Bryum tenuidens
Common name
Moss
Synonyms
None
Family
Bryaceae
Flora category
Non-vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
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: OL
Previous conservation status
2004 | Threatened – Nationally Critical
Distribution
Endemic. New Zealand: South Island (Kahurangi National Park, Arthur Range)
Detailed description
Synoicous, minute, densely tufted and matted terricolous moss. Plants yellowish-green above, light brown below. Mats held together at base by radicles. Stems 5.0-7.5 mm tall, simple or sparingly branched. Leaves about 2 mm long, either in dense comose tufts or rather regularly paced on the stem, erect and appressed both dry and moist, vinous red at the wide base, oblong, acuminate; margins plane, entire or faintly and bluntly notched towards the apex. Nerve strong, about 60 microns wide at the base, excurrent in a rather long, rigid, slightly denticulate point. Upper cells laxly rhomboid-hexagonal, 50-80 microns long and 3-5 x 1; cells towards the base becoming shortly rectangular; those at the margin in 2-3 rows narrowly linear, forming a rather distinct border. Seta 10-18 mm long, flexuose, reddish, arcuate at the apex. Capsule 2.0-2.5 mm long, pendulous, symmetrical, clavate or sometimes pyriform, narrowed at the mouth, light-brown with a darker tapered neck; annulus well developed. Exothecial cells large, subisodiametrical, with sinuose walls. Peristome teeth thin and short (300 microns long), distant, narrowly lanceolate-subulate, pale yellow below, margined, finely papillose on the dorsal face and with a zigzag median line; ventral lamellae weakly developed and only slightly projecting; inner peristome pale; basal membrane low, variably adherent; processes almost equaling the teeth, hyaline, widely gaping on the median line. Cilia one to each process, very short and rudimentary, neither nodose or appendiculate. Operculum conical, mamillate. Male plants separate, shorter, bearing terminal flowers.
Fruiting
Although fruit has been seen insufficient information exists to provide any details on the timing of fruiting
Threats
Bryum tenuidens is known only from a single gathering made from Mt Arthur in 1930 (Glenny et al. 2011). It has not been seen there since although it is difficult to see what threatens, nor why it should be so uncommon. Possibly it is vulnerable to trampling by humans as where it was found is now a popular walking track.
Substrate
Soil. In damp ground, exposed or sheltered.
Etymology
bryum: From the Greek word bryon meaning ‘lichen’ or ‘moss’.
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange (1 October 2007).Description adapted from Sainsbury (1955).
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.
Sainsbury, G.O.K. 1955: A handbook of the New Zealand mosses. Royal Society of New Zealand Bulletin 5.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Bryum tenuidens Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/bryum-tenuidens/ (Date website was queried)