Twisted pincushion • Ulota obtusiuscula
Identification
Species in the Ulota genus form dense cushions and, when dry, have contorted leaves. Twisted pincushion has olive green to reddish-green plants with 1.5-4 cm long leaves that are straight and lance-shaped when moist (as in the above photo), and curled up when dry. Sporophytes occur at the tips of plants and are almost always present. Click here for further identification details.
Habitat & Range
Twisted ulota grows epiphytically on trees, particularly broad-leaved trees like alder and maple. It occasionally grows on conifers in low elevation rainforests. It mostly grows at sea level but may be found up to subalpine elevations in coastal areas. Its range extends from southeastern Alaska to California.
Similar Species
Other species of the Ulota genus found on the BC coast include frizzled pincushion (Ulota phyllantha), which bears dark brood bodies (clearly visible at the tips of stems), and U. megalospora, which has creeping main stems. The leaves of Lyell's bristle moss (Orthotrichum lyellii) do not curl when dry.
Species in the Ulota genus form dense cushions and, when dry, have contorted leaves. Twisted pincushion has olive green to reddish-green plants with 1.5-4 cm long leaves that are straight and lance-shaped when moist (as in the above photo), and curled up when dry. Sporophytes occur at the tips of plants and are almost always present. Click here for further identification details.
Habitat & Range
Twisted ulota grows epiphytically on trees, particularly broad-leaved trees like alder and maple. It occasionally grows on conifers in low elevation rainforests. It mostly grows at sea level but may be found up to subalpine elevations in coastal areas. Its range extends from southeastern Alaska to California.
Similar Species
Other species of the Ulota genus found on the BC coast include frizzled pincushion (Ulota phyllantha), which bears dark brood bodies (clearly visible at the tips of stems), and U. megalospora, which has creeping main stems. The leaves of Lyell's bristle moss (Orthotrichum lyellii) do not curl when dry.
References
Pojar, J. and MacKinnon, A. (1994). Plants of Coastal British Columbia. Vancouver, BC: Lone Pine Publishing. P. 476.
Ulota obtusiuscula C. Muell. & Kindb. ex Mac. & Kindb. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Ed.). E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Accessed 29/09/2014.
Vitt, D. H., Marsh, J. E., and Bovey, R. B. (1988). Mosses Lichens & Ferns of Northwest North America. Vancouver, BC: Lone Pine Publishing. P. 66.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell and Brian Starzomski (2014).
Pojar, J. and MacKinnon, A. (1994). Plants of Coastal British Columbia. Vancouver, BC: Lone Pine Publishing. P. 476.
Ulota obtusiuscula C. Muell. & Kindb. ex Mac. & Kindb. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Ed.). E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Accessed 29/09/2014.
Vitt, D. H., Marsh, J. E., and Bovey, R. B. (1988). Mosses Lichens & Ferns of Northwest North America. Vancouver, BC: Lone Pine Publishing. P. 66.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell and Brian Starzomski (2014).
