Leaves oblong-obovate, (1.3–) 1.5–2.1 mm long, 0.6–0.8 mm wide, concave, tapered in upper 1/3 to an acute obtuse, or acuminate apex; costa c. 36–45 µm wide near the base, variable in length, ending below the apex, percurrent, or short- or long-excurrent; margins entire. Upper laminal cells (24–) 33–69 × 15–18 µm; apical cell 60–110 (–165) µm long.

Setae 9–22 mm. Capsules obovoid-cylindrical or obovoid, 1.5–1.8 (–2.0) mm long, strongly constricted below the mouth with dry; mouth equal to the diameter of the capsule; operculum plano-convex. Peristome double; exostome teeth variably developed and usually ±irregular in outline (with sinuous margins), tapered to an acute or irregular apex; endostome rudimentary, to c. 1/3 the height of the teeth. Spores 32–39 (–45) µm diam., finely murate-lirate.

Entosthodon subnudus var. gracilis (Hook.f. & Wilson) Fife, J. Hattori Bot. Lab. 58: 192 (1985); Entosthodon gracilis Hook.f. & Wilson, in J.D.Hooker, Fl. Nov.-Zel. 2: 91, pl. 86, fig. 7 (1855); Funaria gracilis (Hook.f. & Wilson) Broth., in H.G.A.Engler & K.A.E.Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 1(3): 524. (1903). Type: Bay of Islands, New Zealand, J.D.Hooker s.n. (designated “W. 348b” by Wilson); lectotype: BM-Wilson, fide A.J.Fife & R.D.Seppelt (2001); isolectotype: BM-Wilson, BM-Hooker, BM-Besch.

Funaria cuspidata Hook.f. & Wilson, in J.D.Hooker, Fl. Nov.-Zel. 2: 91, pl. 86, fig. 3 (1855). Type: Bay of Islands, New Zealand, J.D.Hooker s.n. (designated “W.348” or “W.348a” by Wilson); lectotype: BM-Wilson, fide A.J.Fife & R.D.Seppelt (2001); isolectotype: BM-Wilson, H-Solander.

Funaria bullata Broth., Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 41: 584 (1916). Type: Heyington, Vic., W.W.Watts 208; holo: H–BR.

Entosthodon varius Mitt., Trans. & Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria 19: 67 (1882); Funaria varia (Mitt.) Broth., in A.Engler & K.Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 1(3): 523 (1903). Type: sine loc., Vic., F.M.Adamson s.n.; holotype: NY-Mitten.

Entosthodon sullivanii Müll.Hal. ex Kindb., Enum. Bryin. Exot. 90 (1889), nom. inval. (in synon.)

Funaria sullivanii Watts & Whitel., Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales, Suppl. 30: 115 (1906), nom. nud.

W.A.: Caron Rock Hole, SE of Mingenew, R.Ericson; Araluen, Darling Ra., D.G.Catcheside 74.381.

N.T.: Chewing Ra., P.K.Latz 6633d.

S.A.: Springs Gully, Clare, D.G.Catcheside 78.294.

N.S.W.: Bedoura, D.G.Catcheside 67.60.

Vic.: Mackeys Lookout, Mt Buffalo, D.G.Catcheside 69.255.

Tas.: Cataract Hill, Launceston, W.A.Weymouth 3012.

Intermediates between the typical “gracilis form” and the “cuspidata form” are not uncommon, but are they very difficult to identify. The frequency with which such intermediate forms occur precludes their taxonomic recognition and designation. The Hooker collection from the Bay of Islands which Wilson designated (in herb.) 348 and from which he segregated the types of both Entosthodon gracilis and Funaria cuspidata, is a particularly good example of the variability of the var. gracilis. Similarily variable populations occur in Tas., in the Grampians Ranges in Vic., and in northern New Zealand.

Sainsbury’s observations concerning the degree of endostome development do not agree with our own, and material with broadly acute or obtuse leaf apices and short costae (assignable to Funaria gracilis by his criteria and including the type) nearly always have at least rudimentary segments.

A.J.Fife & R.D.Seppelt (2012), Australian Mosses Online 67. Funariaceae. Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra. Version 2 October 2012.