This species is recognized by its wide leaf cells, short-necked capsule, peristome divided into filaments above and its strongly spinose spores with distinct tetrad scar. It can be separated from the very similar but smaller T paradoxus by longer leaves, broader costa and larger, peristomate capsule. Plants small, in loose tufts, green; terricolous. Stems 3-4 mm high, simple; in section central strand small, inner cortical cells large, thin-walled, outer cortical cells in 1-2 rows, smaller, incrassate, reddish. Leaves contorted dry, erect-fiexuose wet; oblong to elliptical, abruptly subulate, 2.0-2.5 mm long; apex obtuse to acute; margins plane, bluntly toothed at apex. Costa broad below, ending below apex; in section flattened, guide cells exposed ventrally or with 2-3 small, ventral surface cells, dorsal stereid or sub-stereid band 2 cells thick, dorsal surface cells smaller than guide cells, surface irregular, some cells bulging outward. Upper laminal cells short-rectangular to quadrate; marginal cells at shoulders and lower subula quadrate; basal cells large, lax, rectangular or oblong-hexagonal. Perichaetial leaves similar to vegetative leaves, base broadly oval, clasping, 2.5-3.0 mm long. Seta erect, 10-13 mm long, yellow; capsule erect to nodding, brown, urn cylindrical, 2.5-3.0 mm long, neck to 1.5 mm long, weakly strumose; peristome reddish, teeth triangular, 0.4-0.5 mm high, perforated below, cleft into two filaments above, with vertical bars below, papillose apically, hyaline and papillose fringe between teeth forming ornate border on filaments and lower parts of teeth; operculum rostrate, to 1 mm high; calyptra cucullate, covering capsule; spores round, 30-35 µm, spinose, with distinct tetrad scar. Trematodon divaricatus is known from eastern, western and Southern Africa. In the Flora area, it has been collected in the northeastern Transvaal but is more common from Zululand southwards through Natal to Port St Johns in the Transkei. This species is recognized by its wide leaf cells, short-necked capsule, peristome divided into filaments above and its strongly spinose spores with distinct tetrad scar. It can be separated from the very similar but smaller T paradoxus by longer leaves, broader costa and larger, peristomate capsule. Plants small, in loose tufts, green; terricolous. Stems 3-4 mm high, simple; in section central strand small, inner cortical cells large, thin-walled, outer cortical cells in 1-2 rows, smaller, incrassate, reddish. Leaves contorted dry, erect-fiexuose wet; oblong to elliptical, abruptly subulate, 2.0-2.5 mm long; apex obtuse to acute; margins plane, bluntly toothed at apex. Costa broad below, ending below apex; in section flattened, guide cells exposed ventrally or with 2-3 small, ventral surface cells, dorsal stereid or sub-stereid band 2 cells thick, dorsal surface cells smaller than guide cells, surface irregular, some cells bulging outward. Upper laminal cells short-rectangular to quadrate; marginal cells at shoulders and lower subula quadrate; basal cells large, lax, rectangular or oblong-hexagonal. Perichaetial leaves similar to vegetative leaves, base broadly oval, clasping, 2.5-3.0 mm long. Seta erect, 10-13 mm long, yellow; capsule erect to nodding, brown, urn cylindrical, 2.5-3.0 mm long, neck to 1.5 mm long, weakly strumose; peristome reddish, teeth triangular, 0.4-0.5 mm high, perforated below, cleft into two filaments above, with vertical bars below, papillose apically, hyaline and papillose fringe between teeth forming ornate border on filaments and lower parts of teeth; operculum rostrate, to 1 mm high; calyptra cucullate, covering capsule; spores round, 30-35 µm, spinose, with distinct tetrad scar. Terricolous. Trematodon divaricatus is known from eastern, western and Southern Africa. In the Flora area, it has been collected in the northeastern Transvaal but is more common from Zululand southwards through Natal to Port St Johns in the Transkei.Diagnostic Description
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Morphology
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Distribution
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e-Flora of South Africa
Diagnostic Description
