Fissidens fontanus

Fissidens fontanus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Bryophyta
Class: Bryopsida
Subclass: Dicranidae
Order: Dicranales
Family: Fissidentaceae
Genus: Fissidens
Species:
F. fontanus
Binomial name
Fissidens fontanus
(Bach.Pyl.) Steud.
Synonyms
  • Octodiceras fontanum
  • Octodiceras julianum
  • Fissidens julianus

Fissidens fontanus, commonly known as limp pocket moss or phoenix moss, is a species of aquatic moss belonging to the family Fissidentaceae.

Morphology

Leaf and Growth Morphology

Fissidens fontanus is a pleurocarpic moss that has lance-like leaves with a conspicuous midrib that are around 2-7mm in length. [1]At the base of each leaf, a small folded over lobe is formed resembling a pocket.[1] Leaves have an alternating orientation on the stem, ending in a small tuft of gathered leaves.[1]

Sporophyte Morphology

Sporophytes are located on the stem of F. fontanus, often located in the leaf base.[1] The capsules are short, under around 1mm, and erectly point away from the stem.[1]

Range

Fissidens fontanus has a wide distribution, and has been found across Europe, the Mediterranean, North America, Mexico, Chile, Australia, Zambia, and the Arabian Peninsula.[2][3][4] F. fontanus can be found in both natural and man-made aquatic environments, and seems to be somewhat tolerant of pollutants. F. fontanus is typically found in slow-moving or still water. While this moss is considered to be an aquatic species, it can be found growing emerged in areas where the water levels vary seasonally.[2][4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Collecting Mosses", Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians, Princeton: Princeton University Press, ISBN 978-1-4008-4588-0, retrieved 2026-03-13{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link)
  2. ^ a b Sérgio, C; Vieira, C; Silva, I; Brugués, M; Cros, R; Stow, S (May 2010). "Update on the distribution,ecology and conservation of Fissidens fontanus in Portugal". Field Bryology (101): 8–11.
  3. ^ Hugonnot, Vincent; Pépin, Florine (2025). "Fissidens fontanus (Bach.Pyl.) Steud. and allies: aquatic bryophytes of the Asir granite highlands (Arabian Peninsula)". Thaiszia Journal of Botany (35): 104–113.
  4. ^ a b Anđić, Branko; Dragićević, Snežana; Stešević, Danijela; Papp, Beáta (January 2018). "Fissidens fontanus, a new species to Montenegro". Lindbergia. 41 (1): 01094. doi:10.25227/linbg.01094. ISSN 0105-0761.