SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 16425.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "16425" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

ephemerum moss

Scientific Name: Ephemerum

Family: Ephemeraceae

Category: Moss

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Ephemerum: The Elusive Earth-Moss

The genus Ephemerum, commonly known as Earth-moss, encompasses a group of minute mosses often overlooked due to their diminutive size and ephemeral nature. This plant thrives in various habitats, and its presence can be an indicator of specific environmental conditions.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some Ephemerum species, such as Ephemerum spinulosum, possess sharply-toothed leaves.
  • As very small plants, some Ephemerum species have short shoots.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Ephemerum Hampe, 1837
  • Family: Ephemeraceae
  • Synonyms/Variations:
    • Ephemerum serratum (Hedw.) Hampe
    • Ephemerum serratum var. minutissimum (Lindb.) Grout
    • Ephemerum spinulosum Bruch & Schimp ex Schimp

Common Names

  • Earth-moss
  • Serrate ephemerum moss
  • Strap-leaved earth-moss (Ephemerum recurvifolium)
  • Clustered earth-moss (Ephemerum cohaerens)
  • Texas ephemerum moss (Ephemerum crassinervium texanum)
  • Virginian ephemerum moss (Ephemerum virginianum)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Ephemerum is found in various regions, including:
    • California (low elevations)
    • Czechoslovakia (Ephemerum recurvifolium)
    • Dutch Rhine floodplain
    • Northern England
    • English Midlands
    • East Anglia
    • Wales
    • Southeast England
    • Central southern England

Morphological Characteristics

  • Ephemerum species are characterized as minute plants.
  • Shoots can be very short, up to 2 mm tall.
  • Ephemerum crassinervum has leaves ranging from 0.8 to 2.5 mm long.
  • Leaves are often very serrate with teeth.

Ecological Role

  • Ephemerum species grow from filamentous protonema after spores arrive at a suitable habitat.

Quirky Facts

  • Ephemerum is considered probably the smallest moss in California.
  • Cape pygmy moss (Ephemerum capensi) is claimed as the tiniest moss that can be seen without a microscope.

Physiology

  • Unlike some mosses with elaborated stomata (like Oedipodium), the reduced and short-lived Ephemerum has few round-pored stomata.

Further Information

  • USDA resources
  • British Database of World Flora and Fauna (for Ephemerum spinulosum)