Splachnum, also known as dung moss or petticoat moss, is a genus of moss that is well known for its
entomophily
Entomophily or insect pollination is a form of pollination whereby pollen of plants, especially but not only of flowering plants, is distributed by insects. Flowers pollinated by insects typically advertise themselves with bright colours, some ...
. It commonly grows on patches of dung or decomposing animal matter.
Etymology
The name ''Splachnum'' comes from the
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and the ancient world from around 1500 BC to 300 BC. It is often roughly divided into the following periods: Mycenaean Greek (), Dark Ages (), the Archaic p ...
word ''splachnos'', meaning guts or entrails. This refers to appearance of the top of the plant's dried
sporophyte - it is often red and wrinkled.
Description
This genus is known for its unique sporophyte structure. Sporophytes are brightly coloured and produce an odour similar to dung meant to attract insects. This sort of chemical mimicry of decomposing matter is unique in ''Splachnum'' and closely related genera.
Evolution and taxonomy
Because ''Splachnum'' grows in such specific conditions, it is used as a model species for understanding the evolutionary mechanisms necessary for co-existing in patchy habitats.
Species
* ''
Splachnum sphaericum''
* ''
Splachnum rubrum
''Splachnum rubrum'' (also known as red dung moss, brilliant red dung moss or red parasol moss), is a species of moss in the ''Splachnum'' genus which is found in the Northern Hemisphere. Like other species in the ''Splachnum'' genus, it is know ...
''
* ''
Splachnum luteum
Splachnum, also known as dung moss or petticoat moss, is a genus of moss that is well known for its entomophily. It commonly grows on patches of dung or decomposing animal matter.
Etymology
The name ''Splachnum'' comes from the Ancient G ...
''
* ''
Splachnum ampullaceum
Splachnum, also known as dung moss or petticoat moss, is a genus of moss that is well known for its entomophily. It commonly grows on patches of dung or decomposing animal matter.
Etymology
The name ''Splachnum'' comes from the Ancient G ...
''
* ''
Splachnum adolphi-friederici''
*
''Splachnum austriacum''
*
''Splachnum melanocaulon''
*
''Splachnum pennsylvanicum''
*
''Splachnum resectum''
*
''Splachnum vasculosum''
*
''Splachnum weberbaueri''
See also
*
Bryophyta
*
Entomophily
Entomophily or insect pollination is a form of pollination whereby pollen of plants, especially but not only of flowering plants, is distributed by insects. Flowers pollinated by insects typically advertise themselves with bright colours, some ...
References
Moss genera
Splachnales
{{Bryophyte-stub