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amblystegium moss

Scientific Name: Amblystegium varium

Family: Amblystegiaceae

Category: Moss

Growth: Nonvascular

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Creeping Feathermoss (Amblystegium serpens)

Amblystegium serpens, commonly known as creeping feathermoss, is a species of moss belonging to the Amblystegiaceae family.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Amblystegium serpens (Hedw.) Schimp. in B.S.G.
  • Common Names: Creeping feathermoss, Amblystegium moss, Nano moss, Willow Feather-moss.
  • Family: Amblystegiaceae
  • Genus: Amblystegium Schimp. in B.S.G. (Type genus of the traditional family Amblystegiaceae)
  • Synonyms:
    • Amblystegium serpens var. juratzkanum (Schimp.) Rau & Herv. (also referred to as Juratzka's feathermoss)
    • Amblystegium serpens subsp. schlotthaueri Renauld &amp Cardot
    • Amblystegium confervoides (Brid.) Schimp. / Tiny Feather-moss (Synonym English)
    • Amblystegium radicale (P.Beauv.) Schimp.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Pleurocarpous in form.
  • Leaves are ovate to lanceolate, typically less than 1 mm in length.
  • Shoots are mid- to dark green, irregularly branched, and 1 to 2 cm long.
  • Forms loose, soft mats and can create extensive, intricate patches.
  • Stem leaves are very small (normally about 0.5 mm).

Habitat and Distribution

  • Prefers moist to aquatic sites.
  • Observed in wooded streams (e.g., in Delaware County, Ohio).
  • Found on creeping bentgrass putting greens.
  • Specimens are preserved in herbaria, such as the Hamilton Collection of Mosses at Shrewsbury Museums.

Ecological Role

  • In an Iowa upland white oak forest, annual fire has been shown to negatively impact Amblystegium.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The text mentions pathogen-induced hypersensitive response and systemic acquired resistance in the moss Amblystegium serpens.

Quirky Facts

  • Amblystegium serpens is sometimes called "Nano moss," especially in the context of aquatic plants for aquariums.

Further Information

  • Checklists containing Amblystegium radicale are available from the British Bryological Society Checklist of British and Irish Bryophytes.
  • Photographs and information can be found on Encyclopedia of Life, Alamy, and other online databases.