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hedwigia moss
Scientific Name: Hedwigia
Family: Hedwigiaceae
Category: Moss
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Hedwigia ciliata: Ciliate Hedwigia Moss
Hedwigia ciliata, commonly known as ciliate hedwigia moss, is a moss belonging to the Hedwigiaceae family. The genus Hedwigia is named after Johannes Hedwig, often called the father of bryology.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Hedwigia ciliata (Hedw.) P. Beauv.
- Synonyms: Medusa Moss, fringed hoar-moss, ciliate Hedwig's moss
- Family: Hedwigiaceae
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Rank: Species
Distribution and Habitat
- This moss is found in North America, specifically the US Lower 48.
- It is found in Europe.
- It grows in the British Isles, including Northern Scotland, Southern Scotland, Northern England, the English Midlands, East Anglia, and Wales.
- It often grows on exposed rocks and boulders subject to drying, and can tolerate periodically dry to wet conditions, even being submerged in water.
Morphological Characteristics
- Grows in loose colonies.
- Attaches to surfaces with rhizoids grouped as a "foot."
- Leaves have elongated clear tips.
- Leaves have a hyaline triangle at the tip.
- There is no costa (midrib).
- Cells are nearly uniformly sized.
- Shoots of Hedwigia stellata (Starry Hoar-moss) are irregularly branched and form loose tufts.
Ecological Role
- This moss may be found growing on roofs.
Quirky Facts
- The white-tipped appearance of the moss can be quite distinctive.
Further Information
- More information can be found at Encyclopedia of Life.
- Nova Hedwigia is an international journal that publishes articles on taxonomy and morphology.