-oOo-
CRYPHAEA FAMILY (CRYPHASACEAE)
A small family represented in this study by a single genus and
species - Antitrichia curtipendula. As already mentioned, the
family shows relationships to the Orthotrichaceae. The leaf cells at the
basal margin are rounded, and basal leaves are elongated.
Antitrichia curtipendula var. gigantea Sull & Lesq. (See
Plate XVIII, Fig. 1), is a large moss that hangs on trees at the
elevation of Longmire in huge masses sometimes a foot or more in
diameter. It is yellow-green above and brownish below at the older
portion of the stems. Leaves are imbricated and strongly secund.
WATER MOSS FAMILY (FONTINALACEAE)
The name Water Moss is well applied to members of this family since
they are completely submerged practically all the time. The bases of the
stems are attached to stones in cold, swift flowing streams in the park,
or in standing water. The plants are not often found in the fruiting
condition, making identification by fruiting parts difficult. The seta
is short, and the capsule is usually immersed in the leaves surrounding
the reproductive organs. A single genus - Fontinalis - and two
species have been found thus far on Mt. Rainier.
Fontinalis antipyretica (L. Hedw.) var. oreganensis R. &
C. (See Plate XVIII, Fig. 2) was found growing in standing water
near Ohanapecosh. It is a rather slender form, brownish-green in color
with the upper parts of the plant glossy. Stem leaves are lanceolate,
gradually narrowed towards the tips. F. antipyretica L. Hedw. Var.
patula (Card) Welch, differs from the foregoing in its
ovate-lanceolate leaves which are more narrowed at the apices. Specimens
were collected here in 1909 by Foster. The present specimen considered
was collected near Silver Falls in a swampy area. F. neomexicana Sull
& Lesq. is slender, dull-green and has leaves that are
oblong-lanceolate with acute apices. The bed of Huckleberry Creek a
short distance above Longmire on the Longmire-Paradise Trail, is filled
with the growth of this species of Fontinalis.
PLATE XVIII.
Fig. 1. (Cryphaeceae) Antitrichia curtipendula var. gigantea Sull &
Lesq. 1a - portion of plant x2. 1b - single leaf x20.
Fig. 2. (Fontinalaceae) Fontinalis antipyretica L. Hedw. var. oreganensis
R. & C. 2a - portion of plant x1-1/2. 2b - single leaf x10.
