Dicranum scoparium
{{Short description|Species of moss}}
{{speciesbox
| name = Dicranum scoparium
Broom forkmoss
| image = Broom moss (Orphan Lk) 2.JPG
| image_caption = Broom moss in Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario
| display_parents = 4
| genus = Dicranum
| species = scoparium
| authority = Hedw.
}}
Dicranum scoparium, the broom forkmoss,{{cite book|last=Edwards|first=Sean R.|date=2012|title=English Names for British Bryophytes|location=Wootton, Northampton|publisher=British Bryological Society|isbn=978-0-9561310-2-7|issn=0268-8034|series=British Bryological Society Special Volume|volume=5|edition=4}} is a species of dicranid moss, native to most of the northern hemisphere as well as Oceania. It usually forms and grows in round mass clumps or mats on soil in dry to moist forested areas. As with many types of moss Broom moss grows in clumps with Broom mosses as well as other mosses. It can be distinguished by its leaves, which strongly curve to one side.
Description
Broom forkmoss is usually robust and coarse, forming shiny tufts with woolly stems {{cvt|2–8|cm}} high. The leaf midrib extends to the tip and usually has 4 ridges along its back. The leaves are {{cvt|3.5–8|mm}} long, lance-shaped with a long, slender point, and strongly toothed along the upper third. Most leaves will be folded and curved to one side, but may be wavy. Capsules are 2.3–5 mm long, urn-shaped and curved. The capsules are held on mostly-erect stalks {{cvt|18–35|mm}} long. The operculum (capsule lid) is usually longer than the capsule.{{cite book|author=Legasy, K.|author2= LaBelle-Beadman, S. |author3= Chambers, B. |year=1995|title=Forest Plants of Northeastern Ontario|publisher=Lone Pine Publishing & Queen's Printer for Ontario|location=Edmonton|isbn=1-55105-064-1}} Male D. scoparium are less common than the females, and males are usually dwarfed compared to females.{{cite web|author=Hilty, J. |date=March 21, 2020|title=Windswept Broom Moss (Dicranum scoparium) |website=illinoiswildflowers.info |url=https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/mosses/plants/windswept_moss.html}}
As a bryophyte, Dicranum scoparium has multicellular rhizoids (root structure) which help with water absorption and anchor the plant to the ground.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}
Distribution
Broom forkmoss can be found across North America (except Labrador, North Dakota, Texas and Nevada), Europe, Asia, northern Africa as well as in Australia and New Zealand.{{cite web|title=Dicranum scoparium Hedwig|website=Flora of North America|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200000987}}{{cite web|url=https://artfakta.se/taxa/2151/information|title=kvastmossa Dicranum scoparium Hedw. |website=Artdatabanken|lang=sv}}
Gallery
File:Dicranum scoparium 2005.11.13 12.32.51-pb130023.jpg
File:Dicranum scoparium.jpg
File:Dicranum scoparium resize.jpg|Capsules
File:Dicranum scoparium.jpeg|Close-up
File:Dicranum scoparium lamina.jpeg|Lamina cells 400×
File:Dicranum scoparium rippe.jpeg|Middle ridge 200×
References
{{Commons}}
{{Reflist}}
- {{cite web|author=Abney, C|date=June 5, 2023|title=Dicranum scoparium “Mood moss” care guide |series=Vivarium plants|website=Bantam.earth|url=https://bantam.earth/mood-moss-dicranum-scoparium/}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q731278}}
Category:Bryophyta of North America