Species description:
Species name referring to the leaf arrangement: pointing in many directions.

Reproduction:
Sporophytes with reddish setae and dark brown sporangia, produced abundantly and maturing in late winter to early spring.

Distinguishing characteristics:
On disturbed sandy banks, this is the most likely species of the genus to be collected in southern British Columbia and southward. The winter-maturing sporophytes is also useful.

Habit:
Forming dense, dark green turfs of erect plants with erect or sometimes secund leaves.

Similar Species:
D. ambiguum, with the sporangia nearly twice as long as than those in D. heteroma//um, is a less common species near the coast. From D. schimperi, which has yellowish setae, D. heteroma//um is usually easily distinguished. D. zonatum is always sterile and restricted to subalpine cliff crevices or windswept outcrops near sea level in oceanic areas; these features are usually sufficient to separate D. zonatum and D. heteroma//um. Material without sporophytes can be confused with several species (see notes under Dicrane//a heteroma//a).

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