Orthotrichum alpestre, a New Addition to the Moss Flora of Poland, with Notes on O. schimperi (Orthotrichaceae: Bryophyta)

Abstract

The occurrence of two epiphytic moss species, <em>Orthotrichum alpestre </em>Bruch &amp; Schimp. and <em>O. </em><em>schimperi </em>Hammar, in the moss flora of Poland is discussed. The former represents an entirely new country record based on a specimen collected from the Polish Eastern Carpathians, whereas the latter is reinstated as a member of the Polish moss flora. The complex and entangled taxonomic and nomenclatural history of <em>O. schimperi </em>is outlined, sources of its confusion are discussed, and two correctly determined specimens from Poland are cited. The two species are briefly characterized and illustrated, and a key to the genera and species of Polish orthotrichaceous mosses is presented.