Brachythecium allisonii
Common name
Moss
Synonyms
Brachythecium subpilosum var. angustifiolium Allison
Family
Brachytheciaceae
Flora category
Non-vascular – Native
Structural class
Mosses
Current conservation status
- Conservation status of New Zealand mosses, 2014 (PDF, 583.87 kB)
The conservation status of 109 New Zealand moss taxa was assessed using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). Four taxa and one undescribed entity that were not included in previous assessments have been added to the list. The conservation status of only two taxa has changed in this assessment. A full list is presented, along with a statistical summary and brief notes on the changes. This list replaces all previous NZTCS lists for mosses. Authors: Jeremy R. Rolfe, Allan J. Fife, Jessica E. Beever, Patrick J. Brownsey and Rodney A. Hitchmough.
- Conservation status of New Zealand hornworts and liverworts, 2014 (PDF, 695.44 kB)
The conservation status of the New Zealand hornwort and liverwort flora is reassessed using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). A full list is presented, along with a statistical summary and brief notes on the most important changes. This list replaces all previous NZTCS lists for New Zealand hornworts and liverworts which previously had been part of a generic bryophyte conservation status assessment that included mosses. Authors: Peter J. de Lange, David Glenny, John Braggins, Matt Renner, Matt von Konrat, John Engel, Catherine Reeb and Jeremy Rolfe.
Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2009 | Range Restricted
Distribution
Endemic. South Island: Canterbury (Craigieburn and Rolleston Ranges), Otago (Flagstaff Hill).
Habitat
Montane to alpine. On earth, rock, or rotten wood; one collection came from a seepage area.
Detailed description
Medium, soft, yellowish-green, moss forming loose mats. Stems prostrate subpinnately or irregularly branched, yellowish, c.75 mm, in cross-section, brown below, with smooth rhizoids (in bunches on lower side of leaf bases). Branches variable in length. Stem leaves erect-spreading, symmetric, keeled, ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate from a weakly auriculate base, evenly tapered to a narrowly acuminate apex, irregularly recurved or not at margins, concave, slightly decurrent ornot, serrulate in lower two-thirds (often more strongly near base), entire or nearly so near apex, 2.6–3.3 × 1.0 mm. Branch leaves somewhat smaller, 2.0–3.0 × 0.5–0.8 mm, strongly serrulate above. Nerve c. 30 µm wide, 1/2–3/4 the length of the leaf (often obscured by leaf plications), with or without a terminal abaxial spine. Upper laminal cells smooth, firm-walled, linear, 90–120 × 5–7 µm, basal cells shorter in c.3–5 rows, alar cells quadrate to irregularly oblong, forming a rather large but indistinct alar group (smaller in branch leaves). Autoicous. Perichaetial leaves acuminate from an oblong base, erect. Perigonia scattered on stems, c.1 mm long, bracts broadly ovate bracts, paraphyses filiform. Setae 13–28 mm, papillose throughout, c. 240–310 µm diameter, weakly twisted to the left below and to the right above, orange to red-brown. Capsules horizontal, asymmetric, 2.5–3.0 mm long, oblong-ovoid, yellowish-brown. Operculum conic, very shortly apiculate. Spores 14–18 µm, nearly smooth.
Similar taxa
Brachythecium allisonii could be confused with Palamocladium leskeoides. However P. leskedoides is a basicole, virtually confined to limestone and marble. It has a more strongly toothed lower leaf margin and cordate leaf base and is often a subtle pinkish-golden hue unlike the yellowish-green of the present species.
Fruiting
Present throughout the year
Threats
Known from three sites where it is locally common. Probably more widespread as its habitat is primarily alpine. Further surveys are needed to ascertain its exact status.