Wijkia-tanytricha-Mont-Crum-AB-Stem-leaves-70-C-Apical-cells-of-stem-leaf_Q320.jpg from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Wijkia-tanytricha-Mont-Crum-AB-Stem-leaves-70-C-Apical-cells-of-stem-leaf_fig1_293187181

Wijkia tanytricha: The Fascinating Moss of the Pylaisiadelphaceae Family

Wijkia tanytricha (Mont.) H.A.Crum, commonly known simply as Wijkia, is a captivating moss species belonging to the

*AJ-Wijkia-albescens-Ther-Pde-la-Varde-Crum-KP-W-jacobsonii-Dixon-Crum.png from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/AJ-Wijkia-albescens-Ther-Pde-la-Varde-Crum-KP-W-jacobsonii-Dixon-Crum_fig1_309898287*

Pylaisiadelphaceae family. As a member of the Bryophyta division and Bryopsida class, this diminutive plant plays important ecological roles despite its small size. Let’s dive in and learn more about the intriguing world of Wijkia tanytricha!

*CCDB-28096-B04%2B1456166356.jpg from: https://v3.boldsystems.org/index.php/Taxbrowser_Taxonpage?taxid=438479*

Background on Bryophytes

Before we focus on Wijkia specifically, it’s helpful to understand what bryophytes are.

*largepreview.png from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/293187181_Wijkia_tanytricha_Mont_Crum_Musci_Sematophyllaceae_a_new_record_to_the_moss_flora_of_Taiwan*

Bryophytes are non-vascular plants that include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. They lack true roots, stems, and leaves, instead having structures that serve similar functions. Mosses like Wijkia reproduce via spores rather than seeds and absorb water and nutrients directly through their leaf-like structures.

Morphology and Identification

*Wijkia230308_3.jpg from: https://soyokaze2jp.blogspot.com/2023/03/wijkia-deflexifolia.html*

Wijkia tanytricha is a pleurocarpous moss, meaning it has a branching, mat-forming growth habit. Its stems can reach 2-5 cm long. The leaves are ovate-lanceolate in shape, 0.8-1.2 mm

*medium.png from: https://www.naturalista.mx/taxa/170312-Wijkia-carlottae*

long, and have a single costa (midrib) that extends 1/2 to 2/3 the leaf length. Wijkia’s leaf margins are entire (smooth-edged) and its leaf cells are elongate-rhomboidal

*72011.jpg from: https://ejournal.sinica.edu.tw/bbas/content/1996/2/bot372-09.html*

. Capsules are cylindric and erect on elongate setae.

Global Distribution and Habitat

*Wijkia230512_2.jpg from: https://soyokaze2jp.blogspot.com/2023/06/blog-post_5.html*

This moss has a wide distribution, found in many regions around the world including Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. Wijkia tanytricha typically grows on tree trunks, branches, and decaying logs in moist forests from lowlands to montane elevations. It is often found in tropical and subtropical habitats.

Ecological Roles and Adaptations

Like other mosses, Wijkia plays important roles in its ecosystems:

Helps retain moisture and prevent erosion
Provides habitat and shelter for micro-organisms and small invertebrates
Participates in nutrient cycling by breaking down organic matter
Bio-indicator of air and water quality

Wijkia has adaptations that allow it to thrive in its habitat:

*Image27Y6large.jpg from: https://www.nzflora.info/factsheet/Taxon/Wijkia.html*

Tolerates low light on forest floors
Withstands periods of desiccation
Reproduces asexually via fragmentation
Rhizoids anchor it to substrates

Characteristic	Description
Division	Bryophyta
Class	Bryopsida
Family	Pylaisiadelphaceae
Genus Wijk_ext_x.jpg from: https://www.utas.edu.au/dicotkey/dicotkey/Mosses/mSEMATOPHYLLACEAE/gWijkia.htm	Wijkia
Species	W. tanytricha
Leaf shape	ovate-lanceolate
Leaf length	0.8-1.2 mm
Costa	single
Leaf margins	entire
Leaf cells	elongate-rhomboidal
Capsule shape	cylindric
Seta	elongate

Conclusion