Please select root levels for the menu
NZ Plants
Racomitrium pruinosum
Family Grimmiaceae
-
Plant
L Jensen
View picture -
Leaves
L Jensen
View picture -
Leaves
L Jensen
View picture -
Detached leaf
L Jensen
View picture -
A related species, R.curiosissimum, detail of leaf tips (hair points)
Bill and Nancy Malcolm
View picture
Racomitrium pruinosum plants are up to 10 cm tall, pale yellowish-green to pale brown when moist and grow in tufts or loose cushions. Leaves have two pleats and taper to an extremely long hyaline, hair-point with prominent marginal teeth. When dry, the curled leaves with hair points give plants a silvery-white colour. Capsules are uncommon.
Widespread in New Zealand on exposed rock and soil, usually in alpine areas but also at low altitudes, for example on the lava flows of Rangitoto Island in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.
