378 LESKEACE^. 



Very variable in size and in the length and thickness of the branches. It has 

 some similarity to several other species, especially, in its larger secund-leaved forms, 

 to the more robust forms of Heterocladium heteropterum ; that plant has however 

 more tapering leaves, more strongly denticulate and usually more distant, with 

 shorter, less papillose cells, and the nerve always short and double. Pseudoleskea 

 differs in the shorter sub-rounded areolation, as well as in the curved fruit. The 

 present plant will generally be recognised by its numerous slender curved branches, 

 resembling a very slender state of Pterogonium filiforme, but with highly papillose 

 areolation. 



98. HETEROOLADIUM B. & S. 



Primary stem creeping, more or less stoloniform, irregularly- 

 divided, the secondary stems with irregular, often flagelliform 

 branches. Leaves of two forms ; stem-leaves cordate-acuminate, 

 branch-leaves smaller, narrower, ovate, less acuminate; nerve 

 short, double ; paraphyllia few. Capsule inclined or horizontal, 

 curved ; peristome perfect, with cilia. Dioicous. 



Differing from Thuidium in the non-pinnate branching, and 

 the few paraphyllia, from Pseudoleskea in the double nerve, and 

 the dimorphous leaves ; from the other genera of this Order in 

 the curved capsule and other points. 



/Stem-leaves patent ; lid rostrate '■ heteropterum 



\Stem-leaves squarrose-recurved ; lid conic 2- squarrosulum 



1. Heterocladium heteropterum B. & S. (Hypnum 

 heteropterum Spr.) (Tab. L. M.). 



In large, intricate, flat patches, deep or bright green. Stems 

 creeping, the secondary ones prostrate or ascending, irregularly 

 or sub-pinnately branched, very slender, often filiform ; branches 

 straight, rarely curved ; stem-leaves widely ovate-acuminate, 

 with a more or less tapering, acute point, spreading or sub-secund, 

 excavate at base, not concave, shortly two-nerved ; margin plane, 

 finely denticulate in the greater part ; median cells elliptical, 3-5 

 times as long as broad, towards apex and margins shorter, sub- 

 quadrate-rounded ; all rather incrassate, distinctly papillose on 

 both sides. Branch-leaves smaller, less tapering, ovate, acute, 

 often secund. Seta purple, curved above, so that the capsule is 

 often horizontal ; capsule deep reddish brown, oblong, slightly 

 curved, or gibbous, short-necked; lid conical, rostrate. 



Var. /3. fallax Milde. Extremely slender, stems and 

 branches all delicately filiform; leaves minute, narrowly 

 elliptic-lanceolate ; cells all short. 



Hab. Wet rocks by waterfalls, etc. The var. B rare ; Staffordshire (Bagnall) ; 

 Radnorshire (Binsteaa). Fruit very rare, late summer and autumn. 



