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archidium moss

Scientific Name: Archidium tenerrimum

Family: Archidiaceae

Category: Moss

Growth: Nonvascular

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Archidium Moss: A Closer Look

Archidium is a genus of mosses encompassing approximately 35 species. This page provides information compiled from various sources to offer a broad overview of this fascinating plant group.

Considerations for Pets and Children

  • Some Archidium species form dense tufts.
  • Descriptions mention plants with stems up to 6 mm high.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Archidium Brid.
  • Family: Archidiaceae
  • Order: Archidiales
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Synonyms: For Archidium alternifolium, synonyms include Archidium longifolium and Pleuridium alternifolium.

Common Names

  • archidium moss
  • alternateleaf archidium moss (for Archidium alternifolium)
  • Clay Earth-moss (for Archidium alternifolium)
  • Donnell's Archidium Moss (for Archidium donnellii)
  • Hall's archidium moss (for Archidium hallii)
  • Small Archidium Moss (for Archidium minus)
  • Ohio Archidium Moss (for Archidium ohioense)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Archidium species have a wide global distribution.
  • They are found in various locations including:
    • Mexico (Archidium hallii, Archidium donnellii)
    • New Zealand (Archidium elatum)
    • Brazil (Archidium oblongifolium)
    • Lower Silesia (SW Poland) (Archidium alternifolium)
    • California
    • Antarctica (Archidium alternifolium, Archidium donnellii)

Morphological Characteristics

  • Plants can grow with stems to 6 mm high in dense turfs or scattered formations.
  • They can appear yellow-green to olive-green.
  • Stems may be simple or weakly branched.
  • Stem leaves on the lower portion of plants are scale-like, transitioning abruptly.
  • Individual plants can reach 7-15 mm tall.

Ecological Role

  • Archidium acanthophylum, along with Cyanotis lanata, has been identified in succession models for Inselberg Indicators in Southwestern regions.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Mentioned in context of desiccation in comparison to Octoblepharum albidum, another moss species.

Further Information

  • ARKive: Provides photos and facts about Archidium elatum. (http://www.arkive.org/archidium-moss/archidium-elatum/)
  • Wikipedia: Offers general information about the genus Archidium.
  • Encyclopedia of Life: Contains information about various Archidium species, such as Archidium hallii.
  • Flora of North America: Provides details about Archidium hallii.
  • Azorean Biodiversity Portal: Information on Archidium alternifolium.