The bryophyte groups – Which bryophyte is it? - Leaves
Racomitrium pruinosum is a widespread moss in the southern
hemisphere. It is fairly robust and can form extensive carpets
on exposed rocks or soil, especially in mountainous areas. It is
pale in colour and quite hoary when dry. The photos below show,
on the left, part of an extensive colony of this species and, on
the right, a closer view of the colony. These photographs were
taken near Rotorua in the North Island of New Zealand. The hoary
look is caused by each leaf finishing in a colourless hairpoint
that is from one to two millimetres long. The colourless area
extends down both sides of the leaf and only the lower third of
the leaf contains chlorophyll. The following drawings, kindly
provided by Judith Curnow, show a Racomitrium pruinosum leaf.
The specimen on which these drawings are based was collected at
an altitude of 1190 metres near the southern end of the South
Island of New Zealand. The upper drawing shows a full leaf. In
the coloured, schemati