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brachythecium moss
Scientific Name: Brachythecium oedipodium
Family: Brachytheciaceae
Category: Moss
Growth: Nonvascular
Duration:
Other Names:
Brachythecium Moss: A Comprehensive Overview
Brachythecium is a genus of mosses belonging to the family Brachytheciaceae. These mosses are quite variable and commonly form loose, medium-sized patches.
Considerations for Pets
- While the text doesn't explicitly mention toxicity, the presence of moss in a pet's environment warrants observation to prevent ingestion, which could potentially cause digestive upset depending on the quantity consumed.
- As a component of soil or terrarium environments, mosses can retain moisture. If pets are allowed to play in these areas, the moss could become a source of dampness, requiring diligent hygiene to avoid related issues.
Considerations for Children
- As with pets, ingestion of moss should be discouraged.
- When handling moss, such as during terrarium building or gardening activities, children should be supervised to prevent accidental ingestion or exposure to potentially irritating substances.
Scientific Name and Common Names
- Scientific Name: Brachythecium Schimp.
- Common Names: Brachythecium moss, Feather-moss (referring to several species like Rough-stalked Feather-moss and Velvet Feather-moss), Golden Ragged Moss, Cedar Moss, Green Silk Moss, Ordinary Moss, Star Moss (used informally for a form of Brachythecium)
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Brachytheciaceae
- Kingdom: (Implicitly) Plantae
- Taxonomic Rank: Genus
- Synonyms/Alternative Scientific Names:
- Brachytheciastrum velutinum (synonym for Brachythecium velutinum)
- Brachythecium asperrimum (synonym for Brachythecium frigidum)
- Brachythecium gemmascens (synonym for Brachythecium frigidum)
- Brachythecium lamprochryseum (synonym for Brachythecium frigidum)
- Variety: Brachythecium reflexum var. reflexum
Distribution and Habitat
- The Brachythecium genus is common but variable.
- Generally found in mesic (moderately moist) sites that are not inundated.
- Brachythecium frigidum is an exception to the typical habitat.
- Brachythecium salebrosum is found in forests.
- Brachythecium albicans is widely distributed on dune ridges.
- Observed in locations like Den Helder, Netherlands, and Noordwijk, The Netherlands (Coepelduynen dunes).
Morphological Characteristics
- Forms loose, medium-sized patches.
- Capsules are frequent, curved, and egg-shaped, with a roughened seta.
- Some species form tangled mats on rocks in and beside streams.
- Variable in form.
- Some forms are described as soft and fluffy, resembling a shag carpet.
- Size ranges from medium to large.
Quirky Facts
- One person affectionately calls a form of Brachythecium "Star moss" due to its appearance.
Cytological Information
- Analysis of DNA sequences in the ITS region of nrDNA and the atpB-rbcL intergenic spacer has been used to study Brachythecium appleyardiae. This kind of genetic study can help researchers understand the relationships between different moss species and their evolutionary history.
Related Species Mentioned
- Brachythecium rutabulum (Rough-stalked Feather-moss)
- Brachythecium velutinum (Velvet Feather-moss)
- Brachythecium populeum
- Brachythecium turgidum (Stiff brachythecium moss)
- Brachythecium oxycladon
- Brachythecium acuminatum (Acuminate brachythecium moss)
- Brachythecium salebrosum (Golden Ragged Moss/Smooth-stalked Yellow Feather Moss)
- Brachythecium rivulare
- Brachythecium appleyardiae
- Brachythecium mildeanum
- Brachythecium albicans (Whitish Feather-moss)
- Brachythecium campestre
- Brachythecium frigidum