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meesia moss

Scientific Name: Meesia longiseta

Family: Meesiaceae

Category: Moss

Growth: Nonvascular

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Meesia triquetra and Other Meesia Mosses

This page provides information on Meesia triquetra, also known as the three-ranked hump-moss, and related species within the Meesia genus.

Common Names

  • Meesia moss
  • Three-ranked hump-moss
  • Three-ranked Thread Moss
  • Hump Moss

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Meesia triquetra (Richt.) Angstr.
  • Family: Meesiaceae
  • Order: Bryales
  • Class: Bryopsida
  • Division: Bryophyta
  • Synonyms:
    • Mnium triquetrum
    • Meesia triquetra (L. ex Jolycl.) Ngstr.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Meesia triquetra occurs throughout the northern hemisphere at higher latitudes.
  • Meesia uliginosa, another species, is found in the Western U.S. and also in the northern hemisphere at higher latitudes.
  • One subfossil of Meesia triquetra was found in NW Iran within a core of peat deposits.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Meesia are acrocarpous mosses, meaning they have erect stems with terminal reproductive structures.
  • They can be scattered or tufted.
  • Color ranges from dark green to yellow-green, often blackish at the base.
  • Stems are typically 2-14 cm tall, simple, but sometimes slightly branched.
  • Meesia uliginosa forms dark green tufts up to 5 cm tall, with leaves that are 2–6 mm long.
  • Leaves can be spreading to squarrose ovate-lanceolate.
  • Capsules are asymmetrical and curved.

Ecological Role

  • Meesia uliginosa is listed in the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants on list 2B.2, indicating it is rare in California.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Meesia triquetra has been observed growing in moss 'sleeves', in association with ants and aphid farms among saplings.

Further Information

  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)
  • Biopix: http://www.biopix.com/meesia-triquetra_photo-101616
  • Tropicos
  • ordabok.is