buxbaumia moss
Buxbaumia viridis (Moug. ex DC.) Brid. ex Moug. & Nestl.
Buxbaumia viridis, or green shield-moss, is a bryophyte in the family Buxbaumiaceae. It is found in the northern hemisphere, including regions like NO, SE, DK, and Vermont in the US. The gametophyte is not visible, and the sporophyte is the only identifiable structure. It grows on decaying wood in humid, sub-alpine to alpine Picea abies, Abies alba, or mixed forests. Conservation efforts are underway in many regions where it is found.
Description
Buxbaumia viridis is a moss species first described in 1823. It is part of the genus Buxbaumia and is commonly called buxbaumia moss. This species is characterized by its sporophyte, which is the only visible structure, as the gametophyte is not macroscopically visible. It typically grows in small clusters on decaying wood in humid, sub-alpine to alpine forests, especially those with Picea abies, Abies alba, or mixed tree species. The moss is considered rare and is the subject of conservation initiatives in most of the countries where it is found.
Other common names
Green Shield-Mossbuxbaumia mossGreen shield moss
Distribution
NO · SE · DK · Vermont-US
Synonyms
Buxbaumia aphylla var. viridisBuxbaumia indusiataBuxbaumia aphylla var. indusiata