Crisped Fork-moss
Dicranum bonjeanii
Crisped Fork-moss (Dicranum bonjeanii) is a distinctive bryophyte characterized by its curved, sickle-shaped leaves that become strongly crisped and contorted when dry, giving the species its common name. This moss forms loose to dense tufts or cushions and plays an important ecological role in forest ecosystems by contributing to soil formation, moisture retention, and providing microhabitat for invertebrates.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Koos Uys, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Koos Uys
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Bryophyta
Class
Bryopsida
Order
Dicranales
Family
Dicranaceae
Genus
Dicranum
Crisped Fork-moss belongs to the family Dicranaceae, order Dicranales, within the Bryopsida class.
Species Profile
Crisped Fork-moss (Dicranum bonjeanii) is a distinctive bryophyte characterized by its curved, sickle-shaped leaves that become strongly crisped and contorted when dry, giving the species its common name. This moss forms loose to dense tufts or cushions and plays an important ecological role in forest ecosystems by contributing to soil formation, moisture retention, and providing microhabitat for invertebrates.
Crisped Fork-moss faces significant threats from habitat degradation and loss due to human activities and environmental changes. The species is particularly vulnerable to air pollution, changes in water chemistry, and disturbance of its specialized wetland habitats. Climate change and altered hydrological patterns further threaten the delicate moisture conditions this moss requires for survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Crisped Fork-moss typically grows in acidic wetland environments including bogs, fens, wet heathlands, and marshy areas with consistent moisture levels. The species favors nutrient-poor, acidic substrates and is often found growing on peat, wet soil, or decaying organic matter in these specialized habitats.
Threats
Air pollution and acid deposition
Habitat loss and degradation
Climate change impacts
Human disturbance and trampling
Hydrological changes and water level fluctuations
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Crisped Fork-moss (Dicranum bonjeanii). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/crisped-fork-moss