Taxon Report

Scopelophila cataractae (Mitt.) Broth.

tongue-leaf copper moss

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Scopelophila cataractae, commonly known as tongue-leaf copper moss, is a moss in the Pottiaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Cismontane woodland (metamorphic, and soil), growing at elevations from 400 to 400 meters. Scopelophila cataractae is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Scopelophila cataractae (Mitt.) Broth.
Common Name:	tongue-leaf copper moss
Family:	Pottiaceae
Element Code:	NBMUS6U010
USDA Plants Symbol:	SCCA18
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	moss
Blooming Period:
Elevation:	400-400 (1310-1310)
General Habitats:	Cismontane woodland
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.2
Global Rank:	G3G4
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:	changed from 2.2 to 2B.2 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	1
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	1

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Calaveras (CAL)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Copperopolis (3712086)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	0
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	0	%

Notes



Known in CA from only one occurrence near Copperopolis. Small genus of two species, usually associated with highly mineralized soils. Wide distribution of very small, isolated occurrences. See J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 12:135 (1869) for original description, and Nat. Pfl. 1(3):436 (1902) for revised nomenclature.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 2 March 2025].