Anomodon Rostratus Moss
Anomodon rostratus, Schimp.Habit and habitat.-Densely tufted, bright green at the surface, yellow-brown within. Growing on trees, roots, and limestone rocks.
Name.-The specific name rostratus, beaked, refers to the lid.
Plant (gametophyte).-Primary stems brittle and bearing numerous thread-like branches, forming dense tufts.
Leaves.-Dense, overlapping as shingles, lanceshaped ; apex long-pointed ; vein solid, vanishing below the apex ; base oval.
Leaves at the base of the pedicel (perichaetial leaves).-Long, white and thin: apex of the inner leaves narrowed into a thread-like, reflexed point as long as the leaf-blade.
Habit of flowering.-Male and female flowers on separate plants (dioicous).
Veil (calypira).-Split up one side.
Spore-case.-Red-brown, oval-oblong.
Lid (operculum).-Long-beaked.
Teeth (peristome).-The segments of the inner membrane about as long as the teeth, keeled, dirty-yellow, with cilia between, solitary, rudimentary or none.
Spores.-Mature in Fall.
Distribution.-North America, Europe and Asia.