Racomitrium lanuginosum (Hedw.) Brid.
hoary rock-moss (racomitrium moss)
Grimmiaceae
Species Account Author: Wilf Schofield
Extracted from Some Common Mosses of BC
Introduction to the Bryophytes of BC
hoary rock-moss (racomitrium moss)
Grimmiaceae
Species Account Author: Wilf Schofield
Extracted from Some Common Mosses of BC
Introduction to the Bryophytes of BC
Photograph
Species Information
Species description:
Species name referring to the down-like appearance of dry mats as viewed from a distance.
Reproduction:
Sporophytes occasional, sometimes locally abundant in populations near the coast, found most abundantly near bases of mounds on· boulder slopes and sloping outcrops.
Distinguishing characteristics:
The usually distant, short, lateral branches, the white hair points with the teeth showing curved sinuses between them, and the sporophytes on short branches well below the stem apex are useful features. When moist, the plants are a dark grey-green.
Habit:
Forming grayish-green to whitish-green, rounded masses or mats of loosely, but regularly short-branched plants that sometimes become almost white when dry
Similar Species:
See notes under R. canescens and R. heterostichum.
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
Exposed rock surfaces and among boulders, especially on boulder slopes, occasionally forming mounds in bogs and tundra, from sea level to alpine elevations. Range
World DistributionCircumpolar in the Northern Hemisphere, also scattered in mountains of the tropics and in the Southern Hemisphere widespread into sub-Antarctic regions; in North America across the northern portion of Canada and extending southward in the east to Maine, and in the west to California and inland to the Rocky Mountains.
Status Information
Synonyms
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Racomitrium hypnoides Lindb.
Racomitrium lanuginosum var. subimberbe (Hartm.) Lindb.
Rhacomitrium lanuginosum (Hedw.) Brid.