''Bartramia'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

moss Mosses are small, non-vascular flowerless plants in the taxonomic division Bryophyta (, ) '' sensu stricto''. Bryophyta (''sensu lato'', Schimp. 1879) may also refer to the parent group bryophytes, which comprise liverworts, mosses, and hor ...

es in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Bartramiaceae Bartramiaceae is a family of moss Mosses are small, non-vascular flowerless plants in the taxonomic division Bryophyta (, ) '' sensu stricto''. Bryophyta ('' sensu lato'', Schimp. 1879) may also refer to the parent group bryophytes, whic ...

. The genus was first formally described by

Johann Hedwig Johann Hedwig (8 December 1730 – 18 February 1799), also styled as Johannes Hedwig, was a German botanist notable for his studies of mosses. He is sometimes called the "father of bryology". He is known for his particular observations of sexual r ...

in 1801. There are about 72 species, usually growing on soil, sometimes on rocks, in many habitats in many parts of the world, although tropical species are only found at high altitudes. Nine species occur in Australia but only three of these are

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

to that continent.

Description

Mosses in the genus ''Bartramia'' form "tufts" or "cushions" of plants high. The plants are bright green, yellowish-green or bluish-green. The stems are branched but not in

whorls A whorl ( or ) is an individual circle, oval, volution or equivalent in a whorled pattern, which consists of a spiral or multiple concentric objects (including circles, ovals and arcs). Whorls in nature File:Photograph and axial plane floral ...

, with the outer layer formed of small cells and the central strand prominent. The leaves are linear,

subulate The following is a list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets). The edge of the leaf may be regular o ...

or serrated and the

costa Costa may refer to: Biology * Rib (Latin: ''costa''), in vertebrate anatomy * Costa (botany), the central strand of a plant leaf or thallus * Costa (coral), a stony rib, part of the skeleton of a coral * Costa (entomology), the leading edge of th ...

is strong, percurrent or short-excurrent. The upper cells are linear or rectangular, more elongated near the leaf base and pimply near the ends of the lumen. The capsules are erect or nearly erect, spherical to oblong, long. The

peristome Peristome (from the Greek ''peri'', meaning 'around' or 'about', and ''stoma'', 'mouth') is an anatomical feature that surrounds an opening to an organ or structure. Some plants, fungi, and shelled gastropods have peristomes. In mosses In mosses, ...

is often absent or reduced, sometimes single and the

spore In biology, a spore is a unit of sexual or asexual reproduction that may be adapted for dispersal and for survival, often for extended periods of time, in unfavourable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many plants, algae, f ...

s are nearly spherical, kidney-shaped or warty.

Taxonomy and naming

The genus ''Bartramia'' was first formally described in 1801 by the German botanist Johann Hedwig and published in ''Species muscorum frondosorum''. Hedwig only described two species, ('' B. halleriana'' and '' B. pomiformis'' but about 72 species are now recognised. The name ''Bartramia'' honours the pioneer American botanist

John Bartram John Bartram (March 23, 1699 – September 22, 1777) was an American botanist, horticulturist, and explorer, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for most of his career. Swedish botanist and taxonomist Carl Linnaeus said he was the "greatest na ...

.Hedwig, Joannis. (1787-97). Descriptio et adumbratio microscopico-analytica muscorum frondosorum. Volume 2. pp 111-11

/ref> Species include: *'' Bartramia alaris'' Dixon & Sainsbury *''

Bartramia breutelii Bartramia may refer to either of two genera: * ''Bartramia'' (bird) is a genus of bird of the family Scolopacidae, including the upland sandpiper * ''Bartramia'' (plant) is a genus of mosses in the class Bryopsida, including Haller's apple ...

'' Müll.Hal. *''

Bartramia brevifolia Bartramia may refer to either of two genera: * ''Bartramia'' (bird) is a genus of bird of the family Scolopacidae, including the upland sandpiper * ''Bartramia'' (plant) is a genus of mosses in the class Bryopsida, including Haller's apple ...

'' Brid. *'' Bartramia halleriana''

Hedwig Hedwig may refer to: People and fictional characters * Hedwig (name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name * Grzegorz Hedwig (born 1988), Polish slalom canoeist * Johann Hedwig, (1730–1799), German botanist * Romanus Adol ...

*'' Bartramia hampeana'' Müll.Hal. *'' Bartramia ithyphylla'' Brid. *'' Bartramia mossmaniana'' Müll.Hal. *'' Bartramia nothostricta'' Catches. *'' Bartramia pomiformis'' Hedwig *'' Bartramia potosica'' Mont. *'' Bartramia pseudostricta'' Catches. *'' Bartramia robusta''

Hook.f. Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker (30 June 1817 – 10 December 1911) was a British botanist and explorer in the 19th century. He was a founder of geographical botany and Charles Darwin's closest friend. For twenty years he served as director of ...

Wilson Wilson may refer to: People * Wilson (name) ** List of people with given name Wilson ** List of people with surname Wilson * Wilson (footballer, 1927–1998), Brazilian manager and defender * Wilson (footballer, born 1984), full name Wilson Ro ...

*''

Bartramia strictifolia Bartramia may refer to either of two genera: * ''Bartramia'' (bird) is a genus of bird of the family Scolopacidae, including the upland sandpiper * ''Bartramia'' (plant) is a genus of mosses in the class Bryopsida, including Haller's apple ...

Taylor Taylor, Taylors or Taylor's may refer to: People * Taylor (surname) **List of people with surname Taylor * Taylor (given name), including Tayla and Taylah * Taylor sept, a branch of Scottish clan Cameron * Justice Taylor (disambiguation) Plac ...

*'' Bartramia subsymmetrica'' Cardot *''

Bartramia subulata Bartramia may refer to either of two genera: * ''Bartramia'' (bird) is a genus of bird of the family Scolopacidae, including the upland sandpiper * ''Bartramia'' (plant) is a genus of mosses in the class Bryopsida, including Haller's apple ...

'' Bruch and A.Schimp.

Distribution and habitat

Mosses in the genus ''Bartramia'' are found throughout the world but most often in temperate and mountainous areas, especially those with a humid climate. It is rarely found in arctic, alpine or arid areas and in the tropics it is usually only found at high altitudes. It often grows on shady rocks, on the northern side in the northern hemisphere, commonly near streams and waterfalls where the humidity is high.

References

External links

Moss organs
Moss organ terminology {{Taxonbar, from=Q809586 Moss genera