Encalypta cf. rhaptocarpa Schwägr.

Cottet, Agustina Celeste, Messuti, María Inés, Ansaldo, Martín & Dopchiz, Laura Patricia, 2025, Mosses (Bryophyta) of the north-western region of Marambio (Seymour) Island, Antarctica, Antarctic Science (Cambridge, England) 37 (1), pp. 31-38 : 34

Encalypta cf. rhaptocarpa Schwägr. [ Encalyptaceae ]

Description and iconography

Ochyra et al. (2008).

Distribution and habitat

Encalypta rhaptocarpa has a bipolar distribution. In Antarctica, it is more frequent in maritime regions (islands) and grows in exposed or protected sites, near streams or thaw cracks ( Ochyra et al. 2008). It exclusively grows on the plateau in exposed soil, accompanied by other bryophytes.

Comments

Identifying E. rhaptocarpa with mature sporophytes is not difficult if the capsules - the most distinctive features of the species - are prominently ribbed with straight ribs. However, when the plant is sterile, it can be confused with Encalypta procera ; the absence of axillary propagules in E. rhaptocarpa allows us to distinguish between these two species ( Ochyra et al. 2008).