Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Family: Grimmiaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
None

Schistidium papillosum is distinctive by virtue of its strongly papillose distal laminal cells and hairpoint on the distal leaves. It has a very undifferentiated costal cross section. The capsule is campanulate and lacks an endostome. When first seen, S. papillosum can be mistaken for a Grimmia. The papillose cells are obvious under magnification and immediately differentiate it from Grimmia. S. papillosum also bears a resemblance to Orthotrichum diaphanum. S. papillosum however grows on rock rather than on trees, and the capsule shape and lack of an endostome separate it from Orthotrichum. Also, cells on O. diaphanum are either smooth or have low papillae, while the papillae on S. papillosum are very obvious especially near the apex and on the margins.
We found Schistidium papillosum first in El Malpais National Monument, but more recently (2026) have found it here in the Gila along Bursum Road. Here are the pix of this moss from El Malpais.

Please click on an image for a larger file.

Schistidium papillosum, collection Radha Veach, photo Radha Veach, Catron County, Mogollon Mountains, Bursum Road, Bursum Camp, April 8, 2026

Schistidium papillosum, dark field photomicrograph of dry stem, collection Radha Veach, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Catron County, Mogollon Mountains, Bursum Road, Bursum Camp, April 8, 2026

Schistidium papillosum, dark field photomicrograph of moistened stem, collection Radha Veach, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Catron County, Mogollon Mountains, Bursum Road, Bursum Camp, April 8, 2026

Schistidium papillosum, photomicrograph of leaf, collection Radha Veach, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Catron County, Mogollon Mountains, Bursum Road, Bursum Camp, April 8, 2026

Schistidium papillosum, photomicrograph of leaf apex, collection Radha Veach, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Catron County, Mogollon Mountains, Bursum Road, Bursum Camp, April 8, 2026

Schistidium papillosum, photomicrograph of leaf base, collection Radha Veach, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Catron County, Mogollon Mountains, Bursum Road, Bursum Camp, April 8, 2026

Schistidium papillosum, photomicrograph of leaf apex and papillae, collection Radha Veach, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Catron County, Mogollon Mountains, Bursum Road, Bursum Camp, April 8, 2026

Schistidium papillosum, photomicrograph of sporophyte, collection Radha Veach, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Catron County, Mogollon Mountains, Bursum Road, Bursum Camp, April 8, 2026

Schistidium papillosum, photomicrograph of leaf cross section, collection Radha Veach, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Catron County, Mogollon Mountains, Bursum Road, Bursum Camp, April 8, 2026

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