Scorpiurum cucullatum
Common name
Moss
Synonyms
Hypnum cucullatum Mitt.; Eurhynchium cucullatum (Mitt.) I.G.Stone et G.A.M.Scott
Family
Brachytheciaceae
Flora category
Non-vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
No
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
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 | Qualifiers: SO
Previous conservation status
2004 | Threatened – Nationally Critical
Distribution
Indigenous. Australia and New Zealand. In New Zealand known from the North Island (Kawakawa) and South Island (Nelson, Pelorus).
Habitat
Corticolous and terricolous on rotting wood and damp silt - usually in wetlands, willow car or on the banks of streams and rivers. Plants are often covered in silt.
Detailed description
Small, dirty-green, interwoven moss with weakly ascending or prostrate, curved branches. Primary stems creeping. Secondary stems 10-20 mm, forked or subpinnately branched, in cross-section oval, with 5 or more layers of thick-walled outer cells and a distinct central strand; rhizoids smooth, brown, sparse. Stem and branch leaves differentiated; branch leaves erect and subtubulose when dry, loosely spreading and concave when moist, elliptic-ovate, widest at or near middle, broadly acute or obtuse, 0.6-0.9 x 0.35-0.40 mm, not decurrent or plicate, margins bluntly denticulate in upper 1/4; upper laminal cells (beyond costa) and cells near margins rhombic, firm-walled and smooth, 21-30 x c.9 microns, mid laminal cells more elongate (35-45 microns); alar cells quadrate or subquadrate, firm-walled, forming a very large but ill-defined group extending nearly to the costa and upwards on the margin for c.150-225 microns (c.15-20 cells). Costa 30 microns wide at base, tapered, weakly spurred above, extending c.2/3 to apex, without terminal spine. Autoicous. Perichaetia scattered on stem and branches, with leaves erect and apparently ecostate. Perigonia scattered, c.0.6 mm. Setae stout, 4-5 mm, yellow-brown, weakly flexuose, papillose or smooth; capsule obovoid, weakly inclined, yellow brown, not narrowed at mouth, 1.1 x 0.65 mm. Spores 20-24 microns.
Fruiting
Fruiting plants have been recorded once fron New Zealand during August
Threats
Known from a few gatherings made in 1979 from two locations (Kawakawa and Rai Valley) that have since been heavily modified through development and flooding. It has not been relocated at either site despite considerable search effort. Glenny et al. (2011) suggest that this species may be better listed as a “Vagrant”.
Attribution
Fact Sheet Prepared for NZPCN by: P.J. de Lange (1 October 2007).
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.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Scorpiurum cucullatum Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/scorpiurum-cucullatum/ (Date website was queried)