Ditrichum pallidum
“golden thread moss”–family Ditrichaceae

Ditrichum pallidum

Ditrichum pallidum photo by Bob Klips

Ditrichum pallidum

Ditrichum pallidum photo by Bob Klips 

Ditrichum pallidum

Ditrichum pallidum photo by Bob Klips

How to recognize golden thread moss: Ditrichum pallidum is a densely tufted cushion moss with 3-5 mm lanceolate leaves, that are narrowly ovate at their base. These leaves have a long excurrent costa that forms a subula. There are no differentiated alar cells from the rectangular cells found in the leaf. The plants have male and female organs on the same plant so capsules are common; the sprorophytes are strikingly tall with bright yellow seta, and the sporangia (capsules) are narrowly cylindrical. The spores are 16-29 microns and densely papillose. The peristome teeth are often divided to their base; Dicranella peristome teeth are divided only halfway down.

Where to find golden thread moss: Ditrichum pallidum grows on the ground in dry wooded areas. It is fairly common across Ohio.

Ditrichum-pallidum

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