Entodon is a genus of mosses belonging to the family Entodontaceae within the order Hypnales. It comprises numerous species found across various temperate and tropical regions of the world.
Description Species of Entodon are typically pleurocarpous mosses, meaning they have a prostrate, creeping, or mat-forming growth habit, often forming dense, interwoven carpets. The stems are usually irregularly branched. A distinguishing characteristic of many Entodon species is their glossy or shiny appearance, often ranging in color from yellowish-green to golden-brown, especially when dry. The leaves are generally ovate to oblong, concave, and typically lack a distinct costa (midrib), or it is very short and double. The capsules, which contain the spores, are usually erect and cylindrical, and the peristome teeth are double.
Habitat and Distribution Entodon species are versatile and can be found growing on a variety of substrates, including:
- Rocks (both calcareous and siliceous)
- Soil
- Tree bases and decaying wood
- Walls and other man-made structures
They are commonly encountered in temperate forests, woodlands, and open areas, often thriving in disturbed habitats or on exposed surfaces. Their global distribution makes them a widespread component of various bryophyte floras.
Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Bryophyta
- Class: Bryopsida
- Order: Hypnales
- Family: Entodontaceae
- Genus: Entodon