Name: |
- Ceratodon, from the Latin
- purpureus, from the Latin, "purple"
- Common Name, from
- Other common names include Purple Horn Toothed Moss
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Taxonomy: |
- Kingdom Plantae
- Taxonomic Serial Number: 16864
- Also known as Ceratodon dimorphus, Mielichhoferia recurvifolia
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Description: |
- A native, short moss that forms dense tufts or sometimes cushions.
- Leaves short and hairlike, spreading when moist;
somewhat folded or twisted when dry.
- Stem erect, usually about 1/2" long. Upper 3/16"
is current year's growth; often slightly branched by forking at the
tip of the old growth. Stems sometimes become 2.5"-3" long in shaded
places.
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Identification: |
- Identifiable as
- Distinguished from
- Field Marks
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Distribution: |
- Throughout US and Canada, where it is known from every state, province,
and territory.
- It likely occurs in every country throughout the world but is possibly
replaced by closely related species in tropical latitudes.
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Habitat: |
- Often found on disturbed sites. Occurs on a wide range of substrates
including soil, rock, wood, humus, old roofs, sand, and cracks of sidewalks.
Most abundant on exposed, compact, mineral, dry, gravelly or sandy soils
but tolerates a wide range of soil textures.
- Typically found associated with other species characteristic of disturbed
sites such as Fireweed (Chamerion
angustifolium) and Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis
margaritacea).
- Prefers low competition and high light; however, it is somewhat shade
tolerant. A colonizer of disturbed sites and readily invades mineral
soil by spores. Rapid colonization after disturbance can help prevent
soil erosion. The abundance of fire moss after disturbance promotes
a large accumulation of organic matter, which favors the development
of invertebrate fauna. Often replaced by flowering plants in later stages
of succession.
- Sporophytes appear early in the spring, as soon as the snow melts.
In March, the setae reach their full height and begin to turn from green
to red. Capsules mature by late spring. By midsummer the capsules often
decay, and the setae break from the moss.
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Associates: |
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History: |
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Uses: |
Able to tolerate much higher
pollution levels than other mosses. It is common in urban and industrial
environments subjected to a variety of pollutants, along highways, and on
the tailings and refuse associated with both coal and heavy-metal mining
activities. |
Reproduction: |
- Reproduces by spore and vegetatively via protonemata (threadlike or
platelike growths).
- Dioecious. The capsules are held horizontally on the end of a long
fruit stalk. Generally fruits abundantly. Wind is the main method of
spore dispersal.
- Spore germination a two-phase process. Spores first swell then distend.
Usually the fruit stalks are present in great numbers in the colony;
with changes in humidity they twist and untwist. This movement helps
to jerk the capsules, helping in spore discharge. Spores have remained
viable even after drying for 16 years.
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Propagation: |
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Cultivation: |
- Hardy to USDA Zone 2 (average minimum annual temperature -50ºF)
- Not generally cultivated
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Links: |
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Comments: |
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Last updated on
18 April, 2004
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