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buxbaumia moss

Scientific Name: Buxbaumia viridis

Family: Buxbaumiaceae

Category: Moss

Growth: Nonvascular

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Buxbaumia: The Bug Moss Genus

Buxbaumia, commonly known as Bug moss, Bug-on-a-stick, Humpbacked elves, or Elf-cap moss, is a distinctive genus comprising twelve species of moss (Bryophyta).

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Genus: Buxbaumia
  • Family: Buxbaumiaceae
  • Kingdom: (Implied: Plantae, based on Bryophyta being mosses)
  • Type Species: Buxbaumia viridis (Green Shield-moss)

Synonyms for specific species include:

  • Buxbaumia viridis (DC.) Moug. & Nestl.
  • Buxbaumia aphylla var. viridis Moug. ex Lam.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Buxbaumia species are found growing on soil or rotten wood, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere.
  • Buxbaumia viridis (Green Shield-moss) is often found on decaying wood in forests, highlighting its specialization to this habitat. It has been recorded in locations such as the Javornky Mts., the Vsetnsk vrchy hills (Western Carpathians), Deeside and Donside (Scotland), and California.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Plants of Buxbaumia have a much-reduced gametophyte compared to the sporophyte, which is enormous by comparison to most mosses.
  • Buxbaumia viridis lacks obvious green leaves and possesses a robust seta. The capsule shape is a key characteristic for genus identification.

Ecological Role

  • Buxbaumia viridis is a rare policy species adapted to decaying woods in forests, making its conservation important.
  • It is considered endangered or vulnerable in several countries.

Species within Buxbaumia

  • Buxbaumia aphylla Hedw. - Brown Shield-moss
  • Buxbaumia minakatae Okam. - Buxbaumia Moss (Minakata's Hump-backed Elves Moss)
  • Buxbaumia piperi Best - Piper's Buxbaumia Moss
  • Buxbaumia subcylindrica Grout

Conservation Status

  • Buxbaumia viridis is regarded as endangered across Europe and is listed in the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants in California.

Further Information

  • Information on Buxbaumia viridis can be found in the UK Habitats Directive interest features handbook and the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants.
  • The Taxonomic Serial No. for Buxbaumia viridis is 547649.