Rhytidiadelphus loreus – lanky moss
Common Name
lanky moss
Family
Hylocomiaceae
Scientific Name
Rhytidiadelphus loreus
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
- Medium (M)
Soil Nutrient Regime (SNR)
- Poor (P)
- Medium (M)
- Rich (R)
Image courtesy of the Royal BC Museum and Archives
Photo Gallery
General / Habitat
- A feather moss that forms loose, interwoven mats
- Mostly grows on forest floor, but also on decaying wood and rocks
- Sea level to subalpine elevations
Key Identifying Characteristics
- Form: Ascending to creeping, widely spaced pinnately branched, forming loose, interwoven mats, reddish brown stems with yellowish green leaves
- Leaves: 4 mm long, somewhat curved and noticeably pleated, lacking an obvious midrib
- Sporophytes: Appear sporadically in winter, growing from side of stem
Lookalikes
- Other terrestrial feathermosses (ie. Pleurozium schreberi) do not have curved/pleated leaves
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.