Anomodon attenuatus is a member of the family anomodontaceae. The species is commonly found in loose, dark green to yellowish brown mats on tree trunks, rocks, cliff shelves and especially at the base of trees (R.R Ireland et. al. 1982). The genera lacks a common name, and some prominent bryologists have referred to them as the "base of tree moss." The primary stems of A. attenuatus are slender and creeping with minute leaves. The secondary stems or branches look very similar to the primary stem but are droopy and taper narrowly to the tip. This is the best feature to distinguish A. attenuatus from other Anomodon species. It is important to realize that this character is visible only when the plant is dry. The leaves are broadly long to lance shaped and curved with the tips all-pointing in the same direction. Another good distinguishing character is the hollow cell at the tip of the branch leaf. The costa on the leaf end will before the leaf tip. The sporophyte has capsules 2-3 mm. in length that are smooth, light brown and cylinder shaped. The operculum is 1.2-1.3mm long and in the shape of an oblique beak. Stomata are present at the base of the urn, and the sporophyte seta is between 13-27mm. A attenuatus is widespread in N. America and extends as far south as Cuba. Common eastern members of the genera include A. rostratus, A. minor, A. Rugelii, and A. viticulosus. A. viticulosus and A. attenuatus are cosmopolitan in Ohio and are present in approximately 75% of the 88 counties. A. minor appears to be present in south central Ohio and the counties surrounding lake Erie but has a gap in its distribution in north central Ohio. A.rugelii is found in only three counties in Northern Ohio, while A. viticulosus inhabits only two counties in extreme southern Ohio.

The information on Anomodon distribution was obtained by Snyder and Andrews, copyright 1996.

Description of genera and species from:
R.R Ireland. Moss Flora of the Maritime Provinces.
H.A. Crum; L.E. Anderson. Mosses of Eastern North America.

Written by Ben Avery
May 2001