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plagiothecium moss
Scientific Name: Plagiothecium piliferum
Family: Plagiotheciaceae
Category: Moss
Growth: Nonvascular
Duration:
Other Names:
Plagiothecium Moss
This page provides information about various species within the moss genus Plagiothecium.
Common Names
- Plagiothecium Moss
- Alpine Silk-moss
- Wavy-leaved Cotton Moss
- Flat Moss
- Undulate Plagiothecium Moss
- Snake Moss
- Tongue Moss
- Waved Silk-moss
- Curved Silk-moss
- Woodsy Silk-moss
- Dented Silk-moss
- Juicy silk-moss
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Genus: Plagiothecium Schimp. in B.S.G.
- Family: Plagiotheciaceae
- Examples of Species:
- Plagiothecium laetum Schimp.
- Plagiothecium undulatum (Hedw.) Schimp. in B.S.G.
- Plagiothecium cavifolium (Brid.) Z. Iwats.
- Plagiothecium denticulatum
- Plagiothecium piliferum
- Plagiothecium berggrenianum Frisv.
- Plagiothecium micans (Sw.) Paris (with subspecific taxa)
- Plagiothecium succulentum
- Plagiothecium latebricola
- Plagiothecium nemorale
- Synonyms (for Plagiothecium undulatum):
- Buckiella undulata
- TSN (Taxonomic Serial Number):
- Plagiothecium undulatum: TSN 547970
- Plagiothecium piliferum: TSN 547969
Distribution and Habitat
- Plagiothecium species are found in various locations, including:
- Delaware (e.g., Plagiothecium cavifolium on shady shale streambanks)
- Hocking County, Ohio (e.g., Plagiothecium denticulatum in open wooded wet spots)
- Wahclella Falls in the Columbia River Gorge (e.g., Plagiothecium undulatum in the mist zone)
- Scotland (Outer Hebrides)
- Britain and Ireland
- Tropical Africa (though not a prominent constituent of the moss flora)
- They typically grow in damp and darker areas, such as on rocks, in cloughs, and on soil in swamps.
Morphological Characteristics
- Plagiothecium undulatum is described as a large and conspicuous moss with pale green, sparsely branched shoots, several centimeters long (commonly 5 to 6 mm wide), that are more or less flattened.
- Leaves can be translucent and about 3mm long.
Ecological Role
- Plagiothecium denticulatum has been used in studies examining the effects of soil contamination.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Co-occurs with Hypnum jutlandicum and Sphagnum capillifolium in some habitats.
- Observed with Atrichum angustatum.
Further Information
- USDA, NRCS. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
- Encyclopedia of Life
- NatureServe Explorer
- Dave's Garden
- The Moss Flora of Britain and Ireland
- Moss Flora of North America (Grout, 1932)
- Bryo.cz
- APHOTOFLORA - Photographic Stock Library