DICRANACEAE

P. A. Florschütz, 1964, Flora of Suriname, volume VI, part I, Leiden: Brill : 69

DICRANACEAE

Plants of very variable size, usually growing in cushions or mats. Stems often branching, mostly densely foliate and often tomentose. Leaves very variable in outline, but often lanceolate and erect or secund. Costa usually consisting of heterogeneous cells, strong and broad at base. Cells rectangular below, usually shorter towards apex, often differentiated at base, forming conspicuous auricles. Capsule exserted, curved or erect. Peristome single, usually of 16 teeth, forked to the middle, often striate below and papillose above. Lid usually beaked. Calyptra cucullate, smooth or rough near apex, sometimes ciliate at base.

Note. Several genera of this family are unsatisfactorily delimited, and artificially separated.