Orthotrichum crassifolium
Encyclopedia
Orthotrichum crassifolium is a species of moss
in the Orthotrichaceae
family. It is sometimes placed in the genus Muelleriella. It has a wide circumpolar
distribution on subantarctic
islands through the Southern Ocean
, as well as the extreme south of South America
and the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula
. It is tolerant of saline conditions and often occupies the supralittoral zone
along rocky coastlines affected by sea spray
.
Moss
Mosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm tall, though some species are much larger. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems...
in the Orthotrichaceae
Orthotrichaceae
Orthotrichaceae is the only family of mosses in order Orthotrichales. Many species in the family are epiphytic.-Classification:*Cardotiella*Ceuthotheca*Codonoblepharon*Desmotheca*Florschuetziella*Groutiella...
family. It is sometimes placed in the genus Muelleriella. It has a wide circumpolar
Circumpolar
The term circumpolar may refer to:* circumpolar navigation: to travel the world "vertically" traversing both of the poles* Antarctic region** Antarctic Circle** the Antarctic Circumpolar Current** Subantarctic** List of Antarctic and subantarctic islands...
distribution on subantarctic
Subantarctic
The Subantarctic is a region in the southern hemisphere, located immediately north of the Antarctic region. This translates roughly to a latitude of between 46° – 60° south of the Equator. The subantarctic region includes many islands in the southern parts of the Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and...
islands through the Southern Ocean
Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean comprises the southernmost waters of the World Ocean, generally taken to be south of 60°S latitude and encircling Antarctica. It is usually regarded as the fourth-largest of the five principal oceanic divisions...
, as well as the extreme south of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula
The Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica. It extends from a line between Cape Adams and a point on the mainland south of Eklund Islands....
. It is tolerant of saline conditions and often occupies the supralittoral zone
Supralittoral zone
The supralittoral zone, also known as the splash zone, spray zone or the supratidal zone, is the area above the spring high tide line, on coastlines and estuaries, that is regularly splashed, but not submerged by ocean water...
along rocky coastlines affected by sea spray
Sea spray
Sea spray is a spray of water that forms when ocean waves crash.-Make up:As a result, salt spray contains a high concentration of mineral salts, particularly chloride anions.-Effects:...
.
Further reading
- Seppelt, Rod. (2006). The Moss Flora of Macquarie Island. Australian Antarctic Division: Hobart. ISBN 1876934077