Stellate Orthotrichum Moss

Orthotrichum stellatum Brid. Bryol
Univ. 1:274. 1826.
Orthotrichum Braunii Bruch & Schimp. in B.S.G. Bryol. Eur. (2-3:) Orthotr. 16. 1837. Orthotrichum strangulatum sensu Sull. Musci U. S. 33. 1856. Not 0. strangulatum Beauv. 1805, nor Schwaegr. 1816.
Plants in small, dense cushions reaching 1 cm. in height, branched above; leaves appressedimbricate when dry, broadly lanceolate, subacute to obtuse, keeled, =fc 2 mm. long, papillose except at the base, the margins revolute sometimes nearly to the base and the apex, sometimes only in the middle ; costa ending just below the apex ; upper leaf -cells irregular, rounded, incrassate, isodiametric to slightly elongate, 10-13 /tin diameter, the basal quadrate to short-rectangular, their corners more or less roundedautoicous; capsules 1-1.5 mm. long, rather abruptlycontracted to the very short seta, obovoid-pyriform, immersed to emergent, when dry and empty very strongly 8-ribbed, dark-colored and strongly contracted under the mouth; calyptra plicate, naked; exothecial cells differentiated along the ribs; stomata immersed ; annulus present, several rows of small incrassate cells below it; operculum conic-apiculate ; peristome-teeth 16, united in pairs, reflexed when dry, pale yellow, finely papillose, not perforate at the apex, the segments narrowly linear, of 1 or 2 rows of cells, shorter than the teeth; spores 10-13 u in diameter, maturing in late spring.
Type locality: South Deerfield, Mass.
Distribution: On trees in the open, especially butternut and apple; common in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, south to Georgia, west to Iowa.