Leptodictyum riparium explained

Leptodictyum riparium, commonly known as Kneiff's feathermoss,^[1] streamside leptodictyum moss, or knapwort,^[2] is a species of moss^[3] of cosmopolitan distribution. The only places it is not found are the Pacific Islands and Australia. It is commonly found growing in the lakes and rivers of Minnesota^[4] and is also present in Mexico, Guatemala, the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Peru and Brazil.^[5]

This moss has several different forms and can grow up to 30 cm. Its ovate leaves, which are in two rows, are often pointed at their apex. Leptodictyum riparium has been found in an acidic mining lake and can live at a pH down to 1.6 in volcanic craters. It was once found with Eleocharis acicularis at a Canadian mining lake.^[6] It is known to contain high levels of phosphate^[7] and is an easy to grow moss that is also used in aquariums. It has been reported that L. riparium tolerates a wide range of nutrient conditions and its population increases as ammonia increases.^[8]

Leptodictyum riparium is known to be able to use artificial light to grow in places which are otherwise devoid of natural light, such as Crystal Cave in Wisconsin.^[9]

Notes and References

1. Book: Edwards, Sean R.. 2012. English Names for British Bryophytes. Wootton, Northampton. British Bryological Society. 978-0-9561310-2-7. 0268-8034. British Bryological Society Special Volume. 5. 4.
2. Book: De Thabrew, Vivian . 2014 . A Manual of Water Plants . . 129 . 978-1491889282 . October 11, 2015.
3. Book: Whittaker, R. H. . 2012 . Classification of Plant Communities . . 140 . 978-9400991835 . October 11, 2015.
4. Book: Acton, Q. Ashton . 2013 . Issues in Global Environment—Biodiversity, Resources, and Conservation: 2013 Edition . . 269 . 978-1490109633 . October 11, 2015.
5. https://books.google.com/books?id=gylFAQAAIAAJ&q=Leptodictyum+Riparium Flora Neotropica
6. Book: Geller . Walter . Scultze . Martin . Kleinmann . Bob . Wolkersdorfer . Christian . 2012 . Acidic Pit Lakes: The Legacy of Coal and Metal Surface Mines . Springer Publishing . 151 . 978-3642293849 . October 11, 2015.
7. Book: Lichtfouse . Eric . Schwarzbauer . Jan . Didier . Robert . 2013 . Green Materials for Energy, Products and Depollution . Springer Publishing . 424–435 . 978-9400768369 . October 11, 2015.
8. Book: Hanson . David T. . Rice . Steven K. . 2013 . Photosynthesis in Bryophytes and Early Land Plants . Springer Publishing . 211–213 . 978-9400769885 . October 11, 2015.
9. Thatcher . Edward P. . Bryophytes of an Artificially Illuminated Cave . The Bryologist . 1949 . 52 . 4 . 212–214 . 10.2307/3239480 . 3239480 .