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brachythecium moss

Scientific Name: Brachythecium populeum

Family: Brachytheciaceae

Category: Moss

Growth: Nonvascular

Duration:

Other Names: KY (matted feather moss)

       

Brachythecium Moss

Brachythecium is a genus of moss belonging to the family Brachytheciaceae. Several species and related names are mentioned in the provided text.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some forms of Brachythecium moss can create dense mats, which could pose a minor entanglement hazard for small pets.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Brachythecium Schimp.
  • Family: Brachytheciaceae
  • Group: Moss
  • Synonyms/Related 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)

Common Names

  • brachythecium moss
  • Rough-stalked Feather-moss (Brachythecium rutabulum)
  • Velvet Feather-moss (Brachythecium velutinum)
  • Matted Feather Moss
  • Stiff brachythecium moss (Brachythecium turgidum)
  • Acuminate brachythecium moss (Brachythecium acuminatum)
  • Golden Ragged Moss/Smooth-stalked Yellow Feather Moss (Brachythecium salebrosum)
  • Rough Moss/Cedar Moss (Brachythecium salebrosum)
  • Whitish Feather-moss (Brachythecium albicans)
  • Pacific brachythecium moss (Brachythecium reflexum)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Brachythecium is a difficult genus to classify in California.
  • Generally found in mesic (moderately moist) sites, but not typically in inundated areas. Brachythecium frigidum is an exception to this.
  • Brachythecium salebrosum is a forest creeping moss.
  • Brachythecium albicans is widely distributed on dune ridges.
  • Observed in locations like Den Helder, Netherlands and Noordwijk, The Netherlands (Coepelduynen dunes behind ESTEC).

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Forms loose, medium-sized patches.
  • Capsules are frequent, having a curved, egg-shaped form with a roughened seta.
  • Brachythecium salebrosum is medium-sized to large.
  • Some species grow in tangled mats on rocks in and beside streams.
  • Some forms create a soft and fluffy texture, resembling a shag carpet.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Desorption of 137Cs has been studied using solutions of H2SO4 and HNO3 on Brachythecium mildeanum.
  • Heavy metal-induced physiological alterations and oxidative stress have been studied in Brachythecium piligerum.

Quirky Facts

  • One source refers to a form of Brachythecium as "Star moss" due to its soft and fluffy appearance.
  • One source describes "brachythecium moss" in a nonsensical way, possibly due to a text generation error or misunderstanding. "brachythecium moss. is flaky way, with few cookies petting the vehicle at service and manual. just, brachythecium moss step-by-step prevents between biryani."

Further Information

  • The Plant List
  • ToL (Tree of Life Web Project)
  • BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library)
  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • ARKive (for Mrs. Appleyard's moss)
  • Shrewsbury Museums Service (Hamilton Collection of Mosses)