Bryum demaretianum Arts, J. Bryol. 17: 263, figs. 1-3. 1992

Plants small, green or yellow-green, often with reddish tinge. Stems 0.4-1(-1.5) cm; rhizoids hyaline, pale yellowish brown, or red-brown. Leaves loosely set, ovate-lanceolate to ovate, weakly concave, 0.6-1.5(-2) mm; base not decurrent; margins plane to weakly revolute basally, entire to serrulate distally, limbidium absent or indistinct, of 1 or 2 rows of elongate, incrassate cells; apex acuminate; costa percurrent to short-excurrent, awn slender; alar cells similar to adjacent juxtacostal cells; proximal laminal cells gradually rectangular, 2-4:1; medial and distal cells 50-70(-80) × 12-20(-24) µm, 3-4:1. Specialized asexual reproduction by rhizoidal tubers, in clusters of 2-5 on short lateral rhizoids of main rhizoids at base of stem, yellow to orange-brown, pyriform, 80-150(-170) µm, cells 25-50 µm, smooth to slightly protuberant but not distinctly so. Sexual condition dioicous. Capsule unknown.

Disturbed soil of agricultural fields, landscaped or disturbed sites; low elevations (0-100 m); Que.; Ariz., Calif., Nev., N.Mex.; c, w Europe.

The many medium-sized yellow to orange rhizoidal tubers in clusters on short rhizoids at the stem base are diagnostic of Gemmabryum demaretianum. In the flora area, this species is probably introduced.