Taxon Report

Orthotrichum kellmanii Norris, Shevock, & Goffinet

Kellman's bristle moss

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Orthotrichum kellmanii, commonly known as Kellman's bristle moss, is a moss in the Orthotrichaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, and Cismontane woodland, growing at elevations from 343 to 685 meters. Orthotrichum kellmanii is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Orthotrichum kellmanii Norris, Shevock, & Goffinet
Common Name:	Kellman's bristle moss
Family:	Orthotrichaceae
Element Code:	NBMUS56190
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	moss
Blooming Period: Jan-Feb	Jan-Feb
Elevation:	343-685 (1125-2245)
General Habitats:	Chaparral, Cismontane woodland
Microhabitat:	Carbonate, Sandstone
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G1
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	USFS_S
CRPR Changes:	added to 1B.2 on 2007-08-16

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	4
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	4

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Monterey (MNT), San Mateo (SMT), Santa Cruz (SCR)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Big Basin (3712222), Tassajara Hot Springs (3612125)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


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

Notes



Known from less than 5 occurrences. See The Bryologist 107(2): 210 (2004) for original description.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2007-08-16

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 22 November 2025].