Diphyscium

Diphyscium foliosum

Diphyscium ( German bubble Moose ) is a genus of mosses that stands alone in the subclass Diphysciidae.

Name

The name is derived from Diphyscium dis = two or dia = because, as a result, by and physkion = tummy, small bladder and refers to the shape of the spore capsule.

Features

It is perennial, dense turf -forming Erdmoose. The plants are about 0.5 to 1, up to 3 inches tall, the stems are short and simple or forked. The Stämmchenblätter are tongue- shaped and the midrib ends shortly before or at the blade tip. The upper leaf area is usually zweizellschichtig, the cells are round square. Of the Stämmchenblättern are significantly different, the Perichätialblätter, these are enlarged, lanceolate to linear and the rib exits as long bristle. The Perichätialblätter in the sunken, almost sedentary spore capsule is ovate wrong.

Systematics and species

Diphyscium was until recent history of the Buxbaumiaceae family. Based on the results from molecular data that refute a close relationship, it has recently been found to be only genus in the newly created subclass Diphysciidae Ochyra.

The genus 16 species are counted worldwide. The only way is occurring in Europe Diphyscium foliosum, German Beblättertes bladder or bellows moss moss.