Spruce's Leskea
Platydictya jungermannioides
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: (c) Stefan Gey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Stefan Gey
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Bryophyta
Class
Bryopsida
Order
Hypnales
Family
Plagiotheciaceae
Genus
Platydictya
Spruce's Leskea belongs to the family Plagiotheciaceae, order Hypnales, within the Bryopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Spruce's Leskea faces severe threats from habitat degradation and loss of its specialized bryophyte communities in temperate and boreal forest ecosystems. Climate change poses additional risks by altering moisture regimes and temperature conditions essential for this moss species' survival. The species' limited distribution and specific ecological requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbances.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This moss species typically inhabits moist, shaded areas in temperate and boreal forests, growing on decaying logs, tree bases, and forest floor substrates. It requires stable humidity levels and is often found in old-growth or mature forest environments with consistent moisture conditions.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Spruce's Leskea faces severe threats from habitat degradation and loss of its specialized bryophyte communities in temperate and boreal forest ecosystems. Climate change poses additional risks by altering moisture regimes and temperature conditions essential for this moss species' survival. The species' limited distribution and specific ecological requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbances.
Climate change altering moisture and temperature regimes
Habitat loss and fragmentation from logging and forest management
Air pollution and acid deposition affecting bryophyte communities
Invasive species competition and ecosystem disruption
Recreational activities and trampling in forest areas
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 Leskea (Platydictya jungermannioides). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/spruces-leskea