Dicranum

views updated

Dicranum (order Dicranales) A genus of medium-sized to large mosses in which the shoots are erect and unbranched. The leaves are long and slender, and in many species are curved to one side (falcatosecund). D. majus is a large, striking moss of mountain woodland, with strongly falcatosecund leaves up to 1.5 cm long. D. scoparium is similar but smaller; it is very common on the ground in woodland clearings, on heathland, etc. The genus is cosmopolitan, with about 150 species.

More From encyclopedia.com