Gymnostomum insigne (Dix.) A. J. Smith, J. Bryol. 9: 279. 1976. Gymnostomum subrigidulum (Broth.) Chen, Hedwigia 80: 58. 1941. Barbula subrigidula Broth., Symb. Sin. 4: 41. 1929. Type. China: Yunnan, Li-jiang Co., Yu-long Snow Mt., Handel-Mazzetti 6656 (holotype H).

Plants medium-sized, to 30 mm high, yellowish green, in dense tufts. Stems erect, usually branched; central strand absent. Leaves involute to contorted when dry, erectopatent when moist, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 1.1–2.0 mm × 0.3–0.5 mm, somewhat sheathing at the base, gradually acuminate toward a blunt apex; margins entire, more or less revolute; costa stout, percurrent; upper leaf cells rounded quadrate or pentagonal to hexagonal, 6–12 µm × 6–18 µm, pluripapillose, thin-walled; basal cells rectangular, 14–29 µm × 8–14 µm, smooth. Dioicous. Setae ca. 10 mm long, reddish; capsules erect, oblong-ovoid.

Type. Scotland.

Chinese specimens examined: HEILONGJIANG: Hai-lin Co., C. Gao 9242 (HKAS, IFSBH). HUNAN: Sang-zhi Co., D.-K. Li 18405 (HKAS, SHM). JILIN: Chang-bai Shan (Mt.), C. Gao 7237 (HKAS, IFSBH); Jiao-he Co., C. Gao 1639 (HKAS, IFSBH). SICHUAN: Tian-quan Co., S. He 32110 (MO); Wen-chuan Co., Y. Xuan 17824 (HKAS). XIZANG: Long-zi Co., M. Zang 814 (HKAS); Mo-tuo Co., Y.-G. Su 2313, 2811 (HKAS); Shuang-hu, K.-Y. Lang 1356 (HKAS). YUNNAN: Kun-ming City, Z.-M. Li 29 (HYUB).

Habitat: on calcareous rocks or sandstone in alpine regions; also on thin soil over rocks in moist places; Distribution: China, Japan, Europe, and North America.

Illustrations: C. Gao (ed.) 1996 (Pl. 50, figs. 18–22, as Gymnostomun subrigidulum).