Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid.

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 : 33-34

* Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. [ Ditrichaceae ]

Description and iconography

Ochyra et al. (2008).

Distribution and habitat

It is considered a cosmopolitan moss; however, in tropical areas, it is restricted to elevated areas. In Antarctica, the species is, like B. pseudotriquetrum , pan-Antarctic. It has a large ecological distribution and occurs in open and protected areas ( Ochyra et al. 2008). In the study area, it was found growing on the ground in both protected and exposed sites and across the three regions of the island: plateau, slope and coast, growing alone or with other bryophytes.

Comments

The gametophytes of C. purpureus can be confused with those of species included in the family Pottiaceae . However, this species is characterized by having strongly recurved or revolute leaf margins, irregularity of the edge towards the apex, absence of papillae and cells of the apical portion of the lamina being subquadrate to rounded ( Ochyra et al. 2008).