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meesia moss

Scientific Name: Meesia

Family: Meesiaceae

Category: Moss

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Meesia triquetra and Meesia uliginosa (Meesia Moss)

This page provides information about two moss species within the genus Meesia: Meesia triquetra and Meesia uliginosa. Both are commonly referred to as "meesia moss."

Considerations for Pets

  • As a moss, Meesia does not have thorns or sharp edges.
  • The text mentions that stems can reach up to 14 cm, so there could be potential for small parts to be ingested.

Scientific Classification

  • Scientific Name:
    • Meesia triquetra (Richt.) Angstr.
    • Meesia uliginosa
  • Common Name: Meesia Moss, Three-ranked Thread Moss, Three-angled Hump-moss, Broad-nerved Hump-moss, Hump Moss
  • Family: Meesiaceae
  • Division: Bryophyta
  • Class: Bryopsida
  • Order: Bryales

Synonyms and Alternative Names

  • Mnium triquetrum
  • Meesia longiseta

Distribution and Habitat

  • Both Meesia triquetra and Meesia uliginosa are found throughout the northern hemisphere in higher latitudes.
  • Meesia uliginosa is specifically mentioned as a rare moss of the Western U.S., and native to California
  • Meesia triquetra has been found as a subfossil in peat deposits in NW Iran.

Morphology and Growth Habits

  • Meesia species are acrocarpous, meaning they have erect stems with terminal sporophytes (Vitt 1988).
  • They grow scattered or tufted.
  • The color ranges from dark green to yellow-green, often becoming blackish below.
  • Stems can reach 2-14 cm in height, and are typically simple but occasionally branched.
  • Meesia uliginosa forms dark green tufts up to 5 cm tall, with leaves measuring 2-6 mm long and growing parallel.
  • The capsule is asymmetrical and curved.

Ecological Role

  • Meesia uliginosa occurs where there is some lime in the run-off.

Further Information

  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Biopix: http://www.biopix.com/meesia-triquetra_photo-101616
  • GBIF
  • Tropicos