Dicranoweisia spenceri
Common name
moss
Synonyms
None
Family
Dicranaceae
Flora category
Non-vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
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 | Data Deficient
Previous conservation status
2004 | Threatened – Nationally Critical
Distribution
Endemic. North and South Islands.
Habitat
Corticolous on the bark of small trees and shrubs in montane forest and subalpine areas
Detailed description
Polyoicous, corticolous, tufted, yellow moss colonising the bark of small trees and shrubs. Stems up to 10 mm tall, simple or branched. Leaves and areolation similar but alar cells usually less numerous and coloured. Perichaetial bracts obtuse and bluntly cuspidate. Seta to 10 mm long, slender, yellow. Capsule to 1.3 mm long, narrowly oval or oblong, pale, scaly with a red rim and with stomata near the base. peristome inserted on the rim, the teeth bifid for the greater part of their length, densely and obliquely striolate, finely papillose above. Operculum with an inclined subulate beak nearly equaling the capsule. Calyptra hooded. Male inflorescences on female plants or on separate plants.
Fruiting
Spring to Summer (exact fruiting period unknown)
Threats
In 2011 Dicranoweisia spenceri was rediscovered at its type locality near Arthur’s Pass in the South Island. Indications are that although rather localised it is not under any threat at that site. Nothing is known about its status in the North Island. Because this information came after the last Bryophytre Threat Listing was accepted for publication (Glenny et al. 2011) this moss remains for now “Data Deficient”. That listing is probably still appropriate as nothing is known about this moss at any of the others sites in which it has been historically gathered.
Attribution
Fact Sheet Prepared for NZPCN by: P.J. de Lange 2 August 2007. Description adapted from Sainsbury (1955).
References and further reading
Glenny, D.; Fife, A.J.; Brownsey, P.J.; Renner, M.A.M.; Braggins, J.E.; Beever, J.E.; Hitchmough, R. 2011: Threatened and uncommon bryophytes of New Zealand (2010 Revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 49: 305-327.
Sainsbury, G.O.K. 1955: A handbook of the New Zealand mosses. Royal Society of New Zealand Bulletin 5.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Dicranoweisia spenceri Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/dicranoweisia-spenceri/ (Date website was queried)