Rhytidiadelphus loreus, also commonly known as lanky moss and Little Shaggy Moss, is a nonvascular "feather moss" species that is a key component of a healthy, thriving forest ecosystem. Lanky moss grows in North America, Canada and Europe. It is primarily a coastal species that grows in moist, coniferous and deciduous forests, acidic grasslands and in the UK, heathy slopes on mountains. It grows on decaying logs, the forest floor and as an epiphyte on living trees. Its key functions in the ecosystem are water retention and temperature insulation.
Physical characteristics
Description
Rhytidiadelpus loreus, is a large, creeping, branched species of moss. This moss has a striped appearance because of the formation of the pleated leaves. The leaves are glossy, heart-shaped or cordate and grow in an irregular arrangement on pinnate branches. The leaves can grow to be 4-5 millimeters long. The coloration of the leaves on lanky moss range from shades of yellow to dark olive green. The stems of the plant are rigid and have a brown and red appearance. Lanky moss can grow horizontally and outward. This growth formation creates large, interwoven and unconstrained mats acting as a carpet on the surrounding area of the forest floor. Lanky moss is seemingly prickly but the leaves are soft to the touch and have a spongy quality to them. These mats can grow up to 15 centimeters in thickness, spreading across the surface of the forest floor. They act an insulator as well as a water and nutritional retainer.
Reproduction
Rhytidiadelpus loreus is a dieocious plant that has both male and female reproduction capabilities in independent individuals. The sporophytes have an irregular formation and growth pattern. The species reproduces occasionally and seemingly sporadically. The sporophytpes protrude out of the stem, 2 to 6 centimeters long, into a long stalk forming a sub-spherical sporangium. The spore's maturation season is in the winter months when the temperature is cold.
Habitat
Rhytidiadeplhus loreus is widespread and can be found in United States, Canada and Europe. In the United States it is specifically located in southeast Alaska, California and eastern Montana. While in Canada it can be found in the providences of British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Quebec. Lanky moss can also be found in parts of Europe, mostly in mountainous regions where moisture can be trapped in shaded pockets of the mountains. It grows in north-western Europe in countries such as Norway, Iceland, Ireland, Greenland and in northern and western parts of the UK. Lanky moss is usually a coastal species that grows in moist environments, preferably in shady, dark locations. It can be found in low elevation to subalpine elevations of 4,000 ft. In coniferous forests it is a dominant species of moss that covers the forest floor. It commonly covers decomposing wood such as a fallen trees or rotting logs. Lanky moss can also grow on rocks. It can also take on epiphytic qualities and grow at the base of living trees. Lanky moss grows exceptionally well on soil types such as raw humus, acid humus or peat. This is due to the amount of moisture, decaying matter and nitrogen in these top layers of soil that lanky moss can thrive on. Rhytidiadeplhus loreus is a flourishing and abundant moss that is not at risk of extinction. It is not listed on the COSEWIC website.
Similar species
Rhytidiadeplus loreus is similar to many contrasting species of moss. It is considered to be part of the feather moss species. The species that is the most similar hail from the Rhytidiadelphus and Kinbergia genera. Two plants in particular are the bent-leaf moss and the goose-necked moss. The goose-necked moss's branches do not grow to the same height as the lanky moss branches. The Kindbergia species that is located in British Columbia is different compared to the Rhytidiadelphus loreus because of its smaller size with a complex branch structure. Kindbergia oregana is a yellow- light green moss compared to lanky moss and grows in a similar loose mat structure. Kindbergia oregana is similarly a coastal moss species and grows at similar elevations on decaying logs or in an epiphytic manner like the lanky moss. Its major difference is that it is more contained and regular in its growth patterns compared to the lanky moss. Kindbergia praelonga is also like the lanky moss because of its irregularity in structure and growth.