Schistidium antarctici is a species of moss found in Antarctica and subantarctic islands.[1] It lives in compact clumps that are yellowish green at the top and brownish black at the bottom. It grows on both soil and rocks.
Schistidium antarctici | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Division: | Bryophyta |
Class: | Bryopsida |
Subclass: | Dicranidae |
Order: | Grimmiales |
Family: | Grimmiaceae |
Genus: | Schistidium |
Species: | S. antarctici |
Binomial name | |
Schistidium antarctici (Card.) L. Savic. & Smirn | |
In the Windmill Islands area of Wilkes Land, Schistidium antarctici is the most common bryophyte. If its habitat supplies ample moisture, it may form a "carpet-like" growth, but if its habitat is dry, it forms a short "cushion-like" growth.[2] It fruits abundantly on Signy Island and elsewhere in Northern maritime Antarctica.[3]
Each capsule of the moss produces between 250,000 and 520,000 spores, each 9.3 μm in diameter and with a volume of 143 μm3.[3]
Taxon identifiers | |
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Schistidium antarctici |
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Grimmia antarctici |
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