Fontinalis Antipyretica Moss
Fontinalis antipyretica, var. gigantea, Sulliv.Habit and habitat.-Glossy, yellow-green or bronzed plants growing in fresh water.
Name.-The specific name antipyretica is a compound of the Greek for; against, and; fever, given because of a belief in its efficacy in fevers. The varietal name gigantea refers to its size.
Plants. -One to two feet long, rooting only at the base and growing attached to stones, and roots of trees in streams.
Leaves.-Keeled and overlapping; vein none; apex finely toothed; cells of the basal angles enlarged.
Leaves at the base of the pedicel (perichaetial leaves).- Overlapping, broad and blunt.
Habit of flowering.-Fruiting branch 1/2 an inch long, male and female flowers on separate plants.
Veil (calyptra). -Beaked.
Spore-case.-Cylindrical.
Lid (operculum).-Conical.
Teeth (peristome).-As in the genus.
Spores.-Mature in summer.
Distribution.-In temperate regions of both continents.