250 HOW TO KNOW THE MOSSES 



76. CIRRIPHYLLUM Grout (Cir-ri-phyl-lum) 



A genus containing several species. One is fairly 

 common in our region. Name derived from the Latin 

 for " curly hair," and " leaf," referring to the curled 

 tip of the leaves. 



Plants robust, growing in loose mats on the ground and 

 on earth-covered rocks in open woods, or in thin grass in 

 open fields; yellowish- or golden-green, rarely bright green; 



glossy ; common in some lo- 

 calities; fruit rare. 



Stems prostrate, irregu- 

 larly branched; branches 

 cylindrical, with a swollen ap- 

 pearance due to the very con- 

 cave leaves loosely folded. 

 Leaves straight, large, very 

 ^. . , „ „ ,, concave; hxodid, With. 2i short, 



Ctrnphyllum Boscn , i . 



fine, curled tip; closely or 

 loosely folded; yellow- or golden-green, rarely bright green; 

 glossy. 



5eto about ^ inch long; reddish-brown. 



Capsule long-cylindrical, inclined; reddish-brown; ma- 

 ture in autumn. 



Operculum long-beaked. 



Range, Vermont to Florida, west to Colorado and 

 Arkansas. 



Cirriphyllum Boscii (Schwaegr.) Grout (Hypnum 

 Boscii Schwaegr.) when well developed is conspicuous 

 on account of the bright, glossy color and the large 



