A “distinguished” twisted moss:
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- S. princeps, gametophytes
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- S. princeps, gametophytes and seta
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- S. princeps, gametophyte and sporophyte
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- S. princeps, sporophyte base in archegonium
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- S. princeps, sporangia
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- S. princeps, sporangium showing calyptra
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- S. princeps, dry (dessicated), showing leaf twisting apparent in dry specimens
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- S. princeps, moist (rehydrated), showing squarrose leaves characteristic of moist specimens
This specimen, collected by Jack Dunn from the sidewalk on the north campus of NWIC, seems to be S. princeps, formerly called Tortula princeps De Notaris (star moss). The determination was made based on the use of the bryophyte key presented by Vitt, et al. (1988), who identify this species as T. princeps. Volume 27 of Flora of North America lists it as S. princeps.
The Australian National Botanic Gardens Bryophytes website has two images of this species: 1) gametophytes, moist and 2) plants with sporophytes, dry.
The nomenclature authorities for this species are Guiseppe De Notaris (1805–1877), Italian mycologist and William Mitten (1819-1906), English bryologist. The genus names derive from Greek syn, plus, and trichos, hair, alluding to twisted peristome united by a basal membrane; and Latin torta, twist, and -ula, diminutive, alluding to peristome teeth. The specific epithet means “a prince, a chief, primus or first,” perhaps in the sense of being distinguished. Species of Tortula and Syntrichia are often referred to as twisted mosses.