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NZ Plants
Tortella knightii
Family: Pottiaceae
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Plant
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Shoot
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Leaf
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Dry shoot
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Dry leaves
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Sporophyte plants with stalks (setae) and capsules
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Immature capsule with calyptra cover
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Detached calyptra (left), operculum lid (centre) and capsule with peristome (right)
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Peristome teeth with spores
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Tortella knightii has simple-to-branched stems 3-20 mm tall. The pale-green or yellow-green leaves are narrow with an undulating margin and gradually taper to a sharp point. When dry the leaves are tightly curled with cracks across them or with pieces missing. The sporophyte stalk (seta) is up to 2 cm long and is a distinct redish-brown. The capsule is narrowly cylindrical and about 2 mm long with a peristome of 32 long and spiraled teeth.
Widespread in New Zealand forming dense cushions on limestone rock, soil and rotten logs.
