Spruce's Bristle-moss
Orthotrichum sprucei
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by Jonathan Hughes
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Bryophyta
Class
Bryopsida
Order
Orthotrichales
Family
Orthotrichaceae
Genus
Orthotrichum
Spruce's Bristle-moss belongs to the family Orthotrichaceae, order Orthotrichales, within the Bryopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Spruce's Bristle-moss faces severe threats from habitat degradation and loss due to air pollution, particularly acid rain and nitrogen deposition, which alter the chemistry of its bark substrates. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and temperature regimes that affect the delicate moisture balance required for this epiphytic moss. The species' extremely limited distribution and small population sizes make it highly vulnerable to local extinctions from environmental disturbances.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This epiphytic moss grows exclusively on the bark of deciduous trees, particularly in humid woodland environments and along stream valleys in temperate regions. It requires specific microclimate conditions with consistent moisture levels and clean air quality to survive on its tree host substrates.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Spruce's Bristle-moss faces severe threats from habitat degradation and loss due to air pollution, particularly acid rain and nitrogen deposition, which alter the chemistry of its bark substrates. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and temperature regimes that affect the delicate moisture balance required for this epiphytic moss. The species' extremely limited distribution and small population sizes make it highly vulnerable to local extinctions from environmental disturbances.
Air pollution and acid deposition
Climate change and altered precipitation patterns
Habitat fragmentation and forest degradation
Limited distribution and small population size
Loss of suitable host trees
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | 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). Spruce's Bristle-moss (Orthotrichum sprucei). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/spruces-bristle-moss