Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Coastal BC Plants: Glossy Red Bryum Moss

Glossy Red Bryum Moss

Up on the granite cliff at our cabin are large mats of Glossy Red Bryum Moss (Byrum miniatum). Early in the season it is green. Through late summer and fall it displays its glossy dark red coloration.

It grows near the coast at low elevations on rocky outcroppings, especially those with surfaces that get wet on occasion or exhibit seeps of moisture. It is found less frequently in the high mountains or interior.


It reproduces with saprophytes that rise on tall thin stalks. They start out light green in colour, but also turn a deep red when mature.


Glossy Red Bryum Moss is native to British Columbia. I like it in my natural cliffside garden because it provides a distinctive colour variation to the other green mosses and lichens. -- Margy

Reference: E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia (online).

10 comments:

  1. Interesting plant life. I don't think I have seen this one before.

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    1. It's wonderful to have a "garden" that I don't have to water or weed. - Margy

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  2. Great pictures - I've not seen this before - thanks for the info.

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    1. There are so many kinds of mosses and lichens. - Margy

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  3. We don't have anything like that around here that I've seen. The red is nice for fall.

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    1. It doesn't always get this red, it was a really good year. - Margy

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  4. It's so pretty.
    We have 4 frogs on a log in the goldfish pond. It's a very mild November!

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    1. Here too, but plenty of rain and a bit of snow in the mountains. I hope we get a good snow pack this year for a change. - Margy

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  5. Never seen red moss before. Very unusual.
    Happy ABCW!

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  6. pretty in a RUSTIC sort of way

    ROG, ABCW

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We welcome your comments and questions. - Wayne and Margy