Tortula viridipila
Common names
moss
Biostatus
Native – Endemic taxon
Category
Non-vascular
Structural class
Mosses
Detailed description
Minute, calcicolous, light brownish-green colonial moss. Stems short, c. 3 mm tall with the leaves densely comose in bulbils, simple or branched. Leaves 2.5-3.0 mm long, imbricate and slightly twisted when dry, erecto-patent when moist; lamina with widened base, oblong-lanceolate, abruptly acuminate, aristate owing to the projecting nerve, concave, entire; margins recurved mid-leaf; nerve strong, slightly widened towards the apex, excurrent in a long, flexuose, green arista which is hyaline at its apex, scarcely denticulate, equal to 1/4 or 1/3 leaf length. Upper cells 13 microns wide, pellucid with firm walls, densely pluripapillose; marginal cells scarcely differentiated; basal cells for 1/4 to 1/3 of the leaf rather lax, shortly rectangular, thin-walled; those at the basal margin slightly narrower. Upper leaves wider, subspathulate. Seta c.10 mm long, red. Capsule c.1.75 mm long, elliptic, brown, glossy. Peristome red, teeth conjoined below in a very short membrane, irregularly filiform, occasionally joined above, oblique or suberect. Columnella exserted. Operculum obliquely rostellate. Calyptra long, tubular above, basally widely dilated. Spores 20 microns, muriculate.
Distribution
Endemic. South Island, Kahurangi National Park (possibly elsewhere)
Substrate details
Terricolous alpine calcicole, favouring lime-enriched soil.
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.
2014 | Threatened – Nationally Endangered | Qualifiers: DP
Threats
A local endemic, abundant within its few known habitats. However the areas occupied are small and they are suspected of being in decline so the species has recently been listed as “Nationally Endangered” (see Glenny et al. 2011).
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Synonyms
Desmatodon viridipilus (Dixon et Sainsbury) Sainsbury
Endemic taxon
Yes
Ecology
Fruiting
Although fruit has been seen insufficient information exists to provide any details on the timing of fruiting
Other information
Previous conservation statuses
- 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.
2010 | Threatened – Nationally Endangered | Qualifiers: DP
2005 | Range Restricted
Referencing and citations
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.
Attribution
Fact Sheet Prepared for NZPCN by: P.J. de Lange August 2007.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Tortula viridipila Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/tortula-viridipila/ (Date website was queried)