Dicranella (plant)
Dicranella is a genus of moss belonging to the family Dicranaceae. The genus was first described by Karl Müller. It has a cosmopolitan distribution.
Dicranella heteromalla is found to have a satisfactory holotype. Dicranella heteromalla possesses a structure designed to endure acidic environments. In addition, it has multipurpose systems that allow a satisfactory adaption. For example, the wild rhizoid system of D. heteromalla forms a dense, matted network of filaments of different diameters, which evidences that its major role is solute uptake rather than anchorage.
Dicranaceae , specifically D. heteromalla, appears to be an important moss host for B. fulva, a necrotrophic parasite that causes tissue bleaching.
Selected species:Dicranella acroclada Cardot, 1915Dicranella heteromalla SchimpDicranella lorentzii Dicranella staphylina Whitehouse, 1965
- ''Dicranella varia''