Fissidens curvatus Hornsch. var. curvatus

Leaf borders of prosenchymatous cells, well-defined, pluristratose, on all laminae, confluent with the costa at the leaf apex, or failing shortly below. Setae 2.5–12.0 mm; capsules erect and symmetric to horizontal and arcuate; operculum as per species. Spores as per species.

Beckett 1893, pl. 44 (as F. campyloneurus); Dixon 1923, pl. 7, fig. 3 (as F. campyloneurus); Sainsbury 1955, p. 46, fig. 3 (as F. pungens); Scott & Stone 1976, pls 7–9 (pro parte, as F. pungens); Catcheside 1980, fig. 11; Magill 1981, fig. 11, 1–8; Beever et al. 2002, p. 24, figs 1–4; Bruggeman-Nannenga & Arts 2010, fig. 14; Stone & Catcheside 2012.

A very common and widespread species, on mineral soil, especially as a coloniser after disturbance. Fissidens curvatus is found in mesic to moderately xeric sites, in both indigenous and exotic vegetation, including forest, shrubland, and pasture. Sterile plants, with more numerous, even-sized leaves, commonly grow among fruiting plants. In addition, the species often grows mixed with other species of Fissidens, especially F. tenellus. Even the holotype specimen of F. pungens Müll.Hal. & Hampe is a mixed Fissidens collection. It consists largely of F. taylorii, but a single plant, with a single intact perichaetial leaf, is identifiable as F. pungens, having stout lamina borders that are confluent with the costa at the leaf apex. Achrophyllum quadrifarium, Bryum sauteri and Tortula truncata are other mosses often found in association with F. curvatus.

Recorded from near sea level to 1000 m (Ngāmoko Range, Gisborne L.D.).