Bartramia nothostricta facts for kids

Bartramia nothostricta is a special type of moss that grows only in the southeastern part of Australia. It forms small groups in wet places. You can spot it by its leaves, which look a bit like a shaving brush. It also has bright green, round capsules that look like tiny lollipops!

What Does This Moss Look Like?

Bartramia nothostricta moss plants are usually about 5 to 10 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) tall. They grow in thick patches or "turfs." The top part is bright green, and the bottom is brownish.

The stems have a strong central part. At the bottom, there are only a few dark reddish-brown rhizoids. Rhizoids are like tiny roots that help the moss attach itself.

The leaves stand straight up around the stem, just like the bristles on a shaving brush. Each leaf is narrow and shaped like a spear. They are about 1.5 to 4 millimeters (0.06 to 0.16 inches) long and about 0.5 millimeters (0.02 inches) wide. The edges of the leaves have small teeth. Each leaf is made of two layers of cells.

The "nerve" or costa in the leaf is strong. It sticks out a bit on the underside. The capsules are almost perfectly round and bright green. They sit on top of a red stalk. The peristome has short, yellowish teeth.

How Was This Moss Named?

Bartramia nothostricta was first officially described in 1987. This description was written by David Catcheside. It was published in a scientific book called Memoirs of the New York Botanic Garden.

The second part of its scientific name, nothostricta, comes from two old words. Nothos is an Ancient Greek word meaning "false." Stricta is a Latin word meaning "straight" or "tight."

Where Does This Moss Live?

This moss species can be found in two main areas of Australia. It grows in the Flinders Ranges and Southern Lofty regions of South Australia. It is also found in Victoria. This moss likes to grow on earth banks and close to streams.