Taxon Report

Didymodon californicus J.A. Jiménez, Toren & Shevock

California beard-moss

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Taxon Summary

Didymodon californicus, commonly known as California beard-moss, is a moss in the Pottiaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Lower montane coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 1375 to 1645 meters. Didymodon californicus is ranked 4.2, Plants of Limited Distribution, A Watch List; Moderately threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Didymodon californicus J.A. Jiménez, Toren & Shevock
Common Name:
California beard-moss
Family: Pottiaceae
Element Code: NBMUS2C0N0
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: moss
Blooming Period:
Elevation: 1375-1645 (4510-5395)
General Habitats: Lower montane coniferous forest
Microhabitat: Rocky, Streambanks
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 0
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 0
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Fresno (FRE), Glenn (GLE), Lake (LAK), Madera (MAD)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Crockett Peak (3912247), Felkner Hill (3912256), Mammoth Pool Dam (3711933), Musick Mtn. (3711923)

Notes

Potentially threatened by global climate shifts. Similar to D. insulanus and D. vinealis. See Phytotaxa 158(1):105-110 (2014) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2014-05-14
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 27 January 2025].