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Plagiothecium Moss

Plagiothecium is a genus of mosses. Several species within this genus are commonly referred to as silk-mosses due to their appearance.

Considerations for Pets

• This moss is found in damp and darker areas.
• Some Plagiothecium mosses can be considered large and conspicuous.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Genus: Plagiothecium Schimp. in B.S.G.
• Family: Plagiotheciaceae
• Synonyms:
  • Plagiothecium laetum Schimp.
  • Plagiothecium undulatum (Hedw.) Schimp.

Common Names

• Waved Silk-moss (for Plagiothecium undulatum)
• Alder Silk-moss (for Plagiothecium latebricola)
• Undulate Plagiothecium Moss (for Plagiothecium undulatum)
• Toothed Plagiothecium Moss (for Plagiothecium denticulatum)
• Alpine Silk-moss (for Plagiothecium platyphyllum)
• Juicy Silk-moss (for Plagiothecium succulentum)
• Wavy-leaved Cotton Moss (for Plagiothecium undulatum)
• Wavy-leaf Moss (for Plagiothecium undulatum)
• Flat-moss (for Plagiothecium undulatum)
• Pressed Silk Moss (for Plagiothecium denticulatum)
• Berggren's plagiothecium moss (for Plagiothecium berggrenianum)

Distribution and Habitat

• Plagiothecium mosses are found globally, though the genus is not a prominent constituent of the moss flora in tropical Africa.
• They often grow in damp and darker areas, such as on rocks on the sides of cloughs (deep, steep-sided valleys) or in open wooded wet spots.
• Plagiothecium undulatum has been observed in the mist zone at the base of western red cedar trees, such as at Wahclella Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.
• Plagiothecium undulatum can also be found in the islands of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Plagiothecium mosses can be large and conspicuous, with pale green, sparsely branched shoots.
• Shoots can be several centimeters long, commonly 5 to 6 mm wide, and more or less flattened.
• Plagiothecium latebricola is a very slender, pale green moss with shoots up to 2 cm long, arranged more or less in one plane.
• Leaves of some species, such as those found on the rocks of cloughs, are translucent and about 3mm long.
• Few moss species have a distinct main shoot and a crown of smaller shoots, Plagiothecium undulatum perhaps shows the prostrate ribbon-like mat.

Ecological Role

• Plagiothecium denticulatum has been used to study the effects of soil contamination.

Further Information

• USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
• NatureServe Explorer
• Encyclopedia of Life