NOTES ON THE GENUS CATHARINABA IN IOWA 
I.UCY M. CAVANAGH. 
The Genus Catharinaea is represented in Iowa by mosses which 
have been referred in all published lists to the species C. undulata 
(L.) W. & M. and C. angustata Brid. Both are species of very 
wide distribution. 
C. undulata is a rather well marked species, easily recognized 
without a microscope. It is found in protected places, usually in 
woods. So far as noted in Iowa it presents comparatively little 
variation, which is fully covered by the published descriptions. 
The smaller forms of Catharinaea, with harsher leaves, have been 
referred to C. angustata. They are usually found in more exposed 
places, though they are sometimes found associated with C. undu- 
lata. 
The species in this genus are based almost entirely on leaf char- 
acters. The two species cited are distinguished by the number and 
size of the lamellae, by the comparative width of the costa and 
blade, and by the extent of the serrations on the margin of the 
leaf. 
A third species, with papillose leaves, has been described from 
Minnesota under the name C. Macmillani Holz. The following 
table shows the distinguishing characters of the three species as 
given in published descriptions : 
Margin 
Width or 
Costa 
No. or 
Lamexlae 
Height oe 
Lameeeae 
C. undulata 
Serrate ZA of length 
1/8-1/10 of leaf 
2-6 
3-6 cells 
C. angustata 
C. Macmillani 
Above middle only 
l/3-l/4of leaf 
5-7 
7-10 
5-8 cells 
8-12 cells 
In a study of an extensive series of forms referred to C. angus- 
tata it was found that the variation in the above-noted characters 
is much greater than is indicated in the table. The observed range 
of variations is indicated in the following table : 
Serrated 
Width oe Costa 
No. OE 
Lamellae 
Height oe 
Lamellae 
Papillae 
1. 
To middle 
54 of blade 
6 
6-13 cells 
None 
2. 
Below middle 
y3-54 
5 
5-9 cells 
Trace 
3. 
Below middle 
Vs ' 
7-8 
4-12 cells 
None 
4. 
Below middle 
Nearly % 
6-10 
5-13 cells 
None 
5. 
Below middle 
More than % 
6 
9-18 cells 
None 
6. 
Below middle 
More than % 
6-8 
5-10 cells 
Slight 
7. 
To middle 
Nearly % 
9 
4-8 cells 
Slight 
8. 
Three-fourths 
About % 
7-8 
7-13 cells 
Distinct 
