[ 1498 ]
S P H A G N U M squarrosum.
Prominent-leaved BosO-moss.
CRYPTOGAMIA Musci.
Gen. Char. Caps, without a fringe. V e i l cut round,
its base remaining on the base of the capsule.
A n th e rw surrounded with a ring.
Spec. Char. Branches bent downwards, tapering.
Leaves ovate, acute, with recurved, prominent,,
keeled points.
Syn. Sphagnum squarrosum. M o h r . Ind. 2.
N o author, as far as we are informed, has described this
Sphagnum. It is merely mentioned in Mr. Mohr’s Index
Musei Plant. Crypt, by the above name, under which denomination
we formerly received specimens gathered in Hercynia
by our late much esteemed friend Dr. H. A. Noehden of
Goettingen. We have Swedish specimens from Dr. Swartz.
For its discovery in Britain we are indebted to Mr. D . Turner,
who found it this summer on bogs at Belton near Yarmouth,
bearing fruit in June and July.
In colour, size and general aspect at a distance; this most
resembles S. latifolium, t. 1405, but the tapering extremities
of its branches agree with those of S. capillifolium, t. 1406.
From both it differs essentially in the spreading recurved
points of its broad ovate leaves, which have a central fold
like a keel, and, projecting on every side, give the squarrose
character of the species. Its capsule and fruit-stalk most
agree with those of the latter, to which it is perhaps, of the
two, nearest akin, differing chiefly in size, and in the breadth
and posture of its leaves.