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Hedwig's Moss

Genus HEDWIGIA, Ehrh.

The species of the Genus Hedwigia have two-forked stems with roots at the base. They are usually found in hoary fragile patches on rocks.

The leaves are broad, oval, veinless, and coarsely toothed or fringed on the margins.

The spore-cases are globular, immersed with almost no pedicel and no peristome.

There are ten species in all, three in North America.

The generic name was given in honour of J. G. Hedwig, a distinguished German botanist, who lived in 1782.

Hedwig's Fringe-leaf Moss, Hedwigia ciliata, Ehrh.

Habit and habitat.--In small or wide patches, loosely tufted, and hoary-green; common on rocks.

Name.--The specific name ciliata, referring to the fringed perichaetial leaves, is derived from the Latin cilium, an eyelash.

Plant (gametophyte).--Pale-green, stems slender, 1 to 4 inches long, at first erect, then procumbent, repeatedly twice-forked.

Leaves.--Spreading all round when moist, crowded and over-lapping like shingles when dry, broadly lance-shaped; apex recurved, translucent by the absence of leaf-green; margins wavy, base growing down the stem and yellow at the point of attachment; cells with tiny projections.

Leaves at the base of the spore-case (perichaetial leaves).--Thin and transparent, taper-pointed, fringed on the margins.

Habit of flowering.--Male and female flowers on one plant (monoicous).

Veil (calyptra).--Small, covering the lid, conical, with or without hairs.

Spore-case.--Immersed, globular, light-brown, red at the mouth.

Pedicel.--Almost none.

Lid (operculum).--Convex, with or without an obtuse point in the centre.

Annulus.--None.

Teeth (peristome).--None.

Spores.--Mature in spring.

Distribution.--Universal.