Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Rhizomnium magnifolium (Horik.) T. Kop.

Family: Mniaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Mnium magnifolium Horik.
Mnium punctatum Hedw. var. elatum Schimp.
Rhizomnium perssonii T. Kop
Rhizomnium punctatum (Hedw.) T. Kop. var. elatum (Schimp.) T. Kop.

Rhizomnium magnifolium has rhizoids all the way the stem to the youngest leaves, a result of having rows of special cells called micronemata that lack chloroplasts. Rhizomnium punctatum does not have micronemata, and therefore does not have rhizoids all the way up the stem. R. magnifolium has a margin that is frequently red in color and is 2-stratose. The costa can end short of the leaf apex or go right up to the apex, but usually there is no apiculus present. R. magnifolium is found in upper elevation fens.
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Rhizomnium magnifolium, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Stacey Anderson, and Bayard "Mo" Ewing, Rio Arriba Cty., Carson National Forest, CD trail just above Canjilon Lakes, June 16, 2021



Rhizomnium magnifolium, dry appearance, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Stacey Anderson, and Bayard "Mo" Ewing, Rio Arriba Cty., Carson National Forest, CD trail just above Canjilon Lakes, June 16, 2021



Rhizomnium magnifolium, photomicrograph of rhizoids up to top of stem, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Stacey Anderson, and Bayard "Mo" Ewing, Rio Arriba Cty., Carson National Forest, CD trail just above Canjilon Lakes, June 16, 2021



Rhizomnium magnifolium, photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Stacey Anderson, and Bayard "Mo" Ewing, Rio Arriba Cty., Carson National Forest, CD trail just above Canjilon Lakes, June 16, 2021



Rhizomnium magnifolium, photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Stacey Anderson, and Bayard "Mo" Ewing, Rio Arriba Cty., Carson National Forest, CD trail just above Canjilon Lakes, June 16, 2021



Rhizomnium magnifolium, photomicrograph of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Stacey Anderson, and Bayard "Mo" Ewing, Rio Arriba Cty., Carson National Forest, CD trail just above Canjilon Lakes, June 16, 2021



Rhizomnium magnifolium, photomicrograph of bistratose leaf margin, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Stacey Anderson, and Bayard "Mo" Ewing, Rio Arriba Cty., Carson National Forest, CD trail just above Canjilon Lakes, June 16, 2021



Rhizomnium magnifolium, photomicrograph of costa cross section, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard, Stacey Anderson, and Bayard "Mo" Ewing, Rio Arriba Cty., Carson National Forest, CD trail just above Canjilon Lakes, June 16, 2021


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