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crossidium moss

Scientific Name: Crossidium crassinerve

Family: Pottiaceae

Category: Moss

Growth: Nonvascular

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Crossidium Moss

The genus Crossidium, commonly known as crossidium moss, is a fascinating group of mosses belonging to the family Pottiaceae.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Crossidium
  • Family: Pottiaceae
  • Phylum: Bryophyta
  • Class: Bryopsida
  • Order: Pottiales
  • Genus: Crossidium

Synonyms and related species mentioned include:

  • Crossidium aberrans
  • Crossidium crassinerve (De Not.) Jur.
  • Crossidium desertorum Holz. &amp Bartr.
  • Crossidium rosei Williams - Rose Crossidium Moss
  • Crossidium seriatum Crum &amp Steere - Tiny Tassel Moss
  • Crossidium spiralifolium Magill.
  • Crossidium squamiferum (Viv.) Jur.
  • Synonym for Crossidium squamiferum: Barbula squamifera Viv., Ann. Bot. (Genoa) 1(2): 191. 1804.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Crossidium species are found in various regions, including the USA, Canada, South Africa (Western Cape Province), and Dagestan.
  • Crossidium squamiferum is especially common on thin soil over boulders and often grows as linear colonies in cracks in rock.
  • Crossidium crassinerve is found in the Mojave Desert of Nevada (USA).
  • Crossidium crassinervium var. crassinervium occurs mostly as scattered stems in sandy arid areas.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Crossidium seriatum (Tiny Tassel Moss) is a small dark green to golden brown moss.
  • Crossidium species often form dense, hoary tufts and are extremely small herbaceous mosses that rarely.
  • All Crossidium species share some growth of filaments.

Ecological Role

  • Some Crossidium species, like Crossidium crassinerve, exhibit desiccation tolerance, an adaptation to desert environments.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Crossidium species can grow in extensive covers of lichens.

Further Information

  • Taxonomic information can be found at Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) with Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN) 548250 for Crossidium squamiferum and 547684 for Crossidium seriatum.
  • Additional information may be available at the USDA and Encyclopedia of Life.
  • Information about Crossidium aberrans can be found in the Drone-Application-Server database.