*image from: https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/1836768*

Exploring the Fascinating World of Porotrichum molliculum Broth. Moss

Mosses are small but mighty plants that play crucial roles in ecosystems around the world. Today, we’ll take a closer look at one particularly interesting species:

image from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271469280_Porotrichum_saotomense_sp_nov_Neckeraceae_and_other_additions_to_the_moss_flora_of_Sao_Tome_Principe_Gulf_of_Guinea_West_Africa

*image from: http://milueth.blogspot.com/*

Porotrichum molliculum Broth., a moss in the Orthostichellaceae

*image from: https://plantasdepuertorico.blogspot.com/2017/01/pleurocarpicas-porotrichum-longirostre.html*

family, also commonly known as simply Porotrichum.

Background on Mosses

image from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Fossil-mosses-and-a-beetle-A-Stem-and-leaves-of-the-semiaquatic-moss-Drepanocladus_fig3_23148177

Mosses are non-vascular plants in the division Bryophyta. Unlike other land plants, they lack true roots, stems, and leaves. Instead, they have rhizoids, stems, and phyllids. Mosses are found on every continent and play important ecological roles.

Morphology and Identification

Porotrichum molliculum Broth. is a pleurocarpous moss, meaning it has a branching, creeping growth form. Its stems are pinnately branched and can grow up to 10 cm long. The phyllids are ovate-lanceolate and have a single costa (midrib) that extends 1/2 to 2/3 the length of the phyllid. Capsules are cylindrical and curved, borne on long setae.

Global Distribution and Habitat

This moss has a wide distribution, found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Asia. It typically grows on tree trunks, branches, and rocks in moist, shaded forests at low to mid elevations.

Ecological Roles and Adaptations

Like other mosses, P. molliculum plays several key ecological roles:

*image from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Figures-23-37-23-Porotrichum-substriatum-Hampe-Mitt-24-Thamnomalia-glabella-Hedw_fig3_321835064*

Erosion control: Its dense mats help stabilize soil and prevent erosion
Water retention: It absorbs and slowly releases water, regulating moisture
Habitat provision: It provides shelter and food for various invertebrates

This moss has several adaptations for its epiphytic lifestyle, including:

Branching stems that efficiently capture water and nutrients
Rhizoids that anchor it to its substrate
Desiccation tolerance to survive periodic drying

*image from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/26803925@N05/18465204114*

Characteristic	Description
Division image from: http://milueth.blogspot.com/	Bryophyta
Class	Bryopsida
Family	Orthostichellaceae
Genus	Porotrichum
Species	P. molliculum Broth.
Growth form image from: https://plantasdepuertorico.blogspot.com/2017/01/pleurocarpicas-porotrichum-longirostre.html	Pleurocarpous
Substrate image from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271469280_Porotrichum_saotomense_sp_nov_Neckeraceae_and_other_additions_to_the_moss_flora_of_Sao_Tome_Principe_Gulf_of_Guinea_West_Africa	Epiphytic or saxicolous

Conclusion