Family BRACHYTHECIACEAE

Common name

OREGON BEAKED MOSS

Microhabitat

This moss is generally terrestrial and grows on humus, tree trunks, cliffs, and rock surfaces, along shaded watercourses, and even on relatively dry, exposed sites. In BC, it can be found in all habitats along the Pacific Coast and in humid forests inland.

Distribution

Eurynchium oreganum is confined to Western North America from southeastern Alaska to California and as far east as Idaho.

Thick mat of gametophytes on log
Photo Credit: Nancy MacPherson

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Morphology

This moss is found in mats and is green to yellowish-green in colour. The stems are from 6 to 30 cm long but occasionally up to 45cm, the branches are regularly pinnate (a ‘herring bone’ pattern of branching) and between 1.3 and 2.5 cm in length. The main stems are generally not divided, although sometimes they have one large division. The broadly heart-shaped and sharply pointed leaves have distinctly toothed edges. The leaves are slightly pleated. The stem leaves have margins that extend below the line where they are attached at right angles. The operculum is pointed downwards and the beak curves upward. The stalk of the sporangium is 2 to 2.5 cm long, and the capsule is reddish brown.

Key identifying features

It is sometimes difficult to distinguish E. oreganum from E. praelongum which is found in wetter habitats and has more complex branching. Because its branches are fairly thick and closely and evenly spaced, E. oreganum shoots have a fairly consistent triangular or feather-like shape that contrasts with the more spindly and diffuse branching of E. praelongum.

Interesting notes

The genus name Eurhynchium means “well-nosed” or “having a true snout” and refers to the prominent beak on the operculum. The specific epithet refers to the place where this plant was first described, Oregon.

Selected References

Grout, A.J. 1936. Moss Flora of North America, North of Mexico, Vol. I, Part 1. Published by the author, Newfane, Vermont.

Lawton, E. 1971. Moss flora of the Pacific Northwest. The Hattori Botanical Laboratory, Ninchinan, Miyazaki, Japan.

Schofield, W.B. 1992. Some common mosses of British Columbia, 2nd ed. Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria, Canada.

By Nancy MacPherson

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© 2006 Department of Botany, University of British Columbia