Pilotrichaceae

Diagnosis: Plants medium-sized, in lustrous, pale to dark green, dense mats; primary stems short, with spreading, mostly simple branches, to ca. 2.5 cm long, complanate-foliate. Leaves sometimes crispate to undulate when dry, ± flat when moist, crowded, ± oblong, obtuse to apiculate, 1.5-2.5 x 0.5-1 mm; margins serrate above, plane, elimbate; costa ending 1/3-1/2 the leaf length; cells long-fusiform to linear, ± thin-walled, 80-150 x 12-14 µm, in apex rhomboidal, 2-6:1, becoming long-rectangular across the insertion in 1-3 rows. Setae papillose throughout, 6-12 mm long; capsules 1-1.5 mm long. Calyptra sparsely hairy.

Distribution: South America

Ecology: In non-flooded moist forests, 200-400 m, on tree branches.

Type Citation: Linnaea 21: 192. 1848.

Other Published Figures: W. R. Buck. 2003. Guide to the Plants of Central French Guiana. fig. 92