Ectropothecium sandwichense
Common name
Moss
Synonyms
Hypnum sandwichense Hook. et Arn.; Hypnum paucipilum Sullivan; Cupressina trachylocarpa C.Müll.
Family
Hypnaceae
Flora category
Non-vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
No
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 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: RR, SO
Previous conservation status
2004 | Range Restricted
Distribution
Indigenous. New Zealand: Kermadec Islands (Raoul island), North Island (Te Paki - especially North Cape), Maungaraho Rock (near Dargaville), Chatham Islands. Also Australia and throughout the islands of the Pacific Basin.
Detailed description
Autoicous. Saxicolous or corticolous, forming thin, pale green, glossy mats. Stems up to 40 mm long, prostrate, radiculose on the under side and closely attaching to substratum, branching irregular, more or less pinnate, short, complanate. Leaves laxly imbricating, widely spreading, complanate with falcate points, arising from a broad insertion, lamina narrowly ovate-lanceolate, apices finely acuminate, concave; margin erect, subentire toward base, serrulate above; nerve absent; leaf cells linear, dense, thin-walled, smooth or minutely papillose on the back by projecting ends, 3 or 4 microns wide and 15-20x as long, slightly wider and shorter in the point and toward the base, with a single row of enlarged, pellucid, oval cells across the insertion and 1-3 still larger, hyaline, very fragile cells at the extreme basal angles. Inner perichaetial leaves c.2.0-2.5 mm long, erect, from an oblong, laxly areolate base quickly narrowed to along slender flat serrulate apex. Seta of variable length mostly 16-20 mm long, reddish below, pale above; capsules pendulous or abruptly hooked, short oval or oblong, constricted under the mouth and more or less asymmetrical when dry; lid broadly convex, apiculate; calyptra usually sparsely hairy when young.
Fruiting
Although fruit has been seen insufficient information exists to provide any details on the timing of fruiting
Threats
Not Threatened. However, in New Zealand this species is known from only a few locations (most within reserves). It is abundant on Raoul Island
Substrate
Corticolous, terricolous and saxicolous on damp soil, rotting logs and rock in damp sites heavily shaded sites in dense forest or growing along stream banks. Sometimes partially or completely submerged.
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange 15 March 2007.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Ectropothecium sandwichense Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/ectropothecium-sandwichense/ (Date website was queried)