SafePlants

Aulacomnium palustre (Bog Groove-Moss, Ribbed Bog Moss)

Aulacomnium palustre, commonly known as bog groove-moss or ribbed bog moss, is a moss species with a wide distribution across the globe. Other common names include tufted moss and glow moss.

Considerations for Pets

• Forms tufts ranging from 3 to 12 cm tall.
• Features ginger-brown, felt-like rhizoids which cover the stem.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Aulacomnium palustre (Hedw.) Schwgr.
• Family: Aulacomniaceae
• Synonyms: Aulacomnium palustre var. congestum Boul. and Mnium palustre
• Other species in the same genus include Aulacomnium androgynum and Aulacomnium turgidum.

Distribution and Habitat

• Nearly cosmopolitan in distribution, found in many regions worldwide.
• Occurs in North America, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela.
• Prefers wet meadows.

Morphological Characteristics

• Forms tufts that are typically 3 to 12 cm tall.
• Leaves are pale yellow-green.
• Stems are covered with ginger-brown, felt-like rhizoids.
• Plants can be erect in olive-green to brown wefts or cushions, reaching up to 10 cm high.
• Lower leaves are scalelike and loosely appressed.
• Upper leaves are oblong lanceolate.
• Aulacomnium androgynum forms small, pale, dull green tufts, with shoots 3 to 4 mm tall. Many shoots terminate in an elongated stalk with a ball of gemmae at the top.

Genetic Information

• Studies have focused on spermiogenesis and expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis in Aulacomnium palustre and Aulacomnium turgidum, respectively.

Ecology

• Found in moist, nonacidic and acidic prostrate dwarf shrub - sedge - moss tundra.

Associated Organisms

• Often found growing with other mosses such as Distichium capillaceum.

Further Resources

• British Bryological Society Checklist of British and Irish Bryophytes
• Tropicos database
• Encyclopedia of Life