Dicranoweisia cirrata (Hedw.) Lindb. ex Milde
curly thatch-moss (dicranoweisia moss)
Dicranaceae

Species Account Author: Wilf Schofield
Extracted from Some Common Mosses of BC

Introduction to the Bryophytes of BC

Photograph

© Rosemary Taylor     (Photo ID #40629)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Dicranoweisia cirrata
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

Species description:
Genus name refers to the relationship to Dicranum and the re­semblance to another moss, Weissia. Species name referring to the sharp pointed leaves.
Comments:
This moss must be highly tolerant to exhaust fumes be­cause it often abounds on trees along busy urban streets.
Distinguishing characteristics:
The usual epiphytic habitat and turf-­forming masses added to the erect sporophytes with red peristomes, are distinctive.
Habit:
Forming turfs or tufts of dark green to light green plants.
Similar Species:
Zygodon viridissimus is less common in the same habi­tat and also produces abundant gemmae. The tufts are not as condensed and the leaves coil helically around the shoot when dry; in Dicranoweisia the leaves are individually twisted in all directions. Orthotrichum con­simile, occurring often on the same trees as Dicranoweisia, has short setae and grooved sporangia; peristome teeth in Orthotrichum are in two rows rather than one, as in Dicranoweisia.

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Illustration SourceSome Common Mosses of BC

Habitat and Range

Habitat
Usually on tree trunks or wood in early stages of decomposi­tion, also on rooftops and stone or concrete walls and occasionally on rock, usually near sea level.
Range
World Distribution

Scattered in temperate portions of the Northern Hemisphere. In North America confined to the Pacific coast from southeastern Alaska to California.

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Didymodon hinckleyi E.B. Bartram