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acaulon moss

Scientific Name: Acaulon

Family: Pottiaceae

Category: Moss

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Acaulon: The Pygmy Moss

This page provides information about the moss genus Acaulon, including details about various species such as Acaulon muticum and related mosses.

Considerations for Pets

  • Small Size: These plants are often very small (1-2mm tall), which could make them easily ingested by curious pets.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Acaulon (genus), with species such as Acaulon muticum
  • Common Names: Acaulon moss, Rounded Pygmy-moss, Triangular Pygmy-moss, Schimper's Acaulon Moss

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Kingdom: (Implied) Plantae
  • Group: Moss
  • Family: Pottiaceae
  • Rank: Genus
  • Synonyms/Related Names:
    • Tortula acaulon (formerly Phascum cuspidatum)
    • Acaulon triquetrum (Spruce) Müll. Hal.
    • Acaulon muticum var. rufescens (A. Jaeger) H.A. Crum
    • Phascum acaulon
    • Phascum cuspidatum

Distribution and Habitat

  • Acaulon eremicola is described from arid central Australia.
  • Acaulon schimperianum, formerly known only from North America, has been reported in China.
  • Acaulon mediterraneum is reported from Gran Canaria.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Acaulon muticum plants are often brown, 1-2 mm tall, and appear to consist of a few concave upper leaves.
  • Tortula acaulon (cuspidate earth-moss) has 3 mm leaves and forms green patches.
  • Acaulon integrifolium is a small (~1-2mm high) bulbous ephemeral moss.
  • Acaulon eremicola differs from A. muticum and A. integrifolium in the leaf with longer cells.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The sporophyte-gametophyte junction in Acaulon muticum involves the sporophyte foot and surrounding gametophyte tissues.

Further Information

  • USDA PLANTS Database: http://plants.usda.gov
  • Encyclopedia of Life (EOL): Provides resources and articles about Acaulon muticum var. rufescens and invites contributions.
  • ResearchGate: Features research on the sporophyte-gametophyte junction in Acaulon muticum.
  • British Bryological Society Checklist of British and Irish Bryophytes.