Gymnostomum (Physcomitrium) pyriforme

Maier, Eva & Price, Michelle J., 2014, Georg Bojung “ Scato ” Lantzius-Beninga and his contributions on the anatomy of moss capsules: a transliteration from the original German texts, Boissiera 67, pp. 1-79 : 32

Gymnostomum (Physcomitrium) pyriforme .

As in Funaria hygrometrica the columella is connected with the seta by a loose tissue composed of conferve-like, many times branched filaments, the cells of which are densely filled with chloro- phyll (Tab. LVII. Fig. 3. y .). Somewhat below, at the place where the seta is enlarged into the capsule are visible, between the cells, numerous air holes ( Fig. 3. x ), which are connected with the atmosphere to the outer side by stomata, and in the inner part of the capsule directly with a big hole ( Fig. 3. v ) situated between the outer capsule wall and the spore sac.*

[original page 569]

In the upper part of the capsule is no trace of the development of teeth; the inside of this upper part consists of a tissue of large, regular cells; at that place only, where it separates at the moment of spore maturity, a slight depression is visible (compare Sphagnum ) Fig. 3. a ; the cells of the epidermis there are smaller, the form differs somewhat from that of the other parts of the capsule.

In Gymnostomum tenue , that I could examine, the formation of the annulus was somewhat different to that of Gymnostomum pyriforme ; furthermore the columella is connected to the seta by a solid cell tissue. Otherwise the structure is congruent with the above described mosses.

Figures

Fig. 3. Part of a transverse section of a capsule of Barbula tortuosa not yet completely grown, cut slightly obliquely from below to above. Part x the lower one, part y. the upper one. Here is to be seen, that the thickening of the membranes of the cell layers pp. and tt. becomes entirely partial above. Meaning of the other letters and magnification as above