Gigaspermum repens
Common name
moss
Synonyms
Anictangium repens Hook.; Leptangium repens Mitt.
Family
Gigaspermaceae
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 | Qualifiers: SO
Distribution
Indigenous. South Africa, Australia, New Zealand. In New Zealand known from a few sites in the North (Hawke’s Bay and Ruahine Range), South (Oamaru) Stewart and Chatham Islands
Detailed description
Autoicous, terricolous, minute moss. Stems creeping, buried, producing minute, mostly fertile tufts, up to 5 mm tall, barren tufts inconspicuous, fertile tufts conspicuous. Leaves on sterile stems spreading; lamina whitish-green; suborbicular to orbicular, apiculate; on fertile stems slightly larger, imbricating, ovate, narrowed into a long, slender acuminate apex; margins entire; nerve absent. Capsule urceolate, sessile, sunk amongst colourless to white, scariose, perichaetial leaves; capsule mouth very wide, closed by a fine membrane; Spores very large up to 130 microns diameter; orange, multi-tangled and finely papillose. Male inflorescences usually axillary below female, antheridia with filiform paraphyses.
Fruiting
Although fruit has been seen insufficient information exists to provide any details on the timing of fruiting
Threats
Not apparent threats. Listed because it qualifies as Range Restricted within the New Zealand part of its range.
Substrate
Terricolous and apparently calcicolous. Usually on damp rendzina or similar lime-enriched soil. Also on soils derived from basalt. Favouring sites free of other taller plants.
Etymology
repens: From Latin repere meaning to creep, means creeping