Recent reports of Fissidens fontanus (Musci, Fissidentaceae) in Italy and some considerations on the propagation of the species

In Europe the moss Fissidens fontanus (Bach. Pyl.) Steud occurs from the Mediterranean countries to northern Sweden. Some of these occurrences particularly those in Italy and France are discussed. Sporophytes and gametangia are seldom reported and many field bryologists have never seen them. It was first discussed 180 years ago and occasionally mentioned since then that the capsules are caducous; this is sometimes unknown to European bryologists. The small capsules are the primary mode of dispersal rather than shed spores. Vegetative propagules and stem and leaf fragments are also dispersal agents.