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NZ Plants
Gymnostomum calcareum
Family: Pottiaceae
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Plants growing as cushions on the mortar of a stone wall
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A cushion of plants from above
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A cushion of plants in sectional view
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Shoots densely covered with rhizoids in lower portion
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Shoots from above
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Leaf tips vary from acute to rounded, a characteristic feature of this species
L Jensen
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Cushion with sporophyte plants
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Sporophyte plants with varying stages of capsule development
L Jensen
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Sporophyte plant, maturing capsule with calyptra cover
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Developing capsule with calyptra cover
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Developing capsule, calyptra shed to reveal the operculum lid
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Mature capsule
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Mature capsule, operculum shed to expose the capsule mouth which lacks peristome teeth
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Gymnostomum calcareum is a tiny moss that forms compact cushions 10-100 mm in diameter. The stems are up to 4 mm in height with leaves up to 1 mm long and 5-7 times as long as wide. Leaves are spreading to recurved when moist but more appressed and slightly twisted when dry. Leaf margins are smooth and leaf tips vary from blunt to acute even on the same shoot. As suggested by the genus name, (literally, ‘naked mouth’), there is no peristome.
Widespread in New Zealand on calcareous substrates such as damp sheltered walls, limestone rock and soil.
