Nomenclature: Mnium marginatum Palisot de Beauvois, 1805

Common name: Olivegreen Calcareous Moss

Gametophyte: The gametophyte is usually green or brownish and is found in small tufts. The stems are simple or forked with erect leaves. The leaves are 2-4.5 mm long and are either oblong-ovate or elliptic in shape. The leaves are toothed toward the axial part of the leave but not at the base and the leaves have a distinct long point. The costa is single and runs through the entire leaf into the point. The leaves also have a thickened border of linear and usually reddish cells.

Sporophyte: The sporophyte is long and erect protruding from stems of the gametophyte. The seta is usually 1.5 to 2.5 cm tall and is either reddish or orange-yellow. The capsule is oblong and cylindric and is either horizontal or hanging like a pendulum. The capsule is usually yellow brown in color with two rows of peristome teeth.

Habitat: Mnium marginatum is found in shady and moist places. They are most common on banks of streams or cliffs.

Distribution: The mosses are widely distributed throughout the world, but they are most concentrated in North America, Europe, with a few scattered in Asia and South America. Still not a great deal is known about Mnium marginatum. It is widely distributed and fairly common but seems to have no significant economic use or value. More studies are needed to further understand this moss.

References:
1. Crum, Howard, 1983, Mosses of the Great Lakes Forest, pgs.253-258, U. of Michigan.
2. USDA: Natural Resouces Conservation Services: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MNMA70 Accessed May 2008
3. NatureServe Explorer http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Mnium%20marginatum Accessed May 2008
4. Global Biodiversity Information Facility: http://data.gbif.org/species/14170430 Accessed May 2008

Written by Alexander Van den Broek 2008