Seligeria diminuta
Common name
Moss
Synonyms
Grimmia diminuta R.Br.bis
Family
Seligeriaceae
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 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: DP, RR
Previous conservation status
2004 | Threatened – Nationally Endangered
Distribution
Endemic. South Island: Castle Hill, Canterbury
Detailed description
Autoicous, extremely small, tufted, saxicolous, whitish-green moss. Stems less than 1 mm tall, fastigiate. Leaves suberect to spreading; lamina linear-lanceolate, acute or shortly acuminate, concave; margin entire. Nerve failing below leaf apex. Upper cells punctiform. Perichaetial bracts erect, triangular, acute, almost 1/2 length of upper leaves, concave, with margin entire and nerve percurrent. Seta strongly falcate or cygneous. Capsule ovate or subglobose; mouth wide; peristome teeth 16.
Fruiting
Although fruit has been seen insufficient information exists to provide any details on the timing of fruiting.
Threats
Very vulnerable to competition from weeds, trampling by rock climbers and mining/quarrying for lime and limestone rock. There is some evidence that this species has declined markedly since rock climbing became more popular in the Castle Hill basin.
Substrate
Limestone and other calcareous rocks, usually colonising fallen rock and rubble near cliff faces.
References and further reading
Fife, A.J. 2015: Seligeriaceae. In: Heenan, P.B.; Breitwieser, I.; Wilton, A.D. (ed.) Flora of New Zealand - Mosses. Fascicle 24. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
Vitt, D.H.; Bartlett, J.K. 1983: The genus Seligeria in New Zealand. Bryologist 86: 106-113.