Anacolia menziesii (Turner) Paris
Anacolia menziesii is a large (2-5 cm), bright yellow-green, sparsely branched, acrocarpous moss, which grows in deep, dense to loose tufts, on soil or rock, often along road or trail banks, typically in some shade. Its long, narrow, pointy leaves spread out from the stem when moist, giving it a starry, fuzzy appearance. When dry, the leaves are tightly appressed against the stem, and the plants curve upward, resulting in a wispy, wind-blown look. The stems are reddish, and are often covered with dense reddish-brown rhizoids (tomentum).
Note that some authors distinguish between Anacolia menziesii and Anacolia baueri based on shape of the sporophyte capsules, while the FNA does not recognize Anacolia baueri. I have never witnessed sporophytes on Anacolia here in Santa Barbara County and have chosen to follow the FNA’s convention.
Scroll down for more photos (click to enlarge) and descriptions of habitat, plants, leaves, distribution map, name origin, similar species.
Habitat: Anacolia menziesii grows on soil or rock, often along road and trail banks, typically in some shade.
Habit: Anacolia menziesii forms deep tufts that one can sink one’s fingers into. Tufts may be dense, with plants packed tightly together, or loose, with plants more widely spaced. When moist, tufts appear lush and furry. When dry, plants curve upward resulting in a windblown look.
Plants: Anacolia menziesii‘s long, narrow, pointy leaves spread from the stem when moist, creating a furry look. The leaves appress tightly to the stem when dry, and individual plants are clearly distinguished.
Leaves: Anacolia menziesii leaves are long (2.5-4.5 mm), narrow and pointy, flared at the base (ovate), and narrowly tapered above (lanceolate). The margins are strongly rolled back (recurved) from the base to at least halfway up the leaf, and are strongly toothed in the upper half. The base of the leaf typically has a few short pleats (is plicate).
Tomentum: Anacolia menziesii stems are often covered with dense reddish-brown to orange rhizoids, particularly toward the base, but often up into the leaves. This felty mat of rhizoids is referred to as a tomentum. Rhizoids attach the moss to the substratum, and also wick water, which is likely the main function of these dense mats.
Distribution: Anacolia menziesii is found in the western United States, into British Columbia and Northern Mexico. It is common in Santa Barbara County, and indeed throughout California.
Bryophytes of Santa Barbara 