FloraOfNewZealand-Mosses-50-Beever-2024-Pottiac...
The Pottiaceae are acrocarpous mosses with a predominantly temperate distribution. They are the largest family of mosses in New Zealand, with 70 species recognised in 31 genera. Characteristically plants of harsh environments, they are mostly found in exposed sites ranging from sea level to alpine regions, although there are species found in the splash zone of waterfalls or as forest epiphytes. As well as occurring in relatively unmodified habitats, these mosses are common in urban environments: on rock walls, on concrete and mortar, and also on bare soil.
Nine species are classified as introduced in N.Z., possibly having arrived from Europe with colonists. Some, such as Chenia leptophylla and Pseudocrossidium hornschuchianum, have only recently been recorded in N.Z. and may be late arrivals. One monotypic genus, Tetracoscinodon, a moss of dripping wet limestone, is endemic to N.Z. By way of contrast, Weissia controversa is found in almost every region of the world. Based on herbarium specimens, it seems to be among the first mosses recorded from N.Z., having been collected by Joseph Banks in 1770 on Cook’s first voyage.
Among the N.Z. representatives of the family are several so-called 'earth mosses': minute plants producing capsules when only a few millimetres tall. In some the capsules are immersed within the leaves, but they may be brightly coloured when mature, thus rendering the plants eye-catching in the field. On the other hand, many pottiaceous species are robust, with stems several centimetres long and with well-exserted capsules. Such plants in the genus Syntrichia have some of the most beautiful peristomes among mosses, with long, spiralled rami encased before maturity in opercula that have their surface cells likewise spirally arranged.
The genera present in N.Z. are assigned to three subfamilies of the Pottiaceae, each to be published as a separate fascicle in this eFlora.
Additional Information
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Data last updated | 4 de marzo de 2024 |
| Metadata last updated | 23 de xaneiro de 2024 |
| Created | 23 de xaneiro de 2024 |
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