Flat-rock Grimmia

Grimmia ovalis is a moss species within the family Grimmiaceae, known for its occurrence in regions such as Labrador, Québec, and parts of Europe. Despite its reported widespread distribution, recent revisions of Grimmia species have revealed that many specimens labeled as G. ovalis are misidentified. For example, in South Africa and Lesotho, collections previously attributed to G. ovalis were found to represent G. longirostris or G. montana. This misidentification has led to the exclusion of G. ovalis from the local flora in these regions. The confusion between G. ovalis and other species has persisted for a long time, with recent studies helping to clarify the taxonomic status of these mosses.