BFNA | Family List | Sphagnaceae | Sphagnum

Taxon in Process: Sphagnum species E

Plants small, green to light brown; capitulum moderately well defined. Stems green; superficial cortex of 1 layer of well differentiated, enlarged and thin-walled cells. Stem leaves lingulate, 1--1.2 mm , apex entire to somewhat erose; hyaline cells non-septate; fibrillose and porose in apical region; Branches slender with small spreading leaves. Branch fascicles with 2 spreading and 2 pendent branches. Branch leaves ovate-lanceolate, 1.4--1.6 mm, straight to slightly subsecund, weakly undulate, often recurved in capitulum branches; hyaline cells on convex surface with up to 5 small round faint pores per cell in the basal portion of the cell and free from the cell margins, concave surface aporose;. Sexual condition unknown. Capsules not seen. Spores not seen.

Currently known only from the type locality where it occurs in a high elevation fen; Oreg.

Sporophytes are unknown. This taxon is commonly associated with other minerotrophic bryophytes such as Messia triquetra, Calliergon cordifolium, and Campylium polygamum. This is a curious species that has an obvious close relationship with sect. Cuspidata. When wet it is similar in appearance to S. subsecundum$ but upon drying the sightly undulate and recurved branch leaves give it the charactereistic appearance of this section. The branch leave porosity is also more similar to sect. Cuspidata than to sect. Subsecunda.