CAMPYLOSTELIUM SAXICOLA (Web. & Mohr.) BSG

Rock-loving Swan-necked Moss

FAMILY: 

HABIT:  Very tiny (1-3 mm), perennial, rock-growing mosses that produce sinuous, curved (cygneous) sporophytes resembling the arching necks of swans.

SIMILAR SPECIES:  This species, when lacking sporophytes, is very similar to Rhabdoweisia crispate, another rock-growing moss commonly occurring in sandstone gorges of southeastern Ohio.  It can be separated from the latter most easily only with the use of microscopic characters.

TOTAL RANGE:  N.S., Prince Edward Island, NY, NJ, in the Appalachians to SC, inland to s. OH, KY, TN, AR, WA; also England, Scotland, central Europe, Japan.

STATE RANGE:  Pre-1960 collections are from Gallia, Pickaway, Scioto, and Washington counties.  One post-1960 record exists for Hocking County. 

STATE STATUS:  1990-1991: Added, 1992 to present: Endangered.

HABITAT:  On siliceous boulders and moist cliff ledges in gorges and ravines of hardwood forests.

HAZARDS:  Removal of forest canopy shading rock exposures; drying of habitat.

RECOVERY POTENTIAL:  Unknown, but as numerous sporophytes are generally produced, it is presumably good.

INVENTORY GUIDELINES:  Collect complete specimens, including sporophyte, if available. 

COMMENTS:  This species, when sterile, can easily be confused with Rhabdoweisia crispate, which occupies identical habitats.  The latter typically has broader, shorter leaves when viewed under slight magnification.

SELECTED REFERENCES: 

Crum, H.A. and L.E. Anderson.  1981.  Mosses of Eastern North America.  Two vols.  Columbia University Press.

Ireland, R.R. 1982.  Moss Flora of the Maritime Provinces Botany, No. 13.

Division of Natural Areas and Preserves

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Created: 3/1990 Jerry A. Snider

Database Code: SPPB.421