Dicranum bryoides (Hedw.) Sw., Monthl. Rev. 34: 538. 1801. Schistophyllum bryoides (Hedw.) Lindb., Musci Scand. 13. 1879. Fissidens borealis C. Gao, Fl. Musc. Chinae Boreali-Orient. 378. 1977. Type. China: Heilongjiang, Wu-yuan Co., C. Gao 6282 (holotype IFSBH). Fissidens sinensi-bryoides C. Müll., Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital., n. ser. 3: 90. 1896. Type. China: Shaanxi (Schen-si), in medio monte Si-ku-tziu-san, VI 1894, P. J. Giraldi 979 (isotype FI). Fissidens taiwanensis Herz. & Nog., J. Hattori Bot. Lab. 14: 57. 1955. Type. China: Taiwan, VIII. 1947, G. H. Schwabe s.n. (isotype JE).

Plants small. Leafy stems usually simple, rarely with innovations from leaf axils, 1.5–5.6 mm long, 1.3–2.4 mm wide; axillary hyaline nodules not distinctly differentiated; central strand weakly differentiated. Leaves in 4–6 pairs, upper leaves oblong-lanceolate, 0.8–2.0 mm × 0.3–0.5 mm, acute at apex; base of dorsal laminae wedge-shaped; costa percurrent or ending a few cells below leaf apex; vaginant laminae ca. 1/2–3/5 the leaf length, usually more or less unequal; limbidia usually strong, 1–3 rows of cells on apical laminae, 3–6 on vaginant laminae, in cross section 1–3 cells thick; cells of apical and dorsal laminae quadrate to hexagonal, 5–12 µm long, moderately thick-walled, smooth; cells of vaginant laminae similar to those of apical and dorsal laminae, but larger and longer toward the base near the costa. Autoicous. Male inflorescences bud-like in axils of stem leaves. Female inflorescences terminal on stems; archegonia ca. 245 µm long. Perchaetial leaves similar to stem leaves, but somewhat larger. Setae 1.8–7.5 mm long, smooth; capsules symmetrical; urns 0.25–0.80 mm long; opercula conic, rostrate, 0.35–0.60 mm long; exothecial cells rectangular, with longitudinal, moderately thick walls.

Chinese specimens examined: GUANGXI: Gui-lin City, T. Cao 21981 (IFSBH, SYS). GUIZHOU: Sui-yang Co., C. Gao & J.-Y. Feng 33262 (IFSBH, SYS). HEILONGJIANG: see the type information of Fissidens borealis cited above. HUBEI: Da-sheng-nong-jia, G.-C. Zhang & E.-Z. Bai 33912 (IFSBH, SYS). NEI MONGOL: Da Xing An Ling (Greater Khingan Mt.), Gan-he Distr., C. Gao 12961 (IFSBH, SYS). SHAANXI: Lin-tong Co., C. Gao et al. 16650 (IFSBH, SYS). SHANXI: Nan-wu-tai Shan (Mt.), C. Gao et al. s.n. (IFSBH, SYS). SICHUAN: Cheng-du City, D.-K. Li 15220 (SHM, SYS); Dao-cheng Co., M.-Z. Wang 81–4237c (PE, SYS); Liang-shan (Mt.), G.-C. Zhang & T. Cao 21840 (IFSBH, SYS); Mian-zhu Co., X.-J. Li 138 (HKAS, NICH); Mu-li Co., L.-S. Wang 83-1177 (HKAS, NICH); Nan-ping Co., Redfearn et al. 35397a (MO); Song-pan Co., Allen 7272 (MO); Tian-quan Co., C. Gao 18469 (IFSBH, SYS); Ya-an Co., C. Gao 17086 (IFSBH, SYS). TAIWAN: Nan-tou Co., Koponen 17603 (H). XINJIANG: Urumqi Co., S. He 951048 (MO); Wu-su Co., S. He 951104 (MO). XIZANG: Lang Co., M. Zang 1734 (HKAS, SYS). YUNAN: Chu-xiong Co., Redfearn & S. He 1727 (MO); Da-li Co., Redfearn et al. 1125 (MO); Jing-hong Co., Redfearn et al. 34049 (MO); Kun-ming City, D.-K. Li 2527 (SHM, SYS); Lu-nan Co., Redfearn et al. 2255 (MO); Meng-la Co., Magill et al. 7762 (MO); Wei-shan Co., Redfearn et al. 1200 (MO); Xiang-yun Co., Redfearn et al. 1680 (MO); Yang-bi Co., Redfearn et al. 54 (MO). ZHEJIANG: Pu-tuo Shan (Mt.), D.-K. Li 6979 (SHM, SYS).

Habitat: on soil or rocks; Distribution: China, widespread in Northern Hemisphere, and South America.

Although the sexuality and the location of gametangia are quite stable in this variety, the plant sizes and the forms of leaf shape and sporophytes are variable. This variability may cause confusion with other species. The variety is characterized by having the central strand slightly differentiated, the base of dorsal laminae wedge-shaped and ending at the base, and by having differentiated borders nearly reaching to leaf apex.

Illustrations: Z.-H. Li 1985 (Fig. 3, a–g).