Orthotrichum angustifolium
Common names
moss
Biostatus
Native – Endemic taxon
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 | At Risk – Uncommon | Qualifiers: DPS, DPT, IE
Category
Non-vascular
Structural class
Mosses
Detailed description
Autoicous, tufted, saxicolous, blackish-green moss. Stems 5-10 mm tall, branched. Leaves 2.5-3.2 mm long, shorter below, suberect dry or wet, arising from a narrow insertion; lamina narrowly acuminate with blunt apices, bistratose above; margins plane, entire, multistratose below. Nerve usually indistinct above; failing below apex. Upper cells 10 microns, irregularly isodiametrical, smooth; basal cells shortly rectangular. Vaginula with a few short paraphyses, not or only indistinctly ochreate. Seta subsessile. Perichaetial bracts rather long. Capsule 1.50-1.90 mm long, entirely immersed on the subsessile seta; pyriform, coriaceous, exothecial cells strongly incrassate, smooth. Peristome single, rarely with a preperistome; teeth 16, pale, rather coarsely papillose, trabeculate on the ventral surface. Operculum conico-rostellate. Calyptra reddish brown, smooth plicate. Male inflorescence large, terminal at the end of very short branchlets, gemmiform.
Distribution
Indigenous. Widespread subantarctic species. In New Zealand known only from Campbell Island.
Substrate details
Saxicolous on rocks from sea level to alpine zone
Threats
Not threatened. Within the New Zealand part of its range this species is restricted to a few locations on Campbell Island.
Detailed taxonomy
Genus
Family
Synonyms
Muelleriella angustifolia (Hook.f. et Wilson) Dusén
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Fruiting
Although fruit has been seen insufficient information exists to provide any details on the timing of fruiting
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: IE, OL
2010 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: IE, OL
2005 | Range Restricted | Qualifiers: OL
Referencing and citations
References and further reading
Goffinet, B.; Shaw, A.J.; Cox, C.J.; Wickett, N.J.; Boles, S.B.. 2004: Phylogenetic inferences in the Orthotrichoideae (Orthotrichaceae, Bryophyta) based on variation in four loci from all genomes. In: Molecular Systematics of bryophytes. 98 ed. Phylogenetic inferences in the Orthotrichoideae (Orthotrichaceae, Bryophyta) based on variation in four loci from all genomes 270-289.
Vitt, D. H. 1976. A monograph of the genus Muelleriella Dusén. Journal of the Hattori Botanical Laboratory 40: 91-113.
Attribution
Fact Sheet Prepared for NZPCN by: P.J. de Lange (5 October 2007). Description adapted from Vitt (1976 - as Muelleriella)
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Orthotrichum angustifolium Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/orthotrichum-angustifolium/ (Date website was queried)