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dendroalsia moss
Scientific Name: Dendroalsia abietina
Family: Leucodontaceae
Category: Moss
Growth: Nonvascular
Duration:
Other Names:
Dendroalsia abietina: Plume Moss
Dendroalsia abietina, commonly known as dendroalsia moss or plume moss, is an attractive and easily identified moss found in western North America.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Dendroalsia abietina (Hook.) E. Britton
- Synonyms:
- Neckera abietina Hook.
- Leptodon circinatus Sull.
- Family: Leucodontaceae
- Rank: Species
- Class: Bryopsida (True Mosses)
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to California.
- Found in western North America, including Vancouver Island and the Columbia River Gorge.
- Commonly grows on rocks, roots, logs, and tree trunks, especially big-leaf maples and Oregon white oaks.
- Favors calcium-rich cliff faces in some regions.
- Often found in moist environments, usually near the coast.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Substantial moss that grows in mats.
- Characterized by curled, feathery branches, giving it a fir-like appearance.
- The green, fluffy part is the gametophyte, which is haploid.
- Capsules with peristome teeth have been observed.
Ecological Role
- Often found decorating the tree bark of madrones and oaks.
Quirky Facts
- Dendroalsia abietina has been described as a "condensed moss of tropical Asia" and used as an incubation medium because it is exceptionally porous or absorbent, although this information may be from a misidentification.
Further Resources
- Taxonomic Serial No.: 547702
- Encyclopedia of Life
- CalPhotos (Dr. Robert T. and Margaret Orr)
- iNaturalist.org
- Drone-Application-Server database publication for Dendroalsia abietina biodroid.Taxa.574392