Rhizomnium glabrescens – large leafy moss
Common Name
large leafy moss
Alternate Common Names
- fan moss
Family
Mniaceae
Scientific Name
Rhizomnium glabrescens
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
- Medium (M)
- Wet (W)
Soil Nutrient Regime (SNR)
- Medium (M)
Video link
Image courtesy of the Royal BC Museum and Archives
Photo Gallery
General / Habitat
- Moss, forms short, loose turfs
- Dark green to pale green
- Most frequently found rotting logs and rocks in coniferous forests
- Low to middle elevations
Key Identifying Characteristics
- Form: Plants upright (to 3 cm tall) with naked stems. separate male and female plants with male plants having rose-like cluster of leaves at tip. Reddish-brown basal rhizoids (root-like structures)
- Leaves: 3-6 mm long, spreading when wet and shrivelling when dry, oval and smooth-edged (Coastal leafy moss (Plagiomnium insigne) looks similar but has serrate leaf edges). Also if you look closely at the leaves, there is a distinctive differentiated margin
- Sporophytes: Common, pale-brown and elongate stalks, appear in spring
Lookalikes
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.