Buckiella undulata – flat moss
Common Name
flat moss
Alternate Common Names
- wavy-leaved cotton moss
Family
Hypnaceae
Scientific Name
Buckiella undulata
Alternate Scientific Name
- Plagiothecium undulatum
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
- Dry (D)
- Moderately Dry (MD)
- Medium (M)
- Wet (W)
Soil Nutrient Regime (SNR)
- Poor (P)
Video link
Image courtesy of the Royal BC Museum and Archives
Photo Gallery
General / Habitat
- Pale, yellow-green colored moss
- Grows in shady habitats, common along streams
- Near the coast, mainly at lower elevations
- On logs, humus, tree stumps, and most soil, sometimes rocks
- Gets its name from leaves that are transversely wavy (hard to see with naked eye) or very flattened appearance
Key Identifying Characteristics
- The major distinguishing characteristics of flat moss are its pale yellow-green to whitish green color, flattened shoots with irregular branching, and the undulate leaves (the leaves have wave-like, regular wrinkles running perpendicular to the length of the leaf)
- It produces occasional, grooved sporangia on top of long setae (a seta is the stalk of the sporophyte)
Interesting Characteristics
- Formerly classified in family Plagiotheciaceae
External References
Sources
Douglas, G.W. et al (Editors). 1998-2002. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia, Volumes 1 to 8. B.C. Min. Environ., Lands and Parks, and B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C.
Pojar, J. and A. MacKinnon. 2014. Plants of Coastal British Columbia Including Washington, Oregon & Alaska. B.C. Ministry of Forestry and Lone Pine Publishing. Vancouver, B.C.