Encalypta rhaptocarpa Schwaegr.
ribbed extinguisher-moss (yellow awn candle snuffer moss)
Encalyptaceae
Species Account Author: Wilf Schofield
Extracted from Some Common Mosses of BC
Introduction to the Bryophytes of BC
ribbed extinguisher-moss (yellow awn candle snuffer moss)
Encalyptaceae
Species Account Author: Wilf Schofield
Extracted from Some Common Mosses of BC
Introduction to the Bryophytes of BC
Species Information
Species description:
Species name denoting seamed, presumably in reference to the grooved sporangium.
Reproduction:
Sporophytes common in spring to summer.
Distinguishing characteristics:
The conspicuous red-brown ribs on the sporangium wall, the presence of reddish peristome teeth, the unfringed, golden, opaque calyptra and the hair-pointed leaves are useful features.
Habit:
Short, loose turfs of erect, yellow-green to bluish-green shoots with hair-pointed leaves.
Similar Species:
Of species of Encalypta in which the sporangium is ribbed, E. spathulata differs in its absence of peristome teeth and in the pale, nearly transparent calyptra, E. intermedia also lacks peristome teeth and the leaves are generally without hair points, E. procera has obvious peristome teeth, the grooves on the sporangium are oblique, rather than .vertical, and the leaves are blunt tipped. E. vulgaris, a relatively widespread species, has ungrooved sporangia and lacks peristome teeth.
Illustration
If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.
Illustration Source: Some Common Mosses of BC
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Usually open calcareous soil or cliff shelves and crevices from semi-arid grassland to alpine elevations. Range
World DistributionWidespread in arctic and temperate climates of the Northern Hemisphere. In North America extending southward to the northern Great Lakes area in the east and to northern Colorado in the west.
Status Information
Synonyms
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Encalypta rhabdocarpa nom. illeg. orthogr. pro
Encalypta rhaptocarpa var. subspathulata
Encalypta vulgaris var. rhaptocarpa (Schwaegr.) Lawt.