tomentose groutiella moss

Groutiella tomentosa is characterized by fragile, cuspidate to stoutly subulate leaves and papillose basal leaf cells. The long, fragile subulae of the upper leaves are typically wider and fewer in African specimens. The species was previously confused with G. thraustophylla and G. subgoniorrhyncha, both of which have been synonymized with G. tomentosa based on morphological comparisons and type specimen analysis. Müller noted similarities between G. thraustophylla and G. sarcotrichum (now G. tomentosa), and the differences observed were considered within the variation of G. tomentosa. Brotherus' description of G. subgoniorrhyncha, with oblong-lanceolate leaves and a similar apex, aligns with G. tomentosa, supporting its synonymy.