Twisted oak moss (Syntrichia laevipila) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 11

Summary of Status Report

The twisted oak moss is a small species with a restricted distribution in Canada, where it occurs in coastal British Columbia, from south-eastern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. The species is confirmed from 25 sites. The Canadian populations are at the northern limits of their range in western North America, where Syntrichia laevipila occurs from British Columbia and Washington southward to California. The species is restricted to the bark of trees, in particular Garry oaks, but is never dominant where it grows, nor is it common in large oak stands. Many of the known populations are protected. The major threat to the species is the aging population of Garry oaks combined with little or no recruitment. Disappearance of Garry oaks will result in the extirpation of most populations of the twisted oak moss.

Page details

Date modified: