<i>Sciuro-hypnum tromsoeense</i>(Kaurin &amp; Arnell) Draper &amp; Hedenäs, a distinct species from the European mountains

Abstract

Morphological and molecular evidence reveal that Sciuro-hypnum tromsoeense, nowadays considered conspecific with S. starkii, is actually a distinct species that can be distinguished from related species by both gametophytic and sporophytic characters, such as branch shape, stem leaf shape and areolation and seta roughness. An amended description of this moss is presented and its diagnostic characters are discussed. The species grows on moist soil, litter and rocks, and is here confirmed for several boreal and mountainous areas of Europe. In addition, Hypnum reflexum Starke is neotypified in this paper.