Bryoerythrophyllum columbianum

Didymodon columbianus F.J. Herm. & E. Lawton:
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Bryoerythrophyllum columbianum (F.J. Herm. & E. Lawton) R.H. Zander:
Canada (North America)
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

United States

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

Global Range: A western North American endemic. In British Columbia, concentrated within a relatively narrow geographic area: principally in the south Okanagan Valley (e.g. near Osoyoos) and near Kamloops, although it also has been found near Spences Bridge, and at one site along the Fraser River in the Cariboo area (COSEWIC 2004). It is considered "relatively rarely observed/confirmed" within its range in BC (T. McIntosh pers. comm. 2008). In the United States, occurs in Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho. Based on EOs and other range information, it appears that range extent is approximately 100,000 - 250,000 square km. Had been reported from the Northwest Territories (Nahanni National Park and vicinity) (Steere & Scotter 1978); however, R. Belland surmises that the NWT report was based on a mis-identification, since a thorough search of the relevant specimen databases did not uncover any confirmed reports from NWT (pers. comm. to M. Anions 2008). It had also been reported from Bolivia (Lewis 1981, McIntosh 1989), Peru (Menzel 1992), Nepal, India and Mexico (Zander 1978). However, these reports have all apparently been re-identified as other species; for example, the Bolivian collection has been re-identified as B. fuscinervium (Mitt.) Zand. (Zander, pers. comm. to T. McIntosh 2002).

Stems to 0.4-0.6 cm. Stem leaves ovate to shortly ovate-lanceolate, to 1-1.4 mm, distal lamina 1-stratose, margins narrowly recurved to near apex, entire, sharply acute apically, the excurrent costa forming a sharp mucro made up of elongate cells; costa wider (to 8 cells wide) at mid leaf, adaxial surface of the costa bulging in an 1-stratose pad of cells; proximal cells poorly differentiated, quadrate. Specialized asexual reproduction lacking or possibly by fragile leaf apices. Sexual condition dioicous. Theca 1-1.4 mm, operculum 0.5-0.8 mm, peristome rudimentary or absent. Spores 8-13 µm.

COSEWIC (2004) indicates that this species can be distinguished from the other three North American species in the genus (B. ferruginascens, B. inaequalifolium, and B. recurvirostrum) principally by leaf characteristics: (1) leaves end in sharp mucros consisting of elongate cells, (2) rows of smooth cells are sometimes present along the distal leaf margins, and (3) the costa, or leaf mid-rib, is much wider at midleaf than it is in the other species, and its upper surface bulges as a unistratose pad of cells. Zander, in Flora of North America (2007), also notes that its proximal cells are poorly differentiated and quadrate, whereas in other species of the genus the proximal cells tend to be well differentiated and rectangular. Zander (2007) also states that it "may be confused with Pseudocrossidium hornschuchianum, which may be quickly distinguished by its narrowly grooved adaxial surface of the costa." Furthermore, COSEWIC (2004) notes that it may be confused with Didymodon vinealis (particularly D. vinealis var. brachyphyllus) and Tortula atrovirens in the field; D. vinealis has (1) less recurved and, usually, more twisted upper leaves, at least when dry, (2) much narrower leaf mid-ribs, and (3) no multi-cellular and sharply pointed leaf apex, while T, atrovirens can be distinguished from this species by its blunt leaf apices and generally tightly twisted habit when dry.

Didymodon columbianus F. J. Hermann & E. Lawton, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 95: 388, figs. 1-11. 1968

Comments: On soil over rock; rock is usually acidic and soil is often sandy. Habitats include grassland steppe as well as ledges and bluffs near rivers. Often part of biological soil crusts. Occurs at moderate elevations. In British Columbia, grows in semi-arid steppe and grassland habitats of the bunchgrass zone, where common plants include bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum), needlegrass (Stipa comata), big sage (Artemisia tridentata), and, in some areas, antelope brush (Purshia tridentata); has been found on a variety of soil types, including compact silts, silt-loams, and sandy loams (COSEWIC 2004). Found at both disturbed and undisturbed sites.

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N2 - Imperiled

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

Rounded Global Status Rank: G3 - Vulnerable

Reasons: A western North American endemic occurring in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho. Fairly common in sagebrush-steppe in parts of southern Washington and northern Oregon; a dominant part of the crust at some locations in this area. Also thought fairly common in north-central Washington. Abundance in Idaho and California unknown, but not believed particularly rare in these areas. More sparse in southern British Columbia, where relatively few (approx. 16) locations are known despite high survey effort. Threats across the range not believed to be great; the main issues appear to be livestock trampling, ATV use, and hot fires. British Columbia populations are also threatened by conversion of shrub-steppe areas to vineyards.

Comments: The main threats rangewide are believed to be livestock trampling and hot fires; for example, a landscape-scale fire in old-growth sage stands near Hanford, WA destroyed the biological crust in portions of Arid Lands Ecological Reserve in the late 1990s (T. McIntosh pers. comm. 2008). ATV use is also cited as a primary threat, particularly in Oregon (J. Chirsty pers. comm. 2008). In British Columbia, agricultural practices, including the elimination of wide areas of shrub-steppe to plant vineyards, also appears to be a serious factor impacting populations. Other factors, including urban development, road building activities, hiking, and general (natural) erosion, are probably of less significance, although detailed studies are needed (COSEWIC 2004). Overall, threats across much of the range are probably not great (T. McIntosh pers. comm. 2008).