Mosses and Lichens 



Ohio Hairy-cap, Polytrichum Ohiense, Ren. and Card. 



Habit and habitat. Found on the ground growing loosely in 

 patches. Distinguished from P. formosum* by the form of the 

 spore-case, which is more or less narrowed toward the base and 

 has an indistinct apophysis, but chiefly distinguished by the form 

 of the marginal cells of the lamellae, a character which separates 

 it from all our other species of Polytrichum. 



Name. The specific name Ohiense refers to the fact that the 

 type specimen came from Ohio. 



Plant (gametophyte). Erect, simple or divided, i to 3 inches 

 high, woolly below. 



\ 



Spore-case. 



Vertical sections of lamellae to show terminal cells. 

 P. Ohiense. 



Leaves. Spreading when moist, erect and slightly twisted 

 when dry; apex narrowly taper-pointed, the awn spiny; base 

 white, sheathing; margin serrate; lamella 30 to 40; cells 5 to 7 

 deep, the marginal cell much larger, broader than high, stirrup- 

 shaped in section. 



Leaves at the base of the pedicel (perichatial leaves). Resembling 

 the stem-leaves, longer and with a longer transparent base. 



Habit of flowering. Male and female flowers on separate 

 plants (dioicous). 



Veil (calyptra). Pale, small, ragged, not concealing the 

 spore-case. 



Spore-case. Erect, finally horizontal, with 4 to 6 acute angles, 

 the base tapering into an indistinct apophysis. 



Pedicel (seta). Red below, paler above, 2 to 4 inches long. 



Lid (operculum). Conic and taper-pointed, bordered with 

 orange. 



Teeth (peristome) . Si xty-four. 



* NOTE. Polytrichum formosum seems to be rare in America, having 

 been reported only from Miquelon Island, near Newfoundland. 



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