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Synopsis of Sub-genera

Thuidium.--Primary stems prostrate and irregularly divided; leaves with tiny protuberances (papillose); paraphyllia more or less numerous.

Secondary stems regularly feather-branched; stem-leaves differing decidedly from the branch-leaves; vein translucent; spore-case curved; lid conic, beaked.

Brachythecium.--Plants often large, prostrate, irregularly divided, the branches erect; leaves usually smooth with folds extending lengthwise of the leaf and veined to the middle or above; cells loose, elongated, rhomboidal, enlarged at the base and angles; lid conical, obtuse, or short-pointed.

Eurhynchium.--Plants somewhat feather-branched; leaves heart-shaped, growing down the stem at the basal angles, serrate; cells narrowly rhomboidal; spore-case oval, nodding or horizontal, inflated and with long sharp beak.

Plagiothecium.--Stems irregularly branching, not pinnate; leaves usually flattened out in the same plane or all turned in one direction, ovate or oblong lanceolate, often somewhat oblique at base, two-veined or veinless. Leaf-cells elongated hexagonal to liner; seta smooth, spore-case oblong to cylindrical, curved. Lid from conical to short-beaked.

Amblystegium.--Plants usually small or medium size with numerous irregular entangled branches, often forming broad soft mats over the ground. Leaves mostly small, ovate acute, spreading regularly around the stem, straight or sometimes slightly curved. Leaf-cells comparatively broad, short six-sided, usually not abruptly enlarged in the angles. Pedicel tall and smooth. Spore-case more or less cylindrical and curved, with conical lid obtuse or acute.

Harpidium.--Stems usually tall, more or less feather-branched; leaves scythe-shaped and turned to one side, very acutely pointed; vein simple, often reaching the apex; cells narrow, linear, the alar much inflated. Plants often growing in water.

Ctenium.--Plants in compact tufts of a pale yellow-green, the branches and branchlets regularly and closely placed feather-like, giving the plant a beautiful plume-like appearance. Leaves hooked and turned to one side, with short double veins or none, somewhat serrate at apex. Spore-case large, curved horizontal.

Euhypnum.--Plants variously divided; branches more or less densely feather-branched; leaves obscurely two-veined, membranous, shining, usually curved; cells compact, narrowly linear, distinctly four-sided at the angles; spore-case oblong cylindrical, curved, usually somewhat inclined or horizontal.

Calliergon.--Large plants with stem erect or inclined and with few cylindrical branches; leaves very concave, membranous, round to oblong or heart-shaped; cells very compact, narrow, alar cells inflated; spore-case oblong, horizontally curved.

Pleurozium.--Plants feather-like, branches twice to three times divided; leaves membranous, shining; veins short, single or double; paraphyllia numerous; cells linear, uniform; spore-case short, egg-shaped; lid beaked.

Hylocomnium.--Plants of large size with few irregular branches, or sometimes more or less feather-branched. Leaves widely spreading or recurved; veins two, and short; cells long and narrow; spore-case short, broadly ovate, horizontal.