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climacium moss

Scientific Name: Climacium

Family: Climaciaceae

Category: Moss

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Tree Moss (Climacium spp.)

The mosses of the genus Climacium, commonly called Tree Moss, get their name from their growth habit: they form colonies that resemble miniature forests. They are truly fascinating plants!

Scientific Classification

  • Genus: Climacium
  • Family: Climaciaceae
  • Order: Bryales

Several species are discussed in the provided text:

  • Climacium dendroides (Hedw.) F. Weber & D. Mohr
  • Climacium americanum Brid.
  • Climacium kindbergii (Ren. &amp Card.) Grout
  • Climacium japonicum

Common Names

  • Tree Moss
  • Tree Climacium Moss
  • American Climacium Moss
  • Kindberg's Climacium Moss
  • European Tree Moss

In Dutch, Climacium dendroides is known as Boompjesmos.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Climacium dendroides often grows in seepy, shady areas next to standing pools of water or streams.
  • Climacium americanum has been observed on residential lawns, such as in North Royalton, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
  • Tree Climacium Moss has been observed in Garrett County, Maryland.
  • Climacium americanum is native to North America.

Morphology and Growth

  • Tree Mosses are patch-forming, with erect stems typically 2-3 cm tall.
  • The shoots resemble miniature palm trees, with yellow-green branches at the tip of the stems.
  • Climacium americanum grows in the form of mats or clumps of compactly spaced shoots.
  • Climacium americanum reaches a height of approximately 2 inches and can spread up to 6 inches.
  • The tiny, needle-like leaves of American Climacium Moss emerge light green in spring, turning green and sometimes chartreuse in fall.

Quirky Facts

  • The name "Tree Moss" comes from the fact that colonies of this moss can look like miniature forests of trees.

Resources

  • For more multimedia, see Climacium dendroides on Wikimedia Commons.
  • Taxonomic information can be found at the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) under the following Taxonomic Serial Numbers (TSN):
    • Climacium americanum: 16452
    • Climacium kindbergii: 547677
  • Additional information can be found on the Encyclopedia of Life.
  • NetPS Plant Finder
  • GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)