u
S P L A C H N U M YAscuLosuM.
Obtuse-leaved Splachnum.
CLASS AND O r d e r CRYPTOGAMIA MUSCI, Linn.~-NAT. O r d . MUSCI, Juss. ^e.
G EN E R IC CHARACTER.
Seta terminalis. Theca apophysata. Peristemium simplex, e dentibus ¿eminan-
tibus siccitate arete reflexiS. Columella apice dilatata. Calyptra keiiis, basi
integra, fugax.
F ru itsta lk terminal. Capsule with an apophysis. Peristome simple, of geminating
teeth, closely reflexed when dry. Columella dilated at the
apex. Calyptra even, entire at the base, fugacious.
S P E C IF IC c h a r a c t e r .
S p l a c h n u m vasculosum; /oKii rhombo-ovatis, obtusis; apophysi globosa, demum
rugosa.
Sp. Leaves rhombo-ovate, o b tu se ; apophysis globose, at length rugose.
S p l a c h n u m vasculosum, Hedw. St, Cr. v. 2. 1 . 15.— Sp. Muse. p. 53.— Wahl.
Fl. Lapp. p. 308.—Schwaegr. Suppl. I. p. 51.—Web. 4' Mohr, Tasch.
p. 100.—Hook. 4- Tayl. Muse. Brit. p. 21. t. 1. (Suppl.)—Fl. Scot. pt. 2.
p. 125.—Funck, Deutschl. Moose, p. 10. t. 7- (spec, wanting in my copy).
H ab. Moist springy places oh the mountains, rare. Spring. “ Scotland,”
Mr G. D o n . Ben Lawers, Mr J . T. M a c k a y . Ben More, D r H o o k e r
and W . C. T r e v e l y a n , Esq. On Ben Lawers, it has been since repeatedly
found; by D r H o o k e r , Mr W a l k e r A r n o t t , and D r G r e v
i l l e ; and on the Clova Mountains by the first and last of these gentlemen,
along with W i l l i a m B u r c h e l l , Esq.
Plant of a pale, rath e r yellowish, b u t b rig h t green colour, growing in extensive
tu fts about the origin of springs, and similar places on the m ountains.
Stems from one to three inches in length or more, simple, or
about once divided, often branched towards the apex by innovations,
slender, pale green, succulent. Leaves nearly spreading, rhombo-ovate,
more or less obtuse at the apex, entire, highly vasculose, concave, the
nerve disappearing below the summit. They are placed remotely on
the stem, and, when moist, have a peculiar crispness and pellucid appearance.
Fruitstalk one to two inches in length, rather thick, succulent,
varying in colour from pale green to pink. Capsule cylindrical,
brown, the apophysis globose, as large as a coriander-seed, deep reddish-
purple, corrugated in age. L id convex, similar in colour to the capsule.
Peristome composed o f either 8 equidistant, bigeminated teeth, or o f l6
unigeminated teeth, geminating in pairs. Columella exserted, capitate.
T he sterile plants, producing disciform flowers, have the leaves on the stem
smaller and more distant, while those surrounding the terminating disk
are aggregated, narrow, and elongated in a radiating direction.
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