A New Species of Polytrichum from the Southern Appalachians
Anderson LE. 1987. A New Species of Polytrichum from the Southern Appalachians. The Bryologist. 90(1):1-5
ABSTRACT: Polytrichum appalachianum Anderson, sp. nov., is described as a new species. Limited to the southern Blue Ridge Province of the Appalachian Mountains, it has previously been known as P. xanthopilum Wils. [Polytrichastrum xanthopilum (Wils.) G. L. Sm.]. Recently discovered sporophytes from North Carolina, however, show clearly that American plants do not belong to this species, necessitating the description of a new taxon. The new species differs from P. xanthopilum principally in its lack of a bulbous hypophysis at the base of the capsule, the absence of a constriction between the urn and hypophysis, and a less pyriform terminal cell of the leaf lamellae. The new species resembles most closely P. formosum Hedw. and P. longisetum Brid. Its distribution, ecology, and cytology are discussed.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Anderson, Lewis
- Units
- BLRI
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, biodiversity, BLRI, Blue Ridge Parkway, bryophytes, Chestnut Bald, Craggy Gardens, Devil's Court House, moss, new species, Polytrichum appalachianum, SER, Southeast Region