SafePlants

Cinclidium stygium: Lurid Cupola-moss

Cinclidium stygium, commonly known as cinclidium moss or Lurid Cupola-moss, is a robust acrocarpous moss belonging to the Mniaceae family. This nonvascular plant is found in various regions and habitats, with notable occurrences in arctic-alpine environments.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cinclidium stygium Sw. in Schrad.
• Common Names: Cinclidium moss, Lurid Cupola-moss
• Family: Mniaceae
• Rank: Species
• Synonyms: Mentions of related species include Cinclidium arcticum, Cinclidium latifolium, and Cinclidium subrotundum, though these are now classified separately.
• Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 16051

Distribution and Habitat

• Cinclidium stygium exhibits an arctic-alpine distribution, with significant presence in areas like the Dovre mountain area in Norway.
• It thrives in open calcareous environments.
• The species has been found in locations such as Emmet County, Michigan.

Morphological Characteristics

• Shoots typically range from 3 to 8 cm in height.
• The moss is often green, but can become reddish.
• Stems are described as "woolly" due to tomentum (dense covering of hairs).
• It features large, rounded leaves.

Ecology

• The plant has been studied for its circumarctic dispersal patterns, including long-distance colonization events in South America.

Quirky Facts

• The name "Lurid Cupola-moss" hints at its appearance, suggesting a somewhat somber or dark (lurid) coloration and a cupola-like (domed) shape.
• The text mentions its occurrence on Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas maps, highlighting its significance in Arctic botanical studies.

Further Information

• Additional information can be found on the Encyclopedia of Life, Wikispecies, Tropicos, and the British Bryological Society Checklist of British and Irish Bryophytes.
• Research regarding isozyme evidence and polyploidy in Cinclidium can be found on ResearchGate.