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didymodon moss
Scientific Name: Didymodon fallax var. fallax
Family: Pottiaceae
Category: Moss
Growth: Nonvascular
Duration:
Other Names:
Didymodon Moss
Didymodon is a genus of mosses belonging to the family Pottiaceae. Several species within this genus are commonly referred to as "didymodon moss." This diverse group presents a fascinating subject for botanical study, with various species exhibiting unique characteristics and distributions.
Considerations for Pets
- Some species of Didymodon are very small, only growing to 1mm in height, and could be ingested by curious pets.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Family: Pottiaceae
- Order: Pottiales
- Synonyms: Several species were formerly classified under the genus Barbula (e.g., Barbula fallax is a synonym for Didymodon fallax).
- Examples of Species:
- Didymodon acutus
- Didymodon asperifolius
- Didymodon australasiae
- Didymodon brachyphyllus (also listed as Didymodon vinealis var. brachyphyllus)
- Didymodon canoae
- Didymodon cordatus
- Didymodon eckeliae
- Didymodon fallax (also listed as Didymodon fallax var. fallax and Didymodon fallax var. reflexus)
- Didymodon ferrugineus
- Didymodon hegewaldiorum
- Didymodon johansenii
- Didymodon liae
- Didymodon mamillosus
- Didymodon maschalogenus
- Didymodon michiganensis
- Didymodon nicholsonii
- Didymodon nigrescens
- Didymodon norrisii
- Didymodon reedii
- Didymodon rigidulus (also listed as Didymodon rigidulus var. icmadophilus)
- Didymodon sinuosus
- Didymodon tomaculosus
- Didymodon tophaceus
- Didymodon vinealis (also listed as Barbula vinealis)
Common Names
- Didymodon Moss
- False Beard-moss
- Nicholson's Beard-moss
- Perthshire beardmoss (Didymodon mamillosus)
- Rigid Didymodon Moss (Didymodon rigidulus var. icmadophilus)
- Soft-tufted Beard-moss (Didymodon vinealis)
- Black Didymodon Moss (Didymodon nigrescens)
Distribution and Habitat
- Didymodon species are found worldwide, including:
- Antarctica
- Australia (Victoria)
- The Austrian Alps
- Assam
- Bhutan
- British Isles
- California
- Canada (Northwest Territories and Labrador)
- Chile
- China (Tibet)
- Europe
- Greenland
- Iceland
- Italy
- Japan
- Mexico (Baja California and Chihuahua)
- Norway
- Oregon
- Peru
- Turkey
- United States
- Specific locations mentioned include:
- Anza Borrego Desert State Park, San Diego County, California (Borrego Palm Canyon)
- Juniper Canyon, Oregon
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Didymodon mosses are acrocarpous, meaning they have an upright growth habit with the archegonia (female reproductive organs) located at the tips of the main stems.
- Leaves are typically lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate with entire (smooth) margins.
- Shoots can vary in size, with some species growing less than 1 cm tall, while others reach 0.5 to 3 cm.
- Coloration ranges from deep green to yellowish, olive-green, and brownish.
Quirky Facts
- Didymodon maschalogenus was only recognized as a distinct species in 1981.
- Didymodon sinuosus is noted for sometimes having missing leaf tips.
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)