GYMNOSTOMUM stelligerum.
Star-topped Beardless-moss.
CRYPTOGAMIA Musci.
Gen. Char. Caps, without a fringe. L id deciduous.
Veil separating entire from the base.
Spec. Char. Stem branched, spreading. Leaves linear
lanceolate, spreading; the uppermost stellated.
Capsule hemispherical. Lid oblique.
Syn. Gymnostomum stelligerum. Schrad. Journ.v. 2.55.
Bridel. Muscol. v. 1. 46. Sm. FI. Brit. 1164.
Bryum stelligerum. Dicks. Crypt, fasc. 2. S. t. 4.
/ , 4. With. 323. Hull. 253.
A l l our knowledge of this little moss is derived from a specimen
given by Mr. Dickson, who found it in woods in the
highlands of Scotland. The stems are erect, but the branches
spread much, and seem to have their annual shoots very
distinctly defined. Leaves alternate, crowded, light green,
linear-lanceolate, somewhat ovate at their base, entire, keeled,
with a strong mid-rib; the upper ones elongated, and spreading
in the form of a star. Fruitstalks solitary, terminal, though
overtopped by the more recent shoots, upright, straight, red
Capsule short and nearly hemispherical, its mouth being very
wide. Its colour is a bright shining bay. Lid flat, with a
taper point, as long as the capsule, and somewhat curved.