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Plant of the Week

Close up bryoandersonia moss.
Close up of Bryoandersonia illecebra. Photo by Mark Pistrang.

bryoandersonia moss.
Bryoandersonia illecebra. Photo by Mark Pistrang.

Bryoandersonia Moss (Bryoandersonia illecebra (Hedw.) Robins)

Bryoandersonia illecebra is a common moss along trails and road banks where it grows over soil, low rocks, and occasionally tree bases. This robust moss is easily recognized in the field by its plump, rounded shoots. Distinctive features to look for:

  1. Shoots are plump and cylindrical (worm-like) in outline;
  2. Leaves are spirally arranged on the shoot, wide at the base and abruptly tapering to a narrow apex, and are appressed to the shoot, pointing toward the shoot apex.

Bryoandersonia illecebra is a monotypic species, endemic to Eastern North America.

For More Information: PLANTS Profile - Bryoandersonia illecebra, Bryoandersonia Moss

Plant of the Week

Sugarstick.
Sugarstick (Allotropa virgata)

Plant of the Week Gallery

U.S. Forest Service
Rangeland Management
Botany Program
1400 Independence Ave., SW, Mailstop Code: 1103
Washington DC 20250-1103

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Location: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/bryoandersonia_illecebra.shtml
Last modified: Tuesday, 24-Jun-2008 21:58:22 EDT