Please select root levels for the menu
NZ Plants
Atrichum androgynum
Polytrichaceae
-
Plants
L Jensen
View picture -
Stems
L Jensen
View picture -
Stem with leaves
L Jensen
View picture -
Leaves
L Jensen
View picture -
Leaf, upper surface. The leaf margin is toothed and the lamellae are restricted to above the midrib.
L Jensen
View picture -
Leaf, lower surface with teeth on leaf blade
L Jensen
View picture -
Sporophyte plants
L Jensen
View picture -
Young capsule with calyptra covering
L Jensen
View picture -
Tip of calyptra
L Jensen
View picture -
Capsule mouth. Peristome teeth are joined at their tips to a membane with pores between the teeth that allow spores to escape.
L Jensen
View picture
Atrichum androgynum has erect, unbranched stems. The linear-lanceolate leaves are thin and translucent, erect to spreading with a toothed margin and gradually narrow to a sharp tip. Unusual for this family, there are only 3-4 closely spaced lamellae running down almost the entire length of the upper leaf surface. Each lamella is one cell in thickness and 2-5 cells in height. Also unusual is the presence of teeth in oblique rows on the lower leaf surface. The peristome is typical for the family, consisting of short teeth joined at their tips to a membrane covering the capsule mouth with small openings between the teeth.
Widespread in New Zealand in moist forest, clay banks and along stream banks in the shade.
