Racomitrium ryszardii Bednarek-Ochyra
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Synonym: Codriophorus ryszardii (Bednarek-Ochrya) Bednarek-Ochyra & Ochyra; Racomitrium aquaticum auct. Amer. (misapplied)
Special status: ORNHIC List 3
Recognition: This species has proven difficult to find and recognize because there are other muticous species which are much more common. Some specimens first identified as this have proven to be muticous forms of Racomitrium varium, which can be distinguished by the pellucid basal border. Racomitrium pacificum has also been mistaken for Racomitrium ryszardii. Racomitrium pacificum has distinctive, usually auriculate, alar cells which usually are dark yellowish brown, thick walled, somewhat sinuose-nodose. Racomitrium ryszardii has alar cells which are only very weakly differentiated. The flat topped papillae of R. ryszardii are quite different from the round "pseudopapillae" of R. pacificum. In the photos of R. ryszardii below, note that some of the papillae have papillulae upon them, especially towards the margins and apex of the leaf.
Distribution: very few good records from Oregon; I've verified only one from near Mt. Hood, two from the Coast Range (Lincoln and Lane Counties), and one from Marys Peak in Benton County. I have also identified a specimen in the UBC herbarium which was collected in California by Schofield.
Comments: This species was known in our area under the name Racomitrium aquaticum (Brid. ex Schrad.) Brid. but Bednarek-Ochyra determined that a distinct, western North American endemic is at hand and named it after her husband. Racomitrium aquaticum is restricted to the old world.
Racomitrium ryszardii; Marys Peak, Benton Co., Oregon. W.B. Schofield 112133 (UBC).
Racomitrium ryszardii; Horton, Lane Co., Oregon. D. Kofranek 764.
P = papillulae on top of papillae; D = dorsal; V = ventral
Racomitrium ryszardii; Marys Peak, Benton Co., Oregon. W.B. Schofield 112133 (UBC).
Racomitrium ryszardii; Marys Peak, Benton Co., Oregon. W.B. Schofield 112133 (UBC).
Racomitrium ryszardii; Smith River, Del Norte Co., California. W.B. Schofield 28809 (UBC).
Racomitrium ryszardii; Smith River, Del Norte Co., California. W.B. Schofield 28809 (UBC).
Racomitrium ryszardii; Smith River, Del Norte Co., California. W.B. Schofield 28809 (UBC).
Racomitrium ryszardii; Smith River, Del Norte Co., California. W.B. Schofield 28809 (UBC).
Racomitrium ryszardii; Horton, Lane Co., Oregon. D. Kofranek 764.
Racomitrium ryszardii; Horton, Lane Co., Oregon. D. Kofranek 764.
Racomitrium ryszardii; Horton, Lane Co., Oregon. D. Kofranek 764.
Racomitrium ryszardii; Horton, Lane Co., Oregon. D. Kofranek 764.
Racomitrium ryszardii; Horton, Lane Co., Oregon. D. Kofranek 764.
Racomitriumd ryszardii; Horton, Lane Co., Oregon. D. Kofranek 764.
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Guide to Racomitrium of Oregon
Created 2007 Northwest Botanical Institute