University Herbarium
The University and Jepson Herbaria
University of California, Berkeley

Bryoerythrophyllum Chen Pan-chieh, 1941.



Bryoerythrophyllum, with Barbula, Didymodon and Pseudocrossidium, forms a rather non-descript assemblage of Pottiaceous genera. The four genera have papillose and isodiametric cells in lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, entire-margined leaves usually with recurved leaf margins. The papillosity of Bryoerythrophyllum is radically different from that of Didymodon. The former genus has hollow papillae; the latter has solid papillae. This character can be seen in a leafy stem whole-mount manipulated so that a leaf surface is seen in profile. The cell lumina of Bryoerythrophyllum can then be seen to enter the bases of the papillae, while the papillae of Didymodon can be seen to be formed entirely of wall material. The costae of plants in these four genera are typically with an adaxial stereid band but that band may be reduced almost to absence. The distally dentate leaves of some specimens of Bryoerythrophyllum, including our B. recurvirostrum, stand apart from other members of this group of four genera. Unfortunately, many of our local examples of Bryoerythrophyllum lack such marginal toothing, and they must be recognized by other characters. The reddish coloration of older leaves and stems of all species of Bryoerythrophyllum facilitates recognition by the experienced bryologist. This reddish coloration can be amplified by placing a small drop of 10% KOH on the leafy plant. Similar application of KOH to Barbula brings about a yellowish to greenish-yellow coloration, and Didymodon varies in this regard but never shows such intense coloration. In this regard, it should be noted that Barbula resembles Bryoerythrophyllum in the dense concentration of papillae that obscures the upper leaf lamina. In contrast, Didymodon has rather translucent leaves due to the low papillae. Our species of Pseudocrossidium are discussed under the genus Didymodon, but note the strongly revolute leaf margins of members of Pseudocrossidium and compare them with the merely recurved margins of Didymodon and Barbula.
see key to Didymodon Etc.

Species included:
Bryoerythrophyllum columbianum (F. J. Hermann & E. Lawton) Zander
Bryoerythrophyllum ferruginascens (Stirt.) Giacom., recognized from CA since 2004
Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum (Hedwig) Chen