows. The plants grow on the ground, on rocks, and on 

 decaying wood ; usually forming rather thin mats; quite 

 dark green. The growth is similar to that of Plagiothe- 

 cium denticulatum (p. 240) and Rhynchostegium (p. 

 256), but as a rule the leaves are narrower and 

 shorter, giving the branches a more slender appear- 

 ance, and the capsules are stouter without the very 

 long beak to the operculum that is characteristic of 

 Rhynchostegium. 



Range, Arctic America, Canada, and the northern United 

 States; Europe. 



Brachythecium reflexum (Stark.) Bryol. Eur. is a 

 very slender species with leaves closely folded and too 

 small to be seen. It grows chiefly on rocks and decay- 

 ing logs, more rarely at the base of trees in mountain- 

 ous regions. It is usually a rather dark green. The 

 stems and branches are very slender and tapering, 

 sometimes slightly curved at the ends. 



Range, Canada and south to Maryland and Missouri; 

 Europe; Asia. 



Brachythecium velutinum (L.) Bryol. Eur. is not 

 often collected. It grows on earth, and on stones, but 

 most frequently at the base of trees. The plants are 



