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NZ Plants
Ptychomnion aciculare, pipe-cleaner moss
Family: Ptychomniaceae
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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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Leaves
L Jensen
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Leaf tips
L Jensen
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Leaf with dwarf male plants
L Jensen
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Dwarf male plant
L Jensen
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Dwaf male, cleared specimen
J Braggins
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Young sporophyte embryo. Stalk (seta) elongation tears the surrounding archegonium wall (calyptra) at its base.
L Jensen
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Older sporophyte plants. The seta reaches maximum length and the terminal calyptra covers a maturing capsule.
L Jensen
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Base of elongated seta, perichaetial bracts
L Jensen
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Tip of seta, enlarging capsule with calyptra cover
L Jensen
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Calyptra removed, exposing immature capsule with lid (operculum)
L Jensen
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Mature capsule with operculum shed, exposing outer and inner peristome teeth
L Jensen
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Outer peristome teeth with spores
L Jensen
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Ptychomnion aciculare has prostrate to erect and irregularly-branched red stems with glossy, crinkly leaves that have a papery texture when dry. Plants are unisexual; male plants are full-sized or dwarfed and found attached to leaves.
Widespread in New Zealand in moist forest on the ground, on rotting logs and less often as an epiphyte.
