Morphology
A close-up of the moss Leiomitrium plicatum, showing its stems and their short branches.
A mat of Leiomitrium
Leiomitrium plicatum:
- Forms mats of creeping stems with numerous short branches
- Is yellow-brown to green in colour
- Is dioicous
Branch leaves:
Examples of Leiomitrium branch leaf shapes. Left = lanceolate, right = broadly oblong with rounded tip.
- Closely appressed to the stem when dry but spread out when wet
- Vary in shape from lanceolate to broadly oblong with a rounded leaf tip
- 0.8-1.5mm long
Upper leaf cells:
- Irregularly rounded and bulging
- 1-3 papillae per cell
Cells at the base of the leaf:
- Rounded in shape
- Either smooth or have 1 papilla per cell
Upper leaf cells of Leiomitrium
Thickened midrib of the leaf:
- Broad
- Ends below the leaf tip
Leaves arising from the creeping stem:
Slightly different to the branch leaves, with:
- more pointed tips
- cells either smooth or with only 1 papilla
Setae (the stalks to which capsules are attached):
- Stout
- Sheathed by a long cup-shaped structure (ochrea)
Leiomitrium with capsules
Capsules:
- Cylindric
- 8 groves
- 2 layers of peristome
Calyptrae (protective caps covering capsules):
- Relatively large
- Mitrate (shaped like a bishop’s miter)
- Hairy
Toolbox
Glossary
Dioicous
Producing male and female sex organs on different plants.
Papilla
A minute protuberance that sometimes occurs on leaf cell walls. Papillae are useful identification characters.
Peristome
The circle of teeth inside the mouth of a moss capsule.