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 | |
|---|---|
| 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 | |
|---|---|
| Schistidium antarctici |
|
| Grimmia antarctici |
|