Pohlia cruda (Hedw.) Lindb.
opal thread-moss (pohlia moss)
Bryaceae
Species Account Author: Wilf Schofield
Extracted from Some Common Mosses of BC
Introduction to the Bryophytes of BC
opal thread-moss (pohlia moss)
Bryaceae
Species Account Author: Wilf Schofield
Extracted from Some Common Mosses of BC
Introduction to the Bryophytes of BC
Species Information
Species description:
Species name denoting raw or uncooked, presumably in reference to the opalescent sheen of the leaves that sometimes characterizes uncooked meat.
Reproduction:
Sporophytes occasional, maturing in spring, light red brown when ripe, varying from erect to nodding.
Distinguishing characteristics:
The toothed, opalescent, glossy leaves, the occasionally erect to suberect sporangia and the shaded terrestrial or cliff crevice habitat are all useful features.
Habit:
Forming loose, opalescent, glossy short turfs.
Similar Species:
In Pohlia only P. cruda shows the glossy, opalescent leaves.
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
Shaded humus of tree bases and cliff crevices from sea level to alpine elevationsRange
World DistributionCircumpolar in the Northern Hemisphere, also in southern South America and Australasia; in North America widely distributed, extending southward to Mexico.
Status Information
Synonyms
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Pohlia cruda var. oregonensis (Par.) Wijk & Margad.