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desmatodon moss

Scientific Name: Desmatodon

Family: Pottiaceae

Category: Moss

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Desmatodon Moss: A Comprehensive Overview

Desmatodon is a genus of mosses belonging to the family Pottiaceae. This overview compiles information regarding various Desmatodon species, their characteristics, distribution, and related data.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Desmatodon Brid.
  • Family: Pottiaceae
  • Group: Moss
  • Synonyms: For Desmatodon randii, a synonym is Entosthodon neoscoticus M.S. Brown.
  • Direct Children (Taxonomic Rank): Variety, Desmatodon heimii var. arctica (Lindb.) Crum.

Common Names

  • Desmatodon Moss (general)
  • Obtuseleaf Desmatodon Moss (Desmatodon obtusifolius)
  • Heim's Desmatodon Moss (Desmatodon heimii)
  • Porter's Desmatodon Moss (Desmatodon porteri)
  • Flamingo Moss (Desmatodon cernuus)
  • Guepin's Desmatodon Moss (Desmatodon guepinii)
  • Arctic Heim's Desmatodon Moss (Desmatodon heimii var. arctica)
  • Wideleaf Desmatodon Moss (Desmatodon latifolius)

Distribution and Habitat

  • National distribution includes Canada.
  • Desmatodon ellesmerensis is found in Arctic Canada.
  • Desmatodon porteri has been observed in Franklin County, Ohio, and Greene County.
  • The occurrence of Desmatodon porteri is confirmed for New York State.
  • Desmatodon heimii is found at the Gradierwerken in Bad Kreuznach, Germany.
  • There are at least 153 species of mosses found in Montana, United States.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Plants are typically small, green, yellowish-green to yellow.
  • They form low, loose tufts.
  • Stems are short.
  • Growth habit is nonvascular.

Species Highlights

  • Desmatodon obtusifolius: Known as obtuseleaf desmatodon moss.
  • Desmatodon heimii: Referred to as Heim's Desmatodon Moss. A parasite on this species is the fungus Lamprospora lubicensis.
  • Desmatodon ellesmerensis: A newly described species from Arctic Canada.
  • Desmatodon porteri: Referred to as Porter's Desmatodon Moss.
  • Desmatodon cernuus: Referred to as Flamingo Moss.
  • Desmatodon randii: Considerations on the nature and behavior of this relict moss have been researched.

Ecological Role

  • Regularly occurring in Canada.

Further Information

  • USDA resources available for distribution maps of Desmatodon heimii.