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NZ Plants

Tayloria callophylla - dung moss

Family: Splachnaceae

Tayloria callophylla has stems up to 6 cm tall and forms loose cushions matted together with an orange to red tomentum. The greenish-gray obovate to elliptic leaves are up to 4 mm long and run out into a long hair point in leaves at the top of the stem. The distal portion of leaves have margins with large blunt teeth.

Mosses in this family are unique in having a symbiotic relationship with flies (dipterans). The glands on the capsule release volatile, aromatic, fly-attracting compounds and spores are extruded in a cohesive, sticky mass.


Found mainly in the North Island on decaying organic matter especially animal carcasses and faeces.


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