SafePlants

Pyxidanthera: The Elusive Pixie-moss

The genus Pyxidanthera, belonging to the family Diapensiaceae, comprises small evergreen subshrubs native to the eastern United States. These plants, often resembling moss when not in bloom, are known for their delicate beauty and specific habitat requirements.

Considerations for Pets

• Pyxidanthera species are low-growing subshrubs with small, narrow, overlapping leaves.

Considerations for Children

• Pyxidanthera species are low-growing subshrubs with small, narrow, overlapping leaves.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Pyxidanthera
• Family: Diapensiaceae
• Pyxidanthera is a dilleniid dicot genus.

Species

• Two accepted species are recognized:
  • Pyxidanthera barbulata Michx., commonly known as flowering pixiemoss
  • Pyxidanthera brevifolia Wells, known as littleleaf pixiemoss or sandhills pyxie-moss. Synonyms include Pyxidanthera barbulata var. brevifolia (Wells) H. E. Ahles.
• Pyxidanthera barbulata var. barbulata is also listed as a taxonomic rank.

Distribution and Habitat

• Pyxidanthera species are found in the Atlantic Coastal Plain of the eastern United States.
• Pyxidanthera brevifolia is specifically found in North and South Carolina, particularly in the Sandhills region.
• They thrive in xeric (dry) areas, like pine barrens.

Morphological Characteristics

• Pyxidanthera species are creeping evergreen subshrubs.
• They have narrow, overlapping leaves.
• They produce early white star-shaped flowers.
• Pyxidanthera brevifolia is an evergreen, semi-woody cushion plant.
• The moss-like evergreen leaves are about 5-10 mm long.
• Stems are commonly compact and not creeping, but can sometimes be elongate and short-creeping.

Quirky Facts

• When not in bloom, Common Pyxie-moss (Pyxidanthera barbulata) closely resembles moss.

Further Information

• Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service.
• BONAP's North American Plant Atlas.
• The Plant List.
• New York Flora Atlas.