Rhizogonium novae-hollandiae Bridel 1827

Rhizogonium novae-hollandiae

Rhizogonium novae-hollandiae (Brid.) Brid., Bryol. Univ. 2:664, 1827.

Fissidens novae-hollandiae Brid., Bot. Zeit. Regensburg 1:212, 234. 1802. [Original material: Nova Hollandia, coll. La Biliardière, 1791–1794.]

Plants usually on humus or bark, with stems to 2 cm high. Leaves of mature stems usually distichous, becoming incurved or secund when dry, oblong-ovate to elliptical, ca. 1 mm long, 0.5 mm wide; margin plane, unistratose, strongly serrate in distal half; costa percurrent or subpercurrent into a short, sharp acumination, smooth abaxially; cells of lamina rounded-hexagonal, ca. 15–20 μm in diameter, walls somewhat thickened; a few basal cells narrow and elongate, to 40 μm long. Dioicous. Perichaetia basal, long with long-tipped, narrow-celled leaves. Setae 1–2 cm long, reddish. Capsule to 2 mm long, oblong with tapering neck, inclined to horizontal. Spores 12–16 μm in diameter. Operculum with short beak.

MAS A TIERRA: Salsipuedes, 660 m, Sk. 190 (S).

The species is known from Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, the East Indies, Juan Fernandez, and Patagonia. The material from Patagonia and Juan Fernandez has been placed in a variety patagonicum Card. & Broth. which was noted for “folia superne argute serrata, nervo superne tenuiore.”

Rhizogonium novaehollandiae is a moss found in moist situations in Australia, New Zealand and Central and South America. In Australia it may be seen on wood, rock and tree ferns. A moss with creeping stems with erect or pendant branches, with two rows of leaves. The stem is clearly visible between them. When dry, the leaves fold towards each other. The length to width ratio of the leaves is less than three to one. The costa (vein/rib) is excurrent, showing a tip. The first European to collect this species was Jacques Labillardière. This plant first appeared in scientific literature in the year 1802, published by the German-Swiss bryologist Samuel Elisée Bridel-Brideri.