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NZ Plants
Polytrichadelphus magellanicus
Family: Polytrichaceae
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Plants
L Jensen
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Shoot
L Jensen
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Leaves
L Jensen
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Leaf bases
L Jensen
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Detached leaf
L Jensen
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Leaf, upper surface, marginal teeth and with parallel lamellae running lengthwise
L Jensen
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Sporophyte plants
L Jensen
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Immature capsule with calyptra covering
L Jensen
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Capsule with operculum lid
L Jensen
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Operculum shed, capsule mouth covered with a membrane
L Jensen
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Capsule mouth, short peristome teeth are attached at their tips to the membrane leaving small openings between them for the release of spores
Bill and Nancy Malcolm
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Polytrichadelphus magellanicus has tall, erect and sometimes branching stems bearing stiff, sharply pointed leaves with toothed margins. Leaf structure is typical for the family, with a very wide nerve (vein) and closely spaced lamellae running down almost the entire length and width of the upper leaf surface. Each lamella is one cell in thickness and several cells in height. The capsule covering (calyptra) is smooth and the capsule is concave on the upper side and convex on the lower side. 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 disturbed areas such as clay banks and the sides of ditches.
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