Grimmia plagiopodia Hedw.

Cottet, Agustina Celeste, Messuti, María Inés, Ansaldo, Martín & Dopchiz, Laura Patricia, 2025, Mosses (Bryophyta) of the north-western region of Marambio (Seymour) Island, Antarctica, Antarctic Science (Cambridge, England) 37 (1), pp. 31-38 : 34

Grimmia plagiopodia Hedw. [ Grimmiaceae ]

Description and iconography

Ochyra et al. (2008).

Distribution and habitat

A bipolar species, mostly occurring in dry habitats on rocks, boulders, ledges, rock crevices and occasionally on gravel and soil and less often found in wet habitats on rocks at the edge of late snow and on rocks used as bird perches ( Ochyra et al. 2008). In the study area, it was found in the three regions of the island: plateau, slope and coast. It was found growing on soil and rock from bird nests, as well as soil and rock from sites far from nesting areas. It mostly grows alone or with other mosses.

Comments

The gametophytes of this species are characterized by their concave-oval to oblong-oval leaves, with blunt apices with a slightly decurrent serrated hyaline hair that gives the plant a whitish appearance. In cross-section, the leaves are concave in the shape of a ’u’ and never keeled ( Ochyra et al. 2008).