Bruchia bolanderi
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| Bruchia bolanderi Lesq. |
Bolander's candlemoss, also known as Bolander's pygmymoss (Bruchia bolanderi) is a rare plant of the Western U.S.: Oregon, California, and Nevada.[1] It grows on very damp bare soil. One may distinguish it from other mosses by the capsules, which are shaped like little upside-down pear fruits.
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[edit] Techinical Description
Plants tiny, erect, acrocarpous, stems and capsules together only 5.1–12 mm tall. Leaves short, costate (but awn not filled by costa), linear, narrowly acuminate to subulate, serrulate, green to light brown, 1.1–2.8 mm long. Seta straight, long-exserted, 1.6–5.4 mm. long, usually longer than 3 mm. Hypophysis as long as the urn. Capsules are the most conspicuous part of the plants, long exserted above the perichaetial leaves. 1.9–3.0 mm long, light brown, beige to greyish at maturity, widest at the rounded top, with a long tapering neck. The calyptra is smooth. There is no obvious area of dehiscence, and peristome teeth are lacking. Spores papillose (warty).[2][3][4]
[edit] Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
Endemic to western North America: Oregon, California, and Nevada.[1][3] In California, found as far south as Tulare county, but not west of the Valley.
Bolander's candlemoss may be found in wet places such as meadows and the banks of streams, growing on at least partially organic soil. Where there is a recent disturbance, such as a newly eroded streambank, it will form large colonies, but will otherwise be found growing singly amongst grasses. It is a mountain species, found at elevations of 5,575 to 9,200 ft. It likes to live within lodgepole (Pinus contorta) forest, and is associated with the mosses Aulacomnium palustre and species of Pohlia.[3][4][5]
The fire ecology of this plant is not known. This moss responds well to disturbance, but the fire would have to go through wet habitats that probably do not carry fire well.
[edit] Conservation Status and Threats
U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region Sensitive Species.
California Native Plant Society List 2.2
NatureServe California State Rank: S2.2; Global Rank: G2
Although, as an opportunistic species, it can tolerate some disturbance, continued trampling along forest trails due to recreation poses a threat.[3]
[edit] Field Identification
The best time of year to look for this plant is during the summer.[4] One may best distinguish this moss from others when its upside-down pear-shaped capsule atop a somewhat long seta is visible; under a microscope, warty spores will also verify its identity.[3] While without capsules, B. bolanderi can appear very similar to Leptobryum pyriforme.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Spence, John R.; Lloyd R. Stark & James R. Shevock (2006). "Contributions Toward a Bryoflora of Nevada: Bryophytes New for the Silver State, Part II". Madroño 53 (4): 400-403.
- ^ Britton, Elizabeth G. (1897). "Trematodontoideae". Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 21 (8): 346.
- ^ a b c d e Christy, John A.; David H. Wagner (1996). "VII", Guide for the Identification of Rare, Threatened, or Sensitive Bryophytes in the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl, Western Washington, Western Oregon, and Northwestern California: A Cooperative Project of the Eugene District, USDI Bureau of Land Management; Siuslaw National Forest, USDA Forest Service; The Nature Conservancy; and the Northwest Botanical Institute., 13.
- ^ a b c Norris, Daniel H.; James R. Shevock (2004). "Contributions toward a Bryoflora of California: II. A Key to the Mosses". Madroño 51 (2): 163-164.
- ^ (2002) "Exhibit E: Botanical Resources", Donnells-Curtis Transmission Line Project. FERC Project #2118, E2-16.
- ^ Bruchia bolanderi. California Native Plant Society. Retrieved on May 1, 2007.
[edit] External links
- California Native Plant Society Rare Plant Inventory Article for Bruchia bolanderi
- NatureServe Web Page
