Family MNIACEAE

Common names

PLAGIOMNIUM MOSS
BADGE MOSS
COASTAL LEAFY MOSS

Microhabitat

Our samples were collected on rotten logs as well as on duff in shady and moist areas. This species grows most frequently in coastal forests.

Distribution

This moss is found in western North America from southeastern Alaska to California and as far east as western Montana.

Close view of a male shoot
Photo Credit: Yan Zhuang

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Morphology

The large size of this moss is easily noticed. Male shoots have a flower-like cluster of leaves at the apex. Sporophytes are common with light green colour when young but light brown color when ripe. Multiple sporophytes usually form a cluster on each shoot. Male plants and female plants usually grow in separate colonies. The spirally arranged leaves look translucent, and can be light to dark green and even light brown in colour. The shape of the leaf is elliptic with a decurrent base, pointed tip, and marginal teeth. The leaves are strongly contorted when dry. Rhizoids are dark brown.

Key identifying features

The most distinguishing feature for many species of Plagiomnium including P. insigne is the cluster of multiple sporophytes arising from each female shoot. Plagiomnium insigne is the largest Plagiomnium species in British Columbia. Plagiomnium venustum is a similar species but is only half the size of P. insigne. The male plants of P. venustum do not form separate colonies. Old plants of P. insigne are almost naked, which is different from P. medium. The old shoots of the latter species are covered with heavy rhizoids. The translucent leaves and large size of P. insigne are similar to Rhizomnium glabrescens, but the pointed leaf tips distinguish it from this species.

Interesting notes

This species has also been known as Mnium insigne. The genus name Plagiomnium means horizontal Mnium, which refers to the creeping habit of the vegetative shoots. The specific epithet insigne means badge, because the flower-like tip of the upright male sexual shoots resembles a lapel badge. It is also called giant moss because of its remarkable size.

Selected References

By Yan Zhuang

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© 2006 Department of Botany, University of British Columbia