Species description:
Genus name referring to the Adam's apple-like swelling at the neck of the sporangium. Species named in honour of G. Wahlenberg, a Swedish botanist of the 19th century who collected the original specimen.

Reproduction:
Sporophytes frequent, reddish-brown when mature, with bright red-brown peristome teeth.

Distinguishing characteristics:
The sub-sheathing leaves, their remarkable contortion when dry, the sporangia with very red-brown peristome teeth and distinct knob in the neck, and the usual habitat on logs in perennially flooded areas are useful features.

Habit:
Forming pale green, yellow-green to brownish-green, short turfs. Leaves sheathing at base and contorted when dry.

Similar Species:
O. virens has recurved leaf margins and enlarged cells at the lowermost margin of the leaf while O. wahlenbergii lacks these features visible with a hand lens. O. wahlenbergii usually has somewhat clasping leaf bases while O. virens lacks them. See also notes under Kiaeria starkei.

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

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Cynodontium wahlenbergii (Brid.) Hartm.
Oncophorus wahlenbergii var. compactus (Bruch & Schimp. in B.S.G.) Braithw.
Oncophorus wahlenbergii var. gracilis (Broth.) Arnell & C. Jens.