Amblystegium varium
Common names
moss, tree apron moss
Biostatus
Native
Current conservation status
This is the first complete assessment of all known species of mosses found in the wild in Aotearoa New Zealand with a total of 560 species being assessed. The conservation status of mosses, published in the NZTCS database, replaces all previous assessments of mosses. Data supporting the 2025 NZTCS assessment of mosses has been published on the NZTCS database at https://nztcs.org.nz/reports/1155.
Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2025 | Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable | Qualifiers: DPR, DPS, DPT, RR, SO
Category
Non-vascular
Structural class
Mosses
Distribution
Indigenous. New Zealand: North Island (lower Waikato - Huntly Basin especially), South Island (Arthur’s Pass National Park). Australia.
Substrate details
Terricolous, corticolous or saxicolous. Often at the base of trees and shrubs along river banks and in wetlands, more rarely alpine. Favouring heavily shaded, permanently damp sites that may be flooded for long periods of times. Apparently favouring calcareous substrates.
Threats
No apparent threats, seemingly rather uncommon and often confined to calcareous substrates within wetland systems.
Detailed taxonomy
Genus
Family
Synonyms
Leskea varia Hedw., Orthotheciella varia (Hedw.) Ochyra
Endemic taxon
No
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Fruiting
Fruits have been observed and these seem to be sporadically produced throughout the year.
Other information
Previous conservation statuses
This is the first complete assessment of all known species of mosses found in the wild in Aotearoa New Zealand with a total of 560 species being assessed. The conservation status of mosses, published in the NZTCS database, replaces all previous assessments of mosses. Data supporting the 2025 NZTCS assessment of mosses has been published on the NZTCS database at https://nztcs.org.nz/reports/1155.
Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2014 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: RR, SO
2010 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: RR, SO
2005 | Range Restricted | Qualifiers: SO