Plant Image Collection

ca07-029Actions

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ca07-029
Title
Colored scanning electron micrograph of the moss peristome of <em>Timmia megapol
Author
Jessica Budke University of Connecticut Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Storrs Connecticut USA
Keywords
Peristome, Timmia, Jessica Budke, Conant Awards
Description
Peristome, Timmia megapolitana, Jessica Budke, Conant Awards
The peristome is located around (peri-) the mouth (-stome) of the moss capsule, a structure which contains the spores. For the past 200 years, peristome characteristics have played an important role in defining major groups of mosses. The peristome shown here has a unique morphology and is an identifying feature for the Timmiaceae. This scanning electron micrograph of Timmia megapolitana has been colored to highlight the two layers of the peristome. The endostome (inner layer, colored in orange) consists of a membrane that is topped by 64 filaments, while the exostome (outer layer, colored in yellow) consists of 16 large teeth. These teeth have the ability to move in response to humidity, thus opening and closing the mouth of the moss capsule. This movement facilitates the release of spores (colored in green) under optimal dispersal conditions.
Publisher
Botanical Society of America
Additional data
copyright: Budke, BSA
license: http://images.botany.org/index.html#license
Collection
Conant Award Quick view
Botanical Name
<em>Timmia megapolitana</em>
Common Name
Indian Feather Moss
Location Area
Limestone Rise Nature Preserve, Knox County
Location State
New York
Location Country
USA
Categories
  • Image
  • Not a cover image

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