Physcomitrella patens subsp. readeri
Common name
Moss
Synonyms
Physcomitrella austro-patens G.Roth; Physcomitridium readeri (C.M.) G.Roth.
Family
Funariaceae
Flora category
Non-vascular – Native
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 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: DP, EF, RR, ?SO
Previous conservation status
2004 | Threatened – Nationally Critical
Distribution
Indigenous. Australia and New Zealand. North and South Islands
Detailed description
Minute densely tufted plants with leaves forming terminal rosettes. Stems c.0.5 mm tall, simple. Leaves 1.50-1.75 mm long, comose at apex of stem, sparse, irregularly spaced and small below; lamina obovate or spathulate, obtuse or subacute; margins plane, bluntly serrulate towards apex.; nerve failing below apex. Cells 60-80 microns long and 2-3 x 1, subhexagonal; rectangular and longer below, smooth and pellucid. Seta up to 2 mm long, reddish. Capsule very fragile, up to 2 mm long, slightly exserted, widely oval to nearly spherical and near sessile, light-brown with a darker apex, cleistocarpous, with a differentiated conical apiculus. Calyptra mitriform, long and narrow above, with the widened part covering only a small portion of the capsule and with the archegonium neck sometimes adhering. Spores 30-37 microns, dark-brown, echinulate
Fruiting
Although fruit has been seen insufficient information exists to provide any details on the timing of fruiting
Threats
Extremely vulnerable to tall, shade tolerant weeds such as Tradescantia, Glyceria and other subaquatic or shade tolerant plants inhabiting river margins. Also vulnerable to changes in water levels.
Substrate
Terricolous, (often semi-aquatic) on fine silt and damp soil
Etymology
patens: Spreading