Pinkstink Dung Moss
Splachnum sphaericum Hedw.
Splachnum sphaericum, known as Pinkstink Dung Moss, is a moss species found in North America and parts of Europe. It grows in bogs and wet heathlands on herbivore dung. The species is entomophilous, with red or black sporophytes that emit a carrion-like odor to attract flies for spore dispersal.
Description
Splachnum sphaericum (Hedw.) is a member of the Splachnaceae family and is distributed in Labrador, Québec, the southeastern United States, Vermont, and northern Europe. It is commonly found in wetland habitats, particularly on the dung of herbivores. The species relies on flies for spore dispersal, as its sporophytes emit a scent resembling decaying flesh. This moss is also known in upland Britain as round-fruited collar-moss. It was first described in 1801.
Other common names
round-fruited dung mossPinkstink Dung MossRound-Fruited Collar-Moss
Distribution
Labrador · Québec · SE · Vermont-US · NO
Synonyms
Splachnum bavaricumSplachnum gracileSplachnum intermediumSplachnum longisetumSplachnum ovatumSplachnum pusillumSplachnum refractumSplachnum ovatum var. sphaericumSplachnum pedunculatumSplachnum pedunculatum subsp. sphaericumSplachnum pedunculatum var. sphaericumSplachnum ampullaceum var. bavaricumSplachnum sphaericum var. elongatumSplachnum sphaericum var. gracileSplachnum sphaericum var. minusSplachnum sphaericum var. ovatumSplachnum sphaericum var. pedunculatumSplachnum sphaericum var. pubescensSplachnum sphaericum var. viride