Golden Dune Moss Syntrichia ruraliformis
Golden dune moss is one of the first mosses to colonize mobile dunes. It often forms extensive colonies that cover many square yards of sand, giving the sand a golden tinge. The leaves of golden dune moss are covered by hundreds of small papillae that enable swift absorption of water. The leaves gradually taper into long white hair points. Golden dune moss is able to establish new plants from fragments dispersed by the wind.
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- Class Bryopsida
- Size –1 in (1–4 cm)
- Form Yellow-green to orange-brown cushions and carpets
- Habitat Mobile dunes
- Distribution Eastern Pacific, northwestern Atlantic, Mediterranean
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