SafePlants

Didymodon: Unveiling the World of Beard-Mosses

Didymodon is a genus of mosses belonging to the Pottiaceae family. Often referred to as beard-mosses, these plants contribute to diverse ecosystems across the globe. This text will provide an overview of various species within the Didymodon genus, including their characteristics, distribution, and ecological roles.

Considerations for Pets

• Some Didymodon species grow in tufts, which may be appealing to pets.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Didymodon Hedw.
• Family: Pottiaceae
• Common Names: Several species are known as didymodon moss or beard-moss, such as Perthshire beardmoss (Didymodon mamillosus) and Soft-tufted Beard-moss (Didymodon vinealis).
• Synonyms and Related Names:
  • Barbula (e.g., Barbula fallax is a synonym for Didymodon fallax, and Barbula nigrescens for Didymodon nigrescens)
  • Didymodon vinealis var. brachyphyllus for Didymodon brachyphyllus
  • Didymodon fallax var. reflexus for Didymodon ferrugineus
• Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN) for Didymodon vinealis: 548252

Distribution and Habitat

• Didymodon species have a widespread distribution, occurring in:
  • Europe (e.g., Austrian Alps, southern Norway)
  • Asia (e.g., Tibet, Turkey, Japan, Assam, Bhutan)
  • North America (e.g., Northwest Territories and Labrador in Canada, Chihuahua in Mexico, various locations within the United States, including California (Anza Borrego Desert State Park))
  • South America (e.g., Peru, Chile)
  • Antarctica
  • Australia (e.g., Victoria)
  • Greenland
  • Iceland
• They are often terricolous (ground-dwelling).

Morphological Characteristics

• Didymodon mosses are acrocarpous, meaning they have erect, unbranched stems with terminal reproductive structures.
• Shoots of Didymodon mamillosus are typically 0.5 to 3 cm tall, olive-green, and often brownish on the lower part.
• Leaves are lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate with entire margins. Narrow upper leaves average 3 to 4 mm in length (longer than the).
• Shoots are typically a deep green, sometimes yellowish, and grow in flat or short patches or tufts, usually less than 1 cm (but sometimes about 2).

Ecological Roles and Interactions

• Some species are considered rare and may be included in inventories of rare and endangered plants (e.g., Didymodon norrisii in California).
• The diversity and distribution of Didymodon species can be influenced by environmental heterogeneity, as observed in Tibet, China.

Species Highlights

• Didymodon sinuosus: Easily identified by missing leaf tips.
• Didymodon mamillosus: Commonly known as Perthshire beardmoss, it is endemic to Europe.
• Didymodon maschalogenus: A relatively recent addition to the European moss flora, first recognized as a distinct species in 1981.
• Didymodon nigrescens: Also known as Black Didymodon Moss.
• Didymodon reedii: Instructions for growing this moss are readily available from gardening resources.
• Didymodon liae: A new species discovered in Tibet.
• Didymodon canoae: A new species in the Pottiaceae family.

Further Information

• Flora of North America
• GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)
• USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
• CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (California Native Plant Society)