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Hylacomium splendens
The bipinnate branching, presence of paraphyllia, and distinctive frondose growth form are characters of this species (however arctic-alpine forms may lack the frondose growth form). Microscopically, the broadly acuminate leaves, short and double costa, and prorulose cells are key features.
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Clockwise from top left: Hylacomnium splendens in field, branch leaf, branch cells, stem leaf, stem cells |
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| Habit | Complex plants forming bipinnately branched wefts. |
| Stems | forming annual increments visible as annual fronds having a stair-step arrangement, paraphyllia abundant. |
| Leaves | Stem leaves different from branch leaves, branch leaves with a short and double costa, ovate, abruptly acuminate often with a tiny apiculus. |
| Leaf Cells | oblong to elongate, with small apical papillae on the convex surface (prorulose). |
| Alar Cells | shorter and thicker walled then upper cells. |
| Habitat | Very abundant in upland coniferous boreal forests; occasionally in dry peatlands, especially in peat plateaus and dry bogs where it occupies the highest and driest hummocks. |
| Common Associates | In dry oligotrophic peatlands associated with Pleurozium schreberi and hummock-forming Sphagna, especially S. fuscum. |
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