Dicranum tauricum Sap.
broken-leaf moss (dicranum moss)
Dicranaceae
Species Account Author: Wilf Schofield
Extracted from Some Common Mosses of BC
Introduction to the Bryophytes of BC
broken-leaf moss (dicranum moss)
Dicranaceae
Species Account Author: Wilf Schofield
Extracted from Some Common Mosses of BC
Introduction to the Bryophytes of BC
Species Information
Species description:
Species name from the Taurus Mountains, Turkey, where the specimen was collected.
Reproduction:
Sporophytes infrequent near the coast but rather common in interior humid forests. The broken-off leaf tips probably serve in propagation.
Distinguishing characteristics:
The rigid, straight leaves with very brittle tips that are often broken off, combined with the usual forested sites where this moss occurs, are very diagnostic. The erect sporophytes are also useful when present.
Habit:
Forming turfs or tufts of light to dark green, rather rigid plants with brittle leaf tips.
Similar Species:
D. fragilifolium also has brittle leaf tips but the sporangia are curved and grooved when mature rather than erect and smooth, as in D. tauricum. Material lacking sporophytes cannot be distinguished from D. tauricum on hand lens characters. Tortella fragilis also has brittle leaf tips but has yellow-green, dull leaves and is found on calcareous rock rather than wood.
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 Source: Some Common Mosses of BC
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Most commonly on rotten logs in coniferous forest but also on living trees, tree stumps, and rarely on cliff crevices, from sea level to subalpine forests. Range
World DistributionWidespread, but never frequent in Europe; widespread in western North America from southeastern Alaska to middle California along the Pacific coast and extending eastward to northern Colorado and South Dakota.
Status Information
Synonyms
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Dicranum strictum Schleich. ex Mohr