Physcomitrium pusillum
Common names
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 | Data Deficient | Qualifiers: EF, RR
Category
Non-vascular
Structural class
Mosses
Detailed description
Diminutive yellowish to brownish-green matted moss of muddy ground. Stems 3-6 mm tall, interwoven. Leaves spreading 0.5-1.0 mm long; lamina spathulate, obovate or ovate-oblong, acuminate, margins nearly entire; nerve nearly continuous, reaching apex. Seta 0.5-1.0 mm long (very short) more or less hidden amongst leaves. Capsule erect, immersed subglobose, operculum conical (leaves incruved over capsule when dry), mouth narrow. Calyptra small, conical-mitriform, covering the operculum only, torn at base. male inflorescence discoid.
Distribution
Indigenous. Australia and New Zealand. North Island, Waikato River.
Substrate details
Terricolous on muddy ground along streams and rivers
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 which in its only known habitats within a river system subjected to hydro-dam management is a serious issue for this species.
Detailed taxonomy
Genus
Family
Synonyms
None
Endemic taxon
No
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
Etymology
pusillum: Insignificant, weak
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 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: EF, RR
2009 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: OL, ?SO
2004 | Threatened – Nationally Critical