Lanky moss • Rhytidiadelphus loreus
{Rhytidiadelphus = brother of Rhytidium, meaning this genus is similar to the genus Rhytidium; loreus = striped, as the pleated leaves give it a striped appearance}
Lanky moss mats on Calvert Island. Photos by Paula Crozier (top left), Kelly Fretwell (top right), and Amy Hartzenberg.
Identification
Lanky moss is a large, branched moss species. Its branches creep along the ground and grow somewhat upwards to form loose mats; these mats can be up to 15 cm thick. The branches are once pinnate and widely spaced, and taper to points. The stems are stiff and a red-brown colour that contrasts with the yellow-green or dark green leaves. The 3.5-4 mm long leaves are curved, pleated, and glossy, giving the whole plant a glossy shine. An indistinct and double midrib can be seen upon close examination of the leaves. The red-brown sporophytes occur occasionally, with capsules perpendicular to the stalk.
Habitat & Range
Lanky moss is a common coastal species, and grows in moist coniferous forests from low to supalpine elevations. It grows on forest floors, where it can be the dominant ground cover species, and on decomposing logs and over rocks. It occasionally grows on the bases of tree trunks as well. It is found all along the cost of BC, and its west coast range stretches north to southeast Alaska, south to California, and east to Montana. It is also found on the northeastern coast of North America, and in Europe.
Similar Species
There are multiple similar 'feathermoss' species, mostly in the Rhytidiadelphus and Kindbergia genera. Goose-necked moss and bent-leaf moss do not have pleated leaves like lanky moss, and goose-necked moss tends to have shorter branches and is more bristly. The Kindbergia species found in BC, Oregon beaked moss and slender beaked moss, are smaller and more intricately branched.
Human Uses
Lanky moss is often used for decorative purposes, such as in store window displays and in hanging baskets.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/124422-Rhytidiadelphus-loreus
Lanky moss is a large, branched moss species. Its branches creep along the ground and grow somewhat upwards to form loose mats; these mats can be up to 15 cm thick. The branches are once pinnate and widely spaced, and taper to points. The stems are stiff and a red-brown colour that contrasts with the yellow-green or dark green leaves. The 3.5-4 mm long leaves are curved, pleated, and glossy, giving the whole plant a glossy shine. An indistinct and double midrib can be seen upon close examination of the leaves. The red-brown sporophytes occur occasionally, with capsules perpendicular to the stalk.
Habitat & Range
Lanky moss is a common coastal species, and grows in moist coniferous forests from low to supalpine elevations. It grows on forest floors, where it can be the dominant ground cover species, and on decomposing logs and over rocks. It occasionally grows on the bases of tree trunks as well. It is found all along the cost of BC, and its west coast range stretches north to southeast Alaska, south to California, and east to Montana. It is also found on the northeastern coast of North America, and in Europe.
Similar Species
There are multiple similar 'feathermoss' species, mostly in the Rhytidiadelphus and Kindbergia genera. Goose-necked moss and bent-leaf moss do not have pleated leaves like lanky moss, and goose-necked moss tends to have shorter branches and is more bristly. The Kindbergia species found in BC, Oregon beaked moss and slender beaked moss, are smaller and more intricately branched.
Human Uses
Lanky moss is often used for decorative purposes, such as in store window displays and in hanging baskets.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/124422-Rhytidiadelphus-loreus
References
Ellis, S. Rhytidiadelphus loreus. Introduction to Bryophytes. Biology 321, Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Accessed 03/09/2013.
Pojar, J. and MacKinnon, A. (1994). Plants of Coastal British Columbia. Vancouver, BC: Lone Pine Publishing. P. 473.
Schofield, W. Rhytidiadelphus loreus (Hedw.) Warnst. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Ed.). E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Accessed 03/09/2013.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell and Brian Starzomski (2013).
Ellis, S. Rhytidiadelphus loreus. Introduction to Bryophytes. Biology 321, Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Accessed 03/09/2013.
Pojar, J. and MacKinnon, A. (1994). Plants of Coastal British Columbia. Vancouver, BC: Lone Pine Publishing. P. 473.
Schofield, W. Rhytidiadelphus loreus (Hedw.) Warnst. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Ed.). E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Accessed 03/09/2013.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell and Brian Starzomski (2013).