Dawsonia longiseta is a species of moss in the family Polytrichaceae endemic to eastern Australia.[2]

Dawsonia longiseta
D. longiseta with mature and immature capsules visible
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Bryophyta
Class: Polytrichopsida
Order: Polytrichales
Family: Polytrichaceae
Genus: Dawsonia
Species:
D. longiseta
Binomial name
Dawsonia longiseta
Synonyms[2]

Description

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D. longiseta is an erect moss with bluish green leaves that grows in open colonies or as scattered individuals reaching 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) tall. The leaves are stiff and pointed, measuring approximately 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) long, with a broad nerve and slightly serrated edge. In dry conditions, the leaves turn brown and rest alongside the stem pointing upwards. When in the sporophyte stage, plants produce capsules on stalks that grow to 2–4 cm (0.79–1.57 in) tall. Developing capsules are covered by hairy, pinkish calyptrae, while mature capsules are small and dark, sometimes with the white hairs of the peristome visible.[2][3]

Distribution and habitat

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D. longiseta can be found in south-eastern South Australia, eastern Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria. It grows in shaded situations on clay, sandy, or rocky soil across a range of habitats including river banks, roadsides, gullies, and sclerophyll forests. It can be found from sea level up to 1000 metres.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Dawsonia longiseta". Australian Moss Name Index (AusMoss). Australian Plant Census. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d van Zanten, Bernard O. (2012). "Polytrichaceae: Dawsonia" (PDF). Australian Mosses Online. Australian Biological Resources Study. pp. 1–2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  3. ^ Read, Cassia; Slattery, Bernard (2014). Mosses of Dry Forests in South Eastern Australia. Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests (Mount Alexander Region). pp. 36–37. ISBN 978-0-646-91693-4.