Habitat
Andreaea rupestris is restricted to open areas in cooler sites tightly attached on exposed or shaded siliceous rocks, or periodically dry and acidic surfaces. It is extremely common in the alpine zones of the North Shore.
Gametophyte
Overall structure:
This acrocarpous moss forms black to red-brown tufts or cushions.
Leaf:
The leaves of this species do not have a costa, as seen in this picture.
A closer look at the leaf will show the pigmented cell wall.
Sporophyte:
Sporangium:
As in Andreaea nivalis, the sporangia is elevated on a pseudopodium and has four lines of dehiscence.
