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desmatodon moss

Scientific Name: Desmatodon leucostoma

Family: Pottiaceae

Category: Moss

Growth: Nonvascular

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Desmatodon Moss: A Comprehensive Overview

Desmatodon is a genus of mosses belonging to the family Pottiaceae. These mosses are generally small and can exhibit various shades of green to yellow.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Desmatodon Brid.
  • Family: Pottiaceae
  • Kingdom: Plantae (inferred from "Kingdom Plantae > Division Bryophyta")
  • Group: Moss

Several species and varieties fall under the genus Desmatodon, including:

  • Desmatodon obtusifolius (Schwgr.) Schimp. (obtuseleaf desmatodon moss)
  • Desmatodon heimii (Hedw.) Mitt. (Heim's desmatodon moss)
  • Desmatodon heimii var. arctica (Lindb.) Crum (arctic Heim's desmatodon moss)
  • Desmatodon porteri (Porter's Desmatodon Moss)
  • Desmatodon laureri (Laurer's Desmatodon Moss)
  • Desmatodon latifolius (wideleaf desmatodon moss; currently accepted name is *Tortula hoppeana*)
  • Desmatodon cernuus (Flamingo Moss)
  • Desmatodon randii
  • Desmatodon ellesmerensis
  • Desmatodon guepinii (Guepin's Desmatodon Moss)
  • Desmatodon coloradensis
  • Desmatodon plinthobius

Synonym:

  • Entosthodon neoscoticus M.S. Brown for Desmatodon randii

Distribution and Habitat

  • Desmatodon mosses have a wide distribution, being found in locations such as:
    • Canada (national distribution)
    • Montana (United States)
    • Arctic Canada (Desmatodon ellesmerensis)
    • Franklin County, Ohio (Desmatodon porteri)
    • Bad Kreuznach (Germany - Desmatodon heimii at salt evaporation ponds)
  • The origin of the species in Canada is currently unknown/undetermined.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Plants are typically small, ranging in color from green and yellowish-green to yellow.
  • They grow in low, loose tufts.
  • Stems are short.
  • Growth habit is nonvascular.

Quirky Facts

  • Desmatodon heimii has been found growing near salt evaporation ponds (Gradierwerken) in Bad Kreuznach, Germany.
  • One species, Desmatodon cernuus, is also known as Flamingo Moss.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The fungus *Lamprospora lubicensis* is known to parasitize *Desmatodon heimii* at the salt evaporation ponds in Bad Kreuznach.

Further Information

  • USDA Plants Database
  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Bryoquel : Liste des bryophytes prsentes au Qubec-Lab (for Desmatodon heimii)
  • Montana Natural Heritage Program
  • ResearchGate (for information on *Desmatodon randii*)