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brachythecium moss

Scientific Name: Brachythecium salebrosum

Family: Brachytheciaceae

Category: Moss

Growth: Nonvascular

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Brachythecium Moss

This page provides information about mosses belonging to the genus Brachythecium, also referred to as brachythecium moss.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some Brachythecium species can form dense mats.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Brachythecium Schimp.
  • Family: Brachytheciaceae
  • Group: Moss
  • Synonyms/Alternative Names:
    • Brachytheciastrum velutinum (for Brachythecium velutinum)
    • Synonyms for Brachythecium frigidum: Brachythecium asperrimum, Brachythecium gemmascens, Brachythecium lamprochryseum
  • Varieties:
    • Brachythecium reflexum var. reflexum (Starke in Web. &amp Mohr) Schimp. in B.S.G.
    • Brachythecium albicans var. occidentale

Common Species

  • Brachythecium rutabulum: Rough-stalked Feather-moss
  • Brachythecium velutinum: Velvet Feather-moss
  • Brachythecium populeum: Matted Feather Moss
  • Brachythecium turgidum: Stiff brachythecium moss
  • Brachythecium acuminatum: Acuminate brachythecium moss
  • Brachythecium rivulare
  • Brachythecium salebrosum: Golden Ragged Moss, Smooth-stalked Yellow Feather Moss, Rough Moss, Cedar Moss
  • Brachythecium mildeanum
  • Brachythecium albicans: Whitish Feather-moss
  • Brachythecium campestre
  • Brachythecium piligerum
  • Brachythecium frigidum
  • Brachythecium appleyardiae

Distribution and Habitat

  • Brachythecium is found in various locations, including:
    • California (difficult genus)
    • Sagehen Creek Basin, CA
    • Den Helder, Netherlands
    • Lincoln, UK
    • Noordwijk, The Netherlands (Coepelduynen dunes)
    • Rubha nan Sasan, Loch Ewe, Scotland
  • Generally found in mesic (moderately moist) sites, but not typically inundated areas, with Brachythecium frigidum as an exception.
  • Brachythecium salebrosum is a forest creeping moss.
  • Some species grow on rocks in and beside streams.
  • Brachythecium albicans is widely distributed on dune ridges.
  • Brachythecium rutabulum is found in fields and on walls, as well as lawns.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Forms loose, medium-sized patches.
  • Capsules are frequent, having a curved, egg-shaped form with a roughened seta.
  • Some species are medium-sized to large mosses.
  • Some are small-leaved mosses growing in tangled mats.

Quirky Facts

  • Some people refer to certain Brachythecium mosses as "Star moss" due to their soft and fluffy appearance.

Genetic Information

  • DNA sequence analysis has been performed on the ITS region of nrDNA and the atpB-rbcL intergenic spacer for species like Brachythecium appleyardiae.