FIELD NOTES - JANUARY 15, 2013
Splachnum Moss:
This rare species gets a warm, soft welcome home from moose
by Steve Langdon, Project Manager, Shingle Shanty Preserve and Research Station
Splachnum spp. sporophytes. Photo by Stephen Langdon.
The return of moose in recent decades has created fertile habitat for less charismatic members of
the Adirondack biota. One very interesting and rare group of species found at Shingle Shanty
Preserve and Research Stationthat could be making a comeback in the moose's wake are
Splachnum mosses.
Splachnum mosses are coprophilous. To begin to
explain why this group is not particularly attractive we
should start with a short lesson in Greek word roots.
Splachnum itself is the ancient Greek word for
Splachnum itself is the ancient Greek word for
viscera, which is a lovely word for what translates into
the local vernacular as 'innards'. If that is not enough,
the term coprophilous classifies this type of species
with other unfortunately named, 'excrement lovers'.
Despite this plant's penchant for poop it is really
beautiful and has a fascinating life history. Unlike any
other moss, its spores are dispersed by insects. The
sporophytes release an attractant to flies that then
transport spores to fresh dung-piles to start the
Splachnum spp. in early growth form.
moss's life cycle again. One species in this genusPhoto by Stephen Langdon.
Splachnum rubrum - occurs across boreal areas of
North America and was documented in 1899 in a bog
in North Elba, and not since. Moose, which eat 40-60 pounds of food a day, create plenty of new
opportunities for species in this family of mosses to expand their range.
It takes time and patience and trained people in the field to identify and document such species. Part
of our goal at Shingle Shanty Preserve and Research Station is to do just this. Please support our
work to bring to light the less than pretty sides of biodiversity conservation.
For more information:
PLANTS Profile for Splachnum ampullaceum (small capsule dung moss)
New York Rare Moss Status List, October 2008
References:
Marino, P. 1988. The North American distribution of the circumboreal species of Splachnum
and Tetraplodon. The Bryologist,91(3):161-166.
Miller, N. Emeritus curator of bryology and quaternary paleobotany at the New York State
Museum. Personal communication. Summer, 2010.
Peck, C.H. (1899). Plants of North Elba, Essex County, NY. Albany, University of the State of
New York.
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