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crossidium moss

Scientific Name: Crossidium squamiferum var. pottioideum

Family: Pottiaceae

Category: Moss

Growth: Nonvascular

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Crossidium: A Moss Genus

The genus Crossidium, commonly referred to as crossidium moss, encompasses a variety of moss species found in diverse environments. This group of non-vascular plants belongs to the family Pottiaceae within the Bryophyta phylum.

Classification and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Crossidium
  • Common Name: crossidium moss
  • Family: Pottiaceae
  • Phylum: Bryophyta
  • Class: Bryopsida
  • Order: Pottiales
  • Synonyms & Related Species:
    • Crossidium squamiferum (Viv.) Jur. (Synonym: Barbula squamifera Viv.)
    • Crossidium crassinerve (De Not.) Jur.
    • Crossidium desertorum Holz. &amp Bartr.
    • Crossidium griseum (Jur.) (Redirected from Crossidium squamiferum var. pottioideum (De Not.) Mnk.)
    • Crossidium aberrans
    • Crossidium seriatum Crum &amp Steere (Tiny Tassel Moss)
    • Crossidium rosei Williams - Rose Crossidium Moss
    • Crossidium spiralifolium Magill

Distribution and Habitat

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

Morphological Characteristics

  • Crossidium seriatum (Tiny Tassel) is a small dark green to golden brown moss.
  • Crossidium species often form dense, hoary tufts.
  • Crossidium crassinervium var. crassinervium has awns that are frequently as long as the leaves.
  • All Crossidium species share some growth of filaments.

Ecological Role

  • Some Crossidium species, like Crossidium crassinerve, exhibit desiccation tolerance, an adaptation to arid environments.
  • Some species may exhibit an annual life history, completing their life cycle within a year.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Crossidium species are frequently found growing with lichens.

Further Information

  • USDA resources may contain further information on Crossidium squamiferum.
  • Tropicos database includes information on China Moss &gt Pottiaceae &gt Crossidium.
  • Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera contains records of Crossidium squamiferum Juratzka, 1882.
  • Encyclopedia of Life.
  • Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History.
  • Wikispecies.