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''Schistostega pennata'', also called goblin gold,
Dragon's gold, luminous moss or luminescent moss,USDA Forest Service
Gotchen Risk Reduction and Restoration Project
/ref> is a haplolepideous
Reference Desk of the Washington Natural Heritage Program.
/ref> The little lenses have the capability of turning towards the light source to maximise the collection of available light. The fronds of shoots that develop from the persistent protonema are small (1.5 cm long) with opposing pairs of leaves. A long stalk holds the egg-shaped capsule aloft.
''Moss Flora of China''. It is easily outcompeted by other mosses and plant species in open, brighter areas, but its ability to concentrate the available light allows it to grow in shady places where other plants cannot survive. It prefers damp, but not too wet, mineral soils with a source of dim light, such as reflection from a pool of water, and so grows in habitats such as overturned tree roots, entrances to animal burrows and caves.
Concerning the moss's common names, such as "goblin gold", Austrian Botanist, Anton Kerner von Marilaun wrote in '' Das Pflanzenleben der Donauländer'' in 1863:
There is a monument to ''Schistostega'' in
Photo from Olympic National Park
(click to enlarge
Close-up
Scientific illustration
by Matt Goff {{Taxonbar, from1=Q12334739, from2=Q179213, from3=Q17277054 Dicranales Flora of Asia Flora of Europe Flora of North America Monotypic moss genera
Gotchen Risk Reduction and Restoration Project
/ref> is a haplolepideous
moss
Mosses are small, non-vascular flowerless plants in the taxonomic division Bryophyta (, ) '' sensu stricto''. Bryophyta (''sensu lato'', Schimp. 1879) may also refer to the parent group bryophytes, which comprise liverworts, mosses, and hor ...
(Dicranidae
The Dicranidae are a widespread and diverse subclass of mosses in class Bryopsida, with many species of dry or disturbed areas. They are distinguished by their spores; the peristome Peristome (from the Greek ''peri'', meaning 'around' or 'about', ...
) known for its glowing appearance in dark places. It is the only member of the family Schistostegaceae.
Description
The moss has adapted to grow in low light conditions by utilizing spherical cells in the protonema that act as lenses, collecting and concentrating even the faintest light. The chloroplasts absorb the useful wavelengths of the light and reflect back the remainder towards the light source, giving the moss a greenish-gold glow.''"Schistostega pennata"''Reference Desk of the Washington Natural Heritage Program.
/ref> The little lenses have the capability of turning towards the light source to maximise the collection of available light. The fronds of shoots that develop from the persistent protonema are small (1.5 cm long) with opposing pairs of leaves. A long stalk holds the egg-shaped capsule aloft.
Distribution
''Schistostega pennata'' is found in China, Japan, Siberia, Europe, and North America.''"Schistostega pennata"''''Moss Flora of China''. It is easily outcompeted by other mosses and plant species in open, brighter areas, but its ability to concentrate the available light allows it to grow in shady places where other plants cannot survive. It prefers damp, but not too wet, mineral soils with a source of dim light, such as reflection from a pool of water, and so grows in habitats such as overturned tree roots, entrances to animal burrows and caves.
Folklore
Concerning the moss's common names, such as "goblin gold", Austrian Botanist, Anton Kerner von Marilaun wrote in '' Das Pflanzenleben der Donauländer'' in 1863:
There is a monument to ''Schistostega'' in Hokkaido
is Japan's second largest island and comprises the largest and northernmost prefecture, making up its own region. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaidō from Honshu; the two islands are connected by the undersea railway Seikan Tunnel.
The la ...
, Japan, where it grows in profusion in a tiny cave.
References
External links
Photo from Olympic National Park
(click to enlarge
Close-up
Scientific illustration
by Matt Goff {{Taxonbar, from1=Q12334739, from2=Q179213, from3=Q17277054 Dicranales Flora of Asia Flora of Europe Flora of North America Monotypic moss genera