Ceratodon Moss

Ceratodon purpureus

Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid., Bryol. Univ. 1:480, 1826.

Dicranum purpureum Hedw., Sp. Musc. 136, 1801. [Original material: Europe.]

Plants with erect stems 0.5–2.0 cm high. Leaves sharply curved when dry, erect-spreading when moist, ovate-lanceolate, 0.8–1.5 mm long, 0.4–0.5 mm wide; margins narrowly but distinctly recurved, distally usually slightly serrate; costa stout, percurrent or slightly excurrent; lamina cells quadrate, smooth, 6–9 μm in diameter. Dioicous. Sporophyte usually reddish to purple. Setae 1.0–2.5 cm long. Capsule nearly horizontal, curved at maturity, slightly strumose, 2.0–2.5 mm long. Spores 10–15 μm.

MAS A TIERRA: Plazoleta del Yunque, 200 m, K. 333/7a (B).

The species is one of the most common in the world, occurring on every continent. Sterile material is often confused with members of the Pottiaceae, but smooth leaf cells and slight serrations near the apex of the leaf are helpful distinctions.