Trichia problem

[Marja]

Hi there,

I found a tiny Trichia species on Juniperus needles last weekend.
The sporangia are about 0,2-0,6 mm high:

The microscophy was something near T. botrytis, spores 10-12.
Just, that the capillitium was not typical:

It had widenings and often curly brached ends.

Could this be Trichia munda or is this still T. botrytis?

Marja

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi Marja,

I don't have any experience with this species, so I'm only commenting on what I've seen in books and on the internet, but what I've seen on T.munda suggests it has longer stems. (Unless the one in your photo was a particularly short stemmed one?).

Yours does look more like photos I've seen of T.botrytis.

I can't find anything which shows comparable microscopy photos.

Not very useful I know. - hopefully others might be able to add more.

Regards,
Mike.

[Kevin Lawson]

Hello Marja,

Have you considered Trichia flavicoma?

This species is generally smaller than other Trichias, has a short stalk, pale lines of dehscence and grows on leaf litter and other debris rather than on wood.

Regards,
Kevin

[Marja]

Hi Mike, Kevin,

these have a stipe (not very long), but it don't show propely in the photo taken inside on my very poor "stereo microscope". Presently I can take photos out only on weekends, because I'm away during weekdays, while there is light. Winter is approaching and days are getting very short here.

Thanks for a new species to check

If I have time, I try to check my other unstudied collections of propable T. botrytis to learn more of its microscophy to be able to compare.

Thanfully: Marja